Have you been involved in a Tennessee car accident? Do you know what steps to take next?

Perry H. (Chip) Windle III has worked as an attorney in Knoxville, Tennessee for over 30 years. He has handled countless automobile accident cases during his career and clients often ask similar questions about their case.

Mr. Windle compiled 5 common questions clients ask him about Tennessee car accident cases.

We hope this FAQ helps as you decide what steps to take after a car accident. If you want to discuss your specific case, please contact us today for your free consultation.


Do I have to pay my attorney out of pocket?

Clients often think they have to pay an attorney out of pocket for an automobile accident case. If you hire an attorney, you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
Instead, the contingency fee comes out of the money paid by the fault party’s insurance company.


If I am injured in an auto accident due to someone else’s negligence, am I entitled to recover for pain and suffering?

Yes, an injured party in Tennessee is entitled to recover for:

  • medical expenses,
  • pain and suffering
  • inconvenience
  • loss of enjoyment of life
  • loss of earning capacity

My vehicle was totaled during the accident. Will the insurance company pay me enough to get a new vehicle?

This depends on your vehicle’s value. The insurance company is only required to pay the vehicle’s fair market value.


What does it mean when someone says that Tennessee is a comparative negligence state?

Tennessee is a comparative negligence state. This means that in order for you to recover for property damage or personal injury, the negligent party must be at least 51% at fault.

The amount of damages that an injured party can recover could then be reduced based on the percentage to which the injured party’s own negligence contributed to the injury.


The insurance adjuster wants to take my recorded statement concerning my auto accident. Should I agree to do this?

Before agreeing to give a statement, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney understands the implications of giving a statement. They will help you decide if you should have an attorney present during the statement.


If you want to discuss your case, contact Perry H. (Chip) Windle III today. He is an experienced lawyer who has helped numerous Tennessee car accident victims. He is ready to help with your case.