Bus vs Semi-Truck Crash Leaves 6 Injured on Poplar Ave in Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN (September 15, 2026) – Six people were hurt on Tuesday morning, September 15, after a Memphis Area Transit Authority bus and a semi-truck came together on Poplar Avenue near North 2nd Street. 

Memphis Police and emergency crews said the wreck happened just after 10:45 a.m. to assist those involved and manage traffic in the area. 

The passengers were taken to a local hospital for treatment, and their injuries were said to be non-critical. 

It was not said what caused the vehicles to collide. MATA said its operator remained on hand and cooperated with the response. The transit authority also said it was reviewing the crash internally as part of its standard safety procedures. 

Our thoughts are with those hurt as they recover.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Memphis, TN Bus Crash?

Determining responsibility after a bus wreck often involves more parties than a typical two-car crash, since fault could rest with the bus operator, the other driver, or even the transit authority itself, depending on what caused the collision. 

When a public transit agency like MATA is involved, claims can be subject to Tennessee's Governmental Tort Liability Act, which sets specific procedures and caps on how much can be recovered from a government entity. These caps and procedures don't apply the same way to a private commercial driver, such as someone operating a semi-truck.

MATA is a government-affiliated agency, so injured passengers may face additional procedural requirements under the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act beyond the state's standard one-year filing deadline. This may include a separate notice-of-claim step that must be filed with the government agency within as little as 60 or 120 days of the injury. 

If a person misses that required step, it can prevent a claim from moving forward, regardless of how clear the facts are.

If a commercial truck driver contributed to the crash, additional regulations under federal trucking law may also come into play, including rules about driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo weight. 

All these regulations create separate grounds for a claim against the trucking company beyond what applies to the bus itself. A bus accident lawyer can help identify which parties may be responsible and make sure any required notice deadlines involving a government entity are met on time.

Bus and truck accidents can leave injured people with a lot of confusion when it comes to the claim process. At Fox & Farmer, we can help people sort through these claims while fully understanding their options. 

You can reach out to Fox & Farmer at 423-531-9400 to discuss your situation with our team and learn more. 

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information presented, Fox & Farmer has not independently verified all details of the incident reported. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Fox & Farmer so we can promptly review and update the content.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal or medical advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fox & Farmer. If you have been injured in an accident, seek appropriate medical care and consult a qualified attorney regarding your legal options. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual accident scene or individuals involved.