Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Nashville Crash
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between rows of stopped or slow-moving traffic traveling in the same direction to reduce congestion and avoid being rear-ended. California is the only state that explicitly allows this practice, although motorcycle riders all over the country engage in lane splitting.
Lane spitting can be unsafe and one mistake can lead to serious injuries. Sadly, a motorcycle rider experienced this after getting into a crash while lane splitting on Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville.
The accident happened on the morning of February 9. The unidentified motorcyclist was heading west on Old Hickory Boulevard when a driver turned left from North Graycroft Avenue.
A witness told police that the motorcyclist had been lane splitting through stopped traffic. The rider then used the left-turn only lane to enter the intersection after running the red traffic light.
The motorcycle crashed into the rear passenger side door of the Nissan Altima. The impact caused the motorcycle to rotate. The rider was ejected from the motorcycle.
The motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. They were later taken into surgery. The driver of the Nissan Altima suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital for treatment.
Lane Splitting in Tennessee
Under Tennessee Code § 55-8-182, motorcyclists:
- May not ride between lanes of traffic.
- May not pass vehicles within the same lane.
- Must stay entirely within a single lane.
This makes both lane splitting and lane filtering illegal statewide. Tennessee only allows lane sharing, meaning no more than two motorcycles may ride side-by-side in one lane.
Recent legislative proposals would allow limited lane splitting under strict conditions, but none have passed as of 2026, so lane splitting remains illegal statewide.
If you’re caught lane splitting in Tennessee, you can face:
- Traffic citation and fines.
- Points added to your driving record.
- Increased insurance premiums.
If an accident occurs while lane splitting, riders are much more likely to be found at fault, which can seriously impact injury claims and compensation.
Dead Red Laws
The motorcycle rider in this case also ran a red light. Many states, including Tennessee, have “dead red” laws that allow a motorcycle to legally proceed through a red light under very specific conditions if the signal does not detect the bike.
In Tennessee, a motorcyclist may proceed through a red light only if all of the following apply:
- The traffic signal fails to detect the motorcycle.
- The rider has come to a complete stop.
- The rider has waited a full cycle or a reasonable time (typically interpreted as at least 1 to 2 minutes or one full signal cycle).
- The rider proceeds only when safe.
This law does not allow rolling through red lights, blasting through without stopping, or ignoring normal traffic flow.
Contact Us Today
Motorcycle crashes can occur when the rider is negligent. Safety must be a priority when in traffic.
Injured in a crash? A Mt. Juliet motorcycle accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can help determine liability and get you full and fair compensation so you can move on. To schedule a consultation with our office, call (615) 622-6060 or fill out the online form.
Source:
wsmv.com/2026/02/09/motorcyclist-left-with-life-threatening-injuries-after-crashing-into-car-police-say/
