Not everyone injured in a vehicle accident is operating a vehicle. Many pedestrians are struck by moving vehicles and badly injured every year. The negligent driver should be made to pay for the harm they inflicted upon you.
Pedestrian accidents tend to happen in places with busy foot and vehicle traffic. Prime examples around Tuscaloosa include the University Mall, the Coleman Coliseum, and various garages, parking lots, and crosswalks throughout the city. Proving your claims might be difficult, especially if we do not have any evidence directly from the accident scene. Witness statements, medical records, and security camera footage might be key pieces of evidence in your case. Injuries in pedestrian accident cases might be severe, and your medical bills might be overwhelming. You also likely have various other damages related to the accident’s high costs and painful experiences. You should hire an attorney to help you prepare your claims for court, gather evidence, and communicate with defendants so you can focus your energy on resting and recovering from your injuries.
To schedule a private assessment of your claims for no charge, call (844) 876-4357 and ask to speak with our pedestrian accident lawyers at Howe Law.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Are More Likely Around Tuscaloosa
Pedestrian accidents are more common than people realize, especially around Tuscaloosa. The University of Alabama is home to thousands of students that often travel by foot, and negligent drivers are a huge safety risk.
Certain places around the city might be riskier for pedestrians under certain circumstances. For example, numerous pedestrians crowd parking lots and surrounding streets at the Bryan-Denny Stadium during football games. Accidents are bound to happen with such heavy traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. Similarly, pedestrian accidents might occur at other sporting venues, like the Coleman Coliseum, or downtown at places like the University Mall.
Generally speaking, places where pedestrians are very close to moving vehicles are hotspots for pedestrian accidents. Crosswalks, parking garages and lots, sidewalks, and even parking lanes are common places for pedestrians to be hit by cars.
Many pedestrian accidents are due to inattentive drivers. For example, pedestrians in a crosswalk might be hit by a distracted driver who failed to stop at a stop sign or red light. In other cases, the driver might have been intoxicated and did not react quickly enough to a pedestrian crossing the street. This is common when university students return to campus and drink at parties.
Evidence to Prove Your Claims in a Tuscaloosa Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
To win your case and get fair compensation after a pedestrian accident, you need strong evidence that shows how the defendant directly caused the crash. Evidence is unique to each case, and funding evidence for your case might be easier said than done. Our attorneys have experience with pedestrian accident claims and know where to find the strongest evidence.
Evidence often comes directly from the scene of the accident. Since injured pedestrians’ primary concern is getting emergency medical help, many people cannot gather physical evidence before the authorities clean up the scene. A great way to preserve the accident for future analysis is to take as many photos as possible. Your photos might save crucial details about the accident scene that we can use to establish the defendant’s liability.
We should also gather as many witnesses as we can find. Eyewitnesses may testify about what they saw. If witnesses can positively identify the defendant as the person who hit you with their vehicle, you have a much stronger chance of winning your case.
Injuries and Damages in Pedestrian Accident Cases in Tuscaloosa
While vehicle accidents tend to be dangerous, pedestrians are especially vulnerable, and damages are likely significant. It is not uncommon for pedestrians to experience injuries that leave them with long-term complications or disabilities. Many pedestrians are so badly injured that they never fully recover. Spinal cord injuries, brain damage, head and neck injuries, fractures, lacerations, and various soft tissue injuries are all possible. Many such injuries might have lifelong effects and require costly medical treatment.
To further complicate the situation, many pedestrians are so badly hurt that they cannot return to work. For some, the leave of absence is permanent, and they cannot work at all. This loss of income may be devastating even at the best of times, but it can be critical when hospital bills are rolling in. Not only can you claim the income you lost since the accident, but you can also claim future lost income if you cannot return to work for a long time after the case is complete.
While many plaintiffs focus on their monetary losses after a pedestrian accident, you should not overlook possible non-economic damages. Pain and suffering can encompass various painful experiences ranging from bodily pain to psychological trauma. Being hit by a car not only leaves pedestrians with severe physical pain but might leave them in significant emotional turmoil. Coming to terms with a near-death experience can be life-altering, and you deserve compensation for everything you have gone through.
Why You Need an Attorney After a Pedestrian Accident in Tuscaloosa
You should hire a qualified lawyer to assist you throughout your legal proceedings because navigating a lawsuit on your own can quickly become overwhelming. Not only do you need to understand complex laws regarding accidents, personal injuries, and insurance, but you also need to navigate complex court procedures.
An attorney can help you prepare your case by assessing damages, finding evidence, and preparing legal arguments. Next, your attorney can guide your case through the courts and other legal proceedings so that you can get the financial compensation you need. While it is possible to handle your case on your own, you are likely to make mistakes that seem small but cost you time and energy, further delaying your compensation or even costing you compensation entirely.
Call Our Tuscaloosa Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for Assistance Now
To schedule a confidential evaluation of your claims at no cost to you, call (844) 876-4357 and speak with our pedestrian accident attorneys at Howe Law.
