Helping Families Of Fatal Car Wreck Victims In Tennessee

The pain and grief you are feeling if a family member has been killed in a tragic car accident may be impossible to express. At a time when nearly everything about your future seems uncertain, you deserve heartfelt compassion and attentive legal advice. I am George R. Garrison, an attorney in Sevierville, Tennessee, who will focus on getting answers and recovering fair compensation for you.

With over 30 years of experience, I know how to help clients as they try to overcome such a tragedy. As a skilled negotiator and trial-tested attorney, I will do my best to get the results that you deserve by going after negligent drivers, the companies they work for and insurance companies that represent them.

An Experienced Advocate For Grieving Families

My law firm is a proven resource for people in the aftermath of fatal car and truck accidents, motorcycle wrecks and on-the-job accidents. After an accident in or near Gatlinburg, Cocke, Jefferson or another community in East Tennessee, you can turn to me with confidence that I will:

• Lead a thorough investigation to establish accident causation and fault, calling upon highly qualified experts if needed
• Assess and explain your rights to compensation under Tennessee wrongful death law
• Value your case skillfully and target every dollar available to address medical and funeral costs, lost income and support over your loved one’s expected lifetime and your family’s emotional suffering

My caring, supportive staff and I will understand all that you are going through when a fatal car accident or another tragedy has changed your life forever. When you have questions or need to talk, you will be able to reach me directly. If your case is intensely disputed, you will have a respected, dynamic trial lawyer battling for justice on your behalf.

Common Questions About Fatal Car Accidents In Sevierville

After a fatal crash, you may need information before deciding what to do. The following answers explain how crash reports, out-of-state drivers and local court filings affect your family:

How do you obtain the police report for a fatal accident in Sevier County?

To obtain a police report for a fatal car accident, start by finding out which law enforcement agency investigated the crash. If the Tennessee Highway Patrol handled it, a driver, vehicle owner, insurer or legal representative can request a crash report through Tennessee’s online service or a district office. Highway Patrol reports are generally available about seven days after a crash. If the Sevierville Police Department, Sevier County Sheriff’s Office or another agency investigated, you should request the report from that agency. A fatal crash can lead to a criminal investigation, so some records beyond the crash report may not be available right away.

What happens if an out-of-state tourist causes a fatal car accident in Sevierville?

An out-of-state driver does not avoid the consequences of causing a fatal car accident in Tennessee just because that person lives elsewhere. Tennessee’s long-arm statute allows state courts to exercise jurisdiction over a nonresident for a claim arising from a wrongful act or omission within Tennessee. That can allow your family to pursue a wrongful death claim here when the crash occurred in Sevierville, although jurisdiction and venue depend on the facts. If the tourist drove a rental vehicle, federal law limits when a rental company can face liability because it owns the vehicle. The company may still face a claim based on its own negligence or wrongdoing.

Where are fatal car accident lawsuits filed in Sevierville, Tennessee?

A fatal car accident lawsuit may be filed in Sevier County when Tennessee’s venue rules make the county a proper venue. State law allows a civil action in the county where the cause of action arose or where the individual defendant lives. For a crash that happened in Sevierville, that may make Sevier County an appropriate venue. Wrongful death cases involving substantial damages commonly proceed in Circuit Court, but the correct court depends on the claims, parties and amount at issue. Any related criminal prosecution remains separate from your family’s civil wrongful death case.

Schedule A Free Consultation Now

Having practiced law since 1990, I have earned the respect of insurance companies and opposing attorneys. They know I will pursue every angle available under the law to maximize what my clients receive to help them move forward in life. I am George R. Garrison of Sevierville, Tennessee. If your loved one was the victim of a fatal car accident, I will help. For a free consultation, please call 865-280-0680. You will be responsible for attorney fees only if I take your case and obtain the compensation that benefits you.