Tennessee Car Accident Statistics Every Driver Should Know

The reality is that, regardless of which state you live, car accidents are bound to happen. Whether it’s out in sunny California, across the nation in the Empire State, or even as you’re traveling throughout Tennessee, there’s always the latent risk of being involved in an accident for any number of reasons.

But by being aware of the circumstances under which car accidents happen, as well as the statistics, Law Offices of Seaton & Bates, PLLC hopes to help you avoid becoming one yourself. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself as you travel across this gorgeous state of ours.

Should you, unfortunately, become involved in a serious car accident, remember that help is just a phone call away. Contact the dedicated Johnson City car accident lawyers of Law Offices of Seaton & Bates, PLLC today at 423-282-1041.

Car Accident Facts You Should Know

Our car accident lawyers of Johnson City have thoroughly investigated statistics and facts regarding car accidents in Tennessee utilizing multiple sources. In their research, our experienced and committed attorneys found that:

According to the Tennessee Government website:
- In 2018, there were 5,691 fatal and serious injury crashes.
- One of the largest demographics involved in car accidents was senior drivers between the ages of 65 to 99; accounted for 1,148 crash victims.
- Fridays and Saturdays saw the most crashes throughout the year with 1,020 and 1,061 respectively.
- The hours of 3:00 p.m. to 5:59 p.m. saw the most crashes.

According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office 2018 Annual Report:
- There were 1,040 traffic fatalities in 2017.
- There were 7,126 serious traffic injuries in 2017.
- There were 251 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2017.
- The state saw 166 speeding-related deaths.
- There were 124 pedestrian fatalities and 8 bicycle-auto accident fatalities.
- There were 6,679 impaired driving arrests made in 2017.

As per the organization, Mothers Against Drunk Driving(MADD), in the state of Tennessee:
- There were 7,917 crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2017.
- In 2017, there were 5,375 injuries involving alcohol-impaired drivers.

While studies are showing that the overall number of Tennessee car accidents are steadily decreasing, the reality is that traffic accidents do occur on a regular basis, and often times leave many physical and emotional wounds.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Serious car accidents can cause truly horrifying injuries that can cause permanent damage and even result in lifetime disabilities. Regardless of the severity of your injury, it is in your best interest to visit a doctor immediately after a car accident to prevent further issues.

Some of the most common car crash injuries suffered include:

Head and Neck Injuries. Among the most serious car accident injuries, head injuries can range from simple strains to severe concussions. If the victim’s head comes into contact with an object such as the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, a concussion or lacerations may occur. These types of traumatic brain injuries can lead to concussions.

In more serious cases, surgery may be required to alleviate any issues that may result in long-lasting cognitive problems. Symptoms such as disorientation, vomiting, and headaches after an accident are reasons to seek immediate medical attention as these may be related to a serious brain injury.

Back Injuries.A sudden impact at high speeds can cause damage to the spinal cord. Reduced sensation and/or loss of control of the limbs are possible symptoms of nerve damage to the spinal cord.

Serious back injuries may result in partial or total paralysis. Herniated discs are also a possible injury, and though often less severe than spinal or head injuries, will still cause pain and discomfort.

Chest Injuries.The most typical forms of chest injuries are contusions or bruises. However, high-impact or improper passenger or driver positioning may lead to broken ribs or internal injuries. Because of their position behind the steering wheel, drivers are more likely to suffer chest injuries. For passengers, the force of impact coupled with the seatbelt locking in place can cause some bruising in the chest area.

Broken Bones.Car accidents that occur at high-speeds, or which involve roll-overs, can lead to broken bones. Broken bone injuries include broken legs or arms, broken or fractured wrists or ankles, hip fractures, broken ribs, spinal injuries or skull fractures.

Scrapes and Cuts.These types of penetrating injuries can vary in severity. Any loose object inside the car or broken glass caused by the collision has the potential to cause a scrape or cut. Airbags may cause similar injuries to passengers.

Injured in an auto accident? The Johnson City car accident lawyers of Law Offices of Seaton & Bates, PLLC are here for you.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a car accident caused by a negligent driver, we are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today at [phone-number] for legal guidance you can depend on.