LaFollette Distracted Driving Lawyer
Tennessee Auto Accident Lawyer Helping Clients Injured in Distracted Driving Crashes in LaFollette
Distracted driving has caused thousands of auto accidents in Tennessee, and innocent drivers and passengers have sustained life-threatening and fatal injuries because of another driver’s negligence. If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a distracted driving collision, an aggressive LaFollette distracted driving lawyer can help you to seek the compensation you deserve.
Learn More About Distracted Driving in LaFollette, Tennessee
Did you know that distracted driving typically results in nearly 3,500 deaths every year? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that is the number of people killed in distracted driving collisions in 2016 alone, and that number only continues to rise as more drivers use smartphones behind the wheel and engage in dangerously distracting technology.
Yet smartphones are not the only reason that distracted driving wrecks occur. To be sure, the NHTSA defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.”
Statute of Limitations in Your LaFollette Distracted Driving Accident Claim
In Tennessee, anyone who is injured in a distracted driving crash and wants to file a lawsuit must do so within the statute of limitations. This is a specific legal time window, and the clock begins “ticking” on the date of the accident in which the plaintiff sustained her injuries.
Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 28-3-104) has a shorter statute of limitations for personal injury claims than many other states. In LaFollette, plaintiffs only have one (1) year to file a lawsuit. While one year might seem like a relatively long period of time, it is important to remember that you will need to gather evidence for your claim and negotiate with the insurance company before filing a lawsuit. One year can go by very quickly, and as such you should get in touch with a LaFollette distracted driving accident attorney as soon as possible.
How Comparative Fault Can Affect Your LaFollette Distracted Driving Lawsuit
What happens if the injury victim is partially to blame for her injuries in the crash? For example, what if the plaintiff was driving just over the speed limit when the accident happened, but the collision mostly occurred because of the other driver’s distraction? This is a defense that the negligent driver may raise in order to avoid full liability, and it is known as “comparative fault.”
It is important for Tennessee injury victims to know that they can still obtain compensation even if a jury says they were partially at fault. Under Tennessee law, as long as the plaintiff is not 50 percent or more responsible, she can still recover damages. However, her award will be reduced by her percentage of fault. For example, if a plaintiff is 20 percent at fault, then her total damages award will be reduced by 20 percent.
Contact a LaFollette Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
Were you injured by a distracted driver? An experienced LaFollette distracted driving lawyer can assist with your case. Contact Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette to get started on your claim.
