Being involved in a traffic accident of any kind can be a terrifying and often traumatizing experience. Involvement in a hit-and-run accident, in particular, can make matters even worse.
Tennessee law prohibits drivers involved in a traffic collision from leaving the scene of the accident. In an ideal world, all Nashville drivers would comply with these laws, and there would be no need to deal with the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident.
Unfortunately, however, we do not live in a perfect world, and hit-and-run accidents inevitably do occur, both nationwide and even in Nashville, Tennessee.
So what do you do in the aftermath of a hit and run in Nashville? While you may feel anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed, it is important to stay as calm as possible and know what steps to take next.
At Flora Templeton Stuart, we know what it takes to help you through this extremely difficult time. Our Nashville car accident lawyers have been representing injured clients in need for over forty years. Give our office a call to discuss your case and see how we can help you obtain the recovery you need and deserve.
Nashville Hit-and-Run Statistics
Car accidents happen every day, but the stress of a car accident is enhanced when the other driver attempts to leave the scene.
A hit-and-run accident occurs when a driver intentionally flees from the scene of an accident they were involved in without providing relevant information or attempting to help the other driver. A hit-and-run accident also occurs when a driver hits an unoccupied, parked car and fails to wait for the owner of the car to return or notify them of what occurred.
Hit-and-run accidents occur every day nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 737,100 hit-and-run crashes occurred in 2015 alone. This translates to one hit and run somewhere in the United States every 43 seconds.
Unfortunately, Nashville, TN, is no exception to hit-and-run accidents.
In Davidson County, the county in which Nashville is located, there were 3,129 total hit-and-run accidents in 2009. This total number of hit and runs was second only to Shelby County, which reported over 5,175.
Of the 3,129 hit-and-run accidents reported in Davidson County:
- 2,040 involved hitting a motor vehicle in transport;
- 101 involved hitting a pedestrian or non-motorist; and
- 972 involved hitting a parked vehicle or object.
Even more troubling, a staggering 2,292 of these hit-and-run accidents were never solved.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit and run in Tennessee, and specifically in Nashville, don’t give up hope. The Flora Templeton Stuart Injury Accident Lawyer wants to help. Contact our team to see what compensation you may be entitled to and how we can fight to help you recover.
Tennessee Hit-and-Run Laws: An Overview
Under Tennessee law, the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident with another attended vehicle that results in injury, death, or property damage has a duty to provide information and render aid.
If you are ever involved in such an accident, regardless of whether you are at fault, it is imperative that you remain at the scene.
Likewise, a driver who is involved in a collision with an unattended vehicle still has a duty under Tennessee law. The responsible driver must immediately stop their vehicle and either:
- Locate and notify the operator or owner of the other vehicle of their name and address; or
- Leave in a conspicuous place on the damaged vehicle the name, address, and insurance information of the responsible driver, along with a statement regarding the collision that occurred.
Sometimes, at-fault parties will comply with these laws. Other times, however, they may provide incomplete information or leave the scene having provided no information at all. Regardless of your particular circumstances, Flora Templeton Stuart has the resources and legal expertise to fight for you and your rights.
Steps to Take After a Hit and Run
No one starts their day expecting to be involved in a hit-and-run accident. Unfortunately, however, Nashville hit-and-run accidents occur every day. Thus, it is important to know what steps to take after involvement in a hit and run in Nashville so that you are prepared in the event this does ever happen to you.
Stop and Call the Police
The moments immediately following a hit and run in Tennessee can feel like a blur, but it is important to stay calm, move your vehicle to a safe location and call the police or have someone call for you. Doing so can help prevent additional injury or damage from other vehicles on the road.
Get Medical Treatment
If you have been injured and need to get immediate medical treatment it is best to go to your local emergency room. If you are unable to travel you should have the police call an ambulance or someone at the scene for you. This will ensure that you get the proper medical treatment you need if you have been injured. If you are hurting never think you will simply get well the next day. It is very important to be checked for any and all injuries.
