Teach Teens The Danger Of Distractions

Over the last several Blogs at “The Tennessee Auto Accident Attorney” we have talked about younger drivers and the hazards they face as the travel the highways and byways of Tennessee. As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney, I regularly speak to parents of teen drivers, and on every occasion I remind them that simply telling their children to act in a safe manner when they are behind the wheel, it is the duty of the parents to teach them by example.

I also share some sobering statistics. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 38% of all teen deaths in the United States. In 2008, about 3,500 teens in the United States aged 15–19 were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes. Young people ages 15-24 represent only 14% of the U.S. population. However, they account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females.

Reference a fatal accident in Bristol, Tennessee, in which one teen boy is dead and another remains in serious condition as I write this Blog. According to local media sources, the 16-year-old driver lost control rounding a curve, left the road and slammed into a tree. As an experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer, my first thought is that speed and/or distraction were the cause of this tragic accident.

Most Americans typically learn to drive during the teen years, when the brain is not fully mature yet. Recent research is beginning to give us insight why many teens have difficulty regulating risk-taking behavior:

* The area of the brain that weighs consequences, suppresses impulses and organizes thoughts does not fully mature until about age 25.

* Hormones are more active in teens, which influence the brain’s neuro-chemicals that regulate excitability and mood. The result can be thrill-seeking behavior and experiences that create intense feelings.

Chances are, your community has been struck by a tragic accident involving a teenage friend, classmate or family member. Tennessee parents have an excellent resource available at the website of the National Safety Council. Check out http://teendriver.nsc.org/ for helpful tips and suggested study materials.

My experience investigating and trying Tennessee teen driver accident cases tells me that it is never too early to start training your child for the day he or she gets behind the wheel and you watch them drive off into the real world.

If you or a loved is injured in a Nashville or Tennessee automobile accident caused by a teen driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies. Call us at 615-356-2000.

Photo Courtesy of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Teen Drivers

According to witnesses the facts are simple, a 2009 Pontiac G-3 Hatchback, driven by a 19 year old, made a left turn out of KFC’s parking lot, headed east on Madison Street, the vehicle hit a curb, left the roadway, and struck a utility pole. Any questions? Was he speeding or hot-rodding, or was he distracted by the other teens in the vehicle?

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney, I’d bet that he was hot-dogging, and because of his inexperience was unable to maintain control of the car. Fortunately the driver and three passengers were uninjured, but unfortunately, the bad news is that the 19-year-old passenger in the middle backseat, the one not wearing his seatbelt, slammed forward into the windshield and suffered serious head injuries.

Among experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorneys, the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it is generally agreed that teen drivers have the highest crash risk of any age group. Per mile, the crash rate for 16 year-old drivers is 10 times the rate for drivers between 30 and 59. The basic reasons behind this statistic are obvious, teen drivers have no experience with the myriad issues faced by drivers with experience, furthermore, they are immature and often takes risks, most often speeding, and are easily distracted which contribute to the increased death rate.

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

Teen Drivers-Distractions-Speeding

In one of the cardinal sins following a motor vehicle accident, the 17-year-old female driver who, the night before, had driven her car into a home at speeds in excess of 60 M.P.H., posted on Face Book that she had suffered a seizure prior to leaving the road and slamming into, and destroying the house. No one was seriously injured.

Witnesses said it appeared that she was speeding and as she passed them and almost clipped their car. According to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teen drivers are approximately 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of driving than they are after a full year of experience driving on their own, and are nearly twice as likely to crash as they are after two full years of experience.

In a recent post I mentioned a number of things to do and other things not to do if you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, and the number one thing to do is not to go on a social media page and talk about the accident. Things you say online are there forever and accessible to another party in the event of a law suit. She is now locked into to seizure defense and in the event that here medical report does not support it, she has real problems with the liability issue.

According to a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teen drivers are approximately 50 percent more likely to crash in the first month of driving than they are after a full year of experience driving on their own, and are nearly twice as likely to crash as they are after two full years of experience.

Keep up with the latest information regarding highway safety by visiting our web site at Phillip Miller & Associates or call 615-356-2000

Teen Highway Fatality

Last week I wrote about a Knoxville Tennessee automobile accident involving teen girls. A 15-year-old girl injured in that car crash has died. According to local media reports she was riding with two friends last Wednesday around 4:10 p.m. in a Volkswagen Beetle on Yarnell Road in West Knox County when the car ran off the road, hit a pole and rolled over. The 15-year-old was airlifted to the UT Medical Center but the teen driver died at the scene. Our prayers go out to the family and friends of all of the young women involved in the crash.

