Personal Injury Statistics in Tennessee
Understanding personal injury statistics in Tennessee helps you benchmark your case value, understand the legal environment, and set realistic expectations for your claim.
For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney.
$12,000 – $60,000
Average Settlement Range
Varies widely by injury severity and case type
Modified comparative fault (50% bar)
Fault System
Directly affects how damages are calculated
1 year
Statute of Limitations
Time to file from date of injury
At-Fault (Tort)
Auto Insurance System
At-fault driver's insurer liable
Tennessee Injury Cases — By the Numbers
49,000 cases/yr
PI Cases Filed Annually
$42,000
Average Settlement
$25,500
Median Settlement
43%
Plaintiff Trial Win Rate
15 mo
Avg. Time to Settle
Motor Vehicle Accident
Top Injury Type
13 mo
Civil Court Backlog
36%
Avg. Contingency Fee
Key Facts About Tennessee Injury Law
Tennessee has a short 1-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under T.C.A. § 28-3-104 — one of the shortest in the nation — making it critically important for injured victims to consult an attorney as quickly as possible after any accident or injury.
Tennessee uses modified comparative fault with a 50% bar under McIntyre v. Balentine — plaintiffs who are 50% or more at fault for the accident cannot recover any damages; below that threshold, the award is reduced proportionally by the plaintiff's assigned fault percentage.
Tennessee caps noneconomic damages (pain and suffering) at $750,000 in most personal injury cases and at $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries under T.C.A. § 29-39-102 — these caps apply to claims filed after October 1, 2011.
Tennessee Personal Injury Law Overview
Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country at just 1 year for personal injury claims, requiring injured victims to act quickly. Tennessee applies modified comparative fault with a 50% bar, and the state imposes statutory caps on noneconomic damages: $750,000 for most cases and $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries. Tennessee does not require no-fault PIP insurance. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville generate significant personal injury litigation. Tennessee courts see substantial trucking accident cases given the state's position on major east-west and north-south freight corridors. Tennessee's healthcare industry in Nashville creates significant medical malpractice litigation, governed by the Tennessee Medical Malpractice Act with a separate 1-year limitation period and expert certificate requirements. Workers' compensation in Tennessee was reformed in 2014, creating an administrative dispute resolution system through the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation rather than civil courts.