Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on April 26, 2016
Semi-Truck Crashes into Greenbrier Home Monday Morning
A semi-truck crashed into a Greenbrier, Tennessee, home early Monday after the driver left it unattended and failed to engage its trailer brakes.
According to a report by WSMV.com, the accident occurred just after 7 a.m. The driver of the truck was parked nearby while visiting his mother’s home. When he exited the vehicle, he didn’t engage the trailer brakes, causing the vehicle to begin rolling down the hill and into the home.
The impact of the collision caused the home to be knocked from its foundation. An additional incident occurred at the accident scene when the tow truck driver who was tasked with retrieving the truck was arrested after being accused of assaulting a state trooper who arrived at the scene.
Residents of the home that was damaged by the semi-truck removed their belongings and placed them in their yard due to fears that their home is structurally unsound after the collision and could collapse.
In addition to damaging the home, the semi-truck also collided with two cars in the home’s driveway, causing damage to both vehicles.
Facts about Accidents Involving Vehicles Colliding with Buildings
When most people think of car accidents, they think of two vehicles colliding or a single vehicle running off the roadway and crashing in a ditch, colliding with a tree, or striking another small object.
While those types of accidents make up the majority of car accidents in Middle Tennessee, another type of accident—vehicles crashing into buildings—can cause significant property damage and even serious injuries. Many people are unfamiliar with accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs colliding with buildings, but the consequences can be severe for business owners, employees, and families.
People are often surprised by the following facts about accidents involving vehicles crashing into buildings:
Although vehicles crashing into buildings seems like a rare occurrence, it happens throughout the country 60 times every day on average. The vast majority of buildings that are struck by vehicles include commercial buildings like restaurants, retail storefronts, and office suites.
More than 10,000 Americans reach 65 years of age every day, and there are currently more than 23 million licensed drivers who are over the age of 70. Senior citizen drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes involving vehicles colliding with buildings. Another risk factor involves distracted driving, and the proliferation of smartphones and GPS devices further increases that risk.
Intersections are among the most dangerous and likely areas for multi-vehicle accidents to occur, and parking lots are common sites of crashes involving vehicles colliding into buildings. Most buildings are separated from parking lots by sidewalks and other barriers, but drivers who accidentally press their accelerators instead of their brakes or who mistakenly place their vehicles in drive instead of reverse can drive over or through these barriers and into storefronts and the walls of commercial buildings, causing serious damage and creating a high risk for injuries.
Although not as common as accidents involving commercial buildings, vehicles can also pose risks to homes—especially when homes are located near sharp turns or areas where drivers frequently lose control of their vehicles. Commercial building and home crashes not only put the occupants of the vehicles at risk of suffering injuries, but the people inside the buildings and homes at the time of impact are also at high risk.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident involving a vehicle crashing into a building or home, you shouldn’t have to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and accident-related expenses out of your own pocket. At Matt Hardin Law, we fight hard to hold negligent and careless drivers responsible for the damages they cause. Let us go to work on your behalf today—dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
