Walk Bike Nashville Worker Struck By Car

A Belmont University student and bicycle safety advocate suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a car on West End Avenue in Nashville while riding on his bicycle. Michael Tregelles, an audio engineer student at Belmont, worked for Walk Bike Nashville as an advocate for safe biking streets in Nashville. Tregelles underwent surgery; doctors said it went well, but he faces a tough road to recovery.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Tennessee

Over the last eight years, Nashville has added more than 100 miles of bike lanes. Because more people are biking as their choice of commute, it also means more people are subject to critical injuries as the chances of bicycle accidents increase. According to the National Highway Safety Transportation statistics, there were 9 fatal bicycle accidents in the State of Tennessee in 2009 and 4 fatalities in 2010. Additionally, another 52,000 bicyclists were injured nationwide in 2010.

There are many factors that may contribute to a pedestrian or bicyclist being struck by a car. Most of the time, a driver is exceeding the speed limits or not paying enough attention, failing to drive cautiously in inclement weather, disobeying traffic signals, failing to yield right-of-way, driving while intoxicated, or driving while distracted (e.g. texting). Additionally, sometimes even when acting cautiously, vision problems and glares caused by sunrises and sunsets sometimes occur. Drivers have difficulty viewing the roadway in front of the vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 25% of pedestrian fatalities occur between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tennessee Bicycle Laws

While drivers of motor vehicles generally have a higher standard of care while interacting with bicyclists on the road, bicyclists must still fulfill their responsibilities in sharing the road. In Tennessee, bikes have the legal status of a vehicle. This means Tennessee traffic laws require bicyclists to:

• Ride on the right-hand side of the road with the same direction as traffic;
• Obey all traffic signs and signals;
• Use hand signals to communicate intended movements; and
• Equip their bicycles with a front white light visible from 500 feet with a red reflector which must be visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet.

Additionally, bicyclists must not ride on the sidewalk meant for foot pedestrians, nor ride a bicycle with another person, if the bicycle does not have a seat for that second person. Tennessee law also requires those under age 16 to wear helmets.

Protect Your Rights. Maximize Compensation After an Injury.

At Calhoun Law, PLC, we understand the challenges faced by those who have suffered injuries in bike accidents. Our priority is to help you get the security you need to begin the healing process. We will go through your case in detail and work with an independent investigator to reconstruct the accident. Contact us today so that we can ensure that you are properly compensated for you injuries. Consultations are free and confidential.