Car Accident Lawyers Chattanooga TN

Have you or a loved one been seriously injured in a car accident?  Unfortunately, you are not alone because car accidents are a leading cause of accidental injury and death in our state.  In fact, fatal accidents in Tennessee have risen more than 4% from last year. Despite these hard facts, car accidents still happen when motorists continue to disregard driving laws and act negligently.

If you have been injured in a car accident, then you most likely are upset due to the circumstances.  You may need intense medical care, including surgery, medication, and rehabilitative therapies. Your accident may have caused you to miss work and social experiences.  Additional financial difficulties may include medical bills and lost wages.  While you may be struggling as a result of the accident, you may be eligible to seek compensation with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Dennis & Winningham Law, located in Chattanooga, has helped personal injury victims throughout Tennessee and Georgia for decades. Our Chattanooga car accident lawyer understand the hardship and loss of Tennessee and Georgia car accident victims.  That is why we tirelessly work to recover compensation for accident victims.

Chattanooga car accident attorneys Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham have recovered millions of dollars in Georgia and Tennessee for car and motor vehicle accident victims like you.  If you or a loved one has been injured and need help with your medical bills, then you have come to the right place.  Auto accident victims and their family members in East Tennessee and North Georgia can confidently rely on the experienced auto accident attorneys at Dennis & Winningham Law. We are the law firm that has compassionately, yet effectively, helped victims and their loved ones navigate the aftermath of difficult situations.

We have helped countless people and can help you too. After scheduling a free strategy session with a Chattanooga car accident lawyer, we can help determine what you need to know if you want to file a claim against the negligent driver and their insurance company.  You do not have to accept the suffering. We can help you recover the financial compensation that you are legally entitled to.

Common Causes of Chattanooga Car Accidents

There are many different causes of car accidents, but perhaps the one factor that has moved up quickly to make its way to one of the top causes of auto accidents is distracted driving. Today’s drivers are busy and distracted. We believe that multi-tasking is necessary in our increasingly busy world and have extended that into our driving behaviors. We eat entire meals behind the wheel, fiddle with car controls and GPS settings, talk on our cell phones, send and read texts, talk to passengers, and daydream, all while driving.

Parents are particularly at risk of driving while distracted, with many driving parents turning completely around to see what the children are doing in the back seat or picking up a bottle or toy. Distracted driving might well be the number one cause of rear-end accidents and is certainly either the cause or a factor in most auto accidents. Impairment, fatigue, inclement weather conditions, poor road conditions, exceeding the speed limit, and reckless driving are also causes of car accidents.

You can take measures to avoid car accidents, although you have little control over other drivers. Defensive driving is, however, a good way to potentially avoid an accident. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted while driving, never drive while impaired or overly fatigued, follow all traffic laws and rules of the road, and keep a safe distance from other cars so you have more time and distance to brake and avoid an accident.

Do I Have a Car Accident Case and What Is It Worth?

No reputable attorney can definitively tell you that you have a good case or what it is worth without first gathering all the facts and circumstances of your accident. The primary determiner of whether your case is viable will be the ability of your attorney to definitively prove liability. Liability is proven by speaking to witnesses to the accident, obtaining the police report, determining whether there were video cameras in the area, getting your account of the accident, and in some cases, bringing in an accident reconstructionist and/or investigator.

If liability is clear, then you likely do have car accident case, and your Chattanooga car accident lawyer will carefully calculate what your claim is worth. This involves adding all your “economic” damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and lost future wages. Economic damages are those that come with a specific financial number attached. Non-economic damages are much more subjective, and thus more difficult to quantify.

Pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages and can include actual physical pain that limits your work, day-to-day activities, or recreation, as well as emotional pain and trauma. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other emotional consequences of your injuries all fall under pain and suffering damages. You may be asked to keep a journal of how your pain and suffering have affected your work and your life. Once you have a Dennis & Winningham Law Chattanooga car accident lawyer by your side, you can rest easy, knowing your damages will be accurately calculated and liability proven.

