One of the advantages of living in Alabama is that if you enjoy taking an early morning walk, you often can do that in favorable weather. Many people like to get out and walk for exercise. Dog owners often take their pets for a walk every day. Some people even decide to walk to work.
However, pedestrians do face risks when they need to cross intersections or sidewalks or walk through a driveway or alley exit. Unfortunately, the number of pedestrians killed in vehicle accidents has steadily been on the rise in recent years. In 2019, the number of pedestrians killed in vehicle accidents, 6,590, reached the highest levels in 30 years.
Safety experts say that the reasons behind the alarming trend include:
- Motor vehicle travel increased .08% in the first six months of 2019, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
- Drivers continue to drive distracted, causing more accidents. Every year in the United States, distracted drivers are responsible for about 2.5 million car crashes.
- More drivers are driving larger vehicles. For example, a large pickup can weigh as much as 7,000 pounds, the size of three Honda Civics. When a larger SUV or pickup hits a pedestrian, more force is involved in the crash, causing more severe injuries and even death. Plus, with large pickups and SUVs, a driver easily can miss seeing pedestrian in their blind spot.
If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident or suffered serious injuries in a crash, you should consult an experienced personal injury attorney. You may need help getting maximum compensation for your medical costs or compensation for the loss of your family member. You also are eligible to receive lost wages. You may need additional compensation if you became disabled because of your injuries.
In Alabama, drivers are supposed to watch for pedestrians at all times. Unfortunately, drivers sometimes make mistakes. That’s when pedestrians and their families need to fight for the injury or wrongful death compensation they deserve.
