Pedestrian accidents are all too common on Alabama roadways and often result in life-changing injuries and fatalities. In 2023 alone, 588 people were injured and 120 were killed in pedestrian accidents in Alabama. If you or a loved one has been injured, our pedestrian accident attorneys at Moore Law Firm can help. Over the past 40 years, we’ve helped more than 15,000 injury victims in Mobile and throughout Alabama understand their rights and pursue the compensation they need and deserve after an accident.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Alabama
There are countless ways in which pedestrian accidents can occur, but some of the most common include:
Distracted driving
It only takes a second to cause a serious distracted driving accident. Texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or simply not paying attention to your surroundings while driving can result in hitting pedestrians in the road.
Failure to Yield
Many pedestrian accidents occur when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way at a crosswalk or intersection.
Failure to stop at a Crosswalk, Traffic Sign, or Stoplight
Failing to come to a complete stop can also have a tragic outcome if a pedestrian is walking across the street at an intersection. Even if a right turn at a red light is permitted, stopping before making the turn gives you time to check for any pedestrians in the intersection.
Speeding
Driving too fast may not give a motorist enough time to stop if a pedestrian is walking across or along the street.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time and impair your judgment, which increases the risk of overlooking a pedestrian or miscalculating stopping distance. Our personal injury lawyers have a record of success recovering compensation for clients in DUI accident cases.
Poor Visibility
Heavy rain, fog, and lack of lighting can reduce visibility, so it’s vital to exercise caution when navigating the road in these conditions.
Backing Up Without Checking
Pedestrians, especially children, can be seriously injured or killed when a driver reverses without checking for foot traffic. Although back-up cameras help, turning around to double check for pedestrians when backing out of a parking spot or driveway is a must.
Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Alabama
It Can Be Challenging to Prove Fault
Alabama personal injury law is complex, and insurance companies often use underhanded tactics to minimize victims’ injuries and devalue or deny claims. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are well-versed in the laws that protect pedestrians in Alabama. We thoroughly investigate your case and gather evidence to determine and prove who is at fault.
It’s important to understand that Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. This means if you are found to be even 1% at fault, you may not be able to recover any damages at all from the responsible party. Insurance companies will try to shift blame onto you so they don’t have to pay. Do not give a statement, sign anything, or accept a settlement from an insurer without consulting our personal injury lawyers first.
Pedestrian Accidents Often Result in Catastrophic Injuries
It’s common for victims to underestimate the value of their claim, especially if they’ve suffered catastrophic injuries that require lifelong treatment and significant lifestyle adjustments. Injuries like paralysis and amputation may require long-term care, home modifications, and expensive medical devices, which can reach into the millions of dollars over a lifetime. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Mobile, Alabama work closely with financial, medical, and life care experts who help us accurately value your claim to ensure that your settlement or award covers the full scope of complex damages like future medical bills, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Insurance Claims Can Be Complicated
In many cases, injured pedestrians may be entitled to pursue insurance benefits from multiple sources. Our pedestrian accident attorneys at Moore Law Firm investigate and identify all levels of insurance coverage that may apply in your case. Some of these may include primary liability, secondary liability, employer liability policies, umbrella policies, and excess policies.
In addition, If you’re injured in a motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian, you may be entitled to coverage from both the at-fault party and your own insurance policy. Even though you were hurt as a pedestrian, coverage such as uninsured motorist, MedPay, and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) may apply if your injuries were caused by a car or truck accident. In Alabama, you can also stack up to three vehicles’ coverage per policy.
Filing multiple pedestrian accident claims can be overwhelming. Our Alabama personal injury attorneys are here to take the weight off your shoulders. We handle all aspects of your case and negotiate aggressively on your behalf to help you find the justice and compensation you and your family deserve. If a reasonable settlement can’t be reached, we fight for your rights at trial.
Contact Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Mobile, AL
At Moore Law Firm, we’re passionate about holding negligent parties accountable and helping injured victims move on with their lives after a pedestrian accident. Contact us, call 251-445-7602, or use the convenient chat feature on our website to schedule a consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney near you. Our pedestrian accident lawyers serve clients in Mobile, Alabama and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pedestrian Accidents in Alabama
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
After any motor vehicle accident, it’s vital to call 911 seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you believe you’re not seriously injured. If possible, take photos of the scene, your injuries, traffic signals and signs, and anything else you think is relevant. Gather contact and insurance information from the driver and ask witnesses for their contact info as well. If available, get a copy of the police report at the scene. Our pedestrian accident attorneys will interview witnesses and gather any traffic camera or surveillance video footage that may show how the incident happened.
What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
Two of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents are driver inattention and failure to yield.
Where Do most Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
Pedestrians are often injured at intersections in urban areas like downtown Mobile.
Can a Pedestrian Be Found at Fault for an Accident?
Yes. Pedestrians are required to abide by all traffic signals such as signs, stop lights, and crosswalks. Local laws regarding jaywalking may also be enforced. It’s vital to have a pedestrian accident lawyer who knows the law and how to prove whether a driver was 100% responsible for a crash.
Can I File a Claim if a Loved One Was Killed in a Pedestrian Accident?
Yes. A Mobile pedestrian accident attorney can evaluate your case and determine whether pursuing a wrongful death claim may be a viable option.
How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost?
We know that being hurt in a pedestrian accident can be financially challenging. Our personal injury attorneys take cases on contingency, which means you won’t incur any upfront costs, and we only get paid if we win your case. Your initial consultation is always free, even if you don’t move forward with your case. Our Get Moore Guarantee also ensures that any settlement or award you receive is more than our attorney fees.
