Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on May 12, 2017
At least six vehicles were involved in three separate accidents in both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 24 on Tuesday night in Nashville.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the first two accidents occurred at around 9 p.m. near the Rutherford County line in the westbound lanes and resulted in police closing all but one westbound lane and two eastbound lanes of the interstate as they worked to investigate the crashes and clear the scenes.
One of the accidents involved a vehicle flipping onto its side against the median.
A second accident occurred shortly after the first two in the eastbound lanes of I-24. Police say that this crash, which was a fender bender, may have been due to rubbernecking. Multiple people were transported to local hospitals to receive treatment for their injuries, and as many as eight vehicles may have been involved in the pile-ups.
Police kept the lanes of I-24 near the accident scenes closed until around midnight.
Tips for Driving near Accident Scenes
The dangers that people involved in accidents and people driving near them face don’t end when all the vehicles come to a complete stop. Both victims and passersby can be involved in secondary accidents, especially when crashes block parts of the roadway, create large amounts of debris, or result in chain-reaction collisions.
To stay safe when driving near an accident scene, do your best to follow these tips:
If you see an accident happen or drive up on the aftermath of an accident that just occurred, it’s important to pull your vehicle over in a safe location and immediately call 911 to report the crash. Stay on the line and provide as much information as possible, including your location, the number of vehicles involved, and the overall severity of the crash.
If emergency responders have already arrived at the accident scene, keep your eyes on the road and your mind focused on the task of driving. Many secondary crashes occur because drivers take their attention off the road and instead look at the crash scene. As with any distracted driving crash, drivers who aren’t looking at the road and vehicles in front of them are more likely to cause rear-end collisions or even strike emergency vehicles and responders.
Accidents can sometimes result in roadways requiring detours or even closing. If that’s the case, you’ll likely see that information on an electronic message board or from a police officer or other emergency responder standing near the accident scene. Always follow any crash-related instructions, whether it involves detouring around the accident or even turning around. If you’re allowed to drive around the scene, reduce your speed and proceed cautiously.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that many people suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries due to secondary crashes. Many those crashes occur due to drivers being distracted by the accident scene and the flashing lights from emergency vehicles. It can sometimes be difficult to stay focused on the road when you’re driving near a crash, but it’s essential for protecting your safety and the safety of those around you.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a primary or secondary crash that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. Our legal team has two decades of experience assisting injured victims like you, and we know how to build a claim that will maximize your chances of recovering maximum damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
Get in touch with us today. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
