Aggressive Knoxville Personal Injury and Criminal Defense Lawyers Fighting for Your Future
Skilled trial lawyers representing clients throughout greater Knoxville and East Tennessee
When you have been seriously injured or are facing criminal charges that could lead to prison, you cannot waste time. You need a lawyer who knows the system, understands the challenges you face, and is not afraid to take your case to trial to protect your rights. In short, you need aggressive, comprehensive counsel focused on protecting your rights, your future, and your family.
At Banks and Jones, we are trial attorneys first and foremost. We have earned a reputation as tough, determined lawyers who follow through on what we promise. For every client, we work to present the strongest arguments the facts and law support. Banks and Jones is where Knoxville turns when people need lawyers who are always ready to Fight 2 Win.
Table of contents
- Fighting for Knoxville families whose lives have been turned upside down by a crash
- Knoxville and East Tennessee roads see heavy traffic, serious crashes, and life-changing injuries
- Helping injury victims fight for the compensation they deserve
- What compensation may injury victims recover in Knoxville?
- Criminal defense strategies designed to protect your rights and your freedom
- A full-service law firm for your needs
- Why our clients trust us to have their backs
- Why trial experience matters
- Knoxville trial lawyers: Frequently asked questions
- We don’t just serve Knoxville – we call it home
Fighting for Knoxville families whose lives have been turned upside down by a crash
When you are hurt, your car is damaged, and you are unsure how you will pay the bills while you are out of work, do not panic: we are here. Our auto-accident lawyers have handled some of Knoxville’s toughest crash cases. We have the skills and resources to pursue complex claims involving:
- Car crashes. We handle single-vehicle accidents, multivehicle pileups, and crashes caused by drunk or dangerous drivers. No claim is too large for our team, and no legitimate injury claim is too small to receive our full attention.
- Truck accidents. Fully loaded commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A collision with a tractor-trailer can become deadly in an instant. If you are injured in a crash involving a commercial truck, call us. We can help.
- Motorcycle wrecks. We are big fans of motorcycles around here. (T. Scott Jones holds several world records in motorcycle racing.) We also know that riders are especially vulnerable to life-altering injuries when another vehicle strikes them.
- Distracted drivers. You see them through the window: texting at red lights, looking at a GPS while drifting across the highway, or eating behind the wheel. A distracted driver is a dangerous driver, and we work to hold negligent drivers accountable when they hurt others.
- Defective vehicles and products. Defective airbags, faulty transmissions, malfunctioning driver-assistance systems, and other dangerous vehicle components can cause devastating injuries. When a defect in a car, truck, motorcycle, or component contributes to an injury, we work to identify and hold the responsible parties accountable.
We do not help only drivers and riders. Over the years, we have represented cyclists, pedestrians, ATV riders, rideshare passengers, and passengers injured while traveling with friends or family. We work with people whose property has been destroyed, who face life in a wheelchair, and who live with chronic pain after a so-called “fender-bender.” We are prepared to evaluate and handle even the most complex crash cases.
Knoxville and East Tennessee roads see heavy traffic, serious crashes, and life-changing injuries
According to the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), 85,700 traffic crashes occurred in the Knoxville TPO planning region from 2020 through 2024, including 55,500 in Knox County. The region includes Knox County and contiguous urban areas in Anderson, Blount, Loudon, Roane, and Sevier Counties.
Knox County also experiences some of Tennessee’s heaviest traffic. WBIR reported that four sections of I-40 in Knox County ranked among the state’s five most heavily traveled road segments. Nearly 205,000 vehicles travel I-40 near Hollywood Road each day. That traffic volume increases the risk of serious crashes involving passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers, motorcycles, pedestrians, and rideshare vehicles.
Helping injury victims fight for the compensation they deserve
A serious personal injury can threaten nearly every part of a person’s life: employment, transportation, housing, and financial security. When you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, our team moves quickly. We routinely handle complex claims involving:
- Product liability. Defective and unsafe products cause thousands of injuries each year. We fight to hold responsible manufacturers, designers, distributors, and retailers accountable for the harm they cause.
- Premises liability. From small local shops to major venues like Neyland Stadium, the Tennessee Theatre, the Bijou Theatre, the Mill & Mine, and the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, property owners need to keep their premises safe. If they don’t and you get hurt, they could be liable.
- Catastrophic injuries. A catastrophic injury can permanently change a person’s life, causing chronic pain, paralysis, limb loss, permanent disfigurement, or other lasting impairments. We are prepared to handle complex claims involving:
- Wrongful death. Losing a loved one is difficult enough; losing someone because of another person’s wrongful conduct is devastating. We fight to protect families who have already lost more than anyone should have to bear.
- Medical malpractice. Preventable medical errors can cause profound harm. If you were injured by negligent medical care, we have the skills and resources to investigate your claim and pursue the compensation available under Tennessee law.
