Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer
The only thing more frustrating than being hurt in an accident is knowing that it wasn’t your fault. If you were injured, you’re probably feeling stressed due to financial strain caused by missing work and racking up expensive medical bills. At Hotz & Associates, P.C., our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help. We’ll work hard to hold the responsible party accountable and get you the compensation you deserve.
Cases we handle
Motor vehicle accidents
It can be difficult to determine who’s responsible in a crash and how much compensation you’re entitled to. Our car accident lawyers have the skills to investigate your accident, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to secure an optimal resolution.
Motorcycle accidents
Many people have misconceptions about motorcyclists being reckless, including insurance companies, judges, and juries who are quick to blame them for accidents that weren’t their fault. That’s why you need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for your rights and ensure that any settlement or verdict is based on the truth of the situation. When you work with our attorneys, you can expect exactly that.
Truck accidents
Truck accidents can have catastrophic consequences due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. To add to the complexity of these cases, multiple parties may be responsible, whether that’s the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or even another driver. Our team has extensive experience navigating the nuances of truck accident cases, so we know how to get the results you need.
Nursing home neglect
When you place a loved one in the care of a nursing home, you expect them to be treated with care and respect. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. If you believe your elderly family member has been neglected or abused in a nursing home, our attorneys will work diligently to uncover the truth and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Premises liability
Owners and occupiers of property, both commercial and residential, have a duty to ensure their premises are safe for anyone who visits. If you were injured on someone else’s property due to hazardous conditions, you may be able to recover damages by filing a premises liability claim with the help of our personal injury lawyers in Knoxville.
Slip-and-fall
Slip-and-fall accidents usually involve premises liability and can be caused by many different factors, from wet floors to poorly lit staircases. No matter the cause, these accidents can significantly diminish your quality of life, and our slip-and-fall attorneys can help you seek compensation from the responsible party.
Product liability
Manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to produce and distribute safe products. When they fail to do so, consumers can suffer serious injuries or even death due to defects in the design, manufacture, or labeling of the product. Our attorneys have successfully pursued numerous product liability claims against big corporations, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Wrongful death
The sudden, unexpected death of a loved one can be devastating — and when negligence is involved and their death could have been prevented, the pain is only amplified. While nothing can undo the harm that’s been done, a wrongful death claim can help you and your family receive the compensation and justice you need to cope with your loss.
Steps to take after being hurt
There are certain steps you can take to reduce the risk of losing out on any potential compensation.
1. Seek medical attention
Your health must always come first, and the most important step you can take is to seek medical attention immediately following your injury. A medical professional will be able to assess and treat your injuries and establish documentation that could be vital in linking the accident to your injuries.
If you’re unsure whether you’re injured, keep in mind that some injuries may not be visible or apparent right away, and waiting too long for an examination could make it more challenging to prove causation — and your injury could worsen in the meantime, even irreparably so.
2. Document everything
Documentation is key when it comes to proving your claim. If your injuries allow, take photos and videos of the accident scene, and save all relevant documents such as medical records, bills/receipts, and police reports.
3. Get legal help
You may receive a settlement offer from the insurance company soon after your injuries, but it’s important to remember that insurers are focused on minimizing the amount of money they pay out.
Before accepting any offers, providing statements, or signing documents, consult with a Knoxville personal injury lawyer with Hotz & Associates, P.C. who can review the details and help you determine the best course of action.
Don’t miss the deadline to file your claim
Time is of the essence when filing a personal injury claim. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations to file your personal injury claim is one year, meaning that you only have 365 days from the date of your injury to gather evidence, consult with a lawyer, and file your claim in court.
If you fail to file your claim within this one-year window, your case will likely be dismissed, and you won’t be able to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. The sooner you reach out to our attorneys, the more time we’ll have to build a strong case on your behalf, and the more likely we’ll be able to maximize your potential compensation.
Possible damages you can claim
Victims of personal injury incidents can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages
Economic damages are those with quantifiable costs such as medical expenses, lost wages, disability accommodations, occupational therapy, and other tangible expenses resulting from the injury.
In wrongful death cases, economic damages may also include funeral expenses, burial costs, and income lost from the deceased’s earning potential. Both past and future losses can be claimed.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are subjective losses that don’t have a clear dollar value. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Not all damages are available in every case. Our attorneys can review the facts of your incident and estimate which damages may be applicable to your claim.
We’ll fight the insurance company to get you full compensation
Insurance companies have one objective: to pay as little compensation as possible. They’ll use any means necessary to limit your financial recovery, from denying or delaying claims to questioning the severity of your injuries or placing blame on you. Without experienced legal guidance, you may be at a disadvantage and could end up settling for much less than what your claim is worth.
The personal injury attorneys at Hotz & Associates, P.C. are committed to leveling the playing field between our clients and the insurance companies. Financial recovery is a critical part of the healing process, and we’ll explore every legal avenue to get you the maximum compensation possible for your claim.
While we always try to negotiate a favorable settlement outside the courtroom, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement that accounts for the full scope of your losses.
Parties who may be liable for your injury
Personal injury claims are typically based on the legal concept of negligence. This means that another party acted in a careless or reckless manner and caused you harm. When you file a claim, the court will determine who was responsible for your injury and assess their degree of liability.
Depending on the circumstances, more than one party may be liable for your injury. For example, in a car accident case, the at-fault driver may be financially responsible for your damages, but the manufacturer of a defective part may also be held liable if it contributed to the crash
In a premises liability case, the landowner or property manager may be liable for failing to maintain a safe environment, but a contractor may also be held liable for any negligent construction or repairs.
The personal injury lawsuit process
Personal injury claims typically follow a similar process for all types of cases. We’ll begin by filing the necessary paperwork through the appropriate legal avenue to initiate your lawsuit. From there, the discovery process begins. During this time, both parties will exchange information and evidence to get a better understanding of the facts surrounding your case.
The next step is to begin settlement negotiations. If possible, we’ll reach an agreement with the other party that resolves your claim without going to trial. However, if our negotiations don’t move toward a satisfactory outcome, we’ll prepare your case for trial and present it to a jury for a decision.
Cost of hiring a personal injury attorney
At Hotz & Associates, P.C., we understand that our clients may be struggling financially due to the unexpected costs of their injuries. That’s why we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t collect any fees until after your case is successfully resolved.
We also offer free consultations to discuss the merits of your case and determine if you have a valid claim. If you decide to move forward with our services, you won’t pay anything upfront. Instead, our fees will be taken out of the compensation award after we win your case. In other words, the risk is on us, not you, and we have every incentive to get you the maximum compensation possible.
Why you can trust Hotz & Associates, P.C.
When you hire us, you can trust that we have your best interests in mind. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family, and we’re here to stand by your side every step of the way. Our personal injury attorneys are passionate about fighting for the futures of injury victims, and we won’t rest until we get you the justice you deserve.
With thousands of successful cases under our belt and over a century of combined legal experience, it’s easy to see why Knoxville residents have trusted us for years. We’re here to answer your questions, provide reliable legal advice, and ensure that you can focus on healing without worrying about the financial burden of your injury.
Injured in Knoxville? We’re ready to help
If you’re ready to begin taking steps toward a brighter future, we invite you to call, chat, or email us right now. Our car wreck attorneys will explain your rights and begin working for you within 24 hours — guaranteed! We’ll even come to your home, office, or the hospital anywhere in the greater Knoxville, Tennessee area if that’s more convenient for you.
Remember: There’s no cost to contact us, so don’t wait! Call the experienced car wreck, truck wreck, and personal injury lawyers at Hotz & Associates, P.C. at (865) 582-0042 today.
