Auto Accident Injury in Nashville, TN

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Nashville? 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 Nashville, TN that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Nashville, 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. In 2019, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security recorded over 25,000 minor injuries and over 5,500 serious injuries from traffic crashes.

Unfortunately, more than 1,150 injury incidents ended in fatalities. From 2015-2019, Davidson County is ranked #1 in the state for injury crash rate and second in the state for motorcycle crash rate. In 2019 alone, the county saw nearly 6,500 minor injuries, more than 400 serious injuries, and over 100 fatal injuries.

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.

As stated in Tennessee Code Annotated 55-12-104, a driver involved in an accident in which an individual is injured, killed, or in which damage to property exceeds $1,500 for anyone involved must report the incident within 20 days after the date of occurence. The same regulations apply when damage to public property exceeds $400. Failure to do so may lead to a suspension of your driver’s license or vehicle’s registration. You may request a crash report from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security generally 7 days after the crash for a small fee.

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

Tennessee traffic crash fatalities cost the state an estimated $1.54 billion in 2018. The cost of pedestrian-related incidents exceeded those pertaining to motorcyclists $191 million to $179 million. Both young adults ages 20-34 and adults ages 35-64 are responsible for 42% of the total figure. With the second-highest number of crashes in the state from 2015-2019, Davidson County contributes significantly to this total cost.

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 Nashville

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 is a fault-based state for purposes of compensating those who have sustained injuries or died in motor vehicle accidents. This means the responsible party pays for damages through a modified comparative negligence system whereby damages are awarded based on the portion of fault linked to each party involved. You may seek compensation while your portion of fault is less than 50%.

Statute of Limitations in Nashville

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 you have just one year after an injury-causing incident to take legal action against the other involved party. However, if the cause of action occurs out of the state, the court hearing the cause of action shall apply the statute of limitations that provides the injured party the greatest amount of time in which to institute the action.

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 Nashville, 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!