Have you been hurt in a car, truck or motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault? Did a doctor fail to properly diagnose a disease or did a medical professional’s error leave you with a serious health condition? If you’ve been hurt and another person, business or government agency is to blame, you may be entitled to compensation under Tennessee’s personal injury law. A Nashville personal injury lawyer can help advocate on your behalf and work to obtain the appropriate compensation for your accident or injury-related expenses.
What Is Tennessee Personal Injury Law?
Personal injury law, also known as accident law, is an area of civil law that allows people who have been hurt to get compensated for their injuries. The injured party, known as the plaintiff, can file a lawsuit against the responsible party, known as the defendant, in either the Tennessee General Sessions Court or the Tennessee Circuit Court. The General Session Court hears cases involving claims for compensation, known as damages, of no more than $25,000. The Circuit Court hears lawsuits involving damages that exceed $25,000.
To win your accident lawsuit, your Nashville personal injury attorney must demonstrate that:
- The defendant had a legal obligation, known as a duty of care, to try to keep from hurting you
- The defendant failed to uphold that duty of care and you were hurt as a result
- You had financial expenses in connection with your injuries
Is There a Time Limit For Filing a Tennessee Accident Lawsuit?
In Tennessee the statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing a personal injury lawsuit is one year from the date of your accident. If you wait even one day too long to file your case, then you’ll be unable to recover any damages in connection with your claim. Because courts strictly follow the statute of limitations, you should hire a Tennessee personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following your accident or being diagnosed with an injury. Also, it’s important to note that one year is the deadline to file your lawsuit. Lawsuits take time to resolve and you’ll still be entitled to compensation even if your trial extends past the one-year mark.
Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury law encompasses many types of accidents and injuries. These include:
- Airplane crashes
- Asbestos-related diseases
- Automobile accidents
- Birth injuries
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Mesothelioma
- Motorcycle accidents
- Nursing home abuse and neglect
- Product liability
- Railroad accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Work accidents
