Traffic Circles Can Be Tricky the First Time Around

by Queener Law | Feb 5, 2015 | Auto Accident, Tennessee

Roundabouts can be especially confusing for people when they are new or when motorists are unfamiliar with them, and their appearance across Tennessee over the past two decades has led to a decrease in traffic fatalities but an increase in accidents overall. Motorists should understand how to safely navigate through roundabouts so they can reduce their risk of car accidents. By observing basic rules for roundabouts, motorists may safely get through them without issues.

Roundabout Accidents

A study of more than 300 roundabouts in Wisconsin found that the intersections that were formerly controlled by traffic signals but had been turned into roundabouts showed a 38 percent drop in traffic fatalities and injuries. However, these locations also experienced an increase of 12 percent in accidents overall. Many of these accidents were caused by drivers who were inexperienced or confused by the roundabouts. Between 30 and 50 percent of all accidents in roundabouts in the U.S. were single-vehicle accidents. Of the single-vehicle accidents in roundabouts, one-third resulted from bad weather and 19 percent were caused by drunk or impaired driving.

Safe Roundabout Navigation

To reduce the risk for traffic circle crashes, drivers should familiarize themselves with safe roundabout navigation.

• When people approach roundabouts, they should yield to traffic in all of the lanes of the roundabout and only enter when they have adequate clearance. Motorists who are already inside of the roundabouts have the right of way, and motorists who are at entry points must yield to them.
• Large trucks may have to take up parts of two lanes or use the concrete in the center of the roundabout to make it safely through them. Other drivers should not try to jockey for position with a large truck in a roundabout. A good rule of thumb is to yield to all large trucks inside of roundabouts.
• People should pay attention to signs that show the lanes that they should get into when they enter the roundabouts and slow down as they approach.
• Finally, drivers should not try to speed through roundabouts so that they can avoid going off the road.

4 ways to reduce stress while behind the wheel

by Queener Law | Jan 26, 2015 | Auto Accident, Tennessee

Studies performed by The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety show that road rage is a major contributor to motor vehicle accidents nationwide. When people are stressed from a job, family situation or driving itself, they are more likely to cause a tragic car accident, according to the American Psychological Association. Automobile accident Cookeville attorneys note that, while some motorists have an aggressive-type personality and engage in risky, hostile driving behaviors on a regular basis, other motorists rarely experience stress and road rage. High stress on Tennessee roadways contributes to an increased rate of vehicular collisions. The APA and the Department of Motor Vehicles suggest motorists use the following tips in order to reduce stress behind the wheel.

1. Avoid traffic as much as possible

For some motorists driving in high-traffic situations may be inevitable. It may be possible, however, for some drivers to arrange a schedule where they are not caught in the midst of a traffic jam when traveling to or from work. Whether this requires leaving a little early or driving home a little late, it may be worth the reduced likelihood of becoming involved in an automobile accident.

1. Make sure that the vehicle is well-maintained and comfortable

Many motorists experience stress when something unexpectedly goes wrong with their vehicle. Ensuring that the oil, windshield wipers, tire pressure and tires are properly checked may prevent a vehicle emergency. Drivers should also make sure that their car is stocked with the essentials, such as an ice scraper and sunglasses, before hitting the open road. Many automobile accident Cookeville attorneys know that taking a few seconds to adjust the seats, and fix the rear-view mirrors can also help prevent a stressful event.

1. Find something that calms the nerves

Stressed drivers should find something that calms their nerves when they feel as though they are starting to tense up. According to the APA, some people benefit from listening to relaxing music, engaging in deep breathing exercises or thinking of something other than driving. Vehicle operators should make sure to get plenty of sleep and exercise often, which may reduce muscle tension and fatigue while driving.

1. Take a break

It is much better to pull over, get out of the car and take a short break than to cause a catastrophic car accident by engaging in aggressive driving behaviors.

People who are involved in an accident caused by an aggressive driver may want to consult automobile accident Cookeville attorneys in order to receive compensation for any injuries or property damage sustained in the accident.

Injuries often associated with car accidents

by Queener Law | Jan 24, 2015 | Auto Accident, Tennessee

Car accidents injure millions of people across the United States each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2.36 million people were injured in traffic accidents in 2012, a 6.5 percent increase from 2011. From minor lacerations and broken bones to traumatic brain injury and paralysis, injuries experienced by car accident victims can vary from one incident to another. Many Tennessee personal injury attorneys know that the following are just a few of the most common types of motor vehicle accident injuries.

