Several Nashville Pedestrian Accidents in November and December 2024 End in Tragedy

Several pedestrian accidents in November and December 2024 were deadly, causing families to suffer unbearable losses. At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we represent families when drivers take the lives of loved ones. Most pedestrian accidents are preventable. Many fatal pedestrian accidents occur because drivers fail to stop after a light changes to red, fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, and drive while distracted. Those careless drivers should be held accountable.

A deadly pedestrian accident on I-40

WKRN reported on December 3, 2024, that the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) stated that a pedestrian was struck on the right shoulder at mile marker 218 on I-40. There were closures on the eastbound lanes of I-40 at the Donelson Pike exit as a result of the accident. Police reported that the pedestrian, a 22-year-old man, was found dead at 11:15 a.m. A preliminary review stated that the pedestrian was struck by multiple vehicles – the first impact occurring while the pedestrian was “walking along the right side of I-40 East, near the fourth lane.” Reports did not mention the cause of the fatal accident.

A fatal pedestrian accident on I-24

In another fatal accident, an 18-year-old woman was struck by an unidentified vehicle that failed to stop. The accident occurred on I-24 West near Bell Road in the evening. The pedestrian was in the middle of the interstate when she was struck. Several other vehicles struck her following the initial impact.

An overall increase in pedestrian accidents in Nashville

According to Walk Bike Nashville, during the decade from 2010 to 2020, pedestrian accidents that are fatal or cause injuries are increasing rapidly. The number of pedestrian deaths in Nashville rose from 14 pedestrian fatalities in 2010 to 39 pedestrian fatalities in 2020. The increase in fatalities during the decade can’t be attributed to the increase in Nashville’s population alone.

Walk Bike Nashville states that many factors account for the rising number of pedestrian fatalities. The agency and the city of Nashville know when and where pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur. They know which streets are the deadliest. Using their own analysis, Walk Bike Nashville breaks down these risk factors as follows:

Road conditions

• Four out of five pedestrian fatalities occur on state roads.
• More than four out of five pedestrian fatalities happen on “wide, state-controlled arterial roads” that have speed limits of more than 30 mph, a limited number of safe crosswalks, numerous transit riders, and multiple lanes. Just a few of these roads account for more than half of the number of crashes. 71% of the pedestrian deaths occurred on roads with four or more lanes. Another 16% occurred on interstates. Generally, these roads have higher speed limits.
• Some of the conditions that contribute to pedestrian deaths include poor lighting and the time of day. Most fatalities occur between 6 pm – 6 am. These statistics indicate that new infrastructure should consider street lighting as part of its safety features.

Victim characteristics and risk factors

Walk Bike Nashville states that some parts of Nashville have seen more increases in pedestrian fatalities than others. A few risk factors include the following:

• Income level. Many areas where walkers are being struck are at or below the poverty level. The agency suggests that more study is required to determine the direct relationship between household income and pedestrian accidents. Part of the issue might stem from the fact that people at lower income levels cannot afford cars, forcing them to travel on foot more often than those with vehicles.
• More than 30% of all people who died while walking in 2020 were experiencing homelessness.
• 70% of 2020 victims were men, and only 30% were women.

Additional pedestrian accident risk factors

According to the state of Tennessee, there were 1900 accidents in 2024 involving pedestrians across Tennessee, causing 153 deaths (through December 5, 2024). In 2023, there were nearly 2,000 pedestrian accidents and 189 pedestrian deaths.

Pedestrian accidents are often fatal or cause catastrophic injuries because the human body is simply no match for the size and weight of even the smallest cars – let alone large SUVs and trucks.

Some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro include:

• Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drunk and drugged drivers often speed, drive through crosswalks without stopping, and drive erratically.
• Driving while distracted. Drivers who are talking on a cellphone or texting while driving are likely to strike a pedestrian who is crossing an intersection.
• Speeding and other traffic violations. Drivers often violate traffic laws, such as the speed limit or right of way when turning right or left at

Our Nashville pedestrian accident lawyers file personal injury claims and wrongful death claims against negligent drivers and any other responsible parties, such as the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

In personal injury cases, we demand compensation for all your current and future damages, including all your medical expenses, loss of income, physical pain and emotional suffering, scars and disfigurement, loss of bodily function, and any other personal or financial damages.

If your loved one tragically dies in a pedestrian accident, we demand compensation for the funeral and burial costs, the family’s loss of financial support, and the loss of guidance and personal support the family no longer receives due to the death of their loved one.

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we’ve been fighting for pedestrians and other personal injury victims for more than 20 years. Our lawyers are respected by former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our constant dedication to our clients and our impressive record of settlements and jury verdicts. Call us now or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation in Nashville, East Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville, or Murfreesboro. We’re ready to help you now.