Auto Accidents

Like any state, Tennessee has its share of serious automobile accidents. A lawyer experienced in the field of transportation law should be consulted to analyze liability issues and assist in determining whether the facts and circumstances of the case even warrant retaining a lawyer.

If a person receives any of the following injuries from an automobile accident he or she may be able to recover damages in court including reimbursement for lost wages, reimbursement for medical expenses and for loss of consortium:

• Significant or permanent loss of an important bodily function
• General Pain and Suffering
• Injury that is permanent within a reasonable degree of medical certainty
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

Should you be involved in an automobile accident:

• Stop immediately as close to the location of the accident as possible.
• Check for injured people and call an ambulance if there is any question.
• Contact the local police department and request the preparation of an accident report.
• Locate and obtain the name, addresses, and phone number of witnesses.
• Convey all injured parties to the closest hospital or urgent care center.

Damages

If a person receives any of the following injuries from an automobile accident he or she may be able to recover damages in court:

• Significant or permanent loss of an important bodily function
• Injury that is permanent within a reasonable degree of medical certainty
• Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death

Truck Accidents

More and more traffic accidents involve a semi-truck or eighteen (18) wheeler. Because of their size and width, large trucks, like semis, pose a whole new set of danger to drivers. For one thing, a semi's large size makes its difficult for its driver to stop and start quickly, increasing the vehicle's likelihood of running off the road or hitting other vehicles. In addition, these trucks high center of gravity also makes them more likely to tip, roll over or jack-knife. Semi-trucks that carry large loads may also be hazardous to other drivers if the cargo is spilled onto the road. If you, a family member or friend has been injured in a traffic accident, we can help. Contact us for more information and to set up a free consultation.

Maritime Personal Injury

Recreational boaters, cruise ship passengers, seamen on commercial ships, longshore and harbor workers, and off-shore oil employees may at some point in time become injured and sue the person or business they believe to be responsible. When choosing an attorney regarding a maritime matter, it is very important to choose someone experienced in maritime law. The law governing maritime issues is a complicated jumble of federal statutes, United States Supreme Court decisions, and centuries-old common law. A general practitioner unfamiliar with the dips and turns of maritime law may have difficulty properly representing a client.

Railroad Accidents

Accidents at Railroad crossings remain an all-too-frequent occurrence. By law, railroad carriers have a duty to maintain the reasonable safety of their tracks, particularly around railroad crossings. A railroad carrier can be held liable if an accident occurs where there are defective or insufficient numbers of warning lights and signs. Additionally, railroad engineers and crews have a duty to keep a lookout for potential problems and to sound the train's horn when approaching potentially dangerous areas. Persons crossing at or near railroad tracks also have a duty to act reasonably. Tennessee recognizes the doctrine of comparative fault. If a person is partially responsible for an accident, any damage award he or she receives can be reduced by the extent to which he or she was responsible and may not be able to recover any damages if he or she is found to be 50% or more at fault.

Railroad Employees

A railroad employee who is hurt on the job is entitled to recover damages from his or her employer under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA). FELA is similar to a workers' compensation program for railroad employees. FELA enables railroad employees to recover for any injury "resulting in whole or in part from the negligence of any of the officers, agents, or employees of [the railroad], or by reason of any defect or insufficiency, due to its negligence, in its cars, engines, appliances, machinery, tracks, roadbeds, works, boats, wharves or other equipment." Recovery under FELA is the exclusive remedy for railroad employees injured on the job.

Aviation Accidents

While travel by commercial aircraft remains the safest way to travel long distance, accidents do happen, and the litigation that follows an airline crash is notoriously complicated. Lawyers representing plaintiffs in aviation lawsuits must consider a number of issues. For example, he or she must determine whether federal or state law governs the action and tailor the lawsuit and claims accordingly in order to obtain the most favorable forum for the client. An attorney may want to join his client's case as part of a class action lawsuit or pursue an individual action based upon analysis of strategic issues. Possible defendants include the aircraft manufacturer, operator, owner, airport operator, corporate officers, and component part manufacturers. Of course, the attorney selected should be familiar with the various theories of recovery a plaintiff may allege in an aviation lawsuit, which includes strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, and statutory provisions.

Personal Injury

Though accidents can occur virtually anywhere and under any circumstances, some of the most serious and costly accidents occur while people are involved in transportation-related activities. This section provides a brief overview of the laws and issues regarding automobile, railroad, and aviation accidents. Tort litigation involving transportation-related activities can be extremely complicated. Retaining an inexperienced lawyer may result in an injured person receiving less compensation than the law allows or even losing a lawsuit.