Rear-End Collisions Car Accident Attorney in Morristown, TN
Have you suffered injuries because another driver rear-ended you in the Morristown, TN, area? If so, that driver could owe you compensation for the losses they caused you – losses like medical bills, lost income from time off work, and your pain and suffering.
However, getting this compensation could be more complicated than it should be. Liable parties and their insurers frequently downplay the danger of rear-end collisions and question the severity of the injuries they cause.
The experienced car accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm understand how unfair this is. We have worked with many clients who suffered debilitating injuries in rear-end collisions, and we have fought for the compensation they deserved. If you have been injured in a rear-end crash, we want to help you too.
Contact us today for a free case review with a rear-end car accident lawyer in Morristown, and tell us more about your situation.
How Our Morristown Rear End Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Our lawyers can investigate the crash and consult with witnesses and experts to determine who was at fault, then assess your medical records and other documents to calculate the full extent of the losses you suffered. That will help us build a strong claim for the insurance company and, should negotiations fail, one we can persuasively argue in court if necessary.
Let us handle all the work of building a case, negotiating with insurers, meeting deadlines, filing court papers, and more. You can focus on restoring your health and putting your life back together while knowing your legal matters are in good hands.
How Rear-End Collisions Happen
Most rear-end collisions result from driver error, although this is not always the case. Some of the most common causes of rear-end car crashes include:
- Tailgating (following another vehicle too closely)
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Equipment failure
- Inclement weather
Who Is at Fault for a Rear-End Car Accident in Morristown?
In Tennessee, a driver who crashes into the back of another vehicle is almost always legally responsible for the injuries and property damage they cause. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. These include instances in which:
- The leading car was not properly equipped with functioning brake lights.
- The struck car was pulled over on the side of the road without warning lights.
- A driver crashes into a car in front of them, which then rear-ends another vehicle (sometimes called a double rear-end).
- A driver was rear-ended because they failed to signal and suddenly moved into another car’s lane, cutting off the other vehicle.
In these and other similar instances, the rear-ended driver may be held fully or partially at fault.
Common Injuries from a Rear-End Collision Car Accident
Some of the most common injuries people suffer in rear-end collisions include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries – When a sudden movement snaps the head and neck forward, muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back can be strained or sprained. Such whiplash injuries can lead to severe pain that radiates throughout the body. Whiplash may also lead to headaches, dizziness, stiffness, and muscle spasms.
- Back injuries – The force of a rear-end collision can put enormous strain on the back and spine, potentially enough to fracture vertebrae, compress and injure spinal discs, and strain back muscles.
- Injuries to the wrists and arms – As drivers try to brace for impact, they often grip the steering wheel more tightly. That may lead to injuries such as broken wrists or dislocated shoulders.
- Concussions and head injuries – Occupants of vehicles that have been rear-ended often hit their heads against headrests or windows or are struck by loose objects in the car. These impacts can lead to concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBI), often with severe health consequences.
- Broken bones and fractured ribs – Seat belts and airbags save lives but can also cause injuries in certain circumstances. The combined force of a rear-end collision and the impact of these safety devices can lead to broken ribs, which may even puncture the lungs.
Average Settlement for Rear-End Collision Injuries
There’s no such thing as an average settlement for a rear-end collision simply because there is no such thing as an average rear-end collision. Instead, each is the product of a unique set of factors that determine who might be owed compensation and for how much. In other words, the value of your rear-end accident case will depend on the nature of the injuries you suffered and what caused the collision.
Depending on these circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation for losses like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income due to missed time at work
- Reduced future income if your injury has led to a disabling condition
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In exceptional cases where the at-fault party is deemed to have behaved maliciously, intentionally, fraudulently, or recklessly, the victim may also be able to recover punitive damages. These damages are meant to punish the person for their behavior, not to compensate the injured party for some particular loss.
Contact Our Morristown Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been injured in a rear-end collision in Morristown, Tennessee, and someone else was at fault, you should not have to bear the burden of the losses they caused you. The experienced legal team at The Terry Law Firm is here to help.
We have offered high-quality legal services to injured Tennesseans since 1960 and combine a small-town approach with big-city know-how. Let us put our skills and experience to work on getting you the money and justice you’re owed.
Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our Morristown rear-end car accident lawyers and learn more about what we can do for you.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.