Chattanooga Personal Injury Attorneys

Fault Laws for Car Accidents in Tennessee and Georgia

Fault Laws for Car Accidents in Tennessee and Georgia

Tennessee and Georgia Auto Accident Law

Tennessee and Georgia are considered “fault states,” which means that when a motor vehicle accident occurs, the at-fault driver is legally and financially responsible for resulting damages. In most cases, injury victims can obtain compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. But in fault states, such as Tennessee and Georgia, they can also sue the driver. In “no-fault” states, on the other hand, drivers are limited to recovering from their own insurance policy, even if the other driver was 100 percent at fault.

In TN and GA, if you can prove that the other driver was at least 50 percent at fault for your damages, you can make a claim against their insurance policy, but you may also be able to obtain compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Compensation received will depend on various factors, including whether or not you were partially responsible for the accident, and the extent of your injuries and other damages. Possible damages include medical expenses, lost income, emotional pain and suffering, and vehicle repair bills.

What About Rear-End Accidents?

Because Tennessee and Georgia are fault states, determining liability is the most important step in any motor vehicle accident case, including rear-end crashes. The tailing driver is almost always liable in a rear-end collision. The law in Tennessee and Georgia states that “the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.”

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. For example, what if the car ahead suddenly brakes when both vehicles are traveling at high speeds? In most cases, the tailing car will still be liable, as GA and TN law requires drivers to maintain a reasonable distance from other vehicles. But what if the lead car’s brake lights weren’t properly functioning, or the car behind you rear-ends you, causing you to crash into the car ahead?

Whatever the circumstances of your rear-end collision, it is legally possible for both drivers in this type of accident to be found liable. An experienced TN and GA motor vehicle crash attorney can review the details of your case and help you determine how to proceed.

Contact a TN or GA Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a car accident due to another’s negligence, the skilled legal team at Dennis and King can help. In fault states such as Tennessee and Georgia, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company and sue them individually for damages. But proving fault is critical to a favorable outcome. As such, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced car accident attorney immediately. Our highlyknowledgeable, compassionate injury lawyers have helped countless car accident victims get the compensation they deserve in a timely manner. Don’t go through this stressful situation without the help of skilled legal counsel. Contact Dennis and King today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.

By |2022-03-24T16:14:01-04:00March 24th, 2022|Accidents|0 Comments
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Personal injury 

In almost all personal injury claims, insurance companies will offer you significantly less than what you deserve. It’s tempting to accept the first offer, especially if you are in a great deal of pain and unable to return to work. But if you’ve already taken a devalued settlement from the insurance company and your medical bills start to pile up, there’s little legal recourse to ask for more. That’s why it’s crucial to involve a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer before you even file a claim.

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Car Accidents

Chattanooga car accident lawyers Tricia Dennis and Russell King have recovered millions of dollars in Georgia and Tennessee for car and motor vehicle accident victims like you.  If you or a loved one has been injured and need help with your medical bills, then you have come to the right place.   Auto accident victims and their family members in East Tennessee and North Georgia can confidently rely on the experienced auto accident attorneys at Dennis and King. We are the law firm that has compassionately, yet effectively, helped victims and their loved ones navigate the aftermath of difficult situations.

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Trucking Accidents

Truck accidents in the United States are on the rise. Recent statistics show that almost 150,000 people are injured in truck accidents each year, and 6,000 people are killed. The regional area of Georgia and Tennessee is a crossroads and a center for car manufacturing, river traffic, and other industries. Large trucks, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles are constantly on the road. This has a downside as frequent truck accidents occur on I-75, I-24, I-59, Highway 153, U.S. 27, Amnicola Highway, Corridor J, and other roadways. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Georgia or Tennessee truck accident, you may be eligible for substantial compensation.

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Motorcycle Accidents

Experienced Chattanooga motorcycle accident lawyers Tricia Dennis and Russell King are avid fans of motorcycles, but they also realize how serious motorcycle accidents can be. With over 75 years of combined experience, Dennis and King Injury Law knows the legal process to achieve fair compensation for motorcycle crash victims. Contact one of our lawyers today to learn more about how to start your motorcycle accident claim.

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ATV Accidents

Under both Tennessee and Georgia law, ATVs are not authorized for use on paved road, but children continue to bring ATVs on to our roads and highways. Georgia and Tennessee laws also prohibit the carrying of passengers on most ATVs, require children below the age of 16 to take approved ATV training courses, and require kids younger than 16 to wear helmets, eye protection, and over-the-ankle boots when operating ATVs. However, these requirements apply only when ATVs are operated on public lands, leaving kids essentially without protection when riding ATVs on private property.

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Bicycle Accidents

The most tragic type of bicycle crash is a bike-car collision. Cyclists are completely defenseless traveling on 30-pound bikes when they’re surrounded by 3,000-pound cars and trucks racing by them. Pedestrians, defective bike parts, recalled bike helmets, and other ineffective bicycle safety equipment can also cause bicycle accidents. Bike accidents can result in wrongful death or serious injuries such as broken bones, amputation, traumatic brain injury, neck, back, and spinal cord injuries.

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Boating Accidents

One of three factors usually cause boat accidents: an inexperienced boater, an intoxicated operator, or a boat malfunction. More than a third of both fatal and non-fatal boat accidents are alcohol-related. It is estimated that boat operators with a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher are 10 times more likely to be injured or killed in a boat accident than sober operators.

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Nursing Home Abuse

No one ever expects a family member or friend to be the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home. However, abuse and neglect do occur every day and in many ways.

Dennis and King are Chattanooga nursing home abuse attorneys who will fight to recover all that you and your loved one deserve. With our experience in nursing home negligence matters, we thoroughly and carefully assess each individual case. We prepare each case for either settlement or trial in order to obtain compensation for injury, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. We help victims and their families hold these facilities accountable.

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Premises Liability

Premises liability is a vital facet of personal injury law, placing responsibility on property owners for maintaining a safe environment. When accidents occur due to negligence or hazardous conditions on someone’s property, victims have the right to seek compensation. This encompasses incidents like slip and falls or inadequate security leading to assaults. Dennis and King excel in handling these complex cases, tirelessly pursuing justice for our clients.

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During your initial strategy session, we will assist you in creating a strategy in how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a car accident claim, 18 wheeler injury, or, other kind of personal injury claim.

There are 5 points to your free claim strategy session:

  • First, we will listen to your story. You will have a chance to tell everything to someone who wants to hear what happened to you.
  • Based on the information you provide, we will give you our best advice on both what claims you have and the next steps you should consider to go forward with your claim.
  • If you claim is something that we think we can help you with, we will explain the services that we can provide for you, and what the next steps are that we should take. We will start working immediately.
  • If your matter is something that we do not think we can help you with, then we will attempt to put you in contact with another lawyer that might be able to help you.
  • Either way, what should happen is we will put to rest some of the unknowns that you may be experiencing. We will start to shed light on what you can expect and how to best pursue the benefits you deserve.