Memphis personal injury law blog

With spring just a few weeks away, you are itching to climb behind the handlebars of your favorite motorcycle and explore everything Tennessee has to offer. Of course, because motorcycle riding can be dangerous, you must wear appropriate protective gear. If you fail to do so, you have an increased chance of suffering a serious injury on the road. 

Road rash occurs when skin rubs against the surface of the road. To prevent it, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office recommends wearing a jacket and protective leather chaps. While road rash can be painful, it is typically treatable. Regrettably, though, the condition may lead to significant health complications. 

The Building and Codes Department in Clarksville recently had to determine whether a local residence was habitable after a pickup truck crashed into it. Two adults and a child were hospitalized with auto accident injuries. Authorities say the accident occurred at approximately 9 a.m. on a recent Friday.

According to a police spokesperson, a 34-year-old woman was operating a vehicle that crashed into the Tennessee home and then smashed into a vehicle that was parked next door. The occupants of the home, a man and a woman along with their dog suffered no injuries, although damage to the home was extensive. The occupants of the pickup truck were less fortunate.

The favorite gathering spot of many high school students in the Tennessee town of Arlington was severely damaged when an SUV crashed through the front entrance on a recent Tuesday. Amazingly, only two students suffered auto accident injuries. According to a report by the sheriff's office, the incident occurred during the locale's busiest time, between 2 p.m and 3 p.m.

Students were showered with pieces of glass as the bistro's front windows shattered upon impact. Although many of the people who were in the coffee bar at the time suffered shock, just two of them -- both students -- were transported to the hospital for treatment. Reportedly, none of the injuries suffered were considered critical.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires construction company owners to provide safe work environments and protect employees from known hazards, one of which is cold stress. Without protection, construction workers in Tennessee and across the country put their lives on the line. Through safety training, workers must learn about the dangers they face when working in cold conditions, and also recognize cold stress symptoms in themselves and co-workers.

Training must cover basic first aid and the steps to take in emergencies, which could include downed power lines, slippery roads, winds that drive temperatures even lower, along with the risks of hypothermia, trench foot and frostbite. Workers must learn how to dress to keep their bodies warm and dry, how to navigate the engineering controls, and use the personal protective equipment their employers provide. OSHA encourages employers to limit the time workers spend outdoors and allow frequent breaks in warm rest areas.