Memphis Car Accident Lawyer

What are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Memphis, TN?

Motor vehicle accidents are caused by an array of different reasons. Some car accidents result from, for example, distracted driving, while others come from more indirect factors, like tire blowouts or sudden, severe weather. After being impacted by a car accident, it’s essential to identify what exactly caused it. Here is a list of common reasons why car accidents occur in Memphis:

Drunk driving:

Driving drunk is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Memphis, TN. With hundreds of crashes each year, Shelby County has the second-highest rate of alcohol-related accidents in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security.

Speeding:

Drivers that exceed the posted speed limit also contribute to the thousands of auto accidents that occur on Memphis roads each year. In 2021, over 115 car accidents were attributed to speeding in Shelby County.

Reckless driving:

Examples of reckless driving include unlawfully passing another car, racing on the road, and intentionally running a stop sign. Between 2012 and 2021, just under 10,000 auto accidents resulted from reckless and negligent driving in Shelby County, Tennessee.

Distracted driving:

There are three kinds of distracted driving in Tennessee, according to the state’s highway safety office – cognitive (lack of focus), visual (looking away from the road), and manual (a driver taking one or both hands off the steering wheel). Texting while driving would fall under all three categories of distracted driving.

Road rage:

Difficult driving situations can bring out hostility in some people, translating to instances of road rage and aggression towards other drivers and vehicles. In 2021, aggressive driving and road rage accounted for 578 accidents in Shelby County, Tennessee.

Lack of vehicle maintenance:

When a driver fails to get proper maintenance and inspection done to a car, it can result in mechanical failure and, unfortunately, a deadly accident. Examples of this include tire blowout, windshield wiper failure, or brake malfunction.

Severe weather:

It doesn’t often snow in Memphis, TN (about 3 inches per year). Still, when it does, inexperienced or reckless drivers may be unable to maneuver a car with the same degree of precision and therefore cause an accident.

If you or a family member has been impacted by a car accident, it’s crucial to contact legal counsel as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to compensation. Our Memphis car accident lawyers at Mama Justice have decades of experience representing car accident victims and may be able to help you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

How Can a Memphis Car Accident Attorney Help You?

Legal processes can be complicated, full of jargon, and difficult to understand. As a result, navigating a lawsuit or settlement negotiation alone can be nearly impossible for a person that does not have formal legal training and certification.

Therefore, if you’ve been a victim of an auto accident, it is important to consider contacting a car accident attorney to help you. Some ways in which a Memphis car accident attorney may be able to support you include:

Investigating After A Car Accident:

Following a car wreck, a car accident attorney will be able to help you investigate and determine the cause of the crash. This may mean contacting local businesses to find surveillance footage, gathering eye-witness statements and police reports, or doing a background check on the other driver.

Proving Liability And Negligence After A Car Accident:

Anyone who gets behind the wheel is subject to a legal duty of care to those around them. To prove negligence, it is necessary to show that that duty was breached, and you suffered injuries or other losses as a result. A car accident attorney can confidently guide you through this legal process and provide accurate answers to all of your questions.

Communicate With The At-Fault Party and Insurance Company:

Following a car accident, communicating with the at-fault party and their insurance company can be challenging – both emotionally and in terms of the time that it requires. In addition, many car accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations, in which the insurance company may try to lowball you. A skilled car attorney can serve as a level-headed liaison with the other party and knows what it takes to get a fair financial settlement.

At Mama Justice, we have more than 40 years of combined Memphis personal injury law experience tackling car accident cases, wrongful death cases, and personal injury cases, which means we are well prepared to represent you. Our law firm has a tradition of offering direct communication and hands-on legal services to Memphis car accident victims, all while treating every client like a member of the family. Contact us today to learn more and take the first steps towards recovering the compensation you deserve.

What are Common Injuries Sustained After a Car Accident in Memphis?

Sadly, a long list of debilitating and catastrophic injuries – ranging in severity- can come after a serious car crash. In addition to extreme physical pain, car accident injuries also affect emotional, psychological, and financial well-being. Here is a list of common injuries that may come from a car accident:

traumatic brain injuries
neck injuries
head injuries
spinal cord injuries
whiplash or herniated disc
broken bones
burns and lacerations
internal bleeding or organ damage
disfigurement
paralysis or loss of bodily function

It can be challenging to manage if you’ve sustained severe injuries after an auto accident, had to deal with lost wages and incurred outrageous medical expenses. Remember that you’re not alone – you may be able to file a personal injury claim, and the team of Memphis car accident attorneys at Mama Justice may be able to fight on your behalf. Contact us today to learn more.

