Nashville Bicycle Accident Attorneys

The Nashville bike community shares streets primarily designed for vehicles. When crashes happen, cyclists take the brunt of the impact, resulting in fractures, head trauma, and a long recovery.

Bicycle accident claims frequently center on questions of driver negligence — failure to yield right-of-way at intersections, improper lane changes, doorings, and traffic violations.  

Tennessee law applies specific standards to both cyclists and drivers. While cyclists must follow most vehicular traffic laws, they are also entitled to certain protections as vulnerable road users. 

Establishing fault requires a detailed investigation of the accident, as well as the resulting injuries and how they might affect bikers’ lives moving forward. 

Many bicycle accident claims are resolved through insurance negotiations. However, when liability is contested or injuries are significant, litigation becomes necessary. Our firm provides comprehensive legal representation during all steps of bicycle accident claims. Contact us today for a free consultation. 

Recoverable Damages in Bicycle Accident Claims

Medical expenses: Costs for emergency treatment, hospitalizations, surgeries, and rehabilitation.

Future medical expenses: Projected costs for future medical care, follow-up procedures, and needed therapies based on physician documentation and expert testimony regarding anticipated treatment needs.

Lost income: Compensation for wages, salary, commissions, and business opportunities lost due to the inability to work during recovery.

Diminished earning capacity: Financial impact of permanent limitations that influence a victim’s ability to maintain previous employment opportunities.

Out-of-pocket expenses: Costs for home modifications, assistive devices, and other nonmedical necessities resulting from accident-related limitations.

Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical discomfort, distress, and lowered quality of life.

Loss of enjoyment: Recovery for the inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities, hobbies that were limited after the accident. 

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Nashville

Driver Failure to Yield at Intersections

Intersection yield failures take place when drivers speed through crossings without respecting the right-of-way laws that protect cyclists. These incidents often involve disputes over which party had the legal right to proceed first, making traffic signal timing and witness statements significant factors in establishing liability. Tennessee law specifically requires vehicles to yield to bicycles that have established positions in intersections, with violations constituting evidence of negligence.

Dooring Incidents

When drivers or passengers open doors into the path of approaching cyclists without checking first. These cases involve questions of reasonable care by vehicle occupants and often turn on whether the cyclist was riding at an appropriate distance from parked vehicles. Tennessee statutes place legal responsibility on the person opening the door to ensure it can be done safely.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Lane change collisions typically involve drivers who merge into lanes occupied by cyclists or cut across bike lanes without warning. The legal analysis centers on whether proper signals were given, blind spots were checked, and whether the driver exercised reasonable caution before changing direction. Traffic camera footage, vehicle damage patterns, and lane markings often prove crucial in establishing how the incident unfolded.

Distracted Driving

Distraction and impairment cases involve drivers whose attention or abilities are compromised by mobile devices, intoxication, or other factors that affect safe operation. These accidents frequently lead to clear negligence claims when evidence establishes texting, the presence of alcohol or drugs. Cell phone records, field sobriety test results, and witness observations can substantially reinforce liability arguments.

Failure to Provide Adequate Passing Distance

Passing distance violations occur when vehicles overtake cyclists without maintaining the minimum clearance required by Tennessee law. These cases often involve disputes about available room, the presence of double yellow lines, and whether the driver could have safely delayed passing until road conditions permitted.  

Left- and Right-Turn Crashes

Turn-related crashes happen when drivers turn across the path of cyclists traveling straight through intersections or along parallel paths. The legal significance often centers on which party had the right of way and whether the turning driver checked for bicycle traffic before initiating the maneuver.  

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

When cyclists experience direct impact to the head or forceful acceleration-deceleration during collisions may lead to traumatic brain injuries following an accident.Even with helmets, the brain can sustain contusions, hematomas, or diffuse axonal injuries from striking the interior of the skull. TBIs frequently require neuropsychological evaluations to document cognitive irregularities that may affect memory, concentration, and executive function.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries typically result from direct trauma to the neck and back during high-impact collisions. These injuries may range from compression fractures with temporary nerve impingement to complete cord transection, causing permanent paralysis. The economic damages associated with spinal cord injuries extend beyond immediate medical costs to include long-term adaptive equipment, home modifications, and ongoing care—elements requiring detailed litigation process.

