What To Do After A Car Accident in Tennessee
Car Accidents injure an average three million people per year. Even though they are frequent, many do not know what to do after a car accident in Tennessee. Several important things need to occur. Here is what you should do after a wreck:
1. Call The Police
2. Seek Medical Attention
3. Exchange Information
4. Take Pictures and Videos
5. Should I Visit a Chiropractor?
6. Dealing with Insurance
Call the police after a car accident
Leaving the scene of a car accident can result in criminal prosecution. It is also bad for your car accident injury case. Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid to those who need it without fear of liability due to Tennessee’s Good Samaritan Law. When police arrive explain what happened before and during the crash. Do not admit fault. The other driver could be distracted or other facts which you may not know. If the officer asks about an injury tell them you want a medical exam. Do not deny injury. Some auto accident injuries do not manifest for many days after a car wreck.
Seek medical attention after a car accident
When car accident injuries are serious or readily apparent accept emergency medical care and EMS transport to a local hospital. Williamson Medical, St. Thomas, Tri-Star and Vanderbilt all have emergency departments in Middle Tennessee. If your injuries are not serious, you should at least be evaluated by a local urgent care facility. It is always reasonable to seek a medical evaluation after an auto accident to identify injuries. When the car wreck results in minor vehicle damage it is possible whiplash or internal bleeding is present.
Follow medical advice and maintain follow-up appointments. Your primary care physician may have referrals available if not provided by the emergency care team.
Obtain everyone’s information
After a car accident you should exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses. Name, phone number and insurance information should be obtained. Share your information too. Write down their license plate number and any information about the accident scene. Taking notes is recommended. Write down a statement of events while fresh on your mind.
Ask any witnesses what they saw. Encourage them to give their statements to the police. This information is helpful so that your car accident lawyer can contact the witnesses, if needed, for your personal injury case.
Document the scene with pictures or video
Some say pictures are worth a thousand words. After a car accident, pictures can be worth thousands of dollars. Pictures are important evidence. Most cell phones capture HD images. Pictures of injuries, vehicle damage and the accident scene should be obtained. Ask someone else to do it, if needed. Skid marks, traffic lights, speed limit signs and irregularities can be relevant. Experts can use these images to determine what caused the wreck. It is a lot easier to show what happened vs. explaining what happened. Don’t share any of this on Facebook or other social media accounts.
Should I go to a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic care is effective at healing soft issue injuries and is the most accessible option in many scenarios. Chiropractic doctors attend professional school after obtaining their undergraduate degree. Chiropractic treatment can help with injuries like whiplash, soft tissue damage, inflammation, back injuries and pain. Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos has Chiropractic and Orthopedic referrals in Middle Tennessee if you do not have an established provider. Chiropractors we refer clients too operate on a lien agreement or letter of protection. This allows treatment without utilizing medical payment coverage or the need for health insurance. Providers withhold billing client until settlement compensation is available. If you do not have health insurance or have funds available to pay out of pocket a chiropractor may be your only option for care.
Dealing with the insurance company
Submitting a claim to the at fault insurance company is the first step to justice. An insurance adjuster will contact you. Keep in mind the adjuster is not on your team. We do not recommend discussing your car accident injury case with an adjuster. The adjuster’s job is to minimize or deny claims. Do not agree to a recorded statement. If the adjuster asks for a recorded statement politely decline and advise you want to review your case with a car accident lawyer first.
Do not sign a medical authorization or HIPAA release. Insurance companies use these authorizations to seek a previous event to blame your injuries on reducing the amount they pay.
Do not agree to a settlement or execute a release without reviewing your case with personal injury attorney George Angelopoulos. If you sign off on an offer then you are prevented from seeking more money that you may need to cover your losses or future medical expenses.
Contact Car Accident Lawyer George Angelopoulos
After obtaining medical care contact an experienced car accident lawyer. The personal injury statute of limitations in Tennessee is one year. It is best consult a personal injury attorney ASAP. This allows your injury lawyer to preserve evidence. We handle the insurance company so you can focus on recovery. We litigate cases if the insurance company denies the claim or offers a terribly low settlement. Consultations are free and attorney fees are only due if you win.