Car crashes can be panic-inducing – and rightfully so. They’re loud and unexpected, and a serious accident can lead to long-lasting pain and suffering. As of right now, traffic accidents have led to 184 deaths in Tennessee, and more than 10,000 injuries. Some of those injury victims will have the courses of their lives affected forever.

Because of the sheer size of a motor vehicle –and the speeds at which we drive them – drivers, passengers and pedestrians involved in an auto accident in Tennessee may suffer with:

• Traumatic brain injuries. Hitting your head on the dashboard, your airbag or even the back of your seat can literally shift your brain. You can also suffer a TBI if your skull is penetrated by a flying shard of metal or projectile of any kind.
• Spinal cord injuries. A cracked vertebra or a penetrating injury could damage the spinal cord and the nerves it communicates with. This damage may lead to partial or permanent paralysis.
• Broken bones and fractures. If the bones in your legs or arms are crushed, you could lose your use of the limb. In the most catastrophic cases, the limb may need to be amputated completely.
• Permanent scarring. Deep lacerations, burns and breaks can also lead to permanent scars.
• Organ damage. Auto accident victims who are thrown through windshields or are broadsided and suffer a penetrating injury, and pedestrians and motorcyclists who are hit by moving vehicles, could be at serious risk of organ damage. If left untreated, that organ can shut down, or you can bleed to death.

The unexpected and wrongful death of your loved one in an auto accident is the most tragic outcome of all, and yet the current numbers show that it occurs, on average, about once every two days in Tennessee.

Avoiding an auto accident on Tennessee roadways

The most important thing you can do as a driver is be aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re traveling roads you’ve taken a million times before. Most car accidents occur within a 25 mile radius of your house – the place where you’re most likely to feel safe just cruising along. While you may not be able to avoid a crash forever (after all, you cannot control the actions of other drivers or random acts of nature), you can decrease your chances of being seriously injured by obeying traffic laws, wearing your seatbelt and keeping your eyes on the road. Make sure you’re awake when you get behind the wheel, too; a drowsy driver can be just as dangerous as a drunk driver. Finally, turn your devices off while you drive, so you can avoid the temptation to take a peek while stopped at red lights or on open stretches of highway.

Making sure you are covered when tragedy strikes

You cannot prevent another motorist from being irresponsible and harming you – but you can make sure that if something happens, you have an insurance policy to cover yourself and your family. When you apply for automobile insurance, make sure to ask your agent about “uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.” UM/UIM coverage will enable you to recover damages if an irresponsible driver with little or no insurance injures you. We have seen countless cases where our clients would not have recovered anything had they not had UM/UIM coverage. Make sure you are protected and carry at least $500,000.00 in uninsured/uninsured motorist coverage, preferably with an umbrella policy for catastrophic loss.

Delius & McKenzie, PLLC provides auto accident victims in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg with honest, practical guidance about their options for the future. If you were hurt in an auto accident, contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced Sevierville car crash lawyer today.