Being involved in a car accident is almost always a stressful experience. If the crash was caused by an inexperienced driver, however, you may feel even more uncertain about what comes next and whether you can still recover compensation for your injuries.
The good news is that Tennessee law does not prevent you from filing a claim just because the at-fault driver was new behind the wheel. You still likely have legal rights and options worth exploring. An experienced Nashville, TN car accident attorney can walk you through the details during a free consultation, but here is some helpful background in the meantime.
How Tennessee Fault Laws Apply to These Accidents
Tennessee is what’s known as an “at-fault” state for auto insurance. That means the driver responsible for causing a collision is also responsible for covering the resulting damages. This applies whether the at-fault driver has decades of experience or just received their license last month.
The state also follows a modified comparative negligence law. Under this standard, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially to blame for the crash. However, your percentage of fault must remain below 50%. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, Tennessee law bars you from recovering anything.
Why Inexperienced Drivers Cause So Many Crashes
Motor vehicle collisions remain one of the leading causes of death for young people between 16 and 19 years old across the country. Several factors make newer drivers more prone to causing accidents:
- Difficulty judging speed, distance, and stopping time in real traffic conditions
- Distracted driving, particularly from cell phone use (texting while driving is illegal for all drivers in Tennessee)
- Overconfidence after passing their driving test, leading to risky behavior on the road
- Unfamiliarity with how to react to hazards like wet roads and sudden stops
- Violating the restrictions of Tennessee’s Graduated Driver Licensing program, such as carrying too many passengers or driving past curfew hours
Any one of these factors can turn a routine drive into a serious collision that can leave victims with lifelong harm.
Steps To Take After an Accident With an Inexperienced Driver
Protecting your health and your legal rights should be your top priorities after any collision. Keep the following in mind as best you can:
- Call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement right away.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you feel fine initially. Some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms, and medical records will serve as key evidence later.
- Document the scene by taking photos and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Avoid apologizing or admitting fault at the scene, as these statements could be used against you down the line.
- Collect contact and insurance information from all drivers involved.
- Reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney in Nashville as quickly as you can.
That last step is critical in Tennessee, as the state generally enforces a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, one of the shortest deadlines in the country. Missing that window could mean losing your right to seek compensation entirely.
Contact a Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer After an Inexperienced Driver Accident
If an inexperienced driver caused a car accident that left you injured, know that you may have a legal claim for compensation. However, you’ll need to move quickly given Tennessee’s strict filing deadline.
Woodard Injury Law has won millions of dollars for our clients across 19 years of experience. Contact us today at (615) 640-3648 to learn more about your best course of action and set up a free consultation.