A car accident can leave you with serious injuries, significant medical bills, and missed time at work, resulting in lost income. Injuries sustained in crashes also cause considerable pain and suffering. If you got hurt in a car accident in Valley Forge, Tennessee, it’s essential that you understand your rights and the steps to take to seek the compensation you need.
Contact The Terry Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer in Valley Forge, TN. Our lawyers are ready to review the car accident details, explain your options, and answer any questions you have about the legal process.
Top Reasons to Select Our Valley Forge Car Crash Lawyers
The dedicated personal injury lawyers at The Terry Law Firm have over 90 years of combined legal experience backed by a proven record of results, including multiple car accident verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more. We provide trusted legal counsel and personalized service to our clients and take a team approach to every case, so we always have the right person for every job.
To learn more about what it is like to work with our firm, we encourage you to read our reviews and testimonials, like this one from a former client:
“Everyone that I made contact with at The Terry Law Firm was professional, helpful with answering any questions, and very knowledgeable with requirements necessary for my case. I strongly would recommend The Terry Law Firm to anyone. Special thanks to Braxton and Lisa for making me feel at ease.” – P.D.
Your Legal Options After a Car Accident in Valley Forge
After a car accident in Valley Forge, your best option for seeking compensation is typically to file an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. If the value of your losses exceeds the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you may also be able to seek compensation through an underinsured motorist (UIM) claim if your auto insurance policy includes the optional coverage.
Other drivers aren’t the only ones who may be liable for your injuries after a car accident. Some examples of other parties you may be able to file lawsuits against include:
- Vehicle manufacturers, if a defective product contributed to the crash or your injuries
- Vehicle maintenance providers, if poor maintenance contributed to the crash
- Government entities, if poor road conditions or design contributed to the crash
What Compensation Can Car Accident Victims Recover in TN?
Injury victims can seek compensation for all their economic and non-economic losses through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Economic damages are losses that come with a clear dollar value, including past and future medical expenses for your car accident injuries, lost wages, reduced future earning potential, and property damage. Calculating the value of these losses typically involves adding up bills and other financial statements.
Non-economic damages cover more subjective losses, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the impact your injuries have on your daily life. Although non-economic losses do not come with receipts or bills, they are just as real – and just as compensable – as economic damages.
How Terry Law Firm Helps Valley Forge Accident Victims Seek Maximum Recoveries
Our law firm can help you seek the maximum compensation for your injuries and related losses by handling all aspects of your car accident claim. That includes:
- Investigating the accident to identify all at-fault parties and sources of insurance coverage
- Gathering supporting evidence to hold the at-fault parties financially liable
- Calculating the full value of your case
- Filing your insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits
- Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf and seeking a settlement that covers all of your expenses
- Taking your case to trial and seeking the maximum compensation if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement
Common Causes and Types of Car Accidents in the Valley Forge Area
Various causes and types of car accidents may have contributed to your injuries in Valley Forge. Some examples of frequent causes of car crashes include:
- Distracted driving, including texting and eating while driving
- Speeding and overly aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to adjust to poor weather and road conditions
These actions and circumstances can cause a variety of types of car accidents, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe collisions
- T-bone collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle pileups
Basics of Tennessee Car Accident Laws
Several Tennessee laws will apply to your car accident case, including accident reporting requirements, auto insurance requirements, and the statute of limitations.
Accident Reporting Requirements
Under Tennessee Code Section 55-10-106, drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage of $50 or more must immediately report the accident to the police. Not only is it a legal requirement, but obtaining a copy of the resulting police report will be helpful when filing your auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Auto Insurance Requirements
In Tennessee, all drivers must have auto insurance or proof of financial responsibility. The minimum liability coverage requirements in the state are:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
If your losses exceed the at-fault party’s insurance policy limits, you can file a claim with your insurer if you have underinsured motorist coverage as part of your policy.
Statute of Limitations
Under Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104, car accident victims have only one year to file lawsuits seeking compensation for their injuries. However, Section 28-3-105 provides victims three years to file lawsuits seeking compensation for property damage, including vehicle damage. It’s vital that you file your case within these time limits so the courts don’t bar you from pursuing compensation.
Contact a Valley Forge Car Accident Lawyer at The Terry Law Firm Today
If you suffered injuries in a car accident, contact The Terry Law Firm for a free consultation with our experienced car accident attorneys in Valley Forge. Our legal team will review your case, explain your options for seeking compensation, and walk you through the auto insurance claims and personal injury lawsuit process in Valley Forge.