Your family was just in a car accident on I-65. You have received word that your oldest daughter’s broken back will require multiple reconstructive surgeries, as well as months of physical therapy. Your other daughter has been having panic attacks, refusing to get into any vehicle. Your husband’s concussion has yet to begin to show any signs of healing, making you the only breadwinner in the family for the foreseeable future. On top of all of that, a mountain of medical bills has begun to pile on your desk.
All of this, on top of your own bruises, have made it feel impossible to handle anything else. So, you put your head down and get to work- managing the family doctor and therapist appointments, communication with your jobs, and finding a replacement vehicle. Before you know it, a year has passed and you realize it might be too late to hire a lawyer for your personal injury claim.
While it might be too late to file a claim in Tennessee, it is never too late to reach out to a Nashville personal injury attorney at Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. Call us today at 615-333-8888 or fill out our online form. You can also connect with a knowledgeable representative through our LiveChat feature. Find out if you are still eligible to file a personal injury claim today.
The Statute of Limitations
When deciding if it’s the right time to file a car accident injury claim, it’s important to learn about the statute of limitations. In every personal injury case, there is:
- The plaintiff: the person or persons who were injured in an accident, and
- The defendant: another party, or possible multiple parties, that are allegedly responsible for the accident due to negligence or recklessness.
The statute of limitations indicates how much time a plaintiff has to file a claim against the defendant. If this certain amount of time passes, the plaintiff will be unable to file a claim, and therefore unable to receive any sort of financial compensation for their injuries.
Tennessee Statutes of Limitations
Each state has its own laws governing their statute of limitations. For instance, Maine and North Dakota have the longest allotted amount of time. In these states, you can wait up to six years from the date of your car accident to file a claim. Unfortunately, Tennessee is one of two states that share the shortest statute of limitations. According to Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, you only have one year to file your claim.
After the initial claim, the insurance company may come back with a counter offer. If an amount of compensation is not agreed upon, the case may go to court. This process can become lengthy depending on the complexity of the case, or the stubbornness of the insurance company.
The statute of limitations does not affect the length of a personal injury case. It only means that the plaintiff must file the initial claim within a year of their car accident.
Statute of Limitations Regarding a Case Involving the Government
Some car accidents may happen due to a government agency or employee. Some examples of this include:
- Failing to mend a buckled road, leading to cracked asphalt that vehicles cannot safely drive over
- Not replacing a broken guardrail, which could have stopped a rollover in the event of a crash
- An employee causing an accident due to texting and driving while operating a government vehicle
If a car accident occurs due to the negligence of a government entity, the Tennessee statute of limitations tightens just slightly. You still have one year from the date of the accident to file, but only ninety-days to appeal the initial offer.
What Can a Nashville Personal Injury Attorney Do?
With only one year’s time to file, the pressure may begin to mount. Here are a few reasons why you may consider putting off a personal injury lawsuit, and why a car accident attorney at Lerner and Rowe may be able to help.
- It is of utmost importance to focus on mental and physical recovery. You may think that you cannot focus on recovery while also managing a personal injury case. However, with the help of an attorney, you and your family may not need to settle between one and the other. If we are able to win compensation, you’ll be able to focus entirely on moving forward- and not figuring out payment for the financial costs of recovery.
- Your injuries may seem very minor. Or, they may seem like they will disappear soon. Actually, some injuries take time to develop after a car accident. A small condition may even end up chronic and life-changing. With a lawyer on your side, you may be able to receive financial compensation for those injuries.
- You may feel too overwhelmed to add another thing to your plate. We pride ourselves in offering our most valuable non-legal service, which is carrying the emotional burden of a personal injury case for our clients. You may find that some of the weight has been lifted from your shoulders after you put your case in our hands.
- The initial settlement offer from your insurance may seem fair to you. Without an award-winning attorney from Lerner and Rowe to review this offer, you may not receive a fair amount. Your attorney may be able to look at various aspects of your car accident and use different parts of Tennessee law to maximize compensation.
- You may not want the hassle of contacting a busy lawyer. Our legal representatives are available 24/7 every day of the year. There are four easy ways to connect, too. Either send in this online form, text through LiveChat, call 615-333-8888, or visit our Tennessee offices in nearby Franklin.
- You fear that the added cost of an attorney, on top of everything else, would be astronomical. At Lerner and Rowe, your initial consultation is completely FREE, and holds no obligation. Moving forward, you won’t pay us a single penny until we win your case. Even then, you won’t pay out of pocket. The payment amount is typically taken out of the final compensation directly. You won’t have to worry about more bills landing on your desk.
If your car accident was less than one year ago, it’s not too late to hire a personal injury attorney. So, contact your Nashville personal injury attorney today.
It’s Not Too Late to Hire a Lawyer at Lerner and Rowe
Even if you are fairly certain that you have passed the statute of limitations for your claim, reach out to an attorney at Lerner and Rowe to make sure. You may still be able to file, and begin the fight for the compensation owed to you. Our representatives are ready to listen to the details of your case. So, reach out today at 615-333-8888.