Every year, over six million vehicles are involved in car accidents nationwide. In Tennessee alone, 148,154 accidents were reported in 2023, with 4,968 leading to serious injuries and 1,322 causing fatalities. With more than 233 million licensed drivers in America, the chances of being involved in a crash are 1 in 366. While no one wants to imagine the worst-case scenario, being prepared will help you stay calm and make the right decisions if you’re involved in an accident.

What to Do Following Car Accidents in TN

Step 1 – Call 911

Following a car accident, your first step should always be to call 911. No matter the severity, having local law enforcement on the scene will help ensure the safety of everyone involved. Additionally, if there’s an injury, this is the fastest way to receive medical assistance. Having the Tennessee Highway Patrol on the scene is crucial should you need to file a lawsuit or insurance claim, as you’ll need their official report assessing the at-fault party, along with additional information like the details of the crash, road conditions, witness statements, vehicle registrations, and the personal information of all parties involved. 

Step 2 – Stay on the Scene and Check for Injuries

One of the biggest mistakes you could make following an accident is to leave the scene. Whether there’s injuries or not, you could be charged with a hit-and-run if you don’t stay until law enforcement arrives. After calling 911, assess yourself and your passengers for injuries. If it’s safe, you can also check the other driver to make sure they’re okay. For minor injuries, provide first aid, but if anyone is seriously harmed, be sure not to move them until emergency services arrive.

Step 3 – Document the Scene

For insurance and litigation purposes, you always want to document the accident scene as soon as possible. Where in the past, this step could be challenging since not everyone kept cameras in their vehicles; smartphones make taking pictures and videos easier than ever. You’ll want to be as thorough as possible, capturing photos of all vehicles involved and any injuries you’ve experienced. Videos are an invaluable resource, going even further to highlight the at-fault party or showing that the accident was caused by another driver. Many police officers can use their dashcam footage from the scene, but having your images and videos will help you present a more comprehensive overview of the situation. 

Step 4 – Exchange Your Information

Exchanging information and details with the other drivers involved is your next step. You’ll want to get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, vehicle registration, and insurance information. If they received any injuries in the accident, make sure to document that, too. Remember, the more information you have, the greater your chance of protecting yourself if the case goes to court. It also makes it easier for the insurance company and lawyers to determine fault and provide you with the reimbursement you deserve. 

Step 5 – Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible, regardless of whether you plan to file a claim against the other party involved. Most insurers require their policyholders to report accidents immediately and provide as much detail about the events as possible. This requirement is part of Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law, which requires that all drivers have auto liability coverage. Minimum coverage requirements include:

 

  • $25,000 per accident of uninsured motorist property damage coverage
  • $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage 
  • $25,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage 
  • $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage

 

Please note – Individuals with a car lease or loan may be required to hold collision and comprehensive coverage and higher limits than those above.

Step 6 – Be Aware of Others

Unfortunately, car accidents are often the cause of additional crashes as onlookers fail to pay attention to the road. It’s not uncommon for drivers to slow down to look at the crash scene while an inattentive driver hits them from behind. It’s important to stay hyper-alert to your surroundings following an accident to help minimize the risk of further harm or damage from a second incident. If there’s only minor damage with no injuries and you can drive the vehicles, move them to the side of the road and out of the flow of traffic. However, if there are serious injuries, fatalities, or major damage to either vehicle, don’t try to move them and instead wait until the police and first responders arrive. If possible, turn on your hazard lights and place warning triangles around the vehicles. Anyone who is able to walk should move away from the road and safely out of the way of oncoming traffic. 

Step 7 – Contact A Professional Injury Attorney

Following a car accident, the insurance company will conduct an inquiry and determine the financially liable party. In many cases, this process proceeds easily, with both sides reaching an agreement. However, in some instances, you may not agree with the insurer, either about their at-fault finding or the settlement compensation, and the issue may end up in court. When this happens, contacting an experienced and professional attorney specializing in car accident cases is crucial. Having quality representation from a Tennessee car accident lawyer can mean the difference between winning or losing your case. You don’t want to leave anything to chance, that’s why you need Keller Swan at your side.

 

Keller Swan is Tennessee’s most trusted car accident lawyer. We have the experience and resources to take on any insurance company and get you the compensation you deserve. We settle countless car accident cases every year, providing our clients with fair and just compensation to pay for medical treatments and other damages. We know what it takes to recover maximum damages, and we’re not afraid to fight for your rightful settlement. When car accidents happen, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone; give us a call and see how we can work for you. Keller Swan – fighting for the injured.