Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Memphis, TN
Being hurt in a car accident in Memphis can turn your life upside down in an instant. Medical bills start piling up, your vehicle may be out of commission, and the insurance company is already working to minimize what they owe you. At Alders & Lewellyn, we know how overwhelming that feels and we know how to fight back.
Car accident victims across Shelby County have trusted our Memphis car accident lawyers to recover maximum compensation after crashes on some of the city’s most dangerous roads. Whether you were rear-ended on I-240, hit by a drunk driver near Beale Street, or left at the scene by a driver who fled, we are ready to take on your case. And with our contingency-fee structure, you pay nothing unless we win.
Clients We’ve Helped
At Alders & Lewellyn, our results speak for themselves. Here are just a few of the car accident cases we have fought and won for Memphis clients:
- $2,519,772 – Motor Vehicle Accident: Attorney Lewellyn was part of a trial team that secured one of the largest car accident verdicts in Shelby County. The insurance company’s offer before trial was under $300,000.
- $750,000 – Motor Vehicle Accident: Our client received the citation after a truck driver lied to police. Attorney Alders obtained camera footage proving the truth, and Attorney Lewellyn caught the driver in multiple lies during deposition. The insurance company came to the table after that.
- $650,000 – Tractor Trailer Accident: Struck from behind in Shelby County, our client showed incredible bravery pulling the defendant from a burning truck. Attorneys Alders and Lewellyn established the defendant fell asleep at the wheel and secured a strong settlement in mediation.
$130,000 – Wrongful Death: A fatal hit and run accident where multiple law firms had already turned the family away. Attorney Alders found $130,000 in coverage and recovered every dollar for the family.
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$650,000.00 AWARDED – Tractor Trailer Accident
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$100,000 AWARDED – Motor Vehicle Accident
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$650,000.00 AWARDED – Tractor Trailer Accident
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$100,000 AWARDED – Motor Vehicle Accident
Steps to Take After a Car Wreck in Memphis
What you do in the hours and days following a car accident can have a direct impact on your claim. Here is what we recommend:
- Call 911: Always report the accident and get a police report on record. In Memphis, you can obtain a copy of your accident report through the Memphis Police Department at 170 North Main Street or through the Tennessee Department of Safety’s online crash report portal.
- Seek medical attention immediately: Even if you feel fine, injuries like whiplash and concussions can take days to show symptoms. Getting evaluated at Regional One Health, Baptist Memorial Hospital, or Methodist Le Bonheur creates a medical record that ties your injuries to the crash.
- Document the scene: Take photos of all vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. If the other driver was on their phone or appeared impaired, note that as well.
- Collect witness information: Names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash can be critical later.
- Do not give a recorded statement: Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to give one and doing so before speaking with a lawyer can hurt your case.
- Contact a Memphis car accident attorney: The sooner you get legal representation, the better. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and insurance companies move fast.
Car Accident Statistics in Memphis, TN
Memphis roads see a significant amount of traffic every day and with that comes a real risk of serious accidents. According to data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Shelby County recorded 27,202 car crashes in 2025 alone. Of those:
- 138 crashes were fatal
- 441 involved suspected major injuries
- 749 involved suspected minor injuries
- 20,309 involved property damage
The data also shows that senior drivers (65+) accounted for approximately 16.4% of all Memphis crashes, while teen drivers made up about 10.7%. These two groups present distinct risks on Memphis roads.
These numbers are not just statistics. Behind each one is a real person dealing with real consequences. If you or someone you love is counted among this year’s crash data, Alders & Lewellyn is here to help you pursue the compensation you are owed.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Memphis
Certain corridors in Memphis see a disproportionate number of collisions. Some of the most hazardous include:
- I-240 and I-40 interchange – Heavy volume, frequent lane merges, and high speeds make this one of the most accident-prone stretches in the city
- Poplar Avenue (East Memphis) – Stop-and-go traffic through shopping and business districts creates constant rear-end risk
- Winchester Road (Hickory Hill to Airways) – High-speed traffic mixed with frequent commercial access points
- Elvis Presley Boulevard – A historically high-incident corridor running through South Memphis
- Union Avenue – Urban congestion and pedestrian crossings contribute to frequent collisions
- Lamar Avenue – A long, mixed-use corridor with a history of serious crashes
- Germantown Parkway – Suburban sprawl and high traffic volumes in the eastern suburbs
- Summer Avenue – Heavy commercial traffic and multiple access points through Midtown and beyond
If your accident happened on any of these roads, or anywhere else in Shelby County, including Germantown, Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, or Hickory Hill, our team is familiar with these areas and ready to build your case.
