1. How much can someone sue for after a car accident in Tennessee?
There is no limit on the amount of money that a person can ask for in a lawsuit after a car accident in Tennessee. It is important to know that the amount of money listed in the lawsuit is almost never the amount of money that is actually recovered. The amount of money actually recovered will be either decided by a jury if the case goes all the way to trial or it will be mutually agreed upon by the parties if the case settles before trial.
If the case goes all the way to trial, the Judge will give the jurors a list of instructions to follow while they deliberate about the proper amount of money that fully and fairly reimburses the injured person for their losses. One of those instructions states that the jurors should use their common sense when deciding an appropriate amount. There are no formulas or equations that the jury is given to calculate a proper amount, so the jurors will rely heavily on their common sense and personal experiences in life to calculate the proper amount. If the person who caused the car accident was intoxicated when the accident happened, the amount of money that the jury decides is a fair reimbursement will be the amount that the person who caused the car accident must pay. If the person who caused the car accident has a car insurance policy that covers the entire jury verdict, the car insurance company will then pay the injured person the full amount of the verdict. If the jury verdict exceeds the insurance policy limit, the person who caused the car accident must pay the remaining amount owed from their personal assets. If the person who caused the car accident was not intoxicated when the accident happened, the jury verdict will be limited to a maximum amount of 750,000.00 dollars in most cases.
If the case settles before trial, the amount of money recovered will be mutually agreed upon by the parties. Again, there is no formula or equation that is used to calculate a fair reimbursement for the injured person. The goal of the injured person is to collect a reimbursement for all of their losses, of course. The losses may include the loss of a vehicle, medical charges, lost pay, permanent scarring, disfigurement, and time spent living in pain. If the injured person attempts to settle the case with the insurance adjuster without a lawyer, the insurance adjuster will have a great advantage over the injured person because of their experience with other cases in the past. If the injured person is represented by a personal injury lawyer with experience, the injured person is more likely to get a fair settlement. At the very least, the lawyer will be able to review all of the evidence in the case and give advice about what other people in similar cases have received from juries in the county where the car accident happened. Without this advice, it would be very difficult for the injured person to know if the settlement offer is fair and reasonable. Regardless, the injured person is not limited in how much money they can sue for after a car accident in Tennessee.
2. How much to expect from a car accident settlement in Tennessee.
As mentioned in the previous response, there are no formulas or equations that are used to calculate a fair settlement for an injured person after a car accident in Tennessee. The goal is obviously to get reimbursed for all of the losses caused. Some of those losses are easy to calculate, like medical charges and missed time from work. Some of the losses are very difficult to calculate, like time spent living in pain and permanent disfigurements or scarring caused. One way to know if a settlement offer is fair is to know what juries have given people in your county for similar cases in the past. If the injured person hires a personal injury lawyer with experience, the lawyer can give the injured person this information. Without a lawyer, it would be very difficult to assess the fairness of a car accident settlement. It is really important to remember that once the case is settled, it is settled forever. It can be surprisingly difficult to gather all of the medical charges incurred after a car accident. Make sure that you have collected all of your charges before finalizing a settlement. You don’t want to get a bill in the mail six months after you settle the case because you would have to pay that medical bill with your own money.
3. Is Tennessee a no-fault state for car accidents?
Tennessee isn’t referred to as a no-fault state like Kentucky. However, many car insurance policies in Tennessee have what are called no-fault benefits. Medical Payment Coverage is a no-fault benefit. This coverage is usually a small amount of money that can be used to pay medical bills for anyone riding in the car that is covered by the policy, regardless of whether or not they caused the car accident. If you did not cause the car accident, it is probably better for you to tell your car insurance company that you do not want the Medical Payment Coverage disbursed. This is because your car insurance company will take money from your settlement as a reimbursement for the Medical Payment Coverage paid. It is common for medical providers to get paid a much larger amount for their bill if they get paid through the Medical Payment Coverage. Your goal is to get medical charges paid for a reasonable amount so that your settlement is reasonable. For this reason, you might be better off by using your health insurance to pay the medical charges. This can help you get a fair settlement with the person’s car insurance company who is at fault for causing the car accident.
4. What to do if someone sues you for a car accident in Tennessee:
The very first thing that you should do is call your car insurance company. If you fail to cooperate with your car insurance company, you can lose the protections that you bought from the car insurance company. If you have car insurance, your car insurance company will try to settle the case for you. Your car insurance company will also hire a lawyer for you.
If you have been in a car accident in Tennessee, give us a call now for free. Our firm is different from the others. We are different because of the way we communicate with our clients. You will talk to your lawyer on day 1. Your lawyer is your point of contact with us until your case is closed, not a paralegal or secretary. This is how we get great results for our clients. This is why our reviews are so high. Getting back what you lost takes hard work, and that is what we are here to do for you!
