What to Do After a Car Accident in Tennessee

Living is Tennessee is wonderful, and it’s no wonder that our state is among the fastest-growing in the nation! But Tennessee, like everywhere else, has its dangers on the road. In a state where car travel is far and away the most convenient and popular way to get around, one danger is obvious: car accidents.

Car accidents happen all the time here in Tennessee. Some counties are more dangerous than others, but there are plenty of threats to go around: Tennessee has treacherous rural roads, traffic and congestion in major cities, drunk drivers, and other perils.

That’s why it’s so important that every driver in Tennessee knows how to remain as safe as possible in any situation on the road. This means knowing the basics of defensive driving and making smart decisions behind the wheel. It also means taking the time to learn what to do if you are ever involved in an accident. After all, there’s no surefire way to avoid a collision on the road. Even if you do everything perfectly out there, there is still the chance that some other driver’s poor decision-making or ineptitude costs you dearly. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about managing the aftermath of a car accident in Tennessee.

Safety first

Whether you’re in Tennessee or any other state, one thing should be on your mind after an accident: safety. Are you hurt? Are any of your passengers hurt? How about the people in the other car, pedestrians, and others nearby? If anyone at all is hurt, call 911 right away. It could be a matter of life or death.

Hopefully, you’re unharmed. Even if you are, you’re not out of the woods just yet. You could still be injured after the accident. Take stock of your situation and use your common sense to decide what to do next. If your car is driveable, you should make sure that it is out of the way of traffic, in a spot like at the side of the road. If your car shows any sign of being unsafe (like smoke or fire), you should get out of there. If it feels safe, on the other hand, the best spot may be inside of it. Evaluate the situation and make the safest choice, which could be anything from remaining in your car to getting out and getting far away from the road.

Call the police

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you are probably required to call the police by Tennessee state law: The law mandates that you report any accident that results in injury or property damage of more than $1,000, which really isn’t very much money when you’re talking about damage to two modern cars. And even if you’re not, calling in the authorities is a prudent idea. A police report will help establish the facts of what really happened here, which could be particularly important if you end up involved in a lawsuit.

Getting what you deserve

Being involved in a car accident is a frightening and stressful thing. You need to make sure that you’re getting a fair shake from the insurance companies, which is part of why calling the police is a good idea.

Some accidents call for more than just exchanging insurance information and accepting payouts. Sometimes, an accident can cause enormous suffering and huge personal and financial losses. That’s when you’ll want to call in an attorney, explains one expert Nashville car accident lawyer.

A personal injury case could compensate you for things like medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages due to an inability to work after the accident. Only an attorney can tell you if you have a case, though. Take everything that you have related to the accident — police reports, medical bills, doctor’s notes, cell phone photos, and more — and head to an initial consultation with a trusted Tennessee car accident attorney to best protect yourself.

Freelance writer with BA in English from Binghamton.