Do I Have a Case? What Is My Case Worth?
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These are two of the most common questions that I hear from people that have been injured in an accident. Whether it’s a car wreck on Kingston Pike, I-40 or I-75 in Knoxville or a fall that occurred at a business or rental cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, people want to know whether they have a case, and if so, what the case might be worth.
First, if you have a car wreck that causes you injuries, you need to get medical attention. After your injuries are treated and you are on the road to recovery, then you can speak with a lawyer about your case. There are many factors that determine whether you have a case. Tennessee has adopted modified comparative fault. This means that as long as you are 49% or less at fault in a car accident, you may be able to recover from the person who hit you or caused the wreck. Just because you might think you have some fault for the accident, this does not necessarily mean that you cannot recover. The other car or truck driver may have been negligent. Negligence means that other car or truck driver may have failed to use ordinary care in driving their car or truck. If the other driver’s negligence caused or contributed more than 50% to the wreck, then you still might be able to recover. If the case makes it as far as to a jury trial, then a jury decides the percentages of fault to assign to each party to a car accident. Most accident cases are settled long before trial. In these cases, the lawyers use their experience to predict how a jury would decide a particular accident case.
If you have slipped or have fallen down at a store or business – get the medical attention you need. Afterwards, speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney about your case. If a business caused or created a dangerous condition, the business could be liable for your injuries. For example, if a store employee spilled a drink on the floor but did not clean it up and this caused you to fall, then you might have a successful case against the store for causing your injuries. Moreover, if another customer caused a spill and the store knew or should have known about the spill, then you might have a successful case against the store for failing to clean up the spill and make the area safe. Many people mistakenly believe that if they fall inside a store or business, then the store or business is automatically responsible for their injuries and damages. A store or business must be negligent before you can recover for any injury you might have suffered on their property.
Finally, many people want to know what their case is worth. This is a very difficult question to answer, as there is no formula to determine the value of your case. There are many different factors that determine the value of a case. The amount of your medical bills, lost earnings and wages, and whether or not you have permanent injuries are just some of the factors that determine the value of your case. There are many other factors that determine what your case might be worth. If you’ve been impacted by an accident in Knoxville, or the surrounding Tennessee area, you should speak to one of Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC’s experienced personal injury lawyers to fully discuss the specific facts of your case.
Hodges, Doughty & Carson, PLLC is a diversified general practice and civil law firm in Knoxville. We serve a wide range of clients, including Tennessee residents and out-of-state clients.