Memphis Car Accident Lawyer

At Patterson Bray, PLLC, we are a personal injury firm with recognition from Super Lawyers and more than 20 years of service to the Memphis community.

If you have been hurt in a car accident in Memphis and the other driver’s insurance company is offering a settlement before you even know the full extent of your injuries, do not accept it without legal guidance. Early offers are almost always calculated to close the claim cheaply.

Patterson Bray PLLC has spent over two decades fighting for injured plaintiffs across Tennessee. Our Memphis, TN car accident lawyer will investigate the facts surrounding your collision, deal with the insurance carriers, and pursue every dollar of compensation your case supports. Call our office for a free consultation.

Car Accident Lawyer Memphis, TN

A car accident claim in Tennessee is a legal action brought by someone who was injured because another driver acted negligently. The person at fault is financially responsible for the harm they caused, and the injured party has the right to seek compensation through an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit.

Memphis is one of the busiest corridors in the Southeast. I-240, I-40, and I-55 carry heavy commuter and commercial traffic through Shelby County every day, and the volume of vehicles on these roads produces a high rate of collisions. Crashes happen at major intersections throughout Midtown, East Memphis, and the surrounding communities. Whether the accident involves two cars at a stoplight or a chain-reaction pileup on the interstate, a car accident attorney in Memphis can evaluate liability and pursue damages on your behalf.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Memphis

Patterson Bray PLLC represents plaintiffs in a wide range of car accident cases throughout Memphis, TN. The type of crash and the circumstances that led to it shape how we build the case and what evidence we pursue.

• T-bone accidents. Side-impact crashes at intersections are among the most dangerous because the doors of a vehicle offer far less protection than the front or rear. Broken bones, internal bleeding, and spinal injuries are common in these collisions.
• Head-on collisions. A front-to-front crash at any meaningful speed can cause devastating and permanent injuries. Wrong-way driving, impaired motorists, and fatigued drivers are the usual causes.
• Rear-end collisions. Tailgating, sudden stops, and speeding are behind many rear-end crashes on Memphis highways. Whiplash and disc injuries from these collisions often require months of treatment.
• Hit-and-run accidents. Drivers who flee the scene leave injured victims scrambling to identify them. When the at-fault driver cannot be found, the claim may need to proceed through the victim’s own uninsured motorist policy.
• Truck accidents. Memphis sits at a major freight crossroads. Tractor-trailers traveling through on I-40 and I-55 are involved in crashes that produce serious car accident injuries due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles.
• Distracted driving accidents. Cell phone use, texting, and other risky driving behaviors contribute to a significant number of collisions across Shelby County. Even a few seconds of inattention at highway speed can be fatal.
• Drunk driving accidents. Impaired drivers cause collisions that tend to involve high speeds and reckless maneuvering. Victims of drunk driving crashes may be entitled to pursue punitive damages in addition to compensatory recovery.
• Uber accidents. Rideshare collisions in Memphis raise complicated insurance questions. Liability coverage depends on whether the driver was logged into the app, heading to pick up a rider, or carrying a passenger at the time of the crash.
• Multi-car accidents. Pileups on I-240 or I-40 often involve three or more vehicles. Determining which driver triggered the chain of collisions requires accident reconstruction and a careful review of each driver’s actions.
• Intersection collisions. Red-light violations and failure to yield cause a large percentage of serious crashes in Memphis. Traffic camera data and eyewitness testimony can be critical in establishing which driver had the right of way.

Why Choose Patterson Bray PLLC as My Car Accident Lawyer in Memphis, TN?

Attorneys Focused on Plaintiff-Side Injury Claims

Chris Patterson, Managing Partner at Patterson Bray PLLC, has handled catastrophic personal injury and general litigation cases for more than 20 years. He earned dual undergraduate degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law. Chris holds memberships in the American Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Memphis Bar Association, and the National Crime Victim Bar Association. He was appointed by Governor Bill Lee to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and is a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation.

Will Patterson focuses on tort litigation, personal injury, and commercial disputes. Best Lawyers has named Will in the 27th through 32nd editions for Personal Injury Litigation representing plaintiffs. He earned his J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Freed-Hardeman University. Will is admitted in Tennessee, Mississippi, and several federal courts including the Sixth and Eighth Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Contingency-Based Representation

Our firm takes car accident cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless Patterson Bray PLLC recovers compensation for you. We have helped injured clients across Memphis recover millions of dollars through settlements and verdicts.

