Light has been shed recently on the high rate of traffic accident fatalities in Tennessee, as a recent CDC study reported that Memphis, Tennessee is one of the most dangerous cities for teen drivers. In response to the surge in fatal traffic accidents in Tennessee, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security commissioner has discussed with TN law enforcement officials ways to be more proactive in curbing car accident deaths. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident in Tennessee, our car accident lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates can help. Our team of qualified wrongful death attorneys, led by widely-recognized trial attorney Michael Ponce, can help you evaluate your legal options and work to pursue the compensation you deserve for the loss of your loved one.
In more than half of fatal accidents in Tennessee this year, victims were not wearing their seat belt, and about one-third of the accidents involved drivers under the influence of alcohol. According to Department of Safety and Homeland Security commissioner Bill Gibbons, focusing on reducing drunk driving and seat belt violations can help reduce traffic deaths in the state. “DUI arrests by troopers are 42 percent more than they were this time last year…Seat belt citations are up 52 percent compared to last year, so that’s another indication that troopers are really being very proactive on this, and we think that can have a very positive impact on the fatality rate,” stated Gibbons.
Research has also shown that drivers between the ages of 15 and 24 are at the highest risk for involvement in a fatal car accident, due in large part to engaging in high-risk driving behavior. More specifically, drivers in this age range are more likely to carry numerous passengers, drive at night, and participate in distracted driving behaviors like texting while driving. Despite the significant attention that has been paid recently to the dangers of using a cell phone or other technological device while driving, distracted driving remains a major cause of traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities in Tennessee and across the United States.
Strengthened government regulations – like introducing a graduated license program and enforcing seat belt and drunk driving laws – have been moderately effective in states like Tennessee, although high-risk driving behavior still contributes to a significant number of car accident deaths each year. If you have been injured in a Tennessee car accident, or if you lost a loved one in such an accident, contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to explore your compensation options. You may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person found at-fault in the accident, and Mr. Ponce can help you pursue financial compensation for the death of your loved one.