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While every car accident is different, the one thing they have in common is that injuries resulting from one can change your life forever. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident, an injury attorney can help. A Chattanooga car accident lawyer can prove to be a valuable ally in seeking compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and much more.
One of the most common causes of car accidents is distracted driving. A driver who hits another vehicle is often trying to do too many things at once, such as texting, eating or drinking, playing with the radio, or daydreaming instead of focusing on the road in front of them. While distracted, they may pull out into traffic, make a wrong left turn, or fail to hit the brakes in time, leading to a crash.
Another major factor in Chattanooga car wrecks is speeding. A driver who is keeping up with fast traffic, running late to work, or just carelessly driving over the speed limit is a danger to others on the road. Fatigue is another common cause of accidents, especially late in the day or at night where drivers are drowsy and are unable to react or evaluate road conditions while operating their vehicle.
One of the more infrequent but extremely destructive causes of local car crashes is driving while intoxicated. Drunk driving in the United States is responsible for roughly 30 deaths every day. Typically, these crashes involve individuals who are going in the wrong direction on a roadway or driving at such an excessive speed so as to cause serious injury or death to themselves or other motorists.
Reckless and aggressive driving is another common factor in causing accidents. Individuals who allow their emotions to get the better of them on the roadways and endanger drivers because of their behavior behind the wheel. Finally, simply running red lights and stop signs and failing to obey basic traffic control devices leads to many car accidents, especially at intersections.
Car accidents can occur for many reasons, most commonly because of a driver’s action—or inaction—that leads to a dangerous situation.
Various irresponsible driving behaviors, such as aggressive or reckless driving, speeding, or tailgating can easily lead to an accident, and furthermore, be held up in court as evidence of negligence on the part of the irresponsible driver.
In the same vein, failing to follow traffic signals, signs, and patterns before an accident often qualifies legally as negligence, as does driving while distracted (including texting while driving) or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or fatigue.
As a Chattanooga lawyer can explain, the state follows a modified form of comparative fault laws for car accident claims. In all comparative fault cases, a plaintiff can recover at least some damages even if they are found to be partially at fault. In a modified system, however, their damages may be barred altogether if they are found to be more than 50 percent at fault.
Anyone who has sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence may be entitled to compensation (both past and future) for their injuries through the assistance of a local attorney.
This can include both economic consequences of the accident such as lost income and wages and medical bills, and non-economic consequences like physical or emotional pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (or, the loss of benefits gained from family relationships due to injury).
Keep in mind that the state statute of limitations to file a car accident lawsuit or a wrongful death claim is only one year from the date of the accident, and missing that deadline can bar you from filing a lawsuit altogether.
One of the most important things that a Chattanooga lawyer could provide after a car accident is simply peace of mind. Local legal counsel is experienced in taking on big insurance companies, is knowledgeable of state insurance law, and is prepared to go the distance with the lawsuit. Having that peace of mind knowing that their situation is handled so that they can focus on their medical treatment could give an injured person a better chance of making a full recovery.
Engaging a skilled attorney could also increase a plaintiff’s chances of recovering the maximum amount of damages in their case. A qualified legal professional could put the necessary pressure on the insurance companies, take depositions, conduct discovery, and hire experts to obtain the highest compensation possible.
While every case is unique and depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident, a car accident attorney can determine what types of compensation might be available to injured victims.
If you have been injured in a car accident, do not settle without calling an experienced Chattanooga car accident lawyer first. Settling too early can have serious financial consequences for you and your family. Call us today to find out how we can help make sure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance companies.
By: Erin D.
412 Georgia Avenue #102 Chattanooga TN 37403 Phone: (423) 888-3030 Rating: ★★★★★
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