After an accident, medical bills, lost income, and injury-related pain create immediate concerns. Insurance companies may offer quick settlements, but accepting too soon can put you at a disadvantage without legal guidance. At Mama Justice – MW Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys help Memphis residents pursue the full value of their personal injury claims and avoid costly mistakes that could limit their recovery.
Call or contact us today to learn more about how to maximize a personal injury settlement in Memphis. The first consultation is free, and there’s no obligation.
Why You Need a Memphis Personal Injury Lawyer Before Settling
Insurance companies employ adjusters trained to minimize payouts. They may contact you quickly after your accident and make a settlement offer. That’s a strategic move. In many cases, especially those involving serious injuries, the long-term financial and personal impact may not be clear for a long time. By encouraging you to settle early, the insurer hopes that you have not had time to understand the full extent of your injuries. Once you finalize a settlement, you cannot ask for more money later — even if you learn that your losses are far greater than you expected.
Having a Memphis personal injury lawyer from Mama Justice changes the dynamic entirely. Our legal team can build your personal injury case from the ground up, starting with a thorough investigation to determine liability and calculate a potential value for your claim. We can handle all communication with insurers, taking the burden off your shoulders and protecting you from unfair tactics that could impact your ability to receive a favorable settlement.
Our law firm’s clients benefit from our tailored solutions, steadfast legal and moral support, and a track record of successful settlements and verdicts. With over 700 five-star Google reviews, we are grateful for the consistent praise we receive for our dedication and commitment to compassionate legal representation, like from Devy F., who writes:
“Mama Justice is the best to deal with. Their staff is caring, efficient, and on top of your case. You are not just a case number to them.” *
With Mama Justice, you’re never alone in seeking the compensation and closure you deserve. If you want a Tennessee personal injury attorney who will fight for maximum compensation and your well-being, reach out today for a free consultation.
Compensation Possible in a Memphis Personal Injury Settlement
A fair settlement should fully reflect how an accident impacts your life now and in the future. In Tennessee, accident victims can recover two main types of compensation, formally known as damages:
- Economic damages cover measurable losses, including past and current medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, future medical costs for ongoing care, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and, in some cases, loss of consortium affecting a spouse.
Tennessee personal injury law also permits victims to pursue punitive damages in rare cases of intentional or reckless conduct. This money is not intended to reimburse the at-fault party, but to punish them and deter similar behavior.
Ways to Protect Your Right to Fair Compensation After an Accident
The steps you take after an accident can significantly affect your claim. Follow these tips:
- Seek medical attention immediately – Even if you feel fine, a prompt exam may identify hidden injuries. Seeing a doctor also documents your injuries in your medical record, which will be important evidence later.
- Report the accident to the relevant authorities – This would be the police for car accidents, supervisors for workplace injuries, or property managers for slip-and-fall incidents. Obtain a copy of their reports.
- Do not give recorded statements or sign documents to the insurance company without consulting an attorney – Insurers may use your words against you.
- Be cautious on social media – Avoid posts discussing the accident or your activities since then. Insurers may monitor social media accounts for evidence that could weaken your personal injury claim.
- Consult a Memphis personal injury attorney – Use your free consultation to learn your rights and legal options.
Building a Solid Foundation for Your Personal Injury Claim
The strength of your personal injury claim depends on the quality of the evidence and how well you document your losses. Taking these steps early in the process builds a solid foundation for settlement negotiations or trial.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Visiting the doctor immediately after an accident is crucial. Serious injuries that go undiagnosed can cause life-threatening complications later. By seeking prompt medical care, you show the insurance company you took your injuries seriously and did everything you could to prevent them from worsening.
Follow your treatment plan until your doctor confirms you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). If finances are a concern, your attorney may arrange care on a lien basis, letting providers wait for payment until your case settles.
Preserve Evidence
Gathering evidence at the accident scene is essential. Take photos, videos, and capture images of your injuries throughout the recovery process. Keep physical evidence, such as the clothing and shoes you wore, without repairing or cleaning them. Collect witness statements and contact information. Obtain copies of police reports, accident reports, and any citations. The stronger and more organized your evidence, the more compelling your personal injury claim will be.
Document All Financial and Personal Losses
Comprehensive documentation of your losses is essential to support your settlement. Keep all medical bills, prescription receipts, and invoices for equipment or other medical expenses, and track mileage for travel to doctors’ or therapy appointments. You can document lost income with employer letters or tax records, and record receipts for hired services and unpaid help from family members. Maintaining a daily journal of pain, limitations, emotional state, and the impact on daily life can provide strong supporting evidence for non-economic damages.
Consult a Personal Injury Attorney Before Talking to the Insurance Company
Always talk to an experienced attorney before making statements to any insurance company — including your own. Even your own insurer may try to minimize your claim, and the at-fault party’s insurer will likely attempt to reduce their payout. An attorney from Mama Justice can handle all communications with adjusters, including representing you during settlement negotiations and fighting for higher compensation.
Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim in Tennessee
Tennessee law generally gives injured victims one year from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline usually prevents you from seeking compensation in court.
Exceptions exist, such as for injuries not immediately discovered or cases involving government entities. The statute of limitations applies to filing a lawsuit, not settlements. However, having the ability to file provides leverage. Consulting a personal injury attorney promptly gives your legal team time to conduct a proper investigation, collect robust evidence, and advise you on what to expect during the legal process.
Get Legal Help to Pursue a Full Financial Recovery
If you suffered injuries in an accident someone else caused, you deserve every dollar the law allows for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. At Mama Justice, our compassionate legal team helps accident victims pursue full and fair compensation so that they can rebuild and move forward in life. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys in Memphis.
* Client testimonial; results vary depending on the facts of each case.