Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
Usually, there are several underlying causes for a car accident. When you are injured in a crash, John R. Colvin will find out what those causes are and whether someone is liable for your injuries. After conducting an investigation, we’ll determine how much money you are owed, and we will fight relentlessly to get you the payment you deserve.
We don’t take it easy on insurance companies. People too often leave money on the table, money that they desperately need to cover the costs of their injuries, simply because they are too overwhelmed by the prospect of filing an injury claim.
When you work with auto accident attorney John R. Colvin, you get an attorney with a reputation for winning real results for his clients. All you need to do to get started is to schedule a free consultation with our firm. If you don’t want to move forward, you don’t have to. Let us tell you more about your legal options.
There is a statute of limitations of one year for personal injury claims in Tennessee, so if you or a family member has been injured in a car accident, don’t wait. Call Tennessee car accident lawyer John R. Colvin today at (931) 962-1044 or fill out our online contact form.
Vehicle Accident FAQs
Being involved in a vehicle accident is a frightening experience, even if no serious injuries occur. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, you may have trouble thinking clearly, because your body releases a flood of adrenaline during scary situations. Just being aware of that fact can help you regain your composure, and you’ll feel calmer if you know what to do next.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car crash, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call attorney John R. Colvin to request your free case consultation, at 1-931-962-1044.
Hopefully, you’ll never have a crash. But if you do, you can be better prepared to act when you know the answers to the most common vehicle accident questions:
What’s the first thing I should do if I’m involved in an accident?
First, see if anyone in your car is injured. Call 9-1-1 if you, your passengers, or other parties are injured. If you are uninjured and certified in first aid, think carefully about whether you can safely render aid. For example, if someone is bleeding heavily, you might be able to apply a tourniquet, if the injured party gives you permission. But it’s never wise to try moving an accident victim who is badly injured. Especially if someone has a spine or head injury, moving them could cause additional damage.
Should I call the police?
Always call the police, even if you’ve had just a “fender-bender.” The dispatchers can decide whether an officer needs to visit the crash site.
Clear the road
If your vehicle is functioning, move it safely out of traffic. If the car isn’t running, turn on the hazard lights, move all uninjured occupants to a location off the road, and ignite road flares near your vehicle, so other drivers notice it.
Can the other driver and I mutually agree to not report the crash?
Other parties in car crashes are usually complete strangers – you have no way of knowing whether they’ll stick to their promise. You may be tempted to avoid the hassle of reporting a minor crash, but accidents may cause vehicle damage and bodily harm that isn’t apparent until much later. Always report crashes.
Common Injuries in Car Accidents
Even if you think you’re uninjured, it’s still a good idea to visit your doctor as soon as you can after a crash. Internal injuries and some types of head injuries may not be immediately evident to the untrained eye. One single wreck can change many lives. The injured car accident victim could face great pain and suffering, in addition to costly medical expenses and the inability to do their job. But the consequences of these crashes also impact loved ones, and it’s often true that entire families are disrupted because of one bad driver. Family members may be faced with loss of income, the added stress and financial burden of managing their loved one’s care, and the emotional devastation of seeing their child, spouse, or parent in pain.
Do I need to see a doctor?
The adrenaline rush people experience during a crash can mask the pain and symptoms of injuries. See your doctor as soon as possible after a crash, even if you think you’re uninjured.
Is it OK to move my car off the road?
Some people assume they should leave their cars as-is, so police can determine who was at fault in a crash. But that’s not true. The police would much prefer people to move their cars out of traffic, if possible.
If your car, or another party’s car, isn’t operable, do what you can to secure the scene. Road flares or safety triangles are handy for alerting other motorists to your presence in the road.
What information do I need from the other driver(s)?
All drivers should exchange driver’s licenses, insurance cards, license plate numbers, and contact information. If any witnesses are nearby, try to get their contact information, too.
Get contact information for eyewitnesses
If onlookers are present, ask for their names and contact information.
Should I take pictures?
If it’s safe to do so, take pictures of the scene, and use your camera to photograph the information you collect from other drivers. Get images of the vehicles, debris on the road, and adjacent buildings or street signs that clearly show where the crash occurred.
When should I contact my insurance company?
Contact your insurance company when you have taken care of the immediate post-crash details. When you call, don’t say anything that could indicate you’re at fault for the crash.
How is fault determined in a vehicle accident?
Typically, insurance companies consider the accident report, photos, witness testimony, and other factors in determining who’s at fault for a crash. It’s not always cut and dried, though. For example, when one car rear-ends another, the driver of the rear-most car is usually found at fault, but if the investigation reveals the forward driver knew his brake lights weren’t working and continued driving his car, he would likely share at least some portion of fault.
In accidents involving multiple vehicles, it can take a long time to determine who is at fault, and to what degree. Several drivers may share some portion of fault in a crash.