Compensation for Auto Accidents
After a serious car accident, the financial impact can stretch far beyond the initial hospital visit. A successful car accident claim may allow you to recover compensation for:
Types of Damages You Can Be Compensated For
Economic Damages:
- Medical bills, both past and future
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
Punitive Damages: In certain cases, such as drunk driving accidents, Tennessee law allows for punitive damages designed to punish especially reckless behavior. Under Tennessee Code § 29-39-104, punitive damages are capped at the greater of $500,000 or two times the total compensatory damages awarded, and they require clear and convincing evidence of malicious, intentional, fraudulent, or reckless conduct. It is also important to note that punitive damages are typically not covered by the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy, another reason why having an experienced attorney on your side matters.
Tennessee’s Modified Comparative Fault Rule
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident, so long as your share of fault is less than 50%. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example: If your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 20% at fault, you would recover $80,000. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovery entirely.
Insurance adjusters are trained to push your fault percentage as high as possible even when the evidence does not support it. Having an attorney in your corner helps protect against that tactic.
Tennessee Minimum Insurance Requirements
Tennessee requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.
In serious accidents, these minimums are often not enough to cover total damages. That is where uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage comes in. If the at-fault driver does not have adequate insurance, or any insurance at all, your own UM/UIM policy may be your primary source of recovery. Importantly, making a UM/UIM claim typically does not raise your insurance rates when the accident was not your fault.
Nearly 1 in 4 Tennessee drivers may be uninsured, making UM/UIM coverage more important than ever. Alders & Lewellyn has navigated these exact situations for clients across Memphis.
Memphis, TN Deadline to File a Car Accident Claim
Tennessee law sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury claim after a car accident. The statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of the accident.
Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation entirely. Do not wait to speak with a car accident attorney. Even if you are unsure whether you have a case, a free consultation with Alders & Lewellyn costs you nothing and could save your claim.
Our Advice for Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their adjusters are trained to settle claims quickly and for as little as possible. Here is what we see happen to unrepresented accident victims:
- Lowball settlement offers made before the full extent of injuries is known
- Requests for recorded statements used to find inconsistencies
- Delays designed to pressure victims into accepting less
- Arguments that your injuries were pre-existing or unrelated to the crash
- Attempts to inflate your share of fault under Tennessee’s comparative fault rule
Our Memphis car accident lawyers handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf. We know their tactics because we have spent years countering them.
Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring an experienced car accident attorney in Memphis gives you more than just legal representation, it gives you leverage. Car accident victims who have experienced legal representation on their side consistently recover significantly more than those who go it alone, even after attorney fees.
Here is what Alders & Lewellyn brings to your case:
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- A thorough investigation of the accident, including obtaining camera footage, police reports, and witness statements
- Access to expert witnesses for medical, accident reconstruction, and economic damages
- Experienced negotiators who understand the true value of your car accident case
- Trial-ready attorneys who are not afraid to take a case in front of a jury when the insurance company won’t offer maximum compensation
- A track record of results in Shelby County Circuit Court and across Tennessee and Mississippi
How Much Does Alders & Lewellyn Charge?
We work on a contingency-fee basis which means you pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket throughout the process. Our fee comes as a percentage of what we recover for you, and only if we win your case.
This model exists for a reason: it means that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can access experienced legal representation after a car accident. You should never have to choose between paying rent and hiring a lawyer. At Alders & Lewellyn, that is never a choice you have to make.
What to Expect During the Legal Process
Every car accident case is different, but here is a general overview of how the legal process works from start to finish:
- Free Consultation – We review the facts of your case at no cost and no obligation.
- Investigation – We gather evidence: police reports, medical records, camera footage, witness statements, and any available black box or phone data.
- Demand and Negotiation – We submit a demand to the insurance company and negotiate aggressively for maximum compensation.
- Filing Suit (if needed) – If the insurance company will not make a fair offer, we file a Memphis car accident lawsuit and take the fight to court.
- Resolution – Whether through settlement or verdict, we work to get you the best possible outcome.
We keep you informed at every step. You will always know where your case stands.
Common Causes of Car Wrecks in Memphis
Understanding what caused your accident matters, both for establishing liability and for building the strongest possible claim. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Memphis include:
- Distracted driving (texting, phone use, in-car screens)
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Drunk or impaired driving
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Fatigue and drowsy driving
- Poor road conditions and inadequate signage
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Tailgating
Drunk Driving Car Crashes
Drunk driving accidents often cause more severe injuries because impaired drivers fail to brake or react before impact. If you were hit by a drunk driver in Memphis, you may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages. Tennessee dram shop law may also allow you to pursue liability against a bar or restaurant that served the at-fault driver.
