Murfreesboro Personal Injury Attorneys
We represent the injured throughout Murfreesboro
When life takes an unexpected turn, and you or a loved one suffers injuries due to someone else's negligence, it's crucial to have experienced and compassionate Murfreesboro personal injury attorneys by your side.
The team of dedicated personal injury attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is here to provide you with the expertise and commitment you need to navigate the challenges of a personal injury claim. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you may be facing, and we are dedicated to helping you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve.
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers
2805 Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Phone: (615) 393-8583
How can we help?
- What is a personal injury?
- What kinds of cases do your Murfreesboro personal injury lawyers handle?
- What is a personal injury lawsuit?
- What is the value of my Murfreesboro personal injury case?
- Can I afford a Murfreesboro personal injury attorney?
- How long do I have to file a Murfreesboro personal injury claim?
- Can you sue for pain and suffering in Tennessee?
- Resources for personal injury victims in Murfreesboro
- Do you have a Murfreesboro personal injury attorney near me?
What is a personal injury?
A personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind, or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. This term is most commonly used to refer to a type of lawsuit in which the person bringing the suit (the “plaintiff”) has suffered harm.
Personal injury lawsuits are filed against the person or entity that caused the harm through negligence, gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct, and in some cases based on strict liability. Different states describe damages (or, the things for which the injured person may be compensated) in different ways, but these typically include the injured person's medical bills, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. Car accidents, for example, are a major cause of personal injury cases in Murfreesboro.
What kinds of cases do your Murfreesboro personal injury lawyers handle?
Our Murfreesboro personal injury attorneys focus our practice on clients with catastrophic injuries – those types of life-changing injuries that can alter your world in an instant. These injuries include cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Permanent brain damage
- Whiplash
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Partial, total, temporary, and/or permanent paralysis
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Traumatic amputation/Loss of limb
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Internal organ or tissue damage
- Neck, head, and shoulder injuries
- Broken bones
What is a personal injury lawsuit?
A personal injury lawsuit is a legal action filed by an individual (the plaintiff) against another party (the defendant) seeking compensation for injuries or damages they have suffered due to the defendant's negligence, intentional misconduct, or strict liability. Personal injury lawsuits are civil lawsuits, and they typically arise when one person's actions or negligence cause harm to another.
Common scenarios that can lead to personal injury lawsuits include:
- Car accidents. When a negligent driver causes injuries to another person in a car accident, truck accident or motorcycle accident.
- Slip and fall accidents. When a property owner's negligence results in injuries to a visitor or tenant who slips, trips, or falls on the property.
- Medical malpractice. When a healthcare provider's substandard care leads to patient injuries.
- Product liability. When a defective product causes harm to a consumer.
- Workplace injuries. When an employee is injured due to unsafe working conditions or employer negligence.
- Intentional harm. When someone intentionally harms another person, such as in cases of assault or sexual assault.
The process of filing a personal injury lawsuit typically involves the following key steps:
- The initial interview. During your consultation, we answer any questions you have, review the events that led to/caused your injuries, and explain what your rights are.
- The investigation. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we work with experts like investigators, traffic reconstruction experts, product safety experts, fire and building code officials, and others to determine what caused the accident, and who may be liable.
- The lawsuit. Generally, our Murfreesboro personal injury lawyers file a lawsuit after we complete our initial investigation. The at-fault insurance companies and carriers and companies are unlikely to take your case seriously at the beginning of the process. Their goal is to settle quickly, so they can avoid paying you a reasonable value for your claim.
- Damage determination. The injuries you have, the medical care you’ll need, the cost of that care – all of this helps determine your damages. We work with your treating doctors to determine this information, and to fully assess every way your injuries are affecting every part of your life.
What is the value of my Murfreesboro personal injury case?
Determining the value of a personal injury case in Murfreesboro can be a complex process that involves various factors. The value of your case will depend on the specifics of your situation, the extent of your injuries, the liability of the responsible party, and the economic and non-economic damages you've incurred.
