Knoxville Car Accident Lawyers

If you were in a car wreck that was someone else’s fault, the law permits you to recover fair compensation for your injury and losses in a personal injury lawsuit.

The Knoxville personal injury lawyers at Hotz & Associates, P.C. have helped thousands of car wreck victims. We know your rights, and we’re on your side. If you have to fight the other driver’s insurance company, shouldn’t it be a fair fight? You need an experienced Knoxville car accident lawyer working for you! 

To schedule your free no-obligation consultation, email, chat, or call (865) 582-0042 today.

What are the common causes of car accidents?

We’ve seen our fair share of car wrecks, but these are the most common types that we’ve seen time and time again:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving while fatigued or drowsy
• Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, grabbing items from the backseat, etc.)
• Street racing
• Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions
• Failing to obey traffic signals and signs
• Aggressive behavior (tailgating, lane-weaving, honking horns, etc.)
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Inclement weather (rain, snow, fog, etc.)
• Poor road conditions (potholes, uneven pavement, etc.)

Whether you were in a fender bender on the interstate or rear-ended on Kingston Pike, chances are that someone was at fault for causing that accident.

In many cases, it’s obvious who caused it — a distracted driver on their phone, an alcohol-impaired partygoer, or someone who blew through a stop sign, but sometimes it’s not so obvious, and a combination of factors could be responsible.

When that’s the case, it takes the experience and skill of a dedicated personal injury lawyer in Knoxville to determine who was at fault.

Common car accident injuries

When a car is hit, those inside suffer the brunt of the damage. Any car wreck injury can be severe and life-altering — or worse, life-ending. While every accident is different, common car wreck injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue damage (whiplash, back sprain/strain, herniated discs, etc.)
• Internal organ injuries
• Lacerations and contusions (cuts and bruises)
• Burns

These injuries can be very costly to treat. For example, a severe TBI might require surgery, physical therapy, and even long-term care. In the worst cases, victims may need ongoing assistance for the rest of their lives. Even with minor injuries, victims may need to take time off work or pay for medical treatment out of pocket, and those costs can add up quickly.

Many car wreck victims also suffer pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. If this sounds familiar, you’ve suffered enough already, and you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistake. A Knoxville car accident lawyer with Hotz & Associates, P.C., is here to help you get fair compensation for your losses.

What should you do after a car crash?

The steps you take immediately after a car accident could make the difference between having a successful claim and having to pay out of pocket for your damages. Here’s what to do after a car crash to protect your rights.

Stop the car and assess the situation.

You have a legal obligation to stop if you’re involved in a crash, regardless of who is at fault. Turn on your hazard lights, pull over to a safe area, and check yourself and others for injuries. If you or anyone else has an emergency medical need, call 911 for help. Stay at the scene until the police and medical personnel arrive.

Document the scene

Get the other driver’s contact information (name, address, email address, and phone number) and get their insurance and vehicle information. Try to get the names and contact information of witnesses who can vouch for what happened.

Take plenty of photos and videos from all angles, including any damage to the vehicles, any visible injuries, the roadway such as skid marks, weather conditions, and the general surrounding area. This can help you build a stronger case for your damages later.

Seek medical attention

If you haven’t already, seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. Even if you don’t feel injured or don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s important to have a medical professional check for any unseen damages that you may not be aware of.

Many car wreck injuries aren’t apparent right away because they’re masked by adrenaline, and if you wait too long to get help, it could be difficult — or even impossible — to prove that your injuries were caused by the car accident.

Hold on to your evidence.

Keep all records and documents related to the accident, including medical bills and receipts, medical records, repair estimates, police reports, wage statements, and witness information. These documents can be invaluable for building your case, and keeping them organized will save you time and energy down the line.

Avoid making statements

An insurance adjuster for the at-fault driver will likely contact you shortly after the accident. While most insurance adjusters are nice people, their job is to save money for the insurance company. More money for the insurance company means less money for you – it’s simple math.

The adjuster may try to get you to admit fault for the accident, as this could make it easier for them to escape liability. Don’t be fooled — even if you think you were responsible, don’t take full blame for the accident. It’s in your best interest to remain silent about the incident and contact a Knoxville car accident lawyer for advice.

