Intersection Bicycle Accidents in Nashville

Most bike crashes in Nashville happen at intersections – and they’re almost always preventable

Tennessee law is clear: drivers turning at intersections must yield to cyclists traveling straight. But on roads like Gallatin Pike, Charlotte Avenue, and Murfreesboro Pike, that rule is broken every day. Drivers rush left turns, swing through rights without looking, or roll through stop signs assuming the coast is clear. When they fail to yield, it’s cyclists who pay the price – with fractured bones, traumatic injuries, or worse.

These intersection crashes aren’t unpredictable, and they’re almost never the cyclist’s fault. Yet victims still find themselves blamed or lowballed by insurance companies treating right-of-way violations like honest mistakes. A Nashville bicycle accident lawyer with experience in intersection crash claims can make the difference between getting pushed aside – or getting full compensation. Attorney Eric Beasley has spent decades handling bicycle accident cases across Middle Tennessee, and he knows how to prove fault when drivers fail to follow the law.

How intersection bicycle accidents happen in Middle Tennessee

Intersections force drivers and cyclists to make quick decisions while navigating traffic signals, turn lanes, and crosswalks. When a driver isn’t paying attention – or worse, ignores the rules – cyclists pay the price. These collisions can happen in a split second, but the legal consequences last much longer.

Some of the most common types of intersection-related bicycle accidents include:

Left hook crashes: A driver turning left across traffic cuts off a cyclist going straight through the intersection. These are common on multi-lane roads like Charlotte Avenue or West End.
Right hook crashes: A driver turns right at the same time a cyclist is moving straight through in the bike lane or shoulder. Often happens at high-traffic corners with poor visibility or no dedicated bike infrastructure.
Failure to stop or yield: Drivers roll through stop signs or red lights without fully checking for cyclists, especially on neighborhood streets or suburban intersections.
Crossing the street accidents: Cyclists are hit while crossing in a marked crosswalk or legally crossing at an intersection, often because the driver didn’t expect them or looked too late.
Blind turn collisions: Drivers making turns at intersections with obstructed views – due to parked cars, bushes, or signage – strike cyclists traveling legally through.
Merging lane conflicts: A cyclist in the shoulder or bike lane is sideswiped or cut off when a driver merges or turns without signaling or checking the lane.
Stop-and-go misjudgments: A driver assumes a cyclist will stop or turn and proceeds without waiting, causing a broadside crash.
Turning against a flashing yellow or green light: A driver legally allowed to turn yields to oncoming vehicles but fails to spot a cyclist, who often has the same right of way as a car.
Double threat crashes: One driver stops to let a cyclist cross, but another driver in the next lane doesn’t see the cyclist and strikes them. This is common on multi-lane roads like Murfreesboro Pike.
Intersection lane changes: Drivers change lanes or drift across painted lines within the intersection, clipping cyclists who are lawfully passing through.

These crashes aren’t minor. They often lead to fractured bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal trauma, or permanent disability. An experienced Nashville bicycle accident lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to prove who was truly at fault – and why that matters.

Why these crashes are so legally challenging for cyclists

After a crash, drivers often say, “I didn’t see them.” Insurance companies then latch onto that narrative to argue the cyclist was riding unsafely or wasn’t visible. This happens even when the cyclist had the right of way under Tennessee law.

In intersection accidents, fault can be contested for reasons like:

The cyclist wasn’t in a marked bike lane.
The driver believed they had a green arrow.
The intersection had obstructed views or poor signage.
The crash involved a turning vehicle and a straight-moving cyclist – requiring detailed analysis.

Tennessee uses a modified comparative fault system. If the insurance company can prove the cyclist was 50 percent or more at fault, they don’t have to pay anything. This is why cyclists need a lawyer who knows how to push back against these arguments – and understands how fault is assigned under Tennessee law.

Local intersections where these crashes happen most often

Eric Beasley’s experience handling intersection bike accidents across Middle Tennessee gives him insight into where and how they happen. Some of the most common high-risk intersections for cyclists include:

Gallatin Pike and Eastland Avenue: Heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and frequent turning movements.
Nolensville Pike and Harding Place: Common site for right hook and failure-to-yield crashes.
Broadway and 8th Avenue South: High pedestrian and cyclist traffic, often chaotic driver behavior.
Old Hickory Boulevard and Lebanon Pike: Poor visibility and fast speeds.
Vanderbilt-area intersections near 21st Avenue South: Frequent left hook crashes due to heavy student and commuter bike traffic.

Understanding local traffic flow and patterns helps build a stronger case. A lawyer who knows these streets personally can recreate the crash in context – not just on paper.

What to do if you were hit in an intersection accident

The aftermath of an intersection crash can be confusing. Emergency responders may focus on physical injuries, but documentation is equally important.

If you are physically able, try to:

Call the police and ensure a report is filed.
Take photos of the intersection, vehicle, bike, and traffic signals.
Get contact info for any witnesses.
Seek medical attention and keep all records.
Avoid giving a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company.

A Nashville bicycle accident lawyer can take over the legal side, including preserving surveillance footage, obtaining crash reports, and hiring experts if needed to reconstruct the incident.

How an experienced lawyer can make the difference

Insurance companies are quick to shift blame in intersection crashes. They may claim you darted out, weren’t in the crosswalk, or were riding too fast. Without strong legal representation, your case may be undervalued or denied.

Attorney Eric Beasley builds cases that insurance companies take seriously. His team investigates thoroughly, uses traffic engineers and crash data where needed, and presents clear, evidence-based arguments. He’s taken intersection accident cases other lawyers turned down – and won.

Talk to a Nashville bicycle accident lawyer who knows these roads

You have only one year from the date of your bicycle accident to file a claim in Tennessee. Waiting too long can result in lost evidence, missing video footage, or witnesses forgetting key details. And once that deadline passes, your right to compensation disappears – even in clear cases of driver fault.

Starting now gives your attorney time to investigate and build the strongest possible case.

Eric Beasley doesn’t just know the law – he knows the intersections where cyclists get hurt. Born and raised in Goodlettsville, he’s helped injured people across Nashville and Middle Tennessee for more than two decades. He knows what it takes to stand up to insurance companies and win.

If you were hit while crossing an intersection or riding through a green light, contact the Law Office of Eric Beasley for a free case evaluation. There’s no fee unless he wins your case – and he doesn’t back down when the facts are on your side. Contact us today.