Car accidents can be frightening and unsettling experiences, and excess speed is a preventable cause of many crashes. If you have been in a speeding-related crash, contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer is an essential step to ensuring that you receive the appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Take Action Quickly After a Speeding Accident
If you have been injured in a speeding-related accident, you need to act quickly to ensure that you get all the compensation you deserve. Car insurance does not always cover all of your medical and other expenses, so you may need to sue the driver who was at fault. The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Tennessee is one year. This means that you have a year from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit if you choose to do so.
After the accident, see a doctor to have your injuries treated and documented as soon as possible. Take notes on anything you remember about the road conditions, the details of what happened, other drivers, and potential witnesses. You should also avoid talking to other parties involved in the accident. Your attorney should handle all of this communication on your behalf. Speaking to other drivers, their lawyers or their insurance companies opens you up to accidentally admitting responsibility for the accident and harming your ability to successfully sue for damages.
Tennessee Driving Speed Laws
Tennessee drivers can be charged with reckless driving for going more than 30 MPH over the speed limit. This degree of speeding leads to the highest risk of serious crashes. While speed limits vary, drivers should be aware of some absolute limits. In Tennessee, the maximum speed limit is 70 MPH on interstate highways and 65 MPH on all other roads.
Impact of Speed in Tennessee Car Accidents Involving Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Speeding seriously impacts drivers’ safety both in Knoxville and across the country. Driving faster than the speed limit is a factor in around 26% of driving deaths nationwide. In Tennessee, speeding caused close to 23,000 deaths from 2017 to 2019. The age group most frequently involved in speeding accidents is young adults aged 18 to 24.
Common Injuries Caused by Knoxville Car Accidents
Generally, faster speeds are associated with more serious injuries when a crash occurs. Common injuries that people receive from speeding-related accidents include back and neck injuries, concussions, and other traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, especially ribs, whiplash, and injuries to the shoulder and knee joints.
In addition to physical injuries, accident victims often suffer from mental and emotional distress. If such psychological harm has caused trauma that has had an ongoing impact on your life, this should be considered when determining the appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Reasons To Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After a Car Accident in Knoxville
Speeding-related crashes can have a serious impact on your life and finances. An experienced personal injury legal team can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. If you are injured, you should receive compensation for your medical bills. You should also receive funds to repair or replace your damaged vehicle. In addition to these areas, an experienced attorney can also help you receive compensation for lost wages if an accident leaves you unable to work or anxiety treatment if a crash leaves you with lasting trauma.
Knoxville Speeding Accident Lawyer
At Myers Law Firm, we have a combined 35 years of experience helping our clients with speeding injury cases. We understand both how insurance companies operate and how difficult life after a serious accident can be. This gives us the expertise and empathy needed to support you as you navigate the legal system after your accident. If you live in the Knoxville, TN area, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.