Car Accident Attorneys in Nashville, Tennessee

1. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, pedestrian accidents, premises liability, workers compensation

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, rideshare accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering compensation, wrongful death claims, computer animation and accident reconstruction

Background: Rocky McElhaney has been named the “Best Attorney in Nashville” by the Nashville Scene for 10 consecutive years from 2014-2024. The firm uses cutting-edge technology including computer animation and accident reconstruction to present visually compelling arguments at trial. Works with experts in medicine, economics, accounting, and forensic evidence. Known for representing young, innovative legal professionals. The firm serves clients throughout Middle Tennessee and is recognized for fierce advocacy and extensive knowledge of Tennessee law.

Location: 414 Union Street, Suite 1140, Nashville, TN 37219

Contact: (615) 425-2500 | https://www.rockylawfirm.com/

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement

2. Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, workers compensation, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, drowsy driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, personal injury litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage compensation, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, future medical care valuation

Background: Matt Hardin is a second-generation attorney and owner of the firm. Former President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. Over two decades of experience in personal injury law. Early career experience in insurance defense provides insight into defense tactics. Recognized by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell for excellence in advocacy. Partner William Mayfield is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law and serves on the Board of the Nashville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

Location: 150 4th Avenue North, Suite 2050, Nashville, TN 37219

Contact: (615) 200-1111 | https://www.matthardinlaw.com/

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis

3. Jeff Roberts & Associates

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, workers compensation, Social Security Disability, civil rights violations

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases

Background: Jeff Roberts has over 20 years of experience representing injured individuals in Tennessee. Member of the Melvin M. Belli Society and American Association for Justice. The firm takes on select cases to provide personalized attention to each client. Located in the heart of downtown Nashville in the “Fifth Avenue of the Arts District” since 2002. Has successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients. Available for home visits if clients cannot come to the office.

Location: 610 Commerce Street, Suite 800, Nashville, TN 37203

Contact: (615) 425-4400 | https://www.jeffrobertsassociates.com/

Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation, contingency fee basis (no payment unless compensation secured)

4. The Law Office of Eric Beasley

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, personal injury

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, head-on collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents

Background: Eric Beasley is a native Tennessean who has been representing injury victims for 25 years. Attended Goodlettsville Elementary School and Beech High School in Hendersonville before graduating from Texas Tech University School of Law. The firm has earned a reputation as tenacious litigators through taking cases other lawyers declined. Receives referrals from other attorneys and even insurance companies. Speaks at seminars and teaches continuing legal education classes on personal injury law. Active in charitable organizations supporting children with disabilities and special needs.

Location: 104 Maple Row Boulevard, Suite 400, Hendersonville, TN 37075

Contact: (615) 859-2223 | https://www.tennesseeinjuryattorney.com/

Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement

5. Ponce Law

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, Social Security Disability, workers compensation

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents

Background: The firm has been serving Middle Tennessee for more than 31 years in personal injury litigation. Has exclusive access to the CrashCam Network across Tennessee with over 500 cameras and 350,000 hours of recorded traffic footage to help document accidents. Legal professionals available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Experienced in handling claims under Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence system.

Location: 1001 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211

Contact: (615) 590-9669 | https://www.poncelaw.com/

Consultation: Free initial consultation, 24/7 availability, contingency fee basis

Uninsured Motorist Coverage, Government Claims and Wrongful Death Damages for Nashville Car Crashes

A Nashville car crash claim can turn on whether the injured driver’s policy still carries the uninsured motorist coverage Tennessee requires, and on the 12-month filing period for a claim against a governmental entity. Tennessee law also lists what a wrongful death recovery includes and extends the filing period for a person who was a minor at the time of the crash.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Under Tennessee Code 56-7-1201(a), every automobile liability policy issued in Tennessee must include uninsured motorist coverage at limits equal to the bodily injury liability limits. Any named insured may reject it in writing or select lower limits not below the minimums in 55-12-107, that document binds every insured under the policy, and the rejected coverage need not be added at renewal unless the named insured later requests it in writing.

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 under (b) the action must be commenced within 12 months after the cause of action arises. Under 29-20-311, a judgment against the governmental entity may not exceed the minimum insurance amounts in 29-20-403 unless the entity bought more coverage, and for actions arising on or after July 1, 2007, 29-20-403(b)(4) sets those minimums at $300,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $700,000 for all persons and $100,000 for property damage in one accident, occurrence or act.

Wrongful Death Damages

Under Tennessee Code 20-5-113, the party suing for a wrongful death may recover the deceased’s mental and physical suffering, loss of time and necessary expenses from the injuries, and the damages to the beneficiaries resulting from the death. Under 20-5-106(a), the right of action passes to the surviving spouse and, if there is none, to the children or next of kin, with the recovery free from creditors’ claims.

Injured Minors

Under Tennessee Code 28-1-106(a), a person under 18 or adjudicated incompetent when the cause of action accrues may sue after legal rights are restored, within the limitation period for that claim, but no later than three years from restoration if the period is longer.

Nashville Car Accident Questions

How long do I have to sue the other driver?

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, as long as your 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”, with damages reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s share. For example, imagine $80,000 in damages and 30 percent of the fault on the injured driver: the recovery would be $56,000. Tennessee Code 29-39-102(b), which governs noneconomic damages apportioned among defendants, adds that recovery for any damages is barred when the plaintiff’s comparative fault, or in a wrongful death action the decedent’s fault, is equal to or greater than 50 percent.

Is there a cap on punitive damages?

Yes, with exceptions. Under Tennessee Code 29-39-104(a)(5), punitive damages may not exceed the greater of two times compensatory damages or $500,000, and under (a)(7) the limit does not apply 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.