Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on August 31, 2015
Two Middle Tennessee Police Officers Injured after Recent Accidents
An officer with the Shelbyville Police Department was hospitalized over the weekend after suffering serious injuries in a crash involving a drunk driver.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred early Sunday morning when the police officer was turning from Highway 231 onto a nearby bypass in Shelbyville, Tennessee, when his police cruiser was struck by a Mustang. The officer was transported to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to receive treatment for injuries including a fractured ankle and torn ligaments.
The passengers who were riding in the Mustang at the time of the accident also suffered injuries and were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. The police officer who was hospitalized at St. Thomas Rutherford is expected to be released soon.
A second police officer was injured in White House, Tennessee, on Saturday after being involved in a crash in front of a Wendy’s on Highway 76.
The impact of the collision caused the trooper to become trapped inside his police cruiser, and emergency rescue crews had to use Jaws of Life to extricate him from the vehicle. The officer was briefly hospitalized before being released.
How to Drive Safely Around Emergency Vehicles and Police Cruisers
Ambulances, fire trucks, and police cruisers are common sights on roadways throughout Middle Tennessee. These vehicles and the officers, paramedics, and firefighters who use them on a daily basis are responsible for saving lives and making communities safer. However, driving near these vehicles requires caution and alertness, as these vehicles are often operated in a different manner than other vehicles you encounter on the highway or interstate.
If you’re approaching a stopped police car, ambulance, fire truck, or any other emergency vehicle, move your vehicle over as soon as it’s safe to do so. Tennessee law requires that all drivers move over when approaching emergency vehicles, as emergency responders face significant dangers when they’re on the shoulder of the road. Moving over not only helps you avoid getting a ticket, it also protects your life and the lives of the emergency workers who stopped to assist someone.
If you see or hear an emergency vehicle with its lights on or siren blaring, move out of the way. Whether you have to pull over to the side of the road, come to a stop in the middle of your lane, or change lanes, give the emergency vehicle as much room as possible when it’s safe to do so. Always keep the lane clear until all emergency vehicles have passed, as it’s not uncommon for multiple emergency vehicles to respond to the same call.
Driving near a police cruiser, ambulance, or fire truck can make some drivers uneasy and more prone to mistakes—especially if a police car is directly behind or beside them. Don’t let the presence of emergency vehicles distract you. Do your best to drive as you normally would and focus on the road ahead and maintaining a safe speed at all times.
Police officers are trained to quickly respond during emergencies, but sometimes they’re the ones who get injured during traffic accidents. Emergency responders often put their own lives at risk while trying to save the lives of others, and it’s important for all drivers to be as safe and alert as possible when driving near police cruisers, ambulances, and firetrucks.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, our Shelbyville car accident attorneys want to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Get in touch with us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or filling out a free online consultation form. We’re ready to put our two decades of experience to work for you.
