Knoxville Car Accident Lawyer highlights the importance of Tennessee's strict one-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, even as the city celebrates a significant 45% reduction in traffic fatalities during 2025. The firm, which has served East Tennessee families since 1973, stresses that despite improved road safety statistics, families who lose loved ones in accidents must act quickly to preserve their legal rights under Tennessee Code § 20-5-106.
Knoxville recorded 29 traffic fatalities in 2025, down from 52 in 2024, marking the fewest traffic deaths in recent years. District 1, which includes the Knoxville area, saw fatalities decrease from 170 to 144, contributing to Tennessee's overall 14% decline in traffic deaths statewide. However, these improvements follow a troubling long-term trend that saw Knoxville experience a 100% increase in fatal crashes between 2014 and 2023.
Tennessee's wrongful death law imposes one of the nation's strictest filing deadlines, requiring families to initiate legal action within just one year from the date of death. This compressed timeline creates significant challenges for grieving families who may not immediately recognize the need for legal representation while processing their loss.
"The one-year statute of limitations begins immediately upon death, not when families discover potential negligence or understand their legal rights," explained a firm representative. "Evidence preservation becomes critical because accident scenes are cleared quickly, witnesses' memories fade, and electronic data can be overwritten or lost forever. Families may need to consult with a Knoxville wrongful death lawyer quickly after a tragic loss so crucial evidence is preserved and filing deadlines are met."
Under Tennessee law, wrongful death claims may be filed by the surviving spouse first, followed by children, parents, or the personal representative of the estate. The law allows surviving family members to recover economic damages, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and emotional distress. In cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be available.
Knoxville's 2025 traffic statistics revealed that the primary contributing factors to fatal accidents included failing to yield, failing to keep within the lane, general inattentiveness, intoxication, and speeding. At least seven of the 29 victims were not wearing seatbelts. The afternoon rush hour between 3 and 5 PM and evening hours from 7 to 9 PM saw the highest fatality rates, with weekends proving particularly dangerous.
The firm's five decades of experience include representing families throughout Knox County and East Tennessee in complex wrongful death cases involving multiple liable parties, insurance disputes, and contested liability. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, so families can access legal representation without upfront costs during an already financially stressful time.
Knoxville Car Accident Lawyer Knoxville wrongful death lawyer assists families facing the immediate aftermath of fatal accidents. The firm provides comprehensive support, including assistance with medical documentation, insurance claims, and navigating the complex legal procedures required for wrongful death claims in Tennessee.
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Knoxville Car Accident Lawyer
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9111 Cross Park Dr, Knoxville, TN 37923