A hit-and-run accident can cause serious injuries, a damaged vehicle, and emotional distress. As if all of this weren’t stressful enough, you may also feel frustrated by the injustice of a negligent driver fleeing the scene. In Tennessee, it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident. Fortunately, if another driver caused your accident and then fled the scene, you may still have legal options for obtaining compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, [...]

Yes, injured passengers can file personal injury claims after a car accident. Passengers are rarely at fault for collisions, and they retain the right to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Passengers may opt to file a claim against the driver of the vehicle they were in, the driver of the other vehicle, both drivers, or a third party that contributed to the collision. Tennessee is a modified comparative negligence [...]

If the at-fault driver leaves the scene of a crash in Tennessee, you may still be able to receive compensation. Fleeing the scene of an accident is illegal in Tennessee, and there are multiple forms of insurance that may be available to you in this situation. At Banks & Jones, Attorneys at Law, we understand how frustrating it can be when you’re the victim of a hit-and-run. Even a standard car crash claim is stressful, [...]

You can walk away from a car crash with maybe a few scratches and nothing feeling broken. Maybe you can exchange insurance information, file a police report, and even drive home. But a few days later, you can’t remember your child’s birthday. Weeks later, the persistent, throbbing headaches begin. By the time you see a doctor, the damage has already complicated your recovery, and your legal options too. This scenario happens to Tennessee car accident victims [...]

Car accidents are always unexpected. You never get a heads-up that you should double-check your seatbelt, strap down all objects, and have your phone charged so you can take crash scene photos. You just have to be as prepared as you can be at any given time and do the best you can. Why? Because the first things you do after a Tennessee car accident may make or break your personal injury claim. The more prepared [...]

In Tennessee, it’s difficult to estimate. Every car accident is unique: the drivers, passengers, road conditions, weather, moment of impact, and the list goes on. Consequently, a car accident depends on the nature and severity of the accident. Minor injuries like whiplash may settle for around $10,000 to $25,000. For moderate car accident injuries, settlements might range from $15,000 to $75,000. On the other hand, catastrophic injuries that result in permanent disability may result in settlements [...]

Car accidents are one of the most common sources of injuries across all age groups. Whether you’ve been injured in a crash on Kingston Pike or a collision on I-40, the injuries you suffer play a large part in determining how much compensation you receive afterwards. Learning more about the most common Knoxville car accident injuries and how they impact your claim can help you demand full and fair compensation from the liable party in your [...]

The days and weeks after a car accident may be among the most chaotic in your life. You’re shaken up, full of adrenaline, and trying to deal with damage to your vehicle. On top of that, you know you have to call your insurance company—but what happens if you are fully or partially at fault? At that point, it’s important to know what you are legally required to do and what can actually hurt you legally. [...]

A car accident can cause a wide range of soft tissue injuries, including those that lead to lifelong complications. By learning more about whether or not soft tissue injuries from car accidents are worth a lawsuit—and consulting with a Knoxville personal injury lawyer—you can better understand your legal options, rights, and next steps. What types of soft tissue injuries are caused by car accidents? Soft tissue injuries are injuries that impact your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. [...]

When you’re involved in a car accident in Tennessee, there’s no end to the extra tasks you suddenly have to do. You have to call insurance, get your vehicle repaired, go to medical appointments, and figure out how you’re going to pay everything. But in the midst of it all, don’t forget that you have to decide whether or not you want to pursue a personal injury claim. While you do have time to file your [...]

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of accidents, not just in Tennessee but in the entire country. From crashes on I-40 to collisions on the busy streets of Nashville and Knoxville, this type of accident happens every single day. There’s a widespread assumption that the rear driver is always at fault, and while that’s often true, it isn’t always that easy. If you’ve been involved in a Tennessee car accident, you need an attorney [...]

After a car accident, your first priorities should be clear: calling the police, getting medical care, and making sure your family is safe. But once those adrenaline-fueled first hours have passed, you have a lot of additional problems that start piling up. Medical bills, ongoing medical treatment, unpaid time away from work, insurance company calls, and a damaged vehicle all take their toll. Many car accident victims wonder if they can handle the legal side of [...]

