Pedestrian Accidents

Huntsville Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Skilled legal help when you’re injured as a pedestrian in North Alabama

Walking should be one of the safest ways to get around. But for many people in Huntsville and across North Alabama, crossing the street or walking through a parking lot can lead to a devastating accident. Every year, pedestrians are hit and injured, often seriously, by careless or distracted drivers.

At Martin & Helms, we know how life-changing a pedestrian accident can be. When a person is hit by a car, the results can include traumatic injuries, long recovery times, missed work, and overwhelming medical bills. If you or a loved one was hurt while walking, our Huntsville pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to fight for your rights and help you recover fair compensation.

How can we help? We can help you by answering the following questions:

 

How serious are pedestrian accidents in Alabama?

Pedestrian accidents are, unfortunately, common across the country, and Alabama is no exception. According to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), in 2023, 120 pedestrians were killed in accidents across the state. While pedestrian fatalities are high, ALDOT data also shows that many more people are injured in traffic crashes overall, underscoring how often serious harm occurs.

In Huntsville, with its growing population and expanding roadways, pedestrians often have to navigate busy intersections, fast-moving traffic, and areas with poor visibility or no sidewalks. Even careful walkers are at risk when drivers don’t follow the rules.

Why do Huntsville pedestrian accidents happen?

Pedestrian accidents are almost always preventable. Most happen because of a driver’s failure to watch for people on foot. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Huntsville include:

  • Texting, using a phone, eating, or even adjusting the GPS takes a driver’s eyes off the road and off the crosswalks.
  • Drivers who speed have less time to stop for pedestrians. In high-speed collisions, the chances of serious injury or death skyrocket.
  • Alabama law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Many drivers either don’t know the law or ignore it.
  • Impaired drivers are a danger to everyone, especially pedestrians. Their slowed reaction time and poor judgment often lead to tragic outcomes.
  • Drivers turning left may focus on oncoming traffic and fail to see a pedestrian crossing in front of them.
  • Accidents in parking lots or driveways often occur when a driver reverses without checking behind them.
  • Many pedestrian crashes happen at night or in bad weather, when drivers fail to see someone walking along the side of the road or in a crosswalk.

What are some common injuries from Huntsville pedestrian accidents?

Because pedestrians don’t have the protection of a car’s frame, airbags, or seatbelts, the injuries in these types of crashes tend to be severe. At Martin & Helms, we’ve helped clients who suffered:

Even at low speeds, a vehicle hitting a pedestrian can cause long-term or permanent damage. These injuries may require surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care, costing thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

What Alabama laws protect pedestrians?

Under Alabama law, pedestrians have specific rights and responsibilities. Knowing these laws is important for building a strong personal injury claim.

Pedestrian rights:

  • Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks (Code of Alabama §32-5A-211).
  • Vehicles must not pass another vehicle that is stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
  • Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks and when walking lawfully along roadways without sidewalks.

Pedestrian responsibilities:

  • Pedestrians should use crosswalks when available and obey traffic signals.
  • Crossing the street outside of a crosswalk (jaywalking) is discouraged and could impact your ability to recover damages.
  • Pedestrians should not suddenly leave the curb and walk into traffic if a car doesn’t have enough time to stop.

Even if a pedestrian made a mistake, the driver may still be mostly or entirely at fault, especially if they were speeding, distracted, or impaired.

How do you prove fault in a Huntsville pedestrian accident case?

One of the most important parts of any pedestrian injury case is proving who was at fault. That’s where our experience at Martin & Helms really makes a difference. We dig deep to collect the evidence needed to show that the driver’s actions caused your injuries.

Here’s some of the key evidence we gather in order to build your case:

  • Police reports from the scene
  • Surveillance or traffic camera footage
  • Witness statements
  • Photos of the scene, including skid marks, crosswalks, signage, and lighting
  • Vehicle data, such as speed at impact
  • Cell phone records, to check for distracted driving
  • Medical records, linking the accident to your injuries
  • Expert analysis, including accident reconstruction specialists

What if the driver tries to blame me?

In Alabama, the legal rule of contributory negligence applies. That means if the injured person is found partly at fault, they could be barred from recovering any compensation.

Insurance companies often use this rule to their advantage. They might argue that you:

  • Crossed outside of a crosswalk
  • Wore dark clothing at night
  • Weren’t paying attention (e.g., using your phone)
  • Suddenly stepped into traffic

This is why it’s so important to speak to an experienced Huntsville pedestrian accident lawyer early on in your case. At Martin & Helms, we know how to push back against unfair claims of blame and work to protect your right to compensation.

How much is my Huntsville pedestrian accident claim worth?

If you were injured as a pedestrian due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover a wide variety of damages, including:

  • Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgery, medication, rehab, future care
  • Lost wages, if you missed work or are unable to return to your job
  • Pain and suffering, for the physical and emotional toll of the accident
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, if your injuries limit your daily activities
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Property damage, such as clothing, phone, or accessories, destroyed in the accident
  • Wrongful death damages, if a loved one was fatally injured, you may be able to pursue a claim for punitive damages

Our job is to fight for every dollar you deserve and to hold the negligent driver accountable for their reckless actions.

What should I do after a Huntsville pedestrian accident?

After a pedestrian accident, your top priority should be your health and safety, but you should also start taking steps to protect your legal rights:

  • Call 911. Always report the accident to the police and request medical assistance.
  • Go to the ER or your doctor right away, even if you think you’re “okay.”
  • If possible, document the scene with photos, including crosswalks, traffic lights, injuries, and damage.
  • Get contact information from the driver, witnesses, and any first responders.
  • Don’t give a statement to the other driver’s insurance without talking to a lawyer.

Finally, call the Huntsville pedestrian accident attorneys at Martin & Helms. The sooner we start working on your case, the better your chances of success.

How can your Huntsville pedestrian accident lawyers help with my case?

At Martin & Helms, we bring decades of experience to every personal injury case. We’ve helped countless clients across North Alabama get justice after serious accidents, and we’re proud to stand up for pedestrians like you who’ve been wrongfully hurt. When you work with us, you get:

  • Personal attention. We treat your case like it matters, because it does.
  • Aggressive representation. We don’t back down from insurance companies or defense lawyers.
  • Experienced trial attorneys. If needed, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court.
  • No fees unless we win. You don’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.

We serve clients in Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, and all across North Alabama. Whether your accident happened in a crosswalk, a parking lot, or on a neighborhood street, we’re ready to help.

Do you have a Huntsville pedestrian accident lawyer near me?

Martin & Helms serves clients from its two Alabama offices. Our Huntsville office is located at 2317 Market Place SW, Suite A, Huntsville, AL 35801. If you are too injured to come to us, we can make other arrangements. We’re here to help.

Compassionate Huntsville pedestrian accident attorneys at your service

Being hit by a car as a pedestrian is terrifying, and the road to recovery can be long. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Let the team at Martin & Helms help you get the support, compensation, and justice you need to move forward. Call our offices or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We proudly serve clients in Huntsville, Decatur, Madison, and throughout North Alabama.