Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. It's good for your health. It also serves as a primary form of transportation for many Montgomery residents. Many people prefer walking to work, college, or walking their dogs in the evening. Even for people with cars, walking is necessary. You have to walk across a parking lot, across a street, or into a grocery store.
As a pedestrian, being hit by a motor vehicle can completely change your life. You may have to cope with pain, emotional trauma, and severe physical injuries after a car crash. Still, you'll have to pay for your medical bills and any other out-of-pocket expenses. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, a person was killed in an accident every 9 hours and 26 minutes in 2019.
At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers can help you secure maximum compensation for your injuries and get you with the best Montgomery Pedestrian Accident Lawyer. We have been helping residents of Montgomery get the best financial awards for their pedestrian accident claims.
If you've been hit by a motor vehicle in Alabama, reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Montgomery immediately. At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, our lawyers are ready to hear your side of the case. Get in touch with us today at 334-666-5000 to book your free case review. Our trusted attorneys will be by your side every step of the way.
Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Both pedestrians and motorists can be liable for pedestrian accidents. Most often, these accidents happen as a result of poor judgment and conduct from both parties. Mechanical and environmental problems can also cause these accidents. Here are some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents in Montgomery, AL:
Failure to Yield Right of Way
An impatient or inattentive driver may fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians. A driver who commits this reckless action at high speed may end up severely injuring pedestrians.
Speeding
All drivers should obey set speed limits. A speeding driver may not have enough time to react in case of an unexpected hazard. Such a driver may end up losing control and hitting a pedestrian. For instance, a driver may try to avoid hitting a pothole only to knock down a pedestrian.
Driving Under the Influence
Both motorists and pedestrians may suffer from poor judgment skills when intoxicated. No driver should operate a vehicle while drunk. Alcohol affects the vision and reaction time of drivers.
Poor Lighting
At night, visibility on the road is significantly reduced. A pedestrian with dark clothing, poorly lit streets, and a car with faulty headlights are some of the reasons why pedestrian accidents happen. It may be too late for a driver to swerve or apply emergency brakes.
Distracted Driving
Driving while distracted leads to many accidents in Montgomery, AL. Motorists who are glued to their phones, grooming, eating, figuring out GPS directions, and catching up with passengers risk getting involved in Montgomery pedestrian accidents. One of the worst forms of distraction in today's age is texting. This can lead to a catastrophic accident.
What Should I do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you've been hit by a motor vehicle, you should seek out the legal assistance of a seasoned Montgomery personal injury lawyer. At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, our legal team is ready to guide you throughout the claims process.
You can strengthen your personal injury claim by following these steps:
Seek medical assistance immediately
Always seek medical attention after an accident. Don't downplay your injuries. Seek the professional opinion of a doctor after your crash. A qualified medic can assess your condition to determine whether you have an underlying injury such as a traumatic brain injury.
Document your injuries
Note down every possible detail about your accident. You can take photos and videos using your smartphone. Get the name, phone number, insurance details, and address of the driver, as well as the contact details of any eyewitnesses.
Call the police
Contact the police immediately after your accident. The police can help to prove liability. They will conduct drug tests to ascertain whether the driver is intoxicated. Law enforcement officers will also produce a report that can help you build a claim against the at-fault party. A knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer near Montgomery could use this report to establish liability.
Do not discuss fault on the scene or to the motorist's insurance company
Never admit fault to the police, the motorist, or the motorist's insurance adjusters. This can severely affect your claim. Insurance companies will deny your claim if you admit fault.
Contact your insurance company
Always notify your insurance company about your accident as soon as it happens. Insurers have specific timelines for reporting accidents. The earlier you contact your insurance agent, the better.
Seek professional legal assistance
To improve your chances of winning compensation, hire a reputable Montgomery pedestrian accident attorney. At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, our legal team is ready to handle all your settlement talks and represent you in court during a trial.
How Do You Determine Liability or Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in Alabama?
Our reliable law firm in Montgomery, Alabama, can help you determine negligence in your case. The state of Alabama applies pure contributory negligence principles when determining fault. You won't receive any compensation if you share the slightest fault in your crash.
At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, our legal team will determine liability using these four elements:
- Duty of Care: All drivers in Alabama are required to observe traffic regulations.
- Breach of Duty: Drivers who don't follow traffic rules breach their legal obligation to exercise reasonable care
- Causation: Reckless actions such as drunk driving, texting while driving, and running a red light can result in a pedestrian accident
- Damages: A plaintiff can suffer damages such as disfigurement, medical bills, and lost income after a collision
How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Assist With My Claim?
The smartest thing to do after an accident is to hire an attorney. At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, our pedestrian accident lawyers in Montgomery will help you build a strong claim after your accident. Here are some of the benefits of hiring our legal team:
Case Preparation
Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers will conduct thorough investigations to determine if the defendant broke any traffic laws in Alabama. We will gather and analyze all relevant documents to establish fault. Our lawyers will also speak to eyewitnesses and medical professionals regarding your case.
Settlement Negotiations
Our legal team will handle all your negotiations with the defendant's insurance company. We will fight for your rights as we protect your financial interests. Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers won't back down from negotiations. We will stand firm and demand maximum compensation for your injuries.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Our legal team is ready to argue your case in front of a judge and jury. We aren't afraid of battling insurance companies in court. Our lawyers will prepare strong arguments and utilize all available resources, including expert witnesses, to help you secure a fair settlement. Reach out to us today to speak to a qualified Montgomery pedestrian accident attorney about your case.
What are the Time Limits for Filing a Pedestrian Injury Claim in Alabama?
Every state has statutes of limitations for personal injury cases. Don't disregard such time limits. You risk losing the right to seek compensation if you file a claim after Alabama's deadline.
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a pedestrian accident claim in Alabama. Reach out to your Montgomery pedestrian accident lawyer today before the time limit expires. Remember, evidence such as surveillance footage may be deleted if you wait too long before contacting an attorney.
How Much Will a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers, we handle all pedestrian accident claims in Montgomery on a contingency fee basis. You never have to worry about paying any upfront fees when you contact us. We will only deduct our legal fees once we win your personal injury claim. This arrangement ensures you enjoy the best legal services without worrying about any out-of-pocket bills.
Hire An Experienced Montgomery Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
You shouldn't handle a lawsuit like a DIY project. Taking on insurance companies on your own isn't a great idea. Insurance companies may intimidate you and deny your claim altogether.
If you or your loved one has been hit by a motor vehicle, reach out to Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers immediately. Our lawyers are ready to help you with your personal injury claim. We can help you with case preparation, case filing, settlement talks, and trial representation. Our lawyers will conduct an independent investigation to find out who is responsible for your accident.
Contact us today to speak to discuss your legal options with our skilled attorneys. We don't charge any upfront fees for our services. Mike Bell Accident & Injury Lawyers only get paid after a successful payout. Start today before Alabama's time limit runs out!