Broken Bones and Fractures

In a collision, cyclists often brace against impact, resulting in all types of fractures. These injuries require casts and surgical intervention at different levels. Fracture patterns in bicycle accidents frequently involve commination and joint involvement, factors that increase the likelihood of post-traumatic arthritis and diminished range of motion impacting occupational capacity.

Facial and Dental Injuries

When cyclists strike handlebars, pavement, or vehicles, impacts frequently result in head fractures, nasal fractures, jaw injuries, and dental ruptures requiring surgical repair and prosthetic intervention. The combination of functional impairment and visible scarring from these injuries creates distinct economic and non-economic damage categories that require careful documentation.

Road Rash

Road rash develops when cyclists hit the pavement or sidewalks, removing multiple layers of skin and potentially carrying debris to deeper skin layers. While classified as a soft tissue injury, severe road rash may require skin grafting and extended wound care to prevent infection and minimize scarring. These injuries often involve substantial pain during recovery and may result in permanent scars.

Contact Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Our Nashville bicycle accident lawyers bring both legal experience and medical insight to each case. Dr. Glanton’s background in pain management and interventional care provides a unique advantage when assessing the long-term implications of cycling injuries.

Our team carefully reviews the circumstances of each bicycle accident, analyzes applicable traffic regulations, and identifies all potential sources of financial compensation.

The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton handles bicycle accident cases throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee on a contingency fee basis—meaning there are no legal fees unless compensation is recovered. To discuss your situation with our experienced team, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bicycle Accident Cases

How do Nashville bicycle accident attorneys handle cases involving car crashes?

Our Nashville bike accident lawyers typically analyze how the collision between bicycles and motor vehicles take place versus compliance with traffic laws. An investigation includes reviewing police reports, witness statements, and sometimes consulting accident reconstruction experts to establish which party failed to exercise reasonable care.

What types of serious injuries are most common when bicycle crashes involve cars?

Bicycle crashes with vehicles frequently result in serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries. Injured cyclists are often in need of extensive hospitalization, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care, creating substantial medical expenses that factor into damage calculations.

How do insurance companies deal with bicycle accident claims?

Insurance companies often minimize the severity of injuries or attempt to assign partial fault to cyclists in bicycle accident cases. They may question medical bills and whether injuries sustained resulted directly from the accident. This makes it essential for bicycle accident victims to document all physical injuries and maintain organized records of treatment recommendations to be used in a lawsuit. 

What factors influence the value of compensation in Nashville bike accident cases?

The calculation of fair compensation in Nashville bike accident claims accounts for immediate and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost income, physical pain, and emotional distress caused by the incident. The severity and permanence of injuries, impact on earning potential, and degree of fault assigned to each party all affect the ultimate value of a potential settlement.

How does proving fault work in bicycle accident claims under Tennessee law?

Under Tennessee law, establishing liability requires demonstrating that the at-fault party breached a duty of care owed to the cyclist. This might involve showing that a driver failed to yield right-of-way, made an unsafe turn, or opened car doors without checking for approaching cyclists. The claims process often requires evidence collection to achieve maximum recovery. 

What legal options exist when drivers hit bicycle riders in bicycle lanes?

When drivers overlook cyclists in bicycle lanes, the affected riders may pursue claims against the negligent driver for violating designated right-of-way protections. These cases often involve questions about lane marking visibility, cyclist compliance with directional requirements, and whether the driver crossed into the protected space improperly.

How are bicycle accident attorneys in are usually paid in Middle Tennessee?

Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. They receive payment only if they recover compensation through a settlement or verdict. This arrangement makes legal representation accessible to injury victims without upfront costs while they’re already managing medical bills and potentially reduced income due to injuries. If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, get in touch. 

What happens if injuries prevent a bicycle accident victim from returning to their previous employment?

When injuries prevent you from returning to your job, the compensation claim may include diminished earning capacity, vocational retraining costs, and projected lifetime income reduction. These calculations often require economic expert testimony to establish the financial impact of career limitations or necessary occupational changes resulting from permanent physical restrictions.