At Banks & Jones, we understand how to access traffic camera footage. These images can help prove that a driver violated a traffic rule or drove negligently, and that their negligence caused your accident and your injuries (or the death of a loved one). For example, traffic camera footage from an intersection can show that a driver entered the intersection when the traffic light was red, failed to yield the right of way, drove while distracted, [...]

You’ve likely heard the saying that most car accidents occur "close to home," but did you know a substantial number also happen in parking lots? It might be tempting to assume that parking lots are safe and secure due to their simple layouts and slow speed limits, but in reality, parking lots pose a number of hazards and safety concerns for drivers across the country. In Tennessee, parking lot accidents are treated with the same seriousness [...]

You’ve probably encountered your fair share of reckless drivers if you live or regularly travel through Tennessee. As more people move to this part of the country, traffic congestion is on a steady incline, as is the number of car accidents reported each year. In fact, the National Traffic Research Group recently reported that traffic fatalities in the state of Tennessee have increased by roughly 35% over the last decade. One unfortunate cause of motor vehicle [...]

Over the last 50 years, the number of children killed in car accidents each year has declined significantly thanks to states’ adoption of more stringent legislation pertaining to motor vehicle safety. Nevertheless, parents and guardians of young children are responsible for the safety of any minors in their care, and failing to comply with established traffic safety laws is a surefire way to put young lives in jeopardy. Tennessee is one of 20 states that require [...]

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Knoxville, one of the first things you should understand is the state’s fault laws. Fault laws determine who’s responsible for the accident and who pays for damages, and they can have a big effect on the outcome of your claim. Tennessee’s fault laws are based on a concept called “comparative negligence,” and you need to understand them if you’re considering filing an insurance claim or lawsuit. What [...]

Being injured in a car accident can cause a lot of emotional and financial concerns. You’re likely dealing with medical bills, car repairs, and the stress of recovering from your injuries. We understand that you don’t want to add the cost of a lawyer into that mix. However, the good news is that hiring a lawyer is often much more affordable than you might think. Contingency fee agreements The most common way lawyers charge for [...]

Two people have been identified after a DUI crash in Knoxville. The individuals, a 76-year-old from Virginia and a 45-year-old from Knoxville, were killed, and three others were injured in the accident. 6 News on Your Side reports: Based on an investigation, it is believed that two vehicles traveling east on I-40 were involved in a rear-end crash just after 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. The first vehicle came to a rest in a lane of [...]

If you're involved in a car accident in Tennessee that's not your fault, taking the right steps can protect your interests and help you manage the situation effectively. However, not everyone knows what to do in the aftermath of one of these traumatic experiences. Here’s a quick guide to help you know what steps to take. A post-accident checklist Following a crash, take each of these steps to protect yourself and others and to preserve [...]

The Eddie Conrad Act, enacted in 2024, is a Tennessee law designed to combat distracted driving among drivers under 18. By imposing stricter penalties for violations of the Hands-Free Law, this legislation aims to address the growing issue of distracted driving in the state. Does Tennessee have a distracted driving problem? Yes. According to 2023 USAA data, Tennessee ranks #8 among the states with the highest number of distracted driving incidents. The other top 10 [...]

If you’re involved in a car accident in Knoxville, Tennessee, filing a police report is crucial for insurance claims and potential legal actions. The responding officer will typically file an accident report, which you can later obtain from the local police department, sheriff's office, or the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do: Ensure safety and medical attention Ensuring safety and determining whether medical attention is needed [...]

You may be required to appear in court after you file your car accident claim. At Banks & Jones, we understand that most car accident victims would prefer to avoid court appearances. We’ll explain when you might have to go to court, such as when you’re called to give a deposition - and when it might be in your best interest to go to court, such as when insurance companies are not making a fair settlement [...]

A car accident settlement is a formal agreement between the victim and the insurance company to pay your claim for damages. In return for a cash payment, you agree that the settlement is final – that you won’t seek any more money from the defendant’s insurance company. You should never negotiate a settlement on your own. The insurance company for the defendant is not your friend. They want to pay you as little as possible. [...]

In many car accidents where two or more drivers are involved, more than one driver may be responsible for the accident. When there are allegations that two more drivers are partially responsible for a car accident, Tennessee uses the concept of comparative negligence to determine who should be responsible for paying a claim. Multi-vehicle accidents often involve a chain reaction or a series of separate accidents. Our car accident lawyers are skilled at showing what happened [...]