Our uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Memphis helps people hurt by drivers with no insurance, too little insurance, or no known identity. We file UM and UIM claims against your own insurer. Contact us at (901) 402-2000 for a free case review.
Key Takeaways
- Your own policy may pay. Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can apply when the at-fault driver cannot cover your losses.
- Many Tennessee drivers have UM coverage without knowing it. Insurers must include it unless the policyholder rejects it in writing.
- The deadline is short. Tennessee has one of the shortest deadlines in the country for filing an injury lawsuit.
- Talk to a lawyer first. Speak with an attorney before giving your insurer a recorded statement or accepting an offer.
- No upfront attorney's fees. Your case review is free, and you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover money.
Need an Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer in Memphis?
In 2023, 21.3% of Tennessee drivers had no auto insurance, the fifth-highest rate in the nation, according to a 2026 U.S. News & World Report analysis of Insurance Information Institute data. If one hits you, your own UM or UIM coverage may have to pay.
For decades, Cory Watson Attorneys has represented injured people against insurance companies. From our office on Court Avenue in downtown Memphis, our Memphis car accident lawyers handle these claims across the city. This page covers how the coverage works, how to file, and when to call a lawyer.
How We Help Memphis Drivers
We handle claims when the at-fault driver:
- Had no insurance
- Carried too little insurance to cover your losses
- Drove off and was never identified
- Had an insurer that denied coverage
We collect what the at-fault driver's insurer will pay, then pursue your own UM or UIM coverage up to your policy limits.
Tennessee Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Explained
What UM and UIM Coverage Pay
UM coverage pays when an uninsured driver injures you. UIM coverage can pay when the other driver's liability coverage is lower than your own UM coverage. In Tennessee, both usually sit in the same part of your policy.
Under Tennessee law, your insurer generally receives credit for what the at-fault driver's insurer pays. That means UIM coverage helps most when your limits are higher than the other driver's.
Why Many Tennessee Families Already Have UM Coverage
Tennessee's Financial Responsibility Law sets a low minimum for bodily injury coverage, which can run out quickly after a serious injury.
Tennessee insurers must include UM coverage in auto policies unless the policyholder rejects it in writing, so many families have it without knowing.
Filing a UM/UIM Claim After a Memphis Accident
Step 1: Get the Crash Report
Start with the crash report. Where you request it depends on which agency investigated:
- Tennessee Highway Patrol crashes: Use the THP crash report request page.
- Memphis city crashes: Request it from the Memphis Police Department's Central Records office.
Step 2: Notify Your Insurer
Notify your insurer promptly, as most policies require.
Step 3: Preserve Proof in Hit-and-Run and No-Contact Crashes
If a driver forced you off the road without touching your car, Tennessee law sets a high standard of proof that the driver existed. That proof must come from someone other than the people in your vehicle, such as an independent witness or video.
If a Lawsuit Becomes Necessary
Tennessee law requires that your UM insurer also be served with a copy of the lawsuit.
Stacking Coverage and Documenting Your Losses
How Stacking Works in Tennessee
Stacking means adding limits together. Tennessee law generally does not allow you to stack limits for several vehicles on one policy.
When more than one policy covers you, such as the car you rode in and your household policy, one may pay first, and another may add coverage, depending on the policy terms.
Losses We Document
We document every loss you can prove:
- Out-of-pocket medical costs, including ambulance, emergency room, surgery, and therapy bills
- Prescriptions and mileage to medical appointments
- Documented lost wages, shown by pay stubs or tax records
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages Are the Exception
Most recoveries repay real losses. Punitive damages are different: they punish the wrongdoer, and they are an exception to the rule, not a standard part of a claim. In Tennessee, punitive damages are awarded only when expressly authorized by statute, under the Tennessee Code Annotated, and only with a heightened level of proof of serious misconduct. The same rule applies in the most serious cases, including wrongful death claims in Memphis. Even when punitive damages are available, whether your UM coverage pays them depends on your policy.
Why Speak With an Attorney Before Dealing With Your Own Insurer?
Speak with a lawyer before you:
- Give your insurer a recorded statement
- Sign a medical records release
- Accept any settlement offer
On a UM claim, your insurer takes the at-fault driver's side and may question your injuries or blame you for the crash. Once you accept an offer, you usually cannot ask for more.
Why Do Memphis Families Choose Us?
We Know Memphis Roads and Courts
We handle crashes on I-40, I-240, and Elvis Presley Boulevard. Our office is a short walk from the Shelby County Courthouse.
You Get Straight Answers
We explain each step in plain language, from the first letter to the final payment.
No Upfront Attorney's Fees
Cory Watson Attorneys works on a contingency fee. Your case review is free, and you pay no attorney's fee unless we recover money.
How Do You Get Started?
Three Steps to Begin
Working with an uninsured motorist accident lawyer in Memphis takes three steps:
- Contact us at (901) 402-2000 or complete our online form.
- Share your crash report, insurance card, and medical bills if you have them.
- Let us review your policy and explain your options.
You can also learn more about us.
What Does It Cost, and How Long Does It Take?
There is no upfront attorney's fee, and you can call 24/7. Some claims resolve in a few months; others take a year or more. You can also review our services for Memphis injury cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file an uninsured motorist claim in Memphis?
Tennessee has one of the shortest deadlines in the country for filing an injury lawsuit. Your policy may also require prompt notice to your insurer. Because that window is short, call us soon after your Memphis crash.
Does UM coverage apply if I was walking?
Often, yes, through your own or a household member's auto policy.
Will filing a UM claim raise my insurance rates?
Tennessee law prohibits insurers from raising their insureds' policy premiums or canceling an insurance policy solely due to the payment of an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim.
What if a hit-and-run driver caused my crash on I-40?
Your UM coverage may still pay. If the other car hit yours, that contact helps prove the claim. If it never touched you, you need strong proof from someone outside your car, such as a witness or video. Act quickly, since many camera systems record over old footage.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, in many cases. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule: you can recover as long as your share of fault is less than that of the other party, and your award is reduced by your share of fault. Talk with us before you accept an insurer's version of fault.
Do I need a lawyer if the claim is with my own insurer?
You are not required to hire one, but you should speak with one before giving a statement or accepting an offer. Your insurer may dispute your injuries just as the other driver's insurer would. We handle the negotiations while you heal.
How Do You Find Our Office?
From I-40, take Exit 1B for Danny Thomas Boulevard (U.S. 51) toward downtown. Our office is on Court Avenue, a few blocks north of AutoZone Park. Call ahead for parking details.
254 Court Avenue, Suite 511, Memphis, TN 38103 · (901) 402-2000
Ready to Talk About Your Claim?
The driver who hurt you may have had nothing to pay with, but your own policy may still cover you. Contact us at (901) 402-2000 to speak with Cory Watson Attorneys, or contact us today through our free case review form.