{"id":13669,"date":"2019-06-13T14:25:31","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T14:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webdemo.icu\/site\/andywins\/?p=13669"},"modified":"2019-06-13T14:25:31","modified_gmt":"2019-06-13T14:25:31","slug":"6-things-you-need-to-know-about-alabama-pedestrian-accidents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webdemo.icu\/site\/andywins\/blog\/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-alabama-pedestrian-accidents\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Things You Need to Know About Alabama Pedestrian Accidents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When motor vehicles and pedestrians collide, the outcome can be catastrophic. Unfortunately, pedestrian-car accidents are on the rise in Alabama. Since 2008, pedestrian fatalities have increased by 56.9%. In 2017 alone, 113 pedestrians died in car crashes in Alabama, and another 706 suffered injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were seriously injured in a crash as a pedestrian, the at-fault driver might owe your compensation for your lost income, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Here, the Mobile-based car accident lawyers<\/a> at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys outline six things you need to know about pedestrian accidents in Alabama. Keep reading to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pedestrians Don\u2019t Always Have the Right of Way in Alabama<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many motorists and pedestrians don\u2019t understand who has the right of way when it comes to crossing the street. First, pedestrians should always cross at a crosswalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When traffic signals are present, both drivers and people on foot must obey them. For everyone\u2019s safety, you should wait to cross until the \u201cwalk\u201d signal appears, even if there are no vehicles in sight. If no signal is present at a crosswalk, pedestrians must look out for hazards and shouldn\u2019t suddenly leave the curb or run into the path of a vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When pedestrians jaywalk, vehicles have the right of way, and people on foot must yield to them. Pedestrians also cannot cross an intersection diagonally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Jaywalking at Night Is Dangerous for Pedestrians<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the deadliest places on the road for pedestrians are in the city at night. There are many reasons why urban roadways pose an increased risk: limited crosswalks, poor lighting, and road designs that favor drivers over vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When pedestrians jaywalk, or cross the road at a non-intersection, the results can be deadly. In these situations, drivers aren\u2019t expecting foot traffic, and visibility may be low, even if you\u2019re wearing reflective clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make matters worse, the insurance companies may argue that you were contributorily negligent and deny compensation. To fight back, you\u2019ll need an experienced and aggressive injury lawyer\u2019s help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED EBOOK: <\/strong>Everything You Need to Know About Alabama Car Accidents<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Alcohol Use Increases Risk of Injury and Death<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol plays a significant role in many pedestrian deaths, according to the CDC. Nearly half of all pedestrian deaths involve alcohol use by either the driver or the person on foot. A third of pedestrians who died in crashes had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08%, and nearly 15% of the drivers were legally intoxicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Walking on the Road in Alabama Is Legal Under Certain Circumstances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When present, pedestrians should walk on the sidewalk instead of on the road. However, when sidewalks aren\u2019t available, pedestrians can walk on the shoulder of the road. When there\u2019s no shoulder, it is legal to walk in the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The safest way to walk on the street is against the flow of traffic, as close to the edge is safely possible. While walking on the road is not ideal, it\u2019s essential to do it safely when traveling the road on foot is the only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Texting and Walking Can Result in Pedestrian Crashes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Texting and driving is illegal in Alabama. However, texting and walking is not, and it plays a significant role in pedestrian accidents<\/a>. Sixty percent of people who walk and text are unable to walk a straight line. Many safety experts, including law enforcement groups and the Governors Highway Safety Association, think that distracted walking contributes to many serious car-pedestrian accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s tempting to multi-task on your daily walk, you should put your phone away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Bicyclists Are not Pedestrians<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon to see bicycles on Alabama\u2019s roads. However, bikes are considered vehicles under Alabama law, and cyclists must follow the rules of the road. That means that riding your bike on the sidewalk is illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED ARTICLE: <\/strong>Understanding Alabama\u2019s Bicycle Safety Laws<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, that doesn\u2019t mean that an injured cyclist doesn\u2019t have legal rights. If you\u2019re the victim of a bike and car crash and have questions, don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to the experienced bicycle crash lawyers at Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurt in a Pedestrian-Car Crash? You Could Be Owed Damages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been harmed in a pedestrian-vehicle accident, you probably have questions about your rights, and what damages a personal injury lawyer can help you can recover. When you\u2019ve suffered through no fault of your own, damages can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n