Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on April 18, 2017
Several vehicles were involved in an accident on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County Friday afternoon, resulting in multiple lanes of the roadway closing for hours as emergency responders worked to clear the scene.
Per a report by the Daily News Journal, the accident occurred just before 1 p.m. near Interstate 840 and Medical Center Parkway at mile marker 76 in the westbound lanes of I-24.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported that several lanes of the interstate were closed after the multi-car pileup. A Tennessee Highway Patrol sergeant reported that the first crash involved four vehicles, and a second crash occurred nearby involving two vehicles.
No one was seriously injured because of the crash, and it’s unknown if anyone was transported to a hospital. The roadway was completely closed for around 30 minutes after the crash, with two westbound lanes reopening at around 1:20 p.m. and the rest of the westbound lanes clearing by around 3 p.m. Friday afternoon. Traffic was backed up for several miles while the lane closures were in effect.
A report by WKRN.com says that the second accident was caused by a vehicle with a flat tire.
What Should You Do if You’re Involved in a Multi-Vehicle Accident?
Drivers who are involved in multi-vehicle accidents may suffer from disorientation and confusion in addition to serious injuries. That’s because vehicles may be struck multiple times when several other cars are involved in a chain-reaction crash. Auto accidents are confusing enough as-is, but trying to piece together the events of pileup can be difficult or impossible.
If you’re involved in a multi-car collision, follow these steps to protect your health and your rights to compensation:
Never assume that someone else has already reported the accident after a multi-vehicle crash. If you’re capable of doing so, use your phone to dial 911 and report the accident. Speak with police when they arrive and answer their questions as best you can. It can be difficult for police to determine who was at-fault, and the information they get from victims immediately after crashes can help them piece together what happened.
It’s important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible after the accident, even if you don’t think you were seriously injured. If you’re bleeding, fear that you have broken bones, or are in serious pain, an ambulance should be available to transport you to the hospital. And even if your injuries aren’t prominent or obvious, getting treated by a physician can still rule out internal injuries and create valuable evidence for your claim.
Auto insurance companies require that their customers report accidents within a short time frame after they occur. If you wait too long, you may be ineligible to file a claim for compensation. When speaking with an adjuster, stick to the facts and never admit fault.
Proving fault after multi-vehicle crashes can be more challenging than accidents that involve two vehicles, but successful law firms know how to locate, retrieve, and analyze evidence that shows which drivers may have contributed to the crash and their individual level of responsibility. But acting quickly is vital, as evidence may disappear in the days following the accident.
In addition to following these tips, it’s also important to remember to stay inside your vehicle after multi-vehicle crashes—especially if it occurred during a time of low visibility or poor road traction such as rain, fog, or winter weather. Getting out of your vehicle immediately after a crash can put you at risk of being struck by another car during the chain-reaction crashes that may be occurring nearby.
Were you or someone you know injured in a multi-vehicle crash? If so, the Nashville auto accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Get in touch with our legal team today by calling (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form. From the moment you get in touch with our team, we’ll start fighting for your rights to the money you deserve.
