Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on February 9, 2015
Teen Killed in Car Accident on Interstate 24 in La Vergne
A 16-year-old boy lost his life as a result of an accident that occurred on Interstate 24 in La Vergne, Tennessee, early Sunday morning.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the accident happened around 2:30 a.m. near the Waldron Road exit when 18-year-old driver of a car traveling eastbound lost control of his vehicle. Investigators say the car then veered into a rock wall before it overturned, causing injuries to both occupants of the vehicle.
The teenage passenger was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment, but he died as a result of his extensive injuries. The driver was also injured and taken a local hospital for treatment as well.
Tennessee Highway Patrol stated that neither occupant of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Although police don’t suspect the driver was intoxicated the time of the crash, he will undergo tests to determine if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the accident occurred.
The Murfreesboro car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law express our condolences to the family of the young man who lost his life in this tragic accident.
Why Are Seat Belts So Important?
Seat belts are the most important safety feature in modern vehicles. The Centers for Disease Control says that wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of suffering serious crash-related injuries by half. Seat belts are able to reduce the risks of injuries and save lives by:
One of the biggest causes of serious injuries in car accidents is when occupants are ejected from vehicles. Ejection occurs when occupants aren’t properly restrained and their vehicle experiences extreme deceleration after previously traveling at a high rate of speed. People who are ejected in car accidents have a much higher risk of suffering injuries that can cause paralysis or even death.
While airbags were created to reduce the chances of car accident victims striking their heads against the interior of vehicles during crashes, seat belts—especially those with shoulder restraints—are still the best protection. Seat belts keep car accident victims’ upper bodies restrained in the event of accidents, meaning any contact with solid surfaces, including airbags, will happen with much less force and velocity than it would if the victims weren’t fully restrained.
Any unsecured object becomes a hazard during car accidents—and that includes unrestrained occupants of vehicles. Drivers and passengers alike aren’t just at risk of injuring themselves during car accidents, as they can also slam into each other with huge amounts of force, causing serious injuries like concussions and broken bones. Passengers and drivers who are restrained with seat belts are held in place during accidents—which means their risk to others in their vehicles is greatly reduced.
Because of these safety factors, wearing a seat belt is required by law in Tennessee, and police can and do ticket drivers and passengers who are caught on the road without wearing one. At Matt Hardin Law, our Murfreesboro auto accident attorneys know that wearing a seat belt is one simple way to greatly reduce your chances of suffering serious injuries in an auto accident.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your accident-related expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, and more. Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form.
