Roadway Departure Crash

The Times Free-Press of Chattanooga reported that a woman was killed in an early morning crash on Highway 58. She died after the car she was driving ran off the roadway, went through a yard and crashed into some trees before catching on fire.

According to the Times, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the crash that occurred at approximately 2:36 a.m. and when they arrived the vehicle was on fire. Deputies and by-standers attempted to remove the driver but due to heavy smoke and flames, were not able to approach the car, according to Janice Atkinson, public information officer with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. The article went on to say that alcohol may be a factor in the crash, the investigation is still on-going by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Division,

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney we refer to crashes such as this as “Roadway Departure Crashes” (RDC). The Federal Highway Administration defines a RDC as a non-intersection crash that occurs when a vehicle crosses an edge line or a center-line, or otherwise leaves the traveled way.

According to the Federal Highway Administration roadway departure crashes are frequently severe and account for the majority of highway fatalities. In 2008, there were 19,794 fatal roadway departure crashes resulting in 22,080 fatalities, which was 53 percent of the fatal crashes in the United States. FHWA uses the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compute statistics on roadway departure crashes.

The FHWA’s Roadway Departure Safety Program provides important information for transportation practitioners, decision makers, and others to assist them in preventing and reducing the severity of roadway departure crashes, but no matter what steps they take this problem will never be successful if drivers refuse to observe the speed limits, avoid distractions and continue to drink and drive.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville car crash contact our experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies. If you are not sure you need a lawyer to handle your claim, at least check out our website for helpful information that will help you with this complex and confusing adventure.