Watch Out For Pedestrians

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney I am well aware of the statistics on pedestrian fatalities. A collision between a human being and moving motor vehicle almost never comes out well for the pedestrian. Several days ago a Nashville woman was hit by a pickup truck that left the scene and left the woman lying in a roadside ditch. Fortunately for this woman, there were witnesses who immediately rushed to her aid and called for emergency services. She was transported to Vanderbilt Hospital where she is in critical condition. My prayers go out to her and her family and my wishes for her complete and speedy recovery.

The driver is now being detained after turning himself in to authorities. He turned himself in after his passenger returned to the scene and identified the driver and told police they had been drinking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a pedestrian is defined as any person not in or upon a motor vehicle or other vehicle. In 2007, 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

As an experienced Nashville car/pedestrian attorney I’d also advise you that the best way to reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths in Tennessee is to obey existing traffic laws and exercising caution when you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Stay alert and avoid distractions like cell phones and loud music. Keep your eyes on the road and save a life.

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I regularly peruse the news media of Tennessee for news of automobile, tractor-trailer and motorcycle collisions so that I can use them to educate my readers. Lately, I have noticed an increase in Hit & Run incidents so I’d like to share some information about this cowardly act.

Just who are these people who would hit someone with a car or pickup truck and then leave them lying in the street to die alone? Obviously, some are impaired by alcohol or drugs. If there is anything worse than a drunk driver, it is a drunk driver who causes an accident and then flees the scene. Others are drivers with no license. Perhaps their license has been suspended or revoked because of prior traffic violations . . . or they never had one.

Then there are drivers who want to avoid detection because they are uninsured and don’t want to be financially responsible themselves for the damage that they have done. Even though liability insurance is required in every state, you’d be stunned at the number of uninsured drivers on the road.

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. 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. It leaves behind death, permanent injury, psychological trauma, and grieving family and friends with one basic question – why would anyone hurt, kill or maim someone, and just leave?

What kind of person is 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 witness someone hitting and running, be a good citizen. Get the license plate number and report it to the police. If you can do it safely, whip out your cell phone camera and make a picture of the car that has hit and run . . . emphasizing its tag, of course.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee Hit & Run accident recovering damages can be a tricky proposition that calls for a savvy Nashville car crash attorney like those you will find at Phillip Miller & Associates.

They Don't Mix

When it comes to drinking and driving this experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney knows that stupid is as stupid does. First of all, for people who haven’t been paying attention, it’s stupid to get behind the wheel when you have been consuming alcohol. It’s stupid to get behind the wheel under the influence and speed. And stupider and stupider, if you hit a pedestrian and decide to try to avoid the consequences. Stop immediately and render aide to the poor pedestrian. Put your selfish interests aside and call 911. Things might get unpleasant but they could get worse.

And worse it will be for Matthew W. Winn, 22 of Bellevue. Mr. Winn got behind the wheel of his Ford pickup truck under the influence of alcohol and on his way home ran over a man crossing the street. Winn was obviously not watching the road ahead or driving the speed limit or he would have seen Mr. Hongyong Lee, 48 also of Bellevue, and not killed him. Stupid is as stupid does.

Mr. Winn left the scene and called a friend who came to the site of the crash and found Mr. Lee dead and called 911. Had Mr. Winn called first responders immediately Mr. Winn may or may not have survived, we will never know. When police arrived they asked the friend to call Mr. Winn and tell him to return. Mr. Winn did return but he was driving his mother’s car instead of the Ford pickup truck. The police administered a field sobriety test and then a blood test. He was arrested and police said that additional charges are possible as the investigation continues. Stupid is as stupid does.

If you or a loved one is involved in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a drunk driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

On February 11, 2010 in my Blog “The Tennessee Auto Accident Attorney” I reported on a Hit & Run incident in which a 7-year-old Hartsville Cub Scout was killed. I often write about our collective responsibility to create a culture of traffic safety and that includes being the eyes of law enforcement as we travel the highways and byways of Tennessee. Many people will avoid getting involved if they see a drunk driver or a road rager acting the fool, but ladies and gentlemen, if we don’t do it, who will.

In that vein I’m asking each and every one of you to commit to keeping your eyes open and help us run to ground the dirty rotten scoundrel who killed that young boy. Investigators with the TBI Crime Lab and the Tennessee Highway Patrol believe they have a new description of the vehicle that hit and killed the child.

