Tennessee Valley Car Accident Statistics

The Tennessee Valley is a scenic area of the state that includes the cities of Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Elizabethton. It extends from southwest Kentucky to northern Alabama and from northeastern Mississippi to the mountain regions of Virginia and North Carolina. 

With major highways like the I-65, I-24 and I-75 cutting through it, Tennessee Valley roads swell with commuter and commercial traffic nearly every day. As a result, car accidents are a fairly common occurrence. In this article, we examine recent car accident statistics in Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Moore, and Warren Counties and explain how the Law Office of John R. Colvin can help if you or someone you love is injured in a crash.

Major Tennessee Valley Highways

Use a road map of Tennessee Valley, highlighting the highlighted interstate highways below:

The I-40 runs west-east across the Tennessee Valley, between Nashville and Knoxville and Asheville, North Carolina. The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security reports that 37 people were killed on this road between July 2018 and 2019. ‌By‌ ‌the‌ ‌end‌ ‌of‌ ‌July‌ ‌2020,‌ ‌43 people had been killed in fatal accidents, making I-40 one of the most dangerous highways in the state. 

Other interstate highways that run through the Tennessee Valley include:

• I-24: connects Paducah, Kentucky, and Chattanooga via Clarksville and Nashville.
• I-26: a major‌ ‌east-west‌ ‌route‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Interstate‌ ‌Highway‌ ‌System‌ ‌in northeastern ‌‌Tennessee. It runs from the junction of US Route 11W and US Route 23 in Kingsport to US Route 17 in Charleston, South Carolina.
• I-59: connects Chattanooga with‌ ‌New‌ ‌Orleans
• I-65: runs north-south through‌ ‌the‌ ‌central‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌valley.
• I-565 / SR 20 / US 72 Alt: links the Huntsville Metropolitan Area and the Decatur Metropolitan Area.
• I-75: runs through the middle of ‌east‌ern ‌Tennessee, linking Chattanooga and Knoxville with Atlanta and Cincinnati.
• I-81: connects areas east of Knoxville to the Tri-State area of Tennessee and Virginia.

How Safe are Tennessee Valley Roads?

Although some aspects of highway safety have improved, it is inaccurate to state Tennessee Valley Roads are completely safe. ‌Even with improved auto technology, we’re still seeing a high number of accidents that leave victims seriously injured and families without loved ones.

Auto accidents can be expensive in terms of property damage and medical bills, but they are also devastating in how they affect people’s‌ ‌lives. ‌If‌ ‌you‌ ‌are‌ ‌injured‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌car‌ ‌accident‌ ‌and‌ ‌not protected by an experienced car accident lawyer, you may be compromised by insurance adjusters who often do anything to limit‌ ‌your compensation.

Attorney John R. Colvin has helped many clients receive the compensation they deserve after a serious car accident and is here to help you and your family as well. If you or a loved one has been injured in a preventable crash, please contact us for a free consultation.

Car Accident Statistics By County

Below is an overview of car accident statistics for the 10 counties that make up the Tennessee Valley. It examines trends between 2016 and 2020 and highlights important details like whether speeding and/or alcohol were factors in reported accidents. 

Bedford County

Between 2016 and 2020 there was a yearly average of 1,204 motor vehicle accidents within Bedford County, which includes Bell Buckle, Normandy, Shelbyville, and Wartrace. Fatal and injury accidents averaged seven and 286 respectively per year. Speed was a factor in an average of 80 accidents every year while alcohol played a role in approximately 75, killing an average of three people per year.

• Highest number of accidents: 1,246 in 2019
• Highest number of injury crashes: 305 in 2020 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: 10 each in 2018 and 2019
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 99 in 2018
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 96 in 2020
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Six in 2019

Coffee County

Coffee County, which includes Manchester and Tullahoma, had an average of 1,584 accidents per year. The yearly averages for fatal crashes and injury crashes were 12 and 366 respectively. An average of 52 accidents were caused by speeding drivers while drunk drivers were a factor in approximately 59 collisions per year, killing an average of two people per incident.

• Highest number of accidents: 1,636 in 2017
• Highest number of injury crashes: 384 in 2016 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: 19 in 2017
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 58 in 2019
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 77 in 2018
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Three in 2018 and 2019

Franklin County

In Franklin County, which includes Huntland, Sewanee, and Winchester, there was an average of 723 crashes per year. Fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged six and 198 per year respectively. The average total for speed-related accidents was 25 while drunk driving accounted for approximately 50 crashes and one death per year.

• Highest number of accidents: 900 in 2017
• Highest number of injury crashes: 235 in 2017 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: Nine in 2018
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 35 in 2016
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 41 in 2017
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Three in 2017

Giles County

Giles County, which includes the city of Pulaski, averaged 864 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged eight and 208 respectively. The average yearly crash total due to speed was 38 while alcohol played a role in an average of 38 collisions and two fatalities per year.

• Highest number of accidents: 968 in 2016
• Highest number of injury crashes: 268 in 2016
• Highest number of fatal accidents: 10 each in 2016, 2019, and 2020
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 47 in 2018
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 54 in 2020
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Three in 2017 and 2019

Grundy County

Grundy County, which includes Altamont, Monteagle, Pelham, and Tracy City, averaged 276 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged two and 78 respectively. The average yearly crash total due to speed was 21 while alcohol played a role in an average of 13 collisions per year. Only one person died during these four years in a drunk driving crash.

