Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Memphis, Tennessee

1. Daniel Law Firm

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, slip and fall injuries, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries from motorcycle crashes, defective brake accidents, product liability motorcycle cases

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation claims

Background: Daniel Law Firm was founded in 1968 by Lundy W. Daniel and has been serving Memphis and the Mid-South for over 50 years. Ben L. Daniel joined the firm in 1993 and received his J.D. from Memphis State University School of Law. He has been licensed in Tennessee since 1993 and has over 30 years of legal experience. Elizabeth K. Daniel joined the firm in 1995 and serves as Senior Attorney. The attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Notable recoveries include a $9 million award following a deadly 18-wheeler accident, a $2.85 million settlement for a multi-car wreck fatality, a $2.5 million verdict for a woman injured due to defective brake repairs, and a $2 million settlement for construction workers killed on a highway.

Location: 145 Court Avenue, Second Floor, Memphis, TN 38103

Contact: (901) 525-5555 | [email protected] | https://www.daniellawfirm.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis, no fees unless case is won

2. The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, workplace accidents, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, wrongful death, premises liability, Social Security Disability

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, road rash injuries, amputation injuries, maritime accidents

Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, Social Security Disability appeals

Background: David E. Gordon received his J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School in 1982 and his B.A. from Tufts University in 1976. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Tennessee Supreme Court and Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, placing him among fewer than 2% of Tennessee lawyers with such certification. He has over 30 years of legal experience, including 11 years as an insurance defense attorney, providing valuable insight into insurance company tactics. Attorney Gordon holds a 10.0 rating on Avvo, an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. He has been named a Super Lawyer from 2011 through 2025. He is admitted to practice before all Tennessee state courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th, 6th, and 9th Circuits, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Location: 1850 Poplar Crest Cove, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38119

Contact: (901) 818-4889 | (901) 444-4444 | [email protected] | https://www.davidgordonlaw.com

Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee basis

3. Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, premises liability, slip and fall injuries, workers’ compensation, bankruptcy, Social Security Disability

Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, left-turn accidents involving motorcycles, intersection motorcycle accidents, highway motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injuries from motorcycle collisions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, amputation injuries

Background: Darrell Castle received his J.D. from Memphis State University Law School (now University of Memphis) in 1979 and his B.S. degrees in History and Political Science from East Tennessee State University in 1970. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps in 1970 and served four years, including service in Vietnam. He founded his private firm in 1984 and is licensed to practice in Tennessee since 1979 and Missouri since 2010. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. The firm has earned a 5-star rating on Avvo, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and the Client Distinction Award from Martindale-Hubbell for client satisfaction. Attorney Castle is a member of the Memphis Bar Association and Tennessee Bar Association.

Location: 4515 Poplar Ave, Suite 510, Memphis, TN 38117

Contact: (901) 327-2100 | https://darrellcastle.com

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis

4. Reaves Law Firm, PLLC

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries

Background: The attorneys at Reaves Law Firm have experience as former insurance defense attorneys, providing insider knowledge of insurance company tactics and strategies. The firm has a track record of success in taking on insurance companies that attempt to minimize compensation for injured motorcyclists. The attorneys understand the bias that motorcyclists often face in accident claims and work to present evidence establishing that the other driver was negligent. The firm represents clients throughout the Memphis metropolitan area and provides personalized attention to each case.

Location: Memphis, TN

Contact: (901) 209-8599 | https://beyourvoice.com

Consultation: Free consultation available

5. The Gold Law Firm

Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, wrongful death claims in Mississippi and Tennessee

Background: The Gold Law Firm serves Shelby County and the Memphis area with a focus on personal injury cases including motorcycle accidents. The attorneys understand the unique challenges of motorcycle accident claims, including combating stereotypes about reckless riding that insurance companies use to minimize compensation. The firm handles wrongful death suits in both Mississippi and Tennessee, understanding the special rules in each jurisdiction regarding standing to sue and statutes of limitations. The firm emphasizes faster case resolution, often progressing from accident to settlement within months rather than years.

