When you walk around your neighborhood, you expect to be safe. Crosswalks, stop signs and traffic signals all help to protect you from vehicles in the roadway. Unfortunately, sometimes drivers ignore red lights or don’t stop at crosswalks. In these situations, pedestrians can be hit and may suffer serious injuries. The Opelika personal injury attorneys at Hand Law Firm provide skilled legal representation to injured pedestrians and their families.
Pedestrian Accidents
Opelika Personal Injury Attorneys Represent Injured Pedestrians
Alabama accident lawyers help those hit by cars and other vehicles
Causes of Alabama and Georgia accidents involving pedestrians
Pedestrians can be hurt nearly anywhere that people walk. From driveways and parking lots to sidewalks and crosswalks, there is always a possibility of danger. Drivers of cars, motorcycles, buses and trucks often hit pedestrians. Some of the most common reasons for these accidents include.
- Distracted drivers. Drivers cannot pay full attention to the road when they are using a cell phone or any other electronic device. They may also be distracted by passengers, food or even the button on a car radio.
- Fatigued drivers. Drowsy driving is nearly as dangerous as drunk driving and results in drivers who aren’t fully focused on the road or the pedestrians in front of them.
- Intoxicated drivers. The use of alcohol or other intoxicants by drivers frequently leads to serious or deadly accidents.
- Negligence. Drivers often speed, disregard traffic laws or otherwise operate their vehicles recklessly. In these cases, they may be found to be negligent under the law.
Our firm holds all drivers accountable for dangerous behavior and helps victims of pedestrian accidents get the justice they deserve.
Understanding pedestrian injuries
Those injured in hit-and-runs and other pedestrian accidents may suffer a variety of serious injuries. Broken bones are common, as are injuries to the hands, feet, back and neck. Many pedestrians hit their head during accidents. The head may impact a vehicle, the road or other surfaces. Traumatic brain injuries come in many forms and can range from a minor concussion to serious and debilitating forms of brain damage. Some pedestrians who suffer head injuries go into a coma and may never recover. Pedestrians may also be killed due to an impact to the head. At Hand Law Firm, our Opelika injury attorneys represent families who have lost a loved one in wrongful death lawsuits.
Recovering compensation after an accident
In some locations, pedestrians can recover their medical expenses from their own insurance company or the insurer of a family member. In other states, pedestrians recover from the driver who was at fault or that driver’s insurer. In most states, victims who have suffered serious injuries are able to recover damages in a lawsuit. These damages usually cover the cost of medical expenses, lost past wages and loss of earning capacity. Compensation for mental anguish and physical pain are often awarded in a lawsuit or agreed upon in a settlement. Some states also allow for punitive damages when the driver was intoxicated. The experienced personal injury litigators at our firm will help you understand your rights under Alabama law and work to get you justice.
If you or a loved one has been hit by a car, call us today
At Hand Law Firm, we provide experienced and reliable representation to injured pedestrians and victims of hit-and-run accidents. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to the negligence of a driver, we can help. Call us at 334-203-7696 or contact us online to schedule a consultation at our Opelika office.