Broken bones and lacerations

Whether an accident victim experiences a severe compound fracture that requires surgical intervention or a simple broken arm that can be reset into place, broken bones can be extremely painful and may require additional therapy. Lacerations can occur when broken glass or airborne objects pierce the skin. In some instances, deep lacerations may need stitches and could leave scars.

Traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can occur when a person experiences a sudden jolt or impact to the head, causing brain tissue damage, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The damage can range in severity from mild to extreme depending on the force of impact. Some victims of TBI will immediately notice key signs of brain damage, including dizziness, fatigue, headache, seizures, numbness in the extremities and loss of coordination.  Other people may not have any symptoms for several weeks or even months after the incident takes place. Tennessee personal injury attorneys note that TBI can change some people’s lives forever and others may heal with time and therapy.

Neck and spinal cord injuries

Neck and spinal cord injuries can vary from mild whiplash to paralysis. According to the Mayo Clinic, paralysis occurs when trauma to the spinal cord, ligaments, vertebrae or disks damages or severs the nerve fibers passing through the spinal column. Damage done to the upper portion of the spinal cord may result in quadriplegia, or loss of movement and sensation of both upper and lower extremities. Lower spinal cord damage may lead to paraplegia, or loss of movement in the lower extremities. Motor vehicle accidents are responsible for causing more than 35 percent of all spinal cord injuries, making auto accidents the leading cause of such injuries.

Internal injuries

The impact from car accidents could cause internal bleeding and bruising to crucial organs, such as the kidneys, bowels, liver, spleen, lungs or heart. Fractured ribs could result in punctured lungs. If a person is impaled by an object, an organ may be affected as well. Internal injuries can be life threatening and require immediate attention.

Tennessee personal injury attorneys handle car accident cases where people have become seriously injured as a result of another driver’s negligence. Getting compensation can be the first step to getting one’s life back on track.

Tennessee bans texting and driving but drivers are ignoring it

by Queener Law | Jan 23, 2015 | Auto Accident, Tennessee

In 2009, Tennessee became the ninth state in the nation to prohibit motorists from texting and driving, according to The Tennessean. Unfortunately, the ban has not decreased the number of people who are killed or injured each year in distracted driving car accidents involving cellphones, as many Clarksville auto accident attorneys have seen. Statistics from the National Safety Council show that in 2011, 10.6 percent of all traffic accidents in Tennessee involved drivers who were using their cellphones. While 71 people were killed in distracted driving accidents involving cellular devices in 2010, the number rose to 93 deaths in 2011.

Texting and driving causes auto accidents

A 17-year-old faces charges of texting while driving and failure to exercise due care after he slammed into a law enforcement officer’s vehicle head-on, according to WRCB News. Both the officer and the teen driver involved in the accident were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, and are extremely fortunate to escape the incident with their lives. Tennessee Highway Patrol found that the young boy had allegedly sent a text message two minutes before the accident took place. This may explain why the boy turned his steering wheel just in time to collide with the officer who was traveling in the opposite direction.

Clarksville auto accident attorneys are no strangers to handling texting crashes. WRCB News reported that even an auto body repair shop in McMinn County has seen an increase in business as a result of distracted driving car accidents. Victims of auto accidents caused by distracted drivers may be eligible for compensation for any property damage, medical expenses or lost wages that stem from the collision.

More than just a statewide issue

Distracted driving and texting crashes are not just a problem for Tennessee motorists. Distraction.gov states that in 2012, 3,328 people were killed in these types of accidents nationwide. Approximately 421,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents that same year. The official U.S. government’s website dedicated to distracted driving also reported that 10 percent of all motorists under 20 years of age who were involved in deadly car accidents were distracted at the time of the collision. The Institute for Highway Safety has found that as many as 11 U.S. teenagers are killed each day as a result of texting and driving.

Studies show that texting while behind the wheel can be even more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Negligent motorists who text while driving, may face charges of reckless driving, reckless endangerment, text messaging while operating a motor vehicle or criminally negligent homicide if they are apprehended by law enforcement. People who have been victimized by distracted drivers may want to seek legal assistance from Clarksville auto accident attorneys.