Avoid Distractions

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney I am always stunned when I read of an accident in which a vehicle rams into the rear-end of a highway maintenance truck operating with it’s emergency flashers on such as one that occurred yesterday on I-65 at Wedgewood Ave. According to the iten on the web site of WMCTV News Channel 5, an ambulance traveling with a non-emergency patient on I-65 ran into the rear-end of a TDOT truck painting lines on the highway.The ambulance driver and the patient, 78-year old patient Sue Bly died and the attending paramedic was seriously injured.

My question, and I’m sure one that is going to be asked by the attorney for the estate of Ms. Bly is, what was going on with the driver that caused him to change lanes and ram into this other vehicle. Investigators will be looking into whether the driver had some medical emergency that caused him to lose control of the ambulance, or whether he was somehow distracted by something like a cell phone or radio, or other on-board electronic device or whether he was texting at the time and had diverted his eyes form the road.

High-profile crashes and tremendous media coverage have dramatically increased the interest in distracted driving, particularly crashes involving cell phone use and texting. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recognizes that all cell phone use and texting while driving are extremely dangerous and, therefore, strongly discourages anyone from using a cell phone for any purpose while driving. Drivers need to focus on the driving task and restore some common sense to driving.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation suggests the following guidelines when you enter a construction zone:

* Slow down! Drive within the posted speed limits, which are usually reduced in work zones. If you don’t, you’ll pay the price.

* Don’t tailgate! Most work zone accidents are caused by rear-end collisions.

* Eliminate distractions! Put down the cell phone; leave the radio dial alone. This is not the time to look for a new CD!

* Keep your ears open! Do not wear earphones while driving.

*Merge early! You can be ticketed and the cause of an accident for being a last chance merger.

* Watch for flaggers! Follow their signals, and don’t change lanes within the work zone unless instructed to do so.

* Expect the unexpected! Work zones change constantly.

* Turn your lights on before you enter the zone! Turn on your vehicle’s headlights to become more visible to workers and other motorists.

* Stay calm! Remember the work zone crew members are working to improve your future ride.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville car accident by a distracted driver or by a driver acting negligently in a highway construction zone contact the experienced Nashville autobobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.