When you have been involved in a car accident, it is very important that you follow specific steps to ensure that your rights are protected. The State of Tennessee has specific rules that must be followed when an accident occurs.
- Report To Law Enforcement. All accidents must be reported to law enforcement. It is important to provide information about the event to the police so that an insurance claim can be made. However, you should never admit to any fault for the accident, even if you believe that you are partially responsible. Allow accident reconstruction legal professionals decide who or what was to blame.
- File Report With DOS. The Tennessee Department of Safety(DOS) requires that all accidents that involve over $400 worth of property damage, has a personal injury of any kind, or if a death occur must be reported. You will need to include a copy of the police report. You must do this in a timely manner or face having your license suspended.
- Seek Medical Attention. If you have been injured in any way, seek immediate medical attention. It is very important that you receive care for even the most minor issue because delaying treatment can be dangerous to your health and may cause the insurer to deny your claim. A headache can be more than a headache; it could be whiplash or brain injury. Do not overlook any health issue after an accident.
- Take Notes. When you are medically stable, it is very important that you take a moment and write down everything that you remember. Pay attention to details. Include things like what you saw right before impact and any noises you may have heard. Include information about the weather and the time of day. Make notes of any traffic issues. This information will be very important when you file a claim for compensation.
- Contact A Personal Injury Attorney. If you have been injured, it is very important that you speak with an injury attorney as soon as possible. The insurance company is going to be very aggressive in trying to settle the case and it is important that you have legal representation to protect your rights.
- Follow All Medical Advice. It is very important that you stay in compliance with all medical advice and make all of your appointments. The insurance company will view any variations from treatment or missed appointments as a sign that you do not need medical care or that your injuries are minor or healed.
- Refrain From Posting Information Online. It is very important that you refrain from posting any information about your accident, injuries, or case online. The insurance company is going to track your social media accounts to see if they can “catch” you admitting to anything that may be beneficial to their case. If you must post something about the event, keep it simple. State that you had an accident and that you were injured – that is it – no details.
Your attorney may also provide you with more detailed advice based on your case. It is very important to work with your attorney on these matters for a successful outcome to your claim.
