Car Accident Attorney in Bristol TN

car accident

If you get hurt in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence in Bristol, TN, do not hesitate to contact The Terry Law Firm for help. Trying to pursue compensation when you’re injured and in pain might seem overwhelming, but our Bristol injury lawyers are here to handle all the legal matters while you focus on getting better.

Since opening our doors in 1960, The Terry Law Firm has established a reputation for providing quality legal services and compassionate advocacy for people throughout East Tennessee. We’re ready to stand up to the insurance companies and demand the compensation you deserve for your car accident losses.

Call or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more from our Bristol car crash attorneys.

How Our Bristol Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At The Terry Law Firm, our legal team has the skills and experience to manage every aspect of your car accident claim from start to finish. When you hire us, we can take on tasks such as:

  • Investigating the crash thoroughly to determine fault and liability
  • Reviewing the available insurance coverage and filing a claim
  • Gathering and preserving valuable evidence to build your case against the negligent driver
  • Advising you on your legal options
  • Documenting your accident-related expenses and determining the value of your claim
  • Communicating with the insurance adjuster
  • Obtaining statements from eyewitnesses
  • Requesting copies of your medical records and bills
  • Negotiating a settlement that provides you with the money you need
  • Reviewing hospital liens to determine whether the amount you owe is correct
  • Filing a lawsuit and presenting your case at trial if necessary

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Bristol, TN

When you get hurt in a car accident, you must take prompt action to protect your right to seek compensation. Your first step should be to go to the doctor after leaving the crash scene. Let a physician examine you to diagnose your injuries, document everything in your medical records, and prescribe the appropriate follow-up care.

If your doctor recommends ongoing treatment, follow their recommendations. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments, so you have the resources you need to heal. Treatment can end once your medical providers release you from their care. Stopping too soon or deviating from your care plan could negatively affect your health and your claim.

You should also start a journal to record your symptoms and how they affect your life in your own words. In your journal, list every symptom you have and explain whether your condition worsens while walking, bending, sitting, or performing other basic movements. Documentation of the day-to-day effects of your crash injuries can serve as solid evidence for your car accident injury claim.

Medical records are also highly valuable in injury claims. They can show the types of injuries you sustained in the crash, the treatments you needed to recover, and whether you’ll need ongoing care. Always keep copies of your healthcare records, medical bills, and other accident-related documents in a secure, accessible location.

Working with a knowledgeable injury lawyer is the best way to protect your rights after an auto accident in Bristol. Your attorney can start working on your claim while you focus your time and effort on your health, so the sooner you contact a car accident lawyer at The Terry Law Firm, the better.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Bristol, TN

The time limit for personal injury lawsuits, including car accident lawsuits, is one year in Tennessee. That means you have one year from the date of an accident to initiate a lawsuit against the responsible party. You could lose your right to sue if you miss this deadline, so it’s a good idea to work with a local attorney who can keep your case on track.

Common Causes and Types of Car Accidents in Bristol, TN

Careless and reckless drivers commonly cause car accidents in Bristol when they engage in hazardous driving behaviors, such as:

  • Speeding
  • Aggressive driving and road rage
  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Tailgating
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Driving too fast for adverse weather or road conditions
  • Disobeying traffic signs and signals
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Unsafe lane changes

When drivers take these dangerous actions, they can cause various types of serious accidents, including:

  • Rear-end collisions – One of the most common causes of rear-end accidents is tailgating. Drivers who follow too closely behind other vehicles have little room for error and are more likely to cause accidents.
  • Head-on collisions – Head-on accidents can be deadly. A driver can cause this type of crash by drifting into oncoming traffic or failing to yield at an intersection.
  • T-bone accidents – A T-bone collision occurs when the front of one car strikes the side of another. Intersections are common locations for T-bone accidents, especially when drivers run red lights or stop signs.
  • Rollover accidents – A rollover accident can result from a driver turning too fast, hitting a curb with their tires, or slamming on the brakes, for example.
  • Hit-and-run accidents – A hit-and-run occurs when someone involved in a crash flees the scene before law enforcement arrives. Even if the driver is never found, you might be entitled to compensation from your auto policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

Common Types of Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents in Bristol, TN

Some car accidents result in comparatively minor bumps and bruises, while others leave victims with life-changing injuries. Some common injuries in Bristol car crashes include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal bleeding
  • Broken bones
  • Back injuries
  • Disfiguring facial injuries and scars
  • Neck injuries and whiplash
  • Joint damage
  • Lacerations
  • Nerve damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Amputation and limb loss
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Types of Damages You Can Claim After a Car Accident in Bristol

If someone else is responsible for a car accident that injures you, you might be entitled to compensation for your accident-related losses. If you file a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you could get compensation for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income if you had to take time off work to recover
  • Reduced future income if your injury resulted in disability
  • Physical and emotional pain and suffering
  • PTSD
  • Loss of quality of life

Talk to Our Experienced Bristol Car Accident Lawyers Today

The Terry Law Firm has a proven track record of favorable case results, and we’re ready to take on your car accident case as soon as you need us. We are a small-town firm with big-city experience and knowledge, so you can depend on us for the personalized attention and skilled legal services you deserve.

Contact us now for a free consultation with a dedicated Bristol car accident attorney to learn more.

Car Accidents

How Do I Pay for My Car Accident Injuries?

If you have been involved in a car wreck case, there are generally three (3) avenues for payment of medical expenses. 

  1. The first and most common method of payment is for persons who have been injured to pay for their medical care with their own health insurance. This does not create any problems and, in fact, most of the time this is what we recommend at The Terry Law Firm.
  2. Persons involved in car wreck cases can use something referred to as “med pay” to pay for some of their medical bills associated with their car wreck case. “Med pay” coverage is coverage afforded by your automobile insurance to pay for injuries sustained in the car wreck. 
  3. Occasionally, persons will be on the job working when they are injured in a car wreck. In these circumstances, sometimes it is best to use workers’ compensation to pay for your injuries sustained in a car wreck.  

If one of these methods is not available to you, contact The Terry Law Firm at our Morristown, Greeneville, or Sevierville office.

Will My Insurance Rates Go Up If I Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Under Tennessee law, insurance carriers cannot raise your insurance as a result of a person utilizing their uninsured motorist coverage. Tennessee law states explicitly that if you are in an accident that is no fault of your own, your insurance carrier cannot raise your insurance rates due to your use of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that you purchased.