Detailed Answer — step-by-step guide to advancing your claim

Receiving the crash report is an important milestone. The report is usually drafted by the investigating officer and can help you confirm basic facts (time, place, parties, visible damage, and any citations). Use it as a roadmap for the next steps below. This is an educational guide only and not legal advice.

1) Get and preserve the official crash report

Obtain a certified copy of the Tennessee crash report from the law enforcement agency that investigated the collision or through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. Tennessee’s Department of Safety has information about accident reports and how to request them: Tennessee Department of Safety — Accident Reports. Keep the original or a certified copy in a safe place and make multiple digital copies.

2) Review the report carefully and compare to your memory and evidence

Check names, vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers, direction of travel, diagram of the collision, and any citations or officer observations. Note any discrepancies between the report and your recollection. If witnesses are listed, get their contact information now if possible.

3) Seek and document medical care

If you have not already done so, seek medical attention immediately for any injuries. Even seemingly minor injuries can worsen. Save medical records, bills, imaging, referrals, and written instructions from providers. These records form the backbone of your damage claims.

4) Preserve all evidence

Preserve:

• Photos of your injuries, vehicles, scene, skid marks, and traffic signs.
• Phone records, messages, dashcam or phone video, and any GPS or telematics data.
• Repair estimates, invoices, rental car records, and wages lost documentation.

5) Notify your insurance company and understand the other party’s insurance

Report the crash to your insurer within any contractual time limits. Provide factual information but avoid offering recorded statements about fault. Ask your insurer for the at-fault party’s insurance information if you do not already have it.

6) Avoid admitting fault or speculating about cause

Words matter. Do not say things such as “I’m sorry” that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Stick to objective facts.

7) Get witness statements and collect contact information

If there were witnesses, ask them for short written or recorded statements and their contact details. Witness testimony can be very helpful if liability is disputed.

8) Assess damages and create a demand package

Start compiling a damages summary: medical bills, expected future care, lost wages, vehicle damage, rental costs, and non‑economic losses (pain and suffering). With this documentation you or your attorney can send a settlement demand to the at-fault party’s insurer.

9) Consider hire a personal injury attorney — when and why

If the claim involves significant injury, permanent impairment, disagreement over fault, serious vehicle damage, or complex liability issues, consider consulting a Tennessee personal injury attorney. An attorney can:

• Evaluate liability and damages.
• Communicate with insurers and preserve your claims.
• Request police files, diagrams, and supplemental reports.
• Negotiate a fair settlement or file suit if needed.

10) Know Tennessee timing rules — act promptly

Tennessee limits how long you have to file a lawsuit. If you plan to sue, do so before the applicable statute of limitations expires. State statutes govern these time limits. For authoritative text of Tennessee laws and statutes, consult the Tennessee Code via the Tennessee General Assembly website: Tennessee Code (capitol.tn.gov). If you miss the deadline you may be barred from bringing a claim in court, so act promptly and ask an attorney about any deadlines that apply to your case.

11) If negotiations stall, prepare to file a lawsuit

If the insurer refuses a reasonable settlement and the claim is strong, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. Your attorney will draft a complaint, serve the defendant, and proceed through discovery and, if needed, trial. Litigation timelines vary and may take months to years.

12) Keep a claims journal and track expenses

Keep a dated journal of symptoms, doctor visits, missed activities, and communications with insurers. Track all accident-related expenses and lost income. This documentation strengthens settlement or trial presentations.

Important: Tennessee law and procedures can affect how evidence is used, what deadlines apply, and how fault is calculated. For answers tailored to your situation, consult a Tennessee attorney.

Helpful Hints

• Request a certified crash report early from the investigating agency or the Tennessee Department of Safety: Accident Reports — Tennessee Department of Safety.
• Photograph everything at the scene as soon as possible — photos lose value over time.
• If you are contacted by the other driver’s insurer, give only basic facts; don’t give recorded statements or accept early offers without checking with an attorney.
• Keep receipts for out-of-pocket expenses (medical co-pays, prescriptions, repairs, rides to appointments) — insurers and courts expect documentation.
• Ask your doctor to create clear, written medical reports tying your injuries to the crash.
• Preserve electronic evidence (dashcam video, phone photos, vehicle telematics) immediately; data can be overwritten or lost.
• Act before deadlines. If you are unsure about filing deadlines or notice requirements, contact a Tennessee attorney promptly.
• If multiple parties or commercial vehicles are involved, consider early legal help — liability can be complicated.