If you were hit by a car, truck, or other vehicle while walking in Kingsport, the injuries you sustained are likely far worse than anything you’ve experienced before. Pedestrians have zero protection from impact. A collision at even 25 mph can shatter bones, cause internal bleeding, and produce traumatic brain injuries that alter the course of your life.
The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt has over 30 years of experience fighting for accident victims. Our Kingsport, TN personal injury lawyer handles pedestrian accident claims from initial investigation through settlement or trial. We offer free consultations and work on contingency which means no fees unless we recover money for you.
Founding attorney Mark T. Hurt concentrates his practice on serious personal injury cases. A graduate of Duke University School of Law with a B.S. from the University of Virginia, Mark has spent more than 30 years handling accident and injury claims in Tennessee and Virginia. He understands how Kingsport area courts handle pedestrian accident litigation, and he knows the strategies local insurance adjusters use to deny or undervalue these claims.
Payton R. Johnson also handles accident and injury cases at the firm. He chose to specialize in personal injury law after completing his J.D. at Appalachian School of Law. His B.S. in Economics from Campbell University gives him an analytical framework for calculating the true economic impact of a pedestrian accident including lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and the long-term cost of future medical care. He works with medical professionals and financial analysts to document these losses thoroughly.
Our personal injury lawyer in Kingsport, TN has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients. Results include a $5 million recovery for a worker with a traumatic brain injury, a $1.3 million settlement in a car crash with severe spine fractures, and numerous other significant outcomes in accident cases. We bring the same preparation and commitment to every pedestrian accident case in Kingsport, regardless of the size of the initial claim.
We don’t charge by the hour. We don’t ask for retainers. Our fee comes from the recovery we obtain for you.
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“Jessica was amazing! Such a pleasure to work with, so helpful and knowledgeable! Recommend to anyone who needs help with the disability process. Mark T. Hurt Firm and with the help of Jessica, they undoubtedly saved my life, my marriage and our dream home! Thank you!” — Bonnie Parker
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Kingsport’s mix of busy commercial corridors, residential streets, and highways creates pedestrian hazards throughout the city. We handle pedestrian injury claims arising from a wide range of scenarios:
Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, including pedestrian accident cases. Under Tenn. Code § 28-3-104, you must file a lawsuit within one year of the date you were injured. This is one of the shortest deadlines in the country. If you miss it, the court will dismiss your claim.
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule under Tenn. Code § 29-11-103. You can recover compensation as long as your share of fault for the accident is less than 50%. But your damages will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault is attributed to you. Insurance companies in Kingsport pedestrian accident cases almost always argue the pedestrian was partly responsible such as crossing outside a crosswalk, wearing dark clothing at night, not looking both ways. A strong pedestrian accident lawyer anticipates and counters these defenses with evidence.
Drivers in Tennessee are required to exercise due care for pedestrian safety and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks under Tenn. Code § 55-8-134. When a driver violates this law and strikes a pedestrian, that violation can be used as evidence of negligence.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation publishes safety data on pedestrian crashes by region, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigates serious pedestrian collisions. Both agencies generate records that can be valuable in building a legal claim.
A pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle in Kingsport can suffer injuries that range from painful to permanently disabling. The law allows recovery in three categories.
Economic damages cover financial losses directly caused by the crash. Medical expenses from ambulance transport and emergency treatment to surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and ongoing care form the core of most claims. A single pedestrian accident hospitalization in Kingsport can generate medical bills in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lost wages and lost future earning capacity are also recoverable. If a pedestrian accident leaves you unable to return to your previous line of work, the financial difference over a career can be substantial. Other economic losses include the cost of assistive devices, home modifications, in-home care, and transportation to medical appointments.
Non-economic damages compensate for suffering that doesn’t carry a price tag. Pain from fractures that take months to heal. The emotional weight of a traumatic brain injury that changes your personality or cognitive function. Scarring, disfigurement, and the loss of activities you once enjoyed such as hiking, playing with your children, simply walking without pain. These damages are real and significant in Kingsport pedestrian accident cases.
Punitive damages may apply if the driver was drunk, high, or engaged in extreme reckless behavior. Tennessee law caps punitive damages at the greater of $500,000 or twice the compensatory damage award under Tenn. Code § 29-39-104. According to NHTSA, alcohol was a factor in nearly half of all fatal pedestrian crashes nationwide.
If you or someone in your family was struck by a vehicle while walking in Kingsport, TN, you have a limited window to take legal action. Tennessee gives you just one year. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and the insurance company gains leverage with every passing week. The sooner you contact a pedestrian accident lawyer in Kingsport, the stronger your case will be.
We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we win your case. Our attorneys handle every aspect of the claim from the initial accident investigation to dealing with the insurance company to courtroom litigation if a fair settlement isn’t available. Contact us to speak with a Kingsport pedestrian accident attorney about your case. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
“We hired Mr. Hurt to help settle a worker’s comp injury case for my husband. Mark, Bart, and Mary worked tirelessly to resolve his case and reach a settlement we were pleased with. They were always available to answer questions and returned calls in a timely manner.“
