Nashville Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Were you injured in a pedestrian accident in Nashville?

At Patterson Bray PLLC, we are trusted pedestrian accident lawyers serving clients across Nashville and the surrounding area.

If you were hit by a car, truck, or other vehicle while walking or crossing a street in Nashville, the injuries you sustained may be serious. Pedestrians have no protection from the force of a motor vehicle, and the consequences of these collisions can be life-altering. A Nashville, TN pedestrian accident lawyer at Patterson Bray PLLC can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable and pursue compensation for your losses. We have represented injured plaintiffs for over 20 years and offer free consultations for pedestrian accident cases.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Nashville, TN

A pedestrian accident lawyer represents people who have been struck and injured by a motor vehicle while on foot. This includes collisions in crosswalks, at intersections, in parking lots, and along roadways where drivers fail to yield or exercise reasonable care around pedestrians.

These cases require thorough investigation into the driver’s conduct, road design, and conditions at the time of the collision. According to NHTSA pedestrian safety data, thousands of pedestrians are killed and tens of thousands more injured in traffic crashes each year. A pedestrian accident attorney in Nashville understands how to piece together evidence and build a case that reflects the full impact of the injuries.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Nashville

Pedestrian collisions occur under many different circumstances, and the facts surrounding each crash shape the legal strategy. Our attorneys handle pedestrian accident cases throughout Nashville, TN and the surrounding communities.

• Crosswalk accidents. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. When a driver runs through a crosswalk without stopping, the pedestrian absorbs the full force of the impact. We investigate traffic signal timing, crosswalk safety conditions, and driver behavior when building these claims.
• Intersection collisions. Intersections are among the most dangerous locations for pedestrians. A driver who runs a red light, rolls through a stop sign, or turns without checking for people in the crosswalk can cause devastating injuries. These crashes often involve turning drivers focused on traffic rather than pedestrians.
• Parking lot accidents. Pedestrians struck by vehicles backing out of spaces or moving through parking lots are more common than most people realize. Drivers in parking lots owe the same duty of care as on public roads.
• Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian who is struck by a driver who flees the scene faces both physical injuries and the challenge of identifying the responsible party. We help clients pursue recovery through uninsured motorist coverage and work with law enforcement to locate the driver.
• Distracted driving collisions. Texting, phone calls, navigation systems, and other in-vehicle distractions take a driver’s attention off the road. A moment of inattention can be fatal when a pedestrian is in the vehicle’s path. Distracted driving remains a leading contributor to pedestrian crashes across Tennessee.
• Impaired driver collisions. Alcohol and drug impairment slow reaction time and impair a driver’s ability to see and respond to pedestrians, particularly after dark. When an impaired driver causes a pedestrian crash, the evidence of intoxication can strengthen both the liability case and any claim for punitive damages.
• Commercial vehicle collisions. A pedestrian struck by a delivery truck, commercial van, or tractor-trailer faces an extreme risk of catastrophic or fatal injury. These cases may involve a truck accident investigation into driver conduct, carrier compliance, and vehicle maintenance records.
• Fatal pedestrian accidents. When a pedestrian collision results in death, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. We represent families in these cases and work to recover compensation for funeral costs, lost income, and the loss of companionship.

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

Experience Where It Counts

Pedestrian accident cases demand attention to details that other personal injury claims may not. The speed of the vehicle, the lighting at the time of the crash, the presence or absence of a crosswalk, and the fault in a collision between a driver and a pedestrian all require careful analysis. Patterson Bray PLLC brings more than two decades of plaintiff-side litigation experience to these matters.

Chris Patterson is the firm’s Managing Partner and has over 20 years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases. He holds dual undergraduate degrees from the University of Tennessee and a J.D. from the University of Memphis School of Law. Chris is a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation and a member of the National Crime Victim Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Will Patterson focuses on tort litigation and personal injury. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation on behalf of Plaintiffs and is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Will is also a member of the Tennessee Bar Association.

