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What to do After a Car Wreck in Chattanooga

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Licensed in TN, NC, AR, D.C

Natori Arrindell

Of Counsel Attorney

Natori L. Arrindell is an accomplished attorney with extensive experience and a record of success in business, civil litigation, personal injury law, and corporate legal strategy. She is known for her results-oriented approach and dedication to client success. With bar admissions in North Carolina, the District of Columbia, Tennessee, and.

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Address: 400 South Moore Road STE E Chattanooga TN 37412

Phone: (423) 777-8888

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After an auto accident

A car accident can be a traumatic experience for a motorist, even if only minor injuries are involved. You may be worried about the damage to your vehicle. If you are hurt, you may be concerned about paying for medical care or the possibility of taking time off from work and losing income.

You may be unsure of what to do next. Do you talk to the other drivers involved? Do you call your insurance company? Do you need a lawyer?

Having an advocate on your side can be helpful after a car accident, especially if you are dealing with serious injuries. The injury and accident attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, will take care of all the details while you focus on getting better. You take care of the physical recovery, and we will take care of the financial recovery.

To get the most compensation for your claim, you must understand what to do and what not to do after an accident. One wrong move can negatively impact your claim and reduce your compensation significantly.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident

After a car accident, you will likely be feeling a burst of adrenaline. This can cause you to neglect certain things or not to experience pain. Here are some important steps to remember:

  • Stop the vehicle. Do not simply just out of the car. Park and turn it off to avoid further damage. After a car wreck, panicked people often jump out of their car, neglecting to power it off. Doing so can result in serious further injury and damage.
  • Call 911. Stay calm throughout the process. Panicking will only make the situation worse. Stay there until help arrives.
  • Take pictures and/or videos of the accident scene. Get as much physical evidence as possible of vehicle damage, physical injuries, and the surrounding areas.
  • Exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to get information from the other drivers involved, including name, contact information, insurance information, license plate, and vehicle description.
  • Obtain a copy of the police report. This can help determine liability for the crash.
  • Save all evidence. Any documents, medical records, and reports should be saved. These can all help establish liability.
  • Keep track of all injuries. The insurance company will try to prove that you are not hurt. Keep track of any pain as well as diagnosed injuries as evidence.
  • Contact a lawyer. If you have been seriously injured, an experienced Chattanooga personal injury lawyer can assess your claim and help you obtain all the damages you deserve. Contact Ali Awad at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm as soon as possible after your accident. Our legal team will begin working for you immediately.

What Not to do After a Car Accident

There are some things you should do after a car accident and some things you should avoid doing. To avoid hurting your accident case, do not do the following:

  • NEVER admit fault. Even simply saying “I’m sorry” is considered an admission of guilt. While you may think it is the polite thing to do, the insurance company will think otherwise. It does not take much for an insurance company to find you at fault, so do not admit fault and make it even easier.
  • Do not talk to the insurance company. While you will need to report the accident to your insurance company, you are not obligated to talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Anything you say can be used against you, so contact a lawyer instead to be on the safe side. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can help you with this.
  • Do not neglect medical treatment. It is important to seek medical help as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Injuries can appear days or weeks later. If you do not visit the doctor or follow their orders, the insurance company will assume you are not injured and lowball your claim. If money is an issue, contact Ali Awad at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm and we will help you find a doctor who will not charge you out of pocket.
  • Do not wait to seek legal advice. Personal injury lawyers should never ask for money upfront. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm we have a ton of free information available online, and we never charge for consultations. You pay only if we win your case. If you have been injured in a car accident, call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm immediately at (423) 777-8888.

Building Your Case After a Car Accident

After being involved in a car accident, you need to get your legal case started right away. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to obtain the necessary evidence to bolster your case. Your case starts immediately after an accident. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm we work on a contingency basis, so we do not get paid unless you do. Schedule a free consultation with us today.

