1. Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, birth injuries, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial trucking accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, mass transit accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical malpractice claims
Background: Firm reports recovering over $300 million for clients. Attorney Thomas R. Greer leads the firm’s personal injury practice. Licensed to practice in Tennessee. Office locations in Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville, serving West Tennessee and surrounding areas including parts of Arkansas and Mississippi.
Location: Memphis, TN (also Jackson and Nashville offices)
Contact: (901) 680-9777 | (877) 819-4414 (toll free) | https://www.greerinjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless case is won)
2. Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, product liability, workers’ compensation, Social Security disability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, defective product accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, workers’ compensation claims
Background: Firm has served Memphis and West Tennessee for over 40 years. Reports helping over 35,000 injured people and recovering over $500 million collectively. Attorney Michael Montesi authored the book “Show Me the Money” about car accident claims. Licensed to practice in Tennessee. Serves West Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
Location: Memphis, TN
Contact: (901) 526-2126 | https://www.gkbm.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
3. Reaves Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Memphis-based personal injury law firm. Licensed to practice in Tennessee. Attorneys handle cases throughout Shelby County and West Tennessee. Firm mission emphasizes client advocacy against insurance companies and corporations.
Location: Memphis, TN
Contact: (901) 209-9500 | https://beyourvoice.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis
4. The Law Offices of David E. Gordon
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial trucking accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery
Background: Attorney David E. Gordon has practiced personal injury law in Memphis for decades. Licensed to practice in Tennessee. Serves clients in Shelby County and throughout West Tennessee. Experience with both settlement negotiations and trial litigation.
Location: Memphis, TN
Contact: (901) 526-2006 | https://www.davidgordonlaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
5. Alders & Lewellyn
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, train accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, commercial vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery
Background: Memphis personal injury law firm. Licensed to practice in Tennessee. Attorneys provide direct communication with clients throughout the case process, including personal cell phone access. Handles cases in Shelby County and throughout Tennessee.
Location: Memphis, TN
Contact: (901) 620-4882 | https://aldersandlewellyn.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
Car 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 significantly shorter than most states and requires prompt action.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: One year from the date of the injury that led to death (based on precedent interpreting Tennessee law).
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance Status: Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver found responsible for causing the accident is financially liable for resulting damages. Injured parties can file claims against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance or pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% bar. An injured party can recover damages only if their percentage of fault is 49% or less (less than 50%). If found to be 50% or more at fault, the injured party is completely barred from recovery. Damages are reduced proportionally by the claimant’s percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Tennessee law requires the following minimum liability coverage (Tennessee Code Section 55-12-102): $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident (25/50/15 coverage).
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Tennessee law requires insurers to include UM/UIM coverage in auto policies unless the policyholder specifically rejects it in writing. This coverage protects you if injured by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Tennessee does not require PIP coverage. Medical payments coverage is available as optional coverage.
Damage Caps: Tennessee caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) at $750,000 for most personal injury cases. For catastrophic injuries (paraplegia, quadriplegia, certain amputations, severe burns, wrongful death leaving surviving minor children), the cap is $1,000,000. These caps are set by Tennessee Code Section 29-39-102.
Punitive Damages: Capped at two times compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. Punitive damages require clear and convincing evidence of intentional, fraudulent, malicious, or reckless conduct.
Collateral Source Rule: Tennessee follows the collateral source rule, meaning defendants generally cannot reduce their liability by presenting evidence that other sources (such as health insurance) covered the plaintiff’s medical expenses.
Dram Shop Liability: Tennessee has limited dram shop liability under Tennessee Code Section 57-10-102. Establishments may be held liable for selling alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or to a minor if that person subsequently causes injury.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 (or $400 to government property) must be reported to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security within 20 days if police did not file a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in Memphis, Tennessee?
A1: Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country for personal injury claims: only one year from the date of the accident under Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104. This applies to lawsuits seeking compensation for injuries. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline. Missing the one-year personal injury deadline results in permanent loss of your right to file a lawsuit. Given this tight timeframe, consulting an attorney promptly after an accident is essential.
Q2: How does Tennessee’s comparative negligence rule affect my compensation?
A2: Tennessee uses a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% bar. If you are found to be 49% or less at fault for the accident, you can recover damages, but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $80,000. However, if you are 50% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation from other parties.
Q3: What are the minimum insurance requirements for drivers in Tennessee?
A3: Tennessee law requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is included in policies unless specifically rejected in writing. These minimums may be insufficient to cover serious injuries, so carrying higher limits is advisable.
Q4: Are there damage caps for car accident cases in Tennessee?
A4: Yes, Tennessee caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress) at $750,000 for most personal injury cases. If you suffer a catastrophic injury (such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, certain amputations, severe burns over 40% of the body, or wrongful death leaving a surviving minor child), the cap increases to $1,000,000. Economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) are not capped and can be recovered in full.
Q5: What should I do immediately after a car accident in Memphis?
A5: After a car accident in Memphis, you should ensure safety, call 911 if there are injuries, exchange information with the other driver, document the scene with photos, and obtain contact information from witnesses. Seek medical attention promptly, even for seemingly minor injuries, as some injuries manifest later. Report the accident to your insurance company. Given Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations, consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights and ensure evidence is collected while still available.