What to do after a sideswipe car accident in Murfreesboro, TN

The steps you take after a sideswipe accident in Murfreesboro are particularly important because who is at fault in this type of wreck is often unclear. An experienced injury firm can help you prove fault to get you every dollar you deserve and will ensure that you’re properly represented during your insurance claim process. Outlined below are the proper immediate steps to take after being sideswiped in Murfreesboro, and how we can help.

If you’ve been injured, call Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers today. Every single car accident lawyer that works for us is dedicated to fighting for you and your legal rights. We’re here to take your call 24/7, and our legal team can provide you with a free consultation to help ensure you’re well-informed, no matter what steps you decide to take next.

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Steps to take after being sideswiped in Murfreesboro, TN

In this video, Attorney Lee Coleman takes you through the immediate steps you need to take after a sideswipe collision in Murfreesboro, TN, and why it is important to hire a car accident attorney after being injured in a crash.

If you are involved in a sideswipe accident in Murfreesboro, TN, take these steps to prioritize your safety, and to put yourself in the best position possible to prove who is at fault:

• Check for injuries first. Always prioritize the health and well-being of yourself and any other passengers in the vehicle. If you’re seriously injured, do your best not to move, as movements following a wreck can worsen your situation. If you can move, do so safely and contact authorities immediately.
• Call 911 right away. For non-emergency accidents on the highway, call 847 (THP) on any cell phone. Hopefully, a police officer will make it to the accident site. If they don’t, submit a crash report within 20 days of the crash.
• Move your vehicle to a safe place away from traffic. When it’s safe to do so, move your vehicle to a location away from oncoming traffic.
• Start taking photos and videos. It is critical to document the accident scene so you will have evidence of your injury claim. This is particularly important in a Murfreesboro sideswipe accident, where it could be hard to determine what happened. First, take photos and videos from different angles of the accident scene and any vehicles involved. Take photos of any injuries, IDs, and insurance cards, as well as road signs and markers that help tell the story of what happened. Photos of skid marks, speed limit signs, and vehicle damage could help support your personal injury claim.
• Document accident details. Write down or voice record the date, time, and location of the accident. You may also want to write down the direction the vehicles were going in.
• Get contact information. Write down or photograph the other driver’s license, insurance card information (if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, contact the authorities with the information you’ve collected to inform them of the situation), address, phone number, email and vehicle information, including the make, model, and license plate number. Also, ask for the vehicle identification number (VIN), which can be found on the driver’s side dashboard.
• Talk to any witnesses. Did someone see the accident? They could be part of your injury claim evidence. Get the names, phone numbers and email addresses of any witnesses.
• Avoid saying the accident is your fault. When you are at the accident scene, remember the crash will be investigated. Things happen fast and it’s hard to know details of how an accident occurred until police investigate and there’s a follow-up by an attorney. There may be an urge to apologize, especially if the other party is injured, but it is important to not admit fault in any way.
• Seek medical attention. Taking care of your health is number one. Keep records of any injuries or treatments in one place so it’s easy to find for insurance claims and your personal injury case. Ensure that you inform your doctor of all injuries you are experiencing, including minor injuries. What seems minor now may turn into something more serious as time goes on, so it is important to have everything documented so that any future issues that may arise can be attributed to the crash.
• Obtain the police report: Online traffic collision reports from the Murfreesboro Police Department and law enforcement agencies across Tennessee, for involved parties, are available through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. You will need to provide the date of the crash, name of the agency that investigated the accident, last name of the driver involved, license plate number, or the case tracking number. Crashes investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol or Murfreesboro Police should be available online within (7) business days of the crash. The cost is $10.
• Contact an experienced accident attorney. Experienced car accident lawyers will ensure that the insurance company pays you every dollar you deserve. When working with a Murfreesboro injury law firm, you put yourself in the best position possible early on for a successful outcome in your personal injury claim.

Call us today at 800-800-4600 for a free case evaluation.

Murfreesboro car accident lawyers are ready to help if you are hurt in a sideswipe accident

After a wreck, there will be a lot to deal with. You will have hospital bills and other medical expenses, insurance companies to talk to, injuries to cope with, and you may not be able to work or perform your normal daily tasks.

When considering a lawyer for car accidents, you should know what to expect. Hiring an experienced Murfreesboro personal injury lawyer can help take the load off your shoulders so that you can focus on your health and your family. Some of the things a car accident attorney can do for you include:

• Collecting police reports and other evidence to determine who is at fault and what your case may be worth.
• Handling all communication with the insurance company for you to protect your claim and ensure you receive every dollar you deserve.
• Seeking compensation beyond your medical bills and property damage for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and other damages you may be entitled to.
• Providing you with sound legal advice so that you can be assured that you are taking the proper steps as you pursue your claim.
• Go to trial on your behalf if the insurance company will not agree to a fair settlement.

When you hire the accident attorneys of Hughes & Coleman, you will have a team of attorneys on your side who will support you along the way. Hire a Murfreesboro injury law firm that thousands have trusted with their car accident claims and contact us today.

Murfreesboro car accident attorneys can help you recover compensation for sideswipe car damage and your injuries

Car accident lawyers will work to get you the assistance and the money you’re entitled to. Many times, insurance companies will offer modest settlements that do not factor in future costs. Hire a Murfreesboro, TN accident attorney to get the help you deserve for:

• Current medical bills and medical bills to come
• Lost wages and future lost wages as a result of your injuries
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage, which includes damage to your vehicle and any personal items damaged during the accident

Do not wait. Put yourself in the best position possible and contact a sideswipe accident lawyer immediately after the wreck.

Call us today. Our consultations are free. We’re here to help 24/7, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means if we don’t recover money for you, we don’t get paid. You never pay a dime out of pocket – ever.

