Brentwood Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Fighting for People Injured While Walking in Brentwood and Williamson County

Pedestrians have almost no protection when struck by a motor vehicle. There is no seat belt, airbag, or vehicle frame to absorb the impact. When a driver fails to yield, looks at a phone, speeds through an intersection, or simply does not pay attention, the person on foot can suffer devastating injuries.

In Brentwood, pedestrians and vehicles regularly cross paths near neighborhoods, businesses, offices, schools, restaurants, shopping areas, and major roads. While the city may not have the pedestrian density of nearby Nashville, people still have the right to walk without being endangered by negligent drivers.

At Pritchard Injury Firm, we represent pedestrians seriously injured by motorists throughout Brentwood and Williamson County. We investigate how collisions occurred, preserve evidence, challenge attempts to unfairly blame victims, and pursue compensation for the lasting consequences of their injuries.

Tennessee generally gives personal injury victims only one year to bring a lawsuit. After a serious pedestrian collision, it is important to understand your options before evidence disappears or important deadlines pass.

A Driver's Moment of Inattention Can Change a Life

Pedestrian accidents frequently begin with an ordinary driving decision made carelessly. A motorist turns while watching oncoming traffic but fails to look for someone crossing the street. A driver approaches an intersection too quickly to stop safely. Someone backing from a parking space checks a phone instead of the area behind the vehicle. The mistake may last seconds. The pedestrian's recovery may take years.

Pritchard Injury Firm helps injured pedestrians by:

• Investigating the circumstances of the collision
• Preserving video and physical evidence
• Interviewing witnesses
• Examining the driver's conduct
• Documenting medical and financial losses
• Identifying available insurance coverage
• Challenging attempts to shift blame
• Preparing cases for litigation when necessary

Our clients pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for them.

When the Injuries Are Severe, Today's Bills Tell Only Part of the Story

Pedestrian collisions can produce some of the most serious injuries in motor vehicle litigation. A victim may first be struck by the vehicle and then suffer a second impact with the roadway. Depending on the speed and circumstances of the collision, the result may be catastrophic injury or death.

Pritchard Injury Firm represents people and families facing the consequences of devastating negligence. Our firm recently secured a $10 million recovery for a family in a wrongful death case, reflecting our ability to pursue substantial claims when a preventable incident causes profound loss.

A serious pedestrian accident claim may need to consider:

• Emergency and trauma treatment
• Hospitalization
• Surgical procedures
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Future medical care
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering

We look beyond the immediate expenses to understand how an injury may affect the victim's health, work, independence, and family life in the years ahead.

Where Pedestrians and Traffic Meet in Brentwood

Brentwood's development pattern creates a mix of residential, commercial, and commuter traffic. Drivers move between neighborhoods, office districts, retail destinations, schools, and major transportation corridors throughout the day.

Pedestrians may encounter vehicle traffic around areas and roads such as:

• Franklin Road
• Old Hickory Boulevard
• Maryland Way
• Concord Road
• Moores Lane
• Wilson Pike
• Commercial and office areas throughout Brentwood

Parking lots and commercial entrances can also present risks because drivers may be focused on finding spaces, navigating other vehicles, or entering busy roadways rather than watching for people walking nearby. Drivers should remain attentive wherever pedestrians may reasonably be present.

The Driving Behaviors Behind Pedestrian Collisions

Most pedestrian crashes are not unavoidable accidents. They result from decisions or failures behind the wheel. Common causes include:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Running red lights
• Rolling through stop signs
• Unsafe turns
• Driving while impaired
• Backing without checking surroundings
• Poor visibility combined with excessive speed
• Aggressive driving

Left- and right-turn collisions can be particularly dangerous. Drivers often concentrate on gaps in vehicle traffic while overlooking a pedestrian entering or already occupying the area they intend to cross.

The Human Body Wasn't Built to Absorb a Vehicle Impact

Even relatively low-speed pedestrian collisions can cause significant injuries. At higher speeds, the consequences can be catastrophic. Pedestrian accident victims may suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Pelvic fractures
• Broken arms and legs
• Knee and joint injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Facial injuries
• Nerve damage
• Severe lacerations
• Permanent scarring
• Amputations

Some victims require multiple surgeries followed by months of rehabilitation. Others face permanent mobility limitations or cognitive impairments. The severity of these injuries is one reason pedestrian claims must be evaluated carefully before settlement.

When the Victim Can't Remember the Crash, Evidence Becomes Critical

A pedestrian who suffers a severe head injury may have little or no memory of the collision. In fatal cases, the driver's account may initially be the only version available. That does not mean it should be accepted without investigation.

