Reviewed by Larry Peters, Attorney licensed in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, and Georgia · Last reviewed: June 2026.
Nothing prepares a family for the sudden loss of a loved one in a crash. On Cordova’s roads, the most catastrophic wrecks tend to happen where speed and size collide — high-speed and freight traffic on Interstate 40 along the community’s northern edge, and serious crashes on the busy Germantown Parkway corridor. When a death results from another’s negligence, Tennessee law gives the family the right to seek accountability and compensation through a wrongful-death claim.
No amount of money can undo such a loss, but a wrongful-death case can provide financial stability and a measure of justice, and it can hold a careless driver or company responsible so others are spared the same grief. Southern Injury Attorneys are Tennessee-licensed wrongful-death lawyers who handle these cases with compassion and resolve. We take the legal burden off the family, pursue every source of compensation, and charge no fee unless we win.
Sources: Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 20-5-106, 20-5-113, 28-3-104; Tennessee TITAN crash data (2024).
What is a wrongful-death claim?
A wrongful-death claim is a civil action brought when a person dies because of someone else’s negligence or wrongful act — a distracted or impaired driver, a trucking company that ignored safety rules, or a property owner whose neglect caused a fatal injury. It is separate from any criminal case the state may bring; a wrongful-death claim seeks financial compensation for the family and the estate, and it can succeed even if no criminal charges are filed or a conviction is not obtained. Its purpose is both to compensate and to hold the responsible party accountable.
Who can bring the claim in Tennessee
Tennessee’s wrongful-death statute (Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-5-106) sets a priority order for who may file. The right generally passes first to the surviving spouse, who may share any recovery with the deceased’s children; if there is no surviving spouse, to the children or next of kin; then to the personal representative of the estate; and in certain circumstances to the surviving parents. Because disputes can arise over who has the right to bring the case and how recovery is shared, having a lawyer guide the family through this structure is important.
Damages under Tennessee law
Tennessee’s wrongful-death damages (Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-5-113) are unusual in that they have two parts. The first compensates for the losses suffered by the person who died — including the medical expenses and conscious pain and suffering before death, and the value of the life that was lost. The second compensates the surviving family for their losses — the loss of the loved one’s financial support, services, companionship, guidance and consortium. Together these can represent a substantial recovery, and documenting both parts fully is essential to a fair result.
Fatal crashes in Cordova
The deadliest crashes around Cordova cluster on the fastest, heaviest roads. Interstate 40, with its mix of high-speed commuters and tractor-trailers at the Whitten Road, Sycamore View and Canada Road interchanges, produces severe and often fatal collisions. The stop-and-go Germantown Parkway corridor and its intersections see deadly angle and pedestrian crashes, and motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities occur on the wide arterials. Each of these scenarios calls for a thorough investigation to establish exactly who was at fault and why.
Common causes of fatal crashes
Wrongful-death cases frequently trace back to the same preventable failures: impaired and distracted driving, excessive speed, fatigued or reckless commercial-truck operation, and failure to yield. In truck cases, a fatal crash may involve violations of federal safety rules and multiple responsible companies. We investigate the full chain of causes — not just the driver, but any employer, vehicle defect or property condition that contributed — because identifying every responsible party determines the compensation available to the family.
How insurers defend these cases
Even in the face of a death, insurers fight to limit what they pay. They may dispute fault, argue the deceased was partly responsible to invoke Tennessee’s comparative-fault rule, or contest the value of the family’s loss. Under modified comparative fault with a 50% bar, the recovery can be reduced or barred if the deceased is assigned too much blame. We anticipate these tactics and build a thorough liability and damages case — often with accident-reconstruction and economic experts — so the family is not re-victimized by the insurance company.
The one-year deadline
Tennessee’s wrongful-death statute of limitations is generally one year from the date of death under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104 — one of the shortest in the country. There are limited exceptions, but families should never assume one applies. Because evidence from a fatal crash — vehicle data, the scene, witness accounts — must be preserved quickly, and because grieving families understandably need time, it helps to have a lawyer handle these time-sensitive steps as early as possible.
What to do after a fatal Cordova crash
In the aftermath of a fatal crash, families are dealing with grief, not legal strategy — and that is exactly how it should be. To the extent possible, it helps to obtain the police report, keep the deceased’s vehicle and belongings, and avoid signing anything or giving statements to the at-fault party’s insurer. You do not need to navigate this alone. When you are ready, a brief, no-pressure conversation with a lawyer can ensure the evidence is preserved and the deadline is protected while you focus on your family.
