Who Pays for Car Damage After an Accident in Tennessee?

Auto Accident Tennessee Who Pays for Damage?

As a driver who may have been recently involved in a car accident in the state of Tennessee, you are most likely going to have a number of questions in the aftermath. For those who have recently been in a car accident, one question that might be at the forefront of your mind is who pays for car damage after an accident?

The answer to this can vary state by state, considering that the at-fault and no-fault laws are different in each state. But to answer who pays for car damage after an accident, we want to first understand what an at-fault state is.

Tennessee is an At-Fault State

When we discuss auto accidents in Tennessee, it can be important to remember that Tennessee is an at-fault state. Being an at-fault state is a rather important part of the answer to who pays for car damage after an accident.

So what does being an at-fault state mean in the context of who pays for car damage after an accident? If a state is an at-fault state, this means that the driver who is at fault for a car accident will be legally responsible for the costs of all damages and injuries caused. For the at-fault driver, their insurance company will cover the other driver’s costs.

As opposed to an at-fault state, car accidents in a no-fault state are handled differently. In a no-fault state, each driver that was involved in the car accident would file a claim with their own insurance companies, no matter who was at fault for the accident.

Who Pays for Car Damage After An Accident?

So the short and long answer to who pays for car damage after an accident is the at-fault driver. As mentioned above, the at-fault driver will be legally responsible for the costs of all damages and injuries.

In the aftermath of an accident, there may be a process of determining who the at-fault driver actually is. This is usually determined by the insurance company.

Things you can do after you have been in a car accident if you are in a condition to do so is to collect evidence as soon as possible. This can include:

• Collecting contact information from any witnesses. Witnesses may be in the form of other drivers or people who were just passing by. Collect names, phone numbers, and other contact information where possible. This information can be helpful to your lawyer and your insurance company.
• Take photos of the accident scene. Photos and videos are a key way to show the scene of the accident and things like damage to the cars involved, the weather conditions, the road around the accident, and other elements of the accident.
• Seek medical attention. Seeking medical attention after an accident, even if you do not feel injured at all, is important to both your health and because it can serve as good evidence in the aftermath.

Car accidents can become complex, so speaking with a lawyer who specializes in car accident claims can be helpful to you as you move forward.

Speak with A Car Accident Lawyer

If you have further questions about who pays for car damage after an accident in the state of Tennessee, speaking with a dedicated personal injury attorney should be your next step. Should you have questions about moving forward with the legal process following a car accident, having a caring personal attorney on your side can make a difference.

You can reach out to Corey Heit of Heit Law, LLC today for a free consultation online or by calling his Nashville-based office at 615-962-3000.