Establishing fault and determining liability after an accident can prove to be a challenging and daunting process for many injury victims and their loved ones. These cases become more complicated when there are multiple parties and theories of liability present. This is most frequently seen in Tennessee chain-reaction and multiple-vehicle crashes. Multiple vehicle or impact accidents refer to crashes that encompass more than one impact. These types of crashes often result in “pile-ups.”
Tennessee pile-up accidents typically occur on moderate to high-speed roadways, like highways and freeways. After an initial collision, the vehicles following may be unable to reduce their speed to avoid the initial crash. The subsequent impact may result in a series of impacts that may cause the vehicles to pile upon each other. This differs from a chain-reaction accident which may cause subsequent impacts; however, those impacts may cause vehicles to change directions.
Pile-up accidents can result from various negligent and reckless conduct. Some common causes of Tennessee multiple impact collisions include driver distraction, recklessness, fatigue, impairment, and general carelessness. This conduct can have devastating and costly consequences to anyone in the vicinity of the incident.
For instance, a Tennessee news report recently described a pile-up wreck involving four vehicles. According to sources, an abrupt traffic slowdown caused vehicles to slam into each other in a series of rear-end impacts. The first impact occurred when a Dodge SUV slammed into a Nissan van. The Nissan then crashed into a Ford SUV, propelling the SUV into a tractor-trailer. The Nissan and Ford drivers suffered injuries, and one person was life-flighted to a hospital.
While details of every car accident are important because of the state’s comparative negligence laws, the details are critical in Tennessee’s personal injury and wrongful death claims. Tennessee follows the theory of modified comparative negligence. Under this scheme, a plaintiff can recover if they were partially responsible for the accident; however, recovery is only possible if they were 49% or less at fault for their injuries. The law bars a plaintiff’s recovery if a fact-finder concludes that they were more than 50% at fault for their injuries. A Tennessee accident attorney can assist a victim in establishing that another party was negligent and that negligence caused the plaintiff’s injuries and property damage. Further, a lawyer can ensure that the court appropriately attributes liability.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Car Accident in Tennessee?
If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries in a Tennessee car accident, contact the Hartsoe Law Firm. Attorney Mark Hartsoe has over 35 years of legal experience and has been repeatedly selected as a Mid-South Super Lawyer. The firm handles Tennessee injury claims involving motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, slip-and-falls, dog bites, injuries to children, fire and burn incidents, boating accidents, airplane accidents, product liability, nursing home abuse, product liability, and lead poisoning. He provides every client with individualized attention, ensuring that they effectively pursue the compensation that they deserve. Contact our Knoxville personal injury law firm at 865-524-5657 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your legal matter.