What Is a Hit and Run in Nashville, Tennessee?
Under Tennessee law, any driver who is involved in an accident is required to remain at the scene and exchange the necessary information with the other party or parties involved. Regardless of whether you caused the accident or if you were the victim, it is expected that you remain on site. When a driver flees the scene of an accident without exchanging contact or insurance information or without providing reasonable assistance to any injured victims, it is considered a hit-and-run. Drivers who fail to meet these requirements could face a wide range of criminal charges depending on the severity of the accident, from misdemeanors to felonies.
After a collision, Tennessee law states that drivers must:
- Stop at the scene of the accident
- Provide contact and insurance information to other drivers involved, including:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Driver’s license number
- License plate number
- Vehicle information
- Offer assistance to injured individuals
- Report the accident to law enforcement if there was serious injury, death, or property damage
Even the driver who was not at fault during the collision can be charged with a hit-and-run if they fail to comply, though this is less common in Nashville. Exchanging information like insurance providers and policy numbers can also help when it comes to filing a claim.
Why Do Drivers Flee the Scene?
Car accidents can happen before you even know it, leaving drivers frightened and confused. Many drivers, especially those who have not been in an accident before, may freeze up after an accident and be uncertain of how to react. The adrenaline and shock of an accident can cloud a driver’s judgment and encourage them to flee the scene without exchanging information or checking on the other parties.
There are several reasons why someone may want to drive away after an accident. Some of the most common reasons we see drivers flee the scene after a Nashville hit-and-run include:
- Driving under the influence: DUI accidents are all too familiar for those living in the Nashville area. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can have serious repercussions, and drivers who are worried about being arrested may try to flee the scene.
- No valid driver’s license: Some drivers in Nashville may be driving without a license or on a suspended license. They may choose to drive away in fear of having to face the legal penalties of driving on an invalid or revoked license.
- Lack of insurance: Under Tennessee law, all drivers are required to carry at least the minimum liability insurance. Some drivers either allow their coverage to lapse or fail to purchase coverage at all, which is against the law. In some cases, drivers may be underinsured, in which case their coverage isn’t sufficient enough to cover the amount of damage that they have caused, prompting them to flee.
- Outstanding warrants: If a driver has outstanding legal trouble, they may leave the scene to avoid any interactions with the police.
- Panic: Many times, a driver will simply flee the scene of an accident out of pure fear and panic. Inexperienced drivers in particular may act impulsively and decide to drive away out of emotional distress, panic, or embarrassment.
Not all Nashville hit-and-run accidents are malicious. Sometimes, a driver may flee the scene without even noticing that they caused damage or were in a collision at all. More often than not, drivers will flee the scene to try to avoid facing legal or financial consequences.
When a driver flees the scene due to a lack of insurance, it can make claiming compensation more difficult. Drivers in Nashville are encouraged to opt in to their Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in case they are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. This coverage allows victims to pursue compensation when the at-fault driver:
- Is uninsured
- Is insured, though lacks sufficient coverage to pay for the damages
- Flees the scene and is unable to be identified
Because it is often difficult to identify an at-fault driver in a hit-and-run, UM/UIM is a useful tool for those seeking compensation after an accident.
Regardless of the reasoning for leaving the scene of an accident, it is both immoral and illegal to do. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Nashville hit-and-run accident, Glenn Injury Law will work tirelessly to identify a responsible party and help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability in a Nashville Hit and Run
Identifying a responsible party and determining liability in a Nashville hit-and-run is often a little more challenging than the average car accident. Victims often must rely on available evidence at the scene of the accident to help identify a liable party. Craig Glenn and the personal injury team at Glenn Injury Law have plenty of experience helping victims determine liability in Nashville auto accidents and can offer invaluable support by gathering evidence such as:
- Police reports: We work closely with our clients and with local law enforcement to gather crucial evidence that strengthens your case. Police reports and eyewitness statements can be incredibly helpful in tracking down the at-fault party.
- Surveillance footage: Many hit-and-run accidents are captured by traffic cameras, dashcams, and security cameras. Carefully reviewing all available footage can help identify the fleeing driver.
- Vehicle debris: Usually after an accident, debris is left at the scene. Paint can also be transferred from one car to another during the collision. By matching debris and other evidence at the scene, investigators can often identify the other vehicle that was involved, and ultimately, the driver.
In minor accidents with little to no property damage and no injuries, it is not uncommon for the at-fault driver to successfully flee the scene without being caught. However, the success rate of catching these offenders is much greater when their actions result in death or serious injury.
Can I Still Claim Compensation After a Nashville Hit and Run?
Though pursuing compensation may be more difficult without being able to identify a responsible party, it is certainly still possible. The most common way for victims to recover compensation after a Nashville hit-and-run accident is through filing a UM/UIM claim with their own insurance provider.
