What Are the Tennessee Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is generally one year if you are injured in an auto crash and three years if you want to sue for the costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle.

Following an auto accident, it’s often beneficial to speak with the car accident lawyers in Nashville from Wettermark Keith. Our team has obtained over $1.5 billion for our clients. We can evaluate your case and let you know if you have grounds to sue someone for your car accident. If so, we can help you file your lawsuit in alignment with Tennessee’s statutes of limitations. 

Deadlines for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee

The personal injury lawyers in Nashville at Wettermark Keith will advise you not to wait to sue for an auto accident. We can teach you about the Tennessee statute of limitations for you to file your car accident lawsuit and help you take legal action promptly. Below are key deadlines for filing auto accident lawsuits in Tennessee:

• Personal injury: In some cases, you have one year from the day of a car accident to sue any responsible parties. This deadline can apply if you are dealing with a concussion, whiplash, broken bones, or other injuries from any auto accident caused by someone else. 
• Property damage: You usually have three years from the date of an auto accident to sue for damage to your car. Based on this, you have three years to sue if you want to recover damages for the costs of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle. 
• Wrongful death: There is often a one–year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits, including those involving fatal car accidents. In Tennessee, only specific family members or a personal representative of the estate of a deceased person (decedent) can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Wettermark Keith team can provide insights into whether you can sue for a car accident if you weren’t injured and other topics relating to your case. On top of that, we can detail various exceptions that can apply to Tennessee’s statutes of limitations for filing car accident lawsuits. 

Exceptions to Tennessee’s Statutes of Limitations for You to File an Auto Collision Lawsuit

If a minor is injured in a car accident, the statute of limitations for them to sue can be tolled until they turn 18. Because of this, a minor can have until they turn 19 to file a lawsuit against anyone liable for their auto accident and injuries. 

Meanwhile, if a motorist at fault for a car accident faces criminal charges, the personal injury statute of limitations in Tennessee can be extended to two years. Outside of this, if someone becomes mentally incapacitated due to an auto accident, the deadline for them to sue can be paused until they regain their mental capacity. 

The personal injury attorneys at Wettermark Keith are familiar with Tennessee’s statutes of limitations for suing for a car accident and the exceptions that can apply to these rules. We can detail the leading causes of car accidents and, if necessary, represent and advocate for you as part of an auto collision lawsuit.

When to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee

Consult with the car accident attorneys at Wettermark Keith if you’re debating whether to sue someone for an auto collision. Our lawyers can investigate your case and find out who’s at fault for your accident. Next, we can help you pursue compensation from any liable parties. 

Sometimes, we recover compensation for our clients in auto accident cases through insurance claims. We can negotiate a settlement agreement with a liable party’s insurance company for you. As we do, we can share any settlement offers with you and help you determine whether they will provide you with adequate compensation. 

If no settlement is reached, we are ready to present your case in front of a judge or jury. During a court trial, we can argue to a judge or jury that the defendant was negligent and should cover your auto accident losses. 

The Bottom Line on the Statutes of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee

How much time you have to file a car accident lawsuit is based on the facts of your case. The personal injury attorneys at Wettermark Keith can review your case and what Tennessee statutes of limitations for filing an auto crash lawsuit are relevant to your situation. 

Our team has more than 50 years of combined experience. We view your fight as our fight, and our attorneys are committed to helping you secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other auto accident losses. 

We encourage you to talk with us if you want more information about the statute of limitations for you to file an auto accident lawsuit in Tennessee or want to sue anyone at fault for your car crash for damages. To get started, schedule a free consultation.