As one of the largest cities in Alabama, Birmingham sees a lot of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Unfortunately, a moment of driver inattention can cause a pedestrian accident that injures you or someone you love.
Pedestrians who suffer injuries in automobile accidents could face an extremely challenging road to recovering damages in their cases.
You must have an experienced Birmingham pedestrian accident attorney on your side if a negligent driver injured you or killed a close family member to help you get the compensation you need and the justice you deserve.
With a proven record of successfully recovering awards for injured pedestrians, the Birmingham pedestrian accident attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys can increase your chances of holding the at-fault party liable and obtaining the maximum compensation for your personal injury case.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation so we can help you.
Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Guide
- Our Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Have a Proven Record of Success
- Alabama Pedestrian Accident Statistics
- What Causes Birmingham Pedestrian Accidents?
- What Kinds of Injuries Do Pedestrian Accident Cause?
- What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for My Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
- What to Do After a Birmingham Pedestrian Accident
- What Are the Time Limits for Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Claims?
- Call Cory Watson Attorneys Today
Our Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Have a Proven Record of Success
If you sustained severe injuries in a pedestrian accident in the greater Birmingham area, you need to ensure you choose the right attorney to handle your claim.
Cory Watson Attorneys has represented injured Alabama residents for nearly 40 years, and during that time, we have recovered more than $4 Billion for our clients.
You can rely on us to take an active interest in your case and deliver personalized attention each step of the way. We will sit with you and listen to your story to understand your needs and goals, and we will develop a plan tailored to the unique circumstances of your case to help you build the strongest claim possible.
Worried about how much a pedestrian accident lawyer will cost? Don't be. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you won't pay us anything upfront to represent you. We will only accept a fee if we recover compensation for you through settlement negotiation or at trial–otherwise, you owe us nothing.
Don't delay in getting the legal help you need and starting the claims process. Call us today at 877-562-0000 to contact us online to receive a free consultation.
Alabama Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) reported the following pedestrian accident statistics for a recent year:
- 905 total pedestrian accidents
- 713 pedestrian accident injuries
- 114 pedestrian accident fatalities
ALDOT also reported that pedestrian fatalities have increased by 81% over the past 10 years. Pedestrians between the ages of 31 and 40 constitute the largest number of persons involved in pedestrian accidents throughout the state.
What Causes Birmingham Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents can occur due to various factors, often resulting from a combination of circumstances. Understanding these factors can help both pedestrians and drivers take precautions to reduce the risk of accidents. Here are some common causes of pedestrian accidents:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who are distracted by texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or engaging in other activities may not be fully aware of their surroundings, increasing the risk of hitting pedestrians. Even without clear distractions, some drivers may be inattentive or not scan their surroundings carefully, leading to a failure to notice pedestrians.
- Speeding: Speeding reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Drivers who exceed speed limits may be unable to stop in time to avoid pedestrians.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians, especially at crosswalks and intersections, is a common cause of accidents.
- Impaired Driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs may have impaired judgment, reduced reaction times, and compromised coordination, leading to a higher likelihood of accidents involving pedestrians.
- Poor Visibility: Reduced visibility due to weather conditions (rain, fog, snow) or low lighting can contribute to accidents. Pedestrians may be less visible to drivers, and vice versa.
- Ignoring Traffic Signals: Drivers may cause pedestrian accidents by ignoring traffic signals, such as running red lights or stop signs.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: Poorly designed or maintained crosswalks, sidewalks, and intersections can contribute to accidents. Lack of proper signage and signals may confuse both drivers and pedestrians.
- Reckless Driving: Aggressive or reckless driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or ignoring traffic laws, can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.
A pedestrian accident lawyer from Cory Watson Attorneys can help you determine the exact cause of your crash and all possible liable parties. This information can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Kinds of Injuries Do Pedestrian Accident Cause?
Pedestrian accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, and the severity of these injuries often depends on various factors, including the speed of the vehicle, the point of impact, and the age and physical condition of the pedestrian. Here are common injuries that can occur in pedestrian accidents:
- Soft Tissue Injuries: These include sprains, strains, and contusions. Soft tissue injuries are common in pedestrian accidents and can range from minor to more severe.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The impact of a vehicle can cause fractures and breaks in bones, particularly in the limbs and extremities.
