The Roth Firm in Nashville is working to educate members of the community about what they should do following an auto accident. The law firm recently published ten Nashville auto accident FAQs along with detailed responses on their website. It is the latest in the firm’s attempts to help residents understand their rights and responsibilities under the law. The questions and answer posts will be rolled out over a ten-day period.
One of the first issues to be addressed is the essential questions which accident victims should ask their auto accident lawyers. Managing partner at The Roth Firm, James M. Roth, said victims needed to ensure they hired a competent attorney. “You really need to ask about their track record with car accident cases. If they have a lot of experience, they’ll be better able to quantify your losses correctly and negotiate with insurance companies. You should also ask about whether they are willing to consult other lawyers on your case and if they are prepared to take the matter to court,” Roth said. More details on choosing an attorney can be found on the law firm’s website.
Another FAQ which is addressed in the new blog series relates to the average settlement for a car accident. Roth said this was a hot button issue for many of the firm’s clients who had medical bills and repair costs which needed to be addressed immediately. He said attorneys had to perform a thorough case evaluation to arrive at an accurate figure. Roth said the average settlement was between $14,000 and $28,000, but serious accidents could be settled for as much as $31,000 or even more. Settlement amounts depend on several factors including the severity of the victim’s injuries, their medical costs, the long-term impact of their injuries, and the value of their vehicle. Roth said victims may qualify for varying types of compensation including special damages, punitive damages, and general damages.
The FAQs also look at how long a car accident settlement usually takes. The Roth Firm Nashville auto accident attorney pointed out that many victims settle with the insurance company to avoid a drawn-out process. In such a case, it takes four to six weeks to complete the settlement once the victim and the insurer agree on an amount. In-court settlements are different. They can take several weeks or a few years, but they usually take an average of a year. Cases which involve serious injuries, disputes over liability or settlement values generally take longer.
One of the other questions which The Roth Firm addresses is “How long do you have to get a lawyer after a car accident?” As Roth points out, personal injury claims in Tennessee, are subject to a statute of limitations. This includes auto accident claims. The statute puts a limit on the amount of time the victim has to file a lawsuit following the car crash. When the deadline passes, they can no longer file a claim and any attempt to do so will be thrown out. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations is one-year. While this seems like a long time, it can pass quickly especially If the victim needs a long time to recover. Roth said it was important for accident victims to consult an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
“If you don’t want to settle for less than the full amount you deserve, you need to have an attorney assess your case as soon as you are aware of your injuries. When you do that, the lawyer can get started on your claim while there is still time for negotiations or to file a lawsuit. If you wait until the last minute, time may run out,” he said.
The Roth Firm frequently publishes legal articles which are helpful for Nashville residents. Roth adds, “Those interested in getting more information on car accidents of personal injury cases in Nashville can check out our other posts here.”
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For more information about The Roth Firm - Nashville, contact the company here:
The Roth Firm - Nashville
James M. Roth
(404) 250-3236
james.roth.attorney@gmail.com
402 Bna Dr #410, Nashville, TN 37217
