When a vehicle strikes a pedestrian in Mobile, the injuries are almost always severe. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage — the human body has no protection against several thousand pounds of steel. At Simmons Law, Chris Simmons handles pedestrian accident cases throughout Mobile County. If you or someone you love was struck by a car, truck, or delivery vehicle, contact Simmons Law at (251) 306-8333 for a free consultation. Chris personally reviews every file.
Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Mobile
Mobile's street grid and traffic patterns create predictable pedestrian danger zones. Government Street through downtown Mobile sees heavy foot traffic from workers, tourists, and courthouse visitors — combined with fast-moving vehicles making the stretch between Broad Street and Lawrence Street one of the most hazardous pedestrian corridors in Mobile County. Airport Boulevard is another consistent problem area: six lanes of through traffic, multiple driveways, and poor crosswalk visibility at intersections like Airport Boulevard and Schillinger Road in west Mobile. During Mardi Gras season, Dauphin Street becomes one of the most dangerous pedestrian environments in Alabama — crowds spill into the street, drivers move through areas expecting normal traffic flow, and alcohol is a factor in a significant percentage of incidents. Spring Hill Avenue near the USA Medical District generates constant pedestrian activity from hospital staff, students, and patients — often crossing against the signal due to distance between crosswalks. Old Shell Road through Midtown, and the intersection at Old Shell and University Boulevard, generates year-round pedestrian accidents as students walk to and from the University of Mobile area.
Alabama Law and Pedestrian Accident Claims
Alabama's uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage statute — Alabama Code § 32-7-23 — matters in a significant percentage of pedestrian accidents in Mobile County. Many drivers who strike pedestrians carry only Alabama's minimum liability limits of $25,000 per person. When a pedestrian suffers a traumatic brain injury, spinal fracture, or multiple orthopedic injuries, those minimum policy limits are exhausted almost immediately. Alabama's UM/UIM statute requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to every policyholder. If the at-fault driver's insurance runs out, a pedestrian victim can potentially access their own UM/UIM coverage — or the UM/UIM coverage of a family member's policy if they were a resident relative. Insurance adjusters routinely fail to inform injured pedestrians about UM/UIM stacking opportunities. Chris Simmons identifies every available coverage layer on every pedestrian case Simmons Law handles.
Alabama also enforces a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under Alabama Code § 6-2-38. A pedestrian hit by a car in Mobile has two years from the date of the accident to file suit in Mobile County Circuit Court at 205 Government Street. Missing that deadline permanently bars recovery, regardless of how serious the injuries are or how clear the driver's fault was. Two years sounds like a long time, but the earliest stages of a pedestrian case — preserving surveillance footage, locating witnesses, documenting the accident scene, and identifying all available insurance coverage — are time-sensitive. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move. Simmons Law recommends calling as soon as possible after the accident.
Delivery Vehicles and Commercial Drivers
Mobile County's growth in e-commerce deliveries has increased the number of delivery vehicles on residential streets throughout neighborhoods from West Mobile to Tillmans Corner to Spring Hill. Amazon delivery vans, FedEx trucks, and UPS vehicles make high-volume stops under time pressure. When a delivery driver strikes a pedestrian while rushing through a neighborhood or backing out of a driveway, the case involves both the driver and the company that employed them. Under Alabama's respondeat superior doctrine, employers are liable for the negligent acts of employees acting within the scope of their employment. Commercial vehicle cases often involve deeper pockets and more complex insurance structures than individual driver cases — and they require a lawyer who knows how to navigate them.
Medical Treatment After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accident victims in Mobile County should seek emergency care immediately, even if they feel they can walk away from the scene. The University of South Alabama Medical Center at 2451 Fillingim Street handles the most serious trauma cases in the region. Mobile Infirmary on Springhill Avenue and Springhill Medical Center on Springhill Avenue both provide emergency services for pedestrian victims. Adrenaline masks pain — injuries that feel minor at the scene can be severe, including internal bleeding, soft tissue damage to the spine, and concussions that worsen over hours. Document every medical visit, every diagnosis, every prescription. Medical records become the foundation of the damages claim.
Why Pedestrian Cases Require an Attorney
Insurance adjusters handle pedestrian accident claims differently than car accident claims. They look for any evidence that the pedestrian was in the roadway unlawfully, crossed against the signal, was wearing dark clothing at night, or was distracted by a phone. Under Alabama's contributory negligence rule, if the insurer can establish that the pedestrian bears even one percent of fault — any fault at all — the claim is barred entirely. That standard makes early evidence preservation and rapid legal representation critical in Mobile pedestrian cases. At Simmons Law, Chris Simmons investigates pedestrian accident scenes, obtains surveillance footage before it is overwritten, and builds the factual record before the insurance company can construct a contributory negligence defense. Call Simmons Law at (251) 306-8333 — Chris answers his phone.
