If you were injured in a car accident in Tennessee, you generally have one year from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced car accident lawyer can preserve evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Car accident cases we handle
We represent drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians injured by careless drivers across Tennessee, including:
- Rear-end, T-bone, and head-on collisions
- Distracted driving and texting crashes
- Drunk and impaired driving crashes
- Motorcycle and bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Hit-and-run and uninsured or underinsured motorist claims
- Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) accidents
What to do after a car accident
- Get medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Some injuries take days to show symptoms.
- Call the police and ask for a crash report.
- Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, road conditions, and your injuries.
- Collect names and contact information for the other driver and any witnesses.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before talking with a lawyer.
- Call an attorney before important evidence, like traffic camera footage, is lost.
How Tennessee law affects your claim
Deadline to file. Tennessee gives most injured people only one year to file a personal injury lawsuit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104). That is one of the shortest deadlines in the country. In some cases, such as when the at-fault driver is criminally charged for the crash, the deadline may be longer. Do not assume you have more time.
Shared fault. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your share of the fault. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to injured people for exactly this reason.
Damages. You may be able to recover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and pain and suffering. Tennessee generally caps non-economic damages at $750,000, or $1,000,000 for certain catastrophic losses specifically defined by Tennessee law, with certain exceptions (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-39-102).
How we help
Christopher Gilreath handles your case personally. That means gathering the crash report, witness statements, medical records, and any available video; working with experts when needed; documenting the full cost of your injuries; and negotiating with the insurance company from a position of strength. If the insurer will not make a fair offer, we are prepared to take your case to court.
Attorney experience
Christopher Gilreath has represented people with catastrophic injuries from vehicle crashes for more than 25 years. Whether the crash involves two cars, construction vehicles, commercial trucks, mowing equipment, trailers, buses, or other serious impacts, Christopher Gilreath treats your case with personal care and emphasis on collecting evidence and telling your story with impact.
Chris' first trial involved the death of a beloved father who was killed when a State commercial mower encroached into the road causing a serious crash. Since then, Chris focuses on telling your story through images and details of your harms and losses in ways jurors understand. For over 25 years, Chris holds wrongdoers accountable for breaking the law, shortcutting safety, and making decisions that put other people at risk of serious injury or death.
Each case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. All advertised results are based on past cases and their individual facts and circumstances. The outcome of your case will depend on your unique facts and circumstances.
For injuries involving permanent limitations or substantial future care, learn about our serious and catastrophic injury representation.
Serving clients across Tennessee
We represent auto accidents clients from our principal office in Memphis, with private client meetings in Nashville by appointment only, and throughout Knoxville and East Tennessee.
Auto Accidents FAQ
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
In most cases, one year from the date of the accident under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104. Some exceptions can extend the deadline, but you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if you were less than 50 percent at fault. Under Tennessee's modified comparative fault rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Should I talk to the other driver's insurance company?
You should report the accident to your own insurer, but be careful with the other driver's insurance company. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim. It is usually wise to speak with a lawyer first, and only after you have confirmed facts about what happened.
How many car accidents happen in Tennessee each year?
In 2024, Tennessee recorded 175,252 reported traffic crashes, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. 44,432 were classified as injury crashes.
How many injury crashes occur in Tennessee?
Tennessee recorded 44,432 injury crashes in 2024.
An injury crash is a crash classified in the state's crash data as involving injury. It should not automatically be interpreted as meaning that exactly one person was injured in each crash.
How many fatal crashes occur in Tennessee?
Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security data classified 1,097 crashes as fatal in 2024.
The number of fatal crashes is different from the number of people killed because a single crash can involve multiple fatalities.
How many car accidents happen in Memphis and Shelby County?
In 2024, Shelby County recorded 27,208 total reported crashes, including 6,914 injury crashes and 86 fatal crashes.
How many car accidents happen in Nashville and Davidson County?
In 2024, Davidson County recorded 24,960 total reported crashes, including 8,485 injury crashes and 106 fatal crashes.
How many car accidents happen in Knoxville and Knox County?
In 2024, Knox County recorded 9,683 total reported crashes, including 2,653 injury crashes and 73 fatal crashes.
What should I do after a car wreck in Tennessee?
Seek appropriate medical attention, report the collision when required, preserve photographs and other evidence, keep records of medical treatment and expenses, be cautious about statements to insurance companies, and consider obtaining legal advice if the collision caused significant injuries or the claim is disputed.
Do I need a lawyer after a serious car accident?
Not every collision requires legal representation. A lawyer may be particularly important when a collision involves significant injuries, surgery, permanent impairment, substantial medical treatment, lost income, disputed liability, comparative fault, or complicated insurance coverage.
What if the insurance company says the accident was my fault?
An allegation of fault is not proof of fault. The evidence should be examined, including photographs, video, witnesses, vehicle damage, the crash report, roadway conditions, and other available evidence.
What if the other driver does not have enough insurance?
Your own automobile insurance may provide uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage depending on the policy and circumstances. The available policies should be identified and reviewed.
What is my Tennessee car accident case worth?
There is no reliable formula. The value of a claim depends on the specific evidence, including the nature and severity of the injuries, medical treatment, prognosis, lost income, impairment, pain and suffering, liability, comparative fault, available insurance coverage, and other circumstances.
Written and reviewed by attorney R. Christopher Gilreath. Last updated September 30, 2026. This page provides general information, not legal advice. No attorney fee is charged unless we recover compensation for you. Depending on your written fee agreement, you may be responsible for case costs and expenses.
When insurance coverage is disputed or insufficient, learn about our approach to Tennessee uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
Uber and Lyft Accidents in Tennessee
Rideshare collisions require review of the driver’s app status, fault, trip records, and applicable insurance. Tennessee has separate TNC coverage requirements, and personal-auto exclusions or UM/UIM issues can affect recovery. Read our Tennessee Uber and Lyft accident page for the coverage stages, statutory references, and evidence to preserve.