Car accidents are an inevitable, unfortunate consequence of a driving society. In fact, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were a staggering 80,500 total car accidents during the first six months of 2020. Of those accidents, 19,671 caused injury, and another 484 were fatal.
When you are hurt through no fault of your own, you deserve justice from those who hurt you. However, filing a lawsuit and getting the compensation you are owed are about more than just justice. It is also about making sure you do not suffer further physical or financial injury than you have already.
If you have missed work, lost wages, and received medical or other new bills associated with your injury, you are likely wondering how you are going to close that gap. A settlement can help assure you with the peace of not having to worry about those things. It can take care of you financially, so you can take care of your health and recovery.
If you are eligible for compensation, you could be eligible for much more than an insurance adjuster tells you. A Memphis car accident lawyer can assess your case and estimate how much you might be entitled to, so that you have a baseline idea of what to expect.
If you would like to review some potential legal options with our legal team, call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 for a free consultation. There is never any pressure to commit, and we do not take payment unless we win your case.
How Car Accidents Are Caused
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Memphis, call (844) 730-0233
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security keeps statistics regarding all accident causes in the state. These statistics provide information on illegal, accidental, and other causes of Tennessee car accidents.
Illegal Behaviors
Illegal behaviors reference things such as a failure to obey traffic laws, malicious negligence, and less deliberate negligence, including carelessness and distracted driving.
- DUI offenses: The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security dictates that the state of Tennessee will press vehicular assault criminal charges against a driver under the influence of alcohol who causes another serious harm or injury, and vehicular homicide when that same behavior causes homicide.
- Aggressive driving or road rage: Aggressive driving behaviors might include illegal passing or cutting other drivers off. Other more serious forms of road rage may include making obscene hand gestures, cursing, and getting out of the car to confront another driver. Road rage indicates distinct malicious intent towards another driver.
- Speeding: Speeding drivers can cause pedestrian injury and fatality, as they often cannot see pedestrians until it is too late to prevent the collision.
- Negligent and reckless driving: This category lumps together behaviors that are so dangerous that, though the driver did not realize they would cause danger, they still should have been aware of all their surroundings and proactive. Driver distraction might also fall into this category.
- Driver distraction: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over 2,800 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2018. Driver distractions may include cellphones, texting, GPS, and general inattentiveness.
- Careless and erratic driving: This includes racing, last-minute swerving and avoiding another object, passing in no-passing zones, and other inconsiderate behaviors that fail to consider the safety of other drivers
Accidental and Natural Causes
- Overcorrection: There are accidental causes for car accidents that can be exacerbated by poor weather conditions, like snow and rain, where roads are slippery and more difficult for tires to gain traction.
- Vision obstruction: Construction, road and land structure, other cars, and buildings can all pose vision obstructions, easily causing car accidents. For example, land or road structure may make it difficult for a driver to see oncoming traffic when turning right onto a highway. If the driver pulls out in front of high-speed, oncoming traffic, it could easily be a disaster and high-risk situation for a severe rear-end accident.
- Bad weather or road conditions: Wet, snowy, icy weather impacts tire traction and visibility. Drivers driving too fast for the conditions can pose a threat, as well as road defects, potholes, uneven pavement, and construction zones.
Call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC to see how a lawyer can help you determine the cause of your accident.
Memphis Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Tennessee
Tennessee Statutes of Limitations Regarding Lawsuits
If you have found yourself in any of these situations or lost a relative to one, you may be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for damages. In order to follow proper Tennessee state statutes and protocols, it might be beneficial to hire a Memphis car accident lawyer for help.
Make sure that you do that in consideration of statutes of limitations for the type of lawsuit you plan to file. According to Tennessee Code § 28-3-104, an individual has one year to file wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits, respectively.
Damages One Can Collect
Personal injury victims and family members who lost a loved one to wrongful death can recover compensatory damages. Some of these include mental and physical suffering and other expenses related to the car accident.
If you have been severely injured by a negligent driver and are entitled to financial awards, a Memphis car accident lawyer will fight to help you collect the settlement award you need.
Our team does not back down from tough cases. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you at (844) 730-0233. We offer free no-commitment consultations and will work your case without payment unless we win for you.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form