How to Choose the Best Chattanooga Car Accident Lawyer for Me

At a time when you are suffering from your injuries and may be unable to work and make a living, choosing a Chattanooga car accident lawyer may feel overwhelming. Some people will ask for an attorney referral from a friend, family member, or co-worker. Others will look online to find a car accident lawyer in their area that seems like a good fit. At Dennis & Winningham Law, we know that you have many choices for your Chattanooga car accident lawyer. We are confident that once you have spoken to attorneys Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham, your choice will be clear. Our qualifications are exemplary, and we are client-centered, empathetic, trustworthy attorneys who can handle all the necessary details of your car accident and ensure you receive a full and fair settlement. At Dennis & Winningham Law, you will:

• Work with your attorney, not paralegals
• Receive highly individualized, highly experienced legal assistance
• Have an attorney who has a deliberately focused caseload
• Receive flexibility in the sense that we will come to you at your home or the hospital when your injuries prevent you from traveling or meet with you outside normal business hours
• Have a case strategy that is precisely tailored to the facts and circumstances of your case
• Enjoy the resources of a large law firm, while appreciating the personal nature of a smaller firm—our resources include the ability to fully investigate your accident, experts who can prove your case, and lawyers who are always ready and able to go to trial if necessary
• Have a law firm with an outstanding reputation in the industry and a track record of success.

Case Illustration of Chattanooga Injury Claim

Ginger is taking her young son Tyler to the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park on a Saturday morning. As Ginger is going through a green stoplight on McCallie Avenue, another driver runs the stop light, hitting Ginger’s car on the front driver’s side. The police and EMS are called, but in the chaos, the driver who hit Ginger gets in his vehicle and drives away.

Ginger is grateful that Tyler wasn’t hurt, as he was securely in his car seat on the passenger side of the vehicle. However, she has several broken bones in her left arm and wrist. Further, the fact that the at-fault driver left the scene is also concerning although Ginger provides the police with the best vehicle description she can.

Since Ginger is a paralegal for a real estate lawyer, who uses a computer every day, she will be unable to return to work until her bones heal. As a single mother, Ginger is panicked, wondering how she will pay her medical bills and support her son when she is unable to work. Ginger asks a co-worker for a referral to an experienced Chattanooga car accident lawyer, then makes an appointment with Dennis & Winningham Law.

By the end of the meeting, Ginger has had many of her fears alleviated, and is feeling better about her future. She is reminded that her insurance policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which also covers hit-and-run accidents. Ginger feels confident that attorneys Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham will advocate for her, working hard for a full settlement that will cover all her damages, while allowing her to concentrate on healing from her injuries.

Work With An Experienced Chattanooga Car Accident Lawyer

Motor vehicle crash victims throughout Tennessee and Georgia rely on the experienced auto accident attorneys at Dennis & Winningham Law. Dennis & Winningham Law are experienced Chattanooga car accident attorneys who take a limited number of cases to ensure we can give our clients the high-quality, professional care that they deserve.  If you work with us, we promise you that we will be committed to providing the best legal representation.

Dennis & Winningham Law is not a big “settlement mill” that will merely process your case.  Our focus will be on you. Unlike other firms, you will never be passed off to a paralegal or legal assistant at Dennis & Winningham Law.  You will always be working directly with a real and experienced Chattanooga car accident lawyer. We maintain a statewide reputation for the care we take with each of our clients. Experience the Dennis & Winningham Law difference. Book your free strategy session!

Experience, expertise, and exceptional dedication to the needs of every client are the cornerstones of our success. Since most car accidents are caused by negligence, it is imperative that anyone involved in an accident contact an experienced Chattanooga car accident lawyer. Please remember that it is crucial to act swiftly after you’ve been injured in an accident. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better we will be able to preserve evidence, file the claim, gather essential witnesses, and address any other important factors.  The sooner we start, the sooner you can recover compensation.   Additionally, each personal injury claim must be filed within the statute of limitations, or else the claim will be forever barred.  Contact us to find out more about how to recover damages in Chattanooga, TN.

