Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney in Sevierville, TN

A woman in a light blue dress is lying motionless on a deserted road, with a pair of sunglasses nearby. The background shows a distant village with historic buildings, surrounded by fields and greenery. The scene suggests a hit-and-run accident.

A car accident can be a very disorienting and stressful experience, and the feelings can be compounded when the at-fault driver hits you and leaves the scene before you can gain your bearings. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s crucial to seek help from our hit-and-run car accident attorneys in Sevierville, Tennessee.  

The experienced Sevierville hit-and-run accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm understand how challenging the aftermath of a hit-and-run car crash can be. We aim to help you pursue the compensation you deserve from every available source.  

Contact us today for your free case review. 

Why You Need Our Attorneys After a Hit-and-Run Crash 

Dealing with painful car accident injuries resulting from a hit-and-run accident can be overwhelming. You may feel depressed, isolated, and unsure of what you can do since you have no information about the other driver and now face medical bills and a difficult physical recovery. 

Handling a claim is a time-consuming process requiring energy you might not have, and finding a hit-and-run accident lawyer near me who can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover is crucial.

Our Sevierville hit-and-run accident attorneys can:  

  • Investigate the accident – A thorough investigation of the accident can identify potential witnesses and gather critical evidence to support your claim.
  • Assign fair value – An injury’s long-term impact can be challenging to assess immediately after a car accident. Our experienced attorneys can determine what you’ll need to cover injury-related costs throughout your life.
  • File a claim – To build a robust claim, our attorneys can help collect the required documentation, including medical records, receipts for injury-related costs, and vehicle repair expenses. If the driver is never found, we can help you pursue a claim under your uninsured motorist coverage (UM) on your auto insurance policy.
  • Fight for maximum compensation – Auto insurance companies look out for themselves and try to pay as little as they can – even when you are pursuing a UM claim with “your” car insurance company. Our car accident attorneys have your best interests at heart. We can negotiate for the maximum compensation to cover your losses and prevent insurers from coaxing you into accepting a lowball offer.  

Hit-and-Run Laws in Sevierville 

Leaving the scene of an accident is illegal in Tennessee. Under Tennessee Code § 55-10-102, state law mandates that all drivers involved in a car accident must stay at the scene to exchange contact information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information, and vehicle information. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and jail time, with amounts dependent on the extent of damage and injuries. 

Why Do Drivers Leave the Scene of an Accident? 

Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense.

Common reasons drivers may flee the scene rather than stop include: 

  • Driving under the influence – Intoxicated drivers may fear potential DUI charges and subsequent legal consequences, prompting them to flee rather than face a possible arrest. In some cases, they may not even be fully aware that they were involved in a collision.
  • Driving without insurance – Uninsured drivers may leave the accident scene because they fear the potential legal penalties for driving without car insurance.
  • Driving on a suspended license – Drivers without a valid license may flee instead of remaining at the scene to avoid additional consequences.
  • Panicking about the accident – Panic and shock immediately following the accident may lead a driver to leave the scene impulsively rather than stay and exchange information.
  • Avoiding further legal issues – Concerns about legal issues and potential consequences can lead to a driver leaving the accident scene before providing the other driver with their information.
  • Avoiding arrest – Drivers who have a warrant out for their arrest may flee to avoid interaction with law enforcement. 

Common Injuries from Hit-and-Run Car Accidents 

Hit-and-run accidents often result in severe injuries, including: 

  • Neck injuries – Pinched nerves, muscle spasms, and whiplash can result from a hit-and-run accident, causing persistent pain, soreness, or stiffness that can impair mobility.
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Blunt force trauma or impact to your head can cause concussions, contusions, or other brain injuries. These injuries can cause persistent headaches and negatively affect critical neurological functions such as memory and concentration.
  • Spinal cord injuries – Injuries to your spine or spinal column can result in fractures, dislocated vertebrae, herniated discs, and, in severe cases, partial or total paralysis.
  • Broken bones and fractures – Compound, multiple, or complex fractures can result from car accidents, requiring extensive time to fully heal.
  • Internal injuries and bleeding – Damage to internal organs, potentially causing internal bleeding, is extremely difficult to evaluate on the spot but can be fatal if not immediately treated. 

These injuries can lead to costly medical bills, loss of income, and long-term rehabilitation needs. Covering medical bills related to hit-and-run accidents in Sevierville often requires significant compensation. 

Seeking Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Car Crash in Sevierville 

The main challenge in hit-and-run cases is identifying the responsible party; tracking them down can be challenging. Still, even if it’s impossible to locate the hit-and-run driver, you may be able to seek compensation through uninsured motorist (UM) claims on your auto policy. UM insurance coverage protects you when the at-fault driver lacks insurance. UM coverage treats a hit-and-run motorist like someone without insurance. However, you may have issues getting your insurer to pay the full amount you deserve for your losses.

Our Sevierville hit-and-run accident attorneys can assist with a UM claim by: 

  • Identifying potential coverage – Our attorneys can review your insurance policy to determine the extent of your UM coverage, identify all potential coverage sources, and search for any relevant exclusions or limitations. 
  • Gathering evidence – Our lawyers can collect surveillance footage, police reports, witness statements, and other evidence to support your UM claim. We can also work with medical experts, vocational experts, and others to present a strong case to support the valuation of your losses.
  • Negotiating with insurers – Our attorneys can negotiate for the maximum possible compensation available under your UM policy and avoid the typical tactics insurance companies use to try to pay as little as possible. If your insurance company makes a settlement offer, we will review it carefully to determine whether it fairly compensates you for your losses.
  • Preparing for court – If settlement negotiations fail, our lawyers can take your UM claim to court to pursue compensation through a favorable verdict. We can develop a compelling legal strategy to argue for maximum compensation.

Contact Our Experienced Sevierville Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorneys Today 

If you’re coping with the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident, you need a skilled Sevierville car accident lawyer. At The Terry Law Firm, we can assess your injuries, listen to your story, and answer questions to help you start recovery. Let us handle your legal worries while you heal. 

Contact us for your free consultation today.

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.