- Workers’ compensation. Sometimes these life-altering injuries occur at work or in the course and scope of employment. We can help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits and represent you if your claim is denied.
What compensation may injury victims recover in Knoxville?
Severe injuries affect every aspect of life, including your health, income, family, and future. Life after a devastating injury may be far different and more difficult than it was before. Compensation should address all legally recoverable losses, whether they are easy to calculate or difficult to quantify. Depending on the facts of the case, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, future medical care, pain and suffering, permanent disability, scarring, disfigurement, and other losses.
In fatal-injury cases, eligible surviving family members may have a wrongful-death claim for losses resulting from their loved one’s death. These cases are deeply personal and require careful attention to both the legal claim and the family’s long-term needs.
Criminal defense strategies designed to protect your rights and your freedom
Few experiences are more frightening than being charged with a crime. Choosing the right Knoxville defense lawyer can also feel daunting. Whether you face a misdemeanor or a felony, you need an attorney who can evaluate the evidence, explain your options, and prepare for every reasonable contingency. We handle a wide range of cases, including:
- Homicide
- Assault
- DUI
- Drug crimes
- Robbery
- Theft
- Juvenile crimes
- White-collar crimes
- Rape and sexual-assault charges
Our attorneys are also well known for defending clients against serious traffic charges. If you have been charged with reckless driving or lost your driver’s license because of an alleged DUI, we are ready to help.
A full-service law firm for your needs
One benefit of working with Banks and Jones is knowing that you can turn to an established team for a broad range of legal needs. Many former injury and criminal-defense clients later seek our help with unrelated matters. We are proud to offer the following additional services:
- Denial of life insurance claims
- Civil litigation for business owners
- Divorce and domestic litigation
Whether you have been injured in an accident, arrested, denied a valid insurance claim, or navigating a divorce or custody case, our lawyers can help you navigate the legal process from start to finish.
Why our clients trust us to have their backs
Our reputation for trustworthy, capable representation extends throughout East Tennessee, including Maryville, Sevierville, Clinton, Lenoir City, and Loudon. Civil and criminal proceedings can be intimidating, but our lawyers know how to protect our clients’ rights. Learn more about our attorneys:
Our lawyers regularly try cases and are confident in the courtroom. We do not recommend settling a case unless doing so is in the client’s best interests. Complex litigation requires knowledge, skill, preparation, and the resources to investigate and develop a claim. Our firm has those resources. No matter how large the case or how extensive the records, we are prepared to do the work necessary to pursue it effectively. That is why we can take on cases that many other firms may not be equipped to handle.
Why trial experience matters
In injury cases, insurers and defense lawyers often try to settle claims for less than their full value. They may pressure injured people who are facing substantial medical bills, lost income, and other financial strain to accept a quick payment, even when the offer may not fully compensate them.
In criminal cases, an accused person may feel helpless or believe the system is stacked against them. Faced with the possibility of jail and other serious consequences, some people may accept a plea agreement even when they believe it is unfair.
Both situations involve a significant imbalance of experience and power. Insurers and prosecutors handle cases every day; most injured or accused people do not. Hiring a trial lawyer with a demonstrated willingness to appear before judges and juries helps restore that balance. When the other side knows you are prepared to proceed, it may be more willing to make a reasonable offer. When a fair resolution is not available, Banks and Jones is prepared to advocate for you through trial.
Knoxville trial lawyers: Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file my personal injury claim in Tennessee?
In many Tennessee personal-injury cases, a lawsuit must be filed within one year of the injury. Different deadlines and exceptions may apply depending on the type of claim and the parties involved, so anyone with a potential case should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Should I talk to the insurance company after a serious crash?
Use caution when speaking with an insurance company after a serious crash. The insurer’s interests may differ from yours. Consider speaking with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement, signing documents, or accepting a settlement. An attorney can advise you, protect your interests, and communicate with the insurer on your behalf.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. Tennessee follows a modified comparative-fault rule. A person who is less than 50 percent at fault may generally recover damages, but the recovery is reduced according to that person’s percentage of fault. A person who is 50 percent or more at fault generally cannot recover.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company has already made an offer?
Insurance companies sometimes make early offers to resolve claims quickly and inexpensively. An early offer may not account for the full extent of your injuries, future treatment, lost income, or other damages. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally cannot seek additional compensation later, even if your injuries prove more serious than expected.
We don’t just serve Knoxville – we call it home
As dedicated members of the community, we take on pro bono matters and support charitable organizations throughout East Tennessee. We live, work, and play in the Knoxville area, just like the people we represent. We care for our community with the same dedication and commitment we bring to our clients. Our community involvement includes support for organizations such as the Akima Club of Knoxville and the Kerbela Shriners of Knoxville.
Contact a firm that guides you at every turn
At Banks and Jones, we focus on helping clients find the best path forward. Call 865-546-2141 or contact our firm to speak with an experienced attorney at our Knoxville office. Fight 2 Win!
