Car accidents can occur at any time and have life-long consequences. Those who sustained injuries from a crash or similar incident while on the road may experience monetary loss, prolonged pain, stress, mental anguish, and more. Sometimes, victims must pay huge medical bills and cannot return to work, so their finances and earning capacity are also affected. Moreover, in the worst-case scenario, injured people suffer disfigurement or a disability that changes their personal and professional lives forever. However, victims are entitled to compensation and can seek help from an experienced car accident lawyer to get justice. At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we understand how devastating auto accidents can be. Therefore, we want to help victims know and defend their legal rights after this overwhelming experience. Here's what we can do for our clients!
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What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Accident
After a car accident, those who have been injured may feel overwhelmed, stressed, and worried. However, victims should follow some steps to make sure they're safe and avoid mistakes that may affect their cases. These are:
Move to a Safe Place
Those involved in a car accident should move to a safe place off the roadway to avoid further injury by other oncoming cars. In addition, drivers must turn on hazard lights to warn other motorists that a crash occurred there.
Call Emergency Services
People involved in a car accident should also dial 911 to alert Emergency Medical Services (EMS), ask local police for help, and call an ambulance if necessary.
Some injuries can appear months or years after the accident. Therefore, all parties involved should undergo a medical check-up even if there are no visible wounds.
Get a Police Report
Victims must also describe how the auto accident happened to the police without apologizing for the crash, as officers may consider it as an admission of fault.
Injured people must explain the possible causes of the accident and what happened before, during, and after it.
Take Pictures and Gather Information
Also, if they're safe and it's possible, those who have been injured in a car accident should take pictures of the scene, their injuries, and the vehicles involved.
Victims should also gather information about other drivers, their vehicle identification numbers (VIN), driver's licenses, insurance cards, license plates, and more. It's also important to look for witnesses who can issue a statement about the incident and help determine fault.
Call Nashville Car Accident Lawyers
After an accident, many people are hesitant about whether to call a car accident attorney. However, it's always the best course of action, as professional attorneys can guide victims through the legal process.
Car accident attorneys know the local laws and understand the Tennessee legal system. Therefore, they can help victims build stronger cases. Also, compared to unrepresented plaintiffs, those who work with an attorney often get better results.
Why Victims Should Seek Help from Nashville Car Accident Lawyers
These are the reasons why those who have been injured in a motor vehicle crash should seek help from Nashville car accident attorneys:
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Lawyers can handle all the paperwork to file a Nashville car accident lawsuit and support each case.
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Attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
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Experts can collect evidence to support the case while victims recover.
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Professionals can help victims understand their legal rights.
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Attorneys can represent victims in court.
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Lawyers can help victims get fair compensation.
Common Causes of Road Accidents
Nobody wants to be involved in car accidents, but they happen quite often. Most are caused by drivers' mistakes or negligence. These are the circumstances that usually lead to road incidents:
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Overspeeding
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Drunken driving
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Red light running
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Distracted driving
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Failure to wear safety gear
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Inclement weather
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Failure to yield the right of way
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Failure to drive in a single lane
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Reckless driving
However, these situations can be avoided if drivers follow safety precautions and comply with driving rules.
Having to pay for expensive treatment and suffering physical and emotional pain due to a car crash caused by someone else's carelessness and recklessness isn't fair. Therefore, victims have the right to take legal action against at-fault parties.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys' team has handled multiple car accident cases for years and is ready to help victims hold negligent drivers responsible for their actions.
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Examples of Common Car Accident Injuries
A car crash can have severe consequences and injure all parties involved, even if it's considered "minor." Both the victim and the driver who caused the accident may sustain mild to severe injuries. These are some of the most common:
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Broken bones
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Cuts
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Burns
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Lacerations and bruises
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Hand and wrist injuries
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Whiplash and other neck injuries
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Compartment syndrome
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Head and brain injuries
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Back and spine injuries
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Paralysis
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And more
Many of these injuries require short-term treatment, but others are disabling and may require lifelong care and medications. Some victims even suffer permanent pain, limb loss, and disfigurement.
