Auto Accident Injury in Memphis, TN

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Memphis? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Memphis, TN that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Memphis, Tennessee

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. Based on over 200,000 crashes involving personal injury or property damage in 2019 recorded by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 25,000 involved minor injuries and over 5,500 led to serious injuries. Unfortunately, more than 1,150 injury incidents ended in fatalities. Shelby County leads the state with nearly 40,000 crashes from 2015-2019. There were nearly 3,000 combined minor and serious injuries as well as 162 fatalities in 2019 alone.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

You must submit your report to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days of the date of the incident or risk driver’s license suspension and loss of vehicle registration, as is written in the Tennessee Legal Code. When requesting a crash report you should provide the date of the crash, the county in which it occurred, any involved drivers, and an agency tracking number. A request may be made online, in person at the Memphis Highway Patrol District Office or through the mail for a small fee. If an agency other than the Tennessee Highway Patrol reported the incident, a request can be made by contacting that agency’s office directly.  Reports are available approximately 7 days after the date of a crash.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

The CDC reports $1.54 billion in total cost for traffic crash deaths in Tennessee in 2018. Broken down, it comes out to a calculated $14 million in medical costs and $1.52 billion in work loss costs. Car crashes account for $1.15 billion or three-quarters of the total loss while teens account for 9% of this figure. Shelby County alone has seen over 14,000 crashes involving teens from 2015-2019 which leads the state.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Tennessee

Liability Laws for Memphis

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Tennessee uses a modified comparative negligence system whereby damages are awarded based on the portion of fault linked to each party involved. If the injured person’s portion of liability exceeds 49%, however, they will not be awarded any damages. Tennessee is one of 12 states in the U.S. that adheres to this practice, known as the 50% rule.

Statute of Limitations in Memphis

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years.

In Tennessee, an individual has just one year after a personal injury to take up action against the other party. If the incident occurs out-of-state, however, that state’s statute of limitation will supersede TN’s jurisdiction. If a different state permits a longer period of time in which to take action, the court will honor it in order to give the injured party the greatest amount of leeway.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Memphis, TN

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Tennessee!

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