Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Nashville?

At Patterson Bray PLLC, we provide dedicated motorcycle accident representation grounded in decades of plaintiff-side trial work.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by a negligent driver, the injuries are likely severe and the path to recovery is anything but simple. Broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage are all common outcomes when a rider is struck by a car or truck. A Nashville, TN motorcycle accident lawyer at Patterson Bray PLLC can fight for the compensation you need to cover medical treatment, lost wages, and the long-term effects of your injuries. Our firm has represented injured plaintiffs for over 20 years and offers free consultations for motorcycle accident cases.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Nashville, TN

A motorcycle accident lawyer represents riders who have been injured because another motorist failed to exercise reasonable care on the road. This includes investigating the crash, gathering the evidence needed to establish fault, calculating the full extent of the rider’s losses, and negotiating with insurance companies or presenting the case at trial.

Motorcycle cases carry unique challenges. Riders face a persistent bias from insurance adjusters and jurors who assume the motorcyclist was riding aggressively. According to NHTSA motorcycle safety data, motorcyclists are nearly 27 times more likely than car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled. An experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorney understands how to present the facts in a way that overcomes that prejudice and holds the at-fault driver accountable.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Nashville

Motorcycle collisions can happen anywhere in Nashville, but certain crash patterns appear far more frequently than others. Understanding the type of accident that caused your injuries matters because it directly affects how fault is proven and what compensation may be available. Our attorneys handle motorcycle accident cases throughout Nashville, TN and the surrounding areas.

• Left-turn collisions. The most common type of motorcycle crash involves a driver turning left across an oncoming rider’s path. The driver either fails to see the motorcycle or misjudges its speed, and the rider has almost no time to react. These accidents frequently produce catastrophic injuries.
• Lane-change accidents. A driver who changes lanes without checking mirrors or blind spots can sideswipe a motorcycle or force the rider off the road entirely. These collisions are often caused by inattention or distracted driving.
• Rear-end collisions. When a distracted or tailgating driver strikes a motorcycle from behind, the rider can be thrown from the bike at speed. Unlike car accident occupants, motorcyclists have no crumple zone, no seatbelt, and no airbag to absorb the force of a rear-end impact.
• Intersection crashes. Intersections are high-risk zones for motorcyclists. Drivers who run red lights, roll through stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way are responsible for a significant share of motorcycle collisions in urban areas like Nashville.
• Head-on collisions. A head-on crash between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle or truck is among the most lethal types of traffic accidents. Wrong-way driving, impaired operation, and crossing the center line are common contributing factors.
• Road hazard accidents. Potholes, gravel, oil slicks, debris, and uneven pavement that might be a minor inconvenience for a car can be deadly for a motorcyclist. When poor road maintenance or ongoing construction contributes to a crash, a government entity or contractor may share liability.
• Hit-and-run motorcycle accidents. A rider who is struck by a driver who flees the scene faces both serious injuries and the challenge of identifying the responsible party. We help clients pursue recovery through their own uninsured motorist coverage when the at-fault driver cannot be found.
• Fatal motorcycle crashes. When a motorcycle collision results in a rider’s death, the family may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. We represent surviving family members in these cases and fight to hold negligent drivers accountable.

Why Choose Patterson Bray PLLC as My Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Nashville, TN?

A Record of Representing Seriously Injured Clients

Motorcycle accident victims deserve attorneys who will invest the time and resources needed to build a strong case, not settle for less because the insurance company assumes the rider was at fault. That is how Patterson Bray PLLC approaches every motorcycle claim.

Will Patterson handles tort litigation and personal injury matters, including motorcycle crash cases. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America across multiple editions for Personal Injury Litigation on behalf of Plaintiffs. Will is licensed in Tennessee and Mississippi, and he is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western and Middle Districts of Tennessee. He earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

Chris Patterson is the firm’s Managing Partner and has spent over 20 years representing individuals in catastrophic injury cases. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, and the National Crime Victim Bar Association, and he serves on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.

Patterson Bray PLLC has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases in Nashville, TN. We handle motorcycle accident claims on a contingency-fee basis, which means you owe no attorney fees unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.

