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Whether you are in a minor fender bender or a major wreck, any accident on the roadway can be frustrating for drivers, taking a toll on their physical and mental health and finances. According to Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security data, there are thousands of collisions in Montgomery County every year, with a portion of those being rear-ended collisions – one of the worst types of accidents a driver may encounter.
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision in Clarksville, TN, contact Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Our team is available 24/7 and here to help.
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Steps to take after being rear-ended in Clarksville
Rear-end collisions can lead to a handful of injuries, from whiplash to neck pain, back pain, head injuries, and more. In some cases, rear-end crashes can even be fatal. If you are involved in a rear-end collision in Clarksville, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. In addition, there are other vital steps drivers should quickly take.
Call 911 and exchange information with the other driver and key witnesses
The first step is to call 911, and once authorities arrive at the scene, you will discuss the details of the crash with the police and file a report. While waiting for authorities to arrive, you can exchange insurance information. You should also exchange information with key witnesses, asking for their addresses and phone number. Your lawyer will need to talk to them at a later time to gather more information, so having their information will be crucial in your case. If law enforcement does not come to the scene, it is crucial to still file a police report.
If you are involved in a non-emergency highway incident, call 847 (THP) on a cell phone, and a Tennessee State Patrol trooper will be sent to the accident scene.
Document the scene after the crash
It’s hard to remember every detail from a traumatic experience, like a rear-end crash, so taking photos at the scene is crucial, as long as you are physically able to do so. If you are injured and have someone with you, ask that person to help take photos. It is best to take a variety of photos from the scene, from damage to the vehicles, wide shots of the overall scene, street signs, traffic lights, and nearby landmarks or businesses. In the days and weeks following the crash, those photos will help you remember and document all accident details and will be used throughout the claims process. These photos will also be given to your lawyer to build a strong case against the other party and their insurance company.
If you can, it’s important to also write down any key details from the day of the crash. This may include:
- The location of the crash
- The time of the accident
- The make and model of the vehicle(s) involved
- Notes regarding your surroundings at the time of the crash
- The speed you were traveling
- The weather at the time of the crash
If you want to ensure every key detail is captured, you may also choose to record a voice memo on your phone. Whether recording these key details or writing them down, note every detail you can remember from the day of the crash. You may also opt to draw or recreate the scene on paper. This is also helpful for you to do as you remember every detail from the rear-end collision.
Seek medical attention for your injuries
Don’t put off seeing a doctor. Seek medical attention right away if you are injured in a rear-end crash. This will be helpful to treat your injuries, and to document your injuries if you choose to file a personal injury claim.
Obtain a copy of the police report
Following the crash, it is important to obtain a copy of the police report. You will need this documentation to file an insurance claim or a personal injury claim in Tennessee.
Contact an experienced car accident attorney
If you’ve been injured, it’s important to contact an experienced Clarksville, TN car accident lawyer who will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. A local firm can assist you through this process to help ensure you have the strongest case possible.
Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers is ready to help during your time of need. Our team handles all types of car accident cases and can assist 24/7. Call 800-800-4600. Get it done.
Why do injuries happen after a rear-end collision?
Rear-end collisions happen due to many factors, including speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving, among other reasons. When a collision occurs, the driver and passenger’s body will be propelled forward after hitting their seat, moving at the same speed as before the vehicle was hit. This results in their bodies hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, door, airbag, or seatbelt and then jolting again backward to return to their original position. Those in the car that caused the rear-end collision will experience the opposite. When they collide with the vehicle and suddenly stop, they will be projected forward to hit the safety restraints but thrown backward again as the vehicle stops.
What are the types of injuries you may experience after a rear-end collision?
A rear-end collision can lead to a range of injuries, from whiplash, neck and back injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions, broken bones, and more. The following are examples of what you may experience during this collision.
Bruising
Anyone in your car wearing a seatbelt may experience bruising following a rear-end collision. This results from the sudden stop and their body moving forward and hitting the seatbelt. This may also result in a person’s chest muscles or tendons being strained. Bruising may be a minor injury, but it’s important to look for bruising around your eyes or ears. That may signify a traumatic injury like a brain injury.
Whiplash
Another injury many may experience after a rear-end collision is whiplash, which happens when your neck’s muscles stretch or tear. This can be very painful and is a result of the forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. It’s important to seek help for this injury right away to avoid it becoming debilitating in the weeks after the wreck.
Fractured vertebrae
Your spine can also be injured in a rear-end collision, resulting in injuries like fractured vertebrae, which can sever or compress the spinal cord. This injury takes time to heal and may require surgery to realign bones. Serious spinal cord injuries can also result in permanent damage and even paralysis.
Herniated disc
The spaces between the vertebras in your spine are called discs, which provide cushioning and flexibility to your spine. When injured from the force of a crash, bones in the spine may push discs outside of the spine, causing a pinching of the nerve and significant pain.
Concussion and Traumatic brain injury
A rear-end car accident may also result in head injuries like a concussion or traumatic brain injury. This can happen due to the brain shifting in your head and slamming against the skull or as a result of a blow to the head from inside the car. Along with potentially losing consciousness, you may experience dizziness, nausea, confusion, amnesia, mood changes, headaches and more. A concussion may also result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a serious brain injury that can impact a life-alerting disability.
Facial bone fracture
In addition to hitting your head during a rear-end accident, you may specifically hit your face due to the forceful nature of the collision. This can result in broken bones in your face, sometimes requiring surgery. A broken nose is a common facial injury after a car accident, along with a fractured jaw or eye socket. These injuries may happen if your face hits the steering wheel, dashboard, airbag, or another part of the car; if you are ejected from the vehicle; or if items in the car or glass hit your face.
Other injuries
Additionally, rear-end accidents may result in various other injuries, including sprains and strains, burns, knee injuries, broken bones, lacerations, and more. No matter the injury, it’s important to be examined by a physician after an accident to ensure there are no underlying conditions or injuries caused by the accident.
Frequently asked questions and helpful tips
Do you have to file a crash report after a rear-end car accident in Clarksville, Tennessee?
If you are an owner or driver involved in an automobile accident that resulted in death, injury, or damage exceeding $1,500 to any person, or if government property damage exceeds $400, you must file a personal crash report with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days of the crash. This report is mandatory and must be filed regardless of who was at fault, and in addition to any report filed by an investigating officer. Failure to file the report may lead to suspension of driver license and registrations or nonresident operating privileges of any person involved in the crash.
Is Tennessee a no-fault state or an at-fault state for auto accidents?
Tennessee is an “at-fault” state, and if you have suffered a car crash or highway accident in Clarksville, you may be able to seek compensation.
How long after an accident can you file a claim in Tennessee?
If you are injured in an accident in Tennessee, you have one year from the collision date to file a lawsuit. If you don’t do so, you may forfeit your claim and be unable to sue. The statute of limitations refers to the one-year deadline for filing a lawsuit.
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