Bessemer Car Accident Lawyer
Have you sustained injuries from a car accident in Alabama? If so, you may be entitled to payment for any damages you have sustained. In order to maximize the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, you will need to retain the services of an experienced Bessemer car accident lawyer. The experts at Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton will review the details of your car accident case and provide you with their expert recommendation when you schedule your free consultation. Call them today at (855) 965-1688.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect Following a Bessemer, AL Car Accident?
Car accidents can result in minor injuries or cause life-threatening injuries. If you have been injured due to another individual’s negligence, you have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained, you may have the right to receive different types of damage, including:
Medical Expenses
Compensation for medical expenses is the most common type of damages received. Medical expenses compensation includes money for doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and treatments for your injuries that were sustained during a car accident. If you suffered severe injuries, the treatments, long term therapies, and medical procedures could be very costly. A medical expenses compensation package will include compensation to cover all current as well as future medical expenses associated with the recovery from the accident.
Pain and Suffering
The injuries that occurred during an accident can cause extensive pain and suffering. Pain and suffering include physical pain as well as mental and emotional anguish and anxiety. Compensation can be awarded for your physical, psychological, and emotional pain and suffering.
Lost Wages
A car accident can cause injuries that prevent you from doing the job you had prior to the accident, resulting in diminished wages. If your injuries are severe enough, you may be unable to continue working. The court system allows for compensation to recover the wages lost during your recovery time as well as wages that will be lost in the future due to the injuries you received during the accident.
Wrongful Death
A serious car accident can result in the death of a family member or loved one. If your loved one lost his/her life due to a car accident, you and your family have the right to recover compensation for the death of your loved one.
Loss of Consortium
Car accidents that result in injury or death of a loved one cause a loss of consortium or companionship. When an individual dies or is injured, it can affect their relationship with their loved ones. A change in behavior or wrongful death can result in alterations in relationships, including the loss of affection. A claim can be filed, and the family member awarded damages for loss of consortium.
Calculating the cost of medical expenses and lost wages is easy to calculate; however, determining the monetary value of pain and suffering is much more difficult, which is why you need the assistance of an expert. An experienced Bessemer car accident lawyer understands the intricacies of calculating damages and will ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve.
How Does the Alabama Legal System Determine Negligence in a Car Wreck Case?
In order to receive compensation for the injuries sustained during a car wreck, you must establish that your injuries are the result of another individual’s negligence. Four factors must have been in play at the time of the accident, including:
- The defendant (the person who caused the accident) had a duty to the victim.
- The defendant breached the duty he/she had to the victim.
- The victim suffered damages from the accident.
- The damages incurred resulted from the defendant’s failure to exercise their duty.
For example, when an individual drives on Alabama roads, they have the legal duty to obey all traffic laws and operate their motor vehicle safely. Speeding, driving while intoxicated, and distracted driving (including texting while driving) represents a breach of duty to care for the safety of other drivers. If the individual who is recklessly driving collides with your vehicle and you are injured, the reckless driver is considered at fault and is liable. If you suffer injuries, the defendant who was driving recklessly is required to cover your damages.
Should I Talk with an Insurance Company Following a Car Accident?
You must understand that an insurance company’s primary interest is to reduce the amount of compensation awarded for your damages. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses; therefore, their main objective is to minimize the payments made. Alabama’s negligence law is very strict and will be used to determine if your claim is valid. If it can be shown that you were as little as 1 percent responsible for the accident, you will not be entitled to any form of compensation.
Therefore, insurance companies will try to find any small detail that will make it look like you were at fault. If they can prove you were responsible for any portion of the accident, you will not be able to receive any compensation. At-fault laws in Alabama require the liable party to pay compensation; however, if it is deemed that both parties were at-fault, neither can receive any compensation.
In addition to using this at-fault law to avoid compensating the injured party, insurance companies often will use other underhanded tactics to avoid paying for your injuries. The insurance company may offer an extremely low compensation package. They may drag the claims process out until you have no choice but to accept their low offer, or they may ignore your attempts to contact them until the statute of limitations passes.