- Head Injuries: Pedestrians are at risk of head injuries, including concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fractures. Even low-speed collisions can lead to significant head trauma.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a collision can cause damage to the spinal cord, leading to paralysis or other serious complications.
- Internal Injuries: The impact of a collision can cause damage to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding or other life-threatening injuries.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Pedestrians may suffer cuts and lacerations from contact with the vehicle or other objects during an accident.
- Bruising and Contusions: Bruising and contusions are common in pedestrian accidents, particularly in areas where the body makes contact with the vehicle.
- Emotional Trauma: In addition to physical injuries, individuals involved in pedestrian accidents may experience emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Fatal Injuries: Unfortunately, some pedestrian accidents result in fatalities. Pedestrians are vulnerable, and the impact of a collision with a vehicle can be deadly.
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, even if your injuries appear minor, you should seek medical attention immediately. Prompt medical evaluation can help identify and address potential issues before they worsen. As soon as you can after getting medical treatment, you need to consult a pedestrian accident lawyer to understand your rights and options for compensation.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for My Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
People injured in pedestrian accidents are entitled to many of the same damages that a driver could recover after a crash. However, it can be more challenging for a pedestrian to recover these damages because insurance companies for negligent drivers typically suggest that a pedestrian was somehow at fault for their injuries.
In most cases, an injured pedestrian must file what is known as a third-party claim with the negligent driver's insurance company. Insurers often are skeptical of third-party claims and fight to reduce their payouts on these claims.
That's why it's imperative you work with a qualified pedestrian accident attorney to help you recover damages. Some types of compensation you could receive include:
- Medical bills and hospital bills, including future medical expenses
- Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other accident-related damages
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
If a pedestrian accident killed a close family member, you may also qualify to receive wrongful death damages, which can cover funeral expenses and other expenses related to your loved one's passing.
Insurers Often Make Initial Lowball Offers Hoping for Quick Settlement
You need to know that insurance companies often contact accident victims in the immediate aftermath of the incident, hoping they will accept a lump-sum settlement that does not adequately account for the total value of their damages.
While these proposed settlements might sound like a generous amount of money, you need to keep in mind the full lifetime of costs you might face so you receive compensation for all accident-related expenses. In addition, remember that once you accept an offer, you cannot go back to the insurer for more, even if the settlement eventually covers only a fraction of your actual costs.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Birmingham, call
What to Do After a Birmingham Pedestrian Accident
You can take several critical steps following a pedestrian accident to preserve your health and protect your rights to compensation.
Call the Police
People who suffer injuries in pedestrian accidents should contact the police so an officer can file an official report about the accident. Never allow a negligent driver to persuade you to keep the police out of any crash.
Seek Medical Attention
The most important thing you can do is to seek medical attention. We cannot stress the importance of this step, as people who delay seeking treatment can irreparably harm their chances of recovering an award.
Gather Evidence
You will want to exchange information with the negligent driver. Also, try to photograph everything involved in your accident scene. However, neither of these steps might be possible if you require immediate medical care. If you were on a walk with a friend or family member, they could handle these tasks for you.
Contact an Attorney
Once your health allows, you could contact a pedestrian accident attorney to help you avoid some of the common pitfalls that victims encounter. For example, the at-fault driver's insurance company might contact you, seeking a recorded statement or offering a quick settlement. Neither is in your best interests. Instead, you can direct the insurance adjuster to speak to your lawyer.
What Are the Time Limits for Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Claims?
Alabama Code § 6-2-38 establishes the deadline (known as the statute of limitations) for filing a claim after a pedestrian accident. Under state law, a person only has two years to file a case.
However, some exceptions to the deadline might apply. For example, when the injured person is a minor or mentally incapacitated at the time of their injury, they will have two years from the date they turn 19 years old, or a court declares them legally sane.
Another common exception to the customary statute of limitations concerns actions filed against a government entity. An attorney from our firm can review your case for free and determine what specific deadline applies to your situation.
Call Cory Watson Attorneys Today
Did someone hit you with their vehicle while you walked along Arkadelphia Road, University Boulevard, or any other Birmingham street? the team at Cory Watson Attorneys today at (205) 328-2200 for a free no-obligation consultation. We'll review the details of your case and provide a complete understanding of what options may be available to you.
No case is too big or too small for our firm, and we will work as hard as possible to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after a pedestrian accident in Birmingham.