Tennessee Car Accident Laws: Deadlines, Fault Rules & Insurance
A plain-English guide to the rules that shape a car accident claim in Tennessee — how long you have to file, how the state handles fault, whether it's a no-fault state, and the minimum insurance drivers must carry. If you were injured and want help, we can connect you with a vetted, Tennessee-licensed attorney in our network.
General information, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fault rules change and have many exceptions. The figures below are a starting point only — confirm the details of your specific case with an attorney licensed in Tennessee before relying on them.
Filing Deadline
1 Year
Statute of limitations (injury)
Fault Rule
Modified Comparative Negligence
No-Fault Auto?
No
Min. Liability
$25,000 / $50,000
Worth knowing in Tennessee
Tennessee's one-year injury filing deadline is among the shortest in the country — acting quickly matters.
The deadline to file in Tennessee
Tennessee generally gives injured people 1 year from the date of a crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit. Miss it and the court will almost always refuse the case, no matter how strong it is. The clock can run differently for claims involving a government vehicle, an injured minor, or a death, so the single most important early step is to confirm your actual deadline.
How Tennessee handles fault
Tennessee uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
No-fault vs. at-fault in Tennessee
Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
Minimum insurance in Tennessee
Drivers in Tennessee must carry at least $25,000 / $50,000 in liability coverage. Those minimums are often far below what a serious injury actually costs, which is why your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can end up being the coverage that matters most.
Injured in Tennessee? Talk to a Tennessee-licensed attorney.
CarInjuryLaw.com is a referral service. We'll connect you with a vetted attorney admitted in Tennessee for a free case review — no cost and no obligation to hire.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee's personal-injury statute of limitations is commonly cited as 1 year from the date of the crash. Deadlines have important exceptions (for minors, government defendants, and wrongful death, among others) and can change, so confirm the deadline that applies to your specific case with a Tennessee-licensed attorney before relying on it.
Is Tennessee a no-fault or at-fault state?
Tennessee is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurer — is responsible for the resulting damages, so establishing fault is central to your claim.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the Tennessee crash?
Tennessee uses modified comparative fault: you can recover as long as your share of fault stays below the state's bar (generally around half), with compensation reduced by your percentage.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Tennessee?
Tennessee's minimum liability limits are commonly cited as $25,000 / $50,000. Minimum coverage is often far less than a serious injury actually costs, which is why underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage matters. Confirm current requirements with the Tennessee insurance regulator or a licensed attorney.