Lynchburg Car Accident Lawyer

Located in the south-central region of Tennessee, Lynchburg is best known as the headquarters of the renowned whiskey brand Jack Daniels. Although home to over 6,000 people, it retains a charming small-town atmosphere, with eclectic shops and only one traffic light!

While traffic levels in Lynchburg are nowhere near as high as in other cities and towns in Tennessee, car accidents are always a risk. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, between 2016 and 2020, there were 579 crashes in Moore County, 72 of which were fatal and 172 of which resulted in serious injury.

Between 2017 and 2019, fatal accidents occurred at the following locations in and around Lynchburg:

TN-55 at Lynchburg Hwy (1 person killed in 2019)
Cr-Cobb Hollow Rd (1 person killed in 2018)
TN-55 at Lynchburg Hwy (1 person killed in 2018)
US-231 at TN-10 (1 person killed in 2017)
TN-50 at Winchester Hwy (1 person killed in 2017)

When someone doesn’t operate their vehicle with the proper care or obey the rules of the road, catastrophic injuries and even death can result.

If you are seriously injured by a negligent driver, a Lynchburg personal injury lawyer can help you pursue the money you need to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Attorney John R. Colvin offers free initial consultations to new clients and takes cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that if we won’t recover money for you, you owe us nothing!

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case

When you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re generally eligible for compensation to cover all crash-related expenses, such as medical bills, future treatment costs, disability, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, any accident victim who tries to negotiate their own settlements often ends up with a lot less than what they need to recover.

Why does this happen? Auto insurance companies are first and foremost a business. Their goal is to make as much money as possible, and one way of doing that is to minimize your compensation. If you’re not familiar with your legal rights, it’s easier for them to take advantage of you.

When you hire a Lynchburg car accident lawyer, you can significantly increase your likelihood of receiving full and fair compensation. An attorney like John R. Colvin understands Tennessee law and has the experience needed to effectively value your injury claim and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If the company refuses to be fair, Attorney Colvin is an experienced litigator who will fight for your rights in court if necessary.

Proving Fault in a Lynchburg Car Accident Case

When it comes to motor vehicle accidents, Tennessee is an at-fault state. This means that the negligent parties responsible for your car crash are liable for any injuries and property damage that result. Their auto insurance will pay all losses up to the value of their policy limit.

Tennessee’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires all drivers to have the following minimum coverage amounts.

$25,000 for injury to one person in one accident
$50,000 for two or more people injured in one accident
$15,000 for property damage in one accident

The option to add comprehensive, collision, or uninsured motorist coverage is also available. If you still have compensable damages after exhausting all these options, you can sue the at-fault driver directly.

Establishing fault is important for collecting compensation, as Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule in car accident cases. Consequently, if you are 49% or less at fault for your accident, you can still recover your financial losses, but your compensation will be reduced in line with your percentage of fault. If your share of the blame is 50% or more, you won’t be able to recover your damages at all.

This harsh reality is another reason why you should retain an auto accident attorney as soon as you know you have compensable injuries. To protect their bottom line, insurance companies will look for any opportunity to find you more than 49% at fault for your injuries. Attorney John R. Colvin will strive to anticipate and prevent any attempts to bar you from the compensation you deserve.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Lynchburg, TN

The most common types of car accidents in Tennessee are:

Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes. The force of impact is greater because both vehicles are moving toward each other, usually at high speeds. As a result, head-on collisions are more likely to cause severe injuries or even death than other types of car accidents.
Rear-End Accidents: A rear-end collision occurs when drivers fail to pay attention to the road or follow too closely. When a motorist fails to maintain enough distance from the vehicle in front, they may not have enough time to brake in time and avoid a collision if traffic ahead suddenly stops. Drunk or distracted driving can both contribute to rear-end collisions.
Hit-and-Run Accidents: Many drivers who cause accidents flee the scene for fear of being arrested for driving while drunk or without a license. It may be possible to track down the driver if you have the vehicle’s make and model or license plate number.
Sideswipe Accidents: During a sideswipe accident, two or more vehicles travel parallel to one another, and one strikes the side of the other vehicle. Many of these collisions occur because drivers do not check their blind spots before merging lanes or changing lanes.
T-Bone Accidents: Most T-bone accidents are caused by a driver failing to yield to someone who has the right of way. One driver will often make a dangerous left turn at an intersection, thinking the other vehicle will stop at a yellow traffic light. Sometimes, one driver may run a red light and another crashes into them while trying to make a left turn. T-bone crashes can also occur when one driver blows through a stop sign.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents: When three or more vehicles are involved in an accident, the results can be catastrophic. Multiple vehicles mean that there is a greater likelihood of injuries, as well as more insurance policies that may provide compensation. The most common cause of multi-vehicle accidents is chain-reaction rear-end collisions.

