Rogersville Personal Injury Blog

Car accidents happen for many reasons, but speed is one of most common reasons why people get hurt on Tennessee roads and highways. Most if not all drivers speed at some point, and while it may seem like a benign behavior, it is actually quite dangerous.

Speeding will not necessarily get a driver to his or her destination faster, but it will make it more likely that the person behind the wheel will cause an accident. If you suffered injury in a speed-related car crash, you have the right to seek compensation for your pain and suffering. Like other types of negligent and reckless drivers, speeding drivers can be held accountable for their actions.

Most drivers are aware of the fact that distracted driving is extremely dangerous. Likewise, most people associate distracted driving with cellphone use while behind the wheel. This typically includes texting, talking on the phone, using a navigation system or even using social media.

Phones are one of the most common sources of distraction for Tennessee drivers, but that is not the only dangerous behavior that could threaten your life and the lives of others. Eating while driving, while seemingly a benign activity, can be incredibly dangerous and have devastating consequences for drivers, passengers, and others.

While the winter months in Tennessee bring festivities that help to dispel the gloom of shorter days and longer nights, often accompanying the cheer of the holidays are dangerous driving conditions. We may not be overwhelmed with the intense snow storms that hit the northern states annually, however, black ice and sleet can make our commutes a white-knuckle experience. Pair poor driving conditions with other distractions and you'll find that the months of December, January and February are not kind to drivers in Tennessee.

For these reasons, it's doubly important to reduce whatever risks that can limit a driver's focus and response time. If you have been reading articles and blogs on our website, you know that a major distraction for drivers is the cellphone. In an unfavorable review of our state's drivers, the National Safety Council reported that the state led the nation in cellphone-related car accidents. In spite of the fact that most drivers know texting and driving is dangerous, adults and teens admit to engaging in this activity.

It is likely that self-driving cars will not be a common sight on Tennessee roads anytime soon, but when they finallyare, they will have an effect on the auto insurance industry as well. It is not clear how these cars will be insured, and in part, this is because the safety of the cars is not yet known.

The technology companies that are developing them tout their safety, yet algorithms are vulnerable to both software errors and hacking. Even if the cars are considerably safer than those driven by humans, accidents will likely still happen. Insurance companies may work alongside car companies to develop regulations around autonomous cars.