How to Hire a Nashville Attorney if You’re Injured While Visiting Tennessee
There certainly is a lot of beauty to experience in our dynamic Music City. Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, and unfortunately, you're not immune just because you're on vacation. However, if you're injured because of someone else's negligence while you are on vacation, you have the same rights to compensation as someone who lives in Tennessee. That's good news, right? The not-so-great news is that dealing with the legal system can be overwhelming, especially if you're not local to the Nashville area.
That's where a local personal injury lawyer comes in, someone who knows the Tennessee legal system and can help you get what you deserve. But you must act fast, as Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Knowing that fact, don't delay in talking to a Tennessee personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after any injury while visiting Nashville.
Common causes of injuries in Nashville
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development reports that over 16 million visitors traveled to Nashville in 2019, with visitor spending increasing 44.4% year-over-year. That’s a lot of tourists to our fine city! But more people often means an increased chance of an accident or injury, especially if you aren’t familiar with the area. Here are some common types of incidents which visitors to Nashville might face:
- Car Accidents: Some common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and reckless driving. If you are involved in a car accident while visiting Nashville, it is essential to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible, even if you are driving your car that is registered out of state.
- Pedestrian Accidents: Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include distracted driving, drunk driving, and failure to yield the right of way. In Nashville, there is a vibrant nightlife from professional sports events to world class live music. With such exciting opportunities come heightened frequency of alcohol and substance use. As Tennessee.gov reports, impaired drivers are 4 times more likely to recklessly speed and 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident.
- Rideshare Accidents: Ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft are popular in Nashville. However, accidents can happen when using these services. If you are injured due to distracted or impaired driving of your rideshare driver you may be eligible for legal compensation. According to Tennessee.gov, 2020 alone, Tennessee saw 23,815 car crashes due to distracted driving.
- Bicycle Accidents: Nashville is working to become a bike-friendly city by 2024, and many tourists enjoy exploring the city on two wheels. However, cyclists can be at risk for accidents, especially if they are not familiar with the roads. Some common causes of bicycle accidents include reckless driving, failure to yield, and distracted driving. In the first half of 2022, 22 bicycle crashes were reported in Nashville
- Injuries at Hotels or Bars: With Tennessee’s booming hospitality industry, which nearly grossed $2 billion in 2021, there is no shortage of high quality venues for celebration or relaxation. Nashville is known for its vibrant nightlife, but whether you are out on the town or staying in at your hotel, hazards are always possible. Legal infractions against you or your loved ones may include falls on unsafe, unmarked surfaces, as well as physical and/or sexual assault.
Your wellbeing is of the utmost importance, so seek medical attention as soon as possible after any of the above listed instances.
How to find an attorney if injured while visiting Nashville
If you have suffered from any of the above instances during your stay in Nashville, it is important to remember that Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases. This means that you have only one year from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries.
To ensure that you have the best possible chance of receiving compensation for your injuries, it is crucial to find the right Tennessee attorney to handle your case. Here are some steps you can take to find the right attorney for your specific situation:
- Research Tennessee attorneys: Check their experience and scope of practice on their website and/or social media. Look for attorneys who have experience handling cases similar to yours.
- Confirm licensing: Ensure that the attorney you select is licensed to practice law in Tennessee, which can be confirmed through the Tennessee Bar Association website.
- Schedule a consultation: Contact your trusted law firm and schedule a consultation to discuss your case. Be sure to bring all relevant information related to your injury to the meeting.
- Choose the right law firm: Consider Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, which offers free consultations and has extensive credentials in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville. They specialize in vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, premises liability, and civil sexual assault claims.
- Communicate with your attorney: Stay in regular communication with your attorney throughout the case and attend all court hearings if necessary. Provide your selected law firm with all necessary information related to your injury so that they can build your case and negotiate with insurance companies.
Keep all records of medical treatment and expenses related to your injuries. If you are physically able after the incident, gathering information is essential. Take photos of the accident scene, including any damages or injuries.
If eyewitnesses are present, gather a brief statement, with their permission, and note their full legal name as well as a point of contact. If possible, gather the contact information of anyone involved in the incident, including the other driver in a car accident or the driver of the rideshare service.
Even Nashville’s most cautious out-of-state visitors may need to seek legal counsel after suffering an injury on vacation. Don't delay in seeking legal counsel if you have been injured in Tennessee. Call or contact the trusted attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation at one of our offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro and Clarksville.
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- I Didn’t Realize How Bad I Was Hurt After a Car Accident Until a Few Days Later
- What is a Contingency Fee?
Nashville personal injury attorney Rocky McElhaney is a well-known and respected lawyer as well as published author, helping Tennesseans through difficult times since the turn of the century. Rocky builds friendships with his clients, not just professional relationships. Rocky McElhaney is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell, has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association and has been awarded Best Lawyer in Nashville by the Nashville Scene Readers’ Poll
The Rocky McElhaney Law Firm represents people who have been injured by car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, negligent premises owners, defective products and many other forms of negligence throughout the state of Tennessee. The firm also represents clients in the areas of workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability claims.