Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on December 9, 2014
Earlier this month, one man was killed and another seriously injured in a single-vehicle car accident near Maryville. According to one local news report, the crash involved only one vehicle and the deceased party was the passenger in that vehicle.
Evidently, the vehicle was heading north on New Blockhouse Road around 2:45 in the morning when the driver lost control around a corner. As the driver lost control, the truck spun out, crashing into several trees on the passenger side of the truck. The passenger was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled onto its side. The driver of the truck was partially ejected and was pinned underneath the truck until emergency responders were able to extricate him.
The passenger was flown to Blount Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after he was admitted. The driver of the truck is expected to recover from his injuries.
Police are currently conducting an investigation into what led to the fatal accident. They have told reporters that neither of the people in the truck were wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Given the time and nature of the accident, it is possible that the accident involved drugs or alcohol.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Tennessee
In Tennessee it is illegal to operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In the case of drugs, it is illegal for a driver to have the drug itself in his or her system or a metabolite of the drug. Regarding alcohol, a driver is legally “drunk” when his or her blood- or breath-alcohol content is at .08 or above.
When a drunk driver causes a serious or fatal car accident, he or she often can be held liable for the injuries that are caused. In order to hold a drunk driver liable, the accident victim—or the victim’s family in the case of a fatal accident—must establish that the drunk driver was negligent and that such negligence was the cause of the accident resulting in the plaintiff’s injuries.
While it sounds simple in theory, it is more difficult in reality. Often, insurance companies get involved, complicating the process because they rarely voluntarily pay out even on the most meritorious claim. That is why it is best to secure the assistance of a dedicated Tennessee personal injury attorney before filing any type of Tennessee personal injury case.
Have You Been Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a serious or fatal drunk driving accident in Tennessee, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for what you have been through. In many cases, a plaintiff will be able to use the legal doctrine of “negligence per se” to establish his or her claim, making the job easier. To learn more about Tennessee accident law, and to speak to an attorney about your case, call 615-200-1111 today to set up a free initial consultation with an attorney.
See Related Blog Posts:
Bartlett Police Officer May Be Responsible for Fatal Tennessee Accident, Nashville Injury Lawyer’s Blog, published October 22, 2014.
5 Common Causes of Auto Accidents, Nashville Injury Lawyer’s Blog, published November 14, 2014.
