Auto Accident FAQ

If you were recently injured in an auto accident, you may have many questions about your case and your future. Our attorneys are here to answer some of the most common questions we receive from clients like you—and if you can’t find the answer to your question on this page, feel free to contact us by dialing (931)754-1188, 1-800-777-MATT (6288), or by submitting an online form.

1. How do I know if I have a car accident claim?

If you’ve just been involved in a car accident, one of your biggest questions is probably whether or not you have a potentially viable claim for compensation. The best way to determine if you may have a claim is to consider the following criteria:

• The accident was primarily someone else’s fault.

Whether it was another driver, a negligent car manufacturer, or a governmental agency that didn’t clear a road, you may have a claim if your accident was caused by someone else’s failure to act.

• You suffered an injury that requires medical treatment.

If your car accident requires medical treatment and leaves you on the hook for medical bills, you may have a claim for compensation.

• Your injuries prevent you from working.

Your job is your livelihood and is the means for you to provide for yourself and your family. If the accident left you disabled or unable to work for an extended period of time, you may have a claim for compensation to cover your lost wages.

2. How much is my case worth?

The value of your case depends on several factors, such as:

• The extent of your injuries
• The amount of medical treatment you need after the accident
• The amount of wages you lost or will lose due to the accident
• The degree of which your quality of life has been affected

These are just some of the factors that play a role in determining how much compensation auto accident victims like you can recover from the other driver’s insurance company. An experienced Cookeville auto accident lawyer can investigate your case and determine the full amount of damages you may be owed for the accident.

3. Should I call the police after my accident?

Yes. In Tennessee, all accidents that result in bodily injury or property damage are required to be reported to the police. The police are then required to respond to all accidents in person to make accident reports. These reports can later be used as evidence for your claim to help prove that the other driver’s negligence contributed to or outright caused the accident.

4. Who should I talk to after my accident?

There are a few parties you should speak with immediately after your car accident:

• The Other Driver

Get contact information and insurance details from the other driver, but don’t admit fault for causing the accident.

• Witnesses

Get contact information from any witnesses of the accident, as their statements could be valuable to your attorney.

• Your Insurance Company

In most cases, you are required to contact your insurance company to report the accident. However, you don’t have to offer any additional details beyond stating that the accident occurred.

• The Police

Contact the police if the accident caused any injuries or property damage.

• A Cookeville Car Accident Attorney

Last but not least, make sure you contact an experienced car accident attorney who is familiar with Tennessee laws and can help protect your rights to compensation.

5. How much does it cost to get a Cookeville car accident lawyer?

At Matt Hardin Law, we know that many people are hesitant to contact attorneys because they’re afraid they can’t afford the expensive hourly rates or consultation fees. However, we don’t charge any upfront fees for our services. Instead, we operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t have to pay us unless we get money for you. When you call our law firm after an auto accident, you truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

6. Will I have to go to court for my auto accident case?

In many cases, you won’t be required to go to court if you pursue compensation for the injuries you suffered in your car accident. Our legal team is comprised of skilled negotiators who know how to build strong claims and present them to insurance companies in a manner that gets our clients the results they want. However, in some cases insurance companies refuse to settle—and if your case ever gets to that point, we won’t hesitate to take it to trial to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

7. How long do I have to file an auto accident claim?

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims is one year from the date the accident occurred. However, our Cookeville auto accident lawyers still recommend that auto accident victims contact an experienced law firm as soon as possible after the accident. Crucial evidence can quickly disappear in auto accident cases, and the more evidence and witness testimony our legal team can collect, the stronger your case will be.

8. Why do I need a lawyer after a car accident?

Calling a Cookeville car accident attorney soon after your accident accomplishes three important things:

• It gives us time to collect and analyze important evidence
• It gives us a chance to speak with the insurance company on your behalf to prevent any possibility of jeopardizing your case or “lowball” settlement agreements
• It gives us time to work before the statute of limitations is in danger of running out. Some auto accident claims can take several months to settle, so the more time we have to build your claim, the better.