The Dennis & Winningham Law Difference

At Dennis & Winningham Law, a Chattanooga car accident lawyer work to help with all facets of your case.  In addition to providing legal representation, we connect our clients to our network of specialists to get them back on the road to recovery.  We also work around our client’s needs, offering same-day, evening, and weekend appointments.  We can also offer home and hospital visits for the severely injured.  We never charge a fee until we receive a settlement for you!  If necessary, we will take the case to trial if a fair settlement is not obtained.

Chattanooga Car Accident Lawyer Overview

Unfortunately, car accidents happen even when a driver does not do anything wrong.  You cannot always avoid a car accident by being alert, following traffic laws, and driving carefully. We all share the road with other drivers, and accidents caused by road conditions or faulty equipment are often beyond our control.  However, driver negligence, such as distracted driving, causes many car accidents, so it is important that anyone involved in a car accident contact a Chattanooga lawyer as soon as they can.

A motor vehicle accident may involve a pedestrian hit and run, a truck accident, a bicycle-car collision, a bus accident, a tractor-trailer accident, a  driving accident, or a motorcycle accident. If a defective product, such as a tire blowout or an airbag malfunction, caused the accident, then the case would fall under the realm of product liability. Reach out to Dennis & Winningham Law today if you have questions regarding how injury claims work under Tennessee or Georgia law.

Chattanooga Car Accident Statistics

According to tn.gov, for the combined years of 2018-2022, Hamilton County, TN ranked 4th in the overall number of car crashes as compared to other counties in Tennessee, and 85th for the number of fatal car crashes. Hamilton County ranked 7th for the number of motorcycle crashes, and 57th for car crashes that involved both alcohol and a fatality. For car collisions involving excess speed, young drivers, and senior drivers, Hamilton County ranked 4th in each category. As reported on the getjerry.com website, Chattanooga traffic is some of the worst in the U.S., with the Chattanooga Interchange ranked the 11th worst in the nation in terms of bottlenecking. Since Chattanooga serves as a byway to many other major cities like Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham, and Atlanta, the roads are not only filled with passenger vehicles, but they are also filled with commercial truck traffic. It is simply a fact that the more traffic there is, the more likely car accidents will occur.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can result in minor or serious injury to the victim.  Common accident injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Catastrophic burns and Injuries
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage or paralysis
• Burns
• Amputation
• Cuts and abrasions
• Other serious injuries

Injuries might be immediately apparent at the accident scene or might not develop for some time afterward.  Either way, it is always important to seek medical attention after a car crash, even if the injuries seem minor.  A car crash victim might have pain and suffering long after the accident.  Medical expenses might pile up.  If you or a loved one has been a victim of an accident in Tennessee or Georgia, contact an experienced Chattanooga car accident lawyer at Dennis & Winningham Law today.

Georgia And Tennessee Accident Law

There are two sources of Georgia and Tennessee law that applies to auto collision claims:

• The law that governs traffic and rules of the road
• The law that determines financial liability when a crash occurs

In Tennessee and Georgia, laws that relate to driving vehicles on the roads and highways can be found here for Georgia and here for Tennessee. These are the rules that all of the drivers in these states have to follow (for example, right-of-ways, speeding, traffic signals, etc.)

When an automobile accident occurs, the rule in the Georgia code and Tennessee Code help determine the driver responsible for causing the accident. Lawyers call the kind of law that makes the “at-fault” driver financially responsible for the car wreck victim’s damages, “tort law”. Tort law comes from decades of court made law designed to protect people from the negligence or wrongful conduct of others. When someone is “at-fault” in a Georgia or Tennessee car collision, they have committed the tort of negligence. The law holds a negligent person responsible in a legal action for any monetary damages that result from his negligence.

What should I do after a car accident?

Car accidents are frightening. In the heat of the moment, knowing what to do is critical. With any luck, you will never be involved in a car accident, but it is important to be as prepared as possible and learn what to do.

If you live in Tennessee and Georgia, the Chattanooga injury law firm of Dennis & Winningham Law is ready to help with your car accident case. Contact a Chattanooga car accident lawyer today for a free consultation.