It is not mandatory for drivers to purchase this coverage, but due to the prevalence of hit-and-run accidents in the state, it is strongly suggested that you opt in. All insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM coverage in Tennessee. According to a 2022 article,
Tennessee had one of the highest rates of fatal hit-and-run accidents in the entire country.
Glenn Injury Law will use all available resources to track down the liable driver and hold them accountable for their reckless behavior. If you have lost a loved one because of another driver’s negligence and recklessness, our team can also help you pursue a
wrongful death claim.
Common Types of Hit and Run Accidents
Hit-and-run accidents happen every single day and there are several different ways in which they may occur. An accident can happen at any time, at almost any given place, though some scenarios that commonly lead to hit-and-run accidents in Nashville include:
- Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrian accidents are often some of the most serious and dangerous accidents that occur on our roads. Pedestrians are highly vulnerable and an accident can cause severe and even fatal injuries. Hit-and-run accidents involving pedestrians in Nashville typically occur at crosswalks or intersections and commonly happen late at night when it is difficult to see. Drivers may flee due to a fear of the legal consequences, especially if they were driving recklessly or under the influence.
- Bicycle accidents: Similarly to pedestrian accidents, hit-and-run accidents involving bicycles can be highly dangerous due to cyclist’s lack of protection. Even when wearing a helmet, cyclists can suffer serious injuries and accidents can be fatal. These accidents often happen in urban areas like Nashville, where traffic is congested and vehicles often make sudden lane changes. Despite the growth in popularity of bicycle lanes throughout the city, accidents are still common.
- Intersection accidents: Many hit-and-run accidents happen when a driver blows through a stop sign or a red light, causing a collision and then fleeing. Intersections are high-risk areas. T-bone accidents can result in serious injuries depending on the significance of the impact.
- Highway accidents: The high speeds and heavy traffic on Nashville highways and freeways often encourage at-fault drivers to try to flee by blending in with other cars and speeding away. These accidents can be particularly dangerous due to the high speeds at which they commonly occur, though surveillance footage and eyewitnesses often help track down the responsible driver.
- Parked car accidents: One of the most overlooked areas of hit-and-run accidents involves parked cars. After colliding with another vehicle in a parking lot or residential neighborhood, a driver may try to flee from the scene of an accident without being seen or even leaving a note. Because there is usually no other driver present during these accidents, drivers think it will be easy to get away. However, surveillance cameras and doorbell cameras can often help track down the suspected driver.
Regardless of how the accident happened, you have rights, and Glenn Injury Law is here to help you defend those rights. The value of an experienced hit-and-run attorney cannot be overstated. If you have been injured or had your property damaged in a Nashville hit-and-run accident, call us today to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help.
How Can an Attorney Help With Your Nashville Hit and Run Case?
Hit-and-run accidents are puzzling and frustrating experiences. A Nashville hit-and-run attorney can help play a pivotal role in helping you secure compensation and seek justice after your accident. At Glenn Injury Law, we take great pride in holding liable parties accountable for their negligence and helping our clients move forward.
If you are suffering from an injury after a Nashville hit-and-run accident, recovery should be the first and only thing on your mind. Allow our personal injury team to take the stress and confusion of pursuing legal action off of your shoulders. Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury Law can help by:
- Gathering evidence: We collect all available evidence, including police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements, to help bolster your case.
- Working with law enforcement: At Glenn Injury Law, we coordinate with local law enforcement to help identify an at-fault driver so you don’t have to.
- Communicating with insurance companies: We help our clients through the process of filing an uninsured motorist claim, negotiating with insurance companies to maximize your compensation even when they try to offer you a lowball settlement.
We work tirelessly for our clients to secure a favorable outcome and are prepared to take your case to court if need be. At Glenn Injury Law, we aren’t interested in reaching a quick settlement; we genuinely care about making a positive difference in our client’s lives and in our community. We proudly serve injured victims throughout Nashville and its surrounding cities, not only with hit-and-run accidents but also:
For more information about how Glenn Injury Law can make a difference in your Nashville hit-and-run, call us today and schedule your consultation. Come see why injured victims and their families repeatedly turn to Glenn Injury Law for our compassionate and winning legal expertise.
Contact Us Today for Legal Support After a Nashville Hit and Run
If you have been injured in a Nashville hit-and-run accident, you need the assistance of an experienced professional like Craig Glenn by your side. With years of experience successfully representing victims of auto accidents, hit-and-run accidents, and uninsured/underinsured motorist accidents, Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury have the experience necessary to help you recover the maximum compensation.
Don’t wait; call Glenn Injury Law today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay unless we are able to secure you a successful outcome. For more information about how our team can help you on a path toward justice today,
call us today or connect with us online.
