Injured in East Tennessee? Don't Let the Insurance Company Decide What Your Case Is Worth.
When you've been hurt because of someone else's negligence, you deserve fair compensation — not a lowball settlement offer. Shults Law Firm represents injured people across Sevier County and East Tennessee on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
You Shouldn't Have to Fight the Insurance Company Alone
Being injured in an accident is stressful enough on its own. Add medical bills, missed work, and an insurance adjuster pushing a quick settlement, and it can feel overwhelming fast. The problem is that insurance companies are not on your side — they're businesses, and their goal is to pay out as little as possible on every claim.
Having an attorney changes that dynamic.
At Shults Law Firm, personal injury attorney Mike Shults evaluates your situation honestly, helps you understand what your claim is actually worth, and works to recover the compensation you deserve — whether through a negotiated settlement or in court. He has practiced in East Tennessee courts for over 13 years and handles every case directly, without routing clients through paralegals or case managers.
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. If you're worried about whether you can afford a personal injury attorney in Sevierville, TN, that concern should not stop you from calling.
Tennessee's One-Year Deadline — What You Need to Know Before You Wait
Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, measured from the date of the injury. Missing that deadline forfeits your right to seek compensation permanently — regardless of how clear the negligence was or how serious the injuries are.
One year goes faster than most people expect, particularly when you're recovering from an injury, managing medical appointments, and dealing with insurance correspondence. The time spent waiting to see how things develop is time that cannot be recovered. Call as soon as possible after an injury occurs — before evidence disappears, before witnesses become harder to locate, and well before the deadline creates pressure on your case.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in East Tennessee
We represent clients injured through the negligence of another person, business, or property owner across Sevier County and the surrounding region.
Car Accidents
Car accidents on the Parkway through Pigeon Forge, on mountain roads approaching Gatlinburg, and throughout Sevier County are among the most common causes of serious injury in this region. If you were hurt in a crash caused by another driver's negligence — a rear-end collision, a head-on crash, a distracted driving incident — you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Slip and Fall
Property owners in Tennessee have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail — at a resort property, a cabin rental, a commercial business, or a public space — and someone is injured, that's a premises liability claim. Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries including broken bones, head injuries, and spinal damage. We help injured people hold negligent property owners accountable.
Understanding Compensation in a Tennessee Personal Injury Case
Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends on the specific facts of your situation. That said, compensation in Tennessee personal injury cases can include the following.
- Medical expenses — past and future costs of treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and medication
- Lost wages — income missed because of your injury, and lost earning capacity if your ability to work has been affected long-term
- Pain and suffering — compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
- Property damage — repair or replacement of your vehicle or other damaged property
- Out-of-pocket expenses — other costs directly related to the accident and your recovery
The best way to understand what your specific claim may be worth is to speak with an attorney who can review the details. We offer free consultations for exactly that reason.
What Happens After an Accident — and Why It Matters Who's in Your Corner
After an accident, the at-fault party's insurance company will typically reach out quickly. They may seem cooperative — but their goal is to close your claim for as little money as possible. Understanding their common tactics helps you avoid decisions that hurt your case.
Pushing for a Quick Settlement
Early settlement offers are almost always low. Once you accept, you typically cannot go back and ask for more — even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially apparent. Do not accept any offer before speaking with an attorney.
Asking for a Recorded Statement
You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other party's insurer. Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim, and adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that produce damaging answers.
Disputing the Severity of Your Injuries
Insurance companies often argue that injuries aren't as serious as claimed or that they were pre-existing. Having an attorney document your damages properly from the start — with medical records, expert opinions, and a clear evidence trail — helps counter these tactics effectively.
Having legal representation early in the process gives you a significant advantage. We handle insurance company communication on your behalf so you can focus on recovering.
What to Do After an Injury in Tennessee
Taking the right steps after an accident strengthens your claim and protects your rights.
- Seek medical attention immediately — your health comes first, and medical records are among the most important evidence in a personal injury claim
- Document the scene if you are able — photographs of the accident location, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions that contributed to the incident
- Get contact information from any witnesses present
- Report the incident to law enforcement if a car accident, or to the property owner or manager if a slip and fall
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
- Call Shults Law Firm at 865-428-2345 for a free consultation — the sooner an attorney is involved, the better your position
Injured While Visiting the Smokies? We Can Help.
East Tennessee draws millions of visitors every year, and accidents happen to travelers just as they do to locals. If you were injured in a car accident or a slip and fall while visiting Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or the surrounding area, you have the same right to pursue compensation as any Tennessee resident.
We have helped out-of-town visitors navigate personal injury claims in Sevier County and work to resolve cases efficiently — minimizing the need for you to make repeated trips back to Tennessee throughout the process. If you're back home trying to figure out your options after an injury here, call us. The consultation is free and we'll walk you through exactly what a claim looks like from where you are.
When a Personal Injury Case Involves Criminal Charges
Some accidents involve conduct that is both civilly actionable and criminally charged — a DUI driver who causes a crash, for example, faces criminal prosecution and civil liability for the injuries they caused. The two cases are legally separate but factually connected, and how each is handled can affect the other.
Shults Law Firm handles both criminal defense and personal injury matters, which means we can provide coordinated legal guidance when a client's situation involves both dimensions. If you were injured by a driver who was charged with DUI, or if you face both criminal charges and a personal injury claim from the same incident, we can help you understand how both proceedings relate and what your options are on each side.
Why Clients Trust Shults Law Firm With Their Personal Injury Cases
1
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. There is no financial risk in calling us.
2
Free Case Evaluation
Before you make any decisions, we'll review your situation at no cost and give you an honest assessment of your claim and your realistic options.
3
Local Knowledge of East Tennessee Courts
Mike Shults has practiced in East Tennessee courts for over 13 years. He knows how personal injury cases move through the local system and brings that familiarity to every case he handles.
4
Direct Access to Your Attorney
You won't be handed off to a paralegal or a case manager. When you work with Shults Law Firm, you work directly with Mike — the attorney actually handling your case.
5
A Trial Attorney When You Need One
Insurance companies take claims more seriously when they know your attorney is willing and able to litigate. Mike is a trial lawyer with real courtroom experience, and that posture matters in negotiations before a case ever reaches a jury.
Client Testimonials
Representación en Casos de Lesiones Personales en Español
Si usted fue lesionado en un accidente en el este de Tennessee y prefiere comunicarse en español, estamos aquí para ayudarle directamente — sin necesidad de intérprete. Usted merece entender completamente sus derechos y sus opciones legales desde la primera llamada.
Se habla español. Llámenos: 865-428-2345.
Common Questions About Personal Injury Claims in Tennessee
Do I need a personal injury lawyer in Tennessee?
You're not legally required to have an attorney, but the practical difference in outcomes is significant. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and claimants without representation consistently recover less — often far less — than those with an attorney. Personal injury cases at Shults Law Firm are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there's no cost unless we recover compensation for you.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee's statute of limitations for personal injury is one year from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline permanently forfeits your right to seek compensation. Do not wait to consult an attorney — call 865-428-2345 as soon as possible after an injury occurs.
How much does a personal injury attorney cost in Sevierville, TN?
Personal injury cases at Shults Law Firm are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is also free.
What types of compensation can I recover in a Tennessee personal injury claim?
Recoverable damages typically include medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and other out-of-pocket costs directly related to the accident. The specific amount depends on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and how liability is established.
Can I file a personal injury claim if I was injured while visiting Sevier County as a tourist?
Yes. The fact that you don't live in Tennessee does not prevent you from filing a personal injury claim here. If you were injured at a resort property, in a car accident, or through a slip and fall while visiting Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, you may have a valid claim under Tennessee law.
What if I was injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver in Tennessee?
A DUI-related accident creates both criminal and civil liability for the at-fault driver. Your personal injury claim proceeds through the civil court system separately from any criminal charges — but the two proceedings are factually connected. Shults Law Firm handles both criminal defense and personal injury matters and can provide coordinated guidance when your situation involves both.
Hurt in an Accident? Let's Talk — There's No Cost to Call.
You have one year from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in Tennessee. Don't spend that time wondering whether to call. The consultation is free, there's no obligation, and if we take your case, you pay nothing unless we recover.
Se habla español.