Posted in Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on December 10, 2014
Two Dead after Accident Involving Fire Truck in Hardin County
A man from Booneville, Tennessee, died early Tuesday after colliding head-on with a fire truck on Holland Creek Road in Hardin County.
According to WTVA.com and a report by wbbjtv.com, the man was driving a logging truck when he was hit head-on by the fire truck, which was responding to an emergency call to help put out a house fire. The driver of the fire truck also died as a result of injuries suffered in the accident.
Tennessee Highway Patrol officers stated that the driver of the fire truck caused the accident when he crossed the center line of the road and into oncoming traffic, where his vehicle then struck the logging truck. Officers also stated that the man driving the logging truck wasn’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Local residents say the road is narrow and has dangerous curves, which may have contributed to the accident.
Tips for Driving Near Emergency Vehicles
At Matt Hardin Law, our Cookeville truck accident lawyers know that emergency vehicles like ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks play big roles in keeping Tennessee safe and helping people in need.
However, we also know they can be dangerous if other drivers aren’t paying attention. These vehicles often travel at high speeds in order to reach their destinations quickly, and their drivers are often forced to make dangerous maneuvers that can put themselves and other drivers at risk.
To decrease your chances of being involved in an accident involving an emergency vehicle, follow these tips:
One of the most effective ways emergency responders get the attention of the drivers around them is to use the sirens on their vehicles. These sirens are loud and alert other drivers to move their vehicles out of the way, but they can be difficult or impossible to hear if you’re wearing headphones or playing your music too loudly. It’s important to always be able to hear sirens from emergency vehicles, so that you can give them plenty of room on the road.
Tennessee law requires that all drivers move over for stopped emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks. This law helps keep drivers, stopped motorists, and emergency responders safe while they’re outside of their vehicles. Not only does this law protect anyone standing on the shoulder of the road, but it also protects drivers who may not see stopped vehicles until it’s too late.
If an emergency vehicle is headed in your direction, slow down and pull your vehicle over to the side of the road to give the responders as much room as possible when passing you. In addition, if the emergency vehicle is approaching you from behind, pull your vehicle off the road and away from any upcoming turns and come to a complete stop.
Every time emergency workers respond to a call, there’s a degree of risk for their own lives and the lives of others—especially when time is of the essence. That’s why the Cookeville truck accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law recommend that all drivers should be cautious and vigilant for the presence of emergency vehicles. By listening for their sirens, changing lanes, and giving them plenty of room on the road, you can reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
But if you or someone you love was injured in an accident with an emergency vehicle that wasn’t your fault, give us a call at (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online contact form. Our legal team can help build a strong claim for you.
