Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 6, 2015
Recent Winter Storm Causes 4 Deaths in Tennessee
Another round of severe winter weather hit the Volunteer State this week and four people have died as a result of the treacherous conditions it caused on roadways throughout the state.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says that the state is at a Level 3 state of emergency due to the winter weather and the four deaths. All four victims were killed in vehicle accidents.
A 35-year-old woman was killed on Highway 109 Wednesday in a multi-vehicle crash that was caused by the inclement weather, while a 46-year-old man was killed in Dickson County Thursday morning when his vehicle slid off the road due to ice accumulations.
Two other fatal car accidents also occurred in Hamilton and Campbell counties.
TEMA reported that large amounts of snow and ice accumulated on interstates throughout the state, including the Middle Tennessee area, and that while many of those roadways have been cleared, significant amounts of ice and sleet still pose hazards to many drivers.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers hope the severe winter weather is drawing to a close and that roads throughout the state will return to normal in the coming days.
What Are the State of Emergency Levels in Tennessee?
In acts signed by the governor of the state, TEMA can declare a state of emergency in Tennessee that helps reduce public risk and increase the response level to certain threats caused by natural or industrial disasters. The different types of state of emergencies in Tennessee include:
A level 5 state of emergency constitutes no emergency at all and is considered normal operation for TEMA and other emergency crews.
A level 4 state of emergency means that there’s a high likelihood of a serious emergency occurring in the near future or a continued state of emergency due to a previous disaster. Level 4 state of emergencies require frequent and vigilant monitoring of situations in order to act quickly if the situation worsens.
A level 3 state of emergency means that the governor and TEMA have officially declared a state of emergency for Tennessee. Public warnings are issued and only key emergency workers are called to duty to respond to any disasters and threats to public safety.
A level 2 state of emergency means that an event has occurred that will require additional assistance from state and federal resources. This level of emergency generally requires 24-hour operation of emergency workers in order to neutralize the disaster area and keep citizens safe and any hazards from worsening over time.
A level 1 state of emergency means that a catastrophic disaster has occurred that puts many lives at risk and has the potential to cause significant property damage and disrupt normal day-to-day life for an extended period of time. Level 1 state of emergencies are very rare in Tennessee.
When a state of emergency is declared, all citizens are advised to stay at home if possible and stay off roadways, as they may be particularly dangerous due to inclement weather and industrial hazards. However, many people have no choice but to leave their homes during this time. If that’s the case for you or your family, it’s important to drive with extreme caution and to always be aware of your surroundings and the condition of the roads.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville car accident attorneys are dedicated to helping car accident victims no matter what the conditions are like outdoors. We know that car accidents can happen in perfect weather just as easily as they can happen in severe weather.
If you were injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, give us a call at (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form. It’s our goal to help you get the compensation you need for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
