What’s the Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee?
How Long Do I Have To File A Car Accident Lawsuit In Tennessee?
The short answer is one year. However, you should never wait until the last minute to contact an attorney. There is much work to be done to lay the proper groundwork for a lawsuit.
The legal team at Blount Law Firm, PLLC, can start the investigation today. It is important to gather evidence and witness statements while they are fresh. But contact us; we may be able to help even if your car wreck happened weeks or months ago.
The Clock Is Ticking On Your Personal Injury Case
Tennessee’s statute of limitations generally gives one year from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Why would anyone wait so long to bring suit?
Sometimes injuries are not apparent or seem minor at first. A “mild concussion” lingers for months or gets worse. “Whiplash” turns out to be a neck fracture or herniated disk.
Some injuries take a long time to heal. The lawsuit is delayed to reflect the extent of recovery, a lasting impairment, ongoing medical treatment, and months of pain and suffering.
Sometimes the victim is reluctant to sue, as when a relative or friend was at fault for the accident.
The one-year statute of limitations can sometimes be extended. A recent ruling by the Tennessee Court of Appeals potentially opens the door for a two-year deadline in some situations. A good personal injury lawyer may be able to argue for an extension under this court decision.
Call Us Today. The Actual Lawsuit Can Wait
You may think your car wreck injuries are minor. You may not be sure if you have a case because you were partly at fault for the accident. Although the statute of limitations is one year, you should seek medical treatment and legal counsel as soon as possible. Our attorneys can file the lawsuit to preserve your rights if you are close to the deadline. Otherwise, we may hold off and file suit later after we have a fuller picture of your recovery and your damages.
The earlier we are involved, the better we can protect your rights. From our main office in Collierville, we handle motor vehicle accidents throughout Shelby County and the Mid-South region. For a free consultation, or contact us online.