Deadly Summer for Nashville Motorcyclists Raises Questions About Who's Really at Fault

NASHVILLE, TN, October 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- At least three motorcyclists have died on Nashville roads since June. They include a 46-year-old Metro Parks employee who crashed on an Interstate 440 exit ramp on Sept. 1, according to WSMV. On July 30, a 19-year-old rider died on I-65 near Dickerson Pike after hitting the back of a tractor-trailer. On June 3, a 35-year-old rider died after colliding with a car on Hermitage Avenue, Fox 17 reported.

"When a motorcycle's involved, people tend to assume the rider was speeding," said Will Patterson, an attorney with Tennessee firm Patterson Bray PLLC. "Sometimes that's true. But a lot of times another driver just didn't look."

The firm encourages injured riders and their families not to treat early police statements as the final word on fault. Their Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers can look at whether another driver or the road itself played a part.

How Tennessee Divides Fault

Tennessee follows modified comparative fault, a rule the Tennessee Supreme Court adopted in McIntyre v. Balentine. Under that rule:

• Each person involved in the crash is assigned a percentage of fault, either in settlement talks or by a jury.
• A rider whose share is less than 50 percent can still recover damages, reduced by that share. A rider found 20 percent at fault for a $100,000 loss would recover $80,000.
• A rider found 50 percent or more at fault recovers nothing from the other parties.

Evidence to Gather and Filing Deadlines to Keep in Mind

A police report reflects what officers learned at the scene, often before video is collected or every witness is interviewed. Footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras may be recorded over or lost within days. Vehicle data, skid marks, and witness accounts gathered later can shift the fault percentages considerably.

Tennessee also generally allows only one year to file an injury claim under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, so families who wait may lose the chance to use that evidence.

About Patterson Bray PLLC:

Patterson Bray PLLC handles personal injury cases across Tennessee and Mississippi, including motorcycle, car, and truck accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice claims. Will Patterson focuses on tort, commercial, and construction litigation. Best Lawyers in America recognizes him for Personal Injury Litigation and Commercial Litigation. He earned his J.D. from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and is admitted to practice in Tennessee, Mississippi, and multiple federal courts. The firm has offices in Memphis and Nashville, answers its phones 24 hours a day, and offers free consultations for personal injury matters, which can be requested online.

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