Alabama Pedestrian Danger Index Rated Second in the Nation

Dec 12, 2014 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Between 2003 and 2012, 723 Alabama pedestrians suffered traffic-related fatalities. This number earns the state its high national Pedestrian Danger Index ranking, according to SmartGrowthAmerica.org, Younger and older pedestrians seem most susceptible to danger, with 49 children under 16 and 93 adults making up a significant portion of the statistics.

Negligent drivers are at fault for many of these accidents; but they are not necessarily the only cause. Experienced Tuscaloosa car accident attorneys understand the importance of investigating beyond the obvious causes to help protect the rights of injured clients and their families.

Common Causes of Clashes between Cars and Pedestrians

Establishing all underlying causes is essential to identifying all parties who have liability for any accidental injury legal case. The following are some of the individuals who may share liability in a pedestrian accident:

• Negligent drivers: Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving too fast for conditions or distracted can fail to notice or react to a pedestrian on the road.
• Dangerous roadways: Curvy roads can reduce the ability to see pedestrians crossing the road. Potholes can send pedestrians and vehicles out of control. Overgrown foliage can also block the vision of drivers and pedestrians. In other words, everyone from municipalities to private property owners can share liability for these devastating accidents.
• Guardians of the very young and the very old: Some individuals, such as small children or senior citizens require 24-hour care to protect them from any number of daily hazards. Whether they do not understand the dangers of crossing or walking along streets, or if they are simply too slow to walk safely, their legal guardians may be at least partially at fault for a pedestrian accident.
• Pedestrians: Anyone suffering injuries while on foot may elicit great sympathy, but they can share some or all of the negligence when they jaywalk or even walk near a curb while distracted by music or wireless devices.

Pedestrian accidents are often complex situations involving negligence on the part of multiple parties.

Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Law Makes These Cases Challenging for Attorneys

The unfortunate truth is that lawyers representing any negligent party facing civil charges in a pedestrian accident case have a built-in advantage. If they can show that a pedestrian shared as little as one percent of fault, the Alabama pure contributory negligence law can prevent the victim from collecting any damages whatsoever.

Experienced car accident attorneys automatically anticipate that the true at-fault parties are likely to attempt to unfairly lay even a small degree of blame against the person lying in a hospital bed — or worse. When brought into a case early, an attorney can prepare to fight unfair accusations to help victims pursue the damages they deserve.

Every Word Counts From the Very Beginning

The Alabama pure contributory negligence law makes it essential for victims to watch what they say — and to whom they speak. Anyone at the accident scene or insurance adjustors can easily interpret innocent statements as minor admissions of fault. The best way to protect the right to pursue compensation is to talk to a skilled Tuscaloosa car accident attorney before talking with anyone else.

Additional Resources:

Dangerous by Design 2014 Alabama, May, 2014, Smart Growth America

More Blog Entries:

ALDOT and AAA Focus on Causes and Solutions for Pedestrian Accidents in Alabama, Tuscaloosa Car Accident Blogs

Pedestrian Accidents in Alabama Examined by New Safety Report, Alabama Injury Attorneys Blog, June 16, 2011