Homewood, AL — May 9, 2025, a pedestrian was injured in an afternoon truck accident on Roxbury Road near Oxmoor Road.

Authorities said a pedestrian was trying to cross the road when she was hit by a Federal Express truck.

The woman, whose name has not been made public at this time, was hospitalized with serious injuries after the crash, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this point. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary

When a pedestrian is hit by a delivery truck, particularly in a residential or mixed-use area like Roxbury Road, the legal questions begin with right-of-way and visibility. In Alabama, pedestrians generally have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and drivers — especially those operating large commercial vehicles — are expected to exercise due care to avoid hitting them.

From a legal standpoint, several questions come to mind. Was the pedestrian crossing at an intersection or mid-block? Was the truck traveling at a safe speed for the area? Could the driver see the pedestrian in time to stop, or were there obstructions that limited visibility? These details are crucial, and answering them often requires more than a standard police report.

Another important aspect is the truck’s equipment. Many commercial vehicles today come equipped with cameras, radar systems or other sensors designed to detect obstacles, including pedestrians. If this vehicle had such technology, it’s worth investigating whether it was functioning properly or even in use at the time. If not, that could speak to the delivery company’s safety practices.

Crashes like this are also a reminder that while authorities may conduct a basic investigation, their focus is often limited to immediate factors. A thorough independent investigation may be necessary to uncover details that go beyond the surface, like the driver’s training, the company’s safety protocols or potential distractions inside the cab.

It’s still early in this case, but what happens next should involve a clear and methodical effort to find out not just how the pedestrian was hit, but whether that outcome could, and should, have been avoided.