We received a follow-up call from a family member about a fatal accident  we wrote about that occurred May 13. 2010 on I-40 near the Demonbreun exit in Nashville. At the time of the initial reports (and from accident reconstruction) it appeared that a 57-year-old woman swerved to the left, ran off the road and smashed into a guardrail. Unfortunately she died at the scene.

Family members have contacted us to let us know that it appears that a unknown black SUV (perhaps a Range Rover) hit this lady from behind, which would explain her losing control and leaving the roadway.

If anyone saw this event, and can provide further information about this black SUV please contact us (or Metro Police) and we will forward the information to family members.

If you are the victim of a Nashville or Tennessee automobile accident we urge you to contact our car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. When you hire an auto accident attorney from Phillip Miller & Associates, you’re getting a qualified and dedicated lawyer. Details about our attorneys and staff can be found by viewing our website at www.seriousinjury.com where you can get to know the men and women who will be looking out for your best interest.

When a car and a pedestrian collide the outcome is usually bleak. Thus was the case in Lexington, Kentucky, as reported in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, when Anthony Gibbs, 24, of Clinton, Tennessee was crossing the street and was struck by a car. Mr. Gibbs was taken to the University of Kentucky Medical Center where he remains in a coma. My prayers go out to Mr. Gibbs, his family and friends.

An added twist to the sad story is that the suspected driver, Hector Alviter-Rivera, 23, left the scene of the collision and later his car was found abandoned. According to the article, police believe Mr. Rivera has fled the area.

In 2007, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) 4,654 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States, a  decrease of 13 percent from the 5,321 pedestrians killed in 1997. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 113 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 8 minutes. There were 70,000 pedestrians injured in traffic crashes in 2007. Most pedestrian fatalities in 2007 occurred in urban areas (73%), at non-intersection locations (77%), in normal weather conditions (90%), and at night (67%). More than two-thirds (70%) of the pedestrians killed in 2007 were males. In 2007, the male pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 2.19 more than double the rate for females (0.91 per 100,000 population). In 2007, the male pedestrian injury rate per 100,000 population was 26, compared with 20 for females.

What kind of a low-life hits a pedestrian and leaves the victim lying in the street fighting for their life? This kind of accident happens far too often. In Tennessee in 2008 61 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles. Most of the time the driver had been either under the influence of alcohol, driving with an invalid license, which had probably been suspended or revoked for prior traffic violations, or they just didn’t want to accept responsibility for their actions.

If you witness a pedestrian/automobile collision take stock of your surroundings and identify the vehicle and, above all, before you attempt to render care to the victim make sure that you will not become a second victim. If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville pedestrian/motor vehicle collision contact the experienced Nashville accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates, and get a

Share The Road

so that you can best evaluate your rights and remedies.

Leaving The Scene Of An Accident

Memphis TV station WMC reported today that a 33-year old man was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Friday. Sakarie Richardson of Memphis was struck as he walked along Park Ave. The driver fled the scene. Mr. Richardson was transported to The Regional Medical Center where he later died. We extend our most sincere condolences to Mr. Richardson’s family and friends. No one should have to go this way.

According to the website Deadly Roads, on average, 4 people will die in the United States today because of a hit and run driver. For every one killed, 72 are injured on one of America’s dangerous, deadly roads. It is called hit-and-run in the media, leaving the scene in the courts, and by many law enforcement officers, hit and skip. It is a failure on the part of a driver to stop, render aid, and accept responsibility for their part in an vehicle accident. The Deadly Roads article goes on to say, “Whatever you call it, it is killing hundreds of US citizens annually. After years of declining in numbers, the offense is now growing in ever increasing numbers and regularity. It is an equal opportunity crime, both from the perspective of the victim or the offender. It affects those of every age, race, sex, and social status.”

Who would be so selfish and callous that they would leave a human being dead or dying and just run away without offering any assistance? According to an informative piece at the website called All About Car Accidents, some of them are obviously impaired by alcohol or drugs. Some are drivers who are driving without their license because the perpetrator has screwed up enough to have his license lifted in the past and they don’t want to take responsibility for their stupid actions. Some are uninsured and don’t want to take responsibility for their actions, even if it means another human being has to die alone on a dark street. Another category are criminals running from the law and care nothing for others, their only thought is to escape so that they may commit other crimes and stay free.

If you are injured by a hit and run driver try to secure some description of the vehicle, and if able, ask a witness to contact emergency medical help and give them a description of the car. I recommend that you don’t try to chase down the H&R driver, just get an identification of the vehicle, license tag number, color and style of the car and brand if you know it and give this information to the police.

If you are injured in a Nashville car accident by a hit & run driver contact the Nashville Accident Attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out your rights and remedies.