Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on September 6, 2016
Two-Vehicle Accident Kills 1, Injures 5 in Murfreesboro
An accident involving two vehicles caused one person to suffer fatal injuries and five others to suffer serious injuries early Monday in Rutherford County.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred just after 9 a.m. in the 2600 block of Main Street near Twin Oak Drive.
Five of the victims were transported to a local hospital to receive treatment, and one of the victims is a small child who was riding in a car seat at the time of the accident. The victims’ current conditions are unknown at this time and police have yet to release the identity of the victim who died.
Emergency responders with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, Murfreesboro police department, and Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the accident scene.
Law enforcement officials are still working to determine the cause of the accident.
How Can You Protect Your Children in the Event of an Accident?
An automobile accident involving their child is many parents’ worst fear. Because of their small size, children can be more vulnerable during auto accidents, especially when seat belts don’t properly restrain them the same way that they restrain adults and larger children.
To keep your children safe in your vehicle in the event of an accident, always follow these safety tips:
Standard seat belts aren’t built to protect small children. Infants should always be restrained in rear-facing car seats until they turn 2 years old or reach the maximum height and weight limits for their seats. After they outgrow the rear-facing seats, they can use front-facing car seats and eventually booster seats.
Even if your children are too big for car seats and booster seats, experts still recommend that they ride in the backseat of vehicles until around the age of 13. The backseat is the safest place for them in the event of accidents, as front-seat airbags may pose a significant risk when they deploy.
Car seats aren’t designed to be used after they’ve sustained damage in crashes. If you’ve ever been involved in an accident when your children were riding in a rear-facing or front-facing car seat, you should replace it immediately. However, the NHTSA says that it’s not necessary to replace car seats after minor accidents that include the following criteria:
When you first purchase a new car seat for your child, it’s vital that you install it correctly. In correctly installed car seats are much less effective at protecting children during accidents. Read all steps in the manual or take advantage of a car seat inspection and installation day hosted by your local law enforcement agency to make sure your child gets full protection when riding in his or her car seat.
Motor vehicle accidents are among the leading causes of both injuries and fatalities for everyone under the age of 18. In addition to making sure small children are properly restrained, it’s also important to practice safe driving techniques to keep your children safe when they’re big enough to ride in the front seat. Not only will safe driving safe behaviors help reduce your risk of accidents, they’ll also serve as a positive influence on your children when they start driving as well.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Murfreesboro auto accident attorneys know that the injuries innocent victims suffer during car accidents can be debilitating, both physically and financially. We believe that people who were hurt due to the negligence of others should never pay out of pocket for their medical bills and lost wages.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a crash caused by a careless driver, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. To speak with our legal team, dial (615) 600-4941 or complete a free online consultation form.
