Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Personal Injury Lawyer

An accident can leave you feeling a mix of emotions. Physically, you might need to cope with pain, injuries, or the possibility of a long recovery. Emotionally, the shock and stress of the experience can lead to feelings of vulnerability, anxiety, and even depression.

Financial worries often compound these challenges, especially if you face mounting medical bills and possibly lost wages.

A compassionate Chattanooga personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference, offering practical assistance and the reassurance that you’re not alone in this journey.

Why Choose Our Chattanooga Personal Injury Lawyers?

If you or a loved one needs a personal injury lawyer in Chattanooga, know that you have local advocates ready to stand by your side. With our Chattanooga office’s understanding of Tennessee law, we can offer the support and representation you need after an accident.

Let a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer from Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys help you find your path to recovery and compensation.

By doing so, you can focus on your healing and well-being.

• Local Insight and Knowledge: A Chattanooga-based lawyer knows the state and local laws that will affect your case. This knowledge, combined with an understanding of the local courts and insurance companies, can be invaluable in handling your claim successfully.
• Detailed Attention: Chattanooga’s tight-knit community spirit mirrors how our personal injury lawyers handle their cases. You can expect your lawyer to not only know the details of your case but also understand its impact on your life.
• Resource Accessibility: Our Chattanooga attorneys have established networks of medical professionals, investigators, and experts who can support your case.
• Clear Communication: The legal process can be confusing. A Chattanooga personal injury lawyer from our law firm can offer clear, straightforward advice and keep you informed every step of the way.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Chattanooga, TN

Our team of Chattanooga personal injury attorneys can represent you in a range of cases, including:

• Pedestrian Accidents
• Premises Liability,
• Workers’ Compensation
• Motor Vehicle Accidents
• Personal Injury
• Private Jet Crashes
• Wrongful Death
• Consumer Fraud
• And more

Our Chattanooga Personal Injury Office

Our Chattanooga office is located at 1604 Reggie White Boulevard, Suite 104, Chattanooga, TN 37402. 

We’re near the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus and the Chattanooga Convention Center, just a short distance from downtown. This location ensures that our clients can reach us easily, whether coming from work, home, or medical appointments.

Our Chattanooga location has a team of experienced personal injury attorneys ready to assist you with your case. Whether you’re dealing with a car accident, slip and fall, or any other personal injury matter, our office is equipped to handle your case.

How Can a Chattanooga Personal Injury Affect You?

A personal injury in Chattanooga can affect you in numerous ways, depending on the severity of your injuries:

• Physical Effects: Personal injuries can range from minor bruises and cuts to severe trauma like broken bones, head injuries, or spinal cord damage. These bodily injuries often cause pain and discomfort and may limit your ability to perform daily activities or work.
• Emotional and Mental Health: Beyond physical pain, a personal injury can lead to significant emotional and mental distress. You may experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can have a profound impact on your quality of life and may require ongoing treatment.
• Financial Strain: The financial impact of a personal injury can be substantial. Medical bills and associated expenses are often costly. If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you may face a loss of income. In cases of permanent disability or impairment, you might experience long-term financial hardship due to lost earning capacity.
• Reduced Quality of Life: A personal injury can affect your ability to engage in activities you once enjoyed, such as hobbies, sports, or spending time with loved ones. This can result in a diminished quality of life and potential social isolation.

At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we understand the weight of your injuries. That’s why we’re dedicated to getting you the maximum compensation you deserve. This will help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses, so you can focus on healing and getting your life back on track.

Common Types of Compensation in Chattanooga Personal Injury Cases

You may recover different types of compensation, depending on the specifics of your case. Compensation typically falls into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Here are the most common types of compensation you might receive:

Economic Damages

1. Medical Expenses: This covers all costs related to your injury treatment, including:

• Hospital bills
• Doctor’s visits
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Future medical costs for ongoing treatment

2. Lost Wages: If your injury caused you to miss work, you can seek compensation for:

• Salary or wages lost during recovery
• Loss of earning capacity if you’re unable to return to your previous job

3. Property Damage: This applies to any personal property damaged in the accident, such as:

• Vehicle repair or replacement costs in car accidents
• Damaged personal items like phones, laptops, or clothing

Non-Economic Damages

4. Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.

5. Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies or activities you once loved, you may be compensated for this loss.

6. Loss of Consortium: This applies to the impact of your injuries on your relationship with your spouse or partner.

Other Types of Damages

7. Wrongful Death Damages: In fatal accident cases, family members may seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance

The compensation you may receive depends on the specific circumstances of your accident and injuries. A skilled Chattanooga personal injury lawyer can help evaluate your case and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Steps to Take After an Accident in Chattanooga

The steps you take in the days following your accident can significantly impact any potential claims.

