Nashville’s population is on the rise, ranking one of the top fastest-growing cities and with projections of the metro area growing to 1.4+ million residents by 2030. Rising growth is a boon to the local economy, but Nashville traffic accidents are also increasing. 

Davidson County reports 24,900 accidents in 2023, and over 8,900 of them resulted in personal injury to drivers and/or passengers. 

Reducing your risk of being in an accident requires defensive driving and adhering to the rules of the road. We’re going to review the top causes of accidents and provide a few tips on how to avoid these types of accidents.

1. Speeding

Tennessee’s Traffic Crash Data reports a decline in speed-related crashes year-over-year, with the number dropping to 1,003 in 2023. Speeding is common on I-40 and highways in the area, but you’ll also find motorists going above the speed limit downtown.

Preventing speed-related accidents is possible by:

  • Following the posted speed limits.
  • Switching to another lane when you witness someone speeding.

Speeding increases stopping distance and can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, too. 

2. Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers are everywhere. Motorists are texting while driving, trying to change the radio station or even reaching down to pick something up from the floor while steering their vehicles. All it takes is a split second with your eyes off of the road to cause an accident.

Over 1 in 23 Nashville car accident reports involve distracted drivers.

Tennessee lawmakers take distracted driving seriously and have recently increased the penalty for motorists who fail to follow the law. If you see someone texting and driving, stay multiple car lengths behind them and avoid them at all costs.

For yourself, avoid distracted driving by keeping your eyes on the road at all times. It only takes 3 seconds from the moment you look away from the road to the moment of impact – or less.

3. Driving While Impaired

In the last year, the number of alcohol-impaired accidents in the county rose to 1,060, up over 10% from the year proper. As a personal injury attorney, we know that driving while impaired causes:

  • 13,524 fatalities nationwide each year
  • Loss of judgment
  • Exaggerated behavior
  • Lowered alertness
  • Poor muscle coordination and timing
  • Decline in reasoning skills

If a person reaches a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .10, they’ll suffer from a clear deterioration of reaction time, control, thinking and coordination. Any level higher than .10 BAC causes substantial impairment, including the inability to control the vehicle.

4. Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a leading cause of car accident injuries and deaths. Tennessee law defines this driving behavior as the willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

It can come in many forms:

  • Road rage or driving aggressively. When drivers let anger and rage get the best of them, their emotions can drive them to make poor decisions, such as ignoring traffic lights, failing to yield, or ramming or sideswiping other drivers.
  • Tailgating. Following a vehicle too closely can result in a rear-end collision, which can be deadly if traveling at high speeds on the highway.
  • Running stop signs or red lights. Failing to obey traffic signs and lights can result in devastating accidents.

Reckless driving can have fatal consequences. If another driver is tailgating, driving aggressively or maneuvering their vehicle in a threatening way, consider moving out of their way or avoiding the vehicle if you can do so safely. Reporting the driver’s behavior to the police may even prevent a potentially deadly accident. 

5. Weather Conditions

Nashville receives its fair share of snow (less than 10 inches on average per year), ice, sleet and rain – all of which can create dangerous road conditions. 

  • Rain makes roadways slick and can cause vehicles to skid or spin out of control when braking.
  • Ice and snow can cause you to lose traction and control of your vehicle.
  • Thick fog can severely limit visibility on roadways, making it more challenging to react if another vehicle stops short. 

Unfortunately, we cannot always avoid driving in dangerous weather conditions. However, if possible, do your best to stay off of roadways during snow and ice storms to avoid a potential accident. 

When driving in the rain, you can reduce the risk of weather-related accidents by slowing down and leaving more distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. 

If you feel your vehicle start to skid, don’t panic and avoid slamming on the brakes, as this will make it even harder to control the vehicle. 

6. Driving While Fatigued

Drowsy driving is more common than you think, and it’s just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Fatigue can:

  • Slow your reaction time
  • Affect your judgment 

Nashville is a lively city, and it’s not uncommon for drivers to be out until after midnight. These drivers are far more likely to be fatigued and make poor decisions that lead to accidents.

Some drivers are also more likely to drive drowsy, such as:

  • Truck drivers 
  • Those who work long shifts or night shifts
  • Drivers with undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders
  • Drivers who take medications that cause drowsiness or fatigue

If you notice another driver drifting in and out of lanes, tailgating, missing traffic lights or otherwise driving erratically, practice defensive driving. Keep your distance or take a different route if you can to avoid a potential collision. 

7. Inexperience

Teenagers and inexperienced drivers are at a higher risk of being involved in an accident simply because they haven’t developed the critical driving skills they need yet. 

Teens are also more likely to crash if they’re driving while impaired or distracted by their phones. 

Parents of teen drivers can help reduce the risk of accidents by setting house rules and insisting that teens practice safe driving behaviors.

With Nashville’s bustling nightlife and high tourist activity, car accidents are more common than in less populated cities in Tennessee. Often, these collisions are the result of someone else’s negligence. 

If you were involved in a car accident in Nashville that was caused by someone else’s recklessness, contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced Nashville car accident attorney from our firm. We may be able to help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage and more.