Woman Killed in Parking Lot Accident
A woman was killed in Ashland City recently after being struck by a vehicle in a Walmart parking lot. The accident occurred around 10:30 a.m. near the grocery store entrance of the store on Highway 12 South in Ashland City. The victim was identified as Kath Poole, 60, of Marks Creek Hill Road.
According to the police, she was pronounced dead at the scene after the accident. Ms. Poole was walking into the store with her daughter when the driver of the vehicle, Jennie Bledsoe, was leaving her parking space and hit Ms. Poole. Ms. Bledsoe was driving a GMC Envoy at the time of the accident when she reversed and accelerated backwards.
Ms. Bledsoe claims that the accelerator got stuck, and she did not even realize that she had struck someone in the parking lot. Ms. Poole was dragged about 25 feet after she was hit by the SUV. In addition, two other vehicles were hit in the parking lot as a result of the accident.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is currently investigating the accident, and no charges have been filed yet against Ms. Bledsoe for her role in the death of Ms. Poole.
Tennessee Pedestrian Accidents
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, so far this year there have been a total of 26 pedestrian deaths across the state. In fact, since 2011 there have been 1,339, 1,394, 1,331, and 941 pedestrian deaths, respectively, across Tennessee. A study by the AAA in 2013 found that around 20 percent of all pedestrian accidents happen in the parking lots of shopping malls, shopping centers, supermarkets, and big box stores.
Pedestrian accidents in parking lots typically happen because of poor lighting or blind spots. According to the study, other contributing causes of pedestrian accidents in parking lots include walking alongside moving cars, cars driving too fast through parking lots, and failure of law enforcement officials to patrol these areas.
Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries or death for the victim because of the lack of protection surrounding a pedestrian when they are struck by a vehicle. Compensation for pedestrian accident injuries or wrongful death can include damages for the following:
- Present and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Impaired earning ability;
- Disability;
- Loss of enjoyment of life;
- Loss of inheritance;
- Emotional distress;
- Pain and suffering;
- Wrongful death;
- Funeral costs;
…and other damages that are reasonably related to the pedestrian accident.
Call a Nashville Lawyer Today
Being involved or witnessing a pedestrian accident can be a traumatizing experience, but you do not need to deal with the stress of a legal case on your own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident by a vehicle in the Nashville area, let the experienced personal injury lawyers at Calhoun Law, PLC help. Call the office or contact us today for a free and confidential consultation of your case.