What Is Important to Understand About a Motorcycle Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Cases

Motorcycle crashes produce injuries that are disproportionately severe compared to other types of motor vehicle collisions. Tennessee law allows injured riders to pursue compensation across several categories of motorcycle accident damages.

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical rehabilitation, and any future treatment related to your injuries
• Lost income during recovery and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your prior line of work
• Pain and suffering, both physical and psychological, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress related to the crash
• Property damage to the motorcycle, riding gear, and personal equipment
• Loss of enjoyment of life, particularly when injuries prevent the rider from returning to motorcycling or other physical activities

Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103 applies to motorcycle accident cases. If the rider is assigned any share of fault, compensation is reduced by that percentage. At 50 percent or higher, recovery is barred. Insurance adjusters are trained to push the rider’s fault percentage as high as possible, which is why establishing causation and fault early is essential.

What Are Important Aspects of a Motorcycle Accident Case?

Several factors can determine the outcome of a motorcycle accident claim. Addressing them promptly puts your case in a stronger position.

• Proving that the other driver breached their duty of care by failing to yield, speeding, following too closely, or driving while impaired or distracted
• Gathering evidence that directly connects the driver’s negligence to the crash and your injuries, including the police report, witness statements, and surveillance footage
• Overcoming bias against motorcyclists by presenting clear evidence that the rider was operating lawfully and that the collision was caused by the other driver’s conduct
• Calculating the long-term cost of your injuries, including future medical treatment and any modifications needed for daily routine
• Handling communications with the insurance company, which will attempt to use recorded statements and medical forms to undermine your claim

What Is the Motorcycle Accident Case Timeline?

Motorcycle accident cases in Nashville tend to follow a pattern, though each moves on its own schedule depending on injury severity and insurer willingness to negotiate.

• The investigation phase begins shortly after the accident and involves collecting the police report, photographing the scene and the damaged motorcycle, and identifying witnesses
• Medical treatment continues until you reach maximum medical improvement, when your treating physician determines that your condition has stabilized
• Once your damages can be fully assessed, your attorney prepares a demand package and submits it to the at-fault driver’s insurer
• Negotiations follow, and many motorcycle accident claims in Nashville settle during this phase
• If the insurer’s offer does not fairly compensate you, the case is filed in court and prepared for trial

Tennessee’s statute of limitations for motorcycle accident injury claims is one year from the date of the crash under T.C.A. § 28-3-104. That deadline is strict, and missing it eliminates the right to pursue your claim.

What Should You Bring to Your Motorcycle Accident Consultation?

Having the right documentation when you meet with a motorcycle accident attorney helps us evaluate your claim from the start.

• The police report or the responding officer’s name and badge number so the report can be obtained
• Photographs of the crash scene, your motorcycle, your injuries, and any road conditions or signage that may be relevant
• All medical records and bills from treatment you have received since the crash
• Pay stubs or employer documentation showing lost income
• Any written communication you have received from the at-fault driver’s insurance company

We offer free, confidential consultations for Nashville motorcycle accident cases. We will review the facts, answer your questions about Tennessee’s motorcycle accident laws, and explain the next steps.

What Are Important Tennessee Legal Resources for Motorcycle Accident Cases?

Tennessee law treats motorcycles as motor vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities on public roads. The following resources can help riders understand their legal rights after a collision.

• The Tennessee General Assembly publishes the Tennessee Code, including the traffic safety laws that apply to both motorcyclists and other drivers on public roadways
• NHTSA motorcycle safety provides crash statistics, helmet use data, and safety research relevant to motorcycle accident cases nationwide
• The CDC transportation safety page offers injury and fatality data for all road users, including motorcyclists
• Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations on motorcycle accident injury claims under T.C.A. § 28-3-104
• The state’s modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103 reduces recovery by the rider’s percentage of fault and bars recovery entirely if that percentage reaches 50 or above

Reach Out to Patterson Bray PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you or someone close to you was hurt in a motorcycle accident in Nashville, TN, Patterson Bray PLLC can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you are owed. We handle every motorcycle accident case on a contingency-fee basis and charge nothing unless we recover on your behalf. Contact us to schedule your free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer who will take the time to understand your case.