What to Do if You’ve Been in a Car Accident

While it only takes a split second for a car accident to occur, it often leaves a lasting, lifelong impact. Typically after a car accident, the adrenaline of everyone involved is high, and it can be hard to know exactly what to do. Whether you’ve been impacted by a crash or not, here is a list of valuable steps to take if you find yourself in a car wreck:

Get to Safety:

Most importantly, after a car accident is to make sure that you are safe. Look over yourself and loved ones for both big and small injuries, and, if necessary, seek medical attention immediately. If possible, or if the crash was only minor, move your car over to the side of the road to avoid further collisions. Inspect your vehicle for damage, and try to stay calm and relaxed.

Exchange Information

It’s essential not to admit fault or make any guarantees about payment to the other driver at the accident scene. Following a crash, you must contact law enforcement and exchange personal information with the other parties involved so that you can contact them later. This includes name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance company information. In addition, contact your insurance company as well.

Gather Evidence:

Although hard to remember immediately after a car accident, gathering evidence is a crucial step to take and will be particularly valuable later on. This can include photos and videos of the scene as well as of injuries or property damage. Keep track of the police report, receipts, medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and any other documentation that will illustrate the severity of the car accident.

Contact Legal Counsel:

At only one year from the accident date, Tennessee has one of the shortest statute limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Due to this short timeframe, hiring a strong car accident attorney familiar with car accident cases may be crucial in increasing your chances of recovering compensation.

Our team of Memphis car accident attorneys and investigators at Mama Justice know how difficult it can be to navigate the aftermath of a serious car accident. Particularly after sustaining a personal injury, dealing with insurance companies and claims adjusters on top of everything else is no easy task. Mama Justice can help to take some weight off your shoulders. Reach out today to speak with an experienced attorney that may be able to help you.

Where Do Car Accidents in Memphis, TN Happen?

There is no shortage of dangerous roads and intersections in Memphis, TN. In 2019, Shelby County saw a total of 155 fatalities and 8,627 injuries due to traffic crashes. Each year, the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security keeps a map of where fatal accidents occur. These crashes happen throughout the city, but here is a list of just a few locations where several fatal car accidents took place in Memphis between 2020 and 2022:

Getwell Road
Interstate 40
Thomas Street
Interstate 240
Poplar Avenue
E E.H Crump Boulevard
Winchester Road
E. Shelby Drive
Sycamore View Road
Walnut Grove Road

If you or a family member has been injured by a car accident on any road in Memphis, it’s important to know your options. Each car accident case is different, and the legal team at Mama Justice knows what it takes to properly represent car accident victims. Contact us today to learn more about what rights you have after a car accident.

What if I Lost a Loved One in a Car Accident?

If the worst of the worst has happened, and you’ve lost a loved one to a car accident, you may have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. After experiencing a loss, it’s typical for family members and friends of the victim to go through significant emotional and financial upheaval. Therefore, it’s essential to know your rights.

In Tennessee, according to TN Code Title 20. Civil Procedure § 20-5-106, should a person die after being injured by another person or if someone’s death “is caused by the wrongful act, omission, or killing by another,” the right to pursue legal action does not go away and is typically passed on to the surviving spouse or another family member.

From there, in the case of a car accident, the individual pursuing legal action must prove fault on behalf of the deceased loved one. This may look like a personal injury case; you must show negligence and that the other party breached the legal duty of care. If you are successful in your wrongful death claim, you may be able to recover compensation for:

medical expenses and hospital bills
loss of financial support and companionship
funeral and burial costs
family’s mental and physical suffering

After losing a loved one, it’s understandable if a lawsuit is not the first thing on your mind. It’s important to remember that in Tennessee, however, you only have one year after the car accident to file wrongful death claims. Our team of car accident attorneys at Mama Justice is well-versed in wrongful death law and can help you get the justice and financial relief you deserve. Call today to learn more at (833) 626-2587.

Memphis Car Accidents by the Numbers.

