Motorcycle AccidentUpdated March 2026

Been in a Motorcycle Accident in Memphis?

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Key Takeaways

  • After a motorcycle accident in Memphis, call 911 immediately and do not remove your helmet until medical professionals assess you — moving after a crash can worsen spinal injuries masked by adrenaline.
  • Tennessee has a 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104), one of the shortest in the U.S., and motorcycle injury recovery timelines make it critical to consult an attorney early.
  • Tennessee's modified comparative fault system with a 50% bar (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-11-103) is especially dangerous for riders because insurance companies exploit bias against motorcyclists to push fault to 50% or higher.
  • Motorcyclists are approximately 29 times more likely to die per mile traveled than car occupants, and Memphis's high-speed arterials like Lamar Avenue, the I-240 beltway, and Germantown Parkway are common crash locations for riders.
  • The other driver's insurance company may contact you quickly and imply that riding a motorcycle is inherently reckless — you are not required to give a recorded statement, and doing so can harm your claim.
  • Most motorcycle accident attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency, and Tennessee requires all riders to wear DOT-approved helmets (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-302) — not wearing one can increase your assigned fault.
1

Call 911 and get emergency help

Motorcycle crashes almost always result in serious injuries because riders lack the physical protection that car occupants have. Call 911 immediately, even if you think your injuries are manageable. Tennessee law requires reporting any accident involving injury, death, or property damage.

Do not remove your helmet until medical professionals arrive and assess you. Moving after a crash can worsen spinal injuries that you may not yet feel due to adrenaline and shock. Let paramedics stabilize you before you try to stand or walk.

2

Document the scene if you're able

If your injuries allow it, take photos of everything: your motorcycle's position and damage, the other vehicle(s), the road surface, skid marks, debris, traffic signs and signals, and your injuries including road rash, bruising, and damaged gear.

Get the other driver's name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and license plate. Collect witness names and phone numbers. In motorcycle accident cases, witnesses are especially important because drivers who hit motorcyclists frequently claim they "didn't see" the rider.

Do not admit fault. Tennessee's 50% bar comparative fault rule means any statement that suggests you were responsible could be used to deny your claim entirely.

3

Preserve your gear and equipment

Do not throw away or repair your helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, or any protective gear after the crash. This equipment is physical evidence that documents the force of impact and can support your injury claim. A cracked helmet, for example, demonstrates the severity of a head impact.

Similarly, do not allow your motorcycle to be repaired or scrapped until your attorney has had a chance to document its condition. The damage pattern on your bike can help accident reconstruction experts determine how the collision occurred.

4

Get comprehensive medical treatment

Motorcycle accident injuries are often severe: road rash that requires skin grafts, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal organ damage. See a doctor within 72 hours even if you walked away from the scene — delayed symptoms are common, and a documented medical evaluation links your injuries to the crash.

In Memphis, Regional One Health is the region's Level I adult trauma center and the primary destination for critical motorcycle injuries. Baptist Memorial Hospital, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and St. Francis Hospital also serve accident patients across Shelby County.

Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every follow-up appointment. Gaps in treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries aren't serious.

5

Do NOT give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance

The other driver's insurance company will try to contact you quickly. They may be looking for any reason to reduce or deny your claim — and motorcycle riders face a particular bias. Adjusters may try to imply that riding a motorcycle is inherently reckless or that you were speeding, even without evidence.

You are not required to give a recorded statement. Decline politely and direct them to your attorney.

6

Understand Tennessee's helmet law and how it affects your claim

Tennessee requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets that meet DOT standards (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-302). If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the other side may argue that your head injuries were caused or worsened by your failure to wear one. This could increase your percentage of fault under Tennessee's comparative fault system.

If you were wearing a helmet, preserve it as evidence. A damaged helmet demonstrates the severity of impact and supports your injury claim.

7

Know Tennessee's 1-year statute of limitations

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, you have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest deadlines in the country, and it applies to motorcycle accidents just like any other personal injury claim.

One year goes quickly when you're recovering from serious injuries. Don't wait — consult an attorney early to preserve your rights and your evidence.

8

Talk to an attorney who understands motorcycle cases

Motorcycle accident claims face unique challenges: bias against riders, disputes over visibility, arguments about lane splitting or speeding, and helmet law issues. An experienced attorney understands these dynamics and knows how to counter them.

Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations and work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they win. Given the severity of most motorcycle injuries and Tennessee's short deadline, early legal advice is essential.

Memphis Motorcycle Accident Facts

1 Year

statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Tennessee — one of the shortest in the U.S.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104

50% Bar

Tennessee's modified comparative fault threshold — recover nothing if you're 50% or more at fault

Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-11-103

Helmet Required

Tennessee mandates DOT-approved helmets for all motorcycle riders and passengers

Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-302

29x More Fatal

Motorcyclists are approximately 29 times more likely to die in a crash per mile traveled than car occupants

NHTSA data

Dangerous roads for Memphis motorcyclists

Memphis's wide, high-speed arterial roads create particular hazards for motorcyclists. Lamar Avenue, Poplar Avenue, Summer Avenue, and Winchester Road see heavy traffic and frequent lane changes that put riders at risk. The I-240 beltway — the most crash-prone highway in the Memphis area — carries high-speed traffic with complex merging zones at the Walnut Grove, Poplar, and Lamar interchanges. Germantown Parkway, Elvis Presley Boulevard, and Stage Road also see significant motorcycle traffic and are common crash locations. Road surface conditions — potholes, uneven pavement, debris, and gravel — are additional hazards that car drivers may barely notice but can be catastrophic for a motorcyclist. Memphis's hot, humid summers bring more riders onto the roads, and sudden afternoon thunderstorms can create slick conditions with little warning. The Mississippi River bridges on I-40 and I-55 are exposed to crosswinds that can affect motorcycle stability.

Bias against motorcyclists in insurance claims

Insurance companies and juries sometimes carry implicit bias against motorcyclists — assuming they were speeding, weaving, or taking unnecessary risks. Tennessee's comparative fault system with its 50% bar makes this bias especially dangerous. If the insurance company can argue you were 50% or more at fault, you get nothing. This is why thorough documentation, witness statements, and accident reconstruction are so important in motorcycle cases. An experienced attorney will know how to present your case to overcome bias and establish the other driver's negligence.

Tennessee motorcycle laws you should know

Tennessee requires all riders to be licensed with a Class M motorcycle endorsement. Lane splitting is not legal in Tennessee. Motorcycles must have working headlights on at all times. Eye protection is required unless the motorcycle has a windscreen. Riders must comply with all standard traffic laws. Violations of any of these requirements could be used by the insurance company to argue comparative fault.

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Motorcycle Accident FAQ — Memphis & Tennessee

You have one year from the date of the accident (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104). This is one of the shortest deadlines in the U.S. Given the severity of most motorcycle injuries, consult an attorney as soon as possible.

It could. Tennessee requires DOT-approved helmets for all riders (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-9-302). If you weren't wearing one, the defense may argue your head injuries were worsened by your failure to comply with the law, potentially increasing your percentage of fault.

"I didn't see the motorcycle" is one of the most common excuses in these cases. It is not a legal defense — drivers have a duty to look for and yield to all vehicles on the road, including motorcycles. Witness testimony, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction can help establish that the driver failed to exercise proper care.

No. Lane splitting — riding between lanes of traffic — is not legal in Tennessee. If you were lane splitting at the time of the crash, it could increase your percentage of fault.

You may be entitled to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring or disfigurement (road rash injuries can be significant), disability, loss of enjoyment of life, and in extreme cases, punitive damages. The value depends on the severity of your injuries and the clarity of fault.

Under Tennessee's modified comparative fault system (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-11-103), you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.

Yes. There is nothing preventing you from riding your motorcycle while your personal injury case is pending. However, be aware that the defense may try to use continued riding as evidence that your injuries aren't as severe as claimed.

Do not repair or scrap your motorcycle until it has been documented as evidence. Photograph it thoroughly and have your attorney arrange for inspection if needed. The damage pattern can be crucial for accident reconstruction.

Related Guides in Memphis

Car Accident in Memphis
Hit-and-Run in Memphis
Pedestrian Accident in Memphis
View all injury guides for Memphis, TN →

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InjuryNextSteps.com provides general informational content and is not a law firm. The information on this page does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every accident is different. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. The legal information on this page references Tennessee statutes and is current as of 2026 but may change. Always verify with a qualified attorney.

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