Get Photographs
In a hit and run it is especially important to get photographs of your vehicle to prove that you were in struck in an accident. Often in these cases you must prove to the insurance company that you did have a wreck. If you are unable to take photographs have someone do this for you. Keep your vehicle to be photographed at a later date by your attorney.
Provide All Legally Required Information
Even if the other driver has fled the scene, this does not alleviate you of your legal duties.
All drivers in an accident resulting in injuries, death, or property damage are required to provide their:
- Name,
- Address,
- Vehicle registration number, and
- Upon request, driver license information.
If the only other driver involved in the accident has fled the accident, provide this information to the office that reports to the scene, along with a description of the fleeing driver and any other identifying information you are able to provide.
Contact a Nashville Hit-and-Run Attorney
A Nashville hit-and-run accident can be a scary experience, and dealing with the aftermath can be difficult.
If you don’t know how to start or where to go, contact a Nashville hit-and-run attorney to help you navigate what can be a complicated legal process.
Doing so can be the difference between losing out on valuable compensation and getting the recovery you deserve.
How a Lawyer Can Help Pursue Compensation in Your Nashville Hit and Run
A lawyer can be an amazing benefit as you pursue your hit-and-run case. While hiring an attorney may not be the first thing on your mind immediately after an accident, don’t wait too long. Hiring an attorney can be one of the best things you can do for your potential recovery moving forward.
Accident Investigation
In our over four decades as a firm, Flora Templeton Stuart has built connections with investigators who have the ability to help get to the bottom of your hit-and-run accident. These investigators can:
- Revisit the scene of the accident;
- Conduct a thorough crash investigation;
- Gather relevant evidence; and
- Help track down the perpetrator of the accident.
When someone flees the scene of an accident, you might feel there is nothing you can do. But don’t lose hope. Flora Templeton Stuart has the resources to help you fight for justice.
Calculating Damages
Victims of a hit and run in Tennessee can receive two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages help compensate the victim for monetary costs of the accident. Examples of recoverable economic damages include:
- Medical bills,
- Property damage to your vehicle, and
- Lost wages.
These economic damages can help you get back to where you need to be to recover from your physical injuries and damages.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate the victim for more subjective injuries. Examples of non-economic damages for which you can receive compensation include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Mental anguish, and
- Disfigurement.
An experienced Nashville hit-and-run attorney can help you assess your damages and determine what you may be able to recover. They can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement or take your case to court if necessary.
A hit-and-run case can be an uphill battle, especially if you are handling it on your own. Let our Nashville hit-and-run team do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most—working toward your recovery.
Will I Need to Go to Court?
The vast majority of cases settle out of court through settlement negotiations or mediation. However, if Flora Templeton Stuart can’t settle your case, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.
Our team has extensive trial experience, and we will litigate your case if that’s what it takes. We will settle only if that is what is best for your Nashville hit-and-run case.
Personal Injury Case Results
At Flora Templeton Stuart, we have recovered compensation for clients in over 90% of our personal injury cases. Examples of our results include:
- $2.825 million in compensation for a client who suffered permanent brain damage and a crushed skull;
- $2 million in compensation for a family of four run off an Ohio interstate by a semi-truck; and
- $1.7 million in compensation for our clients in the aftermath of a commercial truck rear-end accident resulting in severe injuries.
We pride ourselves on the results we are able to achieve for our clients, and we will fight for the recovery you deserve.
Get Answers to Your Questions
Flora Templeton Stuart has been helping hit-and-run victims in need for over 40 years.
A hit-and-run accident can change your life in the blink of an eye, but we are here to help.
If you are in need of qualified, experienced, and compassionate legal representation after a hit-and-run accident in or near Nashville, TN, call personal injury lawyer Flora Templeton Stuart today.
We pride ourselves on getting the compensation our clients need. But more than that, we want you to know that we will care for you and be an advocate in your corner at every step along the way. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your case and see how we can help.