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Common types of personal injury cases in Knoxville, TN
Key Takeaways
There are many things to love about living in Knoxville. Situated on the mighty Tennessee River in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, there is hardly another place in The Volunteer State that reflects so many of its most cherished qualities. People come from all over to immerse themselves in the culture of the city and the South. As grand a city as it is, more people means more opportunities for accidents.
What is considered a personal injury?
Personal injury law is a broad set of laws and rules governing injury generally caused by the negligence of another person or entity that results in harm. The most common type of personal injury is a car wreck. Other types of personal injuries include dog bites, medical malpractice, and much more. With the field being so broad, it is important that Knoxville residents understand the most common types of personal injury cases in the city and the right steps to take after an injury.
What are common types of personal injuries in Knoxville?
Accidents are unfortunately a part of life. There are just too many variables out of our control. Knoxville residents can only do their best to stay alert and be prepared in case someone else's negligence or recklessness causes an accident that results in a personal injury. That includes understanding the common types of personal injuries.
At Wettermark Keith, our Knoxville personal injury attorneys have worked diligently for local residents and have seen thousands of personal injury lawsuits.
These are just some of the more common types of injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Car accidents, slip and falls causing head injuries, workplace accidents involving blows or force. All can result in a brain injury that triggers brain trauma with cognitive, behavioral, and emotional consequences.
Broken Bones: Fractures requiring surgery, metal plates or screws, pins, extensive physical therapy.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to this vital nervous system pathway may lead to partial or total paralysis, life in a wheelchair and loss of normal bodily functions.
Internal Organ Damage: Lung trauma, kidney lacerations, liver damage. All severely impact normal biological functioning and require intricate, high-risk operations.
Amputations: Injuries like losing arms and legs leading to long periods of recovery and rehab.
Burn Injuries: Scarring, skin grafts, loss of digits or limbs.
If you have suffered one of these injuries due to somebody else’s negligence, there is a path forward to receiving the compensation you desperately need to cover expenses incurred due to your injury.
The first step is to become familiar with your local laws regarding personal injury.
Understanding Tennessee law: things to keep in mind for your personal injury case
Understanding the rules and regulations around Knoxville personal injury law can help prepare you for what happens after you have suffered a traumatic injury.
It is important to not delay after your injury when seeking legal representation. Every state's statute of limitations for personal injury is different. In Tennessee, you are given one year to file a lawsuit from the date of injury. If you do not file within this time frame, you will not be able to receive the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
There are a few exceptions to this rule:
- If the injured party is a minor, their parent or legal guardian has one year to file a claim on behalf of the minor. If the parent or legal guardian never files a claim for the minor, the minor can file a claim for pain and suffering when they turn 18 and would have to file the lawsuit by their 19th birthday.
- If the victim dies as a result of their injury or injuries, the statute of limitations could be extended to one year from the date of the victim’s death. Even if the victim dies days, weeks or even months following the accident, the deadline may extend to allow the family of the victim more time to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
- If the person at fault for the injuries is also associated with criminal charges, the statute of limitations may extend from one year to two years for the victim to file a claim.
It is important to understand the statute of limitations of Knoxville so you do not miss out on the financial recovery you are entitled to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal injury law includes auto accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, workers compensation, and much more. These accidents can lead to physical injuries, brain injuries, broken bones, cuts, cruises, burns, lacerations, and wrongful death. Mental injuries can also affect you like anxiety, PTSD, sleepless nights, and more.
Your first step after an accident is to seek out medical help. When your well being is taken care of, you should reach out to an experienced attorney who can help gather evidence and start building a strong case. If you are able, it is also a great idea to collect as much evidence at the scene as you can such as pictures, videos and witness names with testimony.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Tennessee is 1 year, so it is important to speak with a personal injury lawyer right away.
It varies case by case. There are many different interested parties involved in a case that includes the defending lawyer, the defendant, insurance company, and more. All of these entities working cooperatively can lead to a shorter time in court. In most cases, a settlement can be reached within 6 months but it can carry on for potentially longer if it goes to court. If a case does go to court, it means your attorney is working hard to get you the fair compensation that you deserve.
It is not guaranteed, and oftentimes the insurance companies will seek to settle the case. There is always the chance your attorney will need to take them to court to get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you can still pursue a personal injury claim in Knoxville. You should never assume you are at fault or give up hope on obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. However, your compensation may be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. Your Wettermark Keith accident lawyer can help prove you are not at fault or fight to decrease the degree of fault.
If you have been injured in an accident, you need a Knoxville personal injury law firm that works for you: Call Wettermark Keith today
Our Knoxville based lawyers are well versed in Tennessee personal injury laws and can go to work to get you the compensation you need for your serious injury. Accident law can be difficult to understand. Our personal injury case experts can navigate those murky waters no matter which of the different types of injuries you have suffered to defend your rights and help get you back on your feet.
Call Wettermark Keith at (877) 715-9300 or through our website chat or web form to schedule your free consultation today. We will assign a dedicated injury attorney that has experience in dealing with your serious personal injury claims and navigating Tennessee law.
Wettermark Keith: Your Gateway to Rightful Compensation
At Wettermark Keith™, we have an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. We offer a diverse range of practice areas, including personal injury cases, auto wrecks, trucking wrecks, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, on-the-job injuries, social security, and VA disability, to name just a few. At Wettermark Keith, we believe in taking cases personally. Our purpose is to practice with care and compassion - to tell our clients' stories and make their voices heard. We achieve this by building strong relationships based on constant communication and an unwavering dedication to truth and trust.
Ready to work together? Contact us today for a free consultation.
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