Posted in Car Accident,Pedestrian Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on February 17, 2015
Mother and Son Killed after Leaving Their Vehicle to Help Crash Victims on I-65
A 34-year-old woman and her 10-year-old son were struck and killed by a semi-truck Monday evening after getting out of their vehicle to assist car accident victims on Interstate 65 in Franklin, Tennessee.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the accident occurred around 9 p.m. Monday when the woman stopped her vehicle after a nearby SUV hit a patch of black ice and rolled over near the exit for Highway 96.
Shortly after the mother and son got out of the vehicle, they were hit by a semi-truck. The Franklin Police Department stated that the boy died at the scene as a result of his injuries, while the woman was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police also stated that five people were in the SUV that crashed, and two suffered critical injuries in the accident. A press release from the FPD praised the woman and her son for providing aid to the injured victims.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Franklin car accident lawyers express our condolences to the families of all the victims involved in this tragic accident.
What Should You Do if You See a Car Accident?
It is human nature to want to help those around us who are in need, but it’s also important to do your best to keep yourself and your family safe during these situations. To safely help out car accident victims, do your best to follow these tips:
Even though your first priority is making sure the victims are okay, you also need to keep you and your family as well. Stop your vehicle as soon as its safe to do so and pull over far away from traffic. If there is no shoulder available, keep driving until you can reach one with enough room to park your vehicle out of harm’s way.
Emergency responders are better equipped to handle car accidents than motorists, so it’s important to contact 911 as soon as possible. Stay on the line and provide as much information as you can, including the road or interstate you’re on, which lane the accident occurred in, and the nearest exit or mile marker. This information can help the emergency responders arrive at the scene of the accident sooner to provide critical care to the victims.
Accidents on interstates, highways, or other roadways with heavy traffic traveling at high speeds aren’t safe places to get out of your vehicle. If you see an accident occur on any of these roadways, stay in your vehicle, call 911, and wait for help to arrive.
However, if the accident occurs on a roadway with good visibility and low traffic, you may be able to help the victims by leaving your vehicle and rendering aid—especially if you know the basics of first aid. You should also never move any victims until paramedics arrive, as head and neck injuries can be made much worse with any sudden movements.
In many cases, stopping your vehicle and calling 911 or rendering first aid yourself can be the difference between life and death for car accident victims. But it’s also important to remember that doing so can put your own life at risk, so always be extra cautious—especially if you’re on a roadway with heavy or high-speed traffic.
If you were injured in a car accident or hurt while assisting the victims of a car accident, the Franklin auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law can help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Give us a call today at (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form.
