Fairfield, AL Auto Accidents
Auto accidents are an inevitable part of life. If you’re lucky, the crashes affecting your loved ones will be minor and cause little damage. If you’re involved in a more serious collision, you could find yourself with thousands of dollars of medical bills, no income while you recover, and lots of uncertainty.
This is why it’s so important to know your rights and options after a car crash. The team at Mann & Potter knows that you’re likely feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and uncertain about your next steps. We’ll help you create a plan to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us at 205-879-9661 to get started.
Car Accidents in Alabama
Drive Safe Alabama reports on the dangers of car crashes in this state. As the state works toward its goal of zero auto collision deaths by 2039, legislators and insurance companies use crash data to create new policies and help drivers.
The statistics are fairly dismal for Alabama. In 2019, there was a traffic collision every three minutes and 18 seconds. That year saw 851 fatal crashes that killed 930 people, averaging out to a death every nine hours and 26 seconds. Over half of the people who died in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
Car crashes in Alabama cause an alarming number of serious injuries. There are about 50 injuries for every one fatality. Injuries vary quite a bit in severity, from mild concussions that cause no permanent damage to amputations.
Liability for Auto Collisions
If you are injured in a car crash, your insurance company will be interested in figuring out who is liable. While they will cover your expenses minus a deductible, it’s even better if the other party’s insurance company pays for everything.
One factor that sets Alabama apart from other states is how the state approaches liability. In most states, you can still recover compensation if you are partially responsible for a car crash. Many states simply decrease your award proportionate to the amount of blame you have. For example, if you are 20% responsible for the crash, your total payout would decrease by 20%.
Alabama has a much stricter approach to liability. If you are at all responsible for the crash, even 1%, you cannot recover any compensation in a court case. This makes it much easier for liable parties to avoid paying out any damages since they only have to prove that the other side had some role in the crash. As a result, it is crucial to consult a car accident attorney in Fairfield, AL if you have been injured. They can help protect you from the tricks and schemes utilized by insurance companies.
Common Car Accident Causes and Injuries
Car crashes are triggered by a wide range of causes, including:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving—driving while texting is a serious and growing issue across the country
- Driving while impaired
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Reckless driving
- Ignoring road signs and traffic lights
- Failing to yield the right of way
Determining the cause of a crash is a key part of figuring out liability. That’s why it’s important to tell your attorney your side of the story and corroborate it with photos, video footage, and eyewitness testimony. The more evidence you have, the more effectively they can fight for you.
Injuries vary widely in car crashes, and proper documentation of your injuries is an essential part of your personal injury claim. Reported injuries include:
- Lacerations, cuts, and road rash
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal injuries
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
When you seek medical treatment for your injuries, ensure that you keep copies of all documentation. This includes medical bills, injury reports from your doctors, treatment recommendations from your doctor, and progress updates.
Getting the Compensation That You Deserve
Fighting for full and fair compensation can be a challenge. Insurance companies make their money by not paying out claims, so they will do everything they can to avoid paying out your claim.
They might suggest that you caused the crash, automatically believe their client’s story and assign blame to you or discredit your evidence. They work hard to get on your good side, get your side of the story, and then use your own words against you. Without an attorney, you’ll likely feel discouraged and want to give up. That is exactly why you need an attorney.
At Mann & Potter, we have extensive experience dealing with the auto insurance companies that deny claims and push victims to accept low settlements. We know that insurance companies will only offer full and fair compensation if they are forced to. Once you retain our services, we go to work immediately to thoroughly investigate your accident and the circumstances that led to it.
We gather evidence, interpret evidence, and build a case against the liable party. You don’t have to worry about talking to the insurance company or fighting with them. While you recover from your injuries, we’ll negotiate with the other side and push for the compensation you deserve. Although most cases are settled outside of court, insurance companies do not always play fair. If they refuse to negotiate in good faith, we are ready to take them to court.
The type and amount of compensation you receive depends on the details of your injuries. A fair payout may include money for:
- Medical bills and related expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future income if your ability to work is permanently compromised
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
The more you can prove the extent of your injuries, the easier it is to get the compensation you deserve. Connect with Mann & Potter as soon as possible after your accident to get started on your claim.
Reach Out to Mann & Potter Now
If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, it’s time to talk to Mann & Potter. Our team of Fairfield, AL auto accident attorneys is ready to fight for a full and fair settlement on your behalf. Set up a meeting now by getting in touch online or calling us at 205-879-9661.
