jJOE DUGHMAN & ASSOCIATES
aATTORNEY AT LAW

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Automobile accidents cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year and carry the potential for and civil responsibility. There are including head-on collisions, side collisions, rear-end collisions, rollovers, single-car accidents, suicides, pile-ups, and level crossing accidents. The State of Tennessee is likely to prosecute if someone is severely injured or killed or if one or both of the drivers was intoxicated at the time of the accident. But, automobile accident personal injury lawsuits are the most common type of personal injury claim. There are many ways to recover what you are legally entitled to receive. But hiring an experienced professional to recover full and complete damages is as important, Knowledge is power!

If you or someone you love has been injuried and you believe someone is at fault, you have come to the right place. We are here to help you in your time of need and look forward to the opportunity to review your claim free of charge.

If there is any time when you need wise, experienced, and caring counsel it is now. You need an attorney who knows the law, has a proven record, and has a commitment to justice and saftey of the community.

If you have been involved in an automobile or truck accident, beware of settling too early. Many serious injuries cannot be discovered immediately after an accident.

Automobile accidents cause thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year and carry the potential for civil responsibility. These include head-on collisions, side collisions, rear-end collisions, rollovers, single-car accidents, suicides, pile-ups, and level crossing accidents.

The State of Tennessee is likely to prosecute if someone is severely injured or killed or if one or both of the drivers was intoxicated at the time of the accident. But, automobile accident personal injury lawsuits are the most common type of personal injury claim. There are many ways to recover what you are legally entitled to receive. But hiring an experienced professional to recover full and complete damages is as important, knowledge is power!

"In 2004, 1288 persons were killed in Motor Vehicle crashes in Tennesse up 8% from 2003"

Source:nhtsa.dot.gov

Don't Settle Too Early

The insurance company for the party at fault may want you to sign a release form as soon as possible. This means that you agree to "release" the company and their client from any future claims or damages resulting from the accident. 

Do not sign a release form too early. Other than specific out-of-pocket expenses that include property damage, medical expenses and loss of wages, you may have a right to additional compensation. Damages can include pain and suffering and permanent injury. You have the right to collect for present as well as future suffering.  Additionally, in some situations, damages can be awarded for future lost income or future medical expenses.

If you have suffered an injury resulting from an automobile or truck accident, we invite you to call us for a free consultation. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of your case, we promise to provide you with legal representation aimed at helping you through a difficult time of your life. We will do our best to make sure that you make the recovery to which you are entitled. 

Step by Step

1. If you are hurt seek medical treatment immediately.
2. BE SURE to get the name and address of any witnesses. The police do not always get this information.
3. Make sure you notify the police and fill out a report . Make sure the officer gives you a report number. It usually takes 5 business days for the reports to be filed and ready for review. Make note of the officers uniform color in case you call the wrong station. Was it Metro, the Sheriff or State Troopers that worked your accident?
4. Write a letter to the police station requesting the report.
5. Take note of the scene of the accident and look for physical evidence of the accident such as tire marks, gouges in the pavement and take note any road signs. Take pictures to prove your observations.
6. Contact your Primary Care Physician and make an appointment if your hurt and continue to get medical care per the advice of your doctor.
7. Call our office and we can advise you on the nature of your injury. We can help you gather evidence and accept responsibility for your claim after you had a chance to visit our office.

NO FEE WITHOUT RECOVERY

June 2005: Analysis of Fatal Crashes Due to Signal and Stop Sign Violations

The 1999 and 2000 Fatality Analysis Reporting System databases were analyzed to gain a better understanding of fatal crashes involving light vehicles that violated traffic signals or stop signs. A total of 9,951 vehicles were involved in fatal crashes at traffic signals in 1999 and 2000 – 20% of these vehicles failed to obey the signal and 13% failed to yield the right-of-way.

On the other hand, 13,627 vehicles were involved in fatal crashes at stop signs - 21% failed to obey the sign and 23% failed to yield the right-of-way. Fatal crashes involving light vehicles (passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks) that violated the traffic signal or the stop sign were separated into single vehicle, two-vehicle, and multi-vehicle crash categories. For each crash category, this report identified the crash scenarios, described the crash contributing factors, and characterized the infrastructure where these fatal crashes happened in 1999 and 2000.

No major difference was found between the crash categories regarding the infrastructure where these fatal crashes occurred. Single vehicle crashes were almost three times as likely to involve alcohol than two-vehicle or multi-vehicle crashes. Furthermore, single vehicle crashes had the highest rate of speeding and inattention. Two-vehicle crashes had the second highest involvement rate of inattention and multi-vehicle had the second highest rate of speeding.

Source: http://www.driveandstayalive.com

For More Statistics on Motor Vehicle Accidents visit our Statistics page

Auto Statistics