Car Accident Attorneys in Daphne, Alabama
The Daphne area in Baldwin County’s Eastern Shore might seem slow moving compared to Mobile, but vehicles still crash into each other there with alarming regularity. The Eastern Shore continues to grow at a rapid pace, and that growth invokes many of the issues that you’ll find in more populated areas.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident in Daphne, AL, we can help. The experienced full-service personal injury attorneys at Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C. will investigate your case and aggressively pursue the responsible parties for the compensation you deserve. Contact us now for a free consultation.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Daphne, AL?
Daphne has just over 21,500 residents, but it has more than its fair share of accidents each year. It’s the largest city in Baldwin County, which had over 5,500 vehicle crashes in 2017, resulting in 1,603 injuries and 26 deaths.
Located along the busy I-10 corridor and just 11 miles east of Mobile across the Cochrane-Africatown USA bridge, it’s no wonder that accidents are common in Daphne. In 2017, there were 942 crashes inside the city limits, resulting in 207 injuries and 3 deaths.
Alabama’s Negligence Laws
Every state has unique rules when it comes to negligence in personal injury cases. On the one hand, proving negligence is the same process across the country.
The plaintiff must prove that four basic elements exist to be successful with a personal injury claim:
- The plaintiff needs to show that the responsible party owed a duty of care. For example, other drivers must follow the rules of the road and use reasonable caution when operating a vehicle.
- Breach of duty.The plaintiff must prove that the defendant breached that duty of care. For example, a person that runs a red light hasn’t operated their vehicle safely.
- There can only be a claim if the breach of duty leads to some type of harm, such as injury or other economic damages. For example, you suffered a spinal injury and lost time from work.
- The plaintiff needs to show that there is a link between the breach of duty and the damages. For example, the collision caused your spinal injury and other damages.
Some states, Alabama included, will allow for a finding of negligence if a plaintiff violated some other statute. This is called “negligence per se.” For example, if a driver was convicted for DUI, the courts might automatically impute negligence as long as you can show causation between the DUI and your injuries.
Where Alabama is different is how it treats cases in which both drivers might bear some responsibility for the accident. Unfortunately, Alabama is one of only a few states in the nation that still cling to the contributory negligence doctrine.
Under contributory negligence, if you were found to be at fault in the accident, even just one percent, you would not be able to recover compensation from the responsible party. This is an affirmative defense seen often in Alabama personal injury cases and one of the reasons why we recommend securing aggressive legal counsel from the start.
Serious Injuries Associated with Car Accidents
A serious injury from a car crash can affect you for the rest of your life. It can leave you with mounting medical bills, impede your ability to work, and change your quality of life. You might be left with permanent scars that limit your mobility and impact your self-confidence.
Even a minor accident has the potential to result in serious injury, but some are more common with motor vehicle accidents, such as whiplash. Some of the injuries that we’ve encountered with our car accident clients over the years include:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord, back, and neck injuries
- Fractured and broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Amputation
- Burns
- Permanent scarring
Fair Compensation for Your Daphne Car Wreck
In the aftermath of an accident, you’re probably suffering physically and emotionally from what has just occurred. It would be another tragedy if you had to suffer financially as well. If a careless or negligent driver was responsible for your accident, they should also be held accountable for your damages.
While all you want is to be made whole, it can be tough to put this in perspective just after a crash. Some of the compensation that you might be entitled to in a personal injury case includes:
- Damaged or lost property
- Medical expenses, including doctor’s visits, hospital bills, physical therapy, medications, and future expenses related to your injury
- Lost wages, including future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Transportation and caregiving services
- Reduced quality of life
Few people see an auto accident as a means to cash in or get rich quick. Unfortunately, insurance companies will often treat you as if you were trying to do just that. No one deserves to be treated like this, but it’s the nature of the system.
It’s never in your best interests to provide an insurance company with a recorded statement or sign a release form without first discussing your options with an experienced personal injury attorney. These companies are not on your side, and you need someone who is that will exclusively protect your interests.
Our Experienced Daphne Car Accident Lawyers Fight for Maximum Recovery
The hours and days just after a car accident are stressful. The Alabama car accident attorneys at Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C. can assist you during this time of need. Our legal team has years of experience in car accident and personal injury claims. We realize that each client’s needs are different and tailor our services according to those needs.
A serious crash can be life-changing – physically, emotionally, financially. Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C. can help you put the pieces of your life back together by fighting for maximum recovery. We devote our experience to fighting for your best interests, even if this involves taking your case to trial to achieve a fair result.
Contact our Mobile office today at (251) 260-3815 to schedule your free consultation.
