If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident in Tennessee, you’re not alone. Data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security shows that hundreds of people die or suffer injuries on the state’s roads every year. These collisions can happen anywhere and at any time; in the aftermath, knowing your legal options is key to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you need to heal.
You may benefit from consulting a Knoxville car accident lawyer who understands Tennessee’s traffic laws and personal injury claims process.
Overview of Tennessee Traffic Fatalities and Injuries
Tennessee’s roads saw a concerning number of serious and fatal accidents in 2024. A total of 5,927 car accidents involved either fatalities or serious injuries across the state. Of these crashes, 1,126 resulted in the deaths of a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or another road user.
The distribution of these accidents wasn’t uniform across the state. Shelby County, which includes Memphis, recorded the highest number with 748 serious or fatal accidents. Davidson County, home to Nashville, followed with 598 incidents. Conversely, the counties with the lowest number of fatal and serious injury crashes were Trousdale with three, Van Buren with four, and Clay, Pickett, and Lake with five each.
Contributing Factors to Tennessee Car Accidents
Several key factors continue to contribute to Tennessee’s car accidents. These include:
- Distracted Driving: Any activity that diverts attention from the road can make it impossible for drivers to respond to sudden traffic changes.
- Speeding: Driving above the posted limit or too fast for current road conditions reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely and extends the distance needed to stop a vehicle.
- Impaired Driving: Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and decreases coordination.
- Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions like rain, fog, ice, or snow can drastically reduce visibility and road traction for drivers.
- Poor Road Maintenance: Defects like potholes, crumbling shoulders, missing guardrails, or faded lane markings create hazardous driving conditions.
When Do Most Traffic Accidents Happen in Tennessee?
According to Tennessee accident data, certain days of the week and times of the day see higher rates of collisions than others. Fatal crashes peaked during the late summer months, with August (117) and September (111) recording the highest numbers. These fatalities most commonly occurred between 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM. Weekends were particularly dangerous, with Saturday and Sunday seeing the highest fatality rates.
For both fatal and serious injury crashes, Saturdays experienced the highest volume with 1,041 collisions. The afternoon rush hour period from 3 PM to 6 PM consistently saw the most accidents throughout the week. October (591) and August (561) were the most dangerous months for all types of crashes.
Talk to a Tennessee Car Accident Attorney Today
If you are one of the hundreds of people injured in a Tennessee car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Injured drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users have the right to file insurance claims or lawsuits against those who caused their collisions. In these situations, trust The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto to fight for you.
We have a proven track record of success in handling complex car accident cases and securing significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. You can trust our attorneys to protect your rights and help you navigate the road to recovery. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, contact us today at (865) 691-2777 for a free consultation with a Knoxville personal injury lawyer.