1. Kinnard Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, trucking accidents, commercial vehicle litigation, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, tractor-trailer wrecks, commercial truck crashes, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, overloaded truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations investigation, accident reconstruction, expert witness consultation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has been handling claims against trucking companies since 1977. Voted among the “Best Law Firms” in Personal Injury by U.S. News. Backed by Certified Civil Trial Specialists, former defense lawyers, and proven advocates. Over a century of combined experience with a team approach to every case. The firm has access to a network of elite experts in accident reconstruction, medicine, and other fields.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: (615) 933-2893 | https://www.kinnardlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation
2. Matt Hardin Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer litigation, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer wrecks, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, large truck crashes, commercial truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) investigation, driver log preservation, cargo information analysis, maintenance record investigation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Experienced Nashville truck accident attorneys with significant experience litigating Tennessee truck accident cases. The firm understands state and federal trucking rules and regulations. Knows the complexity of litigating truck crash cases and proving fault after accidents.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: https://www.matthardinlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation
3. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, big-rig accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, delivery truck accidents, dump truck accidents, defective truck parts accidents, driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations
Legal Services: Accident investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, defective parts investigation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: The firm has secured millions of dollars for clients in settlements and jury trials. Notable results include $1,950,000 settlement for a woman hit by a dump truck making a negligent right-hand turn. The firm files claims against every individual and company responsible, including the Tennessee Department of Transportation when applicable. Offices in Nashville, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Clarksville.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (additional offices in Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, and Clarksville)
Contact: (615) 425-2500 | https://www.rockylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation
4. The Williams Firm: Car & Truck Accident Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler wrecks, commercial truck crashes, driver fatigue accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, trucking company investigation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, wrongful death claims
Background: Family-owned law firm handling accident cases in Middle Tennessee for almost four decades. Managing partner Jonathan Williams has over 18 years of litigation experience and has recovered millions for clients in complex personal injury cases. Recognized on the Tennessee Super Lawyers list for over a decade. Rated on Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell. Jonathan Williams provides hands-on, personal attention to each case.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: https://www.lrwlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free case consultation, contingency fee basis (no payment until case is won)
5. Bart Durham Injury Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer litigation, 18-wheeler accidents, personal injury, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, 18-wheeler wrecks, commercial truck crashes, speeding truck accidents, improperly loaded cargo accidents
Legal Services: Expert investigation, trucking company liability analysis, driver negligence investigation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has successfully handled over 4,000 cases through aggressive litigation. Attorneys and staff focus on helping clients get justice following serious injury or losing a loved one in a truck accident. Highly familiar with laws pertaining to trucking company liability and regulations commercial truck drivers must follow. Offers home and hospital visits for truck accident victims who cannot travel. Se habla Español.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee (also serves Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Contact: (615) 242-9000 | https://bartdurham.com
Consultation: Available
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Tennessee
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: One year from the date of the accident (Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104). This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the United States. Failing to file within this timeframe results in loss of the right to seek compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident (Tennessee Code Section 28-3-105).
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: One year from the date of death. The personal representative of the estate must file the claim.
Exception for Criminal Charges: If there are associated criminal charges against the at-fault party, the statute of limitations may be extended from one year to two years.
Fault System: Tennessee is an at-fault state. The driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for resulting damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule (49% rule). Under this system, an injured party can recover compensation only if they are found less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are 49% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Tennessee requires 25/50/15 liability coverage. $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, $15,000 property damage per accident.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks must comply with FMCSA requirements for higher insurance minimums, typically $750,000 or more for general freight carriers.
Damage Caps for Government Claims: Under the Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA), damages are capped at $300,000 per person for bodily injury or death, $700,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $100,000 per accident for property damages.
Punitive Damages: Available in Tennessee if the defendant acted with gross negligence. Gross negligence involves actions creating a significant risk of serious bodily injury or death.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Trucking companies can be held liable for accidents caused by their drivers under respondeat superior. The employer must have been negligent in hiring, training, or supervising the driver, or the accident must have occurred during the scope and course of employment.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Applicability: FMCSA regulations apply in Tennessee courts. The Tennessee Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division operates six CMV inspection sites throughout the state.
Truck Accident Statistics: In Tennessee, one out of every 14 crashes involves a large truck. One in every six fatalities involves a large truck. One in every three crashes involving a truck occurs on an interstate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
A: Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country for personal injury claims. Under Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104, you have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims, you have three years. For wrongful death claims, you have one year from the date of death. These deadlines are strictly enforced, and missing the deadline will permanently bar your claim. There are limited exceptions, such as when the at-fault party faces criminal charges (extending the deadline to two years), or when the injury was not immediately discoverable (the discovery rule may apply).
Q: How does Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule affect my truck accident claim?
A: Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, sometimes called the “49% rule.” Under this system, you can only recover compensation if you are found less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you share some fault but are 49% or less responsible, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you have $100,000 in damages but are found 30% at fault, you would recover $70,000. However, if you are found 50% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. This makes it critical to work with an experienced attorney who can minimize any fault attributed to you.
Q: What is the trucking accident landscape in Nashville and Tennessee?
A: Nashville and Central Tennessee have become a hub for the trucking industry, with a significant increase in tractor-trailer traffic over the past decade. According to Tennessee statistics, one out of every 14 crashes in the state involves a large truck, and one in every six fatalities involves a large truck. One in every three crashes involving a truck occurs on an interstate. The Nashville region experiences heavy commercial truck traffic on I-40, I-65, I-24, I-440, and I-840, contributing to the risk of serious truck accidents.
Q: Who can be held liable in a Tennessee truck accident?
A: Multiple parties may share liability in a Tennessee truck accident. The truck driver may be liable for negligent driving such as speeding, distracted driving, driver fatigue, or driving under the influence. The trucking company may be liable under vicarious liability (respondeat superior) for their employee’s actions during the scope and course of employment, or directly for negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to maintain vehicles, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations. Cargo loading companies may be liable if improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributed to the accident. Maintenance providers may be liable for negligent repairs. Truck or parts manufacturers may be liable for defective equipment.
Q: Why is it important to contact a truck accident attorney quickly in Tennessee?
A: Due to Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations, time is extremely limited. Additionally, it is critical to preserve crucial evidence necessary to litigate truck accident cases. Driver logs, cargo information, electronic logging device (ELD) data, and maintenance records may be deleted or lost if they are not requested immediately after an accident. Trucking companies typically have attorneys and investigators working on their case immediately after an accident. Having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side quickly helps ensure that evidence is preserved and your rights are protected before the short deadline expires.