Personal Injury Attorneys in Knoxville, Tennessee
According to statistics from the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, there were 185,714 total traffic crashes statewide in 2022. Whether it is a traffic crash, slip and fall, negligent security, medical malpractice, or workplace injury, being involved in any kind of accident can be difficult and confusing.
Thankfully, Tennessee personal injury laws are designed to protect victims of negligent accidents and help them recover damages for their injuries.
If you or a family member has been hurt in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, carelessness, or wrongful acts, you are within your rights to seek damages by filing a personal injury action.
At Wykoff & Sikes, PLLC, we're poised and ready to help you hold those responsible for your injuries and damages accountable. Our highly-skilled Tennessee personal injury attorneys can investigate all of the facts of your unique circumstances, explore your options to recover damages, and attempt to pursue the maximum possible compensation for your injuries.
Our firm is proud to represent clients throughout Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas of Chattanooga, Crossville, Johnson City, and Sevierville.
Personal Injury Claims in Tennessee
Tennessee is an "at-fault" state for personal injuries and auto accidents. According to the state's fault system, the person responsible for your injury or accident (the at-fault party) will hold financial liability for your injuries, damages, and other accident-related losses sustained.
Modified Comparative Negligence Rule in Tennessee
Additionally, Tennessee operates using the "modified comparative negligence" rule. Under the system, you may only recover damages if the other party is 50% or more at fault for the accident or injury. Also, the amount of compensation that you may recover will be reduced by your degree of fault.
For example, if the jury awards $50,000 in total damages against the at-fault party, and your share of negligence was found to be 20%, the damages available to you will reduce by $10,000. Thus, you will only receive 80% of $50,000 ($40,000).
According to Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule, you will be barred from seeking compensation if you were 50% or more at fault for the accident or injury.
Statute Of Limitations
Furthermore, the statute of limitations for all personal injury cases in Tennessee—including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, product liability, medical malpractice claims, and dog bite injuries—is one (1) year of the initial accident or injury. Hence, you must file a civil action to pursue damages within one year from the date you suffered the injury or accident.
Fight for Your Rights After an Injury
Get in TouchTypes of Personal Injury Claims We Cover
When it comes to standing up for your rights, we provide experienced legal representation for numerous personal injury claims, including:
Pedestrian accidents, such as Uber accidents or Lyft accidents
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
The possible options to recover damages for your personal injury in Tennessee include the following:
Filing With Your Own Insurance. This requires filing an injury claim with your own insurer. It is often referred to as a first-party injury claim.
Filing Against At-Fault Person/Entity. This requires filing an injury claim against the insurance provider of the at-fault party. This is known as a third-party claim.
Litigation. This involves filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault party.
A seasoned Tennessee personal injury attorney can evaluate the surrounding circumstances of your personal situation, help file your claims or lawsuit, and attempt to recover the maximum possible financial compensation.
Damages Available
If you were hurt in a personal injury or accident, you may be entitled to recover the following damages through a personal injury claim in Tennessee.
Economic damages:
Medical bills, including the costs of ongoing and future medical treatment
Lost wages and benefits
Reduced earning capacity
The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property
Non-economic damages:
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of consortium
Emotional distress or mental anguish
Punitive damages:
Punitive or exemplary damages to further punish the at-fault party for their fraudulent, reckless, or malicious actions.
A practiced lawyer can fight vigorously for your rights and help you seek the financial justice you deserve.
Work With Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys
Being involved in an accident can be an overwhelming experience. Unfortunately, such an incident can cause physical injuries, hospitalization, property damages, being unable to work, incapacitation, or sometimes loss of life. Regardless, you don't have to face the financial liability and challenges all by yourself. Therefore, if you were injured in a negligent incident, retaining a highly-experienced personal injury attorney is crucial for detailed guidance and to help protect your rights.
At Wykoff & Sikes, PLLC, our attorneys have devoted their careers to advocating for the best interests of personal injury victims and their loved ones. As your legal counsel, we can:
Fight vigorously for your rights and work to hold the responsible parties liable
Evaluate every surrounding case detail and complete a thorough, private investigation
Collect and document relevant information, necessary evidence, police report, and witness statements
Help prove fault and establish liability
Determine the full magnitude of your injuries, damages, and other losses, and estimate case value
Handle all negotiations and communications with the insurance carrier on your behalf
Take additional legal action where required
Our reliable legal team will fight intelligently for your rights and help you seek fair financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, property damages, and any additional pain and suffering you were put through.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Knoxville, Tennessee
If you or someone close to you were injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligent actions, you may pursue fair compensation. Contact us at Wykoff & Sikes, PLLC today to schedule a simple case evaluation. Our skilled attorneys can offer you the compassionate representation and detailed legal counsel you need in your personal injury case.
We proudly serve clients across Knoxville, Chattanooga, Crossville, Johnson City, and Sevierville, Tennessee.