1. Herbert Thornbury, Attorney at Law

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death representation
Background: Herbert Thornbury has over 30 years of experience practicing personal injury law in Chattanooga. He is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a certification held by a small percentage of Tennessee attorneys. He focuses on serious injury cases and provides personalized representation throughout the legal process.
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Contact: (423) 667-0184 | https://www.herbertthornbury.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement

2. Dennis & Winningham Law

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: Attorneys Tricia Dennis and Lupton Winningham lead this Chattanooga firm with a focus on personal injury cases. The firm intentionally limits the number of cases it accepts to provide personalized attention to each client. They handle cases in both Tennessee and Georgia courts.
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Contact: (423) 892-5533 | https://www.denniswinningham.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis

3. Lawrence & Lawrence PLLC

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Lawrence & Lawrence achieved a record $10.5 million verdict, the highest personal injury award in Hamilton County history. The firm has extensive trial experience and focuses on serious injury cases throughout the Chattanooga area. They handle complex litigation involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee (Hamilton County)
Contact: https://www.lawrencelawrence.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement

4. Woodard Injury Law

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, premises liability
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: The firm received recognition from the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA) as a Top Ten firm for 2024. Selected to Super Lawyers 2023. Woodard Injury Law serves clients throughout Tennessee with a focus on motor vehicle accidents and personal injury claims requiring litigation.
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Contact: (615) 216-5757 | https://www.woodardinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee unless recovery

5. Morgan & Morgan

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, workers compensation, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Morgan & Morgan is the largest personal injury law firm in the United States with over $25 billion recovered for clients nationally. The firm has a dedicated Chattanooga office with a local team of attorneys and staff. They handle cases of all sizes from minor injuries to catastrophic accidents.
Location: 200 W. Martin Luther King Blvd, Suite 1000, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Contact: (877) 667-4265 | https://www.forthepeople.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement

Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Tennessee

Tennessee has specific laws governing car accident claims that differ significantly from other states.

Statute of Limitations: Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104 provides only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the United States. Property damage claims also have a one-year deadline. Missing this deadline results in permanent loss of the right to pursue compensation through the courts.

Comparative Negligence: Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 49% bar. Under Tennessee Code Section 29-11-103, an injured party can recover damages only if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. If found 50% or more at fault, the injured party is barred from recovery entirely. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Tennessee requires liability insurance with minimum coverage of 25/50/15. This means $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Drivers may also satisfy financial responsibility requirements through a bond or cash deposit with the state.

Accident Reporting Requirements: Drivers must report accidents to the Tennessee Department of Safety within 20 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, property damage exceeding $1,500, or damage to government property exceeding $400.

Non-Economic Damage Caps: Tennessee caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) at $750,000 in most personal injury cases. For catastrophic injuries including paralysis from spinal cord injury, amputation of two or more limbs, severe burns over 40% or more of the body, or wrongful death of a parent leaving minor children, the cap increases to $1,000,000.

At-Fault System: Tennessee is a traditional tort state, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for paying damages. Victims can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance or pursue personal injury lawsuits.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Tennessee law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers may reject this coverage in writing, but it provides important protection if injured by a driver without insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104. This is among the shortest deadlines in the country. You must file your lawsuit within one year of the accident date. Property damage claims also have a one-year deadline. Given this short timeframe, consulting an attorney promptly after an accident is essential to preserve your legal rights.

What happens if I was partially at fault for the car accident in Tennessee?
Tennessee uses modified comparative negligence with a 49% bar. You can recover damages only if you are found to be less than 50% at fault. If you are 50% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover any compensation from other parties. If you are 30% at fault and damages total $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000.

Are there caps on damages in Tennessee car accident cases?
Yes. Tennessee caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) at $750,000 for most personal injury cases. For catastrophic injuries such as paralysis, amputation of multiple limbs, severe burns, or wrongful death leaving minor children, the cap is $1,000,000. There are no caps on economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages.

What are the minimum insurance requirements for drivers in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires liability coverage of at least 25/50/15. This means $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Insurance companies must offer uninsured motorist coverage, though drivers can decline it in writing.

What should I do after a car accident in Chattanooga?
Ensure safety and call 911 if there are injuries. Move vehicles from traffic if possible. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers. Document the accident scene with photographs. Obtain witness contact information. Seek medical attention promptly. Report the accident to the Tennessee Department of Safety within 20 days if there was injury, death, or significant property damage. Contact a personal injury attorney quickly given Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations.