Memphis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

In a Wreck? We’re By Your Side

Donati Law, PLLC is here to provide legal support and guidance to anyone who has been in a motorcycle accident while riding through Memphis and the surrounding area. Far too often, motorcyclists are told by insurance companies that they do not have a claim, or that they were mostly at fault. If you have heard something similar from the other party’s insurer, it is important to understand that their goal is to limit what they pay—not to protect your interests. Speaking with experienced Memphis personal injury attorneys can help you better understand your options after a serious crash. Learn more about how we handle personal injury cases in Memphis.

Initial consultations are available. We provide legal services in English and Spanish.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are unfairly painted as people who “live recklessly” and, therefore, put themselves at risk of a crash and serious injuries. Of course, this stereotype could not be further from the truth. Most riders, just like drivers, are careful and just want to get from point A to point B safely whenever they hit the road. With this said, it might be no surprise that many motorcycle accidents are caused by reckless drivers, not motorcyclists.

A few common causes of motorcycle accidents on the streets of Memphis are drivers who:

• Turn left in front of an approaching motorcycle and without the green light.
• Change lanes or merge without checking for a motorcyclist in their blind spot.
• Approach a stopped intersection too quickly and rear-end a motorcyclist they didn’t see.
• Open their door suddenly without looking in the mirror for an approaching vehicle.

Ways to prevent a motorcycle accident:

• Wear your gear
• Avoid riding in bad weather
• Make yourself seen
• Beware at intersections
• Never speed or drive recklessly

Many of these same negligent behaviors also lead to serious car accident cases. The difference is that motorcyclists do not have the same physical protection as someone inside a passenger vehicle, which often results in more severe injuries.

Proving Fault for Your Motorcycle Accident

You might know the cause of your motorcycle accident, but the insurance companies and the court don’t. Part of our job as your Memphis motorcycle accident attorneys will be to look for ways to prove what happened and, therefore, prove fault. With Tennessee’s modified comparative negligence rule for motor vehicle accidents, you cannot recover any damages from the other party if you are at least 50% at fault for your crash. This rule makes it even more important for us to reduce your fault or liability as much as possible with convincing arguments and strong evidence.

We can use the following evidence and more to prove fault:

• Pictures of the crash scene
• Eyewitness testimonies
• Police reports
• Dashcam or traffic cam footage

Even your medical records can act as evidence in your motorcycle accident case. Your doctor can note when you suffered your injuries and what most likely caused them in their professional opinion. Seeing a medical provider the same day as your wreck is important both for creating evidence and for taking care of yourself.

When we investigate a crash in Memphis, we examine roadway conditions on major routes like I-40 or I-240, review vehicle damage patterns, and analyze any available electronic data. In some cases involving large commercial vehicles, elements may overlap with issues commonly seen in truck accident claims. Every detail can matter when establishing liability.

What Compensation Can You Get from the Defendant?

A motorcycle accident claim may allow you to pursue compensation for losses caused by another driver’s negligence. Our goal is to carefully evaluate the full impact of your injuries and identify all available sources of insurance coverage.

Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent impairment or disability

We also consider how a serious motorcycle crash affects your independence, mobility, and daily life. Injuries that prevent you from working, riding, or participating in family activities deserve to be accounted for in a claim.

In the most tragic cases, when a motorcycle accident results in the loss of life, surviving family members may need guidance about a potential wrongful death claim. These cases require careful legal analysis and compassionate representation.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Memphis

The hours and days after a crash can feel overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with pain, transportation problems, and calls from insurance adjusters. Taking a few practical steps can protect your health and your ability to bring a claim later. You do not have to do everything perfectly, but having a simple plan can make it easier to move forward and focus on healing.

After an injury on a Memphis roadway, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and attend all recommended follow-up visits, whether that is at a neighborhood clinic or a larger facility like Regional One Health or Baptist Memorial Hospital. Keeping copies of discharge papers, receipts for prescriptions, and any referrals to specialists can create a clear record of your treatment. You should also keep a simple journal of how you feel each day, including pain levels, trouble sleeping, or missed activities, so there is a written history of how the wreck has affected your life.

We also encourage riders to gather and save any information related to the crash as soon as they are able. This can include repair estimates for your motorcycle, letters or emails from an insurance company, and notes about conversations you have with adjusters or witnesses. If you are contacted by the other driver’s insurer, you can let them know you are still receiving medical care and prefer not to give a recorded statement until you have talked with an attorney. Preserving this information allows us to step in later, review what has already happened, and take over the back-and-forth with the insurance company so you are not handling it alone.