How we handle a wrongful-death case
We begin by taking the legal weight off the family. We determine who has the right to bring the claim, preserve and investigate the evidence, and identify every responsible party and insurance policy. We work with experts to establish liability and to document both the losses of the person who died and the losses of the survivors. Then we pursue a full recovery through negotiation and, if necessary, a lawsuit in Shelby County Circuit Court — or federal court where appropriate. We handle everything on a contingency fee, so there is never a fee unless we win.
Compassion and respect throughout
A wrongful-death case is unlike any other kind of claim, and we treat it that way. We move at a pace that respects your grief, keep you informed without overwhelming you, and shoulder the adversarial work of dealing with insurers and defense lawyers so you can focus on your family. Our goal is to secure the accountability and financial security your family deserves while treating your loved one’s memory with the dignity it deserves. From the first conversation through the final resolution, your family will work with a team that treats the case as the deeply personal matter it is, answers your questions honestly, and never asks for a fee unless we win.
In short: When a fatal Cordova crash takes a loved one, Tennessee law lets the family seek accountability and compensation — but the one-year deadline and the statute’s priority rules make early guidance important. We carry the legal burden so you can grieve. Call 800-224-5546.
What our Cordova-area clients say
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“My lawyer was always available to answer any questions and went above and beyond to make sure we got what we deserved! Everyone was so nice and made me feel like I was important!”
“Attorney Williamson & Ayah were amazing during my case. I really appreciate them for being so patient with me and with the other party. I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS!”
“Absolutely the best in the city. Very professional – they helped me with my slip and fall with the apartment complex! Would recommend to anyone with a car accident or slip and fall.”
“I had a time-urgent issue and Jimmy was exceptionally prompt in helping me. He truly listened to my concerns. I did not feel like just another payday for him – and my issue was resolved in my favor! 10/10 recommend!”
“This firm assisted me from start to finish without any hesitation or unnecessary fees. Extremely professional and timely. I am unfamiliar with the laws, but Southern Injury guided me the whole way. Highly recommend!”
“From the start they were honest, responsive, and completely committed to my case. They fought hard and made sure I got the compensation I deserved. If you are looking for a lawyer who truly has your back, this is the one.”
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle wrongful-death cases in Cordova?
Yes. We are Tennessee-licensed wrongful-death lawyers representing families throughout Cordova, Wolfchase, Bartlett, Collierville and the rest of Shelby County after fatal crashes, including on Interstate 40 and Germantown Parkway.
Who can file a wrongful-death claim in Tennessee?
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-5-106, the right passes in priority order: first the surviving spouse (who may share recovery with the children), then the children or next of kin, then the personal representative of the estate, and in certain cases the surviving parents.
What damages can a Tennessee wrongful-death claim recover?
Tennessee allows two categories under § 20-5-113: the losses of the person who died (including medical expenses, conscious pain and suffering, and the value of the life lost) and the losses of the survivors (financial support, services, companionship, guidance and consortium).
How long do we have to file a wrongful-death claim in Tennessee?
Generally one year from the date of death under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104. Limited exceptions exist, but families should not rely on them. Because evidence must be preserved quickly, it is best to consult a lawyer early.
Do we need a criminal conviction to bring a wrongful-death claim?
No. A wrongful-death claim is a civil action that is separate from any criminal case. It can succeed even if no criminal charges are filed or a conviction is not obtained, because the standard of proof is different.
What if our loved one was partly at fault?
Tennessee follows modified comparative fault with a 50% bar. The family can still recover if the deceased was less than 50% at fault, though the recovery is reduced by that percentage. We build a strong liability case to minimize any blame placed on your loved one.
How much does a Cordova wrongful-death lawyer cost?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee and are paid only if we win. The consultation is free, confidential and available 24/7. Call 800-224-5546.
About the author: Larry “Jimmy” Peters
Founder & Personal Injury Attorney, Southern Injury Attorneys
Licensed in Tennessee (BPR #37889), Mississippi, Arkansas (#2020103), Texas (#24113438), Kentucky, and Georgia (#936535).
Jimmy Peters founded Southern Injury Attorneys with one mission: maximizing compensation for people injured in car, truck, and premises-liability accidents across the Mid-South. He and his team handle auto and 18-wheeler crashes, slip-and-fall and other injury claims on a contingency fee — no fee unless the firm wins — and he personally reviews the firm’s legal content for accuracy. ★ 4.8/5 from 96 verified Google reviews. If you were hurt in Cordova or anywhere in Shelby County, the consultation is free.
This article provides general information about Tennessee personal injury law for Cordova and Shelby County residents and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts, and deadlines such as the one-year statute of limitations can be shorter in some situations. For advice about your specific situation, speak with a licensed attorney. Call Southern Injury Attorneys at 800-224-5546 for a free consultation.
