Another wrong-way driver has apparently caused a deadly accident in Tennessee. The multi-vehicle car crash occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 40 on Saturday, May 16. The suspected wrong-way driver is believed to have entered the highway at the westbound exit at Old Hickory in west Nashville while traveling in an easterly direction.
The driver drove onto the exit ramp and then proceeded easterly on that part of the interstate that was for westbound traffic. The wrong-way driver, a 26-year-old male, caused the collision by smashing head-on into a vehicle driven by a 34-year-old male. A third car joined in the collision.
Both the wrong-way driver and the 34-year-old male died in the accident. The driver of the third vehicle was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, where he was treated and released. Metro police reportedly told reporters that there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs being used by the deceased wrongdoer.
The police will investigate and make some final conclusions after studying the forensic evidence at the scene. If the initial rendition of the facts is verified, then the estate of the wrong-way driver will likely be liable for wrongful death damages to the estate of the other deceased driver. The estate of the decedent who is entitled to damages will likely obtain the assistance of an experienced personal injury and wrongful death attorney to pursue the claim at this point.
In Tennessee and elsewhere, the general procedure is for the estate of the driver who was at fault to turn the claim over to its decedent’s automobile liability carrier. Typically, the insurer will then negotiate a final settlement with the personal injury attorney retained by the other estate. The side that is entitled to damages in the car crash will also investigate whether its decedent had underinsured motorists’ coverage on his own policy. The coverage will kick in after the wrongdoer pays on its policy, if it is found that the liability coverage was insufficient.
Source: wkrn.com, “2 killed in suspected wrong-way accident on I-40 West”, Julie Edwards, May 17, 2015