As a personal injury lawyer in Memphis, TN, we handle every phase of the claim, from the initial investigation through trial if necessary. Our firm represents plaintiffs only, and that singular focus shapes how we prepare and present each case.

What Is Important to Understand About a Car Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Car Accident Cases

Tennessee requires the injured party to prove that the other driver was negligent and that the negligence caused the collision and resulting injuries. Negligence can take many forms: running a stop sign, following too closely, texting while driving, or operating a vehicle under the influence.

Compensation in a Memphis car accident case generally includes two categories. Economic damages account for measurable financial losses such as medical bills, future treatment costs, rehabilitation, lost income, and reduced earning capacity. Noneconomic damages address the physical pain, emotional suffering, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life that result from the crash. In weather-related collisions, questions about comparative fault frequently arise.

Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you bear less than 50 percent of the fault, you can still recover, but your damages are reduced by your share of responsibility. At 50 percent or above, recovery is barred.

• Hospital stays, surgeries, and physical therapy
• Lost wages and future lost earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury

What Are Important Aspects of a Car Accident Case?

Building a strong car accident case in Memphis depends on collecting and preserving the right evidence as early as possible. The insurance company will be doing its own investigation, and having your own documentation is critical.

• The accident report filed by Memphis police or the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office contains the responding officer’s assessment of who was at fault, what violations may have occurred, and conditions at the scene.
• Prompt medical treatment creates a documented link between the crash and your injuries. Delays in seeking care are one of the most common reasons insurers reduce or deny claims.
• Witness contact information gathered at the scene provides independent accounts that can contradict the at-fault driver’s version of events.
• Photos and dashcam footage can show vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, and traffic signals at the time of the collision.

What Is the Car Accident Case Timeline?

The time it takes to resolve a car accident case in Memphis depends on the severity of injuries, the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate fairly, and whether the case goes to court.

• After the accident, the immediate focus is medical treatment and documenting the evidence from the crash scene.
• Once medical treatment is complete or your condition stabilizes, we calculate the total value of the claim and submit a demand to the insurance carrier.
• The insurer typically responds with a counteroffer. Negotiations may continue for weeks or months. Many cases settle at this stage.
• If settlement discussions do not produce a fair result, we file a lawsuit. Litigation in Tennessee generally involves 12 to 18 months of discovery, depositions, and pretrial activity before a trial date is set.
• Mediation is often ordered or agreed to before trial. A neutral mediator works with both sides to explore settlement possibilities.

What Should You Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation?

Gathering your records before the consultation helps us give you a more specific evaluation of your claim and the options available to you.

• The police report or the incident report number
• Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries
• Medical records and billing statements from all treatment received
• Documentation of time missed from work and income loss
• Your auto insurance policy showing liability and UM/UIM coverage

We will review the information, discuss the strengths and challenges of your case, and let you know whether we can help.

What Are Important Tennessee Legal Resources for Car Accident Cases?

Tennessee has specific statutes that govern personal injury claims arising from car accidents. These resources can point you toward the relevant provisions.

• Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 28-3-104, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is one year from the date of the accident. This is one of the shortest deadlines in the country.
• Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-11-103 establishes the state’s modified comparative negligence standard. A plaintiff whose fault is 50 percent or greater cannot recover any compensation. Below that threshold, recovery is reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
• Tennessee permits recovery of both economic and noneconomic damages. Noneconomic damages may be subject to caps depending on the nature and severity of the injuries sustained.
• The Tennessee court system provides information on filing procedures, court locations, and rules applicable to civil cases in Shelby County and across the state.
• The Shelby County courts page lists circuit and chancery court information for lawsuits filed in the Memphis area.

Reach Out to Patterson Bray PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you or someone in your family has been injured in a car accident in Memphis, TN, Patterson Bray PLLC can help. We represent car accident victims on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you. Our free consultation gives you the chance to discuss the details of your crash, understand the process, and decide how you want to proceed. Contact us to set up a time to speak with a Memphis car accident attorney.