If you are the victim of a car accident in Hendersonville, TN, which was caused by the negligence of another, it is important that you seek knowledgeable legal assistance. Having an experienced personal injury attorney by your side, from the time your accident occurs, makes it much less likely you will be taken advantage of my insurance companies or ignored altogether. Remember, the first settlement amount offered by most insurance companies may not cover all your medical expenses, leaving you injured, with unpaid medical bills. In the city of Hendersonville, in 2014, there were 5 vehicles involved in fatal accidents, with four people dying in those accidents. Three of the fatal accidents involved an alcohol-impaired driver. There were no pedestrians killed in auto accidents during 2014. The areas where the fatal auto accidents took place were on Anderson Lane, and at SR-386 Vietnam Veterans Blvd.

Sumner County ranked 46^th in the overall number of fatal auto crashes, as compared to other counties in the state. For auto accidents involving alcohol, Sumner County ranked 81^st, for auto accidents involving excessive speed, the county ranked 16^th, for auto accidents among those between the ages of 15 and 24, the county ranked 41^st, and for auto accidents among seniors, Sumner County ranked 31^st.

Hendersonville is the largest city in Sumner County, and the fourth-largest city in the Nashville metro area, located 18 miles northeast of downtown Nashville. Hendersonville is home to many famous Nashville musicians—Johnny and June Cash, Conway Twitty, Marty Stuart and Taylor Swift, to name a few. As Nashville continues to grow, so will Hendersonville, meaning residents can expect more auto accidents.

Whether you have been involved in a relatively minor accident, or a very serious auto accident you need experienced legal assistance. For detailed information regarding auto accidents, click here to read our Car Accident Guide. Our attorneys want to help you through this difficult time, and if you have additional questions about auto accidents, perhaps you can find some answers below.

Distracted Driving as a Primary Cause of Auto Accidents

Any type of activity which diverts your attention away from the primary task of driving is a distraction, and all distractions among drivers have the potential to endanger other drivers, passengers, and bystanders. Typical forms of distractions to drivers include:

• Combing or brushing your hair;
• Talking to passengers;
• Eating;
• Texting;
• Talking on the phone;
• Navigating with a paper map;
• Looking at things happening on the side of the road;
• Using a navigation system, and
• Adjusting a radio or CD player.

Because text messaging requires all three types of attention (visual, manual and cognitive) from a driver, it is by far the most dangerous type of distraction. Some statistics regarding distracted driving include:

• There were 3,179 people killed in auto accidents in 2014, which involved a distracted driver, along with 431,000 injuries related to distracted drivers.
• At least ten percent of drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 who were involved in a fatal crash were reportedly engaging in some type of distraction at the time of the crash.
• Overall, 38 percent of distracted drivers who were using a cell phone at the time of a fatal crash were in their 20’s, and, younger drivers are more likely to text and drive, or talk on their cell phone while driving (although older drivers are not immune).
• At any given daylight moment across the United States, there are 660,000 drivers using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.
• When you are sending or reading a text, your eyes are off the road for a minimum of five seconds—enough time to cover the length of a football field at 55 mph.

An Even Greater Distraction—Children in the Car

Unfortunately, there is an even greater danger than cell phones, however, it is a distraction that can’t easily be remedied. Australian researchers found that children in the vehicle are twelve times more distracting to the driver than talking on a cell phone. Shockingly, the average parent takes his or her eyes off the road for three minutes and 22 seconds—during a 16-minute trip. When children are in the car, parents find themselves refereeing sibling arguments, calming fussy babies, and handing out snacks.

And, by the way, according to AAA, having a baby in the car is eight times more distracting than having an adult passenger. Many parents adjust the car’s rearview mirror so they can see what is happening with the children in the back, then spend far more time watching the mirror than watching the road. Interestingly, fathers are worse than mothers as far as allowing themselves to be distracted by the children, and for longer periods of time.

Getting the Experienced Legal Assistance You Need After a Car Accident

If you suffered injuries in your Hendersonville auto accident, don’t try to face the aftermath on your own. Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to talk to insurance companies—or anyone else, for that matter, or try to persuade the insurance company that the amount they are offering will simply not cover your injuries or the damages to your vehicle?

Having a highly experienced personal injury attorney from Martinson & Beason, P.C., can make all the difference in the outcome of your auto accident. We understand your situation, and will work hard to ensure you are fully compensated for the negligence of another. We have been protecting those injured in auto accidents since 1937. Call us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you during this difficult time.