Nearly 40 people have died while biking or walking in Nashville this year.
For the sixth year in a row, pedestrian accident fatalities and bicycle accident deaths in Nashville are expected to increase and set a new record high, according to News Channel 5 Nashville.
"If someone gets hit in a crosswalk or on the street that's walking, they're not the one operating a deadly weapon," Wesley Smith, Policy and Relations Manager for Walk Bike Nashville, said in an interview with News Channel 5 Nashville. "I drive a car in this city. Most folks have to or do, and for those of us that do drive we have to understand the responsibility that comes with that and it's really serious."
Sadly, such news is no surprise to the legal team at the Law Office of Eric Beasley. That's because we have dedicated our legal careers to fighting for the rights of injured pedestrians and cyclists in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. If you were hit by a car in Nashville or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, contact us today to review your legal rights and options with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer.
Bicycle and pedestrian accident fatalities soar in Nashville
With less than a month before the end of this year, nearly 40 people have been killed in bicycle or pedestrian accidents in Nashville, according to Walk Bike Nashville officials interviewed by News Channel 5 Nashville.
Pedestrian accident fatalities alone in Nashville continue to get worse each year. Since 2017, there has been an increase in Nashville pedestrian deaths every year. Going back even further, pedestrian fatalities have increased by 225 percent since 2007, according to accident data compiled by Walk Bike Nashville.
While accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists can happen anywhere, Nashville's deadliest roads include Dickerson, Nolensville, and Murfreesboro Pikes, according to Walk Bike Nashville.
Why are more people being hit by cars in Nashville?
There are many reasons why pedestrian fatalities and bicycle accidents have become worse in Nashville in recent years. According to Walk Bike Nashville, common causes include:
- Speeding drivers, especially on roads that have speed limits over 30 mph.
- Poor lighting, especially on roads between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Nashville.
- Reckless or aggressive drivers who don't share the road with cyclists or pedestrians.
Other common causes traditionally include distracted driving, especially texting while driving, which has become one of the leading causes of pedestrian and bicycle accidents nationwide in recent years.
What can be done to prevent traffic accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists?
Walk Bike Nashville believes there are several ways the city can reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, including:
- Lowering speed limits on streets where speeding is a problem.
- Building protected bike lanes to protect cyclists from being hit by cars.
- Extending curbs so that cars have to make wider turns, especially at certain dangerous intersections.
- Educating drivers about the importance of sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists.
Talk to a pedestrian accident attorney who knows Nashville and Middle Tennesee.
Accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists in Nashville might seem straightforward, especially if a driver caused the collision. But the reality is such injury claims often become complicated legal cases. Sometimes, the driver claims they didn't do anything wrong. Other times, the at-fault driver's insurance company is the problem. In either scenario, experienced legal representation can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case.
Whatever the circumstances of your case, make sure you fully understand your legal rights. Make sure you contact the Law Office of Eric Beasley. We know the law. We understand how the legal system works. And we're prepared to do the work that needs to be done to do the job right. We also work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we win your case. It's that easy.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation to learn how a Nashville pedestrian accident attorney can help you.