Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on May 11, 2015
Multiple People Injured in Three-Vehicle Accident near Cookeville
Three vehicles were involved in a car accident in Baxter, Tennessee, Friday afternoon that caused seven people—mostly children—to suffer injuries.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the accident occurred in front of the Twin Lakes Catfish Farm around 5:45 p.m. when a vehicle rear-ended another that was turning left. The impact pushed the vehicle out into oncoming traffic where it was struck head-on by another vehicle.
Two children involved in the accident were airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment, while five other victims—including three other children—were taken by ambulances to Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
After initially being admitted to Cookeville Regional Medical Center, two of the children were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for additional treatment.
In all, the accident required the services of the Baxter Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and several EMS workers in the area.
Sources with knowledge of the accident and the victims’ health said that everyone involved in the accident is expected to recover from their injuries.
The Cookeville personal injury lawyers at Matt Hardin Law are hopeful that all of the victims of this accident are able to experience quick and complete recoveries from their injuries.
What Roles Do First Responders Play at Accident Scenes?
As the accident above suggests, accidents involving multiple vehicles and multiple victims can often involve a dozen or more emergency responders. The professionals who respond to accident scenes can include:
City and county police officers, as well as state troopers, are often the first responders at accident scenes. It’s their job to immediately assess the situation and help block off traffic to prevent any further accidents from occurring. They will also assist victims with certain emergencies and begin investigating the accident—especially if criminal charges may be involved.
Car accidents can cause injuries ranging from minor to severe. Emergency medical services, ambulance crews, and paramedics are trained to respond to all types of injuries and provide immediate first-aid. While they can often treat serious injuries at the accident scene, they’re also capable of transporting victims to local hospitals and trauma centers for more advanced treatment for things like head and spinal injuries.
In addition to police and EMS workers, firefighters are also often utilized at car accident scenes. Not only can they put out vehicle fires, but they can also help extricate victims who may be trapped in vehicles. In many cases, firefighters have specialized equipment needed to rescue and treat victims that ambulance crews and police cruisers may not have onboard.
Tennessee’s roadways are served by HELP trucks managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. These vehicles and their drivers can respond quickly to accident scenes and help reroute traffic and provide emergency medical services to injured drivers. They also carry gasoline, diesel fuel, and water to help stranded motorists. HELP response teams are trained to handle a wide variety of highway incidents and drivers should always be aware of their presence at accident scenes.
The Cookeville personal injury lawyers know that all first responders play major roles in saving lives and preventing accidents after highway incidents. By working together, police, firefighters, EMS crews, and highway incident response crews make the roadways, highways, and interstates throughout Tennessee safer for all drivers.
If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident in Cookeville, get in touch with Matt Hardin Law today. Our legal team has years of experience building strong claims for our clients, and we know what it takes to get you fair and full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t wait to get the help you deserve—dial (931) 754-1188 or fill out a free online form.
