Legal Question in Personal Injury in Tennessee
Rear-ended, injury and car damage
I was rear-ended a few days ago by a utitlity truck. Essentially, my trunk is now in my back seat on the car rendering my car undrivable. I have soft tissue injury which was treated in the ER. My car may be totaled but still waiting to hear from insurance.
My question, while I am still waiting to hear about the full extent of my injuries, will I also have to wait for the insurance to decide what to do about my car and receive any settlement for that at the same time as the settlement for my medical bills.
Currently, I am still paying on my car but with it undrivable, the insurance company has agreed to a rental car.
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Rear-ended, injury and car damage
The insurance co. will pay for the car immediately but be sure the settlement for the car says property damage only. I suspect you will have a very difficult time with the insurance co. on the soft tissue personal injury claim. That will be dragged out and frustrate you without a lawyer. Tennessee has a one year statute of limitations to file suit and you may be in the very early stages of treatment for personal injury depending upon how bad you may have been hurt.
Re: Rear-ended, injury and car damage
The damage to your vehicle is called property damage is seperate and CAN be settled prior to any settlement on the damage to you which is called a pesonal injury. I'd be careful in trying to settle a property claim without the assistance of an attorney. There are agreements an insurance company seek to make that could cause you to come out on the short end of the stick. I can help. 423 266-4855