Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on January 6, 2015
Woman in Serious Condition after Getting Struck by Vehicle in Cleveland
A woman was struck by a car at the intersection of 25th Street and Vista Street in Cleveland, Tennessee, early Tuesday near a McDonald’s restaurant.
According to reports by wrcbtv.com and newschannel9.com and a statement from Cleveland Police Public Information Officer Evie West, the woman suffered serious injuries in the accident and had to be airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to receive treatment.
Bradley County EMS spokesman Stan Clark later stated that the woman is currently in critical condition at Erlanger Medical Center.
The accident occurred at 7:01 a.m. and when emergency crews arrived on the scene, the found woman was still lying in the roadway.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the woman has yet to be identified, and police are still investigating the accident.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville car accident lawyers hope the woman involved in this pedestrian accident gets the help she needs to recover from her injuries.
We know that pedestrians are highly vulnerable to suffering serious and often life-threatening injuries in accidents, and that’s why it’s our goal to help people stay safe on the road at all times whether they’re in cars or trucks, on motorcycles, or on foot.
Here are a few tips pedestrians can follow to make themselves safer when walking near heavily congested areas:
Crosswalks are the safest places for pedestrians to cross the road. When using a crosswalk, always wait until you receive a signal that says it’s safe to cross, even if there is no oncoming traffic. Not only is crossing without a signal illegal, but it also puts you at risk of being struck by a vehicle that’s turning into your lane or by a speeding vehicle that was previously out of sight.
It can be difficult for drivers to see pedestrians during times with poor lighting, such as in the early morning hours, late evening, and at night. To make yourself more visible, always wear brightly colored clothing. Any apparel with reflectors can also make you even more visible to drivers and help keep you safe as a pedestrian.
Always walk on the side of the road where traffic is headed towards you. By walking in a direction where you can see vehicles approaching, not only do drivers see your face and more quickly recognize you as a pedestrian, but you also get the benefit of having more time to react if a vehicle leaves the roadway and is in danger of striking you.
If possible, avoid walking on roads that don’t have separate spaces for pedestrians, such as sidewalks or shoulders. If you have to walk down a road with no designated space for pedestrians, walk as far away from the asphalt as possible, even if it means walking in the median or in a ditch next to the road. All it takes is one moment of distraction for a driver to strike you if you’re walking too closely to his or her vehicle.
According to the CDC, more than 4,700 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2012 and 76,000 suffered serious injuries. The Nashville car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law know how devastating pedestrian accidents can be, as victims often face expensive medical bills and time away from work while they recover.
If you or someone love suffered a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your accident-related expenses. Contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online consultation form. We’re here to help.
