Nashville Car Accident Lawyer
Of the hundreds of motor vehicle accidents in 2023, 140 people involved in car accidents sadly lost their lives in Music City [1]. This chilling statistic underscores the need for victims to find Nashville car accident lawyers who will fight for their rights and ensure they get the compensation they deserve.
At Mitch Grissim & Associates, we are committed to helping car accident injury victims who have been hurt directly due to another person’s careless actions. We understand that the legal system is complicated and involves various laws that are challenging to comprehend without legal help. Consulting our Nashville car accident lawyers will be a resourceful decision, as we can help you navigate the law to your advantage.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
Our Nashville car accident lawyers have been helping personal injury victims for decades; during this time, we’ve worked on countless car accident cases. No two personal injury cases are the same, and this stands for car accidents as well — each requires a different approach. Here is a list of the most common types of auto accidents we handle:
- Head-on collisions
- DUIs
- Hit-and-runs
- Sideswipes
- Rear-end collisions (“fender benders”)
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Left turn crashes
- Distracted driving by negligent drivers
- Rollovers
- Construction zone accidents
- Wrongful death cases
- Truck accidents
This is not an exhaustive list, as we have experience with many different motor vehicle accident cases. If you have questions about whether our Nashville personal injury law firm can assist you in getting justice, please don’t hesitate to call us at 615-255-9999 for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Nashville, TN
When you get into a motor vehicle accident, you must act fast to protect the safety of yourself and others on the road. Follow these steps directly after a car accident to ensure your physical and legal safety.
Move vehicles — if it’s safe to do so
If you or other accident victims have suffered severe injuries, especially if you suspect a spinal cord injury, sit tight and wait for first responders to help. However, if all car accident victims are conscious and able to move, maneuver the car to the shoulder and put the hazards on.
Call 911
Once you are assured of your immediate safety, get in touch with first responders. Describe exactly where you are. For example, if you’re on the highway, explain what direction you are going and the closest mile marker. This will make it easier for police and EMS to find you.
Document the accident scene if possible
Get the license plates of all vehicles involved and gather contact information of everyone there, including the at-fault driver, witnesses, and first responders. Take photos of passenger injuries and the damage to your vehicle from multiple angles if possible.
You’ll need to get police reports from the Metro Nashville Police Department, so be sure to talk to the responding officers and ask for information on how to do so. Request the officers’ contact information so you can call them if you have any questions.
Get medical documentation of your injuries
Injured victims are often in shock and may not realize they have serious injuries, so you need to go to the hospital right away for a full evaluation. Keep records of the crash report and any medical reports to share with your personal injury lawyer.
Call Nashville car accident lawyers
Get in touch with Nashville car accident lawyers right away for the best possible chances of getting justice for the auto accident. Don’t speak with any insurance company agents or another third party — let us handle these negotiations on your behalf.
You can call us anytime at 615-255-9999 or use our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation. Our legal team will quickly get back to you to discuss your personal injury case.
Our Attorneys Will Help You Deal With Insurance Company Tactics
Nearly every insurance company claims adjuster engages in some underhanded practices, as they want to reduce your ability to recover compensation and protect their company’s bottom line. This is why you must have strong legal representation who understands exactly what they’re up to and won’t fall for their tricks.
Here are some of the most common ways that an insurance company will manipulate an injured driver until settling for less than just compensation for their medical bills and other needs.
Calling you to check in
You may feel relieved when an insurance company representative contacts you to offer their condolences and learn how you’re feeling. Don’t fall for it, though — this is a trap to get you to say something like “I’m fine,” even if you’re not.
Wanting to handle the negotiation one-on-one
An insurance adjuster will do everything in their power to get you not to work with Nashville car accident lawyers, and for good reason. They know that personal injury law firms like Mitch Grissim & Associates have the experience to know what a good settlement looks like.
Asking for a recorded statement
This is a very dangerous tactic because anything you say will be twisted against you. Even the smallest things may be seen as proof that it was your fault. Never agree to answer any questions without your lawyer present.
Denying long-term claims
Insurance companies don’t want to pay for extended care, so they may lie and say that they can only handle medical treatment up to an arbitrary time period. As seasoned Nashville auto accident lawyers, we know better and we’ll hold them accountable for everything you’re entitled to.
Pressuring you to settle
Insurance companies don’t want you to wait and go about negotiations in a methodical manner because if you agree to settle quickly, they’re off the hook for any future medical expenses. Their first offer is typically not enough to cover your medical expenses in the long run, and it falls severely below the offer you can get.
