Back to School Safety for Pedestrians

Many children and parents in Mobile eagerly anticipate the return to school at the end of the summer. In addition to obtaining schedules and supplies, it is important for them to understand what measures they can employ to protect their children's well-being, as harmful accidents can occur as pedestrian and automobile traffic increases around the start of the school year. For example, careless motorists can, unfortunately, strike children who are walking or riding bicycles on their way to school, often causing serious injuries. If you want to learn more about back-to-school safety or your options following an accident on the way to school, it is important to speak with an attorney. The proficient Mobile personal injury attorneys at Tobias & Comer Law, LLC, can advise you or your options and aid you in seeking the best outcome available.

As students in Alabama prepare to head back to school, it's important for both students and parents to prioritize safety, and there are certain steps that they can take to increase the likelihood of a safe return to school.

When it comes to bus stops, it's important to arrive early and wait for the bus in a safe location away from traffic. Parents should teach children to stay seated while on the bus and to listen to the driver's instructions. For those who prefer biking to school, wearing a properly fitted helmet is essential. Parents should also remind children to follow traffic rules, such as riding on the right side of the road and using hand signals for turns. It's important to utilize designated bike lanes whenever possible as well.

For those walking to school, obey any laws or regulations pertaining to pedestrians. Among other things, this means you should always use designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Additionally, you should look both ways before crossing the street and be attentive to oncoming traffic. It is also prudent to avoid distractions like electronic devices and be mindful of your surroundings when you are walking.

By following these safety tips, Alabama students and their parents can help reduce the risk of accidents and enjoy a safe and successful school year.

It is even more important for motorists to exercise caution in school zones and around bus stops, especially at the start of the school year when the traffic patterns increase after the summer lull. There are steep fines associated with failure to stop for buses while they are loading and unloading. It is a good idea to leave early if you know you will be encountering a school zone, and have patience for parents navigating the school drop off lines.

Bonus tip: make sure you have uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance coverage (UM) as part of your automobile insurance coverage. UM coverage has your back, covering you when you're hurt by an uninsured vehicle - whether you are a pedestrian, on a bike, or even if you're a passenger in someone else's car. This coverage steps in if you or a family member are injured due to an uninsured driver. Read more about Uninsured Motorist Coverage.

Unfortunately, even if people adhere to back-to-school safety guidelines, they may still be harmed in accidents caused by other people’s bad decisions. In such instances, they may be able to recover compensation for their losses in personal injury lawsuits.

In Alabama, a plaintiff alleging a defendant should be deemed liable under a theory of negligence must prove four elements: a duty, a breach of the duty, causation, and damages. The duty is an obligation the defendant owes the plaintiff. In most instances, the duty owed is to act as a reasonable person would in the same situation, but it may also be a duty imposed by law, such as a rule of the road. Any action or omission that deviates from the reasonable person standard or obligations under the law may constitute a breach. Next, the plaintiff must prove that they suffered harm, and that their harm was the direct result of the defendant’s breach of the duty owed.

If the jury or judge finds in favor of the plaintiff, the jury may award economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs. The plaintiff may also be able to recover compensation for their emotional losses, such as the pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or disfigurement caused by the defendant’s actions. In cases involving especially egregious conduct, the plaintiff may be awarded punitive damages, which aim to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.

If you or your child suffered injuries in an accident on the way to or from school, you may be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney about your options. At Tobias & Comer Law, LLC, our trusted Mobile personal injury attorneys possess the skills and resources needed to obtain favorable outcomes. We have an office in Mobile, and we frequently represent parties in personal injury cases in Mobile and throughout Alabama. You can reach us through our form online or at (251) 432-5001 to set up a conference.