FAQs About Memphis Car Accidents Asked by Readers of the Blog

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we do our best to keep our readers informed about road safety, current items in the news pertaining to cars such as recalls, tips for driving in bad weather, and the dangers of driving while distracted or drunk. But readers of this blog also have questions of their own, so we decided to pull together a few of those questions and answer them for the benefit of all our readers.

Q: What is the most common factor in causing road accidents?

A: The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) keeps track of all the motor vehicle accidents that occur on U.S. highways. They have looked at all aspects of car crashes and have determined that human error is the most common cause of car crashes in the United States. Human error can take many forms including speeding, stopping unexpectedly, losing control of the car, distractions inside or outside of the car, driving drunk, and falling asleep at the wheel.

Q: Are you required to get an accident report after a car crash?

A: If you are involved in a car accident, you are required to report the accident to Tennessee law enforcement within 20 days if there was property damage of more than $400, bodily injury, or death. You can get a blank accident report form from your local police department or highway patrol, or you can download an accident report online and submit it to the Tennessee Department of Safety.

Q: What happens if you get hit by an uninsured driver?

A: A new law that became effective January 1, 2017, requires Tennessee drivers to carry liability insurance. If a driver causes an accident and that driver is uninsured, they can face a fine of $300, they can lose their vehicle’s registration, and they could be subject to a Class C misdemeanor.

Q: What do you do if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident?

A: If you are driving your car and another car hits and damages your vehicle and then drives away without leaving their contact information, you are the victim of a hit-and-run incident. Further, if your parked car is hit and the at-fault driver leaves the scene, you are a victim of a hit-and-run incident. If you are on the scene when your car is hit, try to gather as much information about the other vehicle as possible such as the color, make, model, and license plate number before it disappears. Also, if there are any witnesses around who saw the accident, try to get the witness’s contact information Take photos of the damage, and take photos of the accident scene. Call the police, and file an accident report.

Being involved in a car accident can be a scary, traumatic experience. If you suffer a serious injury that requires medical attention and results in lost time from work, you will benefit from consulting an experienced Memphis car accident attorney from the law firm of Bailey & Greer, PLLC. We will listen to your story and offer legal advice based on your specific case.

Have you been hurt in a car accident and would like to discuss your questions with an experienced Tennessee auto accident attorney? If so, you are welcome to call Bailey & Greer, PLLC, at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form to schedule a free case review. We serve clients in and around Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. We are ready to help you seek compensation for your injuries today.