Here’s what you need to know and do the day after your accident:

1. Review your documentation: Review any photos, notes, or information you collected at the scene. If you missed anything, write down what you remember now while it’s still fresh.
2. Contact your insurance company: If you still need to, report the accident to your insurer. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault.
3. Follow up on medical care: If you didn’t seek medical attention yesterday, do so today. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
4. Start an accident file: Gather all accident-related documents in one place. Include medical records, insurance correspondence, and any receipts for expenses related to the accident.
5. Document your injuries: Take photos of any visible injuries and start a daily journal describing your pain and limitations.
6. Avoid social media: Do not post about the accident online, as this could hurt you later.
7. Keep track of missed work: If you cannot work due to your injuries, document the days and income lost.
8. Be wary of early insurance offers: The other party’s insurance company may contact you quickly with a settlement offer. It’s often best to wait until you understand the full extent of your damages.

Proving Negligence in a Chattanooga Personal Injury Case

To prove negligence in a Chattanooga personal injury case, four key elements need to be established:

1. Duty of care: Establish that the other person involved had a legal obligation to act reasonably to prevent harm to others. This duty varies depending on the situation. For example, drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles safely, while property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises for visitors.

2. Breach of duty: Show that the at-fault party failed to meet their duty of care. This could involve:

• A driver running a red light
• A store owner failing to clean up a spill.

3. Causation: Prove that the defendant’s breach directly led to your injuries. This involves:

• Cause-in-fact: Show that your injury wouldn’t have occurred without the defendant’s actions.
• Proximate cause: Demonstrate that your injury was a foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s negligence.

4. Damages: Provide evidence of the harm you’ve suffered, which may include:

• Medical bills and records
• Lost wages documentation
• Proof of property damage
• Expert testimony on long-term effects or future medical needs

Tennessee’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Imagine a pie chart representing fault in an accident. In a perfect world, you wouldn’t bear any fault (0% of the pie). But sometimes, you may share blame. 

Tennessee allows you to recover damages even if you were partly to blame, as long as your slice of the pie is smaller than the other person’s (less than 50%).

Here’s the catch:

• Less blame, more money: The smaller your slice of the pie (your fault), the less your compensation gets reduced.
• Too much blame, no money: If the pie chart shows you’re 50% or more at fault (half or bigger slice), you don’t get any compensation.

Because of this rule, it’s important to prove you weren’t primarily to blame (small slice of the pie) to get the most compensation possible. This is where a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer becomes invaluable. They can help you build a strong case that minimizes any blame placed on you.

What Is the Personal Injury Claims Process?

The personal injury claims process typically involves several steps.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Initial consultation: Meet with a Chattanooga personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
• Investigation: Gather evidence, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements.
• Medical treatment: Continue receiving necessary medical care and keep records.
• Claim filing: Your Chattanooga personal injury attorney submits a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
• Demand letter: Once you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, your attorney sends a demand letter outlining your damages.
• Negotiations: Your attorney negotiates with the insurance company for a fair settlement.
• Lawsuit filing: If negotiations fail, your attorney may file a lawsuit.
• Discovery: Both sides exchange information and evidence.
• Mediation: An attempt to settle the case out of court with a neutral mediator.
• Trial preparation: If mediation fails, your Chattanooga personal injury attorney prepares for trial.
• Trial: Your case is presented before a judge or jury.
• Appeal: If necessary, either party may appeal the verdict.
• Settlement distribution: Once the case is resolved, compensation is distributed.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take in Chattanooga?

The duration of a personal injury case in Chattanooga depends on several factors. While some cases may settle within a few months, others can take a year or more to resolve. Here’s a general timeline of what you might expect:

1. Initial Medical Treatment and Recovery (1-6 months):

• Your health is the priority. The length of this phase depends on the severity of your injuries and your recovery time.
• Take your time with this stage. We need to understand the full extent of your injuries before proceeding.

2. Case Investigation and Claim Filing (1-2 months):

• Our team gathers evidence, reviews police reports, and collects medical records.
• We file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

3. Negotiation and Settlement Attempts (2-6 months):

• We negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement.
• This phase can be shorter for clear-cut cases or longer for complex ones.

4. Lawsuit Filing and Pre-Trial Procedures (6-12 months):

• If a fair settlement isn’t reached, we file a lawsuit.
• This phase includes discovery, where both sides exchange information.
• Mediation or arbitration may occur during this time.

5. Trial (1-2 weeks):

• If the case goes to trial, it typically lasts a few days to a few weeks.
• However, getting a trial date can take several months.

6. Post-Trial Motions and Possible Appeals (3-12 months):

• If either party disagrees with the verdict, they may file an appeal, which can extend the process.

While we understand you may want to resolve your case quickly, settling too early could result in inadequate compensation. Our goal is to resolve your case as efficiently as possible so that you can receive the total compensation you need.

Talk to a Chattanooga Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Case Today

Remember, in Tennessee, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is one year from the date of the injury. So, the legal process must begin as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation.

At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we work diligently to move your case forward as quickly as possible while still fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve. We keep you informed at every stage of the process, so you always know where your case stands and what to expect next.

Call (800) 229-7989 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a Chattanooga personal injury lawyer. Either way, we are ready to listen and take immediate action on your behalf.