Common Causes of Car Accidents in Sevierville

There are new advances in vehicle technology every day, with backup cameras, collision warning systems, and other adaptive safety features becoming increasingly prevalent. However, even with all of these developments, car accidents are still alarmingly common throughout the United States. Right here in Tennessee, there were 42,371 significant injury crashes and 1,147 fatal crashes in one recent year alone.

A car accident can have a significant impact on a person’s life. Victims are often forced to deal with expensive medical bills, lost wages, and damage to the vehicle they rely on. In more severe instances, they may be unable to return to the life they once enjoyed due to lasting or permanent disabilities. In the worst-case scenarios, the victim may not survive the crash.

If you were hurt or if you lost a loved one in a car accident in Sevierville caused by the negligent or reckless actions of someone else, you have the right to seek fair compensation. The dedicated Sevierville car accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm have more than 60 years of experience representing people who’ve been hurt in our community.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Sevierville

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security released statistics detailing the top driver actions and other contributing factors that led to motor vehicle crashes in Sevierville and statewide. Of the total car accidents that occurred in Tennessee that year:

• Driving errors contributed to tens of thousands of accidents in Tennessee. For example, failure to stay in the proper lane or running off the road resulted in 20,308 crashes, improper lane changes resulted in 6,509 crashes, and improper turns resulted in 4,559 crashes. Other driver errors included improper passing, improper backing, and overcorrecting. 
• Drivers following improperly contributed to 27,435 accidents in Tennessee. When drivers follow at improper speeds or distances, it may be difficult to slow or stop in time to prevent dangerous rear-end collisions.
• Failure to yield the right of way contributed to 25,015 accidents. Drivers who do not yield the proper right of way in traffic behave in ways that other drivers cannot predict, increasing the likelihood of intersection or merging collisions.
• Careless or erratic driving contributed to 8,716 accidents. Common examples of careless driving include reckless or negligent maneuvers and swerving to avoid traffic.
• Driver distraction was a factor in nearly 15,000 Tennessee accidents. Common types of driver distraction include GPS distractions, texting while driving, interference from passengers, and simple inattention.
• Aggressive driving and improper speed were contributing factors in more than 8,000 accidents. Common examples include road rage, exceeding posted speed limits, driving too fast for conditions, and driving too slowly for conditions.
• Failure to obey traffic control accounted for 5,374 traffic collisions, while failure to observe warnings or instructions accounted for 647 crashes.
• Operator inexperience contributed to 1,728 Tennessee traffic collisions.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol was also a contributing factor in 5,853 Tennessee accidents.

Liability for the Most Common Types of Car Crashes in Sevierville

Even when poor visibility, wet road surfaces, or other poor driving conditions are present, car drivers are expected to maintain full and attentive control of their vehicles at all times. Unfortunately, negligent driver actions contribute to the majority of Tennessee motor vehicle collisions. 

When a negligent driver is found liable for a car crash, injured victims may be able to hold them responsible for financial losses and other suffering caused by the accident. Many types of car crashes in Sevierville involve liability on behalf of:

• Distracted drivers – Drivers who are texting, eating, or drinking, focusing on passenger conversations, or even manipulating standard vehicle control knobs may be too distracted from the task at hand to avoid traffic collisions.
• Aggressive drivers – When drivers are speeding, tailgating, lane weaving, or otherwise acting aggressively, their erratic behavior increases the risk of a collision for everyone around them.
• Drunk drivers – Alcohol affects the central nervous system in ways that make safe driving impossible. Alcohol-related losses in judgment, concentration, visual acuity, and muscle coordination may all contribute to drunk driving accidents.
• Drugged drivers – Drivers operating under the influence of drugs can be even more unpredictable than drunk drivers. Drugged drivers behaving sluggishly, aggressively, or erratically all increase the risk of Sevierville traffic collisions.
• Inexperienced drivers – Drivers who lack experience behind the wheel may not know to adjust their speed, following distance, or turning radius to account for road conditions. Inexperienced drivers also commonly fail to recognize important traffic signals or yield the proper right-of-way to avoid imminent collisions.
• Drowsy drivers – If a driver is too fatigued to operate their vehicle properly, they may engage in risky behaviors such as drifting, erratic speeding, and following too closely for conditions, all of which increase the likelihood of traffic collisions.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Sevierville for Help

If you were injured in a Tennessee car crash, our Sevierville accident attorneys are prepared to work hard to maximize your financial recovery while you focus on your health. We can thoroughly investigate all potential evidence, consult with expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists, and develop the strongest case possible on your behalf.

The Sevierville attorneys at The Terry Law Firm will be ready to provide you with a free, no-obligation case evaluation when you reach out to us by phone or online.

If you’re worried about how you’ll afford our services, don’t be. We know that money is often tight in the aftermath of a serious accident, which is why we represent clients on a contingency-fee-basis. This means you won’t have to pay us anything upfront for our skills and service. We won’t collect any fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. 

Don’t wait. Call us today.