Learn more about drunk driving accident claims →
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions are among the most common accidents in Memphis, especially on congested stretches like I-240, Poplar Avenue, and Sam Cooper Boulevard. The trailing driver is generally presumed to be at fault, but fault can be more complex than it appears. Injuries like whiplash and soft tissue damage from rear-end crashes are frequently underestimated by insurance companies.
Learn more about rear-end accident claims →
Hit and Run Accidents
Being the victim of a hit and run accident is a uniquely frustrating experience. The at-fault driver is gone but your injuries and losses are very real. Alders & Lewellyn has recovered compensation for hit and run victims even when the at-fault driver was never identified,including a $130,000 wrongful death recovery for a family that had been told by other attorneys there was nothing that could be done.
Additional Accident Types We Handle
Our Memphis car accident attorneys handle the full spectrum of motor vehicle accident cases, including:
- Truck and tractor-trailer accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft)
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Train accidents
Common Car Accident Injuries
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is the most common injury in rear-end accidents and one of the most frequently disputed by insurance companies. Symptoms can be delayed, sometimes not appearing until 24 to 48 hours after the crash, and whiplash often does not show up clearly on standard imaging tests. That skepticism from insurers is exactly why you need an attorney who understands how to document and prove these injuries.
Concussion and Facial Injuries
Head trauma in car accidents can range from mild concussions to serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even a "minor" concussion can result in weeks of cognitive difficulty, headaches, and sensitivity to light. Facial injuries from airbag deployment, shattering glass, or impact are also common and may require reconstructive care.
Chest and Spine Damage
Chest injuries from steering wheel or seatbelt impact can include broken ribs and internal organ damage. Spinal injuries, herniated discs, compression fractures, or damage to the spinal cord itself, can have life-altering consequences and often require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
Additional Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of physical harm, including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
- Wrongful death
If a loved one was killed in a car accident in Memphis, Alders & Lewellyn handles wrongful death claims and can help surviving family members pursue the compensation they deserve.
Clients We’ve Helped
Contact Our Memphis Car Accident Lawyers Today!
Don’t wait another moment if you’ve been involved in an accident in Memphis and need expert legal guidance. Call Alders & Lewellyn today to schedule a free consultation with one of our injury lawyers. We’re here to listen, advocate for you, and fight for the justice you deserve.
Memphis, TN Car Accident FAQs
What types of car accidents do car accident attorneys handle?
Our Memphis car accident lawyers handle all types of motor vehicle accidents, including rear-end collisions, drunk driving crashes, hit and run accidents, truck accidents, rideshare accidents, and more.
What types of damages can I receive compensation for?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in some cases, punitive damages.
How can I prove my damages?
Medical records, bills, pay stubs, expert testimony, accident reports, and documentation of how your injuries affect daily life all help establish the value of your personal injury claim.
How much does it cost to hire an auto accident attorney in Memphis?
Alders & Lewellyn works on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win. There are neither upfront costs nor out-of-pocket fees during the process.
When should I contact a Memphis car accident law firm?
As soon as possible after the accident. Tennessee’s statute of limitations gives you one year to file a personal injury claim, and evidence is strongest when gathered early.
What if my family member dies in a car accident?
Surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Alders & Lewellyn has handled wrongful death cases involving car accidents in Memphis and across Tennessee, including a $130,000 recovery in a fatal hit and run case that other firms had refused to take.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes, but only if your share of fault is less than 50% under Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule you can still recover damages, though your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may cover your damages. Alders & Lewellyn has extensive experience navigating UM/UIM claims and stacking multiple sources of coverage to maximize recovery for our clients.
Should I give a recorded statement to the insurance company?
No, not before speaking with an attorney. Recorded statements are frequently used by insurance adjusters to find inconsistencies that reduce or deny your claim. Let our team handle that communication on your behalf.
How do I get a copy of my Memphis Police accident report?
You can request your accident report through the Memphis Police Department at 170 North Main Street or through the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s online crash report portal.
How long will my car accident case take?
Every case is different. Straightforward cases may settle within a few months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurance companies may take one to two years or longer. We will give you an honest assessment from the start.
Get In Touch
Let’s connect so we may learn a little bit more about your case or concerns and we’ll work diligently until justice is served for you or your family member.
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