Frequently Asked Questions

Our attorneys never predict results. In fact, if you talk to a law firm that makes promises about a dollar figure, realize that this is improper and highly unethical. Each settlement or jury verdict is based on the circumstances of the medical injuries.

You won’t know the full amount of your medical care costs and lost earnings until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). That’s why our firm would never rush you into accepting a quick settlement. The insurance company would like nothing more than to dangle a dollar figure in front of you and hope you go away. If you suffered a serious and permanent injury, you may need a lifetime of medical care and financial support. We help you get it.

Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for personal injury. However, we urge you to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible so we can start investigating your case immediately and take important steps to protect your rights.

Insurance companies keep their shareholders happy by paying attention to their bottom line. They have teams of defense lawyers who fight paying full and fair settlements. Most people who talk to us about their accident claims tell us they never thought they would have to sue to get a fair settlement. Standing up and fighting against a large corporation is difficult. Putting an experienced personal injury attorney on your side is your best option for recovering the money damages to which you are entitled.

Once you sign the settlement, you waive your right to receive future compensation. To protect yourself, do not accept a settlement without first speaking with a qualified personal injury lawyer. Our law firm offers a free initial assessment of your claim, so there is no risk to find out if the settlement the insurance company has offered you is fair.

In Tennessee, courts rule on who was at fault and how much insurance liability should be assigned to each driver. For example, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault, the other driver will still be responsible for 80 percent of your damages.

Passengers are nearly always entitled to seek compensation, even if the driver was completely at fault. The only exception might be if you willingly rode with a driver you knew was legally drunk at the time of the accident.

Tennessee law makes auto insurance mandatory, with minimum levels required for personal injury liability. Unfortunately, the law is often ignored. When a motor vehicle accident involves an uninsured driver, victims can seek damages from their own policies. But, suddenly, your own insurance company treats you like a hostile claimant. Even after paying premiums for years and keeping your driving record clean, you may have to fight aggressively to get the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.

You may have a cause of action against a third party who contributed to your accident. For example, if the driver who hit you was drunk, Tennessee’s dram shop laws may allow you to sue the bar or host who served the intoxicated guest. As a matter of course, our firm investigates whether you have a valid third-party claim.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your claim. If we represent you, we do not charge attorney fees unless you win money from a settlement or jury award. Our fees are based on a percentage of your settlement or verdict. However, you will typically be responsible for some court expenses. You owe no money to our firm unless you recover.

There is no such thing as a cookie-cutter personal injury or personal injury case. Every case is different. To determine whether your case is likely to result in compensation under Tennessee law, it is important to discuss your accident with an experienced lawyer.