Car accidents are a lot more common than you might think. In Tennessee, there are close to 180,000 car accidents every year, with many resulting in fatalities. Car accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the state. The unfortunate reality is that many drivers are not as safe or as conscientious as they should be when on the road. Speeding, disregarding safety signals, driving under the influence, or otherwise driving recklessly can result in serious accidents, causing personal injury and property damage. A car accident lawyer in Knoxville can help you file a lawsuit to recover damages if you have suffered an injury. In the meantime, let's take a look at some of the best practices that can help drivers avoid car accident injuries.

Always Wear a Seatbelt

It is common knowledge that wearing your seatbelt when in a moving vehicle is important. However, despite this knowledge and numerous public service announcements and scientific studies, an alarming number of drivers and passengers fail to wear their seatbelts! In short - seatbelts save lives. No matter how short your journey is, you should always fasten your seatbelt and encourage your passengers to do the same. Any car accident lawyer in Tennessee can tell you the difference wearing a seatbelt makes. It could be the difference between minor injuries and a fatality if you find yourself involved in a crash. It is also important to make sure that the seatbelt is properly adjusted to sit correctly on your body.

Keep Up With Vehicle Maintenance

In some accidents, a car accident lawyer in Knoxville may find that an accident was caused by or made more serious due to the vehicle being poorly maintained. As a vehicle owner and driver, you have a duty of care to your passengers and other road users to keep up with standard maintenance of your vehicle to make sure that it remains roadworthy. This includes, but is not limited to, the following maintenance tasks:

  • Regular oil changes
  • Maintaining the appropriate tire pressure
  • Rotating your tires
  • Monitoring battery life
  • Replacing worn brake pads and discs
  • Replacing damaged wiper blades

It is also worth noting that if defective parts cause an accident, your car accident lawyer in Tennessee could file a personal injury claim against the vehicle manufacturer and/or parts.

Avoid Distractions When Driving

One of the most common causes of car accidents, especially among younger drivers, is distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver's attention away from the road. Distracted driving dramatically increases the risk of accidents. There are three categories of distractions:

  • Visual – Taking your eyes off the road (e.g., looking at a phone, GPS, or passengers).
  • Manual – Taking your hands off the wheel (e.g., eating, adjusting the radio, or reaching for something).
  • Cognitive – Taking your mind off driving (e.g., daydreaming, talking on the phone, or being lost in thought).

One of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving is texting while driving because it involves all three types of distractions. In Tennessee, distracted driving is a significant concern. Tennessee implemented the "Hands-Free Law" (Public Chapter No. 412) on July 1, 2019, to combat this. This law prohibits drivers from:

  • Holding a cell phone or mobile device with any part of their body.
  • Writing, sending, or reading any text-based communication.
  • Reaching for a device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt.

Violating this law can result in fines of up to $50 for a first offense, with increased penalties for repeat offenders.

Avoiding distractions can't guarantee you will never get into an accident, but when you are 100% focused on the road, you may be able to avoid collisions or at least take steps to minimize the damage. You can't change how other drivers behave on the road, but when you prioritize focusing on driving, you can make sure you are not the one causing the accident.

Don't Drive When You Are Impaired

In Tennessee, impaired driving is primarily addressed under the state's driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws. These laws prohibit operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

Legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits:

  • Standard Drivers (21 and over): A 0.08% or higher BAC constitutes a DUI offense.
  • Commercial Drivers: A BAC of 0.04% or higher.
  • Drivers Under 21: Any detectable amount of alcohol can lead to DUI charges, reflecting the state's zero-tolerance policy.

Even if you only consume one drink, it could still impair your judgment or slow your reaction time enough to result in an accident. The same goes for recreational drugs. The big problem with drug or alcohol use is that it is difficult for an individual to realize that they are impaired. The best practice is not to drink or use drugs at all when you are going to be driving. If you have been injured by another driver who was impaired at the time of the accident, your car accident lawyer in Knoxville will set out to prove that this makes them liable for your injuries.

Car accidents are a serious issue in Tennessee, with thousands of crashes occurring each year—many of which are preventable. You can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident by taking simple precautions such as wearing a seatbelt, keeping up with vehicle maintenance, avoiding distractions, and never driving while impaired. While you can't control the actions of other drivers, you can take responsibility for your safety and make the roads safer for everyone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to another driver's negligence, a car accident lawyer in Knoxville can help you navigate the legal process and seek the compensation you deserve.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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