Tennessee & Georgia Car, Truck & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Hurt in a crash? We’ll take on the insurance company.
A crash can turn an ordinary drive into months of medical appointments, missed paychecks, and calls from adjusters. Davis & Davis represents people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle, and boating accidents from our offices in Chattanooga and Winchester, Tennessee, and Dalton, Georgia.
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Vehicle Accident Claims
Car Accident Claims in Tennessee & Georgia
Tennessee and Georgia are both at-fault states. The driver who caused the crash, and their insurance company, is responsible for the harm it caused: your medical treatment, your lost income, the damage to your vehicle, and the pain of the recovery itself.
In practice, that insurance company’s first goal is to pay as little as possible. Adjusters move quickly, ask for recorded statements, and look for any reason to shift blame onto you. Our job is to build the evidence first, so your claim is valued on the facts rather than on the insurer’s first offer.
ON THIS PAGE
01
Car Accident Cases
Most car accidents come down to a driver who wasn’t paying attention or wasn’t following the rules of the road. Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes at intersections, sideswipes, and head-on collisions can all cause injuries that take months to heal.
Some of the most common car accident injuries, including whiplash, back and neck injuries, and concussions, don’t always show symptoms right away. That’s one reason to get checked out after any crash, and to be careful about accepting a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Common causes we see:
02
Truck Accident Cases
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh many times more than a passenger car, so truck crashes often cause catastrophic injuries. They’re also more complicated than a typical car accident. Responsibility can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance contractor, or a parts manufacturer.
Commercial trucks are governed by federal safety rules on driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications. Records like electronic driving logs, onboard data, and maintenance histories can show whether those rules were broken. That evidence doesn’t last forever, so acting early matters.
Truck accident cases at Davis & Davis are led by
John W. Chandler Jr., a veteran trial lawyer who focuses on tractor-trailer and commercial trucking collisions. John has tried more than 100 civil cases to verdict and is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, so trucking companies and their insurers know he’s ready for court.
Why Timing Matters
Trucking companies and their insurers often send investigators to a serious crash within hours. The sooner your own attorney is involved, the better the chance of preserving the evidence your claim depends on.
03
Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcyclists have almost no protection in a crash, and many of the most serious motorcycle accidents happen when a driver simply doesn’t see the rider, often while turning left across traffic or changing lanes.
Riders also face a bias that other accident victims don’t. Insurers may assume a rider was speeding or weaving, even when the evidence says otherwise. We push back on those assumptions with witness statements, scene evidence, and crash reconstruction when it’s needed.
Frequent Causes of motorcycle crashes:
04
Pedestrian Accident Cases
When a car hits someone on foot, the injuries are almost always serious. Pedestrian accidents happen in crosswalks and intersections, in parking lots, and along roads without sidewalks, often because a driver was distracted, speeding, or failed to yield.
Even if you weren’t in a vehicle, auto insurance usually still plays a central role. The driver’s liability coverage is typically the first source of recovery, and in some cases your own policy’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help, including after a hit-and-run.
05
Bicycle Accident Cases
Cyclists have the same right to the road as drivers, and both Tennessee and Georgia require drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing. Crashes still happen when drivers pass too closely, turn across a bike lane, or open a door without looking.
A bicycle accident claim can include your medical bills, lost income, and the cost of replacing your bike and gear. As with other road users, insurers sometimes try to blame the cyclist, so documenting the scene and finding witnesses early can make a real difference.
06
Boating Accident Cases
From the Tennessee River to Chickamauga and Tims Ford lakes, our region spends a lot of time on the water. Boating accidents are often caused by operator inattention, excessive speed, inexperience, or alcohol, and boating under the influence is illegal in both Tennessee and Georgia.
A boating claim may involve the operator, the boat’s owner, a rental company, or a manufacturer if equipment failed. Some cases on navigable waters like the Tennessee River can also involve federal maritime law, which has its own rules and deadlines.
After a Crash
What to Do After a Car Accident
The steps you take in the first few days can protect both your health and your claim.
01
Get safe and call 911
Move out of traffic if you can, and call police so the crash is documented in an official report.
02
Get medical care
See a doctor even if you feel okay. Some injuries appear hours or days later, and records link them to the crash.
03
Document everything
Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries. Collect insurance and contact information, including witnesses.
04
Be careful what you say
Don’t admit fault, and don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before talking to an attorney.
Tennessee & Georgia Law
Tennessee & Georgia Car Accident Laws
A few legal rules shape nearly every vehicle accident case in our area.
Filing deadlines
In Tennessee, you generally have one year from the crash to file an injury lawsuit. In Georgia, it’s generally two years. Property damage claims usually have longer deadlines, and claims involving government vehicles can have much shorter notice requirements.
At-fault Insurance
Both states are at-fault states, so the responsible driver’s liability coverage pays for your losses. That coverage usually pays once, as part of a settlement, rather than as bills come in.
Uninsured Drivers
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help. Many drivers don’t realize they have it until they check their policy.
This is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules depend on the facts of each case.
Why Davis & Davis
Why Choose Our Accident Lawyers
We know how insurers work
With a former judge as our founder and a sitting municipal judge on our team, we understand how these claims are evaluated on both sides.
Proven in the courtroom
Insurers know which firms will go to court. Truck accident attorney John W. Chandler Jr. has tried more than 100 civil cases to verdict, and when an offer isn’t fair, our team is ready for trial.
Close to home
Our firm’s roots run deep in this region. With offices in Chattanooga, Winchester, and Dalton, we know the highways, the courts, and the communities where these crashes happen.
Car Accident FAQs
Don’t see your question?
Contact the office nearest to you. We’re here to guide you.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor accident?
Not every fender bender needs a lawyer. But injuries that seem minor can turn out to be more serious in the days after a crash, and early settlement offers rarely account for that. If you’ve been hurt, are missing work, or the insurer is disputing fault, a free consultation can help you understand whether you’re being treated fairly.
The insurance company won’t cover my medical bills. What now?
The at-fault driver’s insurer usually doesn’t pay medical bills as they come in. It typically pays once, as part of a final settlement. In the meantime, your own health insurance, medical payments (MedPay) coverage, or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may help. We can help you sort out which coverage applies and pursue reimbursement from the responsible party.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
You’ll need to report the claim, but you don’t have to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement, and it’s usually wise not to until you’ve talked to an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to reduce the value of your claim.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or drove away?
You may still have options. Uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy can apply when the at-fault driver has no insurance, and in many cases after a hit-and-run. Report a hit-and-run to police right away, since prompt reporting can matter for coverage.
How long will my vehicle accident case take?
It depends on your injuries and how the insurer responds. Many cases can’t be valued accurately until you’ve finished treatment or your doctor can say what your long-term needs will be. We’ll give you a realistic sense of timing once we understand your case.
Related Practice Areas
More Personal Injury Services
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Today
It costs you nothing to find out where you stand. Contact Davis & Davis for a free, no-obligation consultation at our Chattanooga, Winchester, or Dalton office.
