Many of Nashville's traffic accidents occur around the city's downtown and Midtown areas. These traffic accidents are often the result of speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to yield. Pedestrians and bicyclists are particularly at risk in Nashville's Midtown. Unlike vehicle drivers, they don't have the protection of airbags, seatbelts, and vehicle frames. This makes them vulnerable to serious and potentially fatal injuries.
To address the ongoing risks to pedestrians and bicyclists, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is calling on the public to weigh in on two major pedestrian and bicycle projects. These projects include the Church Street Complete Street and Athena Bikeways, with the goal of improving safety in the Midtown area.
What is the Church Street Complete Street?
As part of Nashville's Vision Zero initiative, the Church Street Complete Street project focuses on eliminating fatalities and serious injuries. Vision Zero is a collaborative effort between NDOT and the Mayor's Office, and this project plays a key role in reaching that goal.
The Church Street project will extend from 8th Avenue and Rosa Parks Boulevard to 25th Avenue. It will include local landmarks such as the Rock Block and Centennial Park. The plan involves creating protected lanes for bicyclists and micro-mobility device users.
According to NDOT, "Complete streets" means designing streets that accommodate all travelers. That's regardless of their age or how they choose to get around. From walkers to drivers, everyone benefits when the road becomes safer and more accessible.
The project also aligns with the Connect Downtown Action Plan, which will address traffic congestion in the heart of the city. By repurposing nearly two miles of the Midtown corridor, NDOT hopes to improve traffic flow while making space for all road users.
How will Athena Bikeways impact Nashville's Midtown?
NDOT is also looking for feedback on the Athena Bikeways Project. This project will bring approximately three miles of bikeways and Complete Street improvements to Midtown. This project is part of Nashville's 2022 WalknBike strategic plan, which focuses on enhancing sidewalks and bikeways across the city.
The Athena project will cover several streets, including 25th Avenue North, Patterson Street, and Acklen Park Drive. These routes will be revamped to ensure safer and more efficient travel for bicyclists and pedestrians. NDOT's vision includes creating more options for those who prefer two wheels over four while maintaining traffic operations for vehicles.
Anna Dearman, NDOT's walking and biking manager, recently discussed the broad impact these projects will have. "The Church and Athena projects will improve safety for everyone traveling, including people biking, walking, using transit, and driving," she said in a recent press release. "With these initiatives, NDOT seeks to provide additional multimodal mobility options, increase safety, and maintain traffic operations for people living, working, and traveling to-and-through Midtown."
Common causes of pedestrian accidents
Pedestrian accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Some of the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted are less likely to notice pedestrians, leading to devastating accidents.
- Speeding: When drivers exceed the speed limit, they have less time to react to pedestrians crossing the road or walking near traffic, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
- Failure to yield: Many pedestrian accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way at crosswalks or intersections, often striking pedestrians while they are legally crossing the street.
- Running red lights or stop signs: Drivers who run red lights or ignore stop signs can hit unsuspecting pedestrians, especially at busy intersections.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs a driver’s judgment, reaction time, and awareness, making pedestrian accidents more likely.
- Left turns at intersections: Drivers turning left at intersections may focus on oncoming traffic and fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street, leading to collisions.
We hold negligent drivers accountable and protect the rights of injured pedestrians
If you were hit by a car and injured in a pedestrian accident in Nashville, you need someone who will go the extra mile and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve under Tennessee law. Attorney Eric Beasley has over 20 years of experience taking on insurance companies and fighting for the rights of injured pedestrians. Whether you were hit by a car in a crosswalk or while walking along a road, The Law Office of Eric Beasley knows how to hold negligent and reckless drivers accountable. For instance, some of our notable case results include:
- $2.5 million to the family of a pedestrian killed by a drunk driver.
- $450,000 in a pedestrian wrongful death case involving a food delivery vehicle.
- $250,000 in a policy limits settlement for internal injuries after a pedestrian was hit by a drunk driver.
To find out how we can help with your potential legal case, contact our law firm online or call us to schedule a free consultation. If you decide to work with us, it won't cost you anything upfront. That's because we work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if we win your case.