According to local police reports, speed appeared to be a factor in the crash but at this time no charges have been filed. The lesson for all teen drivers and their parents is that speed is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. Teach your children to respect the streets and the other drivers. Speeding is a dangerous game and can end in death for the speeder, the driver and passengers of the other vehicles and for innocent pedestrians.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group.  The basic reasons behind this statistic are obvious, teen drivers have no experience with the myriad issues faced by drivers with experience, furthermore, they are immature and often takes risks, most often speeding, and are easily distracted which contribute to the increased death rate.

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.

Teen Driver Dies

Over the last several Blogs at “The Tennessee Auto Accident Attorney” we have talked about younger drivers and the hazards they face as the travel the highways and byways of Tennessee. As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney, I regularly speak to parents of teen drivers, and on every occasion I remind them that simply telling their children to act in a safe manner when they are behind the wheel, it is the duty of the parents to teach them by example.

One teen died and two others were injured in a single vehicle crash in Grundy County, Tennessee when a teen driver lost control of the car when she attempted to negotiate a curve. The car went off the left side of the road and hit a tree, according to local media reports. From the media report is impossible to say whether speed or distraction, or both were the cause of the crash.

I also share some sobering statistics. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 38% of all teen deaths in the United States. In 2008, about 3,500 teens in the United States aged 15–19 were killed and  more than 350,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes. Young people ages 15-24 represent only 14% of the U.S. population. However, they account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females.

Most Americans typically learn to drive during the teen years, when the brain is not fully mature yet. Recent research is beginning to give us insight why many teens have difficulty regulating risk-taking behavior:

* The area of the brain that weighs consequences, suppresses impulses and organizes thoughts does not fully mature until about age 25.

* Hormones are more active in teens, which influence the brain’s neuro-chemicals that regulate excitability and mood. The result can be thrill-seeking behavior and experiences that create intense feelings.

Chances are, your community has been struck by a tragic accident involving a teenage friend, classmate or family member. Tennessee parents have an excellent resource available at the website of the National Safety Council. Check out http://teendriver.nsc.org/ for helpful tips and suggested study materials.

My experience investigating and trying Tennessee teen driver accident cases tells me that it is never too early to start training your child for the day he or she gets behind the wheel and you watch them drive off into the real world.

If you or a loved is injured in a Nashville or Tennessee automobile accident caused by a teen driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Teen Fatality

A 19-year-old Monroe County teen, a passenger in a vehicle driven by a friend was killed in an early morning roadway departure crash. According to local media reports the Toyota he was riding in was heading east when it went off the right side of the road and struck a tree. My prayers go out to the family and friends of this young man.

An important point to note is that neither man was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. Because of the time, 4:30 AM and the circumstances of the crash tests are being done to see if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2008, about 3,500 teens in the United States aged 15–19 were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes.

Young people ages 15-24 represent only 14% of the U.S. population. However, they account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females.

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

Wrecked Tennessee State Trooper Car

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney, I can state, with some authority, that it is not smart to run a stop sign and it is downright unlucky when you do run one to slam into a Tennessee State Trooper.

This sign is the only eight-sided sign on the highway. It always means that there is danger. It will always be red with white lettering. It tells you that you are approaching an important street or highway and that you must bring your car to a complete stop, not going beyond the crosswalk. IF you cannot see, then proceed cautiously to a point where you can see, and then go only if you can do so safely.

Just what it was that distracted the 19-year-old teen driver from Coryton, Tennessee, is not yet known, but she is lucky, very lucky, that she did not pay for her failure to stop with her life. According to local media reports the young woman ran a stop sign and slammed into a Tennessee State Trooper. Luckily he was not seriously injured. She was cited for failure to yield and right of way.

Nationwide, more crashes happen at intersections than at any other place. Intersections constitute a very small part of rural and urban street/highway systems, yet they are implicated in 31.9 percent of all motor vehicle crashes and 15.5 percent of all fatal crashes

When you hire an attorney from Phillip Miller & Associates, you’re getting the whole package.  You don’t just get an extremely qualified and dedicated lawyer, you also get a loyal Tennessee resident who cares about the quality of life in their community and who puts their time and money into standing up for causes and charities they believe in.  You can read about some of the causes we support on our home page, along with a summary of our professional qualifications.  Additional details about our attorneys and staff can be found by viewing our personal profiles, where you can get to know the men and women who will be looking out for your best interest.

