Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle crashes are different, and so are the stakes. Riders face more serious injuries and are often unfairly blamed after a crash. Insurance companies know this, and they use it to reduce payouts.

At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we understand how motorcycle accident claims are evaluated in Nashville and how to push back. Our Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers work with investigators, medical providers, and accident experts to build strong claims while you focus on healing. You don’t pay unless we win.

We’re here to help you through this difficult time. Call us today at (615) 590-3106 for a free consultation and your next steps.

Why Motorcycle Accidents in Nashville Are So Serious

In the United States, there are approximately 8.4 million motorcyclists, yet they account for 15% of all traffic-related deaths. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, there were 305 motorcycle accidents in 2023, with 20 resulting in fatalities. Additionally, 68 involved serious injuries, and 148 resulted in injuries, reflecting the high injury rate among motorcycle crashes.

Motorcycle accidents are some of the most devastating crashes on Tennessee roads. While there are roughly 8.4 million motorcyclists nationwide, riders account for about 15% of all traffic-related deaths. In Tennessee alone, the Department of Safety & Homeland Security reported 305 motorcycle crashes in 2023, including 20 fatalities, 68 serious injuries, and 148 additional injuries. These numbers reflect a hard truth: when a motorcycle crash happens, the consequences are often severe.

Motorcycle cases come with unique legal and practical challenges, including:

• Greater injury severity
  Riders have little protection, which often leads to catastrophic injuries, longer medical treatment, and higher financial losses.
• Bias against motorcyclists
  Insurance companies frequently argue that riders were speeding, reckless, or “asking for it”, even when the evidence says otherwise.
• Comparative fault rules in Tennessee
  If you’re found even partially at fault, your compensation can be reduced. Insurers use this aggressively in motorcycle cases.
• Strict legal deadlines
  Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations leaves very little room for delay. Waiting too long can cost you your right to recover compensation entirely.
• Multiple potentially liable parties
  Motorcycle crashes often involve more than just another driver. Liability may extend to vehicle manufacturers, road maintenance contractors, or government entities responsible for unsafe road conditions.

These challenges make motorcycle crashes claims harder to prove and easier for insurance companies to undervalue or deny.

That’s where we step in. Our team pushes back against unfair blame, handles the legal complexity, and protects your claim from costly mistakes, so you’re not left carrying the burden alone while trying to recover.

Tennessee Motorcycle Laws and Regulations

Tennessee enforces several key regulations designed to protect motorcyclists and minimize accident risks.

Tennessee’s Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims

Tennessee law imposes a one-year statute of limitations for filing an injury claim after a motorcycle accident. This means you have just one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Missing this deadline can mean forfeiting your right to seek legal action. Time is of the essence, so gathering evidence and contacting a lawyer as soon as possible is vital to building a strong case.

Helmet Law

All riders and passengers must wear a helmet. If you weren’t wearing one, insurers may argue your injuries were worse because of it, potentially reducing your compensation.

Motorcycle Insurance Requirements and Coverage

Tennessee law mandates that all motorcycle drivers carry liability insurance. The minimum required coverage includes:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $15,000 for property damage.

While these amounts meet the state’s requirements, they often fall short after a serious accident, especially when medical bills and property damage costs are high. To better protect yourself, consider adding uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to your policy. This additional coverage can be invaluable if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance, helping cover your expenses when their coverage falls short.

Additional Tennessee Motorcycle Regulations

Beyond safety and insurance requirements, motorcyclists must also comply with general traffic laws. Violations such as speeding, reckless driving, or failing to signal can not only result in fines but may also weaken your injury claim if they contributed to the accident. Staying compliant with all traffic laws strengthens your case and improves your chances of receiving full compensation after an accident.

By following these laws and regulations, you not only ensure your safety but also position yourself for a stronger legal case if you’re ever involved in a motorcycle crash. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these regulations and build a claim that reflects your rights under Tennessee law.

How Shared Fault Affects a Motorcycle Accident Claim

In Tennessee, shared fault can directly reduce, or even eliminate, the compensation available after a motorcycle accident. Under the state’s modified comparative fault rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you are found 30% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 30%. If you are 50% or more at fault, you may not be able to recover damages at all.

Because of this, insurance companies often look for ways to shift blame onto motorcyclists. Strong evidence plays a critical role in protecting your claim, including:

• Police reports and witness statements
• Photos or video of the crash scene
• Medical records linking your injuries directly to the accident

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help gather and present this evidence, challenge unfair fault allegations, and make sure responsibility is assessed accurately, so you’re not left paying the price for someone else’s negligence.

Common Injuries and Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists have far less protection than drivers in passenger vehicles, which makes injuries far more likely and far more serious. Riders are five times more likely to be injured in a crash, and nearly 80% of motorcycle accidents result in serious harm. Head and brain injuries remain the leading cause of death, often causing lasting issues such as memory loss, mobility problems, or permanent disability. Other common injuries include spinal cord damage, broken bones, severe road rash, burns, and internal injuries that may require long-term medical care.

