Posted in Pedestrian Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 14, 2016
Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Delivery Driver in Nashville Saturday Night
A 60-year-old man died in a local hospital after he was struck by a 1997 Chevrolet Astro delivery van in Nashville Saturday evening.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred just before 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Nolensville Pike and Welshwood Drive. The driver of the van—a 53-year-old pizza delivery driver—initially stopped after striking the man, but he fled the scene before Nashville Metro Police officers arrived.
He later told police that he exited his vehicle after noticing that his van had struck something and then found the victim lying in the roadway surrounded by witnesses. After checking on the man, the driver told police that he got back in his vehicle and drove back to work.
The victim was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive treatment, where he later died. After an investigation, police say that the pedestrian may have been drinking before the accident occurred and was wearing dark-colored clothing.
The driver of the Astro van may face charges for his role in the accident due to the fact that he left the scene and failed to provide police with his information.
What Should You Do if You’re Involved in an Accident with Injuries?
In Tennessee, drivers are required to stop, call 911, and wait for police to arrive after any auto accidents that involve property damage or injuries. Leaving the scene of the accident before police arrive or before police say it’s okay to leave can result in serious charges, especially if someone was seriously injured or killed.
To protect yourself and your rights to possible compensation after an accident, always follow these steps:
Calling 911 immediately after an accident accomplishes two things:
When you call 911, stay on the line with the dispatcher long enough to provide information about the accident, including the number of vehicles involved and where the accident occurred.
When police officers arrive at the accident scene, they may ask you many questions about the accident and how it occurred. Answer these to the best of your knowledge and always tell the truth. You should also fully cooperate with emergency responders by answering questions about your current health and pain level. Getting a full check-up by a doctor immediately after the accident or in the hours that follow the accident is also vital for protecting both your health and your rights to compensation, as your medical report can serve as valuable evidence of the severity of your injuries.
After you’ve spoken with police and received medical attention, your next steps involve protecting your legal rights and your rights to file a claim for compensation. Auto insurance companies require that their customers report accidents within a certain timeframe, so call your provider as soon as possible and let them know that the accident occurred. However, don’t volunteer information beyond the basic facts of what happened. You should also contact a Nashville car accident lawyer right away, as evidence and critical information regarding your accident that can be used in your claim can quickly disappear.
If you aren’t seriously injured as a result of the accident and don’t need to go to the hospital right away, you should also take pictures of the crash scene, get contact information from witnesses and other drivers involved in the accident, and write down what happened as soon as you can. The sooner you can preserve this information, the more complete your claim for compensation will be.
At Matt Hardin Law, we know that the top priority after all car accidents is protecting your health and the health of your loved ones. But it’s also important to take the right steps to protect yourself legally by cooperating fully with both the police and your insurance provider—and then contacting a law firm that knows how to build strong car accident claims.
Don’t let an auto accident that wasn’t your fault put you in a financial bind. Our Nashville auto accident attorneys believe that innocent victims should never have to pay for their own medical bills and lost wages, and we’ll fight for your rights to the compensation you deserve. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form to speak with us today.