Evidence may include:

• Police reports
• Witness statements
• Surveillance footage
• Dash camera video
• Traffic-camera evidence
• Scene photographs
• Vehicle damage
• Skid marks and debris
• Electronic vehicle information
• Cellphone records when appropriate
• Accident reconstruction

Businesses, homes, office buildings, and vehicles near the collision may have captured video without the victim realizing it. Because some recordings are overwritten quickly, locating that evidence early can make an important difference.

"They Came Out of Nowhere" Isn't the End of the Investigation

After a pedestrian collision, drivers sometimes claim they had no opportunity to avoid the victim. Insurance companies may also attempt to argue that the pedestrian was distracted, crossed outside a designated area, entered the roadway unexpectedly, or otherwise caused the crash. Tennessee's modified comparative fault rules make these arguments particularly important because the amount of responsibility assigned to a victim can affect their recovery. But allegations are not evidence.

A thorough investigation should examine factors such as:

• Where the pedestrian was located
• The driver's speed
• Available sight distance
• Traffic controls
• Lighting and visibility
• Witness accounts
• Whether the driver was distracted
• Whether braking or evasive action occurred

The goal is to reconstruct what actually happened rather than rely on assumptions.

Who May Be Responsible for a Pedestrian Accident?

The negligent motorist is often the primary responsible party, but some pedestrian crashes involve additional individuals or businesses. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Individual motorists
• Employers whose employees were driving for work
• Commercial transportation companies
• Trucking companies
• Rideshare drivers and applicable insurers
• Other negligent drivers in multi-vehicle incidents
• Other entities depending on the circumstances

A pedestrian struck by a delivery driver performing work duties, for example, may have a different claim than someone struck by an individual driving a personal vehicle. Identifying every responsible party can become especially important when injuries are catastrophic.

Compensation Should Reflect More Than the Ambulance Bill

The financial effects of a pedestrian collision can continue long after the initial hospitalization. Depending on the case, compensation may be available for:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Rehabilitation
• Lost income
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Other qualifying losses

For victims with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or other catastrophic conditions, future medical and personal-care needs may represent a significant portion of the claim. A settlement should be evaluated with those future needs in mind.

What to Do After Being Hit by a Vehicle

Serious injuries may make it impossible for a pedestrian to take any action at the scene. When circumstances permit, however, several steps can help protect a potential claim:

1. Call 911 and seek medical attention.
2. Report the collision to law enforcement.
3. Photograph the scene and vehicle if safely possible.
4. Collect contact information from witnesses.
5. Obtain the driver's insurance information.
6. Preserve damaged clothing and personal belongings.
7. Keep records of medical treatment, expenses, and missed work.
8. Be cautious when speaking with insurance representatives.
9. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney before accepting a settlement.

Family members can also help preserve information when the injured person is hospitalized or otherwise unable to do so.

Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle

Pedestrian collisions happen under many different circumstances. Our firm handles claims involving:

• Crosswalk accidents
• Intersection collisions
• Parking lot accidents
• Distracted drivers
• Drunk drivers
• Commercial vehicles
• Delivery vehicles
• Uber and Lyft drivers
• Hit-and-run collisions
• Child pedestrian injuries
• Catastrophic pedestrian injuries
• Fatal pedestrian accidents

Each case requires an investigation focused on the circumstances of the individual collision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Tennessee?

Tennessee generally imposes a one-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Certain circumstances may affect applicable deadlines, so victims should have their cases reviewed promptly.

Can I have a case if I wasn't in a crosswalk?

Potentially. Being outside a marked crosswalk does not automatically mean a driver bears no responsibility. The complete circumstances of the collision must be evaluated.

What if I was partially responsible?

Tennessee uses modified comparative fault rules. Depending on the amount of responsibility attributed to you, partial fault may reduce compensation or affect your ability to recover.

What if the driver fled the scene?

A hit-and-run does not necessarily eliminate your options. Available insurance coverage, including potentially applicable uninsured motorist coverage, should be investigated.

What if my child was hit by a vehicle?

Cases involving injured children can raise additional legal and damages considerations. Serious injuries may also affect a child's development, education, and future needs.

How much does Pritchard Injury Firm charge?

We handle pedestrian accident claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered.

You Were Walking. You Shouldn't Have Had to Pay for Someone Else's Carelessness.

A pedestrian collision can leave a person rebuilding their health, career, and independence because a driver failed to pay attention for only a few seconds. If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle in Brentwood or elsewhere in Williamson County, Pritchard Injury Firm can investigate what happened, stand up to the insurance companies, and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of the collision.

Contact Pritchard Injury Firm for a free consultation. Call 615-942-0242 today to discuss your case.