Nashville Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a bicycle accident in Nashville?

At Patterson Bray PLLC, we help injured clients understand their rights after a bicycle accident in Nashville.

If you were struck by a vehicle while riding your bicycle in Nashville, the injuries are often far more serious than the driver’s insurance company will initially acknowledge. Broken bones, head trauma, road rash, and spinal injuries are common, and treatment costs add up quickly. A Nashville, TN bicycle accident lawyer at Patterson Bray PLLC can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. We have over 20 years of experience representing injured plaintiffs, and we offer free consultations for bicycle accident cases.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Nashville, TN

A bicycle accident lawyer represents cyclists who have been injured due to a motorist’s negligence or reckless driving. Tennessee law gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as operators of motor vehicles, which means a driver who strikes a cyclist is held to the same standard of care as in any other traffic collision.

Bicycle accident cases, however, present distinct challenges. There is often a bias against cyclists, and insurance adjusters may try to minimize claims by arguing that the rider should have been on a sidewalk or was not visible enough. An experienced Nashville bicycle accident attorney knows how to counter these tactics and build a claim grounded in the evidence.

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in Nashville

Bicycle collisions happen in a variety of ways, and the mechanics of the crash determine how fault is established and what damages are recoverable. Our firm handles bicycle accident cases across Nashville, TN and the surrounding communities.

Intersection collisions. A large number of bicycle accidents occur at intersections where drivers fail to yield, run stop signs, or turn without checking for approaching cyclists. These crashes frequently involve drivers making left turns across a cyclist’s path or failing to stop at a red light.
Dooring accidents. When a parked motorist opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, the rider has almost no time to react. Dooring collisions can cause the cyclist to be thrown into traffic, resulting in secondary impacts with other vehicles.
Right-hook collisions. A right-hook crash happens when a vehicle passes a cyclist and then immediately turns right, cutting directly across the rider’s lane. These are preventable collisions caused by a driver’s failure to check mirrors and blind spots before turning.
Rear-end collisions. A cyclist riding with traffic can be struck from behind by a distracted or inattentive driver. These impacts can be devastating because the rider has no warning and no opportunity to brace for the collision. Distracted driving is a leading cause of these crashes across Tennessee.
Hit-and-run accidents. When a driver strikes a cyclist and leaves the scene, the injured rider may face difficulty identifying the at-fault party. We work with law enforcement and help clients explore recovery through uninsured motorist coverage when the driver cannot be located.
Collisions with commercial vehicles. A cyclist struck by a delivery van, box truck, or tractor-trailer faces a significantly higher risk of fatal or catastrophic injury. A truck accident involving a bicycle demands an investigation into the commercial driver’s conduct, the company’s safety practices, and federal compliance records.
Road defect accidents. Potholes, crumbling shoulders, debris, and poorly maintained bike lanes can cause a cyclist to lose control. In some cases, a government entity responsible for road maintenance may bear liability.
Fatal bicycle accidents. When a bicycle collision results in death, surviving family members may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. We help families pursue accountability and compensation in these cases.

Why Choose Patterson Bray PLLC as My Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Nashville, TN?

A Firm Built on Plaintiff-Side Advocacy

Patterson Bray PLLC was founded on a commitment to representing people who have been seriously injured through no fault of their own. Bicycle accident victims deserve the same quality of legal representation as anyone hurt in a car accident or pedestrian accident, and that is exactly what we provide.

Chris Patterson, the firm’s Managing Partner, earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Tennessee and his J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law. Chris has spent over two decades handling catastrophic injury and death cases across Tennessee. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and was appointed to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.

Will Patterson focuses his practice on tort litigation and personal injury. He has earned recognition from Best Lawyers in America in Personal Injury Litigation for Plaintiffs as well as Commercial Litigation. Will is admitted to practice in both Tennessee and Mississippi.