Here are some ways you can help build your case:

  • Attend all of your doctor’s visits. This will help show that you are seriously injured and are taking the proper steps to rehabilitate yourself.
  • Take photographs and keep a journal of the car accident. This will show us how the car accident has affected you physically and mentally. This will allow us to build the strongest case for you.

Securing a Fair Settlement

At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our results speak for themselves—built on a strong foundation of successful case outcomes. Thanks to this phenomenal track record, you should feel comfortable knowing that your case is in good hands. Once we take on a case, we have a good chance of winning. We have received excellent reviews from many satisfied clients.

Our goal is for you to get paid for your injuries. We will help you get the compensation you deserve. The most effective step is to follow our advice and reach out to us as soon as possible after your accident.

A gap in treatment can negatively impact your case. Therefore, waiting too long to contact a car accident attorney in Chattanooga or visit a doctor makes your case even tougher to win. Also, you should avoid social media after an accident. Insurance companies will be looking for any evidence that you are not injured. Avoid discussing your case with anyone except your lawyer and your doctors.

The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will not let the insurance company take advantage of you. For quality customer service, contact us today at (423) 777-8888 or fill out this form online.

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This content is provided for general informational purposes only. Each case is unique and should be evaluated by an attorney licensed in your state. For a list of our attorneys and where they are licensed, view our legal team page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at some of the most common personal injury law questions for general information, and then reach out to one of our seasoned attorneys for specific guidance on your case!

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Results depend on the unique facts of each case; past outcomes don’t guarantee similar results. The attorney shown is licensed in Georgia. Visit our legal team page to find an attorney licensed in your state.

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Tennessee?

The statute of limitations in Tennessee for most personal injury claims is 1 year from the date of the injury, making it one of the shortest filing deadlines in the country. This means a lawsuit generally must be filed within that one-year period or the claim may be barred. Tennessee law also includes specific rules that can affect timing—for example, if the claim is against a government entity, a formal notice may need to be given much earlier under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, and claims involving minors may allow the filing period to begin when the minor turns 18. These exceptions are limited and depend on the circumstances of the case.

How long does a personal injury case take to settle in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the time to settle a personal injury case can range from a few months to over a year. This depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries, clarity of fault, and whether the case goes to litigation. Simpler claims with clear liability and minor injuries typically resolve faster, while complex cases with disputed facts may take longer.

With a one-year statute of limitations, injured parties must act quickly to preserve their claims. The state’s modified comparative fault rule can also affect negotiation timelines when fault is contested.

How much is a personal injury case worth in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the value of a personal injury case can vary significantly based on several factors, including medical expenses, lost income, the severity of injuries, and the long-term effects on daily life. The state has caps on certain non-economic damages, typically limiting compensation for pain and suffering to $750,000 in most cases and allowing up to $1 million for catastrophic injuries.

Additionally, Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that any compensation awarded to the injured person will be reduced by their percentage of fault in the incident. If the injured person is found to be 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover any damages, which can greatly impact the final value of a claim.

How are personal injury settlements calculated in Tennessee?

Personal injury settlements in Tennessee are calculated by combining economic damages with non-economic damages like pain and suffering or emotional distress. The severity and duration of injuries often influence how non-economic damages are valued. Tennessee also follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning compensation is reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault and barred if they are 50% or more responsible, and the state’s caps on non-economic damages—generally $750,000, or $1 million for catastrophic injuries—can limit recovery. In terms of claim timelines, Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations often requires claims to be evaluated and negotiated more quickly than in other states, which can affect how settlements are calculated and resolved.

How is fault determined in a car accident in Tennessee?

Tennessee uses a modified comparative fault rule to determine responsibility in car accident cases, which limits recovery if a person is 50% or more at fault. This means an injured party may only recover damages if they are less than 50% responsible, with any compensation reduced based on their share of fault. Responsibility is determined by reviewing evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, roadway conditions, and whether traffic laws were followed. Insurance companies typically make the initial determination, though courts may resolve disputes. The state also has a relatively short one-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims.