In Tennessee, you have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident. You may have another deadline to meet if you are filing an insurance claim. You should make sure you begin your claim as soon as possible to protect your right to compensation. If you are pursuing compensation from a government agency, your deadline to take legal action could be even shorter.
How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Car Accident?
According to TN Code § 28-3-104, the statute of limitations for a car accident in Tennessee is one year. Tennessee legislators have decided you have one year to sue after a car accident. No matter if your case involves personal injury or wrongful death, you still have one year. If you fail to secure a fair settlement during negotiations with an insurer and the one-year deadline passes, you risk losing your last chance to pursue compensation. The court can dismiss any personal injury lawsuit filed outside of the statute of limitations. What’s worse is that an insurer may take their offer of compensation off the table after the deadline passes. You may be left without the legal ability to hold them accountable for your losses. The sooner you begin your case, the better you can protect your right to recover your losses.Can an Attorney Help File My Case Before Deadlines?
When an attorney accepts your case, they also take on the responsibility of meeting all deadlines. Your lawyer will know these dates and have worked with your jurisdiction's court rules. Your attorney will file all necessary claims or other evidence promptly. If your case needs to have an appeal filed, then your attorney can also meet those deadlines.Are There Other Benefits in Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Tennessee?
There are a lot of benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer in Tennessee. If you are already facing severe injuries, the very idea of filing your claim and keeping up with phone calls and deadlines can be exhausting. When you hire a lawyer, you hand the problem over to them. You can focus on yourself, your health, and your family. You won't spend time on hold with the insurance company. Tasks involved with collecting evidence and working on your claim can be time-consuming and stressful. An attorney can take the weight of the legal process off your shoulders. Attorneys do a great deal for personal injury claims outside of the courtroom. Some cases are solved outside of court. Your attorney could negotiate your settlement without you having to go to a courtroom. Attorneys gather the evidence, determine the liable party and the number of losses, then start negotiating to get the compensation you need.Typical Attorney Duties
When you hire an attorney, you will not have to worry about running out of time with your case. They can keep an eye on the clock while they:- Handle negotiations with insurers
- Gather evidence of negligence and your losses
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Determine liable parties
- Research relevant laws
- Obtain expert testimony
- File paperwork according to deadlines
- Represent you in a trial