Motorcycle crashes also happen for many of the same reasons we see in serious car accidents, often with much worse outcomes. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, 305 motorcycle crashes occurred in 2023, and over 76% involved another vehicle. Common contributing factors include:

• Unsafe lane changes or failure to check blind spots
• Drivers failing to yield at intersections or during left turns
• Speeding or aggressive driving
• Drunk or impaired driving
• Dangerous road conditions, construction zones, or poor weather
• Vehicle doors opening into a rider’s path in urban areas

Understanding what caused your crash matters. The cause of the accident helps determine who is responsible, whether multiple parties may be liable, and how much compensation may be available for your injuries and losses. In the next section, we explain the types of compensation motorcycle accident victims in Nashville may be able to pursue.

Types of Compensation You May Recover After Your Accident

Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries, long recovery periods, and financial stress that goes far beyond the crash itself. The compensation available in a personal injury claim is meant to cover both the financial losses you can measure and the personal impact you live with every day. While every case is different, damages generally fall into two categories.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the direct financial losses caused by the accident. These typically include:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
• Lost income if your injuries prevent you from working
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long term
• Property damage, including repair or replacement of your motorcycle and riding gear
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to your recovery

These damages are often supported by bills, pay records, and medical documentation, which makes early and consistent treatment especially important.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the human cost of a motorcycle accident—the losses that don’t come with a receipt but still deeply affect your life. These may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Long-term disability or loss of independence

Because motorcycle injuries are often severe, non-economic damages can make up a significant portion of a claim.

The total value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery, and how the accident has changed your daily life. Our role is to document those losses, push back against insurance company tactics, and pursue compensation that truly reflects what this accident has cost you.

Steps to Take After Your Motorcycle Accident

The moments after a motorcycle accident can be chaotic and painful. If you’re able, taking the right steps early can protect your health and your claim.

• Get to safety and assess injuries. Move out of traffic if possible. If you’re in severe pain, bleeding, or feel dizzy, don’t move and wait for help.
• Call 911 immediately. A police report creates an independent record of what happened and can be critical in proving fault. Tell the dispatcher you were hit while riding a motorcycle.
• Seek medical attention right away. Request an ambulance or go to the ER or urgent care as soon as possible, even if injuries aren’t obvious yet.
• Document the scene if you can. Take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, road conditions, and anything else that shows how the crash happened.
• Exchange information. If possible, collect the other driver’s name, insurance details, and contact information.
• Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney can step in immediately, deal with the insurance company, preserve evidence, and protect your rights.

If you’re unable to complete some of these steps, that’s completely understandable. What matters most is your safety. Our team can help fill in the gaps, obtain reports, and build your case so early confusion doesn’t cost you compensation.

How Does Shared Fault Affect a Claim?

In Tennessee, shared fault directly impacts the compensation you can recover after a motorcycle accident. Under the modified comparative fault rule, if you are partially responsible for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault, your final award will be reduced by 30%. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you will not be eligible to recover any damages.

This makes it crucial to gather strong evidence to minimize any fault attributed to you. The more evidence you have, such as witness statements, photos, or video footage, the stronger your case will be. Also, medical records play a key role in supporting your claim. They provide essential evidence of your injuries and the necessary treatments, helping to prove the extent of the harm caused by the accident.

An experienced motorcycle wreck lawyer can help you present the best case possible, ensuring that any shared fault is accurately assessed and that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

How Our Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Stand Up for You

Truck and car accident claims are complicated enough, but motorcycle cases add an extra layer of challenges, including bias against riders and stricter safety laws. At Steinger, Greene & Feiner, we:

• Investigate the cause of your accident and gather crucial evidence
• Work with medical experts to calculate the true value of your damages
• Handle all talks with the insurance company so you don’t have to
• Push back against unfair blame tactics insurers use against motorcyclists
• Go to court if needed to get you the compensation you deserve

We’ve recovered over $2 billion for injury victims across the Southeast. Behind every recovery is a real person who needed help during one of the hardest moments of their life. Read what our clients have to say about working with our team.

Areas We Serve

Our Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys are proud to represent riders throughout Middle Tennessee. From our office at 3102 West End Ave, Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37203, we help clients in:

• Hendersonville
• Franklin
• Smyrna
• La Vergne
• Murfreesboro
• Mt. Juliet
• Nolensville
• Goodlettsville
• Greenbrier
• And surrounding communities

No matter where your accident happened, whether on I-65, I-40, Briley Parkway, or a local road, we’re ready to fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

Get Help from an Experienced Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle crashes often leave victims with devastating injuries, financial strain, and long recovery times. You don’t have to face this alone.

Call us today at (615) 590-3106 or visit our office at 3102 West End Ave, Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37203 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can also meet you at home, in the hospital, or virtually.

Motorcycle Accident FAQ