Posted in Car Accident,Pedestrian Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on September 2, 2015
Pedestrian in White County Suffers Fatal Injuries after Being Struck by Vehicle
A pedestrian walking on the side of Old Union Road in White County, Tennessee, suffered severe injuries and later died after being struck by a vehicle last week.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the accident occurred around 7 p.m. Thursday evening when the driver of a 2004 Chevy Blazer was traveling westbound on Old Union Road. The driver of the Blazer said that the setting sun impaired his vision and prevented him from seeing the woman who was struck by his vehicle.
After the accident, the woman was airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to receive treatment, but she later died as a result of her injuries. Another pedestrian was also struck by the Chevy Blazer, but didn’t suffer serious injuries. No one in the Blazer reported injuries.
Emergency crews that responded to the accident scene included the Tennessee Highway Patrol, White County Sheriff’s Department, White County Emergency Medical Services, and White County Fire Department.
Officials are still investigating the accident to determine exactly what caused it, and no charges have been filed against the driver of the Chevy Blazer at this time.
Safety Tips for Driving Near Pedestrians and Crosswalks
Other cars and trucks aren’t the only things you have to be aware of when you’re driving—it’s also important that you stay on the lookout for pedestrians. Although pedestrians are more likely to be encountered in urban and residential areas, they can be found on any stretch of road in Middle Tennessee, and that’s why you should always stay alert.
To do your part in minimizing the number of pedestrian accidents in the mid-state area, do your best to follow these safety tips:
Although pedestrians are supposed to cross the street at crosswalks, that’s not always the case—especially in urban areas or on streets where there are no viable crosswalks. If a pedestrian walks out into the street in front of your vehicle, always slow down and give him or her the right of way.
Crosswalks are common in dense urban areas, and it may be difficult to see if a pedestrian is about to cross the street as you approach the intersection or designed crosswalk area. Drive slowly and stay alert when driving towards crosswalks, as pedestrians can may not be immediately visible as you approach the area.
When walking on roads that don’t have sidewalks, pedestrians may be forced to use the shoulder. If you see someone walking on the shoulder of the road, give him or her as much room as possible when driving near their location.
A large number of pedestrian accidents occur when people get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or using drugs. Because these substances can impair vision, judgment, and reaction times, it makes impaired drivers much less likely to see pedestrians on or near the road and far more likely to strike them with their vehicles.
Pedestrian accidents put victims at an extremely high risk of suffering debilitating and potentially life-threatening injuries. At Matt Hardin Law, our Murfreesboro car accident attorneys know that pedestrian accident victims often face a long and painful recovery process, and many are never able to regain their abilities to work and provide for their families. That’s why it’s so important for all drivers to do their part in reducing the number of pedestrian accidents in Middle Tennessee.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car or pedestrian accident, our legal wants to hear from you. We have 20 years of experience helping injured victims get compensation for their accidents, and now we want to put our experience to work for your family. Get in touch with us today by dialing (615) 600-4941 or filling out a free online form.
