Selma Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents are a shockingly common occurrence in Alabama. Data shows that between 2016 and 2020, a total of 567 pedestrians were killed and several thousand were injured in accidents – making Alabama the 11th most dangerous state for pedestrians in the country.
With a Walk Score of 30, Selma is as automobile-friendly as any other city in America. The lack of a sufficient number of walking paths, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly roads is one of the main reasons why pedestrian accidents are so common here.
If you have been injured or have lost someone in your family in a pedestrian accident, the experienced Selma pedestrian accident attorneys at the Law Office of Frank M Wilson can help you. For more than 30 years, we have been fighting for the rights of injury victims in Selma and nearby areas and have recovered high amounts of settlements and jury awards.
Contact us today to discuss your claim with one of our highly-rated attorneys.
Rights and Responsibilities of Pedestrians in Alabama
Under Alabama law, pedestrians are required to obey all traffic laws – just as motorists are required to do. The most important rights and responsibilities of pedestrians include:
- When you are on a sidewalk, you have the right of way, and vehicles approaching the sidewalk must yield to you.
- When you cross the road at a point where there is no sidewalk, you must yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles.
- You should not cross an intersection diagonally unless you are asked to do so by a law enforcement official.
- If there is no sidewalk available, you should walk on the shoulder of the road – as far away from the traffic as possible.
What Kind of Injuries Can Result from a Pedestrian Accident?
When a pedestrian is struck by an automobile, the resulting injuries are almost always catastrophic and life-threatening in nature. Data shows that injuries to the lower extremities are more common among adults and injuries to the upper extremities are more common among children. The height of the vehicle involved in the accident also plays a role in the injuries resulting from the accident.
The most common types of injuries that can result from a pedestrian accident include lacerations, ligament tears, dislocations, broken bones, crush injuries, traumatic amputation, internal organ damage, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
There are many hospitals near Selma where you can get treated for pedestrian accident injuries. These include:
- Dallas Regional Medical Center
- Baptist Medical Center East
- Selma Regional Medical Center
- Selma Urgent Care
Pedestrian Accident Damages in Selma, AL
If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, you can file a tort claim against the at-fault party and recover economic and non-economic damages. These include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Cost of long-term care
- Lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Alabama Law on Pedestrian Accident Wrongful Death Claims
If you have lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Alabama, you need to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party and recover damages. There are two key things you need to know about filing a wrongful death claim in Selma:
- Under Alabama law, only the personal representative of the victim’s estate can file a wrongful death claim. If you are not the personal representative, you can approach the court and file a request to be named as the personal representative of your loved one’s estate.
- You can generally recover only punitive damages – not compensatory damages – in a wrongful death claim. Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and are determined by the court depending on the seriousness of the at-fault party’s actions.
Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Selma, AL
Under Alabama law, the deadline for filing personal injury claims as well as wrongful death claims is set at two years. The deadline for filing a loss of consortium claim – which is to be filed by your spouse to recover compensation for the loss of intimacy, love, affection, and other intangible losses in your marital relationship caused by your injuries – is also set at two years.
Importance of Choosing an Experienced Selma Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Alabama is one of the few states that still follow the doctrine of contributory negligence, under which you can be denied compensation entirely if you are found to be at fault for the accident even to the smallest extent.
Insurance companies in Alabama tend to take advantage of this unfair doctrine and often try to blame injury victims for the accident. Unless you can prove the at-fault party’s liability with concrete evidence, the insurance company might be able to get away with blaming you partially or fully for the accident, in which case you will not receive any compensation whatsoever.
It is why you need to choose a capable personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience in handling pedestrian accident claims. You need to make sure the lawyer has sufficient resources to investigate your case, get reports and testimonies from experts, and litigate your case if needed to recover the damages you are owed.
Our Experienced Selma, AL Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Maximize Your Compensation
Being struck by a car or truck can result in traumatizing and life-altering injuries. To recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track, you need a skilled and resourceful lawyer who can take on the insurance company and get them to pay what you deserve.
Attorney Frank M. Wilson is an award-winning personal injury attorney with more than 30 years of experience in representing personal injury victims in local, state, and federal courts. A recipient of the prestigious AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, Frank has recovered more than 100 million dollars in compensation for his clients.
Call us today at 334-420-2931 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and case assessment.