Please contact Phillip Miller & Associates today and take your first step forward towards putting the frustration and horror of your auto accident experience behind you.

Roadway Departure Crash

A 19-year-old Tennessee teen driver was killed in a collision involving two cars on Tenn. 105 in Gibson County.  The teen was driving westbound through a curve, when his Chevrolet S10 pickup left the road and he overcorrected sending the truck into the oncoming lane where he was hit by a Chevy Blazer driven by a 48-year-old Paris, Tennessee man.

The Paris man was injured and transported to a nearby hospital, the extent of his injuries is unknown at this time. To this experienced Nashville auto accident attorney it appears that one of two things caused this crash, speed and/or distractions.

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. The lesson of this incident for all Nashville drivers is obvious, respect the streets and the other drivers. Speeding is a dangerous game and can end in death for the speeder, the driver and passengers of the other vehicles and for innocent pedestrians

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a speeding driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies at no charge.

Teach Your Children Well

When I read about a teen driver injured in a late night, one-car crash, my first thought is why was she out driving without an adult so late at night.  Local media reports tell say that Greeneville, Tennessee teen was injured Tuesday when her car left North Roan Street near Science Hill High School and struck a pole and a tree. The 16-year-old was traveling south on North Roan Street when her 2009 Honda Civic Del Sol hit a sidewalk and flipped down an embankment.

The girl had to be extricated from the car, and she was taken by Emergency Medical Services to Johnson City Medical Center, where she was listed in stable condition Wednesday.

Tennessee was one of the first states to pass a graduated drivers license law. To get your license:

* You must be at least age 16

* You must have had your learner permit for 180 days

* A parent or legal guardian must submit a completed Certification of 50 Hours Behind the Wheel Experience

* You must pass a driving skills (on-road) test before you can receive your license

* You may drive only between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or licensed driver at least age 21

* You must not have more than one person in your vehicle with you, unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least age 21

* Seatbelts are mandatory, and children age three or younger must be child restraining devices

Note that you must have your intermediate restricted license for one year before you can apply for your intermediate unrestricted license. Your intermediate restricted license will be extended for 90 days if you accumulate six or more points or are found to be at fault for a motor vehicle accident.

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyer I have seen far too many teen deaths and I strongly encourage parents to be realistic about the skills and propensities of their children. It’s a time of excitement and dread for every parent, the time when their precious little Bobby or Betty reaches the age when they can drive.

Excitement because their child is growing up and the parents can relinquish to job of being the chauffeur for their busy teens and dread because the know in their heart of hearts the dangers that teen drivers face as they take to the highways and byways.

In addition to laws, safety experts agree that parents play a key role in helping teens become good drivers. Parents should not rely solely on drivers education classes to teach good driving habits and should restrict night driving, restrict the numbers of passengers riding with their teen, supervise practice driving, always require use of seat belts and choose vehicles for safety, not image. Parents can also set a good example by practicing safe driving techniques themselves.

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

Photo courtesy AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Tennessee Teen Driver

Under the Tennessee Graduated Drivers License law a fifteen year old can get a Learner Permit but driving is restricted. Anyone under the age of 18 who has a learner permit will be prohibited from driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. When driving, permit holders must have a licensed driver age 21 or older in the vehicle with them. Seatbelt use is mandatory for everyone in the vehicle under the age of 18 (passengers age 3 and under must be in an approved child restraint device).

The parents of a 15-year-old Cookeville Tennessee teen are in some serious trouble. The Teen driver faces charges of driving without a permit and failure to have insurance after she dropped of several children at Avery Trace Middle School, and struck a school crossing guard.

The 55-year-old guard was transported to a local hospital and local media reports say her injuries are minor. Is situation creates an interesting set of circumstances that require to assistance of an experienced Tennessee personal injury attorney.

The first thing that I would focus on would be the claim of the Guard for benefits under the Tennessee Workers Compensation law. There is no cause of action against the juvenile driver but there is a strong cause of action against the parents or owner of the vehicle she was driving if they are not the same.

If you or a loved one are injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by an under aged teen der a number of legal issues come in to play and the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates can help you sort them out so that you can obtain the very best result to cover your damages. Call 615-356-2000