Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on August 20, 2015
Two-Car Accident on I-440 in Nashville Kills 1 Man, Injures 6 Children
An accident involving two vehicles on Interstate 440 in Nashville, Tennessee, Wednesday afternoon claimed the life of one man and injured six children.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred around 4 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of the interstate near Nolensville Pike when the 49-year-old driver of a 2002 Oldsmobile van was struck head-on by a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder that was being driven by a 22-year-old man.
The impact of the collision caused the driver of the Oldsmobile to suffer fatal injuries and all six of the children in the van to suffer injuries as well. All were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive treatment. The driver of the Pathfinder was also transported to Skyline Medical Center to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Pathfinder told police that he was traveling in the westbound lanes of I-440 when a vehicle entered his lane, causing him to swerve to avoid it. He then crossed over the grass median into eastbound traffic and struck the van head-on.
Nashville police are investigating the accident, which caused I-440 to be closed for nearly four hours Wednesday as crews worked to clear the scene of debris.
What are Common Causes of Head-On Collisions?
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous that any driver or passenger can experience. Because they involve two vehicles colliding at high-speed and traveling in opposite directions, the amount of force generated by these accidents can be substantial—and that force can be transferred into the people inside the vehicles involved, making them prone to suffer serious and even life-threatening injuries.
Some of the most common causes of these types of accidents include:
On many interstates and highways, high-speed traffic is divided by nothing more than a small grassy or asphalt median. In addition, many roadways have no median at all and vehicles are separated by only a small yellow line of paint. All it takes is a brief moment of distraction or lapse in concentration by a driver for a vehicle to cross one of those boundaries and collided head-on with another vehicle.
Whether it’s driving the wrong way down a one-way street or entering a highway or interstate traveling the wrong direction, wrong-way collisions are often head-on collisions, and these types of accidents are extremely dangerous for drivers and passengers. Alcohol intoxication is a frequent contributor to wrong-way accidents, as drivers who are impaired may be unable to clearly see signs that show the correct flow of traffic.
Vehicles that are waiting to turn left or enter an intersection may be at high risk of being involved in a head-on collision if they’re struck from behind by another vehicle or even by a chain-reaction accident. That’s why it’s important for drivers to keep their vehicles pointed away from oncoming traffic while waiting to turn left or enter the flow of traffic.
Matt Hardin Law’s team of Nashville car accident attorneys has helped many victims of head-on collisions during our two decades of experience, and we know that these accidents can often cause life-changing injuries that result in permanent disabilities and reduced quality of life.
If you or someone you love was injured in a head-on collision that was caused by another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and more. We don’t charge for our initial consolations, and you don’t owe us any money unless we get money for you. Get in touch with us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or filling out a free online form. We’re ready to put our experience to work for you.