Investigators believe based on evidence gathered at the scene of the crash – that the vehicle that kept going was either a GMC Sierra or Yukon made between the years 2001 to 2006. The exact color of the vehicle isn’t yet known, but it has heavy damage to the right front headlight and the turn signal assembly area.

Call the Tennessee Highway Patrol or the Trousdale County Sheriff if you know of a car matching this description, especially if it’s been repaired lately. If you want to learn more about what to do in the event of a traffic accident take a minute and check out the website of Phillip Miller & Associates. You will find all sorts of helpful advice and you can meet the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys that can take care of all of your business.

Hit & Run

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney, I regularly speak to traffic investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and local law enforcement. In matters relating to Tennessee interstate accidents the law allows a driver to pull his or her vehicle to the right shoulder or emergency stopping lane and engage the emergency blinkers. It is suggested that the driver and passengers stay in the vehicle and avoid oncoming traffic.

A recent interstate accident in Knoxville illustrates the danger of getting out of the vehicle. In a multi-vehicle Tennessee interstate crash on I-40 the facts were as follows; Car One attempted to stop her vehicle and the car slid on ice and rammed into Car Two and ended up in the outside lane facing the oncoming traffic. Car Two pulled over to the shoulder. The driver and passengers of cars One and Two got out of their vehicle to check the damage.

Cars Three and Four approached the scene and when they attempted to slow down made contact with each other, slammed into the right side wall and came across all lanes of traffic and hit the driver of Car One and pinned her between the car and the wall and then hit the driver of Car Two who was trying to get to the trapped girl. The driver and passengers of Car Four fled the scene on foot and the driver of Car Three drove away and fled the scene.

The 19-year-old driver of Car One is hospitalized in critical condition, in a coma. The other driver and the passengers were all taken to the hospital and released. My prayers go out to this young woman and her family and friends.

This is the kind of collision that makes it difficult for the driver to avoid further damage. She was in the outside lane and traffic was whizzing by, inches away. Once the other cars collided the highway became a killing zone and we are fortunate that no one has died.

Police have found the Hit & Run driver of Car Four and she has been charged with leaving the scene of the accident. If, God forbid, anyone dies, there will certainly be other more serious charges filed.There’s so much to be said about this accident, in hindsight, but the lessons are clear. When driving in winter weather slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead of you so you can avoid icy patches. If you are in an accident and if you have to get out of your vehicle be extremely careful, but before you do so call the police at 911 or the Highway Patrol at *847. And last but not least, if you are involved in any Tennessee automobile accident do not leave the scene of a property damage or personal injury accident.

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 experienced Nashville 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.

Hit & Run

On December the 14^th my Tennessee auto accident attorney blog identified the chief contender for the most thoughtless Tennessee driver of 2009. She was drinking, texting and driving with her several day old baby unrestrained when she hit a sign and crashed her car injuring the baby. I thought that this late in the year I wouldn’t find a driver that even came close to this person, but then I read an article in several Nashville media outlets describing the arrest of Angela Marie Shenkle and I think I will be forced to reconsider.

It seems Ms. Shenkle has been charged following an incident in which she stuck and killed a Madison pedestrian as he walked along Gallatin Pike in Nashville. Investigators quoted in the articles believe that she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. When they located her they found two syringes and two bottles of liquor in her vehicle. To take this tragic story to another level of madness, investigators believe she was involved in a Hit & Run on another pedestrian earlier that same evening. Ms. Shenkle was charged with unlawful use and possession of drug paraphernalia, drug possession without a prescription and DUI. I would expect that homicide charges will follow after the investigation is completed. The identity of the Madison man was not released but I have added him to my prayers along with Ms. Shenkle.

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney I’ve seen dozens of Hit & Run cases, but never have I seen one that makes me think at first glance that a driver was going around town trying to hit pedestrians. Now, don’t get me wrong, I only know about this what I read in the articles but this gal is cold-blooded. Imagine, hitting a human being with your car and leaving them to die alone in the street. After Ms. Shenkle is finished with whatever punishment she gets for this crime, she should permanently forfeit her privileges to operate a motor vehicle in Tennessee.