800-800-4600

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Sideswipe accidents happen all the time in the state of Tennessee and in the city of Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro and Rutherford County are among the fastest-growing areas of the state. The city’s population topped 157,000 in 2021, and the roads are highly traveled. It’s a big reason why sideswipe collisions are more likely to happen here. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Rutherford County ranks fourth in the state for overall car crashes involving injuries, with more than 2,400 injury accidents in 2021 alone.

What is a sideswipe collision?

Sideswipe accidents come in two ways: Crashes from the opposite direction and collisions that happen when vehicles are traveling in the same direction.

Opposite Direction Sideswipe Accident

An opposite-direction sideswipe accident happens when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions make contact with each other while driving parallel to each other. These accidents can be dangerous, resulting in loss of vehicle control, spinouts, and even head-on collisions. This accident can happen when one driver crosses over the centerline or median or when both drivers simultaneously veer toward the same side of the road. In this type of sideswipe accident, the point of impact is typically at the driver sides of the vehicles, near the front or rear. The damage may be limited to the sides of the vehicles or can be more extensive depending on factors like speed and angle of impact.

Same Direction Sideswipe Accident

A same-direction sideswipe accident is the most common on highways and multi-lane roads in Murfreesboro, like I-24, where drivers change lanes frequently. It happens when two vehicles going in the same direction make contact with each other while driving parallel to each other. This type of accident can happen when one driver changes lanes without checking their blind spot or when both drivers try to merge into the same lane at the same time. Again, these accidents can be just as dangerous as they can result in loss of vehicle control, spinouts, and even multi-vehicle collisions if other cars are in close proximity.

Let’s look at common factors that contribute to sideswipes in Murfreesboro

There can be many reasons a sideswipe crash happens in Murfreesboro:

• Distracted drivers:Sideswipe accidents happen when drivers don’t pay attention to the road. Drivers may be on the phone, talking to other passengers in the vehicle, eating or drinking, which causes them to lose focus. Tennessee distracted driving laws aim to protect drivers from this behavior, and if distracted driving can be proven as the cause of an accident, this could be considered negligence under the law.
• Drivers not using turn signals: When drivers forget to use their turn signals or don’t bother using them, it can easily lead to a collision. Not using turn signals to change lanes can lead to a sideswipe crash.
• Drivers who are reckless or speeding: Speed is a major cause of sideswipe accidents. That’s why police in Murfreesboro keep a watch out for speeders. Reckless driving includes tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic. These types of actions increase the odds of a sideswipe accident.
• Drivers who are impaired: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes impaired judgment and increases the likelihood of a sideswipe accident and serious injuries. In 2021, Rutherford County recorded 387 alcohol-related crashes.
• Drivers who are fatigued: Drivers who get behind the wheel when exhausted can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence. The reason? A driver’s reaction time is shortened. Tired drivers cause thousands of deaths on the road every year.
• Road conditions:Rain, fog, ice or bright sunlight are all conditions that can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles and become involved in a sideswipe accident.

Who is at fault if someone merges into you?

Determining who hit who in a sideswipe accident in Murfreesboro, TN, can be a complex process, but in Tennessee, it is particularly important due to the modified comparative negligence rule, which can affect how much compensation you’re entitled to. When there’s a rear-end car accident, figuring out who’s at fault is usually easier, but sideswipe accidents need serious investigation. Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side is important, especially when there is an injury. Your car accident lawyer will lead the accident investigation and will find a fair resolution.

Factors that help answer the question of who is at fault include:

• Physical evidence like scratches or paint transfer on the vehicles
• Eyewitness statements
• The position and movement of the vehicles before and after the impact
• Skid marks left on the road can also be useful in evaluating fault.

If there are any cameras around the accident scene, that can be very helpful. The police report is part of the evidence too. It has the accident details, such as statements from drivers, witnesses, and any other documented evidence conducted by the police officer at the scene.

Every sideswipe accident is different. Working with an experienced car accident law firm in Murfreesboro is critical. A skilled legal team knows the area and has the resources to investigate the accident for you.

What happens if you are partly at fault in the car accident?

Car accidents in the state of Tennessee are governed by a modified comparative negligence system. That means, even if you were partially responsible for the accident, as long as you were not 50% or more at fault, you can still recover damages.

What are the common injuries that can be caused by a sideswipe crash?

Sideswipe accident injuries can include:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts and lacerations
• Internal injuries
• Psychological injuries, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Whiplash

Your health comes first. Immediately after a sideswipe car accident, you should find medical care even if you don’t have symptoms right away. Some injuries take time to develop, and delaying treatment can make the pain worse. If you have been involved in a sideswipe car accident in Murfreesboro, it’s recommended that you consult with a medical professional right away and a car accident attorney who can help you understand your rights.

How to get money from insurance after car accident injuries

Sometimes, the worst can happen in a sideswipe car crash; you could need long-term care. You may have lost wages due to the accident or must step in as a caregiver for an injured member of your family. Initial injuries and damages are not the only things you may be dealing with. You may have costs that insurance will not offer to cover. This is why having a car accident attorney that will fight for you is so important. If you are hurt in Murfreesboro, TN, by a negligent driver in a sideswipe collision, an experienced attorney for car accident claims can help ensure you receive the money you’re entitled to.

Don’t negotiate with the insurance company alone. Hughes & Coleman has over 35 years of experience handling insurance companies and their adjusters to ensure our clients received every dollar possible.

Call the injury lawyers of Hughes & Coleman today

If you’ve been involved in a sideswipe car accident in or around Murfreesboro, TN, call us today for a free consultation. We can help you right now so that you can focus on your health. There is never a fee unless we recover money on your behalf, and our team is dedicated to giving you the support you need during this difficult time.

We are here for you 24/7. Don’t wait. Call us right now. 800-800-4600

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