Personal Injury Law

Lindsey Batt, Brittney Smith Injured in Erin Single Car Accident

By George Fusner

Two Houston County high school students in Erin were injured while passengers of a 1995 Honda Accord when the driver, who has not been identified, crashed into a ditch. Brittney Smith, 17, was transported to Patients' Choice Medical Center by ambulance. Lindsey Batt, 16, was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she is reported in stable condition.

The accident occurred after school got out on Monday, Aug. 27. The driver ran off the road, over corrected the vehicle twice, then finally striking a ditch and overturning the vehicle. She was reportedly wearing her seat belt improperly and had to be extracted by emergency workers. No word on her injuries.

Trooper Billy Smith reported that speed was a factor in the crash. It's safe to assume the driver was also distracted in some way. The dangers of distracted driving are only amplified when the driver is inexperienced and speeding. Especially troubling are teenagers these days have a propensity to multitask while driving, namely text while driving. Texting while driving is now illegal in Tennessee, but that won't stop all offenders.

This may be a classic case of a negligent teenage driver distracted by this or that. Or, it could be an issue of teenagers being distracted by talking on a cell phone or texting. Perhaps the passengers will speak up if this is the case. Either way, it's always unfortunate to see teenagers learn the hard way that safe driving is a serious matter.

Full post as published by Nashville Personal Injury Lawyer on August 26, 2009 (boomark / email).