Here is what to do in the event of a car accident:

• Get Out of Danger – If a fire or another dangerous condition exists in the aftermath of a car accident, get away from it as quickly as possible.
• Seek Immediate Medical Attention – If you or anyone else at the scene is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
• Exchange Information – At the absolute minimum, you need to acquire the other driver’s insurance information, driver’s license number and license plate number. You will need to provide that information to the other driver as well.
• Get a Police Report.
• Determine if there are any viable witnesses to recount the circumstances of the car wreck.
• Contact a Chattanooga Car Accident Lawyer – You can contact Dennis & Winningham Law at 423-556-9467 or fill out our handy strategy session form online. The easiest way to protect yourself in the aftermath of a car accident is by consulting with one of our experienced car accident attorneys.
• Don’t Discuss the Facts of Your Case with Anyone – Don’t be surprised if you get a phone call from the other driver’s insurance company within a short period of time. Do not discuss the facts of the incident. The same thing holds true for your own insurance company. All too often, insurance companies try to pressure people into accepting unfair settlements. You have no way of knowing whether you’re being offered a fair settlement or not. That’s why having an experienced Tennessee and Georgia car accident lawyer by your side is so important.
• Don’t Sign Anything – If the other driver or a representative of his tries to get you to sign something regarding the accident, don’t do it.
• Get Copies of Everything – Make sure to obtain copies of all of your accident-related paperwork. Do not allow anyone to walk away with your only copy of a report or other document.
• Don’t Argue About the Accident – In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the involved parties sometimes get into arguments about who was at fault and what happened. Don’t fall into this trap. Don’t discuss the situation with anyone but your Chattanooga car accident attorney. The attorneys at Dennis & Winningham Law can give you the guidance that you need.
• Don’t Accept an Offer without an Attorney – Make sure that a lawyer from the Dennis & Winningham Law firm reviews any insurance company offer before you accept it.

The following resources could be helpful to you following a Chattanooga car accident:

• Chattanooga Fire Department— 2103 Hickory Valley Road, (423) 643-5600
• Chattanooga Police Department—3410 Amnicola Hwy. (423) 698-2525
• CHI Memorial Hospital—2525 Desales Avenue (423) 495-2525
• Physicians Care Walk-In Clinic (Urgent Care) 2021 Hamilton Place Blvd (423) 899-6222

Contact Dennis & Winningham Law today to schedule a free strategy session on how to best pursue your claim.  During your complimentary strategy session with one of our established attorneys, we will assist you in creating a legal strategy in how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of an auto accident claim, 18-wheeler injury, or another kind of personal injury case. The sooner you learn about your legal rights, the better you will be able to recover all the benefits you are entitled to.

Contact Dennis & Winningham Law Injury Law

Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham have been helping injured people make good decisions about their case for more than 75 years combined. Their practice covers both Tennessee and Georgia. Our attorneys have extensive litigation experience when a settlement cannot be reached, and our knowledge of how to present a compelling case in front of a judge and jury will benefit you. We are able to persuasively present arguments on your behalf in court as well as effectively communicate complex legal concepts to you in an easy-to-understand way. While we are aggressive in our quest to secure a full and fair settlement on your behalf, we are empathetic to the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you face following your accident. Contact the trusted Chattanooga car accident attorneys at Dennis & Winningham Law if you are an injured party who wants to obtain compensation for the damages you have suffered. We offer free consultations so contact us today.

How Our Lawyers Help Handle Insurance After A Car Accident

After a car accident, dealing with insurance companies can be one of the most challenging aspects of the recovery process. While insurance is intended to cover the costs associated with accidents, navigating insurance claims can be difficult, especially when adjusters aim to minimize payouts. At Dennis & Winningham Law, a Chattanooga car accident lawyer is here to help handle every step of the insurance process, ensuring our clients receive the fair compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Gathering Evidence To Strengthen Your Claim

One of the first steps our team takes is gathering evidence to build a strong case. Insurance companies typically require documentation of the accident’s details, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements. A well-prepared claim backed by solid evidence strengthens your position, showing that the claim is legitimate and well-documented. A Chattanooga car accident lawyer works closely with clients to collect everything needed, from accident scene photos to expert opinions if necessary, presenting a comprehensive case to the insurance company.