Location: Memphis, TN

Contact: (901) 244-5003 | https://www.dgoldlaw.com

Consultation: Free consultation, no upfront fee, contingency fee basis

Helmet Rules, Noneconomic Damage Limits and Government Claims for Memphis Motorcycle Crashes

A Memphis motorcycle crash claim starts with Tennessee’s helmet statute and its exceptions. Tennessee law then limits noneconomic damages, with a higher limit for listed catastrophic injuries, sets a 12-month filing period for claims against a governmental entity, and decides who brings a wrongful death claim.

Helmets

Under Tennessee Code 55-9-302(a), the driver of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle or motorscooter and any passenger must wear a crash helmet meeting 49 CFR 571.218, or, if 21 or older, a helmet meeting the alternative ventilation, contour and labeling requirements in (a)(1) through (a)(4). Under (b), the section does not apply within an enclosed cab, on fully enclosed autocycles or golf carts, in a parade at no more than 30 miles per hour for riders 18 or older, or in a listed funeral procession, memorial ride or body escort for riders 21 or older.

Limits on Noneconomic Damages

Under Tennessee Code 29-39-102(a) and (e), economic damages are not limited, and all noneconomic damages for each injured plaintiff, including a spouse’s or children’s loss of consortium claims, may not exceed $750,000 in the aggregate. Under (c) and (d), the limit is $1,000,000 for a catastrophic loss: a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia, amputation of two hands, two feet or one of each, listed third-degree burns, or the wrongful death of a parent leaving a minor child. Under (h), no limit applies in listed cases, including specific intent to inflict serious physical injury and substantially impaired judgment under the influence of alcohol, drugs or another intoxicant, other than lawfully prescribed or over-the-counter drugs taken as directed.

Claims Against a Governmental Entity

Under Tennessee Code 29-20-305, if a claim is denied, the claimant may sue the governmental entity in circuit court where immunity has been removed, and in counties with more than 850,000 people under the federal census the action may also be filed in general sessions court. Under (b), the action must be commenced within 12 months after the cause of action arises. Recovery against the entity is capped under 29-20-311 at the minimum insurance amounts of 29-20-403, or its higher policy limits, and for actions arising on or after July 1, 2007 those minimums are $300,000 per person, $700,000 for all persons and $100,000 for property damage under 29-20-403(b)(4).

When a Rider Dies

Under Tennessee Code 20-5-106(a) and 20-5-107(a), the right of action passes to the surviving spouse and, if there is none, to the children or next of kin, and the action may be brought by the personal representative or by the surviving spouse in the spouse’s own name. Under 20-5-113, the recovery includes the deceased’s mental and physical suffering, loss of time and necessary expenses, and the damages to the beneficiaries resulting from the death.

Memphis Motorcycle Accident Questions

How long do I have to sue?

One year after the cause of action accrues for injuries to the person under Tennessee Code 28-3-104(a)(1), or two years when criminal charges are brought against the person who caused the injury and the other conditions in (a)(2) are met.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes, when the rider’s negligence is less than the other driver’s. The Tennessee Supreme Court held in McIntyre v. Balentine (1992) that “so long as a plaintiff’s negligence remains less than the defendant’s negligence the plaintiff may recover”, and the rider’s damages are reduced by the rider’s share. For example, imagine $95,000 in damages and 40 percent of the fault on the rider: the recovery would be $57,000. In apportioning noneconomic damages among defendants, Tennessee Code 29-39-102(b) bars recovery if the plaintiff’s comparative fault, or in a wrongful death action the decedent’s fault, is equal to or greater than 50 percent.

What must a driver who hits a rider do?

Under Tennessee Code 55-10-101(a), the driver in a crash causing injury or death must stop and remain at the scene until meeting the duties in 55-10-103. Under (b), a violation is a Class A misdemeanor, and a Class E felony when the driver knew or should reasonably have known that death resulted.