Auto Accident Injury in Tennessee

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

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in 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. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reports 1,163 fatalities occurred on state roadways in 2019. While occupants of motor vehicles represented the largest number of traffic fatalities, there were 152 motorcycle deaths on roads in Tennessee that year. Also in 2019, an additional 38,656 individuals suffered some type of injury in motor vehicle accidents in the Volunteer State. Of these injured individuals, 5,556 had serious bodily harm.

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.

Section 55-10-106 of the Tennessee Vehicle Code requires motorists to report automobile accidents under certain circumstances. If any of the following applies to your accident, you must notify the police as quickly as possible:

• Any person dies in the accident
• Any person sustains an injury in the accident
• Property damage is more than $50
• Your insurance company mandates reporting

Furthermore, some municipalities in Tennessee place notification requirements on individuals. If you have a collision in one of these places, you must comply with the reporting rules of the city or town.

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

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tennessee traffic fatalities and injuries caused approximately $1.54 billion in economic damages in 2018 alone. This estimate includes $1.52 billion in lost work and more than $14 million in medical bills.

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 TN

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. Likewise, because the Volunteer State has a comparative negligence statute, you may pursue compensation even if you were up to 50% responsible for the crash.

Statute of Limitations in TN

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. While there are exceptions, Tennessee’s statute of limitations for car accident victims is usually just one year. This means you must act quickly to file a legal claim or otherwise assert your rights.

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 In Tennessee

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 TN!

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