he moments following a car accident can be confusing. You may be hurt, in need of help, and unsure of where to turn. While you try to focus on recovering, you are likely worried about hospital bills, missing work, and supporting your family. The Memphis car accident lawyers at Cory Watson Attorneys can help. We have fought to get the maximum compensation that victims just like you need to move forward after a severe injury, and our lawyers want to help you, too.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, contact us today at (901) 402-2000 or simply fill out the case evaluation form on this page. Our initial consultation is 100% free, and we only get paid when we win your case. Our Memphis office is conveniently located on the corner of Court Ave and North 4th Street (only a few blocks north of AutoZone Park).
How Can a Car Memphis Accident Attorney Help You?
Our car accident attorneys are deeply familiar with the intricacies surrounding these types of accidents in and around Memphis, TN. They have knowledge and experience working with insurance carriers and other legal counsels to obtain fair compensation for the victim. Furthermore, they know the statutes of limitations and the paperwork required to litigate a car accident case.
Here are the different ways a car accident attorney from Cory Watson Attorneys can assist you:
- Manage the paperwork for the claim and lawsuit
- Collect key evidence from police reports, medical reports, photographs, witness statements, and more to identify the liable party and establish their negligence in the claim and to the jury
- Identify the full range of damages you have suffered and assign a fair value to them
- Communicate with the at-fault party’s insurance provider and attorney
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your damages, including medical bills, and if that is not possible, represent you in court
You do not have to fight for justice and compensation alone. We are here to preserve your legal rights with as much advice and assistance you need.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Memphis, call 877-562-0000.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Memphis, call 877-562-0000
Recoverable Damages in a Car Accident Case
Your total recoverable compensation will depend on your ability to prove the negligence of others involved in your collision and the damages you suffered. In addition, since Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence model, the other party may try to suggest you contributed to the crash to diminish your award. An experienced attorney will be able to strategically defend you against these accusations to maximize your chance at a fair settlement award.
The damages you can seek may cover your economic and non-economic losses. These include:
- Past and future accident related medical expenses
- The present and future loss of income you have suffered due to taking time off from work for recovery
- Property damage, including the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish you had to endure after the accident
There is some relevant evidence you should try to preserve as soon as possible to protect your right to financial recovery during a personal injury claim. Your attorney will collect and analyze the following to prove your damages:
- Medical expense receipts
- Receipts related to car repairs
- Record of visits to a mental health professional or other healthcare providers
- Photographs of injuries and the damage to your vehicle
Memphis Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-562-0000.
Memphis Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-562-0000
Causes of Car Accidents in Memphis
Injuries from car accidents vary widely depending on the circumstances. In some cases, injuries are minor and easily treated with first aid. Other times, injuries are more serious and require medical attention. Some injuries are permanent, while others heal quickly. Regardless of what happened, it’s important to know how to handle an auto accident. Here are some common causes of car accidents:
- Alcohol & Drugs
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, coordination, reaction time, and reflexes. This makes driving difficult, if not impossible. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances is illegal and dangerous. If you were involved in a car accident caused by someone who had been drinking, call a Memphis car accident attorney immediately.
- Distracted Drivers
Distracted drivers cause many car accidents each year. They are often texting, talking on their cell phones, eating, applying makeup, adjusting the radio, or even sleeping. When they are distracted behind the wheel, they fail to pay attention to traffic conditions, road signs, and other vehicles around them. Distracted driving is also known as “cell phone use while driving” because most people text or talk on their cell phones while driving. It’s illegal for anyone to drive while using a handheld device unless they are making calls, sending texts, or listening to music.
- Speeding
Speeding is another major cause of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding accounts for nearly half of all fatal crashes. Speeding occurs when drivers exceed posted speed limits. Speeding is especially dangerous during rush hour, when there are fewer police officers patrolling the roads. Speeding is also dangerous at night, when visibility is poor.