Defective Vehicles
When a vehicle malfunctions while in motion, the results can be deadly. Many of these problems can be avoided through regular maintenance. A driver who fails to take good care of his vehicle could be at greater risk for an accident, and at risk of being found negligent if he causes a crash with injuries.
Some crashes result from a manufacturing defect, and those defects may be unknown until a pattern of similar incidents emerges. There have been cases of a manufacturer’s issuing a recall of a vehicle model or part years after a car was originally built.
Common vehicle defects include…
- Faulty tires
- Brakes
- Defective airbags
- Headlights or tail lights
- Ignition switches
- Top-heavy vehicle designs.
In one of the most notable and widespread recalls, 11 automotive companies that use Takata airbag inflators in their vehicles had to issue recalls. The inflators caused airbags to rupture without warning, sending metal shrapnel into the interior of the cars.
Even more alarming, there have been cases of counterfeit airbags’ being manufactured and sent to car dealers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found in testing that counterfeit airbags consistently malfunction in potentially deadly ways and that people who buy used vehicles and don’t know the vehicle’s history could be at risk. The NHTSA has compiled a list of vehicles for which counterfeiters have designed compatible airbags.
Even with Defects, Someone Is at Fault
Just because a crash or serious injury is caused by a defective vehicle part, this does not mean there’s no one to blame. In fact, manufacturers can and should be held responsible for the harm their vehicles and vehicle parts have caused. John R. Colvin can help you hold negligent manufacturers responsible for the costs you’re facing. Contact our Tennessee car accident attorney today to learn more.
How do I know if I need a vehicle accident lawyer?
If there’s any dispute about who was at fault and you suffered a serious injury, or if your crash involved multiple drivers, you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Should I try to be my own lawyer?
After being injured in a vehicle accident, you’ll no doubt be under stress. You’ll probably also have bills or other issues that are likely to take up your time. Even lawyers who have been in accidents go to other lawyers because it simply makes more sense.
Will an accident lawyer be able to win my case?
Because every situation and case is different, your lawyer in Tennessee will need to know the specifics of your accident to recommend whether or not to pursue legal action.
How much will retaining an attorney cost?
There is not a general retainer standard for personal injury lawyers. However, in many personal injury cases, a lawyer will represent a client on a contingency basis. If this is the case, the client pays nothing until a settlement has been reached with the defendant, at which time the lawyer receives a previously agreed-upon percentage and/or amount of the total compensation dollars.
Monitoring Your Health
Your biggest concern after a crash is your health. Make sure you follow any orders your doctor gives you. You will likely be in a great deal of pain as you recover. One way of documenting the challenges you encounter is to keep a journal devoted specifically to your injuries, including the struggles you face and the progress you make in recovery.
If you end up filing a personal injury claim to receive compensation, part of the payment you’ll be demanding will be related to “non-economic damages,” which means the pain, suffering or other damages that aren’t directly related to your finances. However, these damages are no less real than economic ones.
Take your pain seriously and remember that any claim you file must take your physical and emotional suffering into account. If you aren’t sure how to go about documenting or requesting payment for your injuries, don’t hesitate to contact John R. Colvin. We have been through this process many times, and we know how to determine non-economic damages in car accident cases.
How do I find a good car accident lawyer in Tennessee?
You want someone with a history of representing personal injury clients. John R. Colvin has nearly two decades of experience, helping people injured in accidents, and their families, get the compensation they need to move on with their lives in the best way possible.
What should I bring to an initial consultation with a lawyer?
After setting up an initial consultation with a lawyer like John R. Colvin in Tennessee, you may want to gather together all information pertaining to your vehicle accident. This could include any paperwork (e.g., medical bills, doctor’s notes) as well as a timeline of what happened. Be prepared to fully explain your experiences to the lawyer. The more specific and detailed you can be, the easier it will be for the lawyer to understand whether you have a case worth pursuing.
How long will it take for my case to settle?
First, it’s important to realize that not all cases lead to settlements. However, if yours does settle, the length of time it takes to reach that settlement could be shorter or longer depending upon the intricacies of the accident. Be assured that a Tennessee lawyer with personal injury experience will try to move your case to resolution as efficiently as he can.
Why should I call the offices of attorney John R. Colvin?
Winchester car accident lawyer John R. Colvin has represented countless clients in personal injury cases during his many years in practice. Not only is he passionate about working toward successful resolutions of his clients’ cases, but he diligently stays on the leading edge of personal injury information, cases, and laws.
If you have been hurt in a vehicle accident, whether it was a head-on collision, a rear-end crash, or another form of vehicle accident, don’t wait to ask for help. Request your free, no-obligation consultation online or by calling the law offices of John R. Colvin at 1-931-962-1044.