Nashville
Highway Car Accident Lawyer
Highway car accidents frequently happen in busy cities like Nashville. The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported 23,825 motor vehicle crashes in Davidson County in 2020. Property damage, medical bills, and, in cases of wrongful death, funeral expenses are all potential consequences of high-speed collisions on Tennessee highways.
Car accidents occur every day, especially in bustling cities such as Nashville. Drivers who commute along hotspots like Briley Parkway or the I-40/I-24 split know how congested these roads can be. And unsurprisingly, with so many cars on Nashville’s roads and highways, it can be hard to avoid car accidents.
If you’ve been involved in a highway car accident, you are not alone. The champions for the injured at NST Law want to help you pursue justice.
Table Of Contents
Common Causes of Highway Car Accidents in Nashville
Because Nashville is such a busy city, highway car accidents frequently occur. Some of the most common causes of auto accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driving while under the influence
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Wrong-way driving
Determining the cause of your accident is one of the most important steps in your case. A qualified Nashville car accident lawyer has the skills and resources to investigate the crash and build a solid case.
Recovering Damages After a Car Accident on a Nashville Highway
Damages serve to compensate you for the injuries and losses you suffer from your accident. The type of compensation available to you will depend on the details of your situation.
Damages are typically separated into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages represent the tangible losses you suffer from your highway car accident. They include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
Non-economic damages represent more intangible losses. Therefore, they can be more challenging to prove. They can include:
- Mental and emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive damages are a special category of damages not available in every case. You may be eligible to receive punitive damages in addition to your compensatory damages if the defendant’s actions went beyond negligence and were instead intentional, reckless, or malicious.
It is worth noting that Tennessee law enforces a maximum amount of punitive damages. Punitive damages cannot exceed $500,000 or an amount greater than two times the total amount of compensatory damages awarded.
Determining the type and amount of damages you are owed can be challenging. A car accident attorney can thoroughly review your case to determine how much you are entitled to receive and work diligently to pursue compensation on your behalf.
What should I do immediately after a highway car accident?
Car accidents are always scary, but a collision on the highway can be particularly nerve-racking, especially in a congested area like Nashville. Therefore, it is important to remain calm and follow certain steps after a highway accident. Additionally, what you do in the days after an accident can have an impact on your case.
Steps To Take After a Highway Accident
Call 911
Immediately after the accident, assess your injuries. If anyone else is in the vehicle with you, check on them as well. Then call 911 as soon as possible to request police assistance. If you or anyone else is injured, ask for emergency medical services.
Having police at the scene of your accident is beneficial for multiple reasons. Not only will it ensure everyone’s safety, but it will also produce a police report. Your police report can play a vital role in your case.
Move Out of the Way
If you can, safely move your vehicle out of the way of traffic and instruct any other drivers to do the same. Highway traffic moves quickly, putting you and other drivers in harm’s way. If the vehicle is not drivable or you are unable to move the vehicle safely, don’t worry—the police will help.
Seek Medical Care
If your injuries are severe, you’ll receive emergency medical care at the scene of the accident. If your injuries are not as serious, visit an emergency room or your primary doctor as soon as possible.
Determining the extent of your injuries and receiving medical treatment are both extremely important in car accident cases. Not only do you need to understand your injuries, but getting a medical treatment plan can help you on the road to recovery much faster.
It is also critical to follow through with your treatment plan from beginning to end. Failing to attend all follow-up appointments with your doctor can delay your physical recovery and affect your claims and compensation. Your attorney will need complete medical documentation to negotiate a fair settlement for you.
Document and Collect Evidence
Whenever possible, gather evidence and document everything pertaining to your accident. This can include:
- Taking photos and videos at the scene of the accident
- Getting the other driver’s license and insurance information
- Documenting your injuries and keeping a pain journal
Additionally, your car accident lawyer will continue to collect relevant evidence as it becomes available, including police reports and medical records. Evidence is one of the most important parts of a car accident claim, and it could help you greatly when seeking financial recovery.
Avoid Speaking with the Other Driver’s Insurance Provider
The other driver’s insurance provider will likely attempt to communicate with you, but it is important to avoid giving them any details. Insurance companies will use anything you say against you to avoid paying benefits for your claim. If a recorded statement is needed, our lawyers can guide you through that process.
Schedule a Meeting with a Qualified Nashville Highway Car Accident Lawyer
Once you are healthy enough, schedule a consultation with a car accident attorney. A lawyer can review your case, answer your most important questions, and provide valuable legal advice.
Nashville Highway Car Accidents Frequently Asked Questions
The person responsible for your accident and injuries is liable and will have to pay for your damages. However, in most cases, the other driver does not pay you out of pocket. If the liable party has insurance, their insurance should pay for your damages.
You may also need to file a lawsuit in certain instances, such as if the other driver does not have insurance coverage or your losses exceed their policy limits. If the other driver did not carry insurance, you can file a claim with your uninsured motorist carrier.
Your highway car accident attorney understands your need for compensation. Therefore, you can trust that they will create a legal plan to pursue financial recovery on your behalf.
Statutes of limitations restrict the time a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit. Under Tennessee law, you have one year from the date of the accident to file your claim.
Failing to file your lawsuit on time can result in an inability to pursue and receive compensation. Therefore, it is important to discuss your case with a highway car accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure it is handled timely.
A highway car accident attorney can handle the most important tasks related to your case, including:
- Drafting letters and court documents
- Communicating with the insurance company
- Calculating your damages
- Negotiating on your behalf
You can trust that your lawyer will have your best interests at heart, working hard to pursue maximum compensation.
Speak to a Nashville Highway Car Accident Lawyer
NST Law has been helping clients injured in highway car accidents for over 32 years. Our experienced personal injury lawyers use their knowledge and resources to seek justice and fair compensation when our clients need it most. We have proudly recovered more than $2 billion in damages in our many years of legal service.
When you are ready to discuss your case with a Nashville highway car accident lawyer, contact the champs at NST Law to schedule your free consultation.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
2323 21st Avenue South
Suite 500
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-235-0766
Fax: 615-257-6797