Walking is an excellent way for many people to get around Decatur. Unfortunately, pedestrians are among the most vulnerable populations on the road. Pedestrian accidents happen. In an instant, a careless driver can significantly change your life, causing serious injuries and financial instability as a result of staggering medical expenses and lost wages.
What can you do to recover the money you need to move forward with your life after a pedestrian accident? You can start by contacting an experienced Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer with the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. We have the knowledge and skills to hold careless drivers accountable for their actions and have been recognized for our effective and exemplary legal service in personal injury cases.
After a pedestrian accident, you need personalized legal advice and support to seek compensation for your losses. Contact our Decatur pedestrian accident attorneys today and request a free legal consultation.
Benefits of Hiring Our Decatur Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
The most significant benefit to hiring a Decatur pedestrian accident attorney is that you do not have to navigate the complicated insurance claim process alone. Filing a claim and seeking fair compensation for your injuries can be time-consuming and stressful, especially when you are coping with pain and disability from severe injuries. Some insurance adjusters resort to intimidating and aggressive tactics that convince vulnerable pedestrian accident victims to settle for far less than their claims are actually worth.
You benefit from working with our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys in Decatur because your attorney handles the details for you, from collecting and preserving evidence to negotiating with insurers and attorneys for maximum compensation. You can focus on healing without the stress and headache of managing strict deadlines and feeling pressured by an insurance company to make decisions faster than you are comfortable with.
You also benefit from the attorney-client relationship because an attorney can calculate the fair value of your losses and push for the compensation you deserve. If the insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith, your attorney can protect your rights and move to file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue the money you need.
Common Causes and Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Decatur
The leading cause of Decatur pedestrian accidents is human error. Alabama Department of Transportation research indicates that pedestrian fatalities in Alabama have increased 81 percent since 2010. In one recent year, Alabama recorded 713 pedestrian injuries and 114 fatalities. The agency suggests that the steep rise in pedestrian accidents and fatalities in the state is caused by increased distractions and electronic device use.
Another common factor in pedestrian accidents is poor visibility. Pedestrians are more difficult to spot, especially at night and in inclement weather conditions. If you are walking in Decatur, take extra precautions to make yourself more visible to drivers, such as wearing bright clothing or clothing with reflective material at night. Drivers must also make the effort to look for pedestrians and adjust their driving accordingly.
Negligent actions on the part of drivers cause many pedestrian accidents. For example, cell phone use is one of the leading causes of distracted driving and contributes to a variety of accidents, including those involving pedestrians. Other common causes of Decatur pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Fatigued driving
Types of Injuries Sustained by Pedestrians
Pedestrian accidents can cause catastrophic physical injuries, largely because pedestrians have no external protection, such as airbags, seatbelts, or helmets. They are much more susceptible to sustaining life-altering injuries that require extensive medical care and long-term treatment.
Some examples of the types of injuries often sustained by pedestrians include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Other neck and spine injuries
- Limb loss or traumatic amputation
- Road rash
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Facial, eye, and dental injuries
Pedestrian accident victims can also suffer from invisible injuries such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These mental health concerns can also cause significant disruptions to the recovery process and impact a person’s long-term health.
Potential Sources of Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
Where can a pedestrian accident victim turn for compensation following an accident with a careless driver? The answer depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. Alabama is a traditional at-fault car insurance state. That means if a careless driver injures you, you can file a claim with the driver’s car insurance company seeking compensation for your financial losses, including your medical expenses.
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance coverage or none at all, you might be able to recover benefits from your auto policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage even though you were not driving your car when the accident occurred. UM coverage could also apply if you were hurt in a hit-and-run accident.
Pedestrians should be aware that Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. It says if your negligence played the slightest role in causing the accident, you cannot recover any compensation for your losses.
An experienced Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm can evaluate your claim and help you understand your legal options for pursuing compensation from every available source. We can also help if the driver attempts to shift blame for causing the accident and potentially jeopardizes your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
Types of Damages Available to Victims of Pedestrian Accidents in Decatur, AL
The amount of your compensation can depend on the nature of the accident and the severity of your injuries, among other factors. However, in many situations, a Decatur pedestrian accident victim can seek money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering
Our pedestrian accident lawyer in Decatur, Alabama, can evaluate your unique situation and help you pursue maximum compensation for all your losses.
How Our Lawyers Help Injured Pedestrians in Decatur
At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we have an extensive track record of helping injured pedestrians in Decatur recover the money they need to rebuild their lives. We know what it takes to build a solid pedestrian accident claim. We have the resources to fight against the aggressive tactics of insurance companies and opposing attorneys.
It’s time to seek help from a responsive legal advocate if a careless driver has injured you. Request a free consultation with a Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer by contacting our office today.