It may appear that accepting the insurance’s low offer is the best choice. The insurance company will often explain that this is there best offer and you should accept it. However, the best thing you can do is contact Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton. Our team of car accident lawyers will help you understand the compensation that you deserve.
Does Alabama Have a Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim?
One of the most critical things to understand when it comes to receiving compensation in the state of Alabama is it is a contributory negligence state. If you have been injured in an auto accident and are even slightly responsible for the accident (at least 1 percent responsible for the accident), you are not entitled to compensation for any damages or injuries that were sustained during the accident, even if the other driver was at fault.
Alabama also has a strict statute of limitations for filing an accident claim. All auto-accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident, or the victim will lose his/her right fro compensation. If you wish to file a claim against a governmental agency, for dangerous roadways, your claim must be filed within six months of the accident.
The deadlines for filing a claim are strict. Furthermore, the details for filing a claim are exacting, which is why you need the assistance of a knowledgeable car accident attorney who has experience filing automobile accident claims in the state of Alabama. The lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton have many years of experience in car accident cases and will help you prepare and file your claim within the time frame required by Alabama’s statute of limitations.
Our team of experts includes former insurance claims adjuster who provides us with insight on how automobile accident claims are handled by an insurance provider. We work hard to ensure you will not be found responsible for any portion of the accident and ensure that you are entitled to full compensation.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Automobile Accidents in Bessemer?
The most common cause that a motorist will be held responsible for an auto accident is when they collide with another car. There are a variety of reasons this can occur. The following list shows the most common causes of a car accident in Bessemer, Alabama.
Distracted Driving
Texting or using a mobile device while driving is a common cause for distracted driving; however, there are other things that can cause distracted driving, including grooming, searching for a CD, or eating. Anything that causes a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel or causes their attention and focus to be removed from the roadway or other vehicles is considered distracted driving.
Drunk Driving
A driver who operates their vehicle while they are intoxicated or drives while under the influence of a controlled substance is committing a criminal act. If you are injured in a crash due to a driver who is intoxicated or under the influence, this information should be included in your personal injury claim.
Emergency Medical Condition
When an otherwise healthy individual suddenly experiences a serious medical condition, they can to lose control of their vehicle. Examples of an emergency medical condition that can result in a car accident include heart attacks and strokes.
Reckless Driving
Individuals who do not follow the laws associated with driving place the public at risk. These individuals are driving recklessly. Examples of reckless driving include following another automobile too closely, speeding, running a red light, or any other risky behavior that can result in a car wreck.
If you were driving safely and were hit by another driver, an expert Bessemer car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the auto accident to identify the at-fault party. The investigation will include searching for defective car parts and environmental factors that could have contributed to the accident, including sharp curves, potholes, fallen tree limbs, traffic signals, and more.
If a defective car part or an environmental factor is discovered to have played a role in the auto accident, your team of dedicated Bessemer car accident lawyers may also name the appropriate government body or your automobile’s manufacturers in your claim. Filing a claim against a government body in the state of Alabama is extremely difficult and should not be attempted without the assistance of an experienced Bessemer car accident lawyer.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in an Auto Accident?
Multiple car accidents occur throughout Alabama each day. Unfortunately, many people experience serious injury or death resulting from a car accident. The severity of your injuries will determine the value of your compensation package. The more serious your injury, the more your professional, personal, and financial life will be affected. Some of the common injuries experienced in a car accident include:
- Broken Bones
- Burns and Scars
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Call Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Our car accident lawyers will work with your medical provider to determine the extent of your injuries and the treatment that is needed. Your Bessemer car accident lawyer will help you collect the necessary documents to support your case.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact our team of car accident lawyers for your free consultation at (855)-965-1688. One of our team members at Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton will discuss your case and help you plan your next move. When you hire us, you can leave the hard work to us and concentrate on your healing and recovery.
