Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Hoover, AL
When you compare pedestrians and those in passenger vehicles, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash than people in passenger vehicles. Despite the fact that pedestrians in Hoover, AL have substantial rights under the law, they face substantially more risk every time they step onto a sidewalk or into an intersection.
If you or someone you love is injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the liable party. To discuss your accident in greater detail, call Mann & Potter at 205-879-9661.
Why Choose Our Team?
You’ve likely heard that it’s easy for pedestrians to “win” cases against negligent drivers after an accident. As a driver, you may have even been warned that an accident with a pedestrian will always be your fault—no matter what the facts of the case are. Now that you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Hoover, AL, you may be wondering if you even need an attorney.
You absolutely do need a pedestrian accident attorney in Hoover, AL after your accident. While it may be true that your accident was obviously the driver’s fault, that won’t stop their insurance company from trying to limit your compensation or avoid paying you entirely.
Remember, insurance companies are only interested in the facts so long as the facts protect their profit margins and their annual shareholder bonuses. If the facts show that their client was a negligent driver, they’ll rush to downplay those facts and shift as much blame to you as they can.
How do they do that? They might indicate that you crossed the street illegally or walked on the wrong side of the road, even if there’s evidence proving otherwise. They might claim that your injuries aren’t nearly as serious as you say they are—even if you’re reporting those injuries from a hospital room. They could challenge every aspect of your claim, from your medical bills to your lost wages and your property damage.
They do this because they know they can usually get away with it. Most accident victims don’t want the hassle of a personal injury claim, so they accept whatever they are offered, no matter how low or insulting that offer is. You don’t have to settle for that.
You can hire Mann & Potter, knowing that we will fight for the full and fair compensation you truly deserve. Insurance adjusters don’t try the same tricks on attorneys because they know that we simply don’t fall for it. When you hire us, you make it much harder for insurance companies to continue negotiating in bad faith.
The Dangers of Pedestrian Accidents
Statistics released by the CDC show that pedestrian accidents are a serious issue in the United States. On average, one pedestrian dies in an accident every 88 minutes. Beyond fatal injuries, over 137,000 injured pedestrians seek emergency care after an accident every year.
Anyone can become a victim of a pedestrian accident, but certain groups are at much higher risk than others. Older Americans and children under the age of 15 are the most common victims of fatal pedestrian crashes.
Knowing where and when crashes are likely to occur can help you avoid these hot spots or take extra care when walking. The majority of pedestrian deaths occur at nighttime in urban areas. While intersection accidents do results in substantial fatalities and serious injuries, the majority of fatal injuries are not at intersections.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Hoover, AL
Before you can recover compensation for your accident, you must be able to prove who is liable for your injuries. Determining the cause of an accident is a big part of this process. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian collisions include:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving or engaging in other distracting behavior
- Impaired driving
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Driving recklessly
- Driving too fast for weather conditions or driving too fast to stop in a timely manner
- Failure to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians
- Failure to check both ways before making a turn
- Failure to yield right-of-way
On the flip side, there are situations in which pedestrians are directly responsible for accidents:
- Stepping out in front of moving traffic from behind a car or other obstacle
- Crossing when the crosswalk sign does not allow you to
- Walking while drunk or otherwise impaired
- Jaywalking
- Walking on the shoulder of the road instead of on the sidewalk
Calculating Compensation and Proving Liability
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your losses. After a pedestrian crash, damages are often awarded for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Future medical costs for severe injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Some of these categories are easier to calculate, such as medical bills and lost wages. Others, including mental anguish and pain and suffering, are a bit more subjective. This is why it’s important to work with a trustworthy and aggressive personal injury attorney who can prove what your injuries are worth. Evidence is crucial, so you’ll want to submit medical bills, medical records, proof of missed days of work, and any other documentation you have to your attorney.
Your attorney will also work tirelessly to prove the negligent party’s liability. In many cases, the liable party is the driver of the vehicle that struck you. However, in some cases, a negligent auto part manufacturer or government entity that maintains the road may have some liability. By building a case against the other party, your attorney can put you in a better position to recover everything you have lost. When it comes to proving another party’s role in your accident, helpful evidence includes police reports, eyewitness testimony, photographs of the accident scene, and dash cam footage.
Contact Mann & Potter Now to Start Your Claim
A pedestrian accident can change your life, leaving you with serious injuries and stacks of medical bills. You don’t have to face this challenge alone. Let the team at Mann & Potter help you through this difficult time. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 205-879-9661 or getting in touch with us online.
