1. Garza Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death claims, DUI defense
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence collection, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Garza Law has served East Tennessee for over 20 years with more than 200 years of combined legal experience among its attorneys. Founding attorney Marcos Garza is a veteran who served in the armed forces for over a decade before establishing his private law practice. The firm maintains three East Tennessee locations in Knoxville, Johnson City, and Jacksboro. Their attorneys include Lieutenant Colonel Dave Beck (retired), a former pilot, battalion commander, judge advocate and military judge in the Marine Corps. The firm has earned hundreds of five-star client reviews and has recovered millions of dollars for personal injury clients across Tennessee.
Location: Knoxville, TN (also Johnson City and Jacksboro locations)
Contact: (865) 351-3135 | (865) 540-8300 | https://garzalaw.com
Consultation: Free case review available 24/7. Contingency fee basis with no fees unless recovery is obtained.
2. Hartsoe Law Firm, PC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, premises liability, wrongful death claims
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence collection, expert witness coordination, property damage claims, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims
Background: Mark Hartsoe has been repeatedly selected as a Mid-South Super Lawyer since 2006, placing him in the top 5% of attorneys in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi as evaluated by Law and Politics Magazine. Mr. Hartsoe has extensive experience handling personal injury cases and has helped Knoxville residents maximize their recovery through skilled case building and negotiation. The firm handles wrongful death cases under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 20-5-113.
Location: Knoxville, TN
Contact: (865) 804-1011 | https://knoxville.hartsoe.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee arrangement.
3. Wettermark Keith, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace injuries, medical malpractice, social security disability, wrongful death claims
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, evidence gathering, medical expert coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Wettermark Keith has been handling legal needs of Tennessee residents since 2003. James Wettermark, one of the founding partners, has over four decades of experience practicing law and has tried more than 200 jury trials in federal and state courts across twelve states. The firm has deep local knowledge of the Knoxville legal landscape and can accurately value cases based on understanding of regional juries and insurance companies. The firm is recognized for trial readiness and willingness to take cases to trial when necessary for maximum compensation.
Location: 625 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Knoxville, TN 37902
Contact: (877) 715-9300 | https://wkfirm.com/locations/knoxville/
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
4. Burks & Ogle, Attorneys at Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death claims, personal injury cases
Case Types Handled: Head-on collisions, rear-end accidents, side-impact collisions, rollover accidents, sideswipe accidents, blind spot accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Mr. Ogle is a seasoned, aggressive trial lawyer and advocate rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Burks is also AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm has extensive experience handling car accident cases throughout Tennessee and understands how insurance companies operate to minimize payouts. Mr. Feuer joined Burks & Ogle in 2024, bringing additional litigation experience to the team.
Location: Knoxville, TN
Contact: (865) 522-4964 | https://www.knoxlegalteam.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis with no payment unless recovery is obtained.
5. Dennis Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death claims
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, intersection accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical record documentation, evidence collection, property damage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Garrett Dennis is a skilled Knoxville personal injury lawyer with a proven track record of success. The firm has recovered more than $22.5 million for clients. Dennis Injury Law provides personalized guidance and works to ensure clients are not pressured by insurance companies into settling for less than they deserve. The firm handles cases throughout East Tennessee and has extensive experience with Tennessee car accident laws and the one-year statute of limitations.
Location: Knoxville, TN
Contact: (865) 910-0104 | https://dennisinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. Contingency fee arrangement with no fees unless recovery is obtained.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Tennessee
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: One year from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 28-3-104). Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country. If the at-fault driver is criminally charged and prosecuted within one year, the statute may extend to two years.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State: Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver determined to be responsible for the accident is liable for damages. Injured parties can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance, file with their own insurance (if they have appropriate coverage), or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule (49% rule). An injured party can recover damages only if their share of fault is less than 50%. If the plaintiff is found 50% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation. Damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (25/50/15 coverage):
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: PIP is not mandatory in Tennessee. It is an optional coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Insurance companies must offer uninsured motorist coverage, but drivers may reject it in writing. The coverage is optional but provides protection when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.
Damage Caps: Tennessee does not cap economic damages. Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are generally capped at $750,000, or $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries, serious burns, or amputations.
Dram Shop Liability: Tennessee law (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 57-10-102) allows victims to pursue claims against establishments that illegally serve alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals who then cause injuries.
Vicarious Liability: Tennessee follows the family purpose doctrine, which can hold vehicle owners liable when family members cause accidents while driving for a family purpose.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Drivers must report accidents to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days if the accident resulted in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 (or $400 for government property damage).
Wrongful Death: The statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of injury that led to death. Eligible claimants include surviving spouse, children, next of kin, or the personal representative of the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the United States. You have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is strictly enforced, and missing it will almost certainly result in losing your right to seek compensation through the courts. Insurance companies sometimes use delay tactics hoping victims will miss this deadline. It is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to protect your rights.
How does Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule affect my car accident claim?
Under Tennessee law, you can recover compensation for your injuries as long as your share of fault is less than 50%. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you cannot recover any damages. If you are found to be partially at fault but less than 50%, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but found to be 30% at fault, you would receive $70,000. Insurance adjusters often try to shift blame to reduce or eliminate their payout obligations.
What are the minimum insurance requirements for drivers in Tennessee?
Tennessee law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage. This is commonly referred to as 25/50/15 coverage. These minimums often fall short when serious injuries occur, which is why uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is important to consider.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident in Knoxville?
Yes, you can still recover compensation in Tennessee as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery only when your fault does not equal or exceed the other party’s fault. This makes evidence collection and witness testimony crucial to establishing the degree of fault attributable to each party.
What types of damages can I recover after a car accident in Tennessee?
You may be entitled to recover economic damages including medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property damage. You may also recover non-economic damages for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. In rare cases involving reckless or grossly negligent conduct, punitive damages may be available. Tennessee caps non-economic damages at $750,000 in most cases, with a $1,000,000 cap for catastrophic injuries.