Our personal injury lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates would like to draw attention to a dramatic increase in the number of teen driver fatalities in Tennessee recently, and are urging parents, teachers and law enforcement to employ stronger safety efforts to curb the rate of car accidents, injuries and deaths involving teens across the state. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a car accident in Nashville, or elsewhere in Tennessee, contact our reputable attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates for legal help. You may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or party found at-fault in the accident, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
According to a report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association on February 26, the number of teen drivers killed in car accidents in Tennessee increased by an alarming 166% during the first six months of 2012. While any drastic increase in the rate of car accident deaths is alarming, the fact that these car accidents in Tennessee involve such young drivers is cause for serious concern. From January 2011 to June 2011, a total of six drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 were killed in Tennessee car accidents, the report states. During that same time period in 2012, however, 16 drivers in that age range died in traffic accidents across the state, which puts Tennessee in a tie with Indiana for the most teen driver fatalities during the first six months of 2012.
The report on Tennessee teen traffic fatalities was part of a national study examining the trend of car accident deaths among teenage drivers. Across the United States, the number of 16- and 17-year-old drivers who were killed during the first six months of 2012 increased for the second year in a row after undergoing consistent declines the previous three years. Between January 2011 and June 2011, 202 people died in vehicles driven by 16- or 17-year-old motorists, and during that same time period in 2012, a total of 240 people were killed, which represents an increase of 19%. In many cases of car accident deaths in Tennessee and throughout the United States, the collision is caused by driver negligence, which can come in the form of speeding, distracted driving or driver fatigue. For this reason, our attorneys are urging all motorists in Tennessee to practice safe driving techniques behind the wheel.
In addition to serious physical harm, Tennessee car accidents can also result in devastating financial and emotional losses for victims and their families. If you have been injured in a Tennessee car accident, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal collision, consult our knowledgeable lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to reimbursement for your injuries and medical expenses, which you can pursue by filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the driver found at-fault in the accident. With our law firm on your side, you can protect yourself and your family from further harm, and feel confident that your legal rights are protected.
Source: Governors Highway Safety Association – ghsa.org