Look Out For Pedestrians

A 73-year-old woman pedestrian was killed in an accident with a moving pickup truck. As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I have never seen a collision between and older person and a pickup truck come out well for the older pedestrian.

Local media reports, as usual, never give the pertinent facts, such as, was she crossing at a crosswalk and was it marked. Was the driver speeding? Without the facts we can’t really know what was going on.

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 traf!c 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.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee pedestrian collision, contact the experienced Nashville auto accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Traffic Fatalities On The Increase

According to a recent comprehensive study conducted by the Tennessee Department of Safety there is bad news and more bad news about highway safety in Tennessee in 2010. According to the study traffic fatalities increased last year for the first time in five years. The number of traffic-related deaths rose from 986 in 2009 to 1,030 in 2010, a 4.5% increase.

The report went on to say that about 30 percent of the increase was attributed to pedestrian fatalities. There were 93 pedestrians killed on Tennessee traffic accidents last year, which is the highest number since 2003, when 96 pedestrians were killed.

The Department of Safety will begin an educational campaign to remind Tennesseans to follow the rules and regulations and help bring the death toll down. They will also employ enforcement initiatives to detect and remove impaired drivers from the roadways, education programs that focus on increasing safety belt usage.

The badder news is that although safety belt usage in Tennessee was 87.1 percent, according to survey data, 54 percent of passenger-vehicle occupants killed in fatal crashes were not buckled up. And the most troubling of all, since 1998, motorcycle rider deaths have more than tripled in the state.

If you want to learn more about highway traffic in Tennessee you ought to visit the web site of the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates.

He Ran The Light Doing 70 MPH

A Bartlett Tennessee man wasn’t feeling any pain and he wasn’t using his brain when he got behind the wheel of his motor vehicle back in 2009. He had already had problems with drinking and driving and was well aware that he didn’t have a valid drivers license.

He was driving 70 mph in downtown Memphis at 2 AM when he ran a red light and ran over and killed a 37-year-old Alabama man. While he was out on bond, even after he had killed an man, he was busted for possession of drugs.

Last week he pled guilty to vehicular homicide involving intoxication, driving on a revoked license and to charges of drug possession. His sentencing is coming up soon and it is expected that he is going to catch some serious pen time. My prayers go out to the family and friends of this man and I also hope that the driver will somehow find himself and get out from the slavery of drugs and alcohol.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a drunk driver you owe it to yourself to contact the experienced Nashville auto accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates.

Practice Pedestrian Safety

A tragic pedestrian fatality in Surgionsville, Tennessee points out just why, when Tennessee drivers have breakdowns they must take special care to let other drivers know there’s a problem. Always engage your emergency blinkers and pay particular attention when you are out of your car.

If you have vehicle trouble, move to the right shoulder or emergency stopping area as soon as you can. Turn on your emergency flashers to warn other traffic. If you need help raise your hood and tie a white cloth to the hood or radio antenna. If possible, it is better to stay in or near your vehicle on the side away from traffic. Walking along or crossing a highway is very dangerous. Keep children away from traffic.

In this fatal accident, a 64-year-old Kingsport man had broken down and his car was parked in the center turn lane. He had crossed the highway to a store to call for assistance. As he crossed back toward his car he was struck by a pickup truck and as his body was lying in the road he was struck again by a car coming the other way along the highway. The accident happened just after 5:30 in the evening at dusk.

Neither driver was seriously injured and both were required by law to provide samples to test for drugs or alcohol, but the Troopers report stated that she didn’t think that they were a contributing factor. My prayers go out to the family and friends of this unfortunate man, and special prayers go out to the drivers of the other cars.

If you are a pedestrian and injured or killed by a negligent driver, contact the experienced Nashville auto accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies.

Pedestrians Distracted Using Electronic Devices

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney I’m thrilled that overall traffic fatalities are down. Sown that is, with one exception and that is pedestrian accidents in urban areas. Highway safety experts and those who study these things, including the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration, believe that the increase is due to the use iPods, MP3s and cell phones with ear buds (speakers).

Pedestrian fatalities increased for the first time in five years in the first half of 2010, according to a report released last week by the Governors Highway Safety Association, an organization based in Washington that represents state highway safety agencies.

Among the states, Arizona and Florida had the largest increases in pedestrian fatalities, followed by North Carolina, Oregon and Oklahoma. Nationally, pedestrian traffic fatalities had dropped to 4,091 in 2009 from 4,892 in 2005, the report stated.

Across the nation legislatures are taking a look at how to address this trend. In New York, a bill is pending in the legislature’s transportation committee that would ban the use of mobile phones, iPods or other electronic devices while crossing streets, runners and other exercisers included. Legislation pending in Oregon would restrict bicyclists from using mobile phones and music players, and a Virginia bill would keep such riders from using a any hand-held communication device.