Requesting medical authorization
The insurance agent won’t use this to look for medical bills. Instead, they will make an argument about how your injuries are actually the result of any previous medical issues you have.
Determining Whether You Have a Car Accident Case
An auto accident personal injury claim hinges on four elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Here’s a quick overview of what this means:
- Duty of care – The negligent driver or entity had a responsibility to act appropriately, whether that is driving safely or designing a safe automobile.
- Breach of duty – The responsible party did not fulfill their duty of care.
- Causation – Driver negligence was the primary or total cause of your losses, whether those were personal injuries or loss of personal property.
- Damages – You suffered economic damages due to the accident, such as lost wages or medical expenses. You may also claim non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Who Can File a Car Accident Claim in Nashville, TN?
Mitch Grissim & Associates’s accident lawyers in Nashville work with a wide variety of clients, including victims and their families. Our legal team has assisted the following groups of people in getting justice for their suffering.
Drivers
Should you be hit by a negligent driver, a Nashville car crash attorney is an invaluable resource to help you get justice for what has happened. We’ll hold the other driver accountable for your expenses.
Passengers
Passengers in a car accident can also receive compensation, either from the driver of the automobile they were in or the driver of another vehicle responsible.
Family members
Those who tragically lost loved ones due to car accidents deserve justice. We’ll help you receive compensation for a wrongful death case that will let you focus on processing your grief rather than worrying about bills.
Damages a Nashville Car Accident Attorney Can Help You Secure
Our car accident attorneys are adept at receiving compensation for our clients, which can cover a number of different circumstances. These are typically separated into economic, non-economic, and punitive settlements.
Economic damages
- Medical bills – This includes rehabilitation, surgery, medications, and therapies.
- Lost wages – Any time that you were off work should be considered.
- Personal property – This can cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering – Your pain is important and should be compensated.
- Emotional trauma – PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common after accidents.
- Loss of companionship – This is typically a factor in wrongful death cases.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If you’re no longer able to indulge in your favorite hobbies, this will be a factor, too.
Punitive damages
This is uncommon for car accidents, as it is usually reserved for medical malpractice or product liability. Some elements include:
- Gross negligence – The responsible individual willfully broke the law, such as with drunk driving.
- Intent to harm – The person intentionally harmed you, such as in a road rage case.
What Can Affect Your Car Accident Settlement?
Each personal injury suit is different, and there are numerous factors that will influence how much you can receive. Some of these include:
- Extent of injuries – Those with severe injuries will generally receive more, as will those who lost their lives in an accident.
- Cost of damages – Substantiated and documented claims to specific compensation will be highly convincing.
- Recovery time – The longer that you are out of work, the more you are entitled to.
- Amount of evidence – Well-documented crashes are more likely to be approved for settlements.
- Insurance availability – If the other person was uninsured, there will be less coverage available to compensate you.
- Eyewitness and expert testimony – Having more people who can testify on your behalf will show your claim is valid.
Comparative negligence
The modified comparative negligence aspect of Tennessee law is the most relevant statute in terms of getting fair compensation.
It assigns a percentage of blame to everyone involved in the accident, and your compensation will be reduced according to your proportion of blame. You can’t receive anything if you’re 50% at fault or more for the accident.
So, for example, if you were found 20% responsible, you can still file, but you will get 20% less than if you were entirely blameless.
Why You Need an Experienced Nashville Car Accident Lawyer
An experienced car accident lawyer is an indispensable ally when seeking justice for an accident for several reasons, which include the following.
Extensive connections
We have a great network of contacts throughout Montgomery County and Davidson County who can assist us in gathering evidence. As Nashville auto accident attorneys, we’re familiar with local experts including accident reconstruction teams who can provide expert, impartial testimony about the facts of the case.
Strong negotiation skills
For many accident victims, this may be their first time filing an insurance claim, and they may be intimidated by the high-pressure tactics of insurance companies. We’re highly adept at negotiation and cannot be pushed around by smooth-talking agents.
Intricate knowledge of Tennessee law
We understand everything about local and state statutes about car accidents, from statutes of limitations to speed limits. We are experienced Tennessee car accident lawyers, and we can skillfully apply this experience to your case.
Why Choose Our Nashville Car Accident Attorneys
We pride ourselves on being the first law firm that victims call when they need a car accident attorney in Nashville. Having helped thousands of Tennesseans, we know what’s necessary to negotiate an excellent settlement. Here’s why you should choose us.
