- Meet Our Experienced Nashville Bicycle Accident Attorneys
- Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Nashville
- When Is It Best to Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?
- 2024 Bicycle Accident Statistics in Nashville
- Top Bicycle Accident Hotspots in Nashville
- What Are the Leading Causes of Nashville Cycling Accidents?
- What Are the Most Common Injuries in Nashville Bicycle Accidents?
- What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nashville Bicycle Accident?
- What Is My Cycling Accident Case Worth?
- Our Recent Case Results
- Who Are the Main Liable Parties in a Bike Accident in Nashville?
- How Do You Prove Negligence in a Nashville Bicycle Accident?
- Why Should You Choose the Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group to Handle Your Case?
- Cycling Laws in Nashville
- Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Nashville
- Contact an Expert Nashville Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
- Frequently Asked Questions
Cycling is a popular activity that keeps you healthy, helps the environment, and serves as a speedier means of transportation in a large city like Nashville. However, a biking accident is a traumatic experience that enforces physical, emotional, and financial challenges for the rider and their families.
Not every cyclist knows that their rights can be protected and that they can receive fair compensation that covers their losses, pain, and suffering after an incident. All it takes is an expert Nashville bicycle accident lawyer to take over the case and hold the negligent parties accountable!
Meet Our Experienced Nashville Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group is a dedicated personal injury law firm with a deep understanding of the local legal system and the utmost commitment to injured cyclists. Whether you’ve been hit by a car, fallen off your bike because of the riding conditions in the city, or suffered from other road users’ negligence, we’ve got your back!
Over the years of practicing in the field, our team has acquired the necessary experience to build a case programmed for victory. Moreover, we are dedicated to justice and remain committed to the cause despite the challenges. Our proven track record makes our attorneys a reliable ally every injured bicyclist can count on!
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Nashville
The initial actions you take following an incident can significantly impact the outcome of your future settlement case. While accidents are unexpected, staying rational when they occur is crucial. Our trained lawyers recommend the following course of action:
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Get to safety
If you can move on your own after the collision, you should get away from the street. The upcoming traffic can worsen the severity of your losses, especially when you remain barely noticeable in the middle of a busy street.
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Call 911
Sometimes, it seems that the sustained injuries and damages are minor and don’t deserve the fuss. However, only trained emergency service providers like medics and the police can assess the precise impact of the accident. Not to mention that you can use official reports as palpable evidence in your claim.
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Gather evidence
You can exchange contact information with other involved parties at the scene of the accident. It is also important to document your bicycle accident injuries, the surroundings, and other potential damages you’ve suffered.
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Stick to the facts
When corresponding with the police, the driver, or the insurance company agent, share bare facts. Do not express opinions and assumptions on what could have served as the main trigger of the crash, and don’t admit your fault.
When Is It Best to Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?
When it seems like a minor incident, you may feel reluctant to call a Nashville bicycle accident lawyer. However, it is hard to predict the consequences of the crash without an in-depth assessment of the case. You can contact a law firm right at the scene for a free consultation. After you share the details of the collision, a trained expert will instruct you on what to do to protect your rights.
In case you’ve suffered serious injuries and significant losses, you should contact a legal representative immediately. The fresher the evidence, the easier it will be to build a solid case and secure the maximum compensation.
2024 Bicycle Accident Statistics in Nashville
The cycling community in middle Tennessee may not be as well developed as one would hope. Despite the ongoing effort to improve local infrastructure and eliminate traffic fatalities in the state, only 0.1% of people use their bikes to get to work daily. The situation in Nashville may be even grimmer than across the other cities. The rise in vulnerable user fatality rates over the past few years has alarmed the locals.
Nashville is one of the largest cities in Davidson County, and here are the cycling incident statistics over the past five years in the area:
| Year | Fatal | Injuries | Property damage only | Total |
| 2020 | 0 | 52 | 3 | 55 |
| 2021 | 0 | 50 | 5 | 55 |
| 2022 | 2 | 51 | 6 | 59 |
| 2023 | 1 | 66 | 6 | 73 |
| 2024 | 1 | 48 | 5 | 54 |
On average, Davidson County faces at least 60 bicycle accidents a year, and riders have a 3% chance of sustaining fatal injuries while cycling in the area. Although the implementation of the Vision Zero Action Plan aims to improve the situation and make local streets safer, every bike rider must be alert and prepared to fight for their rights.
Top Bicycle Accident Hotspots in Nashville
According to Nashville’s High Injury Network, around 60% of all traffic fatalities take place on 6% of all streets in the city. Moreover, the local community created an interactive map to memorialize those who were tragically killed on the streets of Nashville in 2023. Based on available information, it is possible to highlight a few of the most dangerous locations in the area. They are the following:
- Lafayette Street: The street is known for its narrow lanes and heavy traffic, which suffice for growing crash rates. Moreover, there are a few intersections in the vicinity that lack proper visibility and inspire turning incidents.
- West End Avenue: The street serves as the main artery that connects the center of the city and the midtown. Congestion and insufficient speed limits, topped with a noticeable lack of well-equipped bike lanes, create favorable conditions for serious accidents.
- Church Street: This part of Nashville is known for its commercial purposes. Growing numbers of public vehicles, delivery trucks, and passenger cars lead to frequent traffic jams, dooring accidents, and other collisions.
What Are the Leading Causes of Nashville Cycling Accidents?
One can get into a bicycle accident due to a variety of reasons. However, there are a few conditions that are more frequent in the area than the rest:
- Negligent driving: It is illegal to text and drive in Nashville. However, many motor vehicle operators discard the rule, not realizing that a momentary lapse of attention can result in a catastrophic crash.
- Failing to yield: Legally, motorists owe a right of way to cyclists, but many drivers do not know that. Assuming that bike riders have to yield to cars, such drivers create dangerous road situations that often lead to lethal outcomes.
- Hazardous road conditions: The state of roadways and bike lanes isn’t always in the best conditions. Streets covered in potholes, debris, and other obstacles pose a serious threat to cyclists.
- Impaired drivers: Around 13% of all fatal accidents happen because of driving under the influence. An impaired motorist is four times more likely to speed and violate other traffic rules, leading to irreversible consequences.
- Road rage: Over the past five years, drivers have become twice as aggressive on the road. When a motorist decides to tailgate a bike rider, gesture at them, and behave rudely, they are likely to disrupt the cyclist’s control of the vehicle and cause an incident.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Nashville Bicycle Accidents?
People tend to underestimate the severity of bike incidents until they learn about the seriousness of the physical consequences they can bring. For example:
- Head traumas: A traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, intracranial hemorrhage, or skull fracture, is one of the most serious consequences of hitting your head on a hard surface. Such injuries can have a lasting effect on a person’s cognitive abilities and, in the most severe cases, lead to permanent disabilities.
- Fractures: Broken bones are yet another frequent trauma from falling off your bike, especially at high speeds. The force of the impact on the ground causes the bone to fracture. Some of the most complex fractures require complicated surgeries, reconstructions, and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Facial injuries: After being thrown off the vehicle, a cyclist may break facial bones and teeth. On top of that, the dust and debris on the road can get into the eyes and scratch the cornea, which in turn may trigger temporary or permanent blindness.
- Abdominal injuries: The force of the collision may ram a bicyclist’s abdominal area into the handlebars. A serious thrust may trigger severe internal injuries. Internal organ damage, as well as internal bleeding, takes a professional to be detected on time. Otherwise, it may lead to a wrongful death.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in a Nashville Bicycle Accident?
A bike accident victim can recover financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. However, it is also possible to claim punitive damages if you want to punish the negligent parties.
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Economic Damages
After an accident, an injured party undergoes a plethora of financial expenses. These include, but are not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages, property damage costs, and other countable losses. A professional Nashville bicycle accident attorney will help you assess past and future losses so that you can obtain a maximum settlement.
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Non-Economic Damages
Not monetary losses, such as emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions that negatively affect your life, may be slightly complex to recover. One can hardly provide precise medical bills or receipts that reflect the damages of the acquired condition in full. However, a trained legal advisor knows how to handle such personal injury cases, too.
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Punitive Damages
In extreme bicycle accident cases, the victim or their loved ones opt for additional measures to be applied to the responsible parties. If the at-fault party’s actions were ruled intentional or overly reckless, they would be punished to prevent such incidents in the future.
What Is My Cycling Accident Case Worth?
Often, injured bicyclists refrain from filing a compensation claim since they assume that the case isn’t worth the time and effort spent. The easiest way to get an idea of whether your case is worth something would be to use an online settlement calculator. The algorithm will provide an approximate amount of compensation you can recover.
However, there are numerous aspects that a calculator can’t assess. For example:
- The severity of your injuries: The more serious the injuries, the higher the compensation to claim. Besides, some traumas can have a life-altering effect. If a victim requires ongoing care or loses their earning capacity, they will be up for a higher settlement.
- Comparative negligence: Since Tennessee is a comparative negligence state, a plaintiff can obtain reimbursement of their damages as long as their contribution to the accident does not exceed 50%. The higher the percentage of contribution, the lower will be the settlement amount.
- Insurance policy limits: Every insurance company has a specific coverage limit intact. If the requested compensation exceeds it, you may not receive the amount that suffices for your losses. It is possible to seek alternative sources of reimbursement, and a qualified Nashville bicycle accident lawyer can advise you on which options to pursue to succeed.
