When to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident

You should consider hiring a personal injury attorney after an accident if the crash caused serious harm or the insurance company pushes for a settlement too early in the claims process. In Tennessee, the way a claim is handled early on can affect the compensation available later in the process.

For more than 20 years, Burch & Stewart Attorneys has helped people in Manchester, TN, and throughout Middle Tennessee handle personal injury claims. Below, we explain how insurance companies approach accident cases and when it may be time to speak with a lawyer after an accident.

Why Insurance Companies Push Early Settlements

Insurance companies often try to resolve accident cases quickly because settling early can reduce the amount of compensation they ultimately pay. In many situations, an offer is made before medical treatment is complete or before the full financial impact of the accident is understood.

Insurance adjusters are trained to protect the company’s financial interests during the claims process. They may use recorded statements to question the severity of an injury or argue that the injured person was partially responsible for the accident.

Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be reduced based on a person’s share of responsibility for the crash. Someone who is found 50% or more at fault may not recover damages. Because of this, insurance companies often review medical records, photographs from the accident scene, prior injuries, and other details that could increase a person’s percentage of fault.

Signs It’s Time To Talk To a Lawyer

Tennessee also has one of the shortest deadlines in the country for filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, injured victims only have one year from the date of the accident to file a claim in court.

Acting early can also help preserve important evidence connected to the crash. Surveillance footage may be deleted over time, and witness memories often become less reliable as more time passes after the accident.

Some situations make legal representation more important soon after a crash. Consider speaking with a personal injury lawyer if:

Liability for the accident is disputed
Your injuries require ongoing medical treatment or surgery
The insurance company offers a settlement before treatment is complete
The accident involved a commercial truck or multiple vehicles
You are unable to work because of the injuries

In more complicated cases, attorneys may work with medical providers or accident reconstruction professionals while evidence is still available and easier to review.

Protecting Your Rights After an Accident

Not every accident requires legal action, but some claims involve issues that can affect the amount of compensation available later. Ongoing medical treatment and early settlement offers can affect the financial outcome of a case. Speaking with a lawyer can help clarify how Tennessee law applies to the accident and what options may be available moving forward.

If you’re dealing with serious injuries or problems with the insurance company after a crash, Burch & Stewart Attorneys works with clients in Manchester, Tennessee. Contact us through our website or call us today at (931) 954-1066