- Reckless Driving
Reckless driving includes any type of unsafe driving behavior, such as running red lights, failing to yield right of way, tailgating, passing dangerously close to other cars, racing, and driving without due care and caution. These behaviors put innocent lives at risk. If you were injured in a reckless driving crash, contact a Memphis car accident lawyer immediately.
- Careless Driving
Careless driving refers to driving without proper regard for safety. Examples include driving through intersections without stopping, failing to obey traffic signals, and driving recklessly. Many careless drivers do not realize that these types of actions are dangerous until after the fact.
- Failure to Yield Right of Way
Failure to yield right of way means that a driver failed to stop before entering an intersection or turning lane. The law requires drivers to give way to pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and other vehicles traveling in the same direction. Failure to yield right of way can be deadly. For example, if a pedestrian steps into the street and is hit by a vehicle, the driver could face charges of failure to yield right of way.
- Improper Lane Change
Improper lane change means changing lanes without signaling or yielding to other drivers. This is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions. A driver may not notice that he or she has changed lanes until too late.
- Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a serious crime. In some states, it is punishable by jail time. Even though drunk driving is illegal, it happens frequently. People drink and drive for various reasons: peer pressure, boredom, anger, depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness. Some people believe that they will never get caught. Others think that they have nothing to lose. Regardless of why people drink and drive, it is dangerous.
- Texting While Driving
Texting while driving is dangerous for several reasons. First, it takes your eyes off the road. Second, it makes it difficult to hear what is going on around you. Third, it distracts you from safe driving practices. Fourth, it increases the likelihood of a car accident. Fifth, it is illegal. Sixth, it is dangerous. Finally, it is rude.
- Cell Phone Use
Cell phone use while driving is dangerous because it takes your hands away from the wheel. It is important to focus on the road ahead. Distracted driving is a major factor in many car accidents.
- Seat Belt Violations
Seat belt violations occur when drivers fail to wear seat belts. Not wearing a seat belt puts yourself and others at risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), children under age 13 should always ride in the backseat with their parents. Children ages 14 and older should sit in the front passenger seat. Adults over 65 years old should always buckle up.
- Speeding
Speeding occurs when a driver travels faster than the posted speed limit. Speeding is dangerous because it increases the chances of a car accident. Drivers who exceed the speed limit also increase the risk of being involved in a fatal crash.
Contact our Memphis Personal Injury Lawyers today
Commom Types of Car Accidents in Memphis TN
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Highway Patrol collected data from January 2018 to December 2018. They found the following types of car accidents happened the most frequently throughout the county:
- Speeding – 64% of all accidents involved a speeder
- Drunk Driving – 71% of all accidents involved someone under the influence
- Teenage Drivers – 2% of all accidents involved teens aged 15–24
- Older Drivers – 3% of all accidents involved people over the age of 65
- Distracted Driver – 5% of all accidents involved drivers who were using their cell phones
- Uninsured/Underinsured Driver – 7% of all accidents involved an uninsured driver
- Other Causes – 9% of all accidents did not fit into any of the above categories
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it is important to speak with a personal injury attorney right away. The sooner you file a claim, the more likely you will receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other damages.
Our law firm has helped thousands of clients recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Steps to Take After a Vehicle Wreck
After an auto accident, it is important to take immediate steps to ensure you receive proper treatment. You should also contact an attorney immediately to begin gathering information about the incident and to determine what type of claims you may have. Here are some things you should do after a car wreck:
- Get checked out by a doctor
- Make sure all injured parties get checked out by a physician within 24 hours of the accident
- Take photos of the scene
- Document any property damage
- Contact the police
- File a report with the local authorities
- Collect any physical evidence
- Keep copies of everything
If you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you could face criminal charges. If you were speeding, texting, or distracted while driving, you could be charged with reckless endangerment. The law enforcement officer who investigates the case may decide whether to issue you a ticket or arrest you.
If you are arrested, you may be required to provide a blood sample. This test can show if you were drinking before the accident occurred. It can also help determine if there was a drug impairment.
A DUI conviction can result in fines, jail time, license suspension, and higher insurance rates. A conviction for reckless endangerment can lead to up to one year in prison and/or fines.