Hit & Run drivers are, in my consideration, the worst kind of human being. Most H&R drivers are under the influence of alcohol, others have already run afoul of the law and have lost their driving privileges, yet they continue to get behind the wheel and ignore the rules. Many H&R drivers are trying to avoid detection because they don’t have insurance and they don’t want to face the responsibility for their actions. No matter which category they fall into they are the very worst type of person, someone who will leave an injured or dying pedestrian lying in the street.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed by a drunk Hit & Run driver recovering damages for your loss can be a tricky propostition and you will need an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney to help you protect your rights. At Phillip Miller & Associates we can help you.

Drunk Hit & Run Driver

Hakeem Nadhir Abdur Raqeeb, formerly known as Carl Anthony Simmons, has made it to my people who should never be allowed to drive again list for 2009. If you follow my blog you know the general profile of candidates for this title. Usually it’s someone who gets drunk or high and gets behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and causes the death of another and then leaves the scene of the accident.

According to an article on the NewsChannel5 website, Mr. Raqeeb was driving drunk last Wednesday when he swerved into a vehicle driven by Perry Dale III and forced his car into a utility pole and several trees. Mr. Dale died in the crash while Mr. Raqeeb sped off  so that he could avoid the consequences of his action. My sympathy and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Dale.

What kind of person wrecks another or hits a pedestrian and leaves them to die in the street? Obviously, some drivers, like Mr. Raqeeb, are impaired by alcohol or drugs. If there is anything worse than a drunk driver, it is a drunk driver who causes an accident and then flees the scene. Others are drivers with no license, like Mr. Raqeeb, perhaps their license has been suspended or revoked because of prior traffic violations, or they never had one in the first place.

Then there are drivers who want to avoid detection because they are uninsured and don’t want to be financially responsible themselves for the damage that they have done. Even though liability insurance is required in every state, you’d be stunned at the number of uninsured drivers on the road. Mr. Raqeeb is presently in jail charged with vehicular homicide, and yes, driving without a license, on a bond in the amount of 177,500.00. If you want to let your voice be heard contact District Attorney General Victor S. Johnson, at 615-862-5500 and tell him what you think ought to be done with people like Mr. Raqeeb.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed by a drunk driver contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Hit & Run Takes Life Of Child

So many questions arise in the mind of an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney when I read this article on the web page of Nashville News Channel 5 this morning. A three-year old child, secured in a car seat, was killed yesterday after being ejected from a car during a high speed collision. The collision was caused, according to witnesses, when a Lexus traveling at a high rate of speed crossed the center median and spun sideways slamming into the vehicle in which the child was a passenger. The Lexus driver fled the scene but witnesses followed him and held him for the police.

My deepest condolences go out to the parents of this innocent child, I will keep this baby and the parents in my prayers.

If I was the attorney for the family the focal point of my investigation would be on the issue of what caused the Lexas driver to lose control of his vehicle and initiate this collision. According to witnesses at the scene, speed was an obvious factor, but other questions must be asked, such as was he distracted by something like a cell phone, was he texting or was he under the influence of alcohol or drugs?

The next question I would seek to answer is why he decided to flee the scene of the accident. Why do people Hit & Run? Obviously, some drivers are impaired by alcohol or drugs. If there is anything worse than a drunk driver, it is a cowardly drunk driver who causes an accident and then flees the scene. Others are drivers with no license. Perhaps their license has been suspended or revoked because of prior traffic violations and accidents . . . or they never had one in the first place..

Then there are drivers who want to avoid detection because they are uninsured and don’t want to be financially responsible themselves for the damage that they have done. Even though liability insurance is required in every state, you’d be stunned at the number of uninsured drivers on the road. I suspect that the driver in this case fits into one or more of these categories and the bad news it that he was probably not insured.

Again, if I were representing the family of the deceased child I would look very carefully into the reason why a secured car seat came free from its tether and contributed to the child’s death. Was it a recalled model? Was it poorly designed. Research on this issue might lead to some sort of legal action against the maker of the faulty car seat. Although the lawsuit could never bring back the precious life that was lost, it might well pay for the expenses and the pain and suffering of the parents and may alert other parents to the defect in this product.

If you or a loved one is injured by a driver who is at fault and leaves the scene of an accident or one in which a product malfunctions and causes death or injury to you or a family member contact the Nashville automobile accident firm of Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

The Nashville personal injury automobile accident law firm of Phillip Miller & Associates is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.