Even when we exercise all proper and necessary precautions on the road, some negligent driver could come along and cause an accident. In such a case, our lawyers can help you hold the other driver responsible for their negligence.
It is best to speak to an attorney about starting a car accident case as soon as possible. Tennessee enforces a very strict statute of limitations, and you only have 1 year from the accident to file your case. To begin your case, you and your lawyer must assess various details from the accident, including how it happened, your damages, and evidence you can use to back up your claims. All this information should be included in a formal complaint and submitted to the appropriate court. Evidence to support your case may include details from the accident scene, such as photos, videos, and physical evidence. It may also include testimony from witnesses and, most importantly, you. Hospital bills, property damage, pain, and suffering should be accounted for.
Schedule a free, private evaluation of your case by calling our car accident lawyers at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
How Long After a Car Accident in Lebanon, TN Should I Talk to a Lawyer?
The first step of speaking to an attorney is sometimes the hardest in the entire legal process. Many potential plaintiffs are unsure of when they should speak to an attorney. It is understandable to want some time to recover from your injuries and mull over your options. However, you should not wait too long, as there is a strict deadline to bear in mind.
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a), plaintiffs in personal injury cases, including those for car accidents, have only 1 year to file their case. This deadline begins to run from the date of your accident. If 1 year comes and goes and nothing has been filed, you might lose your right to sue, barring special circumstances.
In short, the sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better. Not only do you need to get your claims into court before the statute of limitations expires, but you also need to give your lawyer as much time as possible to prepare. If you wait 6 months after the accident to talk to a lawyer, that lawyer only has 6 months to prepare and file your case.
This is an extremely tight turnaround. Even if you are still uncertain whether you want to sue, speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. At the very least, they can advise you of all your legal options so you can make a more informed choice about what you want to do.
How to Start a Legal Claim for Damages After a Car Accident in Lebanon, TN
Beginning a legal claim for damages after a car accident begins with a meeting with an experienced attorney. Our team can review the details of your case and advise you on the best way to begin the case, the damages you should claim, and how we can find useful evidence.
While damages are typically awarded at the very end of a case, our car accident lawyers must evaluate them fully before the case is even filed. Your damages may include expenses like hospital bills, the cost of property damage, and lost income because you cannot return to work after the accident. If you expect to continue losing money, even as the case is ongoing, we can estimate the value of future damages and claim them as well. Damages may also include painful experiences, like mental distress, bodily pain, and trauma from the accident.
When we begin your case, we need some evidence to back up your claims. We do not need all the evidence we plan to present in court. We only need enough to show the court that your case has merit and is not a list of baseless allegations. Without at least some evidence, you cannot begin your claim.
Once we have all the details of your case in order, we must compile them into a formal complaint and submit it to the court. When the complaint is submitted, we must make sure that the defendant is served with proper legal notice of the case. If we do not, the case cannot move forward.
Backing Up Your Car Accident Case in Lebanon, TN with Evidence
We need to obtain evidence that supports your claims. Without it, your case might be over before it starts. A lot of important evidence can be found at the accident scene. Unfortunately, car accident scenes tend to be cleared away quickly by law enforcement officials. Sometimes, there might be something left we can use, but we often rely on witnesses’ recollections of the scene.
Even so, we might use photos and videos you recorded at the scene of the crash as evidence. People often take photos and videos to send to insurance companies after an accident. If you have any such recordings, they might make for useful evidence. If you do not, the defendant might, and we can request copies. We can also look for video footage from nearby security or traffic cameras.
Testimony is a huge part of your case. Not only do we need testimony from witnesses, but we also need your testimony. Your voice is crucial in your own case. Only you can explain how you experienced the accident and your injuries. Even when other evidence is lacking, your own testimony might be the lynchpin of your case. We can use testimony from other witnesses to back up your version of events and hopefully prove that the defendant caused the accident.
Talk to Our Lebanon, TN Car Accident Attorneys for Help
Schedule a free, private evaluation of your case by calling our car accident lawyers at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
