1. Directly following the accident, focus on your safety
If you are involved in a crash, where you are seriously injured
Do not move yourself or the vehicle. Doing so can cause further injury and harm. If you are able, call 911 and wait for emergency services to arrive to provide you with the care you need.
If you are involved in a car accident where serious injuries or death have not occurred
Not only is it a good idea to move your vehicle out of the road after an accident if you can, it is also the law in Nashville, and all of Tennessee, and there are a couple of reasons for this:
- Moving your vehicle reduces the risk for other vehicles traveling on the road and secondary crashes that may result from your vehicle or the other car involved obstructing the roadway.
- Moving your car also opens the road for traffic. No one likes a traffic jam, but more importantly, a traffic jam can be a big problem for ambulances, fire trucks, police or other emergency vehicles that may be in the process of getting someone else the help they need.
Will moving my car before the police arrive put me at fault for the accident?
Moving your car off of the road following the accident does not make you liable or at fault solely for doing so. If you can move your car to the shoulder or median, you should do so to keep yourself and others safe.
We understand that it is important to prove fault for injury victims in a car accident case, however, we do not believe it should be done at the expense of your safety, and Nashville, TN law agrees. There are a number of ways to determine fault following an accident, and our car accident lawyers have decades of experience doing just that.
2. If you can, document the scene of the accident
If you are able, you will want to make sure to document the scene of the accident in a way that tells a story of what happened.
- Take photos of the vehicles involved and the damages.
- Take photos of any markings on the road and road conditions.
- Photograph any visible injuries.
- Gather witness contact information and statements.
- Exchange information with the other driver.
- Gather the name and information of the responding officer.

3. Report your injuries and get treatment
After you are out of harm’s way, you need to report your injuries. This is crucial for any auto accident case. If you do not report your injuries, it is as though they never happened in the eye of the law. Start by reporting your injuries to the investigating officer, and then to any doctors, hospitals or emergency rooms you see for treatment. Once you report your injury or injuries to a physician, they will then be documented and you can work with our accident lawyers in Nashville to help prove damages, which will help you get the most compensation possible.
Following the crash, you will need to get a copy of the Nashville police report, which can be obtained through the Metro Nashville Police Department, or Tennessee Highway Patrol, depending on which agency investigated the collision.
In addition, getting treatment for your injury as soon as possible will be best for you short-term and long-term. Car accident injuries can often seem less severe than they actually are directly following a collision. You may not know the full extent of your injuries, and the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you can understand how bad your injuries are. You may not know how long treatment will be needed for, but knowing that you need treatment is often the best first step in the process of recovery.
Does a car accident lawyer help with my medical treatment?
At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, if you need our assistance, we can ensure that you have a treatment plan in place and that you are cared for as you recover. We work with the insurance company so that you do not have to, and are dedicated to helping you receive the treatment you need.
5. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible
The insurance company of the negligent driver who hit you is probably already working on the case, gathering information and working to lessen or deny your claim. If you wait to hire an attorney, they will have the advantage. You need to get someone in your corner now to start working for you and your best interests.
Call us now at 800-800-4600.