Our Recent Case Results
Who Are the Main Liable Parties in a Bike Accident in Nashville?
Bicyclists don’t possess the same safety features as the other traffic participants. The statement is true not only in terms of vehicle protection but also in terms of insurance coverage. That is why a bike accident victim must evaluate the circumstances of the crash carefully to determine the liable entity that can compensate their damages in full.
Usually, the responsible parties in a cycling accident are the following:
- Vehicle drivers: Traffic incidents across Tennessee may have different underlying conditions. Yet, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 30% of the most serious injuries happen because of a collision with a motor vehicle.
- Pedestrians: The bicycle vs pedestrian incidents are more frequent than one would assume. Although cyclists owe pedestrians the right of passage, the latter can be quite negligent and irresponsible, which serves as an underlying cause of serious collisions. If a pedestrian gets in the way of the bicycle, they may be held liable for the crash.
- Governmental entities: Poorly maintained lanes covered in piles of leaves, debris, and potholes create dangerous riding conditions for bike riders. If an accident occurs because of a missing traffic sign or sudden change of road surface, the local municipality responsible for infrastructure will be held accountable for the inflicted losses.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Nashville Bicycle Accident?
When seeking compensation, it is not enough to state that a person or an entity is responsible for the accident. A valid accident claim relies on four main elements:
- Duty of care: Suppose you’ve been involved in an accident with a car. All motorists owe cyclists a duty of care. That is, they must obey traffic rules and maintain safe speed limits and distance when sharing the road.
- Breach of duty of care: If a driver ignores the right to yield, runs a red light, or distracts themselves to answer an incoming call while behind the wheel, they breach their duty of care.
- Causation: Even when a driver violates traffic rules, you still must showcase a direct link between their negligent actions and your injuries and losses. For example, a motorist opens a door without looking into their side mirror and throws the cyclist off their bike. The fall, in turn, leads to a mild concussion and a broken wrist — it means that the driver’s thoughtless behavior is proven to cause other person harm.
- Damages: Finally, the injured party has to prove that the accident is the primary source of their financial losses. You can use medical bills, employment records, receipts, and other documents that support the sustained damages to build a solid case.
Why Should You Choose the Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group to Handle Your Case?
There are multiple benefits that a professional Nashville bicycle accident attorney can bring into the case. Apart from their legal expertise, our legal representatives would assist you in the following ways:
- Open communication: From the initial free consultation to the final settlement, our lawyers will remain honest and open with you so that you stay well-informed throughout the process.
- Detailed case assessment: We’ll conduct a thorough investigation to obtain necessary evidence that improves your chances of a fair reimbursement. Moreover, our legal advisors will evaluate the slightest details that can increase your chances of obtaining compensation that reflects your past and future losses in full.
- Aggressive negotiations: We know how reluctant insurance adjusters can be to offer a just reimbursement. Our Nashville bike accident attorneys are committed and persuasive. They will reject any offer that does not suffice your interests.
- Cooperation based on trust: Our law firm does not charge our clients any upfront fees. We work on a contingency fee basis. You’ll compensate for the provided legal services only after you receive the maximum settlement.
Cycling Laws in Nashville
According to the state laws of Tennessee, a bicycle holds the status of a motor vehicle. This means that cyclists share the same rules and regulations as the rest of the road users. There are a few laws to keep in mind at all times. They may not eliminate the chance of getting into an accident, but at least you will be fully aware of your rights:
- Although drivers owe you a right of way, a bicyclist should give way to the traffic when leaving a sidewalk or a driveway.
- Cyclists can share lanes with other vehicles, but they must always follow in the same direction and stick to the far right of the lane.
- You should always let other traffic participants know about your direction. Bike riders have to use hand signals when changing lanes or making turns.
- Bicycles must be fully functioning before you take them into the street. Besides, all vehicles should be equipped with proper reflective equipment.
- All riders under 16 years old must wear a protective helmet.
If cyclists violate these laws, they may not only get injured in a bike accident but also face state-approved penalties.
Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Nashville
A Statute of Limitations is a state-governed deadline within which the injured party can file a compensation claim. If the person fails to do so within the given timeframe, they will potentially lose their right to a settlement. There may be some exceptions to the rule that can either shorten or extend the deadline. They depend on the underlying conditions of the incident. In all parts of Tennessee, including Nashville, the statute for personal injury cases is one year from the date of the accident.
Contact an Expert Nashville Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
It isn’t an easy task to face the legal consequences of a bicycle accident on your own, especially if you have your well-being to worry about first. Our Nashville bike accident lawyers know about the challenges you face firsthand. Contact our team for a free case evaluation, and we’ll tirelessly fight for your rights and the maximum settlement. If you agree that other people’s negligence shouldn’t go unnoticed, call us today!
Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.
