Witnesses and Car Accidents

When car accidents occur, it is very important to get information about and from all available witnesses.  Obtain the full names, complete addresses, places of employment and current telephone numbers of all witnesses. Particularly in accidents appearing to involve only minor damage, the witnesses leave after the police officer arrives and the police officer may not obtain vital information concerning the witnesses. Remember that under Tennessee Law a person has one year in which to file a lawsuit for bodily injury and three years in which to file a lawsuit for property damage. Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 28-3-104 and 105. It is unfortunately not unusual for a person to file a lawsuit against you very near the end of the applicable one or three year period. Ask the lawyers, there are innumerable instances when it appears that the property damage is so slight that there is no reasonable anticipation that a lawsuit will be filed but nonetheless a lawsuit is filed and is filed just as the applicable statute of limitation is about to end. Once the witnesses are away from the scene, it will be almost impossible for you to locate and identify them if you have not obtained their vital information.

If you need more information about a Social Security Disability/SSI, personal injury, EEOICPA, long or short-term disability, VA disability, Railroad Retirement Board disability, or a workers compensation matter, please contact the Law Offices of Tony Farmer and John Dreiser for a free case evaluation. We can be reached at (865) 584-1211 or (800) 806-4611 or through our website. Our office handles claims throughout East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Bristol, Johnson City, Morristown, Maryville, Rogersville, Dandridge, Tazewell, New Tazewell, Jefferson City, Strawberry Plains, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Loudon, Kingston, Halls, Maynardville, Crossville, Cookeville, Jamestown, Sweetwater, Lenoir City, Athens, Oak Ridge, Clinton, LaFollette, Lake City, Jacksboro, Bean Station, Cosby, Newport, White Pine, Mosheim, Wartburg, Sunbright, Pigeon Forge, and Deer Lodge.