Every Parent’s Nightmare
Practice Pedestrian Safety
It’s every parents dream to have a teenager who gets it. One who works hard at two jobs to pay for her education and who is loved and respected by her family and friends. It’s every parent’s nightmare when they get the call that this wonderful child has been killed in a motor vehicle accident.
Reference an article on the website of NewsChannel5 describing the accident that left 18-year-old Maria Gonzalez dead on Gallatin Road, the victim of an Nashville automobile pedestrian accident. According to the article Metro Police identified 29-year-old Anthony Kim of Hermitage as the driver of the car. Mr. Kim told police that he was driving southbound along Gallatin Pike when the 18-year-old darted across the street from the west side of Gallatin Pike wearing dark clothes. Neither drugs nor alcohol were involved but no information has been released about Mr. Kim’s speed at the point of collision.
In 2008, 61 pedestrian fatalities occurred on state highways. While the incidence of traffic crashes involving pedestrians is a small percentage of overall traffic-related fatalities, there is still a great need to ensure the safety of all roadway users. In 2004, the State Department of Transportation recognized the need to make a better environment for increased pedestrian safety by instituting a “Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Policy.” This policy specifically addresses the need to improve transportation conditions for pedestrians by designing infrastructure that provides safe, accessible facilities for walking on all new and reconstructed state highways. As a result, many of Tennessee’s roadways are now safer and more accommodating to pedestrian travel, but apparently not this intersection.
The state strategy is to create driver education courses to teach students about the importance of sharing the highways in a safe manner and when and how they are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Other programs, including the “Safe Routes To School” initiative are now available to teach students how to safely walk and bicycle to school and also raise awareness for motorists about traveling safely during school time and through school zones.
Ms. Gonzalez’ family is calling on state and local authorities to establish a crosswalk at this busy intersection so that no other parents need suffer the loss of a loved one.
If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Nashville pedestrian motor vehicle accident contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a to learn about your rights and remedies.
Phillip Miller is a Tennessee Accident Attorney specializing in
Phillip has an AVVO rating of 10.0 (Superb), has been designated as a “Superlawyer”, and is the President Elect of the Tennessee Association for Justice.
Click Here to Contact Phillip
