Tuscaloosa Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Walking is a fun and healthy way to get around, but it also puts you at considerable risk from reckless drivers. While pedestrians do have rights under Alabama law, careless drivers often fail to look for pedestrians or assume that they have the right of way. This leads to a shocking number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities every year.
If you or someone you love gets hurt in a pedestrian accident in Tuscaloosa, it’s crucial to discuss your options with an attorney. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses. Set up a consultation with Mann & Potter now by calling us at 205-879-9661.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian collisions are traced back to a wide variety of causes. While some are caused by pedestrian error, the vast majority are the result of driver error. Common causes include:
- Distracted drivers. Distracted driving is a huge danger for pedestrians. Drivers who are looking at their phones, changing the music, or digging for something in the backseat are unlikely to see a pedestrian in their path. It’s common for drivers to strike pedestrians while distracted by something else or notice the pedestrian far too late to come to a complete stop.
- Drivers are expected to follow the rules of the road to keep other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians safe. Speeding is one of the most dangerous driving behaviors because it makes it impossible for others to gauge when it is safe to go. A lot of pedestrian accidents happen because drivers speed too fast for conditions and strike pedestrians.
- Rolling through a right turn. We’ve all seen someone do this, and many of us are guilty of it ourselves. When a driver rolls into an intersection, checks to the left for oncoming traffic, and proceeds with their right turn, they fail to check if there is a pedestrian crossing from the right.
- Failing to check walk signals. Even if your light is green, there are times you’ll have to wait because of a walk sign. Many drivers are not in the habit of checking for pedestrians or walk signals, which puts Alabama pedestrians at risk.
Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Pedestrian
Alabama law sets out clear expectations for both drivers and pedestrians to keep roadways safe. As a pedestrian, you are expected to follow traffic lights, stop signs, and other signage. You are only to cross the road when the walk signal is on, or in the absence of walk and don’t walk signals, when the roadway is completely clear. When you cross the road anywhere other than an intersection or marked walkway, you have to yield the right of way to cars. Furthermore, you are expected to use the sidewalk if it is available, rather than walking on the road.
Drivers are expected to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections when they have the right of way.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Injuries vary widely, depending on the circumstances of the accident. The severity and prognosis of your injuries significantly affect the type and amount of compensation you may receive. Commonly reported injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts, lacerations, and scrapes
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal injuries
Unfortunately, pedestrians bear the brunt of these accidents. While drivers and vehicle passengers have built-in protection from their vehicle, pedestrians are at risk of fatal or severe injuries in a crash. This is why it is so important to seek medical care after you’ve been hit by a car. Injuries may be immediately obvious, but a surprising amount of injuries don’t become apparent until days or hours after an accident. With immediate medical attention, you can catch injuries right away and get the treatment you need.
Why You Need a Tuscaloosa Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hit by a car, you may wonder if a pedestrian accident lawyer is really necessary. You’ve probably been told by friends and family members that a driver is automatically at fault in a pedestrian accident, so you may expect a full and fair settlement from the insurance company right away.
However, it isn’t quite that simple. There are circumstances in which a pedestrian is at fault for an accident, and you can expect the insurance company to do everything they can to pin the blame on you. On top of that, you can’t expect full compensation even if they do admit that their driver is at fault. Remember, insurance adjusters are on the side of the insurance company—they are not on your side or fighting for your best interests. Their primary goal is to get rid of their company’s liability while paying you as little as possible.
Insurance companies limit payout in a number of ways. First, they’ll deny their client’s liability. They might claim that you stepped out in front of the car, ignored a do not walk signal, or otherwise caused your own injuries. Second, they’ll downplay the severity of the crash. They might claim that the speed was so low it couldn’t have caused serious damage or that the driver said they barely tapped you. Finally, they may ignore the severity of your injuries. They might refer to your lacerations as “bumps and bruises” even if you have proof of medical treatment.
You need a skilled advocate to go to bat for you. When you bring a pedestrian accident attorney to your claim, you show the insurance company that you are not willing to accept their assessment of your accident. Our team knows the tricks and strategies used by insurance companies, and we’ll have the evidence needed to fight them. Our goal is to get you the compensation you deserve. If a careless driver leaves you injured, out of work, and with a stack of medical bills, you shouldn’t be left with that burden. Let us help you fight for the compensation you are owed.
Contact Mann & Potter Today
The sooner you reach out to a pedestrian accident attorney in Tuscaloosa, the sooner we can fight on your behalf. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 205-879-9661 or filling out our online contact form.