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. As a personal injury lawyer in Nashville, TN, we take pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis with no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

What Is Important to Understand About a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrian injuries tend to be among the most severe of all traffic-related injuries. A person on foot has no structural protection when struck by a vehicle weighing several thousand pounds. Tennessee law allows injured pedestrians to seek compensation across several categories.

• Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and orthopedic fractures
• Lost wages during recovery and diminished earning capacity if injuries prevent a return to prior employment
• Pain and suffering, including physical pain and the psychological impact of the crash such as anxiety and fear of walking near traffic
• Disfigurement and permanent scarring resulting from the collision
• Loss of enjoyment of life when the injuries prevent participation in activities that were part of daily living before the crash

Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103 applies to pedestrian cases. If the pedestrian shares responsibility for the collision, compensation is reduced by that percentage. At 50 percent or higher, recovery is barred. Insurance companies frequently argue that the pedestrian was jaywalking or wearing dark clothing, making early evidence-gathering essential.

What Are Important Aspects of a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Pedestrian accident cases hinge on critical factors that affect the outcome. Recognizing them early makes the difference between a strong claim and a weakened one.

• Proving that the driver breached a duty of care by speeding, running a signal, failing to yield, driving impaired, or operating the vehicle while distracted
• Documenting the scene thoroughly, including photographs of crosswalk markings, traffic signals, road conditions, and sight lines
• Obtaining the police report and identifying witnesses who saw the collision, as pedestrian cases often come down to conflicting accounts of what happened
• Preserving surveillance footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or doorbell cameras before it is overwritten
• Calculating the full cost of your injuries, including medical care you may need for years or permanently

What Is the Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline?

Pedestrian accident cases in Nashville generally follow a structured sequence, though the timeline varies depending on injury severity and the insurer’s willingness to negotiate.

• The investigation begins immediately and includes gathering the police report, photographing the scene, obtaining medical records, and contacting witnesses
• Medical treatment continues until your attorney determines you have reached maximum medical improvement
• A demand package is prepared and submitted to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, outlining liability and the full scope of your damages
• Settlement negotiations follow, and many pedestrian accident cases in Tennessee resolve during this phase
• If the insurance company’s offer does not reflect the true value of your claim, the case is filed in court and prepared for trial

Tennessee’s statute of limitations under T.C.A. § 28-3-104 gives you one year from the date of the pedestrian accident to file a lawsuit. That deadline is strictly enforced.

What Should You Bring to Your Pedestrian Accident Consultation?

Bringing documentation to your first meeting with a pedestrian accident attorney helps us assess the strength of your case and identify the next steps more quickly.

• The police accident report or the name of the responding agency so the report can be obtained
• Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, crosswalk conditions, and traffic signals
• Medical records and bills from all treatment related to your injuries since the date of the crash
• Proof of lost income, such as pay stubs or a letter from your employer
• Any correspondence from the at-fault driver’s insurance company

Patterson Bray PLLC provides free consultations for pedestrian accident cases. We will review the facts, explain how Tennessee law applies to your situation, and discuss the steps to take to protect your claim.

What Are Important Tennessee Legal Resources for Pedestrian Accident Cases?

Tennessee law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians on roadways, in crosswalks, and in other areas where foot traffic is reasonably expected. The following resources are helpful starting points for understanding your rights after a pedestrian collision in Nashville.

• The Tennessee General Assembly publishes the Tennessee Code, including traffic safety statutes that govern driver conduct toward pedestrians and the right-of-way rules at crosswalks and intersections
• NHTSA pedestrian safety provides national data on pedestrian fatalities and injuries, along with educational resources for both drivers and pedestrians
• The CDC transportation safety page reports on motor vehicle crash injury trends, including pedestrian-specific data
• Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations on pedestrian accident injury claims under T.C.A. § 28-3-104
• The state’s modified comparative fault rule under T.C.A. § 29-11-103 bars recovery when the injured pedestrian’s share of fault reaches 50 percent or above

Reach Out to Patterson Bray PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a loved one was struck by a vehicle while walking in Nashville, TN, Patterson Bray PLLC is ready to review your case. We offer free, confidential consultations and charge no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us to schedule a meeting with a pedestrian accident lawyer who will give your case the attention it deserves.