Memphis Highway Accidents
Highways exist all through the South. In Tennessee, interstate highways include I-22, I-24, I-26, I-40, I-55, I-65, I-69, I-75, and I-81. When traveling at high speeds on the highway, there is more room for error and the possibility of collisions involving greater speed and force. A split second’s inattention can result in catastrophic injuries including paralysis, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, fractures, and more. If you are injured in a highway accident in Tennessee or a nearby state, the aggressive Memphis car accident lawyers of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz may be able to represent you to help you recover for medical bills, lost income, and other damages caused by the wreck. Let us show you why NST is the way to go.
Seeking Compensation for Highway Accidents
As with other types of accidents, a car accident victim will usually need to establish negligence in order to recover damages after a highway accident. This means the accident victim will need to establish that the defendant was obligated to use reasonable care and failed to do so, resulting in his or her injuries. For example, a defendant who uses excessive speed on the highway, erratically weaves in and out of traffic, drives drunk, or fails to maintain the brake lights and other critical aspects of the car may be liable for failing to use reasonable care under the circumstances.
Damages that may be recovered include both economic and noneconomic losses including medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, loss of consortium, scars, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. These damages may be more severe in a highway accident than other types of accidents because the parties may be moving at 70 mph or more, resulting in more forceful collisions. Secondary collisions, where the force of the first impact moves a car into another vehicle or fixed object, may occur and cause further injuries.
After a significant accident, a defendant may raise comparative negligence as a defense and argue that the plaintiff’s actions contributed to the accident. For example, a plaintiff who was focused on adjusting the radio or texting a friend may not be able to hit the brakes in time to avoid colliding with a driver who is weaving through congested highway traffic. The resulting accident may be the result of combined negligence, rather than solely the fault of the more visibly negligent driver. It is critical to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to defend against allegations of comparative fault.
Often, recovery for a highway accident depends on whether the at-fault driver is insured. However, the insurance company for the at-fault driver is not on your side and is likely to look for ways in which you are to blame for the accident, even though you were injured. In many cases, an insurance adjuster or investigator will come out to the scene right away to gather evidence in hopes of reducing the insurance company’s liability. It is important to speak to your own attorney before talking to the insurer for another party.
Consult an Experienced Highway Accident Attorney in Memphis
If you were seriously injured in a highway accident in Tennessee or its neighboring states, our Memphis lawyers may be able to investigate and represent you in a lawsuit for damages. Sometimes liability is not obvious, and it’s necessary to retain an accident reconstruction expert. Our firm employs more than 30 attorneys and over 100 staff members. We represent clients throughout the South in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Missouri. We provide legal representation to those in Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, Hayti, Caruthersville, Starkville, Oxford, Grenada, Tupelo, Columbus, Jackson, Meridian, Little Rock, and Jonesboro. Please call Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz at 800-LAW-4004 or complete our online form.