• Highest number of accidents: 303 in 2017
• Highest number of injury crashes: 96 in 2016 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: Three in 2019
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 25 in 2018 
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 14 in 2016 and 2020
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: One in 2019

Lincoln County

Lincoln County, which includes Fayetteville, averaged 793 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged six and 188 respectively. Speed was a factor in an average of 29 accidents per year while drunk drivers caused an average of 43 collisions and one fatality each year.

• Highest number of accidents: 892 in 2016
• Highest number of injury crashes: 209 in 2016 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: Nine in 2016
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 41 in 2020 
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 53 in 2017
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Three in 2016

Marion County

Marion County, which includes Jasper, South Pittsburg, and Whitwell, averaged 689 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged 10 and 176 respectively. Speeding accidents occurred at an average rate of 52 per year while drunk drivers caused an average of 32 collisions and one fatality every year.

• Highest number of accidents: 685 in 2019
• Highest number of injury crashes: 220 in 2016 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: 13 in 2018
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 61 in 2019 
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 38 in 2018
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Two in 2018, 2019, and 2020

Marshall County

Marshall County, which includes Lewisburg, averaged 744 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged five and 172 respectively. The average yearly crash total due to speed was 39 while alcohol was a factor in approximately 38 crashes and one fatality a year.

• Highest number of accidents: 813 in 2017
• Highest number of injury crashes: 220 in 2016 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: Nine in 2019
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 45 in 2019 
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 47 in 2019 
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: Three in 2019

Moore County

Moore County, which includes Lynchburg, averaged 116 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged one and 34 respectively. An average of seven accidents a year involved speed while alcohol was a factor in eight. One person died in a drunk driving accident during the four years.

• Highest number of accidents: 132 in 2018
• Highest number of injury crashes: 40 in 2020 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: Two each in 2017, 2018, and 2020
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 11 in 2018   
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 11 in 2018 
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: One in 2017

Warren County

Warren County, which includes McMinnville, averaged 895 accidents a year while fatal crashes and injury crashes averaged 10 and 194 respectively. An average of 38 accidents a year involved speed while drunk driving caused an average of 37 crashes and two fatalities.

• Highest number of accidents: 981 in 2017
• Highest number of injury crashes: 242 in 2016 
• Highest number of fatal accidents: 17 in 2017
• Year with the most speeding accidents: 62 in 2017   
• Year with the most drinking and driving accidents: 45 in 2020 
• Year with the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities: 5 in 2017

Leading Causes of Car Accidents in the Tennessee Valley

There are a lot of contributing factors that lead to accidents throughout the Tennessee Valley, but the most common include:

• Drunk Driving: Drinking‌ ‌and‌ ‌driving‌ ‌is technically defined as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over .08%. Alcohol‌ ‌impairs motor skills, reaction time, and judgment. ‌A drunk-driving case may also provide plaintiffs with the opportunity to seek punitive damages due to‌ ‌gross negligence.

• Distracted Driving: Many activities can cause a driver’s attention to stray from the road. They include smartphone use, using GPS systems, eating, or talking to passengers. All it can take is a few seconds of distraction to cause an accident.

• Speeding: Speeding is another major contributor to Tennessee Valley car crashes. In late 2021, the city of Chattanooga installed cameras on Germantown Road, Norcross Road, and Mountain Creek Road, which experienced accident rates two and a half times the state average, and mailed out thousands of speeding tickets in December.

• Reckless Driving: Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals and conditions are all examples of reckless driving that can lead to accidents and injuries.

• Ignoring Highway Safety: All Tennessee drivers must understand and follow every rule of the road. ‌This includes following all traffic signs, stopping for pedestrians and cyclists, and being mindful‌ ‌of‌ ‌traffic conditions.
• Vehicle Defects and Malfunctions: Some accidents are caused by defective vehicles or components. ‌In these cases, a thorough investigation is often necessary ‌to‌ ‌uncover‌ the defect and its contribution to the crash. ‌Attorney‌ ‌Colvin‌ ‌has extensive experience handling product liability claims and will pursue designers and manufacturers whose negligence leads to accidents.

Injured in a Tennessee Valley Car Accident? Contact the Law Office of John R. Colvin for a Free Consultation.

When you’re in a car accident, your life changes instantly. ‌You‌ ‌have‌ ‌medical‌ ‌bills‌ ‌to pay and complicated insurance issues to deal with. ‌After‌ ‌an‌ ‌accident,‌ ‌you‌ ‌deserve‌ ‌to‌ ‌have‌ ‌a‌ ‌lawyer protecting your interests ‌your‌ ‌interests‌ ‌and‌ ‌fighting on your behalf.

Attorney John R. Colvin dedicates his practice to helping victims of serious and preventable accidents. He has a strong and proven track record of fighting for his clients and knows how to negotiate or litigate for the money you need to rebuild your life and take care of your family. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your car accident claim, please call (877) 594-8956 (Winchester), (866) 293-1752 (Tullahoma), or use our online contact form.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advise for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.