If you are involved in a Tennessee automobile pedestrian accident you ought to give us a call and take advantage of a free consultation with one of our experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies

Lucky To Be Alive

It’s been a bad week in Tennessee for pedestrians. I have Blogged about three other pedestrian car accidents this past week. This latest one comes to us from Clarksville, a 63-year-old man suffered head trauma and fractures in both legs after being hit by a vehicle in the area of College Street and 9th Street in Clarksville.

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.

Police and local media reports say that the man walked in front of the vehicle driven by 29-year-old man around 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 1.  The driver had a green light and the right of way and said he did not see the pedestrian crossing in front of his Buick Century. The pedestrian was transported by ambulance to Gateway and then to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The latest report is that the pedestrian is in stable condition and very luck indeed. The investigation is ongoing and blood samples have been taken from both the driver and the pedestrian. As an experienced Tennessee auto accident attorney the first question I would ask is why was the man walking around on the street at 2:30 am on New Years Day.

I would also inquire why the pedestrian chose to ignore the traffic lights and proceed across the street when a motor vehicle was approaching. I would try to determine what color of clothes the pedestrian was wearing and whether the driver of the car had been drinking.

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.

If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed by a negligent driver you owe it to yourself to contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights.

Watch Out For Pedestrians

Pedestrian motor vehicle crash deaths have declined dramatically since 1975 but still account for 12 percent of crash deaths. The rates of pedestrian deaths in motor vehicle crashes per 100,000 people are highest for people ages 70 and older.

Pedestrian deaths occur primarily in urban areas. Many pedestrians are killed on crosswalks, sidewalks, median strips, and traffic islands. Physical separations such as overpasses, underpasses, and barriers can reduce the problem. Increased illumination and improved signal timing at intersections also can be effective. Because traffic speeds affect the risk and severity of pedestrian crashes, reducing speeds can lower pedestrian deaths.

Vehicle factors also are important. Most serious injuries result from pedestrians impacting vehicle bumpers, hoods, or the windshield area. Serious head, pelvis, and leg injuries are common, and the severity of such injuries may be mitigated through improved vehicle design. In addition, crash avoidance technologies, such as those that automatically brake the vehicle prior to impact, are being developed. Although these technologies have the potential to reduce the likelihood of serious injuries to pedestrians, their effectiveness in real-world crashes is unknown.

If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in a Tennessee pedestrian accident contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation about your case.

Look Both Ways

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident lawyer I have regularly reminded clients and readers of my Blog, that pedestrians have the right of way. That said, a Tennessee pedestrian has certain responsibilities.

A pedestrian is required to cross at a crosswalk and if none is available to cross carefully looking both ways and then not play chicken with the oncoming traffic. A pedestrian, even if they have the right of way, can never assume that a motor vehicle operator is going to stop and allow them to cross. Acting other wise can be fatal.

Fatal was the case for a Lutrell, Tennessee woman who, according to local media reports, walked out of a market at the intersection of Maynardsville Highway and Seymour Lane about 5pm and stepped out into the intersection and was run down by vehicle carrying a Kentucky family. The driver said he had no time to avoid the collision. Police said, the driver is not expected to be charged in the incident. The media report didn’t mention what the pedestrian was doing that distracted her and caused her to step into the street.

If you or anyone you know has been injured or killed in a Tennessee car accident, please contact Nashville injury attorney Phillip Miller and the Nashville personal injury attorneys at Phillip Miller and Associates at (615) 356-2000.

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident lawyer I’m stunned by the understatement of the Franklin Tennessee Police

Yield To Pedestrians

spokesman who says that the death of a 90-year-old pedestrian in front of a retirement community is a “tragic accident”, well duh! The man has crossed Murfreesboro Road and is almost to the curb when he is hit.

The driver has not been charged. From the local media report it’s not at all clear that she will. It occurs to me that a driver, when driving through a pedestrian crossing has a duty to look out for pedestrians. Are you with me so far? If you are looking for pedestrians how do you run over one? Why did this driver not see the pedestrian? Was alcohol involved? Was she using her cell phone or other digital device?

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.

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.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville pedestrian accident contact the experienced Tennessee accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates, and get a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Pedestrian Suicide

A Nashville Tennessee pedestrian was killed after he ran out in front of a moving vehicle on Briley Parkway. My prayers go out to the un-named victim and especially to the innocent driver who became the weapon for another man’s suicide.

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. 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.

If you or a loved is seriously injured or killed in a Tennessee motor vehicle accident by a speeding driver you ought to contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies.