Katherine Williams-Dunning, age 27, was involved in a single-vehicle collision on June 13, 2020, while driving along West Antioch Road in Henry County, Tennessee. She and her husband were towing a boat and heading southbound on Highway 79 when the car rolled over.
Williams-Dunning died at the scene of the accident from her injuries. Her husband, Tyler Dunning, was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
Daughter of country singer Hank Williams Jr. and Mary Jane Thomas, Katherine was born on October 21, 1992. She married Tyler Dunning in October 2015 and leaves behind her 5-year-old, Beau, and 2-year-old, Audrey Jane, as well as her brother, Sam Williams.
Tennessee fatal accident statistics
According to a recent Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) report, Henry County saw 4 car accident fatalities in 2019. To date, there have been 5 reported fatalities this year. Even though Tennessee as a whole is currently seeing a decrease in accident-related deaths, a single fatality is one too many.
What do you do after a car crash?
Even though it’s too late for the Williams family, there are steps you should take if a similar tragedy happens to you or a loved one.
If you’ve just been in a Tennessee car accident, follow these steps.
1. Make sure you and any passengers aren’t injured. Slowly and gently move your arms, legs and head one at a time and look to see if there are any cuts or bruises. If someone needs immediate medical attention, call 911.
2. As soon as you’ve confirmed no one is suffering from a serious injury, call the Tennessee police or THP to report the accident. Even if the damage looks insignificant, drivers should always call to report an accident.
3. If you’re able, take pictures of the scene including every car involved, weather conditions, stoplights or street signs (if there are any), and road conditions. These will be important when filing a claim.
4. Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers if it’s a multi-vehicle accident. This is necessary when it’s time to talk to the insurance company.
5. When the police or THP arrive to investigate, you’ll be asked to fill a report stating your name, contact information and a description of the accident. This is normal for any car accident in Tennessee. Remember to be as clear and concise as possible.
6. Seek immediate medical attention once the investigation is over. Even if you didn’t notice any injuries prior to reporting the accident, you may experience whiplash or a mild concussion later. Either of these could lead to more serious pain down the road, which indicates a major injury.
7. Once the treating physician gives the all-clear, you may want to discuss your car accident with a licensed Tennessee attorney. They’ll determine if you have a case for filing a claim that will cover and medical expenses or damage incurred.
When you should hire a Tennessee car accident attorney
Having a professional car crash lawyer is important in the event of a major car accident, as they can help you recover any losses and receive benefits to help with medical care or funeral costs. There’s nothing that can take away the shock of a car crash or the loss of a loved one involved in that wreck, but there is something you can do about it.
Gilreath & Associates understand how difficult it is to lose a loved one in a deadly accident and we are here to help discuss your case with the time, care and compassion it deserves. Scheduling your free initial consultation is the first step on the road to recovery. Our legal experts are ready and committed to serving Tennessee drivers.