No one should have to pay for injuries they sustain due to someone else’s negligence. However, determining who is responsible for causing a car accident is not always easy. Therefore, residents should know how Tennessee authorities determine liability in these situations.
How Authorities Determine Fault in Tennessee
In some situations, determining fault is simple. If one driver hits another who is following all traffic laws, the striker would likely face responsibility for the accident (e.g., a straightforward rear-end accident.)
However, some car accidents aren’t as straightforward, as two or more drivers may have a hand in causing the accident. In these scenarios, Tennesee authorities use a modified comparative negligence rule.
Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Comparative negligence means authorities can find two or more parties at fault for the same accident.
However, Tennessee adheres to a modified comparative negligence rule.
This rule means a person involved in an accident can only recover money for his or her injuries if authorities find him or her 50% or less at fault for the accident. Therefore, if someone is at fault for 51% of the accident, they can’t recover losses.
Always Talk to a Lawyer About an Accident
As you can see, determining liability is not an easy task, and some people wrongly believe they are at fault for an accident when that’s only partially true.
With this in mind, anyone injured in a car accident should reach out to an experienced personal injury firm about a case. A personal injury firm can review the facts of the incident to determine if pursuing a lawsuit is wise, given the circumstances. Additionally, a firm can help the injured create and pursue a lawsuit if the circ
Need a professional opinion? Call (901) 730-8880 now for a free consultation about your accident