Related Attorneys
Have you sustained injuries from a car accident in Alabama? If so, you may be entitled to payment for any damages you have sustained. In order to maximize the compensation that you deserve for your injuries, you will need to retain the services of an experienced Bessemer car accident lawyer. The experts at Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton will review the details of your car accident case and provide you with their expert recommendation when you schedule your free consultation. Call them today at (855) 965-1688.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect Following a Bessemer, AL Car Accident?
Car accidents can result in minor injuries or cause life-threatening injuries. If you have been injured due to another individual’s negligence, you have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained, you may have the right to receive different types of damage, including:
Medical Expenses
Compensation for medical expenses is the most common type of damages received. Medical expenses compensation includes money for doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, and treatments for your injuries that were sustained during a car accident. If you suffered severe injuries, the treatments, long term therapies, and medical procedures could be very costly. A medical expenses compensation package will include compensation to cover all current as well as future medical expenses associated with the recovery from the accident.
Pain and Suffering
The injuries that occurred during an accident can cause extensive pain and suffering. Pain and suffering include physical pain as well as mental and emotional anguish and anxiety. Compensation can be awarded for your physical, psychological, and emotional pain and suffering.
Lost Wages
A car accident can cause injuries that prevent you from doing the job you had prior to the accident, resulting in diminished wages. If your injuries are severe enough, you may be unable to continue working. The court system allows for compensation to recover the wages lost during your recovery time as well as wages that will be lost in the future due to the injuries you received during the accident.
Wrongful Death
A serious car accident can result in the death of a family member or loved one. If your loved one lost his/her life due to a car accident, you and your family have the right to recover compensation for the death of your loved one.
Loss of Consortium
Car accidents that result in injury or death of a loved one cause a loss of consortium or companionship. When an individual dies or is injured, it can affect their relationship with their loved ones. A change in behavior or wrongful death can result in alterations in relationships, including the loss of affection. A claim can be filed, and the family member awarded damages for loss of consortium.
Calculating the cost of medical expenses and lost wages is easy to calculate; however, determining the monetary value of pain and suffering is much more difficult, which is why you need the assistance of an expert. An experienced Bessemer car accident lawyer understands the intricacies of calculating damages and will ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve.
How Does the Alabama Legal System Determine Negligence in a Car Wreck Case?
In order to receive compensation for the injuries sustained during a car wreck, you must establish that your injuries are the result of another individual’s negligence. Four factors must have been in play at the time of the accident, including:
- The defendant (the person who caused the accident) had a duty to the victim.
- The defendant breached the duty he/she had to the victim.
- The victim suffered damages from the accident.
- The damages incurred resulted from the defendant’s failure to exercise their duty.
For example, when an individual drives on Alabama roads, they have the legal duty to obey all traffic laws and operate their motor vehicle safely. Speeding, driving while intoxicated, and distracted driving (including texting while driving) represents a breach of duty to care for the safety of other drivers. If the individual who is recklessly driving collides with your vehicle and you are injured, the reckless driver is considered at fault and is liable. If you suffer injuries, the defendant who was driving recklessly is required to cover your damages.
Should I Talk with an Insurance Company Following a Car Accident?
You must understand that an insurance company’s primary interest is to reduce the amount of compensation awarded for your damages. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses; therefore, their main objective is to minimize the payments made. Alabama’s negligence law is very strict and will be used to determine if your claim is valid. If it can be shown that you were as little as 1 percent responsible for the accident, you will not be entitled to any form of compensation.
Therefore, insurance companies will try to find any small detail that will make it look like you were at fault. If they can prove you were responsible for any portion of the accident, you will not be able to receive any compensation. At-fault laws in Alabama require the liable party to pay compensation; however, if it is deemed that both parties were at-fault, neither can receive any compensation.
In addition to using this at-fault law to avoid compensating the injured party, insurance companies often will use other underhanded tactics to avoid paying for your injuries. The insurance company may offer an extremely low compensation package. They may drag the claims process out until you have no choice but to accept their low offer, or they may ignore your attempts to contact them until the statute of limitations passes.
