If you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident we can help. Since 2014, Franklin Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos proudly served those injured in Williamson County and across Middle Tennessee. Our Testimonials from satisfied clients are the shining star of our efforts. Our goal is to reduce your stress and allow you to focus on recovery. No upfront cost. Attorney fees are only due if you win.
Searching for a Tennessee Car Accident Lawyer is the first step towards justice. You are not alone. In 2018 The TN Dept. of Safety reported over 208,000 car wrecks. This staggering figured included over 1,000 fatalities and nearly 48,000 personal injuries. George Angelopoulos is a trusted Franklin car wreck injury attorney who fights for the rights of auto accident victims.
Franklin TN Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos
It is normal to have questions after a car accident injury. Contact George or call 615-422-7171 any time for answers about your auto accident personal injury. We make this easy. All clients have direct text message access to George who is happy to meet after work, on weekends or at your location.
If you were injured in a car accident seek medical attention immediately.
If your vehicle can be repaired and the at fault parties insurance company accepts liability then they pay for repairs at a body shop of your choice. 615 Lawyer recommends an OEM dealership collision center or other factory authorized facility. You are not required to utilize the insurance companies in-network body shop. Always let the insurance company pay the repair shop directly. Don’t get caught in the middle chasing checks. There is usually a repair bill increase after the vehicle is taken apart and fully evaluated.
If your car can be repaired, but the at-fault party does not have insurance or does not immediately accept liability, the situation is different. If you have collision insurance, your auto insurance company will pay to repair your vehicle, less your deductible. Later, your insurance company will recoup their expenses, including your deductible (which should be refunded), from at-fault driver’s insurance company after liability is determined.
What if my vehicle is a total loss?
If your vehicle is a total loss, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company will pay the fair market value of your vehicle. The insurance company will require you to sign over the title as a condition of property settlement. If a lien is noted on the title then they must pay off the loan. Sometimes people owe more than the vehicle’s value. If you have GAP insurance this covers the difference. If not, we work with your bank on an arrangement to satisfy their interest so we can settle your property claim. After the title is signed over, the insurance company will then salvage the vehicle.
If your vehicle is a total loss and you have collision insurance, your auto insurance company will pay you the fair market vehicle value, less your deductible. As above, liens are satisfied, the vehicle is salvaged and your insurance carrier seeks reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance.
If you do not have auto insurance and the at fault party does not either, or liability is denied or you are at fault, then you pay for vehicle repairs. If your vehicle is a total loss you would still be responsible for paying any associated car payment or the cost of alternate transportation until the case is resolved.
How do I obtain a rental car after a car accident?
Rental cars are the general remedy for the loss of use after a car wreck. You are entitled to a vehicle of like size and function for the period of time it takes to repair your vehicle. If your vehicle is a total loss then a reasonable period of time to obtain alternate transportation should be provided (~10 days post total loss declaration).
Obtaining a rental car is similar to the property claim in terms of how the cost is paid. If the at fault party has insurance and liability is quickly determined we recommend establishing direct rental billing. This means the insurance company pays the rental company directly. Many body shops have rental agencies on site. The at fault insurance carrier will not cover the cost of the rental companies insurance or CDW (Collision Damage Waiver). Bring a copy of your auto insurance policy which will cover you in the event of a loss with the rental car. Anticipate a temporary credit card hold which would be refunded once the rental is returned.
If the other party does not have insurance, liability is not immediately determined or you are at fault then your auto insurance may include rental coverage. Look at your declarations page. If no coverage is available or liability is pending some people utilize rideshare services until their vehicle is repaired or replaced. Maintain these receipts which can be reimbursed in addition to all other damages.
Who pays my medical bills after an automobile crash?
Accident victims can be left with large medical bills. Sometimes you miss a lot of work and may never earn as much as before. For most personal injury cases we recommend submitting medical bills to health insurance. This is because Tennessee follows the collateral source rule.
The collateral source rule states that a person who is responsible car accident injuries and resulting medical bills does not get a discount if payments were made by a collateral (different or independent) source. For example, if the at fault party caused $50,000 in medical bills, that amount due from the liable party is not reduced by payments from your health or auto insurance company. This includes contractual reductions and discounts.