- Medical expenses. One of the most significant factors influencing the value of your personal injury case is the cost of your medical care. This includes past, current, and future medical bills, as well as expenses related to rehabilitation, therapy, and medication. The more substantial your medical expenses, the higher the potential value of your case.
- Lost income and future earnings. If your injuries have resulted in missed workdays or a diminished earning capacity, these financial losses will be factored into the valuation of your case. Additionally, if you're unable to return to your previous occupation due to your injuries, the potential loss of future earnings may be considered.
- Pain and suffering. Non-economic damages, such as physical and emotional pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life, are also essential considerations. While quantifying these damages is challenging, they significantly contribute to the overall value of your case. Your attorney will work to demonstrate the impact of your injuries on your daily life and well-being.
- Property damage. If your case involves damage to your property, such as your vehicle in a car accident, the costs associated with repair or replacement will be included in the calculation of your case's value.
- Disfigurement and/or scarring. If you suffered a disfiguring injury, such as the loss of a limb or severe scarring (from injuries such as burns or as a result of surgeries), you can seek compensation for these as well.
It's important to note that no two personal injury cases are the same. The value of your case is unique to your circumstances, and it's based on a thorough evaluation of the factors mentioned above. Currently in Tennessee, there’s a cap on non-financial damages (mostly pain and suffering) of $750,000. The cap increases to $1 million for “catastrophic” injuries.
In some cases, we may seek punitive damages if a defendant’s conduct was reckless, egregious, or malicious.
Can I afford a Murfreesboro personal injury attorney?
Yes, you can. Personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means that their pay is contingent upon winning your case. Simply put, if you don’t get paid, we don’t get paid – period.
How long do I have to file a Murfreesboro personal injury claim?
Here in Tennessee, you have only one year to file your personal injury case. It’s important that you act quickly in order to meet the statute of limitations.
Can you sue for pain and suffering in Tennessee?
Yes, you can sue for pain and suffering in Tennessee as part of a personal injury claim. Pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages, which means they are losses that are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms, but significantly affect quality of life and well-being.
In Murfreesboro, TN you have the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering if you have suffered injuries due to someone else's negligence. Pain and suffering can encompass both physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the injuries.
It's important to note that determining the value of pain and suffering can be challenging, as it is subjective and varies from person to person. Factors that may be considered when evaluating pain and suffering in a personal injury case include the severity of the injuries, the impact on the individual's daily life, the duration of the pain and suffering, and the emotional distress experienced.
To pursue a claim for pain and suffering in Murfreesboro, it's advisable to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you build a strong case and negotiate for fair compensation that takes into account both economic and non-economic damages. An attorney can guide you through the legal process and help ensure that your rights are protected as you seek the compensation you deserve.
Resources for personal injury victims in Murfreesboro
When you’re injured, you need help. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. You can also contact:
- Murfreesboro Police Department: 615-849-2MPD (2673)
- Murfreesboro Fire Rescue: 615-893-1422
Murfreesboro is also home to several hospitals, including:
- Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford: (615) 396-4100
- Trustpoint Hospital: (855) 389-7433
You can also find a list of the biggest insurance companies in Tennessee via WalletHub, along with their contact information.
Do you have a Murfreesboro personal injury attorney near me?
Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is located at 2805 Old Fort Parkway, Suite H, Murfreesboro, TN 37128. We offer plenty of parking and we’re just a few minutes’ drive from the Rutherford County Courthouse. If you are unable to meet us in person, we are happy to schedule a phone or video conference.
Murfreesboro personal injury lawyers with experience and determination
At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, our job is to fight for you. If you’ve been injured and don’t know what to do, your first step should be getting a Gladiator on your side. Our Murfreesboro personal injury lawyers handle claims throughout the state. To schedule a free consultation, call our offices or fill out our contact form today. We also have offices in Nashville, East Nashville, Clarksville, and Hendersonville.