Knowledge is your resource for the best possible outcome. Please use the FAQ below as a resource to help you with any questions you may have.
If you feel healthy enough to do so, we strongly encourage accident victims to collect the following information:
Every detail matters on your accident report. Pay close attention to the accuracy and completeness of this document and be sure to set the record straight as soon as you notice any item that you feel is misleading or inaccurate. We have decades of experience in reading these reports and correcting them as needed. Come by our office for a case review.
Page 1: Personal information and an injury code. Pay close attention to the injury code information, which is coded from 0 to 4. Insurance companies carefully review these codes. Make sure you agree with them. If you don’t, contact us. We can help set the record straight.
Page 2: Common causes of motor vehicle or other accidents including Driver Factors that may site “Apparently Asleep,” “Reckless or Negligent Driving,” “Speed Too Fast” and “Using Telephone, Two-Way Radio.”
Page 3: Passengers and other people not driving either vehicle injured or involved in your accident which includes passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and people using wheelchairs. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents often result in serious, life-threatening injuries.
Page 4: The diagram of your accident which is closely reviewed by insurance company investigators and can play a big role in your being I fairly compensated for medical bills, lost income, property damage and other expenses. Make special note of the answers the inspecting officer marked in the sections marked “Vehicle Defects,” “Estimated Damage” and “Traffic way Hazards.” You should too.
Page 5: Police officers investigating accidents involving trucks or buses must complete this page. Trucks can include delivery trucks, 18-wheeler, semi-trucks and tanker trucks. Make note the answers given for the “Hazardous Material Information” section. The “Carrier Information” section also contains important facts about the exact location and contact information for the trucking company, something that can be hard to find in some cases.
Page 6: The final page in the accident report provides space for the investigating police officer to provide a large, rough sketch of the accident and a detailed narrative of exactly what happened. These items might seem straightforward. But a skilled insurance investigator will look for the smallest details on this page to justify paying you as little as possible after your accident. Level the playing field. Contact us. Insurance companies don’t intimidate us. We know how to negotiate with them and we have the case results to prove it. Expect more. Contact the G. Turner Howard III, Attorney at Law today. We proudly serve injury victims in Knoxville and throughout Tennessee.
Yes. Don’t try to diagnose yourself. Even if you don’t feel injured, you could have serious, life-threatening internal injury. Have a doctor, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or another medical professional examine you as soon as possible after your accident.
No. If someone from the insurance company representing the other driver contacts you, politely refuse to answer any questions. Anything you say could be used against you. Simply tell the insurance adjuster or investigator to contact us. We know how to deal directly with insurance companies and get injury victims the compensation they deserve.
Yes. Simply state you were in an accident. Keep your comments to a minimum. Dealing with insurance companies – even your own – after a car wreck or motorcycle accident can be very complicated. Insurance companies may try to pay injury victims as little as possible and may use comments you make to justify paying you less. An experienced attorney knows how to handle the conversation with insurance companies and can fight for you.
Yes. Insurance companies often make lowball offers to injury victims after a car accident. Insurance companies do this because they know most injury victims simply want to resolve their case as soon as possible. Such a strategy can be extremely risky since you probably won’t know the true cost of your accident for several weeks or months. Call Personal Injury Attorney, G. Turner Howard III. Insurance companies don’t scare us. We know how to negotiate with them and we have the case results to prove it.
Yes. Call 911 and ask the dispatcher to send a police officer to investigate your car accident. Having a police officer there will create an official accident report, a document that can be critical when it comes to obtaining compensation for your car accident.
Auto accident victims often sustain serious or even life-threatening injuries. Our Tennessee car accident attorneys know how devastating such accidents can be for families. That’s because we have dealt with many of the following car accident injuries and we know what you may expect in terms of medical and healthcare needs, financial implications and costs, and your recovery: Broken bones, Neck injuries, Back injuries, Head injuries, Brain trauma, and Spinal cord injuries.
Car accidents in Tennessee happen for many reasons. Some of the common causes of auto accidents we deal with include drivers who are speeding or reckless, drivers who are distracted by texting, and asleep at the wheel drivers.
Do not follow the hit-and-run driver. You could put yourself at risk. Contact the police. Write down details about the other vehicle, the color and type of car and license plate number. Note details about damage to other vehicle. Contact the law offices of G. Turner Howard III. We have years of experience successfully handling hit-and-run car accidents in Tennessee. We know what evidence to look for and we know how to get results.
Tennessee does not require a car accident victim to hire an attorney when they file a lawsuit or personal injury claim. However, pursuing compensation on your own can be difficult, so working with a lawyer after an accident is recommended, especially if injuries and property damage are involved. Knoxville car accident attorneys have vast knowledge and experience handling car accident cases in Tennessee and can help you with the following:
The time limit for a personal injury claim in Tennessee is one year. Under Tennessee Code section 28-3-104, you generally have up to a year from the day of the accident to bring a claim.
If you try to file your claim after the applicable statute of limitations has elapsed, your case might be dismissed. That is why you should understand the circumstances of your case and how the time limit applies to your situation.
You can discuss these details with your attorney to ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame to protect your rights and increase your chances of receiving fair compensation.
