Mobile, Alabama Car Accident Attorneys
Driving a car in America is so common that hardly anyone thinks twice about it. In fact, data shows that about 95 percent of American households own a motor vehicle, and that only about five percent of Americans use public transportation to get around. With over 260 million automobiles on American roadways, it’s no wonder that car accidents are nearly as common as is driving itself.
This rings true in Alabama, too, where there was a traffic crash reported once every 200 seconds in a single year, and a person was injured in a motor vehicle accident once every 11 minutes, according to Drive Safe Alabama.
While car accidents may be common, they are not inevitable. In fact, most of the time, they occur as a result of negligence and preventable error. If you have been injured in a car crash, our motor vehicle accident attorneys at the law office of Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C. can assist you in navigating the claims process and recovering compensation for your injuries. Please get in touch with us today for your free consultation.
Top Causes of Car Accidents in Alabama
While some car accidents may occur as a result of things like unsafe road conditions, vehicle defects, poor weather, or an animal darting out into a car’s path unexpectedly, the majority of car accidents happen because drivers operate their vehicles carelessly and unsafely.
Some of the top causes of car accidents include:
- Speeding;
- Drunk driving;
- Reckless driving;
- Driving too fast for conditions;
- Failure to yield;
- Running a red light or stop sign;
- Driving while distracted/texting while driving;
- Driving while intoxicated or impaired;
- Driving while overly fatigued;
- Driving aggressively;
- Tailgating;
- Cutting off another driver; and
- Illegally changing lanes.
When an accident is caused by the fault of another driver and you suffer injuries, you maintain the right to file a claim for compensation.
What You Need to Prove in a Car Accident Claim
Alabama maintains traditional tort liability rules when it comes to car accident claims, which means that an at-fault driver is responsible for paying for damages suffered by the not-at-fault driver. In order to recover compensation from the at-fault driver, then (or more likely, the at-fault driver’s liability insurer), you will need to prove that:
- The driver acted in a manner that was negligent and outside of the realm of what a reasonable person in the same situation would do;
- That the driver’s negligence was the proximate cause of your car accident; and
- That you suffered injuries and damages as a result.
Keep in mind that Alabama maintains unfriendly shared fault rules when it comes to a plaintiff’s ability to recover compensation if they contributed to the accident in any way. Under the state’s contributory negligence legal doctrine, if you contributed to your accident at all, even one percent, you may be barred from recovering damages. As such, it is critical that you work with a skilled attorney who can assist you in building your claim and rebutting any allegations of shared fault made against you by an insurer.
How Our Skilled Alabama Car Accident Lawyers Serve You
Maximizing your compensation award after a car crash requires more than just filing a claim for damages and hoping for the best. You will need to prove the fault of the defendant, demonstrate that you did not contribute to the accident, and substantiate the extent of damages you have suffered. Our lawyers help you build your claim and get the maximum amount of compensation you deserve by:
- Investigating your accident. Identifying the at-fault party and gathering evidence to support this claim as early as possible is critical, especially as certain evidence types may be destroyed soon after an accident. The earlier you call us, the earlier we can begin investigating your accident and collecting essential evidence.
- Working with various experts. Our law firm has the resources necessary to hire various experts to investigate and build your case, including accident reconstruction experts, forensic experts, and medical professionals. An expert’s opinion can help shape the outcome of your case.
- Managing and organizing all claim-related documents. When filing a claim, you will need to present evidence of fault and damages, which might include everything from photographs to medical records to police reports and more. We collect and organize all claim documents and manage the presentation of these documents to an insurer on your behalf.
- Reviewing and negotiating your claim. Our job includes sending a demand letter to an insurer requesting compensation, reviewing a settlement offer and advising you regarding whether to accept or reject it, and negotiating the settlement offer to get you the largest realistic settlement award possible.
- Trial Experience. Our lawyers have trial experience, and we are not intimidated by the prospect of going to court and fighting for a settlement via litigation. While our goal is to settle your case out of court to save you time and money, we will do what it takes to get you the just compensation you deserve.
Time Is Ticking – Take Action Today
Not only must you act quickly for the purpose of preserving evidence related to your claim and improving your chances of recovering your settlement award sooner rather than later, but you must also take the state’s statute of limitations into consideration. In Alabama, an injured party only has two years from the date of an accident to bring forth a claim for damages; if you wait longer than two years, you will most likely be barred from recovery. We recommend calling a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Burns Our Experienced Car Accident Injury Attorneys Today
Some car accidents are extremely traumatic, leaving victims with permanent and debilitating injuries that can shape the course of their lives. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident, you need legal representation; hiring a lawyer significantly improves your chances of recovering the largest settlement award possible.
When you call the law firm of Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C., our skilled Alabama auto accident lawyers will work hard for you. We work on a contingency fee basis, never ask for upfront payment, and always offer consultations free of charge. To schedule your free consultation today, please stop by our Mobile office, send us a message online, or call us at 800-574-4332.
