Nashville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Pedestrian accident victims are often left with serious injuries, medical bills, and emotional distress. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Nashville, you need experienced legal advocates on your side.

At The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton, dedicated Nashville pedestrian accident attorneys have been helping victims recover the compensation they deserve. We recognize the nuances of pedestrian accident cases and work relentlessly to hold negligent drivers accountable.

Whether your accident was caused by distracted driving, speeding, or failure to yield, we are here to guide you through the legal process. Let us take care of the legal hurdles while you focus on healing. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Successful Case Settlements

The following case result shows our commitment to protecting pedestrian safety and securing justice for those harmed through no fault of their own.

Nighttime Pedestrian Accident — $830,000

A pedestrian was struck while walking in the street at night due to the absence of a shoulder on the roadway. Despite the challenging circumstances of the case, our legal team successfully argued that inadequate road design and driver negligence contributed to this serious accident. We secured substantial compensation that reflected the severity of our client’s injuries and the impact on their life.

Recoverable Damages in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accident victims may recover fair compensation for their losses. These costs are typically categorized into economic and non-economic damages, each addressing different aspects of victims’ suffering and financial burdens in personal injury claims.

Economic Damages

These damages are intended to cover the tangible financial losses that result from the accident. These may include:

Medical Expenses: Victims may seek compensation for all medical costs they bear due to the accident, including hospital bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care required for ongoing treatment or rehabilitation.

Lost Wages: If the victim is unable to work because of their injuries, they may be entitled to recover lost income for the time they were unable to earn a living. This can also relate to future lost earning capacity if the injuries have long-term effects on their ability to work.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the intangible losses that are more subjective and harder to quantify yet equally impactful on the victim’s life. These may include:

Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and mental strain endured as a result of the accident and the injuries sustained.

Emotional Distress: Victims may experience anxiety, depression, or trauma due to the accident, and compensation can be sought for these psychological impacts.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injuries have affected the victim’s ability to enjoy ordinary activities, hobbies, or quality of life, they may be entitled to compensation for this loss.

Loss of Consortium: In some cases, the victim’s spouse or family members may seek damages for the loss of companionship, affection, or support due to the victim’s injuries.

Common Injuries Following Pedestrian Accidents

Accidents involving cars and pedestrians often result in serious injuries, including the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain and head injuries are among the most severe outcomes of pedestrian accidents. These injuries can occur when a pedestrian’s head strikes the pavement, a vehicle, or other hard surfaces during the impact.

The consequences of these injuries can lead to cognitive impairments, memory loss, and long-term disability. Victims may go through intense medical treatment, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can have life-changing consequences when the spinal cord is damaged after a collision, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries can include short-term loss of function or permanent disability, impacting the victim’s ability to enjoy quality of life.

Victims often require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and therapy, which can lead to significant medical expenses and lost wages.

The emotional and economic toll on the victim and their family can be overwhelming, as these injuries often result in a need for lifelong care and support.

Fractures and broken bones

Fractures and broken bones are often sustained in pedestrian accidents. These injuries can range from minor fractures that heal relatively quickly to severe breaks requiring extensive medical intervention. 

Pedestrians may suffer from broken arms, legs, ribs, or even facial bones, depending on the nature of the accident. The recovery from fractures and broken bones can be long and painful, and the impact on a victim’s daily life can include limitations in mobility and assistance with routine activities.

Amputations

Losing a limb can be one of the most serious injuries following pedestrian accidents. These traumatic injuries occur when a limb is severed due to the impact of a collision or when it becomes necessary to surgically remove a limb to save the victim’s life.

The loss of a limb can have physical, emotional, and financial implications for pedestrian accident victims. Physically, amputees may face challenges in adapting to their new circumstances. They often require extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy to learn how to use prosthetic limbs and regain mobility.

Death

In cases of fatal pedestrian accidents, the consequences are heartbreaking for the victim’s family and loved ones. Such tragic incidents bring emotional pain and suffering and create financial burdens. Families may face funeral expenses, burial costs, and the loss of the deceased’s future income, which can impact their financial stability.

In these situations, the surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim for damages against the party responsible for the accident.

The exact amount of compensation you may be eligible to receive will vary. The best way to find out what your case might be worth is to contact an experienced attorney.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Nashville

Pedestrian accidents in Nashville can result from many factors:

Distracted Driving

One of the major causes of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. Drivers are often tempted to take their attention away from the road, leading to devastating consequences for pedestrians.  

Speeding

Going above speed limits is another significant factor contributing to pedestrian accidents. Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of impact in the event of a collision. In areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as school zones and downtown Nashville, adhering to speed limits is crucial for pedestrian safety.

Drunk Drivers

Driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs impairs a driver’s capacity to make judgments and react quickly to changing road conditions. Drunk drivers pose a severe threat to pedestrians, especially during nighttime when visibility is reduced.

Driver Negligence

Drivers making illegal turns or failing to obey traffic signals and signs can create dangerous situations for pedestrians. Running red lights or ignoring pedestrian right-of-way laws are common causes of accidents at intersections.

How Fault Is Determined in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians always have the right of way in a crosswalk. When a person is crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, a driver is required to wait for that pedestrian to stop crossing. If a car hits someone while in a crosswalk, the driver can be found liable.

While jaywalking is a traffic violation, it doesn’t dismiss drivers of their responsibility to drive carefully. If the pedestrian was not crossing in a crosswalk when hit, they may still have a case, even if they committed a minor infraction.

Tennessee uses the modified comparative negligence system. When a modified comparative fault is used, a judge or jury assigns a percentage of fault for each party involved and awards damages based on the percentage of fault.  If a person’s percentage of liability reaches over 50 percent, they cannot collect damages.

How We Help Nashville Pedestrian Accident Victims

If you have been severely injured in a pedestrian accident, you may have financial and emotional burdens to carry. With more than three decades of personal injury experience, we can help you through the complexities of a pedestrian accident claim process.

When we handle your claim, we do everything we can to recover the compensation that you deserve so that you can move forward with your life. We work on a fee contingency basis, so you don’t have to worry about legal costs unless we win your case. Contact us for a free consultation.

FAQ

What is the time limit to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?

If a pedestrian is seriously injured in a car accident, Tennessee Code section 28-3-104 states that the case should be filed in the civil court system within one year of the date of the accident. If the accident caused a person’s death, and the family members wish to file a wrongful death claim, the lawsuit is subject to the one-year filing deadline as well.

What should I do after a pedestrian accident in Nashville?

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident in Nashville, seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt. Some internal injuries, like internal bleeding, may not be immediately obvious. Document the accident and witness statements. Consulting a Nashville pedestrian accident lawyer to help with the legal process.

How can a Nashville pedestrian accident lawyer help me?

An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer works at gathering evidence, proving driver negligence, and negotiating with your insurance company. Many pedestrian accident victims face problems in dealing with insurance company refusals. Personal injury attorneys can assist eligible victims in obtaining compensation for significant injuries.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?

Under Tennessee law, you may still pursue compensation even in cases where you were partially at fault for the accident. However, the financial recovery may be restricted to your percentage of fault. A Nashville personal injury lawyer can evaluate the specifics of your case and help you fight for fair compensation.

What if the insurance company refuses to pay my claim?

If an insurance company refuses to make a fair settlement, you have legal options. A skilled personal injury lawyer may file a personal injury lawsuit and take it to court if necessary.

What if an uninsured motorist caused my accident?

If your pedestrian accident was caused by an uninsured driver, consult a Nashville pedestrian accident lawyer to explore alternative avenues for compensation. One potential source is your own insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage.