There are an average of 6 million car accidents in the U.S. every year. Many of these accidents result in injuries.
If you are involved in a crash, you might be wondering whether you need a lawyer for a car accident. How do you know if it’s too late to hire an attorney?
Keep reading to learn more about your legal rights following a car accident and when you can hire a lawyer.
When the Statute of Limitations Has Expired
It’s almost never too late to hire a lawyer for a car accident. But there is one situation where you will lose your legal rights.
Each state sets what is called a statute of limitations for various criminal and civil matters. The statute of limitations dictates the amount of time you have to exercise your legal rights and file a lawsuit. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations is 1 year from the date of the accident for personal injury cases.
This means that if you don’t file a lawsuit within that one-year period, you will lose your right to take legal action. In some rare cases, a judge may “toll” or suspend the statute, but this is extremely unlikely. Some factors may extend the statute.
It’s important to keep the statute of limitations in mind because if you can’t reach a settlement within the year time frame, you will have to file a lawsuit before the deadline to continue pursuing compensation.
Reporting Deadlines
The statute of limitations is set by the state of Tennessee. Insurance companies may have their own deadlines for filing a claim. Most insurance companies require you to file a claim within a reasonable time frame.
Some car accidents with more serious factors have to be reported right away. If you are involved in an accident with any of the following factors, you should call the police and the insurance company as soon as possible:
- Injuries
- Fatalities
- More than $500 in property damage
- If any driver is drunk or impaired
- If one of the vehicles was being used for commercial purposes
- If one of the vehicles was a semi-truck
Why It’s So Important to Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Right Away
If you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you should always talk to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. This is because experienced personal injury lawyers know that you have to start preserving evidence and building your case from day one. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible also gives you the right of attorney-client privilege.
Your attorney can even make sure you get the medical treatment you need. Sometimes, injuries don’t show up right away after a car accident. You might not even realize you were injured.
You should see a doctor who has experience evaluating car accident victims and contact an attorney as soon as you are safe.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
If you were involved in a car accident in Tennessee that wasn’t your fault, you need to talk to an attorney about your rights.
Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitation in the country, so it’s important to take action quickly. When you hire a good lawyer for a car accident, you can trust that your legal rights are being protected.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how our attorneys can get you the compensation you deserve.