Chattanooga Personal Injury Attorneys

Car Accidents Caused By Animals

Car Accidents Caused By Animals

Tricia Dennis
Tricia DennisTricia Dennis

One of the most terrifying accidents I was ever in occurred one night when a deer jumped out in front of my car at night on I-24 here in Tennessee. The damage the deer did to my vehicle was incredible. The kind Tennessee Highway Patrolman that helped me told me that Tennessee had more deer than people, so the odds are shockingly high that you too may hit a deer. Additionally, Tennessee and Georgia are rural states, so if it’s not a deer that steps out in front of your vehicle, it could easily be a cow or a horse.

Animals cause more than 260,000 car crashes a year and result in more than 150 fatalities.

Of course, you can usually avoid hitting animals by paying attention to your surroundings while driving, particularly in a rural area. Drive defensively. Stay cool if you can. And don’t swerve to avoid the animal unless you know you can do so safely.

WHEN YOU HIT AN ANIMAL, WHO IS AT FAULT?

Obviously, you can’t sue the animal that dashes out in front of you and causes you to wreck your car. However, if the owner of the animal negligently let the animal roam free and into the roadway, you do have a claim against the owner. So, if a cow or a horse wanders into the path of your vehicle and you hit it, tearing up your car and injuring you, you can sue the owner and his homeowner’s insurance. Unfortunately, wildlife such as deer, have no owners so there is no responsible party from whom you can collect.

WHAT IF YOU HIT A WILD ANIMAL?

If you have included “comprehensive coverage” in your insurance policy, your insurance will take care of the damage to your car. Since its not your fault, your insurance rates won’t go up. Unfortunately, in this situation, you will not be able to collect for pain and suffering if you suffer an injury from hitting a wild animal.

If you were in a Tennessee or Georgia car accident with an animal or just a regular person, call us at (423) 892-5533. We can help, even if you don’t hire us.

By Dennis & King Law|2024-06-30T04:48:08-04:00October 6th, 2022|Accidents|Comments Off on Car Accidents Caused By Animals
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Personal injury 

In almost all personal injury claims, insurance companies will offer you significantly less than what you deserve. It’s tempting to accept the first offer, especially if you are in a great deal of pain and unable to return to work. But if you’ve already taken a devalued settlement from the insurance company and your medical bills start to pile up, there’s little legal recourse to ask for more. That’s why it’s crucial to involve a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer before you even file a claim.

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Car Accidents

Chattanooga car accident lawyers Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham have recovered millions of dollars in Georgia and Tennessee for car and motor vehicle accident victims like you.  If you or a loved one has been injured and need help with your medical bills, then you have come to the right place.   Auto accident victims and their family members in East Tennessee and North Georgia can confidently rely on the experienced auto accident attorneys at Dennis & Winningham Law. We are the law firm that has compassionately, yet effectively, helped victims and their loved ones navigate the aftermath of difficult situations.

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Truck accidents in the United States are on the rise. Recent statistics show that almost 150,000 people are injured in truck accidents each year, and 6,000 people are killed. The regional area of Georgia and Tennessee is a crossroads and a center for car manufacturing, river traffic, and other industries. Large trucks, semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles are constantly on the road. This has a downside as frequent truck accidents occur on I-75, I-24, I-59, Highway 153, U.S. 27, Amnicola Highway, Corridor J, and other roadways. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Georgia or Tennessee truck accident, you may be eligible for substantial compensation.

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Motorcycle Accidents

Experienced Chattanooga motorcycle accident lawyers Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham are avid fans of motorcycles, but they also realize how serious motorcycle accidents can be. With over 75 years of combined experience, Dennis & Winningham Law Injury Law knows the legal process to achieve fair compensation for motorcycle crash victims. Contact one of our lawyers today to learn more about how to start your motorcycle accident claim.

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ATV Accidents

Under both Tennessee and Georgia law, ATVs are not authorized for use on paved road, but children continue to bring ATVs on to our roads and highways. Georgia and Tennessee laws also prohibit the carrying of passengers on most ATVs, require children below the age of 16 to take approved ATV training courses, and require kids younger than 16 to wear helmets, eye protection, and over-the-ankle boots when operating ATVs. However, these requirements apply only when ATVs are operated on public lands, leaving kids essentially without protection when riding ATVs on private property.

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The most tragic type of bicycle crash is a bike-car collision. Cyclists are completely defenseless traveling on 30-pound bikes when they’re surrounded by 3,000-pound cars and trucks racing by them. Pedestrians, defective bike parts, recalled bike helmets, and other ineffective bicycle safety equipment can also cause bicycle accidents. Bike accidents can result in wrongful death or serious injuries such as broken bones, amputation, traumatic brain injury, neck, back, and spinal cord injuries.

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Boating Accidents

One of three factors usually cause boat accidents: an inexperienced boater, an intoxicated operator, or a boat malfunction. More than a third of both fatal and non-fatal boat accidents are alcohol-related. It is estimated that boat operators with a blood alcohol content of .10 or higher are 10 times more likely to be injured or killed in a boat accident than sober operators.

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No one ever expects a family member or friend to be the victim of abuse or neglect in a nursing home. However, abuse and neglect do occur every day and in many ways.

Dennis & Winningham Law are Chattanooga nursing home abuse attorneys who will fight to recover all that you and your loved one deserve. With our experience in nursing home negligence matters, we thoroughly and carefully assess each individual case. We prepare each case for either settlement or trial in order to obtain compensation for injury, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. We help victims and their families hold these facilities accountable.

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Premises Liability

Premises liability is a vital facet of personal injury law, placing responsibility on property owners for maintaining a safe environment. When accidents occur due to negligence or hazardous conditions on someone’s property, victims have the right to seek compensation. This encompasses incidents like slip and falls or inadequate security leading to assaults. Dennis & Winningham Law excel in handling these complex cases, tirelessly pursuing justice for our clients.

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