If the other driver was at fault for the accident they, or their insurance company will pay for your medical expenses up to the policy limits. Until the at fault driver pays, your health insurance will pay your medical bills. If you do not have health insurance, your car accident lawyer will work to reduce the amount that you are required to pay and net this from your personal injury settlement.
Can I recover for pain and suffering after a car wreck injury?
Pain and suffering after a car accident is a recoverable damage in Tennessee. This is considered a non-economic or general damage. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and the emotional suffering caused by the car wreck. At trial, juries are instructed that there is not a set standard or multiplier, for determining how much someone should receive for pain and suffering. There is no guarantee it should be awarded at all. Every case is different. The testimony from the injured party, medical records, doctors and family member who cared for you during recovery can help prove this important part of your case.
Will I recoup lost wages after a car accident?
If you have missed work because of your car accident you will get paid for the wages you would have earned. This includes lost benefits like the value of sick, vacation or PTO. These economic damages are all recoverable in your case. Missed time, wages and lost benefits must be documented by your employer. Medical restrictions from work are sufficient to prove the missed time was caused by the car accident injury.
Personal or business tax returns are proof of prior wages for the self-employed. Personal Injury victims have the burden to prove lost wages or profits. Lost revenue is not the measure of damages because revenue is reduced by cost of earning the revenue. Sometimes retaining an economist expert witness is required to prove the value of your lost wages, especially if the economic impact is long term or life long.
What is the average Tennessee car accident settlement?
Every accident case is different. There isn’t a single answer for determining how much a car accident case is worth in Tennessee. No auto accident attorney can ethically guarantee a settlement or accurately predict compensation without knowing the nature, severity, extent and resulting medical care from a car accident. Whether a full recovery is possible along with out of pocket expenses, lost wages and impact on your life are all factors.
Your car wreck lawyer must review the evidence and calculate your expenses to determine a fair settlement range. Franklin Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos will review the facts of your case to determine what your are entitled. This is not an exact science and fair compensation is based upon what a jury would likely compensate you for all damages at trial.
Should I hire a Tennessee car accident lawyer?
If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else then you should hire a car accident lawyer. Most people can handle a property damage only claim alone. However, Tennessee personal injury claims are much more complex. Hiring an auto accident lawyer helps to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your loss.
Most people want to know how much a car accident lawyer will charge upfront. At 615 Lawyer we charge a contingent one third (⅓) fee for all car accident cases that settle without filing a lawsuit. A contingent fee is a percentage that a car accident attorney will take from the total amount of money recovered in your case. Car wreck lawyers usually charge between twenty-five percent and forty percent of the total recovery. Choosing an accident lawyer based on his or her contingency fee percentage is not always the best idea. Some injury attorneys who are less experienced charge lower percentages. George Angelopoulos has been an auto accident attorney representing personal injury clients since 2014.
How do I pick a Tennessee car accident lawyer?
Many factors should go into what car accident lawyer will represent you in Franklin, Tennessee. When you need an attorney family and friends may make recommendations. However, be sure that the lawyer focuses on car accidents and personal injury claims instead of a general practitioner. Ask the auto accident lawyer what percentage of their practice is devoted personal injury claims. 615 Lawyer is a 100% Personal Injury Law Firm.
Research a potential auto accident attorney online. Complete a Google search of the attorney’s name, and read the reviews. You can also check legal rating sites such as Avvo. Make sure you to discuss your case with an personal injury lawyer when you call or meet, not an intake clerk or assistant. Choose a local injury lawyer instead of hiring someone from somewhere else. Local personal injury lawyers may know the attorneys that make up the local defense bar and the insurance adjusters that handle the claims for different insurance companies. A local attorney may give you an edge in your claim. Choose a car accident lawyer who is active in the community. It is always best to pick a lawyer who believes in giving back.
Trust and communication is important. A personal injury lawyer will likely work on your case for months or years if your case progresses towards trial. You should pick a car accident attorney that you trust to give prompt and reliable information. Your personal injury attorney should keep you informed about your case along the way.
How do you get car accident reports in Franklin TN?