Great communication
Clients appreciate that we’re highly responsive and will keep them informed of everything happening with their case while still respecting their need for time to recuperate.
Compassionate service
As a local law firm, we truly care about our Nashville neighbors and will be here for you, whatever you need. We understand that a car accident is terrifying and disorienting, so you can be assured that we will treat you with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Speedy process
Insurance companies will drag out the process as long as possible because they hope you’ll give up and accept whatever they offer. We’ll hold them accountable and ensure that they resolve matters in a timely manner, leaving the door open for a lawsuit if it’s necessary.
The Time It Takes to Settle a Car Accident Claim
There is no hard-and-fast rule as to how long it will take to settle a claim, but it generally takes longer than six months. Sometimes, it may take up to two years. This can vary depending on certain factors, such as:
- The type of accident
- The evidence available
- How well documented your injuries are
- The complexity of the case; for example, a multi-vehicle accident will usually take longer
- Responsiveness of other parties, such as the other drivers involved and the insurance companies
The Cost of Hiring a Nashville Auto Accident Attorney
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe nothing unless we are able to receive a settlement for you. Our services, from the free case evaluation to representing you in court, cost you nothing upfront.
Nashville Car Crash Statistics
- The greater Nashville region has approximately 24 car crashes per day [2].
- Forty pedestrians died after being struck by vehicles in 2023 [3].
- In 2023, 777 construction zone crashes occurred in the greater Nashville area [4].
- The most dangerous intersection in Nashville is Murfreesboro Pike and Mountain Springs Road, which saw 71 crashes in the first eight months of 2023 [5].
- Street racing caused six deaths in Nashville in the first ten months of 2023. These outfits are often highly organized — and highly dangerous [6].
The most common car accident injuries
- Broken bones – Common fractures include clavicles, arms, and legs. Women are far more likely to break a leg during an accident than men [7].
- Whiplash – This occurs when your head violently slams into the car seat, leading to neck damage.
- Spinal injuries – Paralysis is a frequent injury.
- Concussions – Symptoms of a concussion include headache, confusion, and visual disturbances.
- Lacerations and contusions – Cuts and bruises from flying objects and broken glass happen to many victims.
- Internal injuries – This may include ruptured organs, which can be life-threatening.
- Brain injuries – Serious brain injuries can completely change a person’s life forever.
The most common causes of auto accidents
- Speeding – The Metropolitan Nashville Police state that speeding is the number one contributor to crashes in the city [8].
- Drunk driving – Tennessee is one of the worst states for DUIs in the nation, with 362 DUIs per 100,000 drivers [9].
- Distracted driving – Stricter laws are in place meant to prevent distracted driving [10], including higher penalties, given the enormous amount of crashes caused by distracted drivers. There is a crash involving a distracted driver approximately once every 24 minutes in Tennessee [11].
- Road conditions – Tennessee’s roads are considered in poor condition, getting a “C” grade from the American Society for Civil Engineers nearly every year [12].
- Bad weather – Tornadoes, rainstorms, and winter weather can all lead to poor visibility and increased danger.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Wreck in Nashville, TN?
- Other drivers – If you’re in a multi-vehicle crash, those who hit you can be held liable.
- Car manufacturers – Poorly designed cars, such as those without proper safety features, may be held responsible.
- Companies – If you’re involved in a crash with a company car, vicarious liability makes the company partially to blame.
- Parts manufacturers – Faulty aftermarket parts, such as defective brakes, can contribute to a crash.
- The City of Nashville – Crumbling infrastructure can play a major role in a crash if you hit a pothole.
You Have Limited Time to File a Car Accident Personal Injury Claim in Nashville, TN
The statute of limitations for personal injury, wrongful death, and product liability is just one year in Tennessee, meaning that you have limited time to file a lawsuit. It’s crucial to contact a qualified Nashville auto accident lawyer as soon as possible so we can ensure your car accident lawsuit is filed in time.
Contact Our Nashville Car Accident Law Firm Today!
Personal injury claims are complicated, and you need an advocate who will fight for you every step of the way. Our law firm has been handling personal injury cases for decades — we have the skills and experience to ensure that those who are responsible for your injuries are held accountable. Call us today at 615-255-9999 for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
References: [1] WSMV-4, [2] Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, [3] WZTV Nashville, [4] Nashville Scene, [5] The Tennessean, [6] WSMV-4, [7] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, [8] WSMV-4, [9] WSMV-4, [10] WKRN, [11] Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, [12] American Society of Civil Engineers
