If you have been injured in an auto accident in Fayetteville, Tennessee, you may be unsure of how to proceed in order to avoid suffering long-term consequences. With a combination of small-town city streets such as Washington Street and Mulberry Avenue and State Highway 431, Fayetteville, like any small city, has its share of auto accidents. Overall, Lincoln County ranks 38th in the total number of automobile crashes, and 43rd in the number of fatal automobile crashes in the state of Tennessee. The number of injuries from crashes in Lincoln County rank 40th in the state. As new areas of residential and commercial growth continue to infuse the city of Fayetteville, it is likely these crash rates will only increase.
Understanding your rights in a Tennessee automobile accident makes sense, even if you live in a small, picturesque town like Fayetteville. If you have been involved in an auto collision, you will first want to ensure you receive proper medical attention for your injuries. You will then want to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can ensure you are allowed the time to heal while the legalities associated with your accident are taken care of. We have compiled the most important information you need to know, all in one place. Click here to read our Car Accident Guide. First, read on, for important answers to some of your most pressing questions.
How do I Decide Whether to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Every personal injury case following an automobile accident is different, and you, as the victim, must make a very personal decision whether to file a lawsuit. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you determine the relative strength of your claim, determining the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Generally speaking, you will want to consider the following:
Your personal injury attorney can help you determine the answers to these questions, and how those answers may determine whether you should file a lawsuit or not.
What are the Most Common Types of Automobile Accident Injuries?
Since every U.S. driver will be involved in approximately three auto accidents during their life, and injuries will result from at least one of those accidents, the chances are good you or someone close to you will suffer such injury. Of course your injuries will depend on the circumstances surrounding your car crash as well as the severity of the impact. You may have sustained a wide variety of injuries to your body, ranging from minor, to severe, or even life-threatening. The most common auto injuries are those to the neck. Neck injury resulting from an automobile accident can occur even at speeds as low as five miles per hour, and can manifest days, or even weeks following the accident. A significant number of those involved in auto accidents will suffer symptoms for as long as six months, and as many as ten percent may end up partially or permanently disabled.
Following whiplash and other neck injuries, brain and head injuries are also very common following a car collision. At the time of impact, the brain can be slammed into the hard bone of the skull, resulting in a closed head injury. The injury can range in severity from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries, due to the lack of visible cut or wound, can be more difficult to diagnose. Concussions can range from mild to serious, at times resulting in unconsciousness or coma. Back injuries are also common following an auto accident. Sprains, strains, fractures, disc injuries and lumbar spinal injuries are all possible. Other common injuries resulting from an auto accident include facial lacerations, broken bones, and psychological trauma. For more in-depth information regarding injuries sustained from car accidents see our guide on common injuries here.
What are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents?
Distracted driving has quickly taken the spot as the number one cause of auto accidents. Our increasingly busy lives result in multi-tasking in every area, including while behind the wheel. This practice, unfortunately, is the cause of a significant number of auto accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board called distracted driving an “epidemic,” linking distractions to at least 3,092 auto fatalities in 2010. Some of the more common types of distractions include talking on a cell phone, texting, eating, changing radio stations, attempting to look at the GPS, turning around to see what the kids are doing in the back seat, talking to a passenger, or simply daydreaming. On the even more extreme end, some auto accidents have been caused by a driver putting on makeup or reading a book while driving.
If you are the victim of an auto collision, whether resulting from a distracted driver or one who was reckless or driving aggressively, getting experienced legal help as soon as possible makes all the difference in the outcome. Your personal injury attorney will fight aggressively for your rights, as well as for your future, allowing you the necessary time to put your life back together. The personal injury attorneys at Martinson & Beason, P.C. have been protecting people like you since 1937. Call us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you.