Communicating With The Insurance Adjuster On Your Behalf

Insurance adjusters often ask questions aimed at minimizing the insurance company’s liability, and their questions may not always be straightforward. At Dennis & Winningham Law, we handle these communications for our clients, ensuring that all interactions with insurance representatives are managed professionally and that responses accurately reflect the client’s best interests. By speaking with the adjuster on your behalf, we help avoid common pitfalls that could harm your claim and ensure that the insurance company understands the full impact of the accident on your life.

Calculating Fair Compensation

Understanding the full value of your claim is crucial for reaching a fair settlement. Insurance companies often propose initial offers that may not cover all of your expenses, especially when future medical needs or lost earning potential are considered. Our car accident lawyers help calculate a fair compensation amount by evaluating medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term consequences of the accident. This ensures that you’re fully informed of the compensation you should expect, helping you make the best decisions about any offers presented.

Negotiating A Fair Settlement

Once the claim is submitted, negotiations with the insurance company begin. A Chattanooga car accident lawyer is skilled at negotiating with insurance adjusters to reach a fair settlement, and we work tirelessly to ensure that our clients’ interests are prioritized. Insurance companies may initially offer a lower amount, but having an attorney negotiate on your behalf can help increase the offer to a figure that truly reflects the impact of the accident. We understand the tactics used by insurance companies and counter these with a clear and well-supported argument for fair compensation.

Filing A Lawsuit If Necessary

While many car accident cases settle through negotiation, there are times when insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement. In such cases, our team is prepared to take the matter to court. Filing a lawsuit shows the insurance company that you are serious about pursuing rightful compensation and may encourage them to reconsider their offer. Our Chattanooga car accident lawyers have the experience needed to represent you in court and argue on your behalf, fighting to secure the compensation you deserve.

Types Of Compensation Available After A Car Accident

Our Chattanooga, TN car accident lawyer knows that when we’re involved in a car accident, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Beyond physical injuries, the financial and emotional toll can be significant. Filing a claim allows us to seek compensation for the damages suffered due to someone else’s negligence. Speak with us about our fee structure and know that there is no fee until we win. Here are the types of compensation typically available after a car accident.

• Medical Expenses. One of the most immediate and significant costs following a car accident is medical care. Compensation can cover emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and follow-up visits. It may also include long-term care such as physical therapy or specialized rehabilitation services if the injuries require extended recovery.
• Lost Wages. If injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to recover lost wages. This compensation is calculated based on the time missed from work due to the accident, including doctor’s appointments and recovery periods. For severe injuries that result in long-term disability or reduced earning capacity, additional compensation may be awarded.
• Property Damage. Car accidents often result in damage to vehicles and personal belongings. Compensation can cover the cost of repairing or replacing the car and any other property damaged in the accident, such as electronics or personal items left in the vehicle.
• Pain and Suffering. Our car accident lawyer in Chattanooga knows that the physical pain and emotional distress caused by a car accident can also be compensated. This type of non-economic damage considers the severity of the injuries, the impact on daily life, and the emotional challenges faced during recovery. Although it’s harder to quantify than medical bills or lost wages, pain and suffering are an important part of many claims.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life. When injuries significantly alter our ability to engage in activities we previously enjoyed, we may be compensated for the loss of enjoyment of life. This includes hobbies, recreational activities, or even basic day-to-day functions that are no longer possible due to the injuries sustained.
• wrongful death Damages. If a loved one loses their life due to a car accident, certain family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Compensation in these cases often includes funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional impact of losing a family member.
• Punitive Damages. In cases where the at-fault driver’s behavior was especially reckless or intentional, we might pursue punitive damages. These are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future. While not common, punitive damages may be awarded in accidents involving drunk driving or extreme negligence.

Call For Assistance

At Dennis & Winningham Law, we are committed to helping individuals and families recover the compensation they deserve after a car accident. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact us today for a consultation. Let’s work together to explore your options and seek the financial recovery you need to move forward. Speak with our car accident lawyer in Chattanooga now for a free case review.