A car accident can change your life in an instant. If you’re injured, you may miss days—and pay—from work while you visit doctors, rest, and recuperate. Pain from your injury may be intensified by worry about paying medical bills on top of your usual living expenses.
If another party’s negligence caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your damages. A Mobile car accident lawyer can build your case, negotiate with insurers, and even represent you in civil court, if necessary.
Alabama Law Says that Whoever Is at Fault Pays
Alabama is a tort (at-fault) state, meaning that if another driver (or other entity) causes an accident that results in injuries, you can file a third-party claim against their insurance policy to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
Not only must you be able to prove the other party’s fault, but you must also be able to prove you had no fault in the accident. Under Alabama’s contributory negligence laws, if you contributed to the accident, no matter how insignificant, you cannot collect compensation from the other party’s insurance company.
Keep in mind that insurance companies are adept at disproving claims—and very motivated to do so. If they can prove you were even partially at fault, they can avoid paying your damages. Furthermore, if their insurer offers to pay you a settlement, you can expect their offer to be less than what your case is worth. Mobile car accident attorneys will protect your interests.
For a free legal consultation with a Car Accident lawyer serving Mobile, call 800-537-8185
A Mobile Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Prove Fault
When you choose Mobile car accident lawyers from our law firm to represent you in your case, we will start to build your case by launching an investigation into the circumstances of the collision. During this investigation, our firm will:
- Visit the accident scene to gather evidence
- Gather photos of the accident and any damages
- Obtain videos from nearby surveillance cameras and other sources
- Interview witnesses for their accounts of the accident
- Obtain a copy of the police accident report
We will use this evidence to support our claim of negligence, which is a necessary component of your case. A car accident lawyer in Mobile can help you establish negligence so that the at-fault party will be held liable for your losses.
Mobile Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
How a Mobile Car Accident Lawyer Will Prove Damages
Your lawyer will also be able to collect the evidence to fulfill another requirement of a personal injury case: proof of injury and damages. Toward this end, our firm will:
- Collect medical records related to your accident injury
- Obtain copies of wage statements from your employer
- Collaborate with experts who can testify to the ongoing and future damages you will suffer from your injury
We will use this evidence to build a demand letter that itemizes and valuates your claim.
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Types of Recoverable Damages
Our firm will determine the damages you can claim from your injury after reviewing all the evidence and documentation we have collected throughout our investigation. Without this information, it is impossible to estimate the value of your claim. However, some common types of damages linked to car accident injuries include the following:
- Medical treatment costs
- Prescription medicine
- Hospitalization
- Emergency transportation
- Physical rehabilitation/therapy
- Replacement services
- Mobility devices
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional stress
- Mental anguish
These are just some of the types of damages you may be able to recover in your case. The cost of treating car crash injuries will vary. Every case is different, and your car accident attorney in Mobile will calculate your definitive losses.
Wrongful Death
If your loved one died from injuries they sustained in a car accident caused by another party, the Code of Alabama § 6-2-38 entitles you to recover damages from the negligent party. The statute of limitations for this action is two years after the death.
Our firm can represent you in this legal process, and we will handle the matter with dignity and compassion. While no amount of compensation can replace those closest to us, recovering damages from the loss of a loved one can help prepare us financially for the road ahead.
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What Is a Reasonable Settlement for a Car Accident?
A reasonable settlement for a car accident will meet your needs for financial recovery. Car accident settlements typically range anywhere from $14,000 to $28,000. An average settlement is roughly $21,000. However, your claim may be worth more or less, depending on the circumstances. We can review your evidence and give you an estimated settlement amount.
If your injuries are severe, you might warrant a higher settlement. As an example of our real case results, we recovered $450,000 for one of our clients who required lower back surgery after a car accident. You may also win more in punitive damages if the other driver was behaving recklessly at the time of the accident.
When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
It’s true that not everyone will need a lawyer after a car accident. If you have minor damage to your car but suffered no injuries, you can file an insurance claim on your own. You should consider bringing in a team of car accident lawyers in Mobile if:
- You suffered injuries
- Someone died as a result of the accident
- There is extensive property damage
- Your fault is in question
- The police report contains errors
- The other driver is working with an attorney
You can also benefit from hiring a Mobile car accident lawyer when it comes time to negotiate your settlement. Because insurance companies are notorious for low settlement offers, you might not get the full compensation you need to recover without the help of a lawyer.
Statute of Limitations for Taking Legal Action
The State of Alabama also imposes a time restriction on filing a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, you have two years from the date of your car accident in which to take legal action. Although this may seem like a generous amount of time, it can often slip away quickly while you work to put your life back on track.
It’s also important to remember that the longer you wait to start the process of seeking compensation, the less time you give your lawyer to gather evidence and build a compelling case. Over time, evidence fades, as can the memories of key witnesses who can speak to your lack of fault in the accident.
Call a Mobile Car Accident Lawyer for Help Recovering Damages
At Morris Bart, we believe you should not have to bear the financial burden of the injuries you sustained in a car accident you did not cause. Let us fight for your right to receive compensation for your losses.
We have helped hundreds of Mobile car accident victims recover damages in their cases, and we stand ready to do the same for you.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.