Mona Ables Killed in Birmingham Pedestrian Accident
The 53-year-old bartender was struck by a vehicle on First Avenue North early Saturday morning
Mona Ables, 53, of Birmingham, was killed in a pedestrian crash on First Avenue North in Birmingham, Alabama, early Saturday, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.
The vehicle struck Ables as she crossed the road in the Central City area at approximately 2 a.m. Paramedics transported her to UAB Hospital, where she died about 30 minutes later.
No charges have been announced against the driver.
The local hospitality community is mourning the loss of the longtime Bayonet bartender. Friends and coworkers have organized a GoFundMe campaign to support her two surviving children and cover memorial expenses.
The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances of the collision.
According to Drive Safe Alabama, the state recorded 120 pedestrian death in 2024, reflecting a 22% increase since 2015.
What legal options do Ables' children have?
The sudden loss of a beloved community member leaves families grappling with both emotional devastation and unexpected financial burdens.
As the Birmingham hospitality community rallies around Ables' two children, legal professionals note that surviving family members often face a complex path to securing their future.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Losing someone suddenly to a roadway tragedy brings crushing financial pressure on top of unbearable grief, with funeral costs and lost income arriving almost immediately afterward. Insurance adjusters often move fast, offering quick settlements far below the amount long-term hardship actually demands from families."
"Legal counsel steps in to evaluate true damages, negotiate firmly, and shield surviving relatives from pressure during a devastating period," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do investigators determine fault on First Avenue North?
While police continue to review the 2 a.m. collision in the Central City area, determining liability requires a thorough examination of a crash site.
In pedestrian accidents such as this, independent investigations often uncover critical details about vehicle speed and driver attention that initial reports may miss.
Alabama wrongful death statute
Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Alabama. The state applies contributory negligence (one of only 4 states) when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages under Alabama's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Alabama law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.
"Insurance adjusters sometimes create artificial urgency, pressuring already grieving families to quickly settle claims before fully and properly understanding available options. Legal counsel slows the process deliberately, reviewing every detail thoroughly and protecting families from accepting inadequate compensation under pressure," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.