The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that drivers struck and killed 3,024 pedestrians in only the first six months of 2025. If you were a pedestrian, and a driver hit you and fled the scene, you’re not out of options. A pedestrian accident attorney in Birmingham could help you navigate the aftermath.
What to Do Right After a Pedestrian Hit-and-Run
After a vehicle hits you as a pedestrian, your health matters the most. We highly encourage that you seek medical help, even if you feel okay. Medical documentation is critical in a future claim.
Once you’re safe, a few early decisions can change the course of your case.
- Try to remember anything about the motor vehicle. A description like the color, make, partial plate, or bumper sticker could eventually identify the driver.
- Call the police, because a hit-and-run should always be reported. The police report is one of the most important documents in your case. A paper trail helps investigators look for the driver.
- Don’t leave the scene before documenting it.
- Collect names and numbers from witnesses. If possible, ask them to stay until the police arrive.
- Don’t talk to insurance companies yet. Adjusters will call quickly and ask you to describe what happened. Instead, you should wait and talk to an attorney first. What you say in those early conversations could affect your case later.
How You Can Still Get Paid When the Driver is Gone
In Alabama, you can still recover money after a pedestrian hit-and-run. This is possible even if the police never find the driver. The key is uninsured motorist coverage.
The coverage is built into most Alabama auto insurance policies. It covers medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, just like a regular auto accident claim. A couple of things to keep in mind:
- You need to report the crash to the police as soon as possible
- You need to notify your insurance company
- The claim still has to meet certain conditions to qualify
None of these facts is obvious to the general public. Schedule a meeting with one of our Birmingham pedestrian accident attorneys to learn more. You may have more legal options than you think.
Why Pedestrian Cases are Especially Hard in Alabama
Unfortunately, Alabama is one of the strictest states in the country when proving fault. Can the other side show you were even 1% responsible for the crash? You may not be able to collect any compensation.
This rule is called pure contributory negligence. It comes up in pedestrian cases all the time. Did you cross outside a crosswalk, or were you using your phone? The defense will use any of it if they can.
That doesn’t mean your case is over. Instead, we have to build the case carefully. What we do in a pedestrian accident case often looks like this:
- Pull traffic and security camera footage before it’s overwritten
- Interview witnesses while memories are fresh
- Reconstruct the scene with specialists who can speak to speed, visibility, and driver behavior
- Pull the driver’s cell phone records for prior behavior (once the driver is identified)
- Look at the road itself. Was there a broken streetlight, or a missing sign?
Our goal is simple: make sure the story of what happened is the real one. Not the version the other side would rather tell. You deserve better.
What a Pedestrian Accident Case Can Actually Cover
Pedestrian injuries are usually serious. There’s little to no protection, like airbags or a seatbelt. Broken bones, head injuries, internal damage, and long recoveries are normal. Your claim should reflect all of that.
What you may be able to recover:
- Medical costs for emergency room visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and follow-up care
- Lost income and capacity to work
- Pain and suffering that don’t show up on a medical bill
- Long-term care for serious injuries
Are you interested in a bigger picture of how these cases are built? Read about what a serious injury law firm does when the stakes are this high.
An important note is that early settlement offers almost always underestimate the true value of a claim. If your injuries are hidden, the real costs may not be clear. Don’t sign anything without speaking to an attorney first.
Common Questions About Birmingham Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
What does a Birmingham pedestrian accident attorney do?
After a runaway driver hits you, you need an attorney you can trust. An attorney investigates the crash and identifies who is responsible. They also collect evidence to build a strong case for the compensation you’re owed.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Alabama?
In most Alabama cases, you have only two years from the date of the accident. If government property was involved, the statute of limitations may be shorter. Don’t wait to discover which one applies to your case.
What if the driver is never found?
You could still pursue a claim, but the path to recover compensation looks different. Instead of suing the driver, your attorney files a claim against your own uninsured motorist coverage. A pedestrian hit-and-run is one of the reasons for that policy.
How much does it cost to hire a Birmingham pedestrian accident lawyer?
It depends on the law firm and the specifics of your personal injury claim. At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis. You only pay us if your case results in a settlement or verdict.
What if I wasn’t in a crosswalk when I got hit? Or there wasn’t a red light?
You should still speak to a pedestrian accident law firm in Birmingham. Drivers still have to watch for people in the road. The specific facts matter, and an attorney could figure out how those facts affect your case.
Do I need an attorney if my injuries are minor?
“Minor” injuries as a pedestrian have a way of turning into something bigger. Concussions, soft tissue damage, and back issues often appear days later. A free consultation with an attorney could save you from paying future costs.
Trust Our Firm With Your Pedestrian Accident in Birmingham, AL
Did a driver hit you and leave the scene? You already know what it feels like to be on your own. But you don’t have to fight for justice by yourself.
At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we know how to track down the people responsible for hurting our clients. Our accident attorneys’ track record of over $2 billion recovered for more than 250,000 clients speaks for itself. Schedule a free case review today.