It may appear that accepting the insurance’s low offer is the best choice. The insurance company will often explain that this is there best offer and you should accept it. However, the best thing you can do is contact Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton. Our team of car accident lawyers will help you understand the compensation that you deserve.
Does Alabama Have a Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Claim?
One of the most critical things to understand when it comes to receiving compensation in the state of Alabama is it is a contributory negligence state. If you have been injured in an auto accident and are even slightly responsible for the accident (at least 1 percent responsible for the accident), you are not entitled to compensation for any damages or injuries that were sustained during the accident, even if the other driver was at fault.
Alabama also has a strict statute of limitations for filing an accident claim. All auto-accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident, or the victim will lose his/her right fro compensation. If you wish to file a claim against a governmental agency, for dangerous roadways, your claim must be filed within six months of the accident.
The deadlines for filing a claim are strict. Furthermore, the details for filing a claim are exacting, which is why you need the assistance of a knowledgeable car accident attorney who has experience filing automobile accident claims in the state of Alabama. The lawyers at Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton have many years of experience in car accident cases and will help you prepare and file your claim within the time frame required by Alabama’s statute of limitations.
Our team of experts includes former insurance claims adjuster who provides us with insight on how automobile accident claims are handled by an insurance provider. We work hard to ensure you will not be found responsible for any portion of the accident and ensure that you are entitled to full compensation.
What Are the Most Common Reasons for Automobile Accidents in Bessemer?
The most common cause that a motorist will be held responsible for an auto accident is when they collide with another car. There are a variety of reasons this can occur. The following list shows the most common causes of a car accident in Bessemer, Alabama.
Distracted Driving
Texting or using a mobile device while driving is a common cause for distracted driving; however, there are other things that can cause distracted driving, including grooming, searching for a CD, or eating. Anything that causes a driver to take their hands off the steering wheel or causes their attention and focus to be removed from the roadway or other vehicles is considered distracted driving.
Drunk Driving
A driver who operates their vehicle while they are intoxicated or drives while under the influence of a controlled substance is committing a criminal act. If you are injured in a crash due to a driver who is intoxicated or under the influence, this information should be included in your personal injury claim.
Emergency Medical Condition
When an otherwise healthy individual suddenly experiences a serious medical condition, they can to lose control of their vehicle. Examples of an emergency medical condition that can result in a car accident include heart attacks and strokes.
Reckless Driving
Individuals who do not follow the laws associated with driving place the public at risk. These individuals are driving recklessly. Examples of reckless driving include following another automobile too closely, speeding, running a red light, or any other risky behavior that can result in a car wreck.
If you were driving safely and were hit by another driver, an expert Bessemer car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the auto accident to identify the at-fault party. The investigation will include searching for defective car parts and environmental factors that could have contributed to the accident, including sharp curves, potholes, fallen tree limbs, traffic signals, and more.
If a defective car part or an environmental factor is discovered to have played a role in the auto accident, your team of dedicated Bessemer car accident lawyers may also name the appropriate government body or your automobile’s manufacturers in your claim. Filing a claim against a government body in the state of Alabama is extremely difficult and should not be attempted without the assistance of an experienced Bessemer car accident lawyer.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in an Auto Accident?
Multiple car accidents occur throughout Alabama each day. Unfortunately, many people experience serious injury or death resulting from a car accident. The severity of your injuries will determine the value of your compensation package. The more serious your injury, the more your professional, personal, and financial life will be affected. Some of the common injuries experienced in a car accident include:
- Broken Bones
- Burns and Scars
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Call Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Our car accident lawyers will work with your medical provider to determine the extent of your injuries and the treatment that is needed. Your Bessemer car accident lawyer will help you collect the necessary documents to support your case.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact our team of car accident lawyers for your free consultation at (855)-965-1688. One of our team members at Hare, Wynn, Newell, and Newton will discuss your case and help you plan your next move. When you hire us, you can leave the hard work to us and concentrate on your healing and recovery.