Injured in a Car Accident in Tennessee? Here's What You Need to Know
A car accident can change your life in an instant. From painful injuries to mounting medical bills, the aftermath is overwhelming. Insurance companies want to settle quickly and for as little as possible, but you deserve more than just a quick payout. You deserve to recover fully: physically, financially, and emotionally.
At Burks & Ogle, we fight for people just like you. We help you get the compensation you deserve, while you focus on healing.
Call (865) 522-4964 or contact us online now to schedule your Free Consultation.
Injuries from auto accidents can range from minor to fatal. The most common personal injury claims involve:
All of these injuries, no matter the severity, can be serious and life-threatening. If you are the victim, you may also be compensated for psychological, mental, and emotional harm.
The type of accident often impacts the type of injuries. Common accidents include:
Liability can often be linked to the type of accident, but thorough investigations are necessary to determine fault.
Causes usually fall into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and the environment.
Drivers:
Vehicles:
Environment:
While most crashes are caused by driver error, other factors like vehicle malfunctions or poor road conditions can play a role. Complex cases need expert insight.
Insurance companies are in business to make money. Their goal is to settle claims quickly and for the lowest possible amount. But you deserve full compensation for:
Insurance settlements often only cover immediate expenses. A lawyer can help you fight for what you truly deserve.
Auto accidents can seem simple, but the legal process is often complex. Let us help you through it.
At Burks & Ogle, we work hard to get you fair and just compensation.
Call (865) 522-4964 or contact us online today to schedule your Free Consultation.
Explore answers to typical auto accident questions. For specific advice on your Tennessee situation, contact Burks & Ogle at 865-522-4964 or online.
The types of auto accidents are the same pretty much anywhere, and they include single car accidents or collisions between other vehicles, people, property, or animals.
One of the main things that accident victims have to worry about is being fairly compensated for their injuries. There are two main ways that this will generally happen, and each has its own pros and cons.
In an auto accident, resolving a case in a settlement means accepting the amount of money that an insurance company offers. One of the main benefits of handling a case this way is that it will typically end a case much quicker than going through the court system. In addition, a client and their attorney have a good deal of power during this process–they can negotiate until they get the amount they want and reject any settlement that isn't acceptable.
If a victim doesn't receive a fair settlement offer, they may need to file a lawsuit to get their compensation. Lawsuits may result in a higher payout, but they typically take much longer, and there is no guarantee that a court will side with you.
There are many parties who might be liable for your injuries, and ultimately it will depend on the facts of your specific case. An experienced lawyer will be able to help determine who the best person or people are to seek compensation from.
If the other driver was driving under the influence or failing to obey the rules of the road, they could potentially be held liable. Additionally, a car manufacturer could be held liable if their car malfunctioned, and in some cases, a government entity could even be held liable if the conditions on the road are what causes a crash.
There are many parties who might be liable for your injuries, and ultimately it will depend on the facts of your specific case. An experienced lawyer will be able to help determine who the best person or people are to seek compensation from.
If the other driver was driving under the influence or failing to obey the rules of the road, they could potentially be held liable. Additionally, a car manufacturer could be held liable if their car malfunctioned, and in some cases, a government entity could even be held liable if the conditions on the road are what causes a crash.
Generally, it is important to remember that the other insurance adjuster involved in the case wants to pay you as little as possible. While they may ultimately need to see your records, they only need to see specific records pertaining to your accident. If records are not necessary, but the insurance company receives them, they could use any health information against you. An attorney can help edit this request to ensure that only records needed are released.
Further, it is always important to have an attorney with you when you speak to your own insurance company. You want to give only the facts. Your own insurer has its own company as its priority, too, and so it also wants to prevent a payout. This is especially true when you need to file a first-party claim with your own insurance.
Certain injuries might not present symptoms immediately after an accident, and getting to a medical professional can catch those injuries. In addition, an opposing attorney or insurance adjuster might try to argue that a delay in seeking medical treatment means that a victim's injuries were not actually from the accident. Going to the doctor after an accident can cut against these kinds of arguments.
First and foremost, you should contact emergency services and seek medical attention. But you also want to:
In juxtaposition to what you should do if in a car collision, here is what you should not do.
We encourage you to take a look at our testimonials to see the experiences of those that have placed their trust in our firm.
Every case begins with a conversation. Tell us what you’re facing, and we’ll help you understand your options and if we’re the right fit to represent you.