When Do I Use Deadly Force?

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I cringed when I read an article in a Clarksville Tennessee media outlet the other morning. It appears that a Clarksville driver ran down a man who he suspected of burglarizing his roommate’s car. Police were able to arrest the subject and it appears that the drivers instincts about the burglary were correct, but I might suggest that there were other options available the this guy to achieve the same goal.

In Tennessee a car is considered a deadly weapon, and as such it should be used as such only if the driver’s life or that of another person were in danger. Tennessee law gives citizens the right to defend themselves if they have a reasonable and imminent fear of harm from a carjacker, rapist, burglar or other violent assailant. They can also employ deadly force to protect another person. My advice to anyone who asked is that the driver here may well have used force way in excess of that needed under the circumstance.

As an experienced Nashville automobile and personal injury lawyer is that you should use one of the other options available, such as calling 911 or laying on the horn to draw attention. The driver here is lucky that the burglar was not killed or seriously injured.

For questions about Tennessee automobile accidents of other Tennessee personal injury questions check out the website of Phillip Miller & Associates at www.seriousinjury.com and give us a call.