Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

If you get hurt because another person was negligent, a personal injury lawyer can advocate for you to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other losses. You may also be compensated for intangible losses like pain and suffering.

A personal injury attorney will investigate your case and gather evidence to do the following:

• Prove the at-fault party’s negligence
• Prove the extent of your injuries and other losses

These attorneys will typically start by trying to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If that proves unsuccessful, the case might be decided by a civil trial.

What to Look for When Choosing Tennessee Personal Injury Attorneys

One of the most important things to look for is experience with cases like yours, your local court system, and personal injury law in general. It’s also helpful to see whether past clients recommend a particular attorney.

You should also look carefully at each lawyer’s track record. Many lawyers list recent results on their websites, but if you don’t see them, you can ask.

In many instances, personal injury cases are ultimately resolved with insurance settlements, and they don’t have to go to court. However, it’s still wise to choose a Tennessee personal injury lawyer with courtroom experience. If the other side knows your lawyer won’t hesitate to go to trial, they may be more willing to settle.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims Filed in Tennessee

You can file a lawsuit for many types of injuries, but these are some of the most common injury claims:

Car Accidents

Car crashes are fairly common, and they also are a common cause of life-altering and fatal injuries.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Pedestrians and cyclists aren’t protected by the body of a car, so they are very likely to suffer catastrophic injuries in an accident.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks tend to cause more damage than passenger cars, and truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties.

Motorcycle Accidents

The combination of high speeds and a lack of protection means that motorcyclists are at extreme risk in a crash.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall incidents are some of the best-known premises liability cases. If you suffer an injury because a property owner created a dangerous environment, the property owner may be liable for your injuries.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice cases can be extremely challenging to prove. Many lawyers who handle malpractice cases deal with them exclusively.

Dog Bites

Tennessee dog bite laws are complex and involve a mixture of strict liability and one-bite statutes. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these potentially confusing claims.

Workplace Accidents

If you’ve been injured at work, you might wonder if you need to file a workers compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both. An experienced attorney can take a look at your case and help you decide what to do next.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?

Only a lawyer can tell you if you have a strong case. However, if the following apply, there’s a reasonable chance that you do:

• The at-fault party owed you a duty of care.
• The at-fault party breached its duty.
• The breach was the proximate cause of your injuries.
• You have damages to collect as a result of the incident.

Personal injury firms invest considerable resources into each case, so they will typically only represent you if your losses are substantial.

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm?

If you’ve suffered a major injury that wasn’t your fault, it may be a good idea to consult a personal injury firm. However, you generally can’t hire a personal injury lawyer like you would another type of attorney. Tennessee personal injury lawyers usually work on contingency, so they must be selective when it comes to cases they take.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Tennessee?

In most instances, Tennessee gives you one year from the date of your injury to file.

Common Damages in Personal Injury Cases

A Tennessee personal injury lawyer may be able to help you obtain compensation for losses like these:

Medical Bills

Even relatively minor injuries can prove to be very expensive, especially if complications arise.

Property Damage

If your car or other property was damaged or destroyed, your settlement should include repair or replacement costs.

Lost Income

Many injured people are unable to work, and they may lose thousands in income.

Lost Earning Capacity

If your injury permanently impacts your ability to make money, you might receive additional compensation.

Pain and Suffering

“Pain and suffering” damages compensate you for losses you can’t quantify, including physical pain, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment.

Loss of Consortium

If your injuries have damaged your relationship with your spouse, your spouse may be able to recover compensation through a loss of consortium claim.

Serving Personal Injury Clients Across Tennessee

We can connect you with personal injury lawyers in nearly any Tennessee city, including the following:

• Knoxville
• Nashville
• Memphis
• Johnson City
• Chattanooga
• Murfreesboro
• Franklin
• Clarksville
• Jackson
• Kingsport
• Oak Ridge

Don’t see your city listed? No need to worry — we partner with attorneys all across the state.

Connect With Experienced Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyers

Your choice of attorney matters, and ConsumerShield can help you make the right selection. We match people like you with experienced lawyers in your area. Fill out our contact form below and get started with a free case review today!