Car Accident Attorney in Jackson, TN — Available 24/7 When You Need Answers Most
We know how to go up against insurance companies in West Tennessee — and we know their playbook.
Everything moves fast after a car accident.
The other driver's insurance company may already be calling. You may be hurt, confused about what to say, or unsure whether your injuries are serious enough to involve an attorney. They are. And you don't have to figure out your next steps alone.
The Law Office of T. Verner Smith has represented car accident victims across Madison County and West Tennessee for more than 40 years. We offer free consultations for accident and injury cases — no cost, no commitment — so you can get honest answers about your situation before you make any decisions.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Tennessee
The steps you take in the hours after a crash can directly affect the outcome of your injury claim. Here is what we advise every client:
Document the Scene
If you are physically able, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver's name, insurance information, and license plate number. Collect contact information from any witnesses.
Seek Medical Care
See a doctor as soon as possible — even if you feel fine. Some injuries, including whiplash and internal trauma, do not produce obvious symptoms right away. A medical record created close in time to the accident is important evidence.
Report the Accident to Police
A police report creates an official record of what happened. In Tennessee, you are required to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage above a certain threshold. Request a copy of the report once it is filed.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver's Insurer
The other insurance company will likely call quickly. They may sound helpful. They are not on your side. Do not agree to a recorded statement and do not accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot go back for more — even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you initially thought.
The Insurance Company Called — Here's What You Need to Know
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible. When they call you in the days after an accident, they are gathering information that can be used to reduce or deny your claim — not to make sure you are treated fairly.
Common tactics include asking leading questions about how the accident happened, requesting a recorded statement before you have seen a doctor, and offering a fast settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known.
We have spent more than four decades on the plaintiff side of car accident litigation in West Tennessee. We know how these conversations go, and we know what your claim is worth before any negotiation begins.
If the other driver's insurance company has already contacted you, call or text us before you respond.
How Tennessee's Fault Rules Affect Your Car Accident Claim
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if you share some responsibility for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover anything.
Insurance companies know this rule well, and they use it. One of the most common tactics is to argue that you were partially at fault in order to reduce what they owe you — or to push your share of fault above 50% to eliminate your claim entirely.
This is one of the most important reasons to have an attorney reviewing your case before you speak with the other driver's insurer. How the accident is characterized in those early conversations matters.
Accidents Happen All Over West Tennessee — We Know These Roads
Many of the car accident cases we handle involve crashes along the I-40 corridor through Jackson, the US-45 intersection, and the broader Madison County road network. These are high-traffic areas with real accident histories, and local knowledge matters when building a case.
We have represented clients from across West Tennessee for more than 40 years. We understand the courts, the local insurance carriers, and the geography of this community in ways that out-of-area firms simply do not.
Prior Education and Legal Experience
After obtaining her law degree from the University of Florida, Ms. Davies served as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami, Florida. After trying numerous homicide cases, Ms. Davies distinguished herself and was promoted to serve as a Division Chief. During her five years under the guidance of Janet Reno, she honed her trial skills, maintaining integrity and deep care for her clients. After that, Ms. Davies served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., where she prosecuted public corruption and gang homicide cases for ten years. During her fifteen years as a prosecutor, Ms. Davies tried more than 100 jury trials to a verdict.
After taking some time away from law practice to teach law school in Kaliningrad, Russia as a Fulbright Scholar, Ms. Davies returned to the United States to study at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government under the tutelage of David Gergen. Upon graduation, she was honored with the designation of Littauer Fellow in recognition of her leadership and academic excellence.
Ms. Davies returned to Washington, D.C., after obtaining her master’s degree to work on a class action lawsuit against “Big Tobacco.” Shortly after that, anxious to return home to be closer to her family, Ms. Davies decided to return to Florida. Upon moving to Orlando, she focused on helping people in the civil arena. After training under several top-notch personal injury lawyers, Ms. Davies decided to open her firm, where she could take Personal Injury and Family Law cases and give her clients the white-glove treatment they deserved.
Committed to Excellence in Family Law and Personal Injury Law
As founder and manager of The Davies Law Firm, LLC, Ms. Davies gives her clients her undivided attention. Through her thorough preparation and legal tenacity, she has garnered the respect of colleagues and judges. She is fair-minded and solutions-oriented, always trying to serve her clients well. Clients appreciate her straightforward approach in explaining legal options and strategizing to obtain the best possible outcome for them.
Ms. Davies is always prepared to protect her client’s rights and represent their best interests. As a trained collaborative lawyer, she embraces the idea that many family law problems are handled most effectively at the negotiating table, where the parties can craft an agreement that best serves their purposes. However, as a skilled trial attorney, she also understands that some cases will only achieve optimal results through a trial.
Although we have handled hundreds of Family Law and Personal Injury cases, we understand that each comes with unique circumstances. That is why we listen carefully to each client’s story and help prioritize objectives before creating a strategy to help them achieve their goals.
At The Davies Law Firm, LLC, we understand how going through a divorce or suffering a severe injury in an accident can leave you with many questions and make you nervous about your future. We will be glad to review the facts of your case, explain your options, and help you take the first steps toward starting your new life.
What a Car Accident Claim Can Recover
Depending on the facts of your case, a car accident injury claim in Tennessee may include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the accident and recovery
The value of a claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the clarity of fault, and how the evidence is gathered and presented. A free consultation with our office gives you an honest picture of what your situation looks like — before you make any decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims in Tennessee
What should I do if the other driver's insurance company calls me right after the accident?
Do not agree to a recorded statement and do not accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Contact our office first — we are available by phone or text 24 hours a day, seven days a week. What you say in those early conversations can affect your entire claim.
How do I know if my injuries are serious enough to hire a car accident attorney?
If you were injured in an accident caused by another driver, it costs you nothing to find out. We offer free consultations for accident and injury cases. We will review what happened, give you our honest assessment, and let you decide how you want to proceed — with no obligation.
How long do I have to file a car accident injury claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline typically means losing your right to recover anything. If you are unsure about your timeline, contact us as soon as possible.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
You may still be able to recover compensation. Under Tennessee's modified comparative fault rule, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault — but only if your fault is 50% or less. If you are above 50%, you cannot recover. An attorney can help you understand how fault is likely to be assessed in your specific case.
Does it cost anything to talk to a car accident attorney at your firm?
No. Consultations for accident and injury cases are free. There is no charge and no commitment required to speak with us about what happened.
What if I don't speak English as my first language?
We have Spanish-language interpreter support available from your first call through the resolution of your case. Language should never be a barrier to getting legal help.
Take the First Step Today
Ready to Talk? We're Available Right Now.
You do not have to wait until Monday morning, and you do not have to figure this out on your own. Call or text us any time — we will walk you through your next steps and tell you honestly what your car accident claim looks like.