Top Summer Tourist Injury Risks in Nashville and How to Stay Safe
While summer does provide a chance to unwind, it does come with certain risks. A popular destination, Nashville offers tourists the chance to attend outdoor festivals and visit water parks, and to enjoy the exhilarating nightlife. Unfortunately, these attractions, combined with brutal heat, alcohol, and heavy tourist attractions, create a dangerous mix. Thankfully, our personal injury attorneys in Davidson County at Raybin & Weissman are available to protect your rights.
Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke
The risk of heat-related illness is a serious concern anytime the heat index hits 90°F or higher. Given that Nashville’s summer heat index sits between 100°F and 105°F during July and August, even healthy young adults can get sick from the heat. Signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, and a weak or fast pulse. When your body temperature reaches 104°F or higher, heat stroke has begun to set in. Symptoms may present as confusion, hot red skin, possible seizures, and loss of consciousness. If left untreated, this condition is often fatal.
Water Park Injuries
Home to various water parks, every member of the family can be entertained when visiting Nashville. However, violent impacts and slide collisions can result in head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones. Even a slick walkway can result in a slip and fall, which can mean thousands of dollars in medical bills. Certain rides pose more significant hazards than others, so children must be adequately supervised.
Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Accidents
Home to Nashville, Davidson County consistently has one of the highest injury traffic rates in Tennessee. Whether you are walking down Broadway or driving around downtown Nashville, the influx of tourists correlates with a sharp increase in traffic accidents. Of course, determining liability in a traffic collision hinges on proving driver negligence and whether multiple parties were involved.
Vehicle Strikes on Broadway & Alcohol-Related Falls
Lower Broadway in Nashville contains a row of honky tonks where bands perform into the wee hours of the morning. Even pedestrians in a crosswalk are at risk of being hit, with four pedestrians recently being struck by a car on Broadway{:target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”} after an 87-year-old driver ran a red light. As a result of this incident, one person was killed, and two others were left in critical condition.
“Transportainment” vehicles, such as pedal taverns and party buses, pose their own risks, with numerous accounts of people falling or stumbling off them while exploring downtown Nashville. Intoxication only makes matters worse, contributing to a vast majority of these injuries.
Tips to Stay Safe
Participating in events and outings requires taking proper precautions. If you plan on attending a music festival or other outdoor event that entails significant time in the sun, be sure to stay hydrated. Also, drink plenty of water the day before you plan to be outside, not just the morning of. Limit outdoor time during peak afternoon heat and be aware of the warning signs of heat stroke.
If planning to explore Broadway on foot, use designated crosswalks and never assume that a driver sees you. If you ride a pedal tavern or party bike, wear a helmet if offered one, stay seated, and limit your drinking if you plan to walk later. If you’re driving, drive cautiously in dense traffic and keep your eyes on the road.
Establishing Negligence in a Nashville Tourist Injury
Even taking proper safety precautions, you can still be injured while traveling in Nashville or exploring the Music City. In some cases, another party may be responsible for your injury. For example, a venue may be legally responsible for someone who suffers heat stroke at an outdoor festival if it fails to provide water stations.
However, this depends on local ordinances. Alternatively, if you suffered an injury on a pedal tavern, the operator or another driver may be held liable, or the pedal tavern company may be held vicariously liable for your injuries. However, pedal tavern riders often sign liability waivers, which can limit their ability to recover.
The state of Tennessee recognizes comparative negligence, allowing you to recover if you are partly at fault. Under comparative negligence, you are entitled to legal recovery as long as you are less than 50 percent responsible. Your share of fault will reduce your compensation, so you need to speak with our Davidson County personal injury lawyers to limit your liability.
Dedicated Advocacy From Our Davidson County Personal Injury Attorneys
Navigating Nashville during the summer can be challenging, especially when the area attracts a large volume of tourists. If you or a family member has suffered an injury while visiting the Music City, our Davidson County personal injury lawyers would like to speak with you. Our team of legal professionals knows what questions to ask to pinpoint liability and get the compensation you deserve. To arrange your free consultation, contact Raybin & Weissman online or by calling (615) 256-6666 at your earliest opportunity.