Mobile Alabama Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

When pedestrians share the road with motor vehicles, the combination can turn deadly. A split second decision by a driver or lack of attention to the roadway can have lasting and life-threatening consequences for someone crossing the street or walking along the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,000 people die in pedestrian accidents in the U.S. each year, and another 75,000 are injured. This means that a pedestrian injury takes place every seven minutes and a pedestrian death every two hours.

As the streets of Mobile and the surrounding areas become more crowded, these types of tragic accidents will increase in frequency and severity. Not only are cities more dangerous for pedestrian accidents, but so are southern states like Alabama. In fact, the latest Dangerous by Design report ranks Alabama number two in the nation on its pedestrian danger index, with 724 deaths between 2005 and 2014.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Alabama, or you’ve lost a loved one due to wrongful death, the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, L.L.C. is ready to put its vast personal injury experience to work on your case.

Pedestrian Traffic Laws in Mobile

Pedestrians have a legal right to walk down sidewalks and cross roadways in safety. Under Alabama law, both pedestrians and drivers must follow certain rules to remain safe. The laws that apply to these actions are referenced in Alabama code Sections 32-5A-1 through 32-5A-330.

The main Alabama law applying to pedestrians requires that they obey all traffic control devices and use the crossing signals available at most major intersections and crosswalks. Pedestrians are granted the right-of-way whenever these control signals are present and give the “safe to walk” signal. In these situations, motorists are required to yield and wait for pedestrians to fully clear a crosswalk before they proceed.

If there is no pedestrian control signal at an intersection or crosswalk, a vehicle must still yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who wishes to cross. Pedestrians who wish to cross a road anywhere other than a crosswalk or intersection must yield the right-of-way to approaching vehicles.

It is not lawful for a pedestrian to walk in the roadway if there is a sidewalk available. If no sidewalk is present, pedestrians should stay on the shoulder and as far away from traffic as possible. In Alabama, pedestrians who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot legally be on the roadway. There may also be other pedestrian laws that are enacted by cities, towns, or municipalities.

Pedestrians Can Suffer Catastrophic Injuries

Because of the discrepancy between a pedestrian and the force of an automobile or truck, a pedestrian accident can have tragic consequences. The seriousness of these crashes and resulting injuries often depends on how fast the vehicle was traveling. Yet, even a vehicle making a slow turn could cause serious injury to a person who doesn’t have the benefit of a 4,000 lb. motor vehicle as protection.

Pedestrian accidents, when not deadly, can leave victims and their families with debilitating injuries. Some common injuries from these accidents include traumatic brain injury, paralysis, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries.

When you have been involved in one of these events, the results can be life-changing. The expenses and damages that you incur could include such things as medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death. A skilled Alabama pedestrian accident attorney can help you and your family recover these damages from the responsible party.

Negligence From Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians should feel safe crossing the road or walking in designated pedestrian areas, but assuming that other drivers see you can be a dangerous practice and have grave consequences. As a pedestrian, you should always confirm that it’s safe to walk, even if you have the right-of-way.

Advances in technology make it easier to become distracted while driving, which creates an additional danger on our roadways. When a driver is glancing at their cell phone or distracted in any way, they are more likely to strike an innocent pedestrian than if they were paying attention to their surroundings.

Aside from distracted driver pedestrian accidents, there are other common causes of these tragedies. Speeding, reckless driving and failing to adhere to traffic laws and signals are just a few. Finally, drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs are more likely to run into and injure a pedestrian.

While most pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver, Alabama is a contributory negligence state. This means that any degree of fault on the part of the pedestrian, even one percent, will bar a claim for compensation. Contributory negligence rules can make personal injury and wrongful death cases a challenge, which is just one of the reasons why you need an experienced and aggressive Alabama pedestrian accident attorney in your corner.

Why Hire an Experienced Alabama Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?

You might feel that your pedestrian accident involves a clear cut case of negligence, but the other party’s insurance company will see the situation differently. Expect that they will give you a call with a request for a statement or an offer of a quick settlement. If the other party can point to just one percent fault on your end, they will attempt to deny your claim and leave you with unpaid medical bills and the financial burden of getting back on your feet.

Our experienced Alabama personal injury attorneys will become your legal advocate from day one and will work tirelessly to protect your rights in a pedestrian injury case. Our attorneys will step in to speak to the insurance company on your behalf and will review any settlement offers with you to determine if it will cover your damages. When you choose the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, L.L.C. as your representative, we will perform a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding your accident and work with you to devise a strategy to fight the insurance companies and recover the damages you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Alabama, the dedicated personal injury team at the Law Office of J. Allan Brown, L.L.C. is ready to help. Contact us now at (251) 473-6691 or online to schedule a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.