What to Do After a Car Accident in Tennessee: A Step-By-Step Guide
Each year, more than six million crashes are reported in the United States. Of these crashes, roughly 50 million people sustain injuries, many of which result in permanent disabilities. In the chaos following a crash, you may not know what to do. In this blog, our Tennessee car accident attorneys at Bednarz & Bednarz provide our perspective on what steps you should take in the aftermath of a crash to safeguard your health and your legal rights.
Call 911
If there are injuries or fatalities, call 911 first. Paramedics will be dispatched to assess injuries and transport individuals to the hospital. Always seek medical care after any trauma. Even if you think you’re uninjured, have a paramedic check you. Shock may mask pain. The sooner you get treated, the less likely your injuries will have long-term effects.
Contact the Police and Cooperate with Them
According to the Tennessee Code, you are required to contact the police if your accident resulted in anyone being injured, killed, or causing more than $50 in property damage. Although not required by state law, it is recommended that you report a hit-and-run to law enforcement as well. The officer who responds to the scene will take down the names of all parties involved, the make/model/year of each vehicle, road and weather conditions, a description of the incident, and who the officer believes caused the crash. If the officer will likely interview you as well to get your version of events, be sure to answer their questions and cooperate fully.
Document the Scene
The more information you can provide, the better your chances of recovering adequate compensation for your injuries. In the aftermath of an accident, you should take photos of the final resting position of both vehicles, your injuries, and any identifying landmarks or cross-streets. Also, take photos of any vehicle debris and skid marks. This information can help an accident reconstructionist to recreate the incident. Although your auto insurer will require you to submit a police report as part of your claim package, police reports and other incident reports are inadmissible, meaning they cannot be used as evidence in court.
Take Down Names of Eyewitnesses
If any bystanders witnessed the crash, get their names and phone numbers. Your lawyer may call on these witnesses to testify. An eyewitness can describe what they saw, heard, and the mood at the scene following the crash. This impartial perspective can be invaluable when you are seeking a fair settlement. While your passenger may be able to recall the event clearly, their bias will be of no help when settling with the insurance company.
Contact a Tennessee Car Accident Attorney
Although you instinctively may want to contact your insurer, speaking with the insurance company is best left to an experienced car accident lawyer. A car accident attorney knows what pitfalls to avoid with insurance, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve. The help does not stop there; our car accident lawyers handle your claim from start to finish. Our legal team has experience negotiating with large insurance carriers; never budging from our commitment to you. If the insurance company refuses to offer what you deserve, our team of professionals will take your case to trial.
Tennessee Car Accident Lawyers Offer Assertive Representation
If you have recently been in a car accident, you are likely to have a host of questions. At Bednarz & Bednarz, our legal team is proud to possess the knowledge, experience, and refined skills to assist our clients. If you are interested in learning the true worth of your accident case, our Tennessee car accident attorneys are ready to assist you. To arrange your free consultation, our office can be reached online or by phone at (615) 623-8789.
