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Vehicular Assault A Team Who Will Tenaciously Defend You Every Step of the Way

Vehicular Assault Attorney Nashville, TN

What is Vehicular Assault?

Vehicular assault is a felony offense. According to TCA § 39-13-106, it occurs when a driver recklessly causes serious bodily injury to another person as a proximate result of the driver’s intoxication. This includes alcohol and/or drug intoxication. A person convicted of vehicular assault may face 2 to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

May McKinney represents drivers across Tennessee who have been arrested for and accused of vehicular assault, DUI, and all types of criminal traffic offenses. Our founding attorney, Rob McKinney, has practiced exclusively in criminal defense since 1994. While in law school, he worked as a law clerk for the Seventh Circuit Court in Nashville and witnessed numerous DUI and vehicular assault cases presented to the court. With over 80 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys are fully qualified to defend clients against felony vehicular assault charges.

For helpful insight regarding DUI with injury charges, call our Nashville vehicular assault attorneys at (615) 265-6383.

Aggravated Vehicular Assault: TCA § 39-13-115

In certain circumstances, a driver who is accused of causing an injury accident while intoxicated may face aggravated vehicular assault charges. These are explained in TCA § 39-13-115. Aggravated vehicular assault is a Class C felony, punishable by 3 to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 to $15,000 fine.

Aggravated vehicular assault occurs when a driver recklessly causes serious injury to another person as a result of his or her intoxication, and:

  • The driver has two or more prior DUI convictions or violations of the habitual motor vehicle offender law;
  • The driver has one or more prior convictions for vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, or aggravated vehicular homicide; or
  • The driver had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .20% or more at the time of the offense and has one prior conviction for DUI or violation of the habitual motor vehicle offender law.

Preparing a Defense in Vehicular Assault Cases in Tennessee

In any vehicular assault case, the prosecutor must prove that alcohol was the proximate cause of the accident and the injury. Just because you were involved in an accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not enough to support a conviction of vehicular assault.

With an inside perspective on the Tennessee court system, our Nashville vehicular assault lawyers know how to effectively investigate each case to make sure no holes exist in the evidence. We also partner with investigators to determine the root cause of vehicle accidents.

If you have been charged with vehicular assault or any drunk driving offense, we can review the facts to see whether your alcohol consumption caused the accident. Contact us today at (615) 265-6383!

Our Clients Say It Best

Read Our Client Testimonials

At May McKinney, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    "A Great Firm to work with!!"
    Mr. McKinney assisted my daughter with two separate cases. Both were handled very professionally and had very positive outcomes. He was always helpful when meetings were held and assisted in making this extremely stressful time easier for her. I would recommend his firm to anyone who needs the assistance of very capable, professional, caring attorneys.
    - L.R.
    "Made a Horrible Situation Bearable"

    Shyanne immediately knew what to do and handled my case with professionalism and expertise. She made a horrible situation bearable and stayed with me throughout the process.

    - Satisfied Client
    "Rob and his team did a fantastic job on my case... I would definitely use his services again."
    Rob and his team did a fantastic job on my case... I would definitely use his services again.
    - Larry P.
    "Stop searching for an attorney. Stop worrying about your legal woes. Stop wondering if your attorney actually cares and start letting Rob McKinney handle your case."
    In a nutshell, all of the glowing reviews that I read on this site are 100% spot-on. I had a DWI case reduced to reckless driving. Rob is a fighter and would have battled for a full dismissal if I had requested him to but after some discussion I concluded that accepting the lesser charge was the right move for me. Furthermore, Rob was able to file a motion and get the judge to dismiss my probation obligations once I finished the mandatory classes. It was the best possible result for me. I also need to mention that Karen, the front end of the firm, is spectacular and plays an important part in the firm's success and client experience. She responds to communications promptly and keeps you informed of what's happening as required while Rob and Shyanne stay busy getting the legal work done. Seriously, if you're searching for representation and nervous because you don't know who you can trust and rely on, just stop. I promise you these reviews you've been reading (just like I did before I contacted the firm) are accurate and you can quickly take some of the weight off of your shoulders by having a meeting at May & McKinney and retaining them for your case.
    - D.T.
    "Mr. McKinney is listed with Super Layers for a reason!"
    In the darkest and most ashamed moment of my life, Mr. McKinney with all of his kindness, encouragement, and unsurpassed knowledge for the Tennessee law was by my side. I am nearly 60 years old and never had a conflict in my life, let alone one that involved an uncontrollable emotional reaction, that resulted in a physical altercation. Yet under the influence of prescribed drugs for insomnia, anxiety management, and alcohol, I made a grave mistake which resulted in Class C Aggravated Assault Felony Charge. To complicate matters, I am not a resident of Tennessee. It goes without saying that Mr. McKinney has earned the utmost respect as a top tier lawyer from the Tennessee court system. He was able to professionally articulate my case to the court, emphasizing that I risk losing employment, showed that I voluntarily turned myself in, and that I was a first-time offender. The court listened to him and as a result he was able to negotiate terms that far exceeded my expectations. I spent a lot of time between my arrest and court appearance researching the standard outcomes for an aggravated assault charge in the State of Tennessee, and based on what I read, I expected the worst judgement to be passed down. Mr. McKinney however worked with the court system to not impose jailtime and an opportunity to have the charges expunged from my record. I know that I will forever be ashamed and grieve over the event, but he was able to provide me with the opportunity to work the rest of my life making this right to the victim, my family, and others that were emotionally impacted. Mr. McKinney is worth his weight in gold. He knows the law. He is respected. He is highly skilled as a lawyer. He is the very best. I only wish I met and got to know of him under better circumstances.
    - SB
    "Forever Grateful"
    My family will always be grateful to you.
    - Satisfied Client
    "Rob and his team are second to none."
    The need for a criminal defense attorney typically represents a low point in one’s highlight reel. Rob’s unmatched expertise, passion and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome during troubled times makes him the best available. Grateful to him and his team.
    - Anonymous
    "We Owe You"
    We owe you so much for helping us and our son. We appreciate your legal expertise and support you gave our son this April.
    - Melissa & Alan
  • "AV Preeminent" by Martindale Hubble
  • Super Lawyers
  • The Best Lawyers In America
  • Best 101 Lawyers in Tennessee by Nashville Business Journal
  • Nashville's Top Lawyers by The Tennessean
  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Nashville Bar Foundation
  • Tennessee Bar Association

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Why Choose May McKinney?

A Firm Committed to You, Your Case & Your Future
  • Nearly 80 Years of Combined Experience
    Our accomplished attorneys bring almost eight decades of combined criminal defense experience.
  • Educated In Our Field
    Our team believes in ongoing training in the criminal defense field. Our attorneys are educated in the latest forensic science technology and Attorney Riddle is Trauma Certified.
  • A Team Approach
    Our attorneys work each case as a unit, which is extremely beneficial to our clients. No matter the case size, it's integral to get the experience and knowledge of a team.
  • An Aggressive Defense
    When you choose May McKinney, you are choosing a team that will fight tooth and nail for your rights, your freedom, and your future.