What to Do If You’re Hit by a Car While Walking in Nashville

Pedestrians in Middle Tennessee deserve protection – but often get blamed instead

Whether crossing a busy intersection in East Nashville, walking near Gallatin Pike in Madison, or stepping off a curb in downtown Franklin, pedestrians in Middle Tennessee are put at risk every day by careless drivers. A car doesn’t need to be speeding to cause serious harm – when a vehicle hits a person on foot, even a low-speed impact can result in catastrophic injuries.

What happens after the crash matters. Victims are often left in shock, unsure of their rights, and pressured by insurance companies looking to close the case fast. But in Tennessee, pedestrians have legal protections – and our Nashville pedestrian accident lawyers know how to enforce them.

The Law Office of Eric Beasley can guide you through the legal process every step of the way. Attorney Eric Beasley has spent more than 25 years helping people in Nashville and surrounding communities hold drivers accountable. If you were hit by a car while walking, here’s what you need to know – and what to do next.

Step 1: Call 911 and make sure police respond

Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, always report the crash to law enforcement. In Nashville, that means requesting an officer from Metro Nashville Police Department. In surrounding towns like Hendersonville, Goodlettsville, or Mt. Juliet, the local police department will respond.

The police report creates an official record of what happened. It can document the driver’s behavior, identify witnesses, and provide initial fault findings. Without that report, the insurance company may claim the incident was minor – or deny it happened at all.

Step 2: Get medical attention immediately

Pedestrians often suffer internal injuries, concussions, or fractures that don’t fully show symptoms at the scene. Paramedics may offer to take you to the hospital – accept the help, even if you think you’re okay. Delaying treatment not only puts your health at risk but also gives the insurance company a reason to question your injuries later.

In Middle Tennessee, major hospitals like Vanderbilt, TriStar Skyline, and Ascension Saint Thomas regularly treat pedestrian crash victims. Be sure to follow all discharge instructions and attend follow-up appointments. At the Law Office of Eric Beasley, a Nashville pedestrian accident lawyer can use your medical records to support your injury claim and prove the long-term impact of the crash.

Step 3: Gather information – or have someone help

If you’re able to do so, collect as much information as you can at the scene. If your injuries prevent you from doing so, a friend, family member, or witness may be able to assist.

Key details include:

• The driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information.
• Photos of the crash scene, skid marks, traffic signals, and crosswalks.
• Names and contact info for any witnesses.
• The exact location of the crash (intersection, street address, nearby landmarks).

In areas like Old Hickory Boulevard or the Five Points intersection in East Nashville, video footage may be available from nearby businesses or traffic cameras. The Law Office of Eric Beasley can act quickly to preserve that evidence before it disappears.

Step 4: Do not talk to the insurance company alone

After a pedestrian crash, the driver’s insurance company will likely reach out with questions – or a settlement offer. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any payment without legal advice. These early conversations are often used to limit your claim or pin fault on you.

Insurance companies may argue that you:

• Weren’t in a crosswalk.
• Stepped out “too suddenly.”
• Were distracted, wearing dark clothing, or listening to headphones.
• Were partially or fully at fault.

Under Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule, they only need to prove you were 50 percent or more at fault to avoid paying. Our Nashville pedestrian accident lawyers can take over these communications and protect your claim from the start.

Step 5: Talk to a lawyer who knows these cases – and this region

Pedestrian crashes in Nashville and Middle Tennessee follow patterns. Drivers fail to yield at intersections, turn without looking, run red lights, or speed through walkable neighborhoods. Knowing how and where these crashes happen matters.

We know how to handle pedestrian injury claims across:

• Downtown Nashville.
• Gallatin Pike in Madison and East Nashville.
• Charlotte Avenue near 28th Avenue North.
• Lebanon Pike in Donelson.
• Memorial Boulevard in Murfreesboro.
• US-31 through Columbia and Spring Hill.
• Across Tennessee.

Our law firm investigates thoroughly, builds strong cases with local knowledge, and pushes back when insurers try to shift blame onto injured pedestrians. We take cases other attorneys reject – and help clients recover what they are owed.

Common injuries after a pedestrian crash

When a person is hit by a car, there is no protection. The result is often long-term medical needs and major disruption to daily life. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and concussions.
• Spinal cord damage or herniated discs.
• Broken bones, including legs, hips, and ribs.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage.
• Severe road rash and lacerations.

A lawyer can document how these injuries affect your work, mobility, independence, and family life. That full picture matters when calculating the compensation you deserve.

What compensation can cover in Tennessee

If the driver was at fault, you may be entitled to damages (compensation for financial losses) for:

• Emergency medical care and ongoing treatment.
• Lost income and loss of future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.
• Disability or disfigurement.
• Wrongful death damages (if a loved one was killed).

Eric Beasley builds claims that reflect not just the cost of the crash, but its long-term impact. He fights for full recovery – not quick settlements.

Talk to a Nashville pedestrian accident lawyer who puts in the work

The days after a pedestrian accident can be painful, confusing, and stressful. You don’t have to face them alone. Attorney Eric Beasley understands how these crashes happen, how Tennessee law applies, and what it takes to get insurance companies to take your case seriously.

If you were hit by a car while walking in Nashville or anywhere in Middle Tennessee, contact the Law Office of Eric Beasley today. Your case evaluation is free, and you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.