Good Samaritan laws protect people who help others in risky situations or those needing rescue. In Tennessee, the Good Samaritan Law shields people from responsibility, provided they meet specified criteria. These regulations result from public policy concerns that anyone who provides emergency care outside of a medical facility should be protected from responsibility (in most cases).
Tennessee Good Samaritan Law
The Tennessee Good Samaritan law protects persons who help others in an emergency for no monetary gain and in good faith. The law is ambiguous about what defines an “emergency.” Life-threatening events, on the other hand, usually fall under the umbrella of the Tennessee Good Samaritan Law. The law covers the general public and selected medical providers who offer emergency care at a crash scene.
Father Tragically Killed on His Way to Church
Recently a 22-year-old Tennessee man died while offering help to another motorist who had an accident. According to reports, the Good Samaritan was on his way to church when he stopped to assist a car involved in an accident. He pulled over to the side of the road and approached the car accident victim. Another car slammed into the Good Samaritan’s unoccupied vehicle, and the car was pushed into the man while he was offering aid. Sadly, he died due to his injuries, leaving a one-month-old daughter and his wife behind.
In a case where a Good Samaritan is killed, the victim’s family may be able to file a claim against the negligent driver. These cases, however, are highly fact-specific, and a successful case for recovery of injury damages necessitates the assistance of an expert attorney. While the law shields Good Samaritans from liability for carelessness, there are some circumstances in which they may be held accountable, such as gross negligence. Gross negligence generally refers to someone who works with a purposeful disregard for the safety of others.
Conclusion
In spite of this tragic story, we hope you were able to learn more about Tennessee’s Good Samaritan Law. If you or a family member have been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence or aggressive driving, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation, and we will assist you. Our law firm works on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless a settlement or jury verdict award is reached on your behalf.
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Tennessee Accident & Injury Attorneys
