Can I Ask for More Money for My Tennessee Car Accident?
Remember, your settlement should include the full cost of the wreck
Straight talk: Yes, injured car accident victims can and should ask for more money for their car accident settlement in Tennessee. Insurance companies don’t lead with their best offer, and you only get one shot at full compensation.
Whether someone was rear-ended by a semi-truck on I-40, involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in downtown Nashville, sideswiped by a distracted driver at an intersection along the Cumberland River, or another type of crash, injury victims need to act fast. They need to know what factors are considered in car accident settlements and how compensation is calculated. Taking these steps puts injured car accident victims in a position of power. That’s why it’s so important to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer.
If you were injured in a Nashville car accident or another nearby crash, you should know your legal rights and options. Get a free case consultation from the Law Office of Eric Beasley. We know how to demand more money from the insurance company. Our law firm proudly serves Nashville, Goodlettsville, Davidson County, Sumner County, and the Middle Tennessee region.
What do car accident settlements pay for?
There are basically two types of damages (financial compensation) an injured crash victim can collect: economic and non-economic. Economic damages pay for things with objectively measurable costs. Some examples of economic damages are:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income and lost earning potential
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are for subjective costs that are hard to put a price on, like pain and suffering and loss of consortium or companionship. Those losses are no less real, but they are tougher to prove, so an experienced attorney will make all the difference.
How does the type of injury affect settlement amounts?
Typically, the more severe an injury, the more compensation a person collects. That’s because medical treatment and rehabilitation for life-altering injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord and nerve damage, or paralysis is expensive. Someone who suffered internal organ damage that requires surgery or a fractured arm may get more money from a car accident settlement than someone who suffered a subjective injury that isn’t visible on an x-ray or MRI. Permanent disabilities due to a crash are compensated at a higher rate than temporary physical setbacks.
Insurance companies frequently argue that a crash victim’s injuries are “not that bad” and don’t need the type of extensive medical care and compensation necessary for healing. A lawyer can build a strong case for maximum compensation that the insurance company cannot ignore.
Can I sue the other driver?
Yes, but you have to act fast. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations (legal deadline to file a lawsuit) is just one year from the date of the accident.
Moreover, just because you can sue doesn’t necessarily mean you should. It’s often possible to get the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay up through negotiations, sometimes without even filing a lawsuit. And even if you do file a lawsuit, it’s still possible to settle out of court.
Ultimately, only an attorney can explain whether it makes sense to sue the at-fault driver in your situation. Your attorney can also identify any other potential sources of compensation, such as a manufacturer of a defective vehicle.
How can a Nashville car accident attorney help?
Injured accident victims who are tired of adjusters’ games and want to know how to get more money from their car insurance claim should consult with a lawyer. To get the most for their injuries, a crash victim must out-negotiate a veteran insurance adjuster and their company lawyers. The better option is to have an attorney with a long track record of success take on the insurance company for you. A Tennessee car accident lawyer can investigate the crash, collect evidence, and fight for full compensation while their clients focus on healing.
You should also know that car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no upfront or out-of-pocket expenses for their services. Their fee is a percentage of claim compensation. That means your lawyer only gets paid if you win.
Aggressive techniques that get results
A car accident victim needs the right lawyer to get the right results. If you were injured in a Nashville car accident, you need an experienced car accident attorney who will treat you with respect, and relentlessly hammer away at insurance agents until they offer you a substantial settlement.
The attorneys at the Law Office of Eric Beasley know how to win in Tennessee. We shut down insurance companies’ nonsense and force them to take our client’s needs seriously. For more than 20 years, attorney Beasley has developed and used aggressive negotiating techniques for maximum results. Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars in damages for injured car accident victims and the families of fatal crash victims.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a Davidson County or Middle Tennessee car accident, contact the Law Office of Eric Beasley for a free case consultation. We have offices in Goodlettsville and Nashville. If you can’t come to us, we can go to you. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation today.
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