Memphis Car Accident Lawyer

Memphis Car Accident Attorneys

Plenty of motorists travel along the highways and interstates in Memphis. Unfortunately, they're not the safest place to be. In fact, Memphis was recently crowned the No. 1 U.S. city with the worst drivers, based on an analysis of recent crash data. If you or a family member suffered injuries in an auto accident, or. your loved one suffered fatal injuries in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other damages. Contact a Memphis car accident lawyer at Wright Gray Law Firm today, and let's discuss your case.

Why Choose Our Memphis Car Accident Attorneys?

The Memphis personal injury lawyers at Wright Gray Law Firm have over 60 years of combined experience providing legal services to accident victims in Memphis and Louisiana. They have recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for their clients. When you retain the legal team at Wright Gray Law Firm for your personal injury claim, you will get a law firm completely focused on getting you the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Contact our Memphis car accident lawyers today for a free consultation and evaluation of your car accident claim.

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Who Pays for Damages in a Memphis Car Accident?

Tennessee is an “at-fault” accident state, which means if you get hurt in a car accident, you can seek compensation for your damages, such as the medical bills and lost wages, from the at-fault driver and their insurance company. You can make a car accident claim with the insurance company, and in some cases, you may be offered a settlement. However, you should consult with an experienced car accident attorney before you accept any offer for compensation. Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing car accident victims in settlements.

If you accept an offer without understanding the full value of your claim, you cannot go back to the insurance company and ask for more money if your car accident injuries require more treatment or your injuries cause you to miss more work than expected. Research shows that accident victims who retain a lawyer to handle their car accident cases recover more compensation than those who do not.

Improve your chances for fair compensation by contacting a Memphis car accident lawyer at Wright Gray Law Firm. We can help you understand your rights and the types of compensation you may be entitled to.

Don't take chances with your claim. Contact our Memphis car accident attorneys as soon as possible to discuss your case.

How Do You Prove Fault in Car Accident Cases?

For car accident claims, the “burden of proof” lies with you as the claimant. To show that someone else's actions caused the crash, you must demonstrate that they acted negligently by establishing the four elements of negligence:

• Duty of Care: The negligent driver owed you a duty of care. For example, all drivers must ensure the safety of others by following the rules of the road.
• Breach of Duty: The driver breached their duty of care by engaging in a negligent act. For example, a driver who speeds is acting negligently and breaching their duty of care to other drivers.
• Causation: The breach caused an injury. For example, by speeding, the negligent driver crashed into your car and caused your injuries.
• Damages: You suffered damages as a result of the injury, such as medical bills and lost wages.

What Happens If I'm Partly at Fault for an Accident?

States have different laws when determining damages in personal injury cases involving negligence. In Tennessee, the modified comparative negligence rule applies. Comparative negligence allows accident victims who are partially at fault for their injuries to recover compensation, but their award will be reduced by their percentage of blame.

For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages in a car accident and you are found 20% at fault, then your damages would be reduced by $20,000, and you’ll only receive $80,000. However, under Tennessee’s modified version of this rule, anyone who is 50% or more to blame for the accident cannot recover any compensation.

A Memphis car accident attorney can investigate the circumstances of your case to determine if you are eligible for compensation for your car accident injury.

Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Memphis TN?

Many people mistakenly assume that when they have a minor car crash, it doesn't necessitate the help of a personal injury lawyer. Even in minor accidents such as fender benders, it's still important to get professional legal advice and representation. You may be surprised to hear what compensation you are entitled to. Therefore, we strongly recommend that car accident victims talk with a personal injury attorney to protect their legal rights.

Consulting an auto accident lawyer can help maximize the value of your claim, as often the costs associated with an incident may be larger than anticipated. Legal experts are knowledgeable when it comes to asking the right questions, and will provide a practical solution for your situation. Your car accident lawyer will fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf so you can focus on your own recovery.

What Causes Memphis Car Accidents?

According to ConsumerAffairs methodology, Memphis has by far the worst drivers of any other city in the country. That opinion was based on crash data. According to the Department of Safety & Homeland Security, there were 841 serious car accidents in Memphis last year, resulting in 601 serious injuries and 240 fatalities. Here are the main causes of auto accidents in Memphis:

Driving Under the Influence

Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every day, 29 people in the US die from drunk driving-related car accidents. Tennessee law states that anyone caught with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher will be deemed legally intoxicated. Hence, if a drunk driver is responsible for a car crash, they can expect to face criminal and civil actions alike.

Distracted Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 8 fatalities occur daily due to accidents caused by distracted drivers in the U.S. These drivers are not fully focused on the task of driving; distractions may be manual, visual, or cognitive (mental). Never take your eyes off the road and avoid any potential distractions. It only takes a few seconds for an inattentive driver to cause a serious accident, so it's essential to remain focused at all times.

Speeding

Drivers are legally obliged to observe the speed limit indicated on road signs and traffic bollards. Sadly, not everybody abides by these regulations and drives faster than recommended. Speeding is dangerous as it significantly lowers a driver's response capability compared to when driving at the prescribed speed. Speeding drivers often fail to hit the brakes in time to avoid a collision and those crashes usually end up being fatal. This highlights the importance of driving at a safe speed, as lives can be at stake.

Inclement Weather

Poor weather conditions in Memphis can be a major cause of motor vehicle accidents. Heavy rains, thick fog, and snowfall all reduce one's ability to see and maneuver properly on the roads — leading to car crashes. Therefore, it is important for drivers to exercise caution when driving during these weather conditions. It's wise to stay off the roads when it's really bad out there. Driving in hazardous conditions can lead to dangerous outcomes. It's best to drive cautiously and carefully — only when absolutely necessary.

Other known causes of car wrecks include:

• Tailgating
• Running red lights and stops signs
• Bad roads
• Aggressive driving
• Reckless driving
• Drowsy driving
• Road rage

Most Common Types of Car Accidents

Car crashes come in all shapes and sizes — the position and point of contact between vehicles are the most influential factors in determining the type of accident. Among them, the following are commonly seen in auto accident cases:

• Head-on collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Side-swipe accidents
• Rollover accidents
• T-bone collisions

Most Common Auto Accident Injuries

Traffic accidents resulting in bodily injury can range from minor to catastrophic. Below are some of the serious car accident injuries we see in a car accident case:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones/fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Internal injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts and lacerations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Fatal injuries

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Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Getting the proper compensation after a car wreck depends in large part on what you do following the collision. Our auto accident attorneys recommend the following steps to increase your chances of success:

Call the Police

There is no excuse for leaving the accident scene unannounced it's considered a hit-and-run offense, regardless of the blame. So, if you're ever involved in an accident that involves injuries or property damage, always stay at the location and contact the Memphis Police Department or local law enforcement authorities. Reporting any accident to the appropriate law enforcement authorities is important because they will create a police report which will prove beneficial in your car accident case, especially if your claim progresses to a car accident lawsuit.

Get Medical Treatment

Seek medical attention immediately when you have been injured in an accident, even if the injuries appear minor. Although it's common for paramedics to take severely hurt victims directly to the hospital, many people with lesser wounds tend to refuse medical help and treatment. It is important that you get a comprehensive medical checkup established in your medical records, even if you are feeling perfectly healthy. This is to ensure that any potential health issues are caught early and treated appropriately.

It is possible that you may have sustained internal injuries without realizing it, so it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible after your accident. Your medical records are an essential document when filing a claim for your personal injuries because it describes the extent of your injuries and the expenses incurred while receiving treatment.

Gather Evidence

Gathering evidence is essential for any accident. This includes taking pictures, getting video footage, and collecting witness statements. Unfortunately, those with severe injuries are unable to do this, so it's important to get help from someone else if possible. You can acquire a copy of the police report, which would have pertinent evidence that could help validate your claim.

Connect with a Memphis Car Accident Attorney

The personal injury attorneys at Wright Gray Law Firm are committed to helping injury victims get the compensation they need after a serious accident. We understand the trauma and grief an injury accident can bring, and we want to do what we can to handle the legal process for you and make your recovery journey smoother. Our car accident attorneys provide complimentary consultations so you can make sure that your case can be effectively handled before making any commitments.

What Damages Can I Collect for a Car Accident?

Louisiana law entitles accident victims to collect two categories of compensatory and punitive damages from the responsible party, in order to compensate for the injuries and losses sustained. This coverage is intended to help alleviate the financial hardships associated with car crashes. The compensatory damages are:

Economic Damages

This recompense covers monetary damages that have a clear-cut sum. You will receive back each penny you expended due to the incident providing you have the bill Illustrations of economic damages comprise of:

• Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
• Loss of income
• Car repairs and other property damage
• Other out-of-pocket expenses

Wrongful death claims filed by the legal survivors of a deceased victim can provide them with financial compensation, which includes funeral and burial expenses along with other damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, such as emotional stress, can't be calculated in dollars and cents. Insurance companies handle this type of compensation by using the multiplier method to evaluate what the victim deserves. Keep in mind that you may receive restitution for:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of companionship

Punitive damages are not available by way of accident insurance claims. Instead, they are given by courts in a personal injury lawsuit where the responsible party has acted with extreme negligence. Rather than compensating an injured person, this type of award is meant to be a deterrent for those who might commit similar offenses again. Consequently, it can be considered a form of punishment.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Cases?

A Statute of Limitations sets a cut-off date after which a legal claim can no longer be filed. If you miss the deadline, the court will not entertain your claims and likely reject them. Actionable claims related to automobile accidents, like personal injury or wrongful death cases, are bound by Tennessee's Statute of Limitations.

According to Article 3492 of the Tennessee Civil Code, lawsuits for car accidents must be initiated within 1 year from the date of the incident. This means that all legal paperwork must be completed and submitted within 1 year from the day of the accident. In wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations begins on the date of the death. This period may easily pass before you can come to an agreement with an insurance company, which is why it is imperative for injury victims to contact a car wreck attorney as soon as possible following a car accident.

Insurance companies are aware of the statute of limitations and will use tactics like delaying to pressure you into settling for their offered amount. They understand that when this period is over, you are unable to take legal action and have no other option but to accept the money they put on the table. If you don't involve a personal injury law firm in the claims process, the other party may take advantage of you and offer an unfair settlement. To ensure that this does not happen, it is highly recommended that you hire a personal injury law firm experienced with experience handling car accidents.

When victims hesitate in contacting a car accident attorney, they risk losing precious time that your lawyer can use to build a strong case in your case. Therefore, it is essential to find a reliable personal injury law firm and hire an attorney right away after the accident.

Contact a Memphis Car Accident Attorney with Wright Gray Law Firm Today

Retaining legal counsel dramatically improves your chances of recovering maximum compensation after an accident. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Memphis, TN, contact us today at 504-500-0000 or by filling out our online form, and let's discuss your case during a free consultation and case evaluation.

A Memphis car accident lawyer at Wright Gray Law Firm is available to discuss your case and advocate on your behalf.

Client Testimonial

"My experience with this law firm was outstanding! Rosalyn Dobbins is an exceptional Attorney who puts her clients first. This is a top notch personal injury law firm, and the entire team is spectacular. I would recommend this law firm to any of my friends, family, or associates because I am 100% sure they will be well taken care of." Colleen C. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Wright Gray Trial Lawyers - Memphis Office

5050 Poplar Ave Suite 1925
Memphis, TN 38157
P: 504-500-0000