Hit by a drunk driver in Shelby County? A drunk driving accident lawyer in Memphis, TN, can hold the impaired driver accountable, check whether a bar shares the blame, and pursue the damages Tennessee law allows, since the state's usual caps can fall away in DUI cases. Contact us at (901) 402-2000 for a free case review.
Hurt by a Drunk Driver in Memphis? Start Here:
From 2021 through 2025, alcohol-impaired crashes killed 272 people in Shelby County, more than in any other Tennessee county, according to Tennessee Highway Safety Office crash data.
Cory Watson Attorneys represents people hurt by drunk drivers in Memphis, and families who lost someone to one, whether the crash happened on I-240 or near Beale Street. We pursue every source of payment, including, in some cases, the business that sold the driver alcohol.
Talk to an attorney before you give a recorded statement, sign a medical release, or accept a settlement offer. Tennessee's deadline for filing an injury lawsuit is short, so acting early protects your claim.
What We Handle for You
- Collecting the crash report, alcohol test results, and criminal court file
- Dealing with the driver's insurer and your own uninsured motorist carrier
- Investigating any business that sold the driver alcohol
- Valuing your medical costs, lost income, and long-term needs
Drunk driving claims are one of our services for injured people across Memphis.
Tennessee DUI Laws and Your Civil Claim
Tennessee treats a driver as under the influence when their blood alcohol level is at or above the legal limit, or when alcohol impairs their ability to drive safely, even below that limit.
The charge also affects timing. A state criminal prosecution of the driver, such as for DUI, can extend Tennessee's filing deadline for a suit against that driver. Courts apply this exception strictly, and a Memphis city ordinance ticket generally does not qualify.
Recoverable Damages in a Memphis Drunk Driving Accident Case
You can seek out-of-pocket medical bills, future care, documented lost wages, reduced earning ability, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering. If you lost a loved one, our Memphis wrongful death lawyers can pursue a claim for your family.
Tennessee law normally caps what a jury can award for pain and suffering. That cap does not apply when alcohol substantially impaired the at-fault driver's judgment and caused the injury or death.
Punitive damages are the exception, not the rule. Tennessee awards them only when expressly authorized by statute, under the punitive damages provisions of the Tennessee Civil Justice Act, and only with clear and convincing proof of serious misconduct, such as reckless or intentional behavior. The act's usual limit on punitive awards does not apply when alcohol substantially impaired the driver.
Dram Shop Liability: Can You Sue the Bar or Host?
Sometimes. Tennessee's dram shop law allows a claim against a seller that sold alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person, or to someone the seller knew was underage. The proof burden is unusually heavy: the jury must find beyond a reasonable doubt that the sale caused your injuries.
Private hosts are different. Tennessee generally does not hold them liable for serving adult guests, though the Tennessee Supreme Court has allowed a claim against a host who knew underage guests were drinking.
How Our Memphis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Build Your Case
We request the crash report from the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, or Tennessee Highway Patrol and track the DUI case in the Shelby County courts.
We also send preservation letters for receipts, tab records, surveillance video, and staffing logs. Tennessee server permit rules require alcohol awareness training, so we check whether trained staff ignored clear warning signs.
Why Memphis Families Call Us
We're a Short Walk From the Courthouse
Our office is a few blocks from the Shelby County Courthouse on Adams Avenue, and we know which agencies investigate crashes on Sam Cooper Boulevard and I-40.
You Can Reach Us Day or Night
Our toll-free line is answered 24/7. Call (877) 562-0000 anytime, reach our Memphis office at (901) 402-2000, or use our free case review form.
We've Been Doing This for More Than 44 Years
Cory Watson Attorneys has represented injury victims and their families for more than 44 years and recovered more than $4 billion in all types of personal injury cases, from car accidents to product liability claims. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Learn more about us.
Where We Help Around Memphis
We serve Downtown Memphis (38103), Midtown and Cooper-Young (38104), East Memphis, Whitehaven, and Germantown, including crashes near St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, FedExForum, and Shelby Farms Park.
How Do You Get Started?
- Contact us. Call (901) 402-2000 or use our free case review form.
- Get a free case review. We explain your options and your filing deadline.
- Let us go to work. We open the investigation and take over contact with the insurers.
What Will This Cost You?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover money for you. We'll explain how case costs are handled during your free case review.
Quick Answers for Memphis Crash Victims
- Should I talk to the drunk driver's insurance company?
Not before you speak with an attorney. Anything you say in a recorded statement can be used to reduce your claim.
- How long do I have to file a drunk driving injury claim in Memphis?
Not long. Tennessee gives injured people a short window to file. A state criminal prosecution of the driver, such as for DUI or vehicular assault, can extend it, but courts apply that rule strictly, and a Memphis city ordinance ticket generally does not qualify. Contact us early, and we will confirm your exact deadline.
- Can I still recover if the drunk driver had no insurance?
Often, yes. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may pay, and a household member's policy may also apply. If a Memphis bar sold alcohol to the driver while the driver was obviously intoxicated, the business may share responsibility.
- What if the insurer says I was partly at fault?
You can still recover as long as your share of fault is less than that of the people you are suing, though your award drops by your share. If your share equals or exceeds theirs, you recover nothing. We use crash data, video, and witnesses to push back on an insurer's blame.
- Do I need a DUI conviction before I file?
No. Your civil claim stands on its own and uses a lower standard of proof than a criminal case. A conviction or guilty plea can be strong evidence, so we follow the Shelby County criminal case without waiting on it.
- Can my family file if a drunk driver killed our loved one in Memphis?
Yes. Tennessee law lets close family members or the estate seek medical and funeral costs, lost income, and the value of the life lost. When alcohol impairment caused the death, the usual damage caps may not apply.
Finding Our Downtown Office
Our office is at the corner of Court Avenue and North 4th Street, a few blocks north of AutoZone Park. From East Memphis, take Poplar Avenue west into downtown, turn left on Danny Thomas, then head south to Court Avenue. Call ahead for parking directions.
Cory Watson Attorneys, Memphis Office: 254 Court Avenue, Suite 511, Memphis, TN 38103 · (901) 402-2000
Ready to Talk?
Call (877) 562-0000 day or night, or contact us today for a free case review.