It probably won’t be any surprise to you if you are told that one of the most dangerous parts of an interstate highway in the country is at a junction of I-24 at Nashville with I-65. This is a notorious accident black spot where merging accidents are commonplace.
Many truckers have been seriously injured or killed in this area. If you have been involved in a vehicle accident on I-24 and it’s not your fault you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation from the person who caused the accident. You should talk to a personal injury attorney first so that you know you are making the right move.
Interstate-24 in Tennessee
Interstate 24 (I-24) can be found in the Southeastern and Midwestern parts of the country. It runs 10 miles south of Marion in Illinois, to Chattanooga in Tennessee. Its signage indicates it is an east to west route, although the route does follow a more southeast to northwest direction when passing through Nashville, Tennessee. I-24 makes up the majority of a high-traffic area between Atlanta and St. Louis, Missouri.
What to Do If Hit While Merging On I-24
If you've been injured in a merging accident in Tennessee on I-24 you need to make sure you understand the rules for filing a personal injury claim. Following the accident it may not be on your mind to file a claim immediately but you shouldn’t leave it too long as there are time limits in force called statute of limitations.
In Tennessee you are given just 12 months from the date of the accident to file the claim. If you miss this time it’s unlikely you will ever win a claim for personal injury compensation.
Even though Tennessee allows victims of merging accidents to file claims for compensation, the court may decide that the victim is partly to blame for the accident. This is called shared fault and the court may reduce or even rule out honoring the victim’s claim. Sometimes the percentage of blame is apportioned to the victim and that percentage is deducted from the claim. However, as long as you are less than 50% at fault, you might still be able to recover some compensation.
Evidence to Gather If Hit While Merging On I-24
No claim is likely to be successful unless there is sufficient evidence to prove the merging accident wasn’t your fault. You will need to have at least the names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident, a medical report showing the extent of your injuries and your likely recovery time as well as receipts showing how long it is likely to take before you can return to work.
A police report compiled by the police officer attending the scene of the accident is necessary as well. If you have any photos you or a witness took at the accident scene this may help you as well.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
It is advisable to use an attorney to help you decide whether a personal injury claim is likely to be successful, as well as help in the negotiations with the defendant’s insurance adjuster. Your personal injury attorney will help ensure all the proof you have provided is sufficient to back up a successful personal injury claim.
