Gilreath & Associates

Auto Accidents

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Tennessee Car Accident Lawyers in Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville


You and your family deserve justice and compensation after a serious or deadly crash

Were you injured in an auto accident in Knox County or East Tennessee?

In the aftermath of a serious wreck, physical, emotional and financial recovery is difficult. Our award-winning law firm has represented Tennessee families for over 40 years.

When you turn on the local nightly news in Knoxville, it's unfortunately quite common to hear about horrific and tragic crashes on nearby highways and interstates. With Tennessee's growing population in recent years, serious car accidents are becoming increasingly common.

In Knoxville, the 3rd largest city in Tennessee, several factors contribute to the area's ongoing traffic accident woes—including a major university and out-of-town visitors coming to the area for popular nearby attractions like Gatlinburg, Dollywood and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Knox County had the 10th highest overall crash rate in Tennessee from 2016-2020, according to state data. The crash rates for young drivers (age 15 to 24) and senior drivers (ages 65+) were even worse, with the county ranking 8th and 9th respectively. In the most recent decade (2010-2020), Knox County recorded over 12,000 traffic crashes, over 3,000 of which involved injury and 53 involved at least 1 fatality.

The statistics are one thing, but when you or a loved one are personally involved in a serious wreck, you likely have lots of questions—starting with:

What should I do following a car accident?

When a serious or fatal crash occurs, it's essential that you understand your rights and have an attorney by your side who has the experience needed to recover the damages you deserve.

At Gilreath & Associates, our attorneys have successfully secured substantial sums in settlements and litigation of car accident injuries throughout Knoxville and East Tennessee for over 40 years. We serve accident victims across the state and have offices in Nashville and Memphis, but our Knoxville office is our largest and longest-serving office.

If a negligent driver seriously injured you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss.

Contact our Knoxville accident lawyers to discuss your legal options and seek justice in your case.

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Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN
Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Types of Auto Accident Cases We Specialize In

Car crashes are commonly lumped into broad categories depending on who or what caused them and other factors leading to the wreck. While these categories can be helpful for tracking crash data, we recognize that every car accident case is unique. For this reason, we approach each and every client with fresh eyes, while also drawing upon our past experience to bring relevant knowledge to bear.

In the last 40+ years, we have handled nearly every kind of car accident case, including:

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Hit and Runs

A majority of Knoxville residents do the responsible thing by stopping when they've been involved in a collision, but occasionally a person flees the accident scene. If this person was at fault for the crash, this can leave the victim feeling angry, hopeless and financially struggling to pay for medical bills and damages. We are prepared to conduct a thorough investigation to identify, locate and pursue compensation in a hit-and-run collision.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Uninsured Driver Accidents

Knoxville drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the state—one big reason being that Tennessee has more uninsured drivers on the road than other states. So when you discover that another driver who crashed into you is not insured, you may be understandably outraged. However, it's important to keep your cool and realize that these cases are complicated, which is why you should strongly consider consulting with an attorney that specializes in uninsured car accidents.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions and fender benders are often thought of as "minor" car accidents. Nevertheless, they can result in major injuries such as back pain, whiplash, traumatic brain injury and more. If you were the victim of a rear-end crash (no matter how minor), it's important to get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible. If you're diagnosed with serious injuries, meet with an attorney who is serious about securing your financial recovery from insurers and negligent drivers.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Rollovers

Rollovers are more common among SUVs and semi-trucks, though any vehicle can experience a rollover crash. These types of accidents are particularly dangerous and deadly since vehicle occupants are less protected by the roof of their car. Rollovers are commonly caused by tire blowouts, hitting a curb, overcorrecting (swerving), excessive speeding and other factors. If your accident can be traced to someone's negligence, then you might have a case.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Truck Underride Wrecks

Underride accidents are among the deadliest types of crashes in Tennessee. They occur when a smaller passenger car and a large commercial truck or semi collide, pinning the smaller vehicle under the side or rear of the truck-trailer. Occupants of the smaller vehicle are frequently killed in underride wrecks, leaving grieving families to sort out what comes next. Our Knoxville attorneys regularly help these families secure compensation and plan for their future.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Backup Accidents

When a car accident occurs because one vehicle was backing up, determining who is liable often becomes a heated legal battle. These crashes most commonly happen in parking lots, neighborhood driveways and at intersections. While backup sensor technology helps prevent these accidents, the problem persists. If you were injured in a backup collision, it's vital you act quickly to seek legal counsel so that we can gather key evidence before it's lost forever.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Interstate and Highway Crashes

Knoxville is a hub of major interstates and highways—from I-40, I-640, I-140 and I-75 to highways like 129, 441 and 11. With vehicles merging into traffic traveling at high speeds, it's no wonder why interstates and highways are some of the most dangerous places to drive in Tennessee. Crashes and collisions on these busy roads often lead to multi-vehicle (pileup) car accidents, where liability is difficult to determine. In such cases, it's important to hire an attorney with experience.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Drunk Driver Collisions

Between 2010 and 2020, there were 4,663 reported alcohol-related traffic crashes in Knox County alone—making it the 3rd worst county in Tennessee for drunk driving. If you or a loved one were seriously injured by a drunk driver, it's important to understand that a DUI conviction of the impaired driver will do nothing to compensate you financially for your loss. For that, you'll need the help of a Knoxville personal injury attorney.

Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville TN

Distracted Driving Crashes

Tennessee recorded over 230,000 distraction-related car accidents from 2010 to 2020. In Knox County alone, there were 10,242 distracted driving crashes—making it the 4th worst county in the state for distracted driving accidents. If you or a loved one were hurt by another driver's negligence, then you deserve to be fully compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages. We can help you seek justice so that the distracted driver learns their lesson and won't hurt anyone else.

What if a defective vehicle part caused my accident?

Many people don't realize the mechanical failures and design flaws exposed by infamous product liability cases—such as those of the Ford Pinto and defective truck door latches, Firestone tires and SUV rollovers—have not gone away. Design defects such as seatbelt or airbag failures are examples of ongoing design problems in car accident cases.

Automotive design defects can turn what would have been a relatively minor accident into a catastrophe involving serious injury or death. Our Knoxville accident attorneys have the knowledge and extensive experience to determine if an injury was caused by the accident itself or a defect in the design or manufacturing of the vehicle.

Car Accidents: Verdicts & Settlements

When choosing a Tennessee personal injury law firm, an attorney's experience and proven results can make a big difference in your case outcome. Our attorneys represented countless individuals injured in catastrophic automobile crashes. Here are just a few examples of compensation recovered for our clients.

$5 million

Widow of a young man who was killed in a multi-vehicle collision

$2 million

family rear-ended by a tractor-trailer

$1.5 million

family crushed in their automobile between 2 tractor-trailers

What are the Different Types of Car Accident Damages I May Be Entitled To?

Depending on the nature and extent of the injuries sustained in your auto accident, you may be able to recover 1 or both of the following damages:

  • Compensatory damages are awarded to compensate the injured party (plaintiff) for what they suffered in the accident and how the injuries interfere with the normal functions of their life, including lost wages, property damage, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
  • Punitive damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages in certain types of cases. Punitive awards are meant to punish drivers for especially reckless behavior or manufacturers for defective vehicle design.

Drivers and passengers who escape serious injury after an automobile accident often still face struggles with insurance companies that can turn into full-scale legal battles. In cases of design defects, automobile companies have the resources to hire teams of top attorneys to defend them from lawsuits that arise from the tragic results of their negligence.

What Actions that Can Jeopardize a Car Accident Case?

If you were injured in a car accident in Knoxville, our Tennessee car accident attorneys may be able to help you recover your losses. However, even with the best auto accident lawyer on your side, there are certain missteps and mistakes you need to avoid because these actions can compromise your ability to pursue successful litigation.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid in the aftermath of an accident:

  • Verbal admission of guilt. Comments or apologies made to another driver after an accident may be taken as an admission of liability. Be aware that even without an arrest, anything you say at the scene of the accident can, and will, be used against you in a court of law. To minimize the risk of undermining your case, save your comments about the incident for the police officer while remaining truthful.
  • Failure to report the accident Tennessee law requires that all accidents involving injury, death or damage over $50 must be reported. Failure to do so is a crime and can jeopardize any chance of receiving just compensation. It is in your best interest to report an accident to local authorities as soon as it occurs.
  • Failure to see a doctor. Seeking medical attention after an accident is critical for both your health and your case. Reporting injuries to your doctor ensures that the information is entered into a medical record that can be used as evidence in court. Failure to do so may make it difficult for your lawyer to prove that your injuries were a direct result of the accident.
  • Failure to notify your insurance company Neglecting to file a claim with your insurance company may jeopardize your ability to seek financial compensation for your losses. An insurance claim, along with an accident report and supporting documentation, can be used to build a clear and convincing argument in court.
  • Failure to contact an attorney. Determining fault in an auto or truck accident case can be a complicated matter best suited for a competent and knowledgeable auto accident lawyer.

Get Answers from Experienced Knoxville Auto Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one were involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in personal injury, contact the car accident attorneys at Gilreath & Associates immediately. You should know that you only have 1 year to file a car accident claim in Tennessee, according to the statute of limitations. The clock is ticking, and our experienced lawyers are standing by to get started on your case as soon as possible.

Don't fall for the claims of attorneys promising fast cash and no hassles. A serious case involving severe injuries or death requires serious effort. That's why we provide a free and comprehensive evaluation of your case to help you learn more about your options and determine the best next step for you and your family.


From our office in downtown Knoxville, conveniently located in the Bank of America building on Main Ave., we serve the people of East Tennessee and communities across the southeast by securing the best possible outcome in their personal injury and accident cases. When you're ready to learn more about how we can help you, we invite you to reach out.

Ready to discuss your case?

Contact our Knoxville car accident attorneys today for your free consultation.

Frequently Asked Personal Injury Questions

  • What should I do if I have a car accident in Tennessee or elsewhere?
  • What not to do after a car accident in Tennessee?
  • What should I do after I have left the scene of the car accident?
  • What if the other driver is at fault and has no insurance?
  • Will my policy pay for a rental car if my car is damaged?
  • If my car is totaled, will insurance pay off my car note?
  • What is the meaning of "subrogation" when applied to my automobile insurance?