Despite pedestrian safety programs in Dothan and communities throughout the country, pedestrian accidents happen at a high rate. In one recent year, more than 7,000 pedestrian traffic fatalities occurred in the United States, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
When a careless driver hits a pedestrian, the resulting injuries can be more severe than a car-on-car crash. If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault, you should be able to focus on your well-being — and not worry about the high cost of medical bills and other recovery expenses.
The Dothan pedestrian accident lawyers of Gartlan Injury Law can help you explore your legal options. We work entirely on our clients’ behalf to defend their rights against negligent parties and large insurance companies. As a small and local team, we will take time to understand your needs and answer your questions. o learn more, contact our office today at (334) 600 1882 for a free consultation.
Does Dothan Have Pedestrian Laws?
In some circumstances, pedestrians in Alabama have the right of way. They may have to yield to motor vehicle drivers in many other situations.
These are some of the most critical Alabama pedestrian laws to know:
- Right-of-way — Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks, inside marked crosswalks, and at controlled intersections when a “walk” signal is lit. They must yield to oncoming traffic outside marked crosswalks, when a “don’t walk” signal is lit, or when a moving car is close enough to cause an immediate hazard for pedestrians.
- Sidewalk use — Ala. Code § 32-5A-215 states that pedestrians must use sidewalks when they are available. If no sidewalk is available, a pedestrian must walk on the shoulder and stay as close to the curb as possible.
- Drivers’ rules — Drivers in Alabama must stop when a pedestrian is about to enter a crosswalk. Also, under Ala. Code § 32-5A-211, a driver cannot overtake another driver that has stopped to let pedestrians cross.
Pedestrians should follow traffic laws, use crosswalks, and stay alert. Under Alabama’s pure contributory negligence rule, if a person is found partially responsible for an accident, they may be unable to recover anything in court.
Where Do Most Dothan Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere, from busy parking lots to winding residential streets.
However, they are most likely to occur in these areas where people tend to disregard pedestrian safety:
- Downtown Dothan, especially during rush hours and events
- High-traffic intersections, such as Main Street and Ross Clark Circle
- Popular places like shopping malls or arenas
- School zones
- Streets with limited visibility, inadequate lighting, or poor conditions.
What Are Common Injuries in a Dothan Pedestrian Accident?
In an accident, pedestrians are exposed. So, their injuries tend to be more severe than drivers and passengers would suffer inside an enclosed vehicle. In many accidents, pedestrians suffer fatal injuries.
Some of the most common Dothan pedestrian accident injuries are:
- Lacerations and road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding/organ damage.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Dothan?
Liability in a pedestrian accident case depends on the specific circumstances.
It often extends to multiple different parties, which may include the following:
- Negligent drivers
- Employers (if an employee injured a pedestrian while on the job)
- Government agencies (if poor road or sidewalk conditions contributed)
- Construction companies (if they allowed a dangerous condition to exist)
- Product manufacturers (if a defective product or part contributed).
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is liable based on a comprehensive investigation into what happened.
