Experienced Maryville Personal Injury Lawyers
More than 30 years protecting victims of negligence in Blunt County and throughout East Tennessee
Most people do not intentionally injure others – that’s why they call them accidents. But when you suffer injuries due the negligence of others, you have the right to pursue compensation from all liable parties. If your injuries are relatively minor, you can often file an insurance claim to recover the expenses related to your injuries. For more serious injuries, meaning more compensation, you may find the insurance company and the responsible party less willing to pay.
As the victim of an injury, you should keep in mind that insurance policy limits may prevent you from recovering all costs. And insurance companies may unfairly deny or reduce your claim, leaving you to pay expenses out of your own pocket. The good news is, you can avoid these and other potential complications by talking to an experienced attorney before making the decision to file or settle an insurance claim.
It costs nothing to talk to the Maryville attorneys at Shepherd & Long, P.C. about your accident before taking any legal action that might deny you the full compensation you deserve for your injuries. Get in touch with us today and tell us about yourself, your accident, and your injuries. We are here for you.
Personal injury cases we handle
If you or someone you love were hurt in an accident someone else caused, you need an experienced attorney to represent your best interests. The lawyers at Shepherd & Long have the skills and the resources to advocate for you as you heal from your injuries. Some of the personal injury cases we handle include:
Spinal and back injuries. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or full paralysis, and back injuries can cause a lifetime of chronic pain. These injuries typically occur in motor vehicle accidents or from violence.
TBIs and head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries happen from blows to the head or vehicle accidents. Concussions are also considered brain injuries. Symptoms of TBIs can last for weeks, months, or even years.
Burn injuries. Burns are among the most painful injuries a person can experience. Depending on the severity of the burn, they can leave long-lasting physical and emotional scars.
Nursing home neglect. Neglect and abuse of our elderly population is an unforgiveable crime. We help protect your loved ones and hold the right people responsible – whether the nursing home itself, or specific staff.
Workplace injuries. Sometimes, a workplace injury will be so severe, you may need additional help. Some workers aren’t covered by workers compensation, either. Give us a call to find out more about your options.
Wrongful death. If you lose a family member in a preventable accident caused by someone else, you may seek a wrongful death action. This provides compensation on your loved one’s behalf, as well as for your own loss.
Car accidents. Auto accidents happen every day, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t serious. If someone or something else caused your accident, you have the right to seek compensation.
Motorcycle accidents. Many drivers fail to see bikers on the road, which causes unnecessary accidents. Victims of motorcycle accidents typically suffer serious injuries, and will need compensation to heal from their injuries.
Truck accidents. Accidents with tractor-trailers tend to be extremely serious. These types accidents can happen due to a variety of factors, including driver error, mechanical failure, or bad road conditions.
FAQ about Maryville personal injury law
If you have experienced an injury – physical or psychological – due to another’s negligence or recklessness, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. This lets an injured party seek compensation from the person or entity who caused their injury.
In order to successfully secure compensation, you and your attorney must prove that the other party breached their duty of care to you and, in that breach, caused your injuries. Here in Tennessee, you have a one-year statute of limitations from the date the injury occurred (or was discovered) to bring your personal injury action. If you do not file your claim within a year, you may forfeit your right to take legal action. It’s important to speak to our Blount County personal injury attorneys as soon as possible after an accident.
Did you know?
Accidental injury is the number three cause of death in the United States. An American suffers an accidental injury every second, and a preventable death every three minutes, according to the National Safety Council.
What is my personal injury case worth?
Once you and your attorney successfully prove the other party was responsible for your injuries and losses, you can expect two types of damages from the court. These are economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages compensate you for quantifiable financial losses, such as medical bills (current and future), physical therapy, lost income, future ability to work, and any other expenses related to your injuries.
- Non-economic damages compensate you for more intangible losses, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Accidents causing catastrophic injuries also have a catastrophic effect on your life. It is vital to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to ensure you secure the maximum compensation for your losses.
Should I accept my insurance company’s settlement offer?
It may be tempting to say yes when the insurance company calls with a quick settlement offer. However, you should speak with your attorney first. Experienced personal injury attorneys understand insurance company tactics and strategies, and the most important thing we know is that the insurance company is not working for you. They want to settle for the least amount of money possible. Never sign anything without running it past an attorney first.
Do I still have a case if I’m partially responsible for my accident?
Tennessee law operates under the theory of modified comparative negligence, which means that you could be entitled to compensation even if you are partially responsible for the accident. If you are 50% or less responsible for your accident, you may still be able to collect compensation. Using a Maryville car accident as an example, say you were involved in a wreck and your injuries and losses are estimated at $100,000. However, the court holds you 40% responsible for the accident. This means you would be entitled to collect just 60% of any damages awarded to you, which would be $60,000.
How much does it cost to hire a Maryville personal injury attorney?
At Shepherd & Long, we typically handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. Contingency means you pay nothing unless we win your claim. This means you do not have to worry about anything and can concentrate on healing from your injuries, and we concentrate on successfully resolving your claim. In the majority of cases, we add your legal fees as an additional amount of compensation when seeking your award from the court.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Maryville for a free consultation
If you or a loved one suffers injuries due to the negligence of others, you need a Maryville personal injury attorney who clearly explains the legal issues so you can make informed decisions and who handles the details so you can focus on healing. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call us at 865-982-8060 or fill out the contact form. We regularly represent clients in Madisonville, Oak Ridge, Lenoir City and throughout East Tennessee.
We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees until we successfully obtain compensation for you.