Speeding Car Accident Lawyer in Sevierville TN
Car crashes involving speeding vehicles pose a danger to motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycle riders. If a speeding driver injured you or a loved one in a Sevierville car accident, The Terry Law Firm wants to help you pursue compensation and accountability for your losses.
Since 1960, our dedicated attorneys have protected the rights of injured car accident victims in Sevierville and surrounding areas of East Tennessee. Speeding car crashes can negatively affect your physical, emotional, and financial well-being, making it difficult to move forward. A speeding car accident lawyer with The Terry Law Firm can help you with your case and seek compensation from those responsible.
Call or contact us online to learn more in a free consultation session.
Why You Should Get Help from Our Speeding Accident Lawyers
Dealing with a speeding accident injury is tough, but The Terry Law Firm is here to help you navigate this difficult time. We’re a small-town firm with big-city know-how, and we have more than 50 years of combined experience to put at your disposal. Our Sevierville personal injury attorneys prioritize friendly, down-to-earth service by getting to know you personally and creating a tailored legal plan for your unique situation.
Choosing us means receiving top-quality legal representation with exceptional customer service. We’re quick to respond to inquiries and offer free initial consultations. Let the dedicated attorneys at The Terry Law Firm be your advocates and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve.
Speeding Statistics in Tennessee
According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, there were almost 23,000 speeding-related accidents statewide in a recent three-year period. Speeding crashes were four times likelier to involve a fatality than non-speeding crashes. Of those accidents, a staggering 36 percent involved motorists aged 18 to 24. Nationwide, speed is a contributing factor in 26 percent of all traffic deaths.
Speeding is particularly hazardous:
- At night
- On rainy days
- In alcohol-related crashes
- On residential or commercial streets
What Are the Factors That Drive Speeding in Sevierville, TN?
People drive too fast for different reasons, but the devastating consequences of speeding accidents are tragically similar. Some of the most common reasons for speeding include:
- Time pressure – Many drivers speed because they are in a hurry to get to their destinations.
- Age – Drivers 25 and younger are twice as likely to speed as older drivers.
- Attitude – Some drivers disregard the rules or feel skilled enough to drive safely at high speeds.
- Peer pressure – Some drivers feel pressure from peers or passengers to speed, especially if they are in groups that encourage risk-taking behavior.
- Alcohol or drug use – Impaired drivers are more likely to speed due to reduced inhibitions and impaired judgment.
Why Is It So Dangerous to Speed?
Speeding is dangerous for several reasons, including:
Reduced Reaction Time
The faster a vehicle travels, the less time a driver has to react to unexpected situations, such as pedestrians walking into the road or other cars suddenly stopping in front of them.
Greater Impact Force
The force of a crash grows exponentially as speed increases, meaning collisions at higher speeds are much more likely to cause severe injuries or fatalities than collisions at lower speeds.
Reduced Effectiveness of Safety Features
Seat belts, airbags, and other safety features are less effective in high-speed crashes, as the force of impact in many speeding wrecks is too great for these features to accommodate.
Most Common Injuries in Speeding Car Crashes
Speeding car crashes can result in many injuries, some of which can be life-threatening or even fatal. Some of the most common injuries in speeding car crashes include:
- Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that cause long-term cognitive impairments
- Whiplash and other back, neck, and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries that can result in permanent paralysis
- Abdominal injuries, including broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and internal bleeding
- Broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and hips
- Cuts and lacerations from broken glass, metal, and other debris from the crash
Proving a Driver Was Speeding When a Crash Occurred
Although traffic violation charges against the at-fault driver are separate legal matters from your civil injury claim, speeding tickets are a form of evidence that you can use to build your case.
Other ways to prove a driver was speeding at the time of the crash include:
- Crash evidence – This could include digital onboard data from the vehicles involved, witness statements, photos or videos of the crash, and physical evidence, such as skid marks.
- Police reports – Police officers are trained observers, and their reports could provide valuable information about the speed the driver traveled.
- Witness statements – Witnesses, including any passengers in the crash, can provide statements as evidence of speeding.
- Expert analysis – A speeding car accident attorney can work with experts like crash reconstruction specialists to analyze the evidence and obtain valuable testimony.
Compensation You Could Recover in a Speeding Car Accident in Sevierville
The compensation you could recover from a speeding car accident claim will vary depending on the specific circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries.
With a successful claim, you might be able to recover compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income from missed work
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
Tips on How to Deal with Speeding and Aggressive Drivers
Dealing with speeding and aggressive drivers on the road can be challenging and potentially dangerous. Here are some tips from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety on how to handle these motorists:
- Stay calm. Don’t let other drivers’ actions influence yours. Stay focused on driving safely.
- Keep your distance. Do not cut off or encroach on speeding or aggressive drivers.
- Avoid engaging. Eye contact, honking, yelling, or rude gestures can escalate risky situations.
- Respect the fast lane. Slower-moving cars should use the right lane. If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them.
Talk to Our Experienced Sevierville Speeding Car Accident Attorney Today
Do you have questions about your legal options after a speeding accident in Sevierville, TN? Call The Terry Law Firm today or contact us online for a free consultation.
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.