The Short Answer:
A personal injury lawyer is a legal professional who helps individuals who’ve been hurt due to someone else’s negligence—whether in a car accident, slip and fall, or other incident—pursue compensation for their injuries. Their job is to protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and ensure you’re not taken advantage of by insurance companies or opposing parties.
From the moment you contact them, a personal injury lawyer begins by offering a free case review to understand the details of your situation. If they take on your case, they’ll investigate the incident, gather critical evidence like medical records and witness statements, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, they’re prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Ultimately, their role is to handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing. Whether your injuries are minor or life-altering, having a lawyer from The McMahan Law Firm can make a significant difference in the compensation you may receive—and your peace of mind during the process.
Key Takeaways
- A personal injury lawyer represents accident victims and helps them pursue financial recovery through settlements or lawsuits.
- They handle car accidents, slips and falls, wrongful death, and more.
- Key duties include case evaluation, evidence collection, negotiating with insurers, and—if necessary—filing a lawsuit.
- You typically don’t pay up front. Most personal injury lawyers, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if you win compensation.
- Hiring a lawyer can level the playing field if an insurance company delays or denies your claim.
- Free consultations are available to help you understand your legal options.
What Is a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer is a type of attorney who represents individuals who have been physically, emotionally, or financially harmed due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct. Whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, or another type of accident, these lawyers help injured people understand their legal rights and pursue compensation for their losses.
Their primary role is to act as a legal advocate—guiding clients through complex legal processes, dealing with insurance companies, and fighting to secure fair settlements or verdicts. They handle the heavy lifting so clients can focus on their recovery.
To practice law, personal injury attorneys must hold a law degree, pass the bar exam in their state, and maintain good standing with their state bar association. Many also belong to professional organizations and trial lawyer associations, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to representing injury victims.
Types of Cases We Handle
At The McMahan Law Firm, our team of personal injury attorneys represents injured clients across a wide range of personal injury cases. Some of the most common include:
- Car Accidents: Whether you were rear-ended at a stoplight or injured in a highway crash, we can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
- Truck Accidents: Collisions involving 18-wheelers and commercial trucks can cause devastating injuries. We know how to investigate these complex cases and hold trucking companies accountable.
- Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed after crashes. Our team works to prove liability and fight for the compensation riders deserve.
- Slip and Fall Injuries: If you were hurt on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, you may have a premises liability claim. We can help you understand your rights.
- Wrongful Death: Losing a loved one due to negligence is heartbreaking. While no amount of money can replace your loss, we can help you pursue justice and financial support for your family.
What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Actually Do?
Personal injury lawyers do far more than show up in a courtroom. From the moment you contact them, they become your advocate—handling the legal heavy lifting while you focus on healing. Here’s a breakdown of what their work typically involves:
1. Initial Consultation & Case Evaluation
The process usually starts with a free case review. During this meeting, the lawyer listens to your story, asks questions to understand what happened, and evaluates whether you have a valid legal claim. They’ll also explain your rights, potential outcomes, and what to expect next.
2. Investigation & Evidence Gathering
Once they take on your case, your attorney gets to work gathering the information needed to support it. This can include:
- Reviewing police reports, medical records, and photographic evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting medical experts, accident reconstructionists, or other specialists
The goal is to build a strong foundation for negotiations—or litigation, if it comes to that.
3. Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often aim to settle claims quickly and cheaply. Your lawyer:
- Manages all communication so you don’t have to deal with adjusters
- Reviews and evaluates settlement offers
- Pushes back when offers are too low—fighting to secure the compensation you may truly deserve
4. Filing a Lawsuit (if necessary)
If settlement negotiations with the insurance company stall or fail to produce a fair offer, your lawyer may recommend filing a lawsuit. This step becomes necessary when it’s clear that the other side isn’t negotiating in good faith or refuses to take responsibility.
Filing a lawsuit involves:
- Meeting legal deadlines such as the statute of limitations (in Tennessee, this is typically 1 year from the date of the injury)
- Preparing legal documents and submitting them to the court
- Beginning the litigation process, which may involve depositions, discovery, and pre-trial motions
While many cases still settle before trial, filing a lawsuit shows you’re serious and often leads to better outcomes.
5. Trial Representation
If your case goes all the way to trial, your attorney is your voice in the courtroom. They’ll:
- Build a compelling case using all available evidence
- Present arguments, call witnesses, and introduce documents or expert testimony
- Advocate for you before a judge or jury with the goal of securing a verdict in your favor
Trial requires strategy, preparation, and experience. A skilled personal injury lawyer ensures your side is heard and your rights are protected throughout the process.
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Not every accident requires legal help, but if you’ve been seriously injured or are unsure what your next step should be, hiring a personal injury lawyer can make all the difference. Here are key situations where reaching out to an attorney is highly recommended:
- After any serious accident: If you’ve suffered major injuries or incurred significant medical bills, an attorney can help you pursue the compensation you may be owed.
- When fault is unclear: In cases where it’s not obvious who caused the accident—or if you’re being wrongly blamed—a lawyer can help investigate the facts and protect your rights.
- When insurance companies delay or deny your claim: If you’re being offered less than your claim is worth, or the insurer is dragging its feet, a lawyer can step in to advocate for a fair resolution.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
One of the most common concerns people have about hiring a lawyer is cost. The good news is that most personal injury lawyers, like those at The McMahan Law Firm, work on a contingency fee basis.
That means:
- There are no upfront costs. You don’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket to get started or throughout the case.
- Your lawyer only gets paid if you do. Their fee comes out of the settlement or court award you receive.
This fee structure ensures that legal help is accessible even if you’re already dealing with financial stress from medical bills or missed work.
How The McMahan Law Firm Can Help
At The McMahan Law Firm, we’ve proudly served injury victims across Chattanooga and the surrounding areas for decades. Our team understands Tennessee personal injury law inside and out—and we’ve built a strong track record of results to prove it.
What sets us apart is not just our experience, but our approachability and client-first focus. We know you’re going through a difficult time, and we’re here to make the legal process easier.
When you work with us, you can expect:
- Local knowledge and proven results
- Clear, honest communication
- A personalized, hands-on approach
FAQs
It depends. If your injuries are truly minor and you’ve fully recovered without much medical treatment, you might be able to handle the claim yourself. But even seemingly “minor” injuries can lead to lingering issues—and insurance companies may try to minimize your claim. A free consultation with a lawyer can help you make the right call for your situation.
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means you can still recover compensation if you’re less than 50% at fault, but your settlement may be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. A personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and push back if the other side tries to unfairly blame you to limit your compensation.
In most cases, you have 1 year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Tennessee. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. Waiting too long could mean losing your right to compensation, so it’s best to get started as soon as possible.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Injured in Tennessee? Call The McMahan Law Firm today or request your free consultation online. Our team is here to help you understand your legal options with no upfront cost and no obligation.
We proudly serve clients in Chattanooga and the surrounding areas, and we’re committed to providing trusted guidance when you need it most.
