If you were hit by a motor vehicle while walking in Athens, Alabama, you could be suffering from painful injuries, unable to work, and stressed about making ends meet. If the driver who hit you was at fault for the accident, they could owe you compensation for your losses. However, getting this compensation can be difficult without the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
The attorneys at the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., have represented crash victims in Alabama for over 50 years. Our consistent success and commitment to our clients have earned us a listing in the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers. Find out how we can put our skills and experience to work as we pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us now for a free consultation with an Athens pedestrian accident attorney.
How Our Athens Injury Lawyers Help People Hurt in Pedestrian Accidents
When you work with the Athens pedestrian accident lawyers of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., you can count on us to:
- Answer your questions and review your legal options in a free consultation
- Evaluate the strength of your case and the amount you could be owed in compensation
- Conduct an independent investigation into the causes of the accident
- Communicate with the motorist’s insurer and other parties on your behalf
- Obtain medical records, crash reports, and other evidence for your case
- Interview eyewitnesses and reliable experts for valuable supporting testimony
- Manage important documents, deadlines, and filing requirements on your behalf
- Negotiate aggressively during settlement talks to pursue full and fair compensation
- Take your case to trial and represent you in court, if necessary
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Athens, Alabama
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Alabama ranks 9th among all 50 states and the District of Columbia for pedestrian fatality rates, with an average of 2.43 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents. Local news outlets have also reported that crashes involving pedestrians and pedestrian fatalities are rising. In one recent year, Alabama law enforcement officers investigated more than 760 reported pedestrian accidents, 125 of which were fatal.
While pedestrians must obey traffic laws and can be at fault for an accident if they violate them, most pedestrian accidents in Athens, result from drivers behaving carelessly.
Examples of these behaviors include:
- Distracted driving – Drivers who are absorbed in text messages, phone conversations, or other distractions are significantly more likely to overlook nearby pedestrians and cause catastrophic collisions.
- Impaired driving – When drivers are drunk, high, or extremely tired behind the wheel, their cognitive abilities can become dangerously impaired, potentially contributing to pedestrian accidents.
- Speeding – Speeding drivers require more stopping distance and have less time to react to sudden changes in the road. Combined with how vulnerable pedestrians are too serious injury in the event of a collision, speeding endangers lives.
- Failure to yield – Drivers are expected to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in certain situations, particularly when pedestrians are in crosswalks. Drivers who fail to yield when required can cause devastating pedestrian crashes.
- Reckless driving – Drivers who engage in reckless behaviors such as tailgating and lane weaving are risking an accident. These drivers are also more likely to be focused on vehicular traffic and less likely to look out for nearby people on foot.
Pedestrian accidents commonly occur in the following locations and conditions:
- Crosswalks – Pedestrians typically have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks, but unfortunately, many drivers ignore or forget this when driving through intersections.
- Parking lots and garages – The dense concentration of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in parking lots and garages contributes to many pedestrian accidents, especially backing-up and dooring (hitting a pedestrian with a car door) collisions.
- Residential areas – Pedestrians walking along residential sidewalks are susceptible to traffic accidents, especially as residents reverse out of driveways or garages and over sidewalks.
- Poor road conditions – Pedestrian accidents are significantly more likely to occur in areas with poor road conditions, such as roads with low visibility, slick pavement, or missing road signs.
Common Injuries in Athens Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in a traffic collision because they do not have safety restraints, airbags, and vehicle frames to keep them safe. Consequently, they often suffer catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Dislocated and broken bones
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- “Road rash” and other types of burns
- Emotional and psychological injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fatal injuries
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Claim
If you got hit by a car while walking in Athens, Alabama, you could be entitled to compensation for the following types of crash-related losses:
- Medical expenses for the treatment of your injuries
- Lost wages from any time you missed at work due to your injuries
- Reduced future earning potential, if your injuries are permanent
- Pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- Incidental costs, such as mileage expenses for medical appointments
Proving Fault for a Pedestrian Accident
To secure compensation from the driver who hit you, you must demonstrate that they caused the accident and are therefore liable for your injuries and related losses. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can build a strong case establishing this by consulting evidence like:
- Medical records and bills
- Police accident reports
- Photos of the crash scene
- Video footage of the collision
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Expert witness testimony
- Accident reconstruction models
Contact Skilled Pedestrian Injury Lawyers in Athens Today
If you have been injured by a negligent motorist, the trusted Athens personal injury lawyers at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., can help you demand the compensation you deserve. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our injured clients and want to help you, too.
Contact us today for a free consultation and tell us more about your case.