Depending on the severity of the impact, car accident injuries may include:

Cuts and lacerations
Burns
Disfigurement
Broken bones
Internal bleeding
Organ damage
Spinal cord injury
Traumatic brain injury
Herniated discs and back pain
Wrongful death

If the case is especially severe, disability and death may result. Your Lynchburg car accident attorney will determine an amount that accurately reflects all of your crash-related damages so you will recover the money you need to get the medical treatment and financial security you need.

Compensation in Your Car Accident Claim

You can claim compensation for any economic and non-economic losses you suffered due to the accident. Depending on the outcome of the accident as well as your personal situation, you may be able to claim the following:

Medical bills
Ongoing medical costs
Loss of wages
Loss of earning ability
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Mental anguish
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage

Punitive damages may be available in some cases. Unlike compensatory damages, they are meant to punish the wrongdoer, so the courts award them if your accident resulted from egregious misconduct. If these damages are available in your case, your Lynchburg, TN auto accident lawyer will advise you.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

When you are involved in a minor accident, move your car to a safe place out of the way of traffic, but near the crash site. For more serious crashes, leave your car in place, but get off the road if you’re able to safely move.

In addition, you should always follow these steps:

Call 911 immediately to ensure that the injured are treated on the scene and that the police are notified.
Exchange insurance information with the driver of the other car.
Ask any witnesses present at the accident scene for their names and contact information so the police can make a thorough investigation. Be sure to request a copy of the police report afterward.
Take as many videos and photos as you can of the accident, including damage to the car, skid marks, and other relevant details.
If you don’t need to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, visit the emergency room, urgent care center, or your family doctor as soon as possible. You will need the medical records for your personal injury action.

Don’t admit fault to an accident, even if you believe you contributed to it. The other driver may have committed negligent acts that you didn’t observe in time. Your car accident attorney and investigators can determine who is at fault for the crash.

When Should I Get a Personal Injury Attorney for a Car Accident?

You should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as you know that you have compensable damages. If a claims adjuster calls, do not give them any information- instead, tell them that you have retained legal counsel and give them your lawyer’s contact information.

In Tennessee, there is a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means that with few exceptions, you have only a year from the date of your accident to file a claim for compensation. That isn’t a lot of time compared to other states, and if you don’t take action within that time frame, your personal injury lawsuit may be barred.

What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?

There is no standard amount paid for car accident injuries. The value of your claim will depend on factors like the extent and severity of your injuries, your need for ongoing medical treatment, and whether the crash left you temporarily or permanently disabled.

For example:

If you’re in your 30’s and suffered permanent injuries, you may receive more than someone in their 70’s with a similar outcome. This is because you may be compensated for years of lost income.
Those who suffered a traumatic brain injury will generally get a larger settlement than someone with a broken ankle.
If you will need years of therapy to recover, you may receive a higher award for medical bills than you would if your treatment was over in a few months.

Attorney John R. Colvin will use his years of experience in Tennessee personal injury law to calculate an accurate settlement amount and refuse to settle for anything less.

Speak to a Lynchburg Car Accident Lawyer About Your Case

When you have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, dealing with insurance companies while the medical bills pile up can be stressful and confusing. You want to be sure you are getting the full benefits you are entitled to, and few insurance companies make unrepresented auto accident victims a fair settlement offer. When you have strong legal representation, it’s a different story.

Attorney John R. Colvin and the team at his law firm are committed to helping injured clients understand their rights, and will deal with insurance adjusters on your behalf to make sure those rights are protected. We will work with you to secure the medical care you need as well as maximum compensation for wage loss and other monetary damages. To schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation about your car accident claim, please call (931) 962-1044 (Winchester), (931) 962-1044 (Tullahoma) or use our online contact form.