Unforeseen and unexpected, auto accidents can bring immediate, crippling effects to the injured victim. These accidents are often seized by the guilty party, whose insurance companies dominate and intimidate. It is imperative to seek help from seasoned trial lawyers and have their expertise in your corner.
Drivers in Tennessee need to be informed about their state's comparative negligence law. Modified comparative fault means that if you are involved in an accident, a jury will decide whether you are partly responsibile for said accident. If the jury decides you are 50 percent or more at fault, you automatically lose any and all recovery. If less than 50 percent responsible, your compensation is the difference in fault between you and the other party, applied as a percentage to your total losses.
For example, if your losses total $100,000, the other driver is 70 percent at fault and you are 30 percent at fault, your award is the difference—$40,000. What could have been a large recovery is instantly minimized. This law is also in effect for motorcycle and truck accidents. To maximize your recovery, you need a veteran attorney to refute any claim for your responsibility in the accident.
Tennesee law requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but this requirement is one of the lowest in America! Tennessee motorists are only required to carry bodily injury coverage amounting to $25,000 for the death or injury of any one person in a single accident, and $50,000 for all injuries to all persons in any one accident. As for property damage, the minimum is $15,000 for a single accident.
A trip to the emergency room guarantees this liability amount is woefully inadequate. To guarantee maximum recovery, you need qualified lawyers to negotiate a fair settlement, such as the over 80 years combined experience of Berke, Berke & Berke.
With the recent decline and slow growth of the national economy, many drivers are foregoing auto insurance altogether. As recently as September 2011, it was estimated that 24% of Tennessee drivers were uninsured—roughly 1 in 4 drivers. If you are in an accident, damages to your car and bodily injuries are at risk for proper award. You need a qualified and tested auto accident attorney to fight for your compensation.
If you have been in an accident in Hamilton County or Marion County, then contact our offices today to have the right advocates on your side. The cost is free until we win your trial or negotiate a settlement. Remember, if you can't come to us, we'll come to you!