Police Officers do a good job of accurately documenting facts upon arrival. What you may not know is the officer’s report is not admissible evidence to prove your case in court. However, the police report is one of the first documents needed to open a personal injury claim. Car accident reports can be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security for a fee of $10.00. You will need to provide basic demographic information like which agency reported the crash, the day of collision, VIN, Drivers License number of an involved party or license plate of an involved vehicle.
Franklin is located in Tennessee Highway Patrol District 3. If the T.H.P. responded to your accident you can request the report via mail, along with a $4 fee, too:
The location of your car accident will likely determine which agency reports the crash. Minor car accidents inside county limits, but outside of any Williamson County City (Franklin, Brentwood, Nolensville, Arrington, College Grove) is reported by the Williamson County Sheriff’s office. Fatal Williamson County car wrecks and serious personal injury crashes are handled by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Police Officers do a good job of accurately documenting facts upon arrival. What you may not know is the officer’s report is not admissible evidence to prove your case in court. However, the police report is one of the first documents needed to open a personal injury claim.
Franklin TN Car Accident Court
Williamson County, TN is in the 21st Judicial District with Hickman, Lewis, and Perry Counties. Circuit Court is located in Franklin. In most cases, Auto accidents occurring in all of Williamson County must be filed in Circuit Court within one year of the crash. Most 615 Lawyer clients never appear in court because their case is settled before trial for a fair amount of money.
Car accidents can result in serious personal injuries or fatalities. If you have suffered an injury or have lost a loved one, you should call 615-422-7171 to speak with an experienced Franklin car accident lawyer or request a free car wreck injury review so we can get started today. George can assess your potential claim on the first call.
Types of Tennessee Car Accidents
Tennessee Car accidents can occur in various ways. The road you are driving on, the type of vehicle, time of day and where you are located are all factors. Regardless of the type of car accident it can cause personal injuries. If you are injured in an accident that was caused by someone else you may have the right to recover money damages. Each item below has more information available through links in the title.
Tennessee drivers have a legal duty to yield the right of way in many instances. Stop Signs, Crosswalks, Yield signs and entering the roadway are common examples. Failure to yield to pedestrians, other vehicles and motorcycles can lead to serious personal injuries. Roundabouts and uncontrolled intersections coupled with inexperienced or aggressive drivers many times result in failure to yield right of way accidents. Drivers who fail to yield the right of way are generally negligent and will be liable for damages.
Many drivers do not allow a safe distance between vehicles ahead sometimes known as tailgating. Efficiently and promptly investigating the accident scene will provide valuable evidence to support whether the vehicle behind was following to closely causing your rear end collision.
After any car accident, you should call the police so that a report can be filed and get immediate medical treatment. Try to record the other vehicle’s license plate number. Then try to get full contact information from both the other driver and any witnesses. It’s a fact that every driver does not carry insurance and those who meet Tennessee financial responsibility law may not have the coverage required to fully compensate car accident victims. Having information about the at fault driver will be valuable should you need to pursue an uninsured driver.
Uber, Lyft and the traditional taxi cabs are all examples of drivers earning their living on the road. When earning fares speeding or careless driving can occur. Passengers and drivers in their own vehicle involved in these auto accidents can benefit from a car accident lawyer on their side.
Despite traffic laws protecting those on foot approximately 65,000 pedestrians are injured by cars and over 5,000 innocent bystanders are killed annually. Some Tennessee drivers do not provide runners, joggers and walkers sufficient safe on the roadway. Further, pedestrians may be distracted and enter the roadway at unsafe times. Car on vehicle accidents may result in fatal or life altering consequences. Car accident attorneys are vested with knowledge to obtain compensation Franklin pedestrian car wreck victims deserve under Tennessee law.
Most people think of semi-trucks or big rigs, but there are many types of commercial vehicles on the roads. Operators of moving trucks, delivery vehicles and heavy equipment are not always skillfully trained. They also make mistakes than can become deadly. Specific facts are necessary to recover in these scenarios and you need an experienced auto accident lawyer in your corner.
Car accident lawyer George Angelopoulos does not play insurance games after Tennessee Car Accidents. If you have suffered an injury or have lost a loved one, you should call 615-422-7171 or request a free car wreck injury review so George can assess your rights today.