The good news is that, in Tennessee, the rate of traffic fatalities has steadily decreased since the 1950s. However, the bad news is that thousands continue to experience property damage or, even worse, be injured or killed in an accident in Memphis every year. Here is a list of car accident statistics in Tennessee, as reported by the department of safety & homeland security:

In 2020, more than 1,200 people were killed in traffic accidents in Tennessee, the most, at least since 2015.
Over 9,000 people were injured, just under 29,000 people experienced property damage exceeding $400, and 240 people were killed in traffic-related crashes in Shelby County alone in 2021.
The most common time of day to get in a car accident in Shelby County is between 3 p.m. and 5:59 p.m. In 2021, roughly 7,400 total traffic crashes occurred in that timeframe. The most common day of the week and month for an accident in 2021 was during a Friday in May.
The most frequent known cause of a car accident in Shelby County in 2021 was improperly towing or pushing a vehicle, accounting for over 6,000 traffic-related crashes.
In 2021, most car accidents – just over 8,000 – involved drivers that were between 25 and 29 years old.
Over the last 70 years, Tennessee’s traffic fatality rate has decreased from 8.28 in 1950 to 1.37 in 2019.

Statistics can help paint a bigger picture of how many people have suffered injuries from accidents in a given year and illustrate that you aren’t alone. However, our car accident attorneys at Mama Justice know that each car accident claim is unique, and we will take the time to listen and learn about your individual experience. Call today to speak with an auto accident attorney.

What are the Classifications of Car Accidents that Happen in Memphis?

Various types of car accidents can happen on Memphis roads and elsewhere. While some tend to be worse than others, every kind of car wreck has the potential to be deadly or result in severe injuries. Here is a list of some common types of car accidents that happen every year in Tennessee:

Head-on collision:

A head-on collision is where the two vehicles crash into each other head-on, typically resulting from a driver operating in the wrong lane. A head-on collision can be particularly dangerous, especially if both cars are traveling at high speeds.

Rear-end collision:

In a rear-end collision, the backside of one car is struck by the front side of another. This style of a crash is common, particularly in stop-and-go settings, and frequently results from one driver, the one behind, not paying attention to the road ahead.

T-bone crash:

A t-bone is a phrase used to describe a crash where one party strikes the side of another vehicle head-on. T-bones often occur at intersections when one driver has failed to yield or stop at a red light and pose a unique risk to the driver or passenger, depending on what side of the car is struck.

Sideswipe accident:

Sideswipe accidents occur when two cars driving next to each other in different lanes come too close and collide. This type of crash may result from merging lanes without checking blind spots or failing to stay within one lane and can cause both vehicles involved to lose control.

Single-vehicle accident:

A single-vehicle crash is just that, a crash involving just one vehicle that hits another obstacle, such as a guardrail or a utility pole. Many factors can cause single-vehicle crashes, from weather to malfunctioning brakes to alcohol intoxication. Speed is a significant factor in the severity of a single-vehicle crash.

Pile-up crash:

Following an accident of any type, the threat of a pile-up crash is created. Especially on high-speed interstates, vehicles may not be able to yield or stop in time after a collision, and a chain-reaction of vehicles can occur.

Following a crash, particularly if you were injured, it’s important to reach out to a car accident lawyer who might be able to help you. The personal injury attorneys at Mama Justice know how to represent injury victims in all different types of auto accident cases and may be able to assist you.

What Sets MW Law Firm Apart From the Rest?

Fueled by years of experience in the court system, the lawyers at Mama Justice pride themselves on their proven track record of getting clients the verdict or settlement they deserve after a car accident. We treat our clients like family, which means listening to you, communicating with you through the legal process, and standing by your side when you need it the most.

Missy Wigginton, aka Mama Justice, is our founding attorney here at the law firm. Having earned a long list of accolades and extensive education in the legal field, Wigginton’s goal has always been fiercely representing her clients through the legal matters that come from the hardships of personal injury.

In addition, our skilled attorneys, intake specialists, paralegals, legal assistants, and investigators have decades of combined experience in their fields and know how to fight on your behalf. The team at Mama Justice may be able to help you, and we encourage you to reach out today at (833) 626-2587.

$4.5 Million

Vehicle Accident

$1.4 Million

Vehicle Accident

$460,000

Vehicle Accident

$300,000

Motorcycle Accident

$320,000

Medical Transport Accident

$250,000

Vehicle Accident

$108,000

Workers Comp Injury

$106,000

Slip & Fall Accident

Missy Wigginton

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In Memphis

Memphis Car Accident Lawyer

$4.5 Million

Vehicle Accident

$1.4 Million

Vehicle Accident

$460,000

Vehicle Accident

$300,000

Motorcycle Accident

$320,000

Medical Transport Accident

$250,000

Vehicle Accident

$108,000

Workers Comp Injury

$106,000

Slip & Fall Accident

Missy Wigginton