Have you been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Montgomery, AL? The Montgomery pedestrian accident attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers will fight for your rights. If a negligent driver injured you, you have the right to seek fair compensation for your losses. Contact us today at 205-206-5088.
Serious pedestrian accidents are on the rise in Alabama due to factors like larger vehicles on the road and drivers distracted by cell phones.
Since 2002, our lawyers have been committed to helping injury victims and their families in Montgomery, Alabama. Contact our office for a free consultation with a Montgomery pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case and how we can help.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident In Montgomery
When a pedestrian accident leaves you unable to work with serious injuries, you deserve an advocate who will fight for your rights. Sadly, many accident victims find themselves fighting an insurance company for fair compensation. The insurance adjuster is likely to make a low-ball offer that may not even cover your immediate medical costs. You may even be blamed unfairly for the crash in Montgomery, Alabama.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers has represented accident victims like you since 2002. We have recovered hundreds of millions in compensation thanks to 93 years of combined experience. We will put this extensive experience to work on your behalf.
When you hire our law firm to represent you, we will:
- Provide legal advice at every step
- Investigate your case and gather evidence
- Prove liability and the value of your damages
- Work with experts to strengthen your claim
- Fight back against unfair attempts to blame you
- Negotiate on your behalf
- Take your case before a jury when necessary
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with a Montgomery pedestrian accident attorney. Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers will listen to your story and help you explore your options.
What Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The value of a personal injury case depends on many unique factors.
To estimate what your case may be worth, a lawyer will assess:
- The severity and type of injuries you suffered
- How your daily life is affected
- Whether you have suffered permanent disability or impairment
- The circumstances of the crash
- The defendant’s behavior
- Whether you share fault
- The strength of the evidence available
- Insurance coverage
It can take time to investigate your case and document the full extent of your injuries. Depending on the severity of the crash, it may be necessary to work with specialists to calculate the value of your future losses.
What Kind of Damages Are Available To Injured Pedestrians?
When you are hurt in a car accident as a pedestrian, you have the right to compensatory damages from the at-fault party. There are two broad categories of compensatory damages.
Economic damages cover financial losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost or diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
You can also recover non-economic damages. These are personal losses without financial value. Common examples are pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
If your case goes to court, a jury may award punitive damages as well. These damages are intended to punish the defendant for egregious behavior. To recover punitive damages, you must show clear, convincing evidence the defendant acted with wanton disregard for your safety, malice, fraud, or oppression.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Cost should never be a barrier to getting the legal representation you need after a serious accident. At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay upfront attorneys’ fees to get legal advice and representation.
You only pay attorney’s fees if your claim is successful, and we recover compensation. In this case, our fee will be taken from your settlement funds. If we do not win your case, you do not owe attorney’s fees.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident In Alabama?
It’s a common misconception that pedestrians always have the right of way and can’t be at fault for a traffic accident. The truth is pedestrians also have a duty of care to act with reasonable care on Montgomery roads. Pedestrians may also be negligent and held partially or completely at fault for an accident.
A pedestrian may be found partially at fault for the following:
- Failing to obey a traffic signal
- Crossing the street outside a crosswalk
- Walking in an area where pedestrians are not allowed
- Darting in front of traffic without giving the motorist time to stop
- Crossing the street at night wearing dark clothing with no reflective material
Alabama is one of the few states that use a contributory negligence rule. This harsh legal doctrine means you cannot recover damages if you share any fault for the accident. Even if you were just 1% at fault, Alabama law prohibits you from recovering any compensation from the party overwhelmingly at fault.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. However, contributory negligence does not apply to plaintiffs under 14 and those with limited competence. You may also be able to recover compensation if the other party acted with conscious disregard for the safety or rights of others. For example, you may still have a claim if you were hit by a drunk driver, even if you contributed to your accident.
Insurance companies invest more resources in fighting high-value claims. Because pedestrian accidents are often expensive and cause serious injuries, the insurance company may try to blame you unfairly. They may even claim your injuries are not as serious as you claim, or they were not caused by the crash. This is why it’s crucial to consult with a personal injury lawyer if you are being blamed for your accident.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation For All Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians often suffer severe and life-changing injuries in a traffic accident. With no protection, even a low-speed crash can be devastating.
At Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to seeking the full compensation you deserve for injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Amputation injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
An accident can change your life forever. You count on the money from your claim not only for your medical care but to support yourself when you cannot work. Our Montgomery pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to fight for you and hold the negligent driver accountable.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents In Montgomery, AL?
Alabama has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. It recently ranked 9th in the U.S. with a pedestrian death rate almost 29% higher than the national average. In 2022, there were 986 traffic fatalities in the state, including 112 pedestrian deaths. More than one out of every 10 traffic deaths was a pedestrian.
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by a number of factors.
Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Drunk driving
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Pedestrian behavior, such as crossing the street while distracted or impaired
Sometimes, external factors contribute to pedestrian accidents. Poor visibility and a lack of pedestrian infrastructure increase the risk of these serious accidents.
About three-quarters of pedestrian accidents happen outside of crosswalks. These collisions usually happen when the pedestrian is “jaywalking” or crossing outside of a designated crosswalk. This can be risky because a driver may have trouble seeing a pedestrian where they do not expect to see someone on the road.
Distraction is also a major factor. Both drivers and pedestrians can cause a collision when they are distracted, usually by a cell phone.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Alabama?
You have a limited amount of time to pursue damages after a pedestrian accident. In Alabama, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of your accident. If your lawsuit is not filed before the deadline, you lose your legal right to compensation from the at-fault party.
It’s important to act promptly after your accident. Consult with a personal injury lawyer to begin investigating your accident and preserving evidence before it is lost. An attorney can help you pursue your claim while you focus on your recovery.
Contact Our Montgomery Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Have you suffered serious injury in a pedestrian accident in Montgomery, AL? You may be entitled to compensation. Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you.
We have recovered hundreds of millions in life-changing financial awards and settlements for our clients. We are ready to fight for your rights and the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Contact our office to schedule a free case review with a Montgomery pedestrian accident attorney. We will listen to your story and discuss your options.