1. Kinnard Law
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Nashville and Tennessee with reach into surrounding states
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, left-turn accidents, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions involving motorcycles, intersection accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm is recognized by U.S. News as a “Best Law Firms” selection for 2020. Attorneys named among The Best Lawyers in America. The firm is backed by Certified Civil Trial Specialists, former defense lawyers, and proven advocates with over a century of combined experience. The firm obtained the largest verdict in Weakley County history. Attorney Randy Kinnard and Mary Ellen Morris lead the motorcycle accident practice.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: (615) 933-2893 | https://www.kinnardlaw.com
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation available 24/7. Contingency fee basis.
2. The Higgins Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Nashville and Tennessee
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, failure to yield accidents, intersection accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents, distracted driver accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Independent accident investigation, evidence collection, witness interviews, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation
Background: The firm has advocated for motorcycle crash victims for over a decade. Attorneys Nathan Higgins and Jim Higgins lead the firm. The firm understands the unique challenges motorcyclists face and insurance company bias against riders. The firm has a track record of success in motorcycle accident cases and is willing to take on insurance companies and their legal teams at trial.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: https://www.thehigginsfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available. Contingency fee basis.
3. The Law Office of Eric Beasley
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury throughout Nashville and the greater Tennessee area for 25 years
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, failure to yield accidents, intersection accidents, speeding accidents, texting while driving accidents, drunk driver motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, witness interviews, expert consultation, accident reconstruction, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation
Background: Attorney Eric Beasley has 25 years of experience representing injured motorcyclists in the Nashville area. The firm gathers evidence, interviews witnesses, and works with experts to build cases. The firm counters insurance company tactics designed to minimize settlements.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: https://www.tennesseeinjuryattorney.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
4. The Williams Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Nashville with over 50 years of combined experience
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, left-turn accidents, intersection accidents, highway motorcycle crashes, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence documentation, insurance company communication, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense calculation, lost wage recovery
Background: The firm has over 50 years of combined experience. Attorneys handle all legal matters while clients focus on recovery, including securing medical attention and answering insurance company calls. The firm understands Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rules and how they affect motorcycle accident compensation.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: (615) 256-8880 | https://www.lrwlawfirm.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
5. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death throughout Tennessee
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle versus car collisions, motorcycle versus truck accidents, road condition accidents, charity ride accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, catastrophic injury motorcycle accidents
Legal Services: Case investigation, evidence gathering, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery, future earning capacity calculation, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm respects bikers and their rights. Attorneys have experience with various motorcycle accident scenarios including Harley accidents, road condition accidents, and charity ride incidents. The firm takes on insurance companies who resist paying fair compensation.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Contact: (615) 425-2500 | https://www.rockylawfirm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Tennessee
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Tennessee provides only one year from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country. Missing this deadline typically bars recovery entirely. Courts strictly enforce this deadline.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident for property damage to the motorcycle.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: One year from the date of death.
Fault System: Tennessee is an at-fault state. The person found negligent in causing the motorcycle accident can be held accountable for injuries and damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Tennessee follows modified comparative negligence with a 50 percent bar. Injured motorcyclists can recover damages if they are less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If found 50 percent or more at fault, no recovery is permitted. Compensation is reduced proportionally by the motorcyclist’s percentage of fault. For example, if found 30 percent at fault with $100,000 in damages, recovery would be $70,000.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Tennessee requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to all persons, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25 limits, amended April 1, 2008).
Helmet Laws: Tennessee has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets at all times, regardless of age, experience, or licensing status. The state adopted this law in 1967. Helmets must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. Failure to comply is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment and/or a $50 fine.
Eye Protection Requirements: Eye protection is required if the motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield. Acceptable eye protection includes safety goggles, face shields, or glasses with impact-resistant lenses.
Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering Laws: Lane splitting (riding between lanes of traffic) is illegal in Tennessee. Motorcyclists are entitled to and required to use the full width of their lane. Violations can result in tickets and may be used against riders in injury claims.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: Tennessee requires a motorcycle license or endorsement to legally operate a motorcycle.
Damage Caps: Tennessee limits non-economic damages (pain and suffering, wrongful death) to $750,000 per injury. If injuries are defined as “catastrophic” (paralysis, loss of limb, death of parent of minor, extensive third-degree burns), the cap increases to $1,000,000.
Helmet Use as Evidence of Comparative Negligence: Not wearing a helmet may increase a motorcyclist’s assigned fault percentage under comparative negligence rules. Defense attorneys frequently argue that failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of injuries. This argument can reduce compensation or, if combined with other fault factors, potentially bar recovery if total fault reaches 50 percent or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
Tennessee provides only one year from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the United States and is strictly enforced. Missing this deadline typically results in permanent loss of the right to seek compensation. Property damage claims have a longer three-year deadline. Given the short timeframe, consulting with an attorney immediately after an accident is critical to preserve your rights and allow sufficient time for investigation and case preparation.
How does Tennessee’s comparative negligence rule affect motorcycle accident claims?
Tennessee follows modified comparative negligence with a 50 percent bar. You can recover damages as long as your fault is less than 50 percent. If found 50 percent or more responsible, you cannot recover any compensation. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if found 20 percent at fault with $100,000 in damages, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to assign higher fault percentages to motorcyclists to reduce or eliminate payouts, making strong evidence and legal representation essential.
Is lane splitting legal in Tennessee?
No, lane splitting is illegal in Tennessee. Motorcyclists cannot ride between lanes of traffic, between adjacent rows of vehicles, or overtake vehicles in the same lane. Tennessee law requires motorcyclists to use the full width of their lane. Violating this law can result in traffic tickets and may be used against you in injury claims. If you were lane splitting at the time of an accident, insurance companies and defense attorneys will likely argue this contributed to the crash, potentially increasing your fault percentage under comparative negligence rules.
Does Tennessee’s universal helmet law affect compensation if I was not wearing a helmet?
Yes, Tennessee requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets at all times. If you were not wearing a helmet and suffered head or neck injuries, defense attorneys may argue your failure to comply contributed to the severity of your injuries. This can increase your assigned fault percentage under comparative negligence, reducing your compensation. However, not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar recovery, as helmet non-use rarely causes the accident itself. An experienced attorney can counter these arguments and protect your right to compensation.
What types of compensation can motorcycle accident victims recover in Tennessee?
Tennessee allows motorcycle accident victims to recover economic damages including medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing treatment), lost wages during recovery, reduced future earning capacity, and property damage to the motorcycle. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, though these are capped at $750,000 (or $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries). In wrongful death cases, surviving family members can recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for their loss. The one-year statute of limitations makes prompt legal action essential.