If you’ve been in a car accident, you aren’t alone. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident in Franklin, Tennessee is emotionally and mentally draining, on top of having to take care of any legalities. Know your rights post-accident by contacting Tennessee Accident Law today. Tennessee Accident Law is here to help!
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tennessee
Franklin, Tennessee is not only scenic, but it also has some of the United States’ most deadly roads. For instance, in 2018 there were 1,200 car-accident fatalities. To put that into perspective, that averages out to more than three deaths per day. So what are the causes of these accidents?
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of vehicle accidents in Tennessee. With so many drivers using cell phones and other devices while behind the wheel, it’s no surprise that distracted driving is a major problem. Distracted driving was involved in nearly 20% of all vehicle collisions in 2018, according to data from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.
DUI driving is unfortunately a leading factor in many car accidents throughout Tennessee. According to the data gathered by THSO, there were almost 10,000 arrests due to DUI driving in 2018; that averages out to 28 per day. Every time a drunk driver gets behind the wheel of a car, they are endangering themselves and those around them with serious injury or death.
Speeding is also a significant cause of automobile accidents in Tennessee. In 2018, speeding was a factor in more than 25% of all vehicle accidents in the state. When you add in speeding with other hazardous behaviors such as distracted driving and drunk driving, the dangers multiply.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents are all too common, and when they occur, they frequently result in serious injuries. Whiplash, broken bones, and concussions are some of the most frequent car accident injuries. When the head is abruptly thrust forward or backward, causing the neck muscles and ligaments to stretch beyond their usual range of motion, whiplash occurs.
This can result in discomfort, stiffness, and restricted range of motion. Broken bones are another frequent vehicle accident injury, especially those caused by high-impact collisions. Injuries from concussions are another injury risk from automobile accidents, as a blow to the head might cause the brain to smash into the inner skull.
Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and light sensitivity are all possible symptoms of a concussion. If you’ve been in a vehicle accident, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible to assess your injuries and begin your road to recovery.
About Car Accident Claims
If you’re in a car accident, and it wasn’t your fault, the other driver (or their insurance company) needs to pay for any damages. If you were hit by another driver, and have incurred injuries or property damage as a result of the collision, then you can file what’s called a ‘car accident claim’ against them.
You must show that the other motorist was negligent to obtain compensation for your injuries or property damage. To do so, you will need to demonstrate that the other driver was careless (i.e., did not use a reasonable level of care on the road). You will also need to show that their negligence was the cause of your injuries or property damage.
Once you have these pieces in place, begin seeking payment for your losses. If everything goes well, you could get back compensation for medical bills, missed wages, and destroyed property.
Who is Responsible for My Car Accident Injuries?
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may be wondering who is responsible for your injuries. Sometimes it’s obvious that the other driver was at fault, but other times, it’s not so clear.
If you’ve been in a vehicle accident, you must talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer. An attorney may analyze the facts of your case and determine who is responsible for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you might be owed compensation from the other driver. In some situations, though, other people or entities may be held responsible—like the car’s manufacturer. Talk to a personal injury lawyer today to figure out what your next steps should be.
What Does Tennessee Law Say About Car Accidents?
A few different laws in the State of Tennessee control car accidents. Above all, every driver has to stick to the rules of the road and use sensible care while driving their vehicles. This entails driving at a secure speed, staying a safe distance behind other cars, and giving up the right-of-way when it’s suitable. If a driver breaks this duty an accident happens because of it, they might have to pay for any damage that resulted from the accident.
Tennessee is a comparative negligence state, which means that if you share any portion of the blame for an accident, your damages may be reduced. For example, you’re in an accident that caused $10,000 in damage but the other driver is 80% at fault. In this case, you would only be able to recover $2,000 from them.
Many people don’t know that they need to seek legal counsel right away after being in a car accident. Fortunately, an experienced car accident attorney will be able to advise you on how best to proceed and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits is one year from the date of the accident. In other words, you have 365 days from when the crash occurred to file a lawsuit against the driver responsible. If you do not take legal action within this time frame, you will be prevented from recovering any compensation.
Even though it may appear to be a lengthy period, waiting this long is essential because vehicle accident claims can take months or even years to resolve. As a result, it’s critical to contact an experienced automobile accident lawyer as soon as possible following your accident. An attorney can assist you in investigating your incident, gathering evidence, and filing your case within the allotted time frame.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident, time is of the essence. Contact an experienced and compassionate attorney today to get started on your case.
Don’t Talk to Anyone on the Other Side Before Speaking with a Lawyer
The first thing you should do if you’re in a vehicle accident is find a lawyer. Don’t speak to anyone on the other side before consulting with a lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, the insurance companies will try to take advantage of you. They’ll try to low-ball you on the settlement and they’ll twist anything you say against you. So, make sure to talk to a lawyer before speaking with the other party.
How are We Different from Other Firms?
If you’ve had the displeasure of being in a car accident, you understand how stressful and time-consuming it can be. From having to communicate with insurance agencies, getting your vehicle repaired, and taking time off work, it almost seems like handling the aftermath of an accident could be a full-time job. However, at our law firm, we are empathetic to what you’re going through and will do everything in our power to assist you.
We’re not the same as other personal injury law firms since we aren’t afraid to fight for what you deserve. We have a team of professional lawyers that will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you any longer. For a free consultation, contact us now. We’re here to assist you.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Case?
If you’ve been in a vehicle accident, you may be wondering if you need legal assistance. The answer is determined by the severity of the collision and the injuries that were suffered. You’ll almost certainly need to hire an attorney if there was significant property damage or someone was hurt as a result of the accident.
If the car accident you were in was minor and there were no injuries, then you can handle the case by yourself. You should speak with a car accident lawyer to go over your choices and figure out if hiring an attorney would be the best option for you.
How Much Do We Charge?
We don’t receive a payment if you don’t get money from your car accident case, and our fee is a percentage of what we do recover for you. This is referred to as a contingency fee agreement.
Depending on the stage your case is settled, our fee will vary. If we settle before filing a lawsuit, you’ll usually owe one-third of the total recovered amount. After filing a lawsuit, however, our usual fee is 40%.
Of course, these are only approximations. The precise rate will be determined through your attorney’s negotiations in any particular instance. These percentages, on the other hand, provide a framework for understanding how vehicle accident claims are usually handled.
Where Do I Start This Process of Pursuing a Recovery for My Loss?
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you might be wondering what you should do next in terms of seeking compensation for your losses. While each automobile accident scenario is different, there are usually a few crucial actions to take to increase your chances of success.
After an accident, it’s essential to seek medical treatment immediately. This not only allows you to get the care required but also provides evidence of your injuries for potential legal action.
Next, you should speak with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer who can help you through the legal process and safeguard your rights. Your attorney will be able to explain your choices to you and assist you in deciding the best route to take given your specific circumstances.
Finally, once you’ve gathered all of the proof and information needed to back your claim, you’ll need to submit a formal complaint with the correct insurance company or court. This can be a time-consuming process, so having an experienced professional on your side throughout may be essential. Recovering from a vehicle accident might be difficult, but following these stages will increase your chances of success.
Franklin, Tennessee, we’re here to help! Contact Tennessee Accident Law today for a free consultation.