Rear-end car accidents can have devastating consequences for a crash victim. In many cases, a driver struck from the rear is hit unexpectedly and has no time to brace for the impact of a collision.
Compensation may be available for injuries caused by rear-end car accidents in Goodlettsville. If you were injured in such a wreck, please contact one of our knowledgeable auto crash attorneys to discuss pursuing compensation. We are the top personal injury law firm in the area, voted repeatedly as Nashville’s Best Law Firm by the Tennessean’s Best of Music City Awards.
Goodlettsville rear-end collisions often happen when a driver is not paying attention to the road. A rear-end crash can be caused by a wide range of negligent activities, including:
A rear-end accident is more likely to occur when negligent actions are combined with outside factors such as bad weather, poor road conditions, and heavy traffic.
When an accident results from a driver’s failure to use reasonable care, accident victims can pursue a lawsuit for negligence. The specific evidence required to prove negligence varies by case but can include police reports, witness statements, expert testimony, and video footage or photos of the accident scene.
A personal injury lawsuit for negligence allows accident victims to pursue compensation for their out-of-pocket losses, such as medical bills or wages lost from missed time at work.
Accident victims can also pursue non-economic damages for immeasurable losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish. The state limits the maximum amount of noneconomic damages to $750,000, under Tennessee Code § 29-39-102.
A rear-end car accident lawsuit in Goodlettsville can allow an injured victim to recover exemplary or punitive damages. According to Tennessee Code § 29-39-104, a court can award punitive damages if a defendant acted maliciously, intentionally, fraudulently, or recklessly.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter future misconduct. According to the rule, the court can consider several factors when determining the proper amount of punitive damages. These may include the defendant’s financial condition and net worth, the reprehensible nature of their actions, and expenses incurred by the plaintiff.
The statute caps the amount of punitive damages at the greater of two times the amount of total compensatory damages awarded to the plaintiff or $500,000.
Our well-practiced attorneys can help you determine if you can pursue a claim for punitive damages.
Many car accidents are caused by multiple parties’ negligence. When analyzing the fault of multiple parties in Goodlettsville rear-end car wrecks, courts will assign a percentage of fault to each person.
The state follows the rule of modified comparative negligence when more than one party is at fault, according to Tennessee Code § 20-1-119. The rule states that a negligent victim cannot recover any damages if they were 50 percent or more responsible for causing the accident.
If the victim’s fault is below this threshold, they can still recover compensation. However, the court will limit their damages in proportion to their percentage of fault. For example, a victim who was 25 percent negligent in causing an accident can recover up to 75 percent of the damages sought in the lawsuit.
Our attorneys are experienced in lawsuits resulting from rear-end car accidents in Goodlettsville. We are from the area and contribute to the local community. We will use our experience to fight aggressively on your behalf, both inside and outside the courtroom. If you were injured in a rear-end collision, contact Ponce Law today to discuss your case.
