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

Auto accidents and injuries are quite common in the State of Tennessee. For instance, last year, 2022, there were more than 200,000 traffic crashes that killed 1,331 and injured 60,105. Of the various factors contributing to auto accidents, some of the most common causes include excessive speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving. Indeed, 26 percent of those killed were killed in alcohol-impaired driving, and 17 percent of those killed were killed in speed-related crashes. Additionally, another common cause of road accidents is distracted driving which leads to thousands of injuries and even causality every year.

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 reports. 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 an accident
  • Any person who sustains an injury in an 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

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 purpose 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 others may give you up to six years.

While there are exceptions, Tennessee’s statute of limitations for car accident victims is two years. 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!

Do you still have burning questions about a different area of Tennessee law? Check out more of our content!

Bankruptcy

Business Law

Child Birth Injury

Child Custody

Child Support

Consumer Law

Copyright Law

Criminal Defense

Debt Collector Harassment

Divorce Law

DUI Law

Employment Law

Eviction Law

Foreclosure Defense

Identity Theft

Immigration Law

Insurance Claims

Lemon Law

Medical Malpractice

Nursing Home Abuse

Patent Law

Personal Injury Law

Power of Attorney

Probate Law

Property Disputes

Real Estate Law

Social Security Disability

Tax Law

Traffic Law

Vaccination Injury

Workers Compensation

Workplace Discrimination

Wrongful Termination

Wills and Trusts

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.