When to hire a car accident lawyer

After a car accident, you might be tempted to try to handle your claim on your own — but that’s rarely a wise choice. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and they know how to use legal loopholes to reduce or even deny your claim altogether. At Hotz & Associates, P.C., we’re committed to leveling the playing field by giving accident victims the legal representation they need to obtain fair compensation for their losses.

The best time to hire a car accident lawyer is as soon as possible after the crash. While you may think it’s wise to put off consulting a lawyer until you’re certain that you need one, there’s no risk in taking the first step. We offer free consultations so you can discuss the prospects of your case without any financial obligation. 

When you meet with us for your initial consultation, we’ll carefully review your case, let you know whether you have a good chance of success, and, if so, discuss the specifics of our legal strategy. From there, you can decide whether to move forward with legal representation or pursue other options.

We also work on a contingency fee basis, so if you decide to hire our team, you won’t owe us a penny until we recover compensation on your behalf.

Don’t wait to file — you could run out of time.

Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury cases. This law sets a deadline for filing a claim or lawsuit, and if you wait more than a year from the date of your injury to take action, you may be barred from obtaining any form of compensation. The sooner you contact us for a free consultation, the more time our Knoxville car accident lawyer will have to build a strong claim before the deadline passes — and the better your chances of recovering the full compensation you deserve.

Injured in a crash? Our Knoxville car accident lawyer can help.

Don’t ever settle your car wreck claim without knowing all of your rights. You can contact our personal injury lawyer in Knoxville for a free consultation right here and right now on this website. Send us an email or call us at (865) 582-0042. We’ll explain your rights and begin working for you within 24 hours — guaranteed!

We will even come to your home, office, or the hospital anywhere in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area. There’s no cost to contact us (consultations are free), so don’t wait! Who knows how much one email or phone call could save you? With our experienced car accident lawyers on your side, you can focus on recuperating while we handle the legal legwork.

Frequently asked questions about car accidents.

Below are three of the most common questions we receive from clients regarding car accidents.

Do you have to file a report with the police after an accident?

If the damage is minor, you may not want to call the police. However, if you were injured or received any property damage, it may be best to contact the police so that they can put together a report that can be used when you file an insurance claim.

Can I use headphones while driving?

No, you cannot use headphones while driving. This is so you can hear emergency vehicles and other outside noises that you may need to pull over for while you are in your car.

Consider how important your senses are while driving. Being able to see is obviously necessary, but being able to hear, while less important (and certainly many people who are hard of hearing are outstanding drivers and do so safely), is helpful to keep you as safe as possible when behind the wheel. Being able to hear the honking of the horns of other vehicles, train horns, emergency sirens from oncoming ambulances, police, or fire trucks, and a number of other audible warnings is crucial when driving. Being able to hear the sound of an approaching vehicle may prevent you from having a serious car wreck and sustaining a life-altering personal injury.

If you must wear earbuds or headphones while driving, one possible compromise would be to wear the device only in (or over) one of your ears. This allows you to enjoy the music or carry on your conversation but still have one ear available to listen for sirens, horns, and other sounds from your environment.

While you can make every effort to prevent distracted driving, sometimes accidents happen. If a distracted driver has injured you, call your Knoxville car wreck attorneys at Hotz & Associates today. 

What can I do to limit distracted driving?

Focus on the road while you are in the car and limit outside distractions. If there are passengers in the vehicle with you, ask them to buckle up and obey the rules while in the car. If you are a passenger, play your part in making sure the driver is not distracted while on the road. Also, if you do not feel well enough to drive, don’t. Ask for someone else to drive you or wait until you feel better.

Do I have to accept my insurance settlement?

If an insurance settlement seems low or unfair, you do not have to accept it. A car wreck attorney can work with your insurance to ensure that you are treated fairly. The attorneys are experienced in car accidents, so let them handle the work and get you the justice you deserve.

How do I find the perfect car wreck attorneys?

The best car accident attorneys will advocate for you and communicate with you, and they have a record of successfully defending clients. Our car accident attorneys have years of experience in resolving claims and can work with you and your situation.

If you are interested in speaking with a car accident attorney, contact the team at Hotz & Associates to get started. Don’t ever settle for a car accident claim without knowing all your rights; give us a call today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.