Tennessee Car Accident Settlement Calculator
Estimate your Tennessee car accident claim using real settlement data and TN-specific fault laws
Last reviewed: April 2026
Your Injury
Your Estimated Settlement
$39,000 — $69,000
Car Accident Settlement Data
Based on 51,932 real payments totaling $2B from federal and municipal traffic accident claims.
Average
$39K
Median
$5K
25th %ile
$3K
90th %ile
$35K
Source: U.S. Treasury, NYC Comptroller, Chicago City Data. Actual payouts may vary based on individual circumstances.
How Your Estimate Compares to Insurance Claims Data
Based on bodily injury liability claims reported to the NAIC across 50 states (2020–2022):
Your State Avg
$31K
National Avg
$29K
3-Year Change
+19.4%
Your estimate is in a similar range to the average BI claim in your state, which is common for moderate injury cases.
Source: NAIC 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report, adopted December 2025.
Editorially Reviewed — Content reviewed for accuracy using published legal research, government data, and verified court records. See our methodology
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Car Accident Settlements in Tennessee
Tennessee uses a modified comparative (50% bar) system. Modified comparative negligence with strict 50% bar — you're barred from recovery if 50% or more at fault. Tennessee has a very short 1-year statute of limitations AND caps non-economic damages. Additionally, Tennessee caps non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases, which directly affects car accident settlements.
The average bodily injury (BI) claim in Tennessee is approximately $232,049 based on NAIC data, with a median settlement of $87,500 from our database of 5,658 Tennessee cases. Our calculator uses the same multiplier method insurance adjusters use, benchmarked against real government settlement data.
Key Tennessee factors: Modified Comparative (50% Bar) fault system, 1-year statute of limitations, minimum insurance of 25/50/25 (mandatory uninsured motorist coverage).
Tennessee Car Accident Settlement Statistics
Avg. BI Claim (NAIC)
$232,049
Median Settlement (NPDB)
$87,500
Fault System
Modified Comparative (50% Bar)
Tennessee Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Settlement
Modified Comparative (50% Bar) (McIntyre v. Balentine (1992)): Modified comparative negligence with strict 50% bar — you're barred from recovery if 50% or more at fault. Tennessee has a very short 1-year statute of limitations AND caps non-economic damages.
Statute of limitations: You have 1 year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Tennessee (Tenn. Code § 28-3-104). Missing this deadline generally means losing your right to sue. Tennessee's 1-year deadline is one of the shortest in the country — act quickly.
Tennessee Car Accident Settlement FAQs
What is the average car accident settlement in Tennessee?
The average bodily injury claim in Tennessee is approximately $232,049 based on NAIC insurance data, with a median of $87,500 from our database of 5,658 cases. However, settlements vary enormously based on injury severity — minor soft tissue injuries may settle for $5,000-$15,000, while serious injuries involving surgery can reach $100,000-$500,000+.
How does Tennessee's fault law affect my settlement?
Tennessee's modified comparative negligence system means you can recover damages as long as you are LESS than 50% at fault. At exactly 50% or more, you're barred from recovery entirely. Your award is reduced by your fault percentage. This directly impacts the settlement amount you can expect to receive.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for personal injury from a car accident is 1 year from the date of the accident (Tenn. Code § 28-3-104). Missing this deadline typically means you lose the right to sue. If filing against a government entity, shorter deadlines may apply.
Does Tennessee cap car accident settlement amounts?
Tennessee caps non-economic damages at $750,000 per plaintiff, or $1,000,000 for catastrophic injuries (paraplegia, quadriplegia, severe burns, amputation of 2+ limbs, wrongful death of a parent of a minor). This cap applies to car accident cases.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer in Tennessee?
Generally, no. Insurance companies in Tennessee typically start with a low offer. Our data shows that the average BI claim in Tennessee is $232,049, and first offers are frequently well below this.
Other Injury Type Calculators
Same crash, different injury — settlements vary by injury type. Each calculator uses type-specific insurer formulas.
Other State Calculators
Other Calculators for Tennessee
Each Tennessee calculator reflects state-specific laws (caps, statutes of limitations, comparative-negligence rules) and uses Tennessee verdict data where available.
Car Accident Settlement Calculators by State
Settlement ranges, statutes of limitations, and comparative-fault rules differ by state — see yours: