When we are in a car, there is some protection offered by the vehicle itself. Unlike a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist, drivers of (and passengers in) sedans or trucks are surrounded by thick, hard metal that may offer some shielding against an object or other vehicle that it crashes into. While it can provide that protection during minor crashes, in more severe accidents, the car itself can become a dangerous weapon surrounding you. The steering wheel [...]

As beautiful as our state is, Tennessee is no stranger to some less-than-beautiful weather. Our prime location means we get a taste of all extremes depending on where we are. This doesn’t always mean life-threatening twisters or hurricanes, but that inclement driving weather is nothing too new to us locals. Whether it’s simple rain, slippery leaves, ice and snow, or a terrible mix, our commutes can easily get much more dangerous. Ideally, we just avoid driving [...]

There has been a pronounced uptick in people purchasing larger and larger vehicles. The main reason that is cited for this increase is safety. However, buying a large car does not mean that everyone else around you is safe. It only means the people inside the vehicle are secure. As a pedestrian, you should be wary of all vehicles, especially large vehicles around you. Pedestrians and cyclists on the road are in mortal danger when large [...]

For a lot of us, driving is a daily chore we have to take part in to get to where we need to go. Whether it’s a commute to work, school, or wherever your errands take you, you get there behind the wheel of a car. While newer drivers may still get to enjoy the novelty of the open road, more seasoned folks typically have a more apathetic view — if not an outright distaste. Driving, [...]

Driving any sort of vehicle poses some sort of risk, simply because of the nature of the activity. Controlling a giant metal deathtrap on wheels will, inevitably, trap some death. That’s why laws, regulations, safety features, and overall standards of care are always changing and improving wherever and whenever possible. Ideally, there would be no risk! After all, many of us have no choice but to drive every day. Wouldn’t it be nice if you were [...]

No matter how long you’ve been driving, the chances are good you’ve seen more than one intersection accident, usually around a shopping plaza or on a rural road. Intersection collisions happen pretty often, and the force of the impact can easily lead to the death of a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcycle rider. Knoxville drivers know all about dangerous intersections. According to a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study, “eastbound Western Avenue (SR 62) at [...]

A new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that women are at a greater risk of suffering serious injury compared to men in motor vehicle crashes. The study has found that the increased risk is due to the types of vehicles women drive and the circumstances surrounding the accidents and not the physical differences between women and men. The study from the IIHS, along with supporting data, shows that men are [...]

So you've been hit by a car; you weren't in a designated crosswalk. A lot of times that's referred to as “jaywalking” in our common parlance. That doesn't mean that you're always responsible. There are a number of factors that play into that: Were you wearing bright clothes? Was it the middle of the day? Was it night? Was the driver speeding? Understand that drivers are tasked with the responsibility of seeing what is there to [...]

Car accidents cause many different types of injuries including shoulder injuries. Damage to the shoulder normally occurs when an occupant collides with another passenger, the dashboard, the door, or with other parts of the vehicle such as a steering column. Shoulder injuries can also occur if an occupant is thrown from the car onto the ground, from the tightening of a seatbelt, or even when the airbag operates. Accident victims who suffer a shoulder injury normally [...]

In many car accident cases, a driver’s negligence is clear. The driver sped, talked on his smartphone while driving, or ran through a red light. But what happens when the driver has a heart attack or a medical emergency that causes him/her to black out and lose control of their vehicle. Is it fair to hold drivers who have heart failure or other medical emergencies liable if events beyond their control cause the car crash? The [...]