In most cases, you will need to pay for your own legal representation. However, if you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, you may qualify for free legal services through the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.
You may want to consider hiring an attorney to represent you in court. Attorneys usually charge a fee based on their experience and skill level. Some attorneys offer flat fees that are not dependent upon how much money they win for you.
You should always consult with a qualified attorney before making decisions regarding your case.
How Much does Auto Accident Injury Compensation Cost?
Auto accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. They can leave victims disabled and unable to return to work. Victims often suffer emotional trauma from the loss of loved ones. In addition, they must deal with medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The cost of an auto accident depends on many factors. These include the severity of the injuries, the amount of property damage, the number of people involved, and the location of the crash.
Victims may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, lost income, funeral costs, and other losses. They may also be entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Victims may be able to sue the driver responsible for causing the accident. They may also file a claim against the owner or operator of the vehicle.
When filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to collect punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded when the defendant acted maliciously or recklessly.
Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from committing similar acts. They are typically awarded in cases involving egregious behavior such as fraud, assault, or battery.
When considering a settlement, it is important to understand what types of damages are available. You may be able to recover both compensatory and non-compensatory damages.
Deadline to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Every state gives victims a deadline within which they must pursue legal actions against a negligent person or entity that harmed them. If you file after this deadline, the court may dismiss your case.
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is one year from the date of the accident, underTenn. Code § 28-3-104. To seek financial reparations for property damage claims, you have three years from the accident date, perTenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105.
If you have lost someone to a car accident, you can file a wrongful death claim to seek damages, funeral costs, loss of consortium, and more. The deadline for this is one year from the date of the deceased’s death.
Contact ourMemphis Personal Injury Lawyers today.
The Insurance Adjuster Is Not Your Friend
The insurance adjuster’s main goal is to protect the insurance company’s bottom line. Let’s face it—insurance companies are profit-driven. Your accident costs are not their priority, no matter what their advertisements say. Let Cory Watson Attorneys handle the insurance adjusters for you.
Having seasoned car accident attorneys on your side will protect you from aggressive tactics insurance providers may use to minimize liability in your case. An attorney will assist you in getting compensation for your car repairs, medical bills, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.
Protect Yourself After a Car Accident in Memphis
While you can’t change what happened in the accident, there are several steps you can take to strengthen your auto accident claim:
- File records of the car accident. Include any photos, videos, and information you may have collected at the scene of the crash.
- See your physician immediately. Don’t let the insurance adjuster choose a doctor for you—you have the right to choose your own.
- Call your insurance company. A delay in reporting the car accident can hurt your claim.
- Don’t sign anything for the insurance adjuster. Insurance companies will sometimes send an adjuster to the scene of an accident to gather information while you are vulnerable.
- Keep a journal detailing how you feel after the accident. As time passes, it can be challenging to recall the exact events of the accident. So it is prudent that you record the details and how you felt as soon as possible.
- Keep receipts and records of expenses. Documents such as medical records or receipts for household services can strengthen your claim.
- Call a lawyer. The auto accident attorneys at Cory Watson will fight for you.
Knowing what to do after a wreck is critical. Our team is here to guide you through it. You can request your free case review now.
At Cory Watson Attorneys, our Mephis car accident attorneys have been helping people just like you get justice since 1985. We know how important it is to recover financially after a serious car accident. Call us today at (901) 758-0707 to schedule a free consultation with one of our
Contact Us 24/7 for a Free Case Review
When you have been injured in a car accident, it’s easy to get the help you need. Our car accident lawyers in Memphis are ready to fight for you. We have more than 38 years of experience helping the injured, and we know what it takes to build successful claims against big insurance companies.
Call Cory Watson Attorneys at (901) 402-2000 or fill out our free initial consultation form. It takes just minutes to contact us, and the initial consultation is always free. Don’t wait to reach out—contact us today.
Call or text 877-562-0000 or complete aFree Case Evaluation form.
Call or text 877-562-0000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form