After a Knoxville car accident, you may be able to claim various damages, depending on the circumstances of the incident. Some common damages that can be claimed include but are not limited to the following:
If the other driver at fault does not have auto insurance, you may have to turn to your own insurance policy for coverage. Your uninsured motorist coverage (UM) can help cover your expenses in such a situation.
In the case of underinsurance, you may also have to rely on your insurance for additional coverage. If you have underinsured motorist coverage (UIM), you may need to use it to fill the gap between the at-fault driver’s coverage and your damages.
Yes. Don’t let insurance companies dictate what happens to you after your accident. Take back control. Contact us. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and we have the case results to prove it.
The days, weeks and months following an accident can be difficult physically, emotionally and financially. You may need to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages from missing work, pain and suffering, and other damages. Insurance companies may try to delay or deny your claim. By retaining an experienced attorney, you will have someone who can fight for the compensation you need. At the Law Offices of G. Turner Howard, we can help by collecting and examining evidence, interviewing potential witnesses and negotiating with insurance companies after an accident.
You pay nothing unless you win, because we work on a contingency fee basis. At the Law Offices of G. Turner Howard III, we also offer all potential clients a free case evaluation. Whatever you financial situation might be, you can afford to hire an experienced attorney.
The amount of damages, or compensation, you can recover will depend on the cause and circumstances of an accident. Typically, a variety of damages are recoverable in Tennessee truck accident cases. These include medical expenses and cost of future medical care, lost wages from missing work, loss of future earning capacity, damages for pain, suffering and emotional distress, and in some cases punitive damages, which are meant to punish drivers who acted with gross negligence or malicious intent.
If it can be established that the driver of a truck was fully or partially at fault for an accident, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against that negligent party and perhaps other parties who bear responsibility. It’s important to know how and why your accident occurred and whether it involved factors that are specific to truck wreck claims, such as truck driver fatigue, overloaded cargo, tight delivery times, worn or under inflated tires or other causes which are of particular concern when they pertain to truck safety. An attorney experienced in truck accidents, like G. Turner Howard III, will help get to the bottom of the matter and help you with the complicated and sometimes intimidating insurance claims and legal process.
Yes. Insurance companies often offer motorcycle accident victims far less than the true cost of their accident. Insurance companies do this because they know most injury victims simply want to quickly resolve their case. Don’t let insurance companies dictate what happens to you after your accident. Take back control. Contact us. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and we have the case results to prove it.
Yes. Your health could be at risk. Have a doctor, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or another medical professional examine you as soon as possible after your accident. You could have a serious internal injury and not even realize it.
Do not follow the hit-and-run driver. Contact the police. Talk to witnesses if possibleTake photographs of your accident. Seek immediate medical attention. Contact us.
Auto and motorcycle insurance is mandatory in Tennessee. If the driver who caused your accident doesn’t have insurance, tell the police immediately. It is against the law to drive in Tennessee without insurance. Then contact Law Offices of G. Turner Howard III. We know how to take legal action against uninsured drivers and make sure you receive the money you rightfully deserve. You have rights. We can fight for them.
Yes. Simply tell your insurance company you were in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver. Keep your comments to a minimum. Dealing with insurance companies – even your own – after a motorcycle accident can be very complicated. Remember, most insurance companies only care about one thing – paying injury victims as little as possible. That’s not right. That’s why we work so hard on every accident case.
Many drivers automatically blame bicycle for causing accidents involving other vehicles. The truth is often quite different. In many cases, many motorcycle accidents are caused by another driver. Some of common causes include:
If you feel healthy enough, we strongly encourage motorcycle accident victims to take the following steps after a bicycle accident:
Tennessee state law allows pedestrian accident victims to pursue compensation for their accident even when found to be partially at fault for an accident. We recommend not admitting fault in an accident until after you speak with an attorney. The law is complicated, which is why it’s wise to seek the advice of legal counsel as soon as possible. Call for a free consultation.
You pay nothing unless you win, because we work on a contingency fee basis. At the Law Offices of G. Turner Howard III, we also offer all potential clients a free case evaluation. Whatever you financial situation might be, you can afford to hire an experienced attorney.
If it can be established that the driver of a car or truck was fully or partially at fault for an accident, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against that negligent party. Tennessee law allows injury victims to pursue compensation from negligent individuals who cause accidents. It’s important to know how and why your accident occurred. Was the driver who hit you under the influence of alcohol? Was he or she texting, ignoring traffic signals or speeding? An attorney can help get to the bottom of the matter. If you suspect driver negligence contributed to your accident, contact us immediately.
The amount of damages, or compensation, you can recover will depend on the cause and circumstances of an accident. Typically, a variety of damages are recoverable in Tennessee pedestrian accident cases. These include medical expenses and cost of future medical care, lost wages from missing work, loss of future earning capacity, damages for pain, suffering and emotional distress, and in some cases punitive damages, which are meant to punish drivers who acted with gross negligence or malicious intent.
The days, weeks and months following an accident can be difficult physically, emotionally and financially. You may need to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages from missing work, pain and suffering, and other damages. Insurance companies may try to delay or deny your claim. By retaining an experienced attorney, you will have someone who can fight for the compensation you need. At the Law Offices of G. Turner Howard, we can help by collecting and examining evidence, interviewing potential witnesses and negotiating with insurance companies after an accident.
