Chattanooga Car Accident Attorneys

Protecting Your Rights After a Traffic Accident in Hamilton & Marion Counties

Do you know what the statute of limitations in Tennessee is for a car accident? If you've been injured in a car accident, you have only one year to file a claim before the statute of limitations is up. If you miss this deadline by even one day, you might be out of luck. Have you collected enough evidence from the scene of the accident to build a strong case? Have you collected witness statements from the people who were present at the accident? These are all reasons you need to seek out a car accident attorney in Chattanooga, TN. Berke, Berke, & Berke wants you to focus on recovering. We can handle your injury case and fight to get you the maximum compensation that you deserve to cover your injuries, losses, and damages.

Call our Chattanooga car accident lawyer at (423) 266-5171 today to schedule your free consultation.

Unforeseen and unexpected, Tennessee car 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 knowledge in your corner.

• Essential Facts Every Tennessee Driver Should Know:
• High Accident Rates: Over 40,000 drivers are injured, and 1,000 drivers are killed, every year in Tennessee.
• Alcohol-Related Incidents: 10% of all accidents involve alcohol—including a high 40% for traffic fatalities.
• Underinsured Drivers: Most drivers are either underinsured or uninsured— hindering hope of adequate victim compensation.
• Comparative Fault System: The Volunteer State employs a system of comparative fault. If you contributed in the slightest degree to the accident, your recovery is immediately threatened.

Understanding Tennessee's Modified Comparative Fault Law

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 responsible for said accident. If the jury decides you are 50 percent or more at fault, you automatically lose any and all recovery. If they find you 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 dedicated attorney to refute any claim for your responsibility in the accident.

Importance of Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Why Underinsured Coverage is Essential

Tennessee 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.