However, even if the injury seems "minor," victims have the right to seek justice. As mentioned, many accidents are preventable if drivers put safety first.
Therefore, anyone who has been injured due to another party's negligence or recklessness can seek help from a lawyer and file a car accident lawsuit.
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we know Nashville traffic laws and can help victims build a solid case to hold liable parties accountable for their actions. Our team has extensive experience handling motor vehicle crashes and is ready to offer the legal assistance injured people need.
Tennessee Car Accident Information Center
Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Nashville, TN?
According to Nashville laws, the driver that caused the accident is considered liable. However, if the injured party bears any fault due to the crash, the settlement or compensation sum may be lower.
Tennessee uses a comparative negligence system. Therefore, an injured person can file a lawsuit and recover compensation as long as their fault percentage does not account for or exceeds 50% of the liability for the accident.
However, plaintiffs lose a portion of the settlement or compensatory award depending on their percentage of negligence for the motor vehicle incidents. If the car accident claim is worth $50,000, but the injured party is 20% at fault, the compensation would be 20% less, resulting in $40,000.
In addition, Tennessee has set minimum limits of liability as follows:
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$25,000 for each injury or fatality per accident
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$50,000 for total injuries or fatalities per case
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$25,000 for property damage/loss per incident
Client Testimonial
They were polite and really cared throughout the entire process and made me feel like my case was important. I would highly recommend them to anyone that didn’t get a fair offer from the insurance company like me!
- Brian D.
How Much Compensation Can Car Accident Victims Recover in Nashville?
Each car accident case is unique and can be influenced by different variables. In Nashville, Tennessee, the severity of the injuries and the percentage of fault are the most important factors in award compensation.
Moreover, those who have sustained injuries in a car accident caused by a negligent or reckless party can recover various damages, including the following:
Economic Damages
This category includes monetary losses that can be quantified and verified, generally through invoices. In this regard, economic damages may include the following:
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Medical bills
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Loss of future income if injuries result in permanent disability
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Ongoing care
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Lost wages
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Rehabilitation costs
Non-economic Damages
Victims may also receive compensation for non-verifiable, non-quantifiable, or subjective damages related to injuries. This group may include the following:
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Pain and suffering
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Mental anguish
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Disfigurement
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Emotional distress
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Humiliation
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Loss of enjoyment of life
While awards for economic damages are unlimited, Tennessee has set a cap on non-economic compensation. In most cases, the maximum amount that victims can receive is $750,000 per occurrence. If the injuries are catastrophic, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or paraplegia, claimants could be awarded $1,000,000.
However, the limits may vary according to some exceptions and circumstances, including the following:
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The injury was intentional.
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The party that caused the accident was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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The at-fault driver fraudulently attempts to conceal the fault.
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The injuries resulted from a felony.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, victims are also awarded punitive damages, which intend to punish the at-fault party for their conduct if the injury was caused by intentional, reckless, or malicious actions.
Punitive damages are often awarded in cases involving people driving under the influence or speeding. Under Tennessee law, these damages must be limited to twice the compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Nashville
In Nashville, Tennessee, those who have been injured in a car accident have up to one year from the time the incident occurred to file a lawsuit.
A year may seem long enough, but claimants should contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible if they plan to take legal action against another person or entity.
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we have a team of lawyers with extensive experience in car accident cases. Our experts are willing to investigate each case, analyze police reports, interview witnesses, and create a solid strategy to recover fair compensation for the damages and losses they suffered.
Contact Our Nashville Car Accident Lawyers and Get a Free Consultation Today!
Auto accidents are overwhelming and stressful, but victims should not deal with this experience alone.
With the help of a car accident attorney, filing a claim, negotiating with the insurance company, and pursuing compensation is easier!
At Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we help car accident victims take legal action against at-fault parties and go the extra mile to get the best possible results. Call us and get a free consultation today!