Memphis Car Accident Attorney
We Fix Problems. A Wreck Is a Big One.
At Balestrini, Barnes, Jaber & Wood, PLLC we fix problems. One problem that can ruin anyone's day is a wreck. The physical shock, talking to the police, watching your car get hauled away, and the possibility of taking a trip to the hospital — whatever you were doing that day, it just got put on hold. Now imagine it's a serious car accident and you've been severely injured. Do you really want to talk to an insurance adjuster by yourself the day after the wreck? Of course not.
When you want peace of mind and the maximum recovery, call us. Attorney Patrick Barnes has helped car accident victims across Memphis maximize their recovery and put their life back together.
There's no such thing as a "simple car accident" case. The moment you hear the crunch of metal and the shatter of glass, your life has entered a difficult period. You have medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, and other expenses. You need help from a lawyer fast — not the insurance company runaround. If you have been injured in a car wreck in Memphis, don't go it alone. Patrick Barnes will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Protect your rights by speaking to a lawyer first. Insurance companies have become very aggressive at contacting car accident victims quickly after the event. Don't settle before you know what your case is actually worth. Call (901) 578-1515.
Your Attorney
Patrick Barnes — Memphis Car Accident Attorney
Attorney Patrick Barnes has been practicing in Memphis since 2012 and is a founding partner of Balestrini, Barnes, Jaber & Wood, PLLC. He handles personal injury cases alongside his divorce and federal criminal defense practice, and is often the first point of contact for clients navigating a new legal situation — including accident victims who don't yet know what their case is worth or where to start.
Patrick knows how insurance companies operate and what it takes to build a claim that gets full value — not a fast lowball offer. If you've been injured in a car accident in Memphis, talking to him before you talk to anyone else is the most important call you can make.
Learn more about Attorney Patrick Barnes →
What to do after a car accident in Memphis — and the deadline nobody warns you about →
Injured in an Uber or Lyft accident in Memphis? →
What You Need to Know
Insurance Adjusters Are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies have become very aggressive at contacting car accident victims quickly after the event. It's their belief that quick contact helps them settle cases faster and that somehow this is beneficial to you. In reality, they push for a quick settlement before the victim even realizes the value of the losses they have incurred or the severity of their injury.
It is very common for adjusters to reach out to injured parties almost immediately after a car accident. They will want to talk to you before you hire an attorney. They will ask you what happened in the accident and about your injuries and damages. They are trained to lure you into saying something detrimental to your case. So long as you have not agreed to anything with them, come in and discuss your case with us. Let us know exactly what was said.
Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney. Do not agree to any settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Call us first: (901) 578-1515.
How We Build Your Case
From Start to Finish, We Have Your Interests at Heart
Patrick Barnes works with investigators and accident re-constructionists to determine how the car accident happened. If the case involves serious injuries, we work with your doctor or other medical specialists to learn what medical care and services you will need for full recovery. We also calculate your lost wages and place a value on your pain and suffering for inclusion in the compensation demand.
What We Fight to Recover For You
- Medical expenses — emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, ongoing treatment
- Lost wages — income lost while you were unable to work due to your injuries
- Future lost earnings — if your injuries affect your long-term ability to work
- Pain and suffering — physical and emotional hardship caused by the accident
- Property damage — repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal property
- Future medical expenses — if your injuries require ongoing or long-term care
Types of Cases We Handle
- Car and truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rideshare accidents (Uber, Lyft)
- Premises liability
- Wrongful death
Why It Matters Who You Hire
You Are More Than a Number to Us
Having a trusting relationship with your attorney is key. Large law firms have many, many clients. Your attorney may or may not know who you are unless they have your file sitting right in front of them. A smaller firm has fewer cases. While BBJW LAW isn't small, we don't take on more cases than we can handle. Our attorneys will recognize you at the grocery store and say "Hi." You will be more than a number to us.
In most car accident cases, an attorney can drastically increase the amount of your total award. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and advise you on the likelihood of recovery. There is no obligation and no cost to sit down with us and understand your options.
We are Memphians representing Memphians. Not a billboard from Florida. Not a TV ad from a national firm. When you hire us, you get attorneys who live and work right here in this city. Call (901) 578-1515.
One More Thing
After a serious accident, you may be contacted by attorneys or their agents soliciting your case. First, they should not have contacted you directly. Attorneys in Tennessee are strictly prohibited from making direct contact with someone whom they believe needs representation.
If you have not agreed to representation, great — come talk to us. If you have already agreed to representation and are having second thoughts, call them and let them know that their services are no longer needed. If you've paid them anything — anything at all — ask for your money back. Attorneys in Tennessee cannot directly solicit a client and charge any fees for doing so.
Common Questions
Car Accident Cases — What You Need to Know
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Memphis?
Call 911 and get a police report — this is critical. Get medical attention even if you feel fine, because many injuries don't present immediately. Document the scene with photos if you can. Get the other driver's insurance information. Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene. And most importantly, do not speak to the other driver's insurance company before calling an attorney. The decisions you make in the first 24 to 48 hours can significantly affect your case.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster after a car accident?
No. The other driver's insurance adjuster is not on your side. Their job is to close your claim for as little money as possible. They will call quickly, sound friendly, and ask questions designed to get you to say something that reduces their liability. Do not give a recorded statement. Do not accept any settlement offer. Call an attorney first.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of the accident. This is shorter than most states. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to recover entirely. Do not wait — contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
What damages can I recover after a car accident?
You may be entitled to recover medical expenses including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing treatment; lost wages for time missed from work; future lost earnings if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term; pain and suffering; property damage to your vehicle and personal property; and future medical costs for long-term or permanent injuries. The full value of a case often isn't known until the extent of your injuries is clear — which is one reason not to settle quickly.
What if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Tennessee requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. If you have this coverage, your own policy may compensate you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage to cover your damages. This is one of several reasons why reviewing your own policy with an attorney after an accident matters.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover damages as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance adjusters will often try to assign you more fault than is warranted to reduce their payout. An attorney can help make sure the fault allocation is fair.
I was in an accident with an Uber or Lyft driver. What happens?
Rideshare accidents involve multiple layers of insurance coverage depending on whether the driver was actively transporting a passenger, waiting for a ride request, or off the app entirely. Both Uber and Lyft carry commercial insurance policies, but the available coverage varies by the driver's status at the time of the accident. These cases are more complex than standard car accidents and benefit from early legal involvement.
How long does a car accident case take?
It depends on the severity of your injuries and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Minor cases with clear liability can sometimes resolve in a few months. Cases involving serious injuries often take a year or more, particularly if surgery or long-term treatment is involved and the full extent of damages isn't clear until treatment is complete. Settling too early — before you know the full extent of your injuries — is one of the most common and costly mistakes accident victims make.
How do car accident attorneys charge?
Most personal injury attorneys, including ours, handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. The fee is a percentage of the recovery. There is no cost to consult with us and no upfront fees to get started.
Someone contacted me after my accident trying to sign me up for legal representation. Is that normal?
No — and it's illegal in Tennessee. Attorneys in Tennessee are strictly prohibited from directly contacting accident victims to solicit representation. If someone reached out to you — whether in person, by phone, or through a third party — that is a violation of the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct. If you have not signed anything, come talk to us. If you signed something and have second thoughts, you can terminate the relationship. Attorneys who solicit clients directly in Tennessee cannot charge fees for doing so.