Nashville Car Accident Attorney
Skilled Car Accident Attorneys Serving in Nashville, TN
Many Tennesseans rely on cars every day. Unfortunately, even the most attentive and careful drivers can be injured in a car accident caused by a single negligent person. For decades, the Nashville Car Accident Lawyers at Matt Hardin Law have served the needs of car accident victims in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. If you suffered a personal injury because of a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation.
In 2022, according to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Nashville reported over 14 million tourists and around 500,000 people commuting either in or out of metro Nashville every day. According to the Middle Tennessee crash report, there were close to 71,000 serious crashes in Middle Tennessee. Of those 71,000 accidents, over 6,700 were caused by distracted drivers and 5,000 were caused by drivers who were either drowsy, drinking, or on drugs. People injured or families who lost a loved one in a car accident caused by one of these drivers are entitled to seek compensation for their financial, emotional, and physical injuries.
Tennessee Law Protects the Victims of Negligent Drivers
A person injured in a car wreck may be able to seek compensation if the accident was caused by the negligence of another person or entity. The victim of the accident can file a negligence lawsuit against the responsible party, and a car accident attorney in Nashville can help. To bring a successful negligence lawsuit the person bringing the suit, the plaintiff, must prove:
- The defendant owed a reasonable person duty to the plaintiff;
- The defendant somehow breached this duty; and
- The plaintiff’s injuries were proximately caused by the defendant’s behavior.
NEVER A FEE UNLESS WE WIN YOUR AUTO ACCIDENT CASE
All drivers in Tennessee owe everyone else on the road a duty to behave the same as a reasonable person under similar circumstances. Failing to live up to this standard is called a breach. Defendants can breach their duty by sending a text message while driving, failing to yield the right of way, driving drunk, or engaging in any other behavior that is unreasonable given the circumstances.
To prove the final element, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s behavior resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries. In accident cases this is a straightforward proposition. A driver distracted by a text message causes an accident that injures the plaintiff. This is a clear example of causation. Any time an accident was directly caused by the defendant’s behavior, there is causation. Our Nashville car accident lawyers can help you determine the presence of this and other elements after a crash.
Why Choose Matt Hardin Law for Your Nashville Car Accident Case?
After a car accident in Nashville, insurance companies move fast to protect their bottom line — not yours. Here’s why injured victims across Nashville and Middle Tennessee trust Matt Hardin Law to fight for the compensation they deserve.
No Fee Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Unlike many firms, we never increase our fee if your case goes to trial. Our rate stays the same from start to finish, no matter what it takes.
Over Two Decades of Experience
Attorney Matt Hardin spent years on the insurance defense side before switching to represent injured victims. He understands how insurers evaluate car accident claims, how they work to minimize payouts, and exactly how to counter those tactics to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
We’re Prepared to Take Your Case to Court
While some firms push for quick settlements, we are fully prepared to take your car accident case to trial. We gather police reports, witness statements, accident reconstruction data, and evidence of negligence to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Available 24/7, Free Consultations
Our team answers phones around the clock. We offer free consultations in person, by phone, or via Zoom — and we can come to you at a hospital or another location if needed. There’s no obligation, just honest guidance on your options.
Recognized for Excellence
Matt Hardin has been recognized by Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, and Martindale-Hubbell®, and served as President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. Our Nashville car accident attorneys bring that same standard of advocacy to every case we handle.
Our Clients Always Come First
We are committed to clear, consistent communication so you always know where your case stands. We handle the legal heavy lifting — the paperwork, the phone calls, the negotiations — so you can focus on your recovery.
Time matters after a car accident in Nashville. Evidence fades, witnesses become harder to reach, and Tennessee’s statute of limitations is one year. Don’t wait.
Damages Are Available to Successful Plaintiffs
Once the plaintiff proves the three elements of a negligence claim by a preponderance of the evidence, she is entitled to damages, the amount of which is determined by a judge or jury.
Multiple types of damages are available in Tennessee. Economic compensatory damages are objective costs the plaintiff incurred as a result of the accident. Some examples of this type of damages are medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the cost of future medical care or therapy. Complementary to economic damages are so-called noneconomic damages.
These include more subjective injuries, such as pain and suffering or mental anguish. The jury can award both economic and non-economic damages based on the evidence presented at trial.
In some cases, the jury may also award punitive damages, which are special damages intended to punish defendants for egregious behavior. Punitive damages are awarded in a small percentage of cases, so ask an experienced lawyer if you have questions about the types of damages you might seek.
Meet Our Attorneys
Matt Hardin
ATTORNEY & OWNER
Matt Hardin is a second-generation attorney and owner of Matt Hardin Law, PLLC, where he represents clients across Tennessee and Kentucky in personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases. A former President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, Matt brings over two decades of experience and insight gained from his early career in insurance defense. Recognized by Best Lawyers®, Super Lawyers®, and Martindale-Hubbell® for his excellence in advocacy, he is deeply committed to achieving justice for injury victims throughout the region.
William Mayfield
PARTNER
William Mayfield is a dedicated personal injury attorney based in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Partner at Matt Hardin Law, PLLC. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, William brings a strong background in litigation and client advocacy, having interned with the Nashville Predators Legal Department and the Adams Law Firm. Outside the courtroom, he is deeply involved in community service—coaching youth sports, supporting the ALS Association, and serving on the Board of the Nashville Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.
Frequently Asked Questions — Nashville Car Accident Cases
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims — including car accidents — is one year from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation entirely. That’s why it’s critical to contact a Nashville car accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the more time your legal team has to preserve evidence, gather witness statements, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.
What damages can I recover after a car accident in Nashville?
If you were injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover objective financial losses such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and the cost of future medical care. Non-economic damages address more subjective harm, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. In rare cases involving especially reckless behavior, a jury may also award punitive damages. An experienced Nashville car accident lawyer can help you understand what types of compensation apply to your specific situation.
What does it cost to hire a Nashville car accident attorney at Matt Hardin Law?
There is no upfront cost to hire Matt Hardin Law. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Unlike many firms that increase their fee if your case goes to trial, our rate stays the same from start to finish — no surprises, no matter how far we have to go to fight for you. We also offer free consultations by phone, in person, or via Zoom, and we can come to you at a hospital or another location if needed.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Nashville?
After a car accident in Nashville, your first priority is your safety and health — call 911 and seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor. If you are able, document the scene by taking photos, collecting the other driver’s insurance and contact information, and getting witness names and numbers. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney — insurers often use these statements to minimize your claim. Contact Matt Hardin Law as soon as possible so we can begin preserving evidence and protecting your right to full compensation.
Contact a Nashville Car Accident Lawyer Today
The longer you wait to contact an attorney after an auto accident, the more difficult it can be to get the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When you contact the Nashville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law, we’ll act right away and begin preserving evidence, contacting witnesses, and analyzing crash scene debris.
Many car accident victims do not realize that if they were injured by a negligent driver, they are legally entitled to compensation. The first step in that process is contacting a knowledgeable lawyer. With his extensive experience, Nashville car accident attorney Matt Hardin has helped countless Tennesseans seek compensation for their car wreck injuries. Call visit our contact page to schedule a free case evaluation.