Our firm has helped injured clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases. As a personal injury lawyer in Nashville, TN, we handle bicycle accident claims on a contingency-fee basis and collect no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

What Is Important to Understand About a Bicycle Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Bicycle Accident Cases

Bicycle accident injuries tend to be more severe than those in vehicle-to-vehicle collisions because the cyclist has no metal frame, airbag, or seatbelt to absorb the impact. Tennessee law allows injured cyclists to pursue several categories of damages.

Medical expenses, including emergency room care, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment for injuries like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage
Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity while recovering from serious injuries
Pain and suffering resulting from both the physical injuries and the emotional impact of the crash
Property damage, including the replacement cost of the bicycle and any cycling equipment destroyed in the collision
Loss of enjoyment of life, particularly for cyclists whose injuries prevent them from returning to the sport

Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103 applies to bicycle accident cases. If the cyclist is found to bear some responsibility for the crash, the recovery is reduced by that percentage. If the cyclist’s share of fault reaches 50 percent or more, recovery is barred entirely. Insurance companies are aware of this threshold and will try to assign as much fault to the cyclist as possible.

What Are Important Aspects of a Bicycle Accident Case?

Bicycle cases often hinge on a few factors that can determine the outcome. Understanding them from the start puts your claim in a stronger position.

Establishing that the driver violated a traffic law or failed to exercise reasonable care, such as by failing to yield, speeding, or texting while driving
Countering the common defense that the cyclist was riding unsafely, was not visible, or should not have been on the road
Preserving physical evidence from the crash, including the damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing, along with any available surveillance footage or accident documentation
Securing testimony from witnesses and, where necessary, retaining an accident reconstruction professional to establish speed, impact angle, and fault

What Is the Bicycle Accident Case Timeline?

Bicycle accident claims in Nashville generally follow a progression similar to other personal injury cases, though the investigation phase may require more attention to road design and infrastructure.

Evidence is gathered in the weeks following the crash, including the police report, medical records, photographs of the scene, and any available video footage
Medical treatment continues until the cyclist reaches maximum medical improvement, which is when the treating physician determines that the injuries have stabilized
A demand letter is prepared and sent to the at-fault party’s insurer, outlining the basis for liability and the full scope of damages
Settlement negotiations follow, and many bicycle accident cases in Nashville resolve without the need for a lawsuit
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, the case moves to litigation and trial preparation

Under T.C.A. § 28-3-104, Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents. The deadline runs from the date of the crash.

What Should You Bring to Your Bicycle Accident Consultation?

Collecting the right materials before your first meeting with a bicycle accident attorney allows for a more productive initial evaluation.

The police report or the officer’s contact information so the report can be obtained
Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, road conditions, and damage to your bicycle and equipment
Medical records and invoices for all treatment related to the accident
Information about insurance coverage, including your own auto insurance policy, which may provide underinsured or uninsured motorist benefits
Any communication you have received from the at-fault driver’s insurance company

We offer free consultations for Nashville bicycle accident cases. During the meeting, we review the facts, discuss the applicable Tennessee laws, and explain the options available to you.

What Are Important Tennessee Legal Resources for Bicycle Accident Cases?

Tennessee treats bicycles as vehicles under state law, giving cyclists the same rights and obligations as drivers. The following resources provide useful starting points for understanding how the law applies to bicycle accident claims in Nashville.

The Tennessee General Assembly publishes the Tennessee Code, including traffic safety statutes that govern both motorists and cyclists on public roadways
NHTSA bicycle safety provides crash data, safety research, and educational resources for cyclists and drivers
The CDC transportation safety page offers data on crash-related fatalities and injuries, including those involving cyclists and pedestrians
Tennessee’s statute of limitations for bicycle accident injury claims is one year from the date of the crash under T.C.A. § 28-3-104
The state’s modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103 reduces recovery by the cyclist’s percentage of fault and bars recovery entirely at 50 percent or above

Reach Out to Patterson Bray PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Nashville, TN, Patterson Bray PLLC is ready to evaluate your claim and help you understand your legal options. We charge no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf, and every consultation is free and confidential. Contact us to schedule a meeting with a bicycle accident attorney who will take your case seriously.