Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on February 3, 2015
Tennessee Highway Patrol Officer Injured in Accident on Interstate 65
A state trooper who works for the Tennessee Highway Patrol was injured at the scene of an accident in Pulaski, Tennessee, Sunday night when his cruiser was struck from behind.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the accident occurred when the trooper blocked the left lane of I-65 north on the Elk River Bridge in Giles County when he was responding to an accident. Reports state that a car driven by a 61-year-old woman from Cookeville, Tennessee, struck a tractor-trailer and then veered off its path before striking the THP cruiser.
In addition to causing injuries to the THP trooper, two people in the backseat of the cruiser, a 24-year-old man from Antioch, Tennessee, and a 43-year-old woman from Franklin, Tennessee, suffered minor injuries as well.
The driver of the car that struck the tractor-trailer was cited for following too closely and failure to exercise due care due to her involvement in causing the accident.
The Spring Hill car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law are thankful that no one suffered any life-threatening injuries in this accident, and we hope that the victims recover quickly.
Tips for Staying Safe in the Aftermath of Accidents
As this story highlights, the danger for auto accident victims isn’t over once police or emergency crews arrive at the scene. To keep your family safe after an accident, try your best to follow these safety tips:
Tennessee law protects car accident victims from being found at-fault for accidents just because they move their cars to the side of the road. Even though pursuing a claim for compensation is important after an accident, the safety of you and your family always comes first. Unless someone in the accident is seriously injured, move your vehicle out of the roadway and as far onto the shoulder as possible to get out of the way of oncoming traffic.
If you’re able to do so, get out of your vehicle and stand far away from it while you call 911—even if means standing in a ditch or other area. While staying in your car is much safer than standing directly next to your vehicle, the safest option by far is to put as much space as possible between your family and oncoming traffic while you wait for emergency responders to arrive.
Whether your accident occurred at night, in the rain, or on a sunny day, turning on your flashers can go a long way towards making other drivers aware of your vehicle’s presence. Turn them on immediately after the accident occurs and keep them on until emergency personnel arrive.
Car accidents are traumatic events that can make it difficult to think clearly. However, leaving cars running that were just involved in accidents can be extremely dangerous, as gasoline, oil, and other combustible fluids may leak and catch fire due to sparks or extreme heat, causing large vehicle fires or even explosions. Turn your vehicle off as soon as you move it out of the way and tell any other people who were involved in the accident to switch off their ignitions as well.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Spring Hill car accident lawyers know all too well that the dangerous is rarely over after the initial accident is over—especially if it occurs on a busy road such as an interstate or highway. That’s why it’s so important to be knowledgeable and act fast to protect the safety of everyone involved in the accident.
If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, our legal professionals are here to help. We know the Tennessee legal system, and we know how to build claims that get results. Contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form, and let us go to work for you.
