Tennessee Vehicle Accidents
The statistics tell the story -- our roads are dangerous places. In 2008, 37,261 people were killed in the United States in an estimated 5.8 million vehicle accidents, according to federal data. Another 2.3 million people were injured. Here in Tennessee, 1,035 people were killed in traffic accidents in 2008.
At Terry, Terry & Stapleton, we have been helping injured Tennessee residents for almost 50 years. We know that car accidents and truck accidents can leave you and your family in a difficult situation, with stacks of medical bills and lost income because you've missed days or weeks of work. The insurance company has offered you a settlement for your car and your injuries. You're not sure whether to take it. You'd like to talk to a lawyer but you don't think you can afford one.
Now for the good news. Call Terry, Terry & Stapleton today at 1-800-518-3779 or use our online contact form. We'll arrange a free consultation and explain all of your legal options. If your injuries were caused by the carelessness of another person or company, or by a defective product or car part, we'll help you seek financial compensation to put you back where you were before the accident. You won't owe us any attorney's fees unless we obtain a settlement for you.
We have offices in Morristown, Tennessee, and we care deeply about you and our Tennessee community. We represent clients throughout Tennessee, including Rogersville, Newport, Morristown, Knoxville, Kingsport, Johnson City, Jefferson City and Greeneville. Don’t delay. Our vehicle accident lawyers have the skill and experience necessary to provide you with excellent representation. We will fight for your right to receive the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Every year, thousands of lives are lost in vehicle accidents, and thousands more are changed forever by terrible injuries. In just the first half of 2009, 16,626 people lost their lives to vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In Tennessee, a total of 1,035 traffic fatalities occurred in 2008.
Some areas have more traffic deaths than others. The top 10 Tennessee counties for fatalities in 2008 were:
- Shelby County – 108;
- Davidson County – 74;
- Knox County – 50;
- Hamilton County – 42;
- Rutherford County – 30;
- Robertson County – 22;
- Madison County – 19;
- Maury County – 19;
- Dickson County – 18;
- Cumberland County – 17.
At Terry, Terry & Stapleton, we make it our business to remain informed about vehicle accident issues in our state so that we can provide our clients with the best representation possible. The following information about Tennessee traffic accidents was collected by researchers with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In Tennessee, more traffic deaths occurred in 2008 in rural areas. Here's a breakdown of Tennessee traffic deaths in 2008 according to rural or urban location:
- Rural roads – 607;
- Urban roads – 428;
- Total – 1,035.
The most common type of fatal accident in Tennessee in 2008 involved vehicles leaving the roadway. Here are the most common types of fatal accidents by crash type in 2008:
- Involving a roadway departure – 649;
- Involving a single vehicle – 605;
- Involving a rollover – 330;
- Involving speeding – 243;
- Involving an intersection – 186;
- Involving a large truck – 95.
The attorneys at Terry, Terry & Stapleton have been representing Tennessee injury victims for almost five decades. We know that responsible drivers can decrease their chances of suffering a serious injury by obeying traffic laws and following safety precautions. For instance, many more unrestrained drivers and passengers died in Tennessee in 2008 than did those who wore safety belts.
Tennessee Traffic Deaths in 2008, Vehicle Occupants
- Restrained – 776
- Unrestrained – 259
- Unknown – 60
More than 6.2 million people call Tennessee home and even the safest driver can become the victim of someone else’s negligence. Under Tennessee law, if you have been injured in a vehicle accident that was caused by another person's carelessness or recklessness, you may be entitled to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
However, there are important steps that should be followed after an accident to ensure you do not lose this right or minimize your legal options. Following an accident, do your best to follow these steps:
- Report the accident to police, even if you are unsure of who caused the accident or believe you may be at fault.
- Attempt to document the accident by taking video or photographs or by collecting the contact information of witnesses.
- See a doctor for a thorough evaluation, even if you do not believe you are injured.
- Do not talk to anyone about the accident before you have spoken with an attorney of your own choosing.
- Do not accept a settlement offer before speaking with your own attorney.
These last two steps are particularly important. What you say following an accident can have a permanent impact on your ability to collect the compensation you need. If you accept a settlement without talking to an attorney, there is a good chance you will be accepting much less than you deserve. Insurance companies do not have your interests at heart and are likely to offer you only a fraction of what you are owed. Even if the offer seems fair, and even if you need the money, it is essential that you work with an attorney before accepting a settlement. You could discover, for instance, that your injuries were much more severe and extensive than you originally suspected. Injuries that initially seem minor can develop over time into major health problems that require extensive and expensive medical treatment.
At Terry, Terry & Stapleton we have made it our mission to help people who have been injured. If you have been injured in a vehicle accident, call the vehicle accident attorneys at Terry, Terry, & Stapleton. Our proximity to Interstates I-81, I-40, I-26, I-75 and Highways 11-E and 25-E centers Terry, Terry & Stapleton at or near some of the major thoroughfares in Tennessee for tractor trailer accidents. We can help you understand your legal options and guide you through every step of the legal process. Call Terry, Terry & Stapleton at 1-800-518-3779 or use our online contact form to arrange a free consultation.
