Vestavia Hills Car Accident Lawyer
With all the other daily life struggles, the thought of being involved in a car accident might have rarely crossed your mind. However, car accidents are quite common, especially in the state of Alabama, and this should be a great cause for concern. The average driver in Alabama has a 33% chance of being involved in a car accident that causes injury or death.
Being involved in a car accident is one of the most traumatizing experiences and the resulting injuries can leave you debilitated and dealing with a lot of pain and suffering. Without the proper financial support that you may desperately need, life can become extremely difficult. This is why it is highly important that you seek the assistance of a qualified Vestavia Hills car accident lawyer to help you get the justice that you deserve.
In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, you need to get in touch with our team at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP right away. Our compassionate and understanding personal injury lawyers are committed to assisting clients who have been injured in car accidents caused by others to get the full and maximum compensation they deserve. We have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and have what it takes to take your case to trial. Call us today at 800-568-5330 for your free consultation.
Alabama Car Accident Statistics
Alabama has rather alarming traffic crash statistics. According to The Alabama Crash Facts Book in 2018, car accidents are reported every 200 seconds. The state of Alabama recorded a total of 159,925 car accidents in 2018. Of these, 47,419 crashes were responsible for more than 10,000 injuries and 872 crashes were responsible for 953 deaths.
Studies done by the University of Alabama found that a person is killed in an Alabama car crash every 9 hours and 10 minutes while a person is injured every 11 minutes and 5 seconds. Speeding has been identified as the leading cause of traffic-related fatalities. Drivers below 25 years of age account for about 30% of drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Despite the fact that the Alabama Interstate System only accounts for 1% of the state’s total mileage, it is responsible for 11% of traffic-related fatalities. And while most accidents happen in urban areas (77%), most fatalities are reported in rural areas (67%).
How Much Does a Vestavia Hills Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
A majority of professional car accident lawyers in Vestavia Hills, including Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, operate on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t incur any upfront costs to retain our legal services. You only pay us after we have secured a favorable settlement or jury verdict. This means that you have nothing to lose but to all gain by hiring a car accident lawyer.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The steps you take after being involved in a car accident in Vestavia Hills, Alabama will have a huge impact on the outcome of your case and also your wellbeing and recovery.
Contact Police
It is always important to call in the police after being involved in a car accident. In some cases, it is required by law. This includes if the accident resulted in personal injury, death, or property damages exceeding $250. An official police report will serve as crucial evidence in your case.
Check on Other Involved Parties
You shouldn’t leave the scene of the accident until the police have arrived and allowed you to do so. Leaving a scene of an accident, especially one where one has suffered injuries or have lost their lives, can lead to serious criminal charges.
In the meanwhile, you should look around to find out if there is someone who might be in urgent need of medical attention. You should also look out for any further safety risks such as fires and explosions.
Exchange Info
It is important that you collect the names, contact details, address, and insurance information of the other driver(s) involved. You should also give them yours.
Record the Scene
It is highly beneficial to document the evidence while it is fresh and untampered. If you are in a physical condition to do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene using your camera or smartphone. The photos should provide a better context of the accident to help you prove your case.
Never Admit Fault
While you should remain polite, you should NEVER apologize or admit fault for the accident to anyone even if you feel guilty. This can seriously harm your case. Given Alabama’s strict negligence laws, admitting any liability means that you abandon your rights to pursue any compensation.
Seek Medical Attention
This is one of the most crucial steps after a car accident. After all, nothing else matters without health. Getting immediate medical attention will not only help to preserve your health, but it will also help to identify and address any hidden issues early enough. In regards to your personal injury case, having your injuries documented by a medical specialist will help to provide crucial evidence to prove the extent of your injuries and resulting damages.
Call a Vestavia Hills Car Accident Lawyer
You should not try to handle a personal injury case on your own. There are a lot of complexities and legalities involved, and if you have no experience, you can end up jeopardizing your claim. To protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve, you need to have an attorney on your side. An experienced Vestavia Hills car accident lawyer from our firm will provide all the necessary legal advice and guidance. He or she will advise you on the best course of action and help you navigate the complex personal injury claims process. Having an attorney significantly improves your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
The best thing you can do for your personal injury claim is to hire a lawyer. An attorney will bring their expertise and experience to the table and improve your chances of winning the case. To help you focus on your recovery and ensure that everything goes smoothly and in your favor, they will handle the bulk of the process. You might be wondering, why exactly do I need a lawyer. The following are some of the key reasons why you should hire an attorney:
Case Evaluation
Your attorney will help you determine whether you have a valid claim or not. They will interview you and assess the merits of your case. Determining whether you have a case or not will help save you a lot of time and money. Your attorney will also help you determine how much you might be owed and also advise you on the best way forward.
Investigation
You will need as much evidence as possible to prove your claims. Obtaining this evidence and presenting it in an efficient manner on your own may be difficult, especially when dealing with some serious injuries. An attorney has the necessary experience and resources to expertly investigate an accident.
Communication and Negotiation
Dealing directly with the insurance company is not a good idea. Since they are aware that you have no experience with insurance policies, the law, or with your legal rights, they will use this to their advantage. The risk of saying or stating something that may jeopardize your case is always high. They may also pressure you into accepting lowball offers.
Car accident lawyers are aware of all these tactics and will not settle for anything less than what you are rightfully owed.
Advocacy
Even though a majority of car accident cases are usually settled out of court, in some cases, your attorney may see it best to take your case to the courts. If this happens, your attorney will handle all the legal paperwork, ensuring that it is filed within required deadlines. He or she will also prepare you for the trial process and advise you on what to say and what not to say.
You will also offer expert legal representation in court. He or she will effectively present your case before a judge or jury and provide convincing arguments in support of your case.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in an Alabama Car Accident Claim?
There are different kinds of damages that you can recover in a car accident claim in Alabama:
Economic
Economic damages are meant to cover financial losses incurred by the victim as a result of their injuries and property damage. These include medical bills, lost wages and salaries, rehabilitation, therapy, and other monetary losses.
Non-Economic
These are damages meant to compensate the victim for non-monetary, subjective losses. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, loss of life enjoyment, etc.
Punitive
These types of damages are rarely awarded in personal injury claims. They are usually awarded in special cases, often where the accident wasn’t a result of simple negligence but rather reckless and deliberate acts.
How Is Fault Determined in Alabama?
In order to recover damages in a car accident claim in Alabama, the defendant should be fully at-fault for the accident. This means that if you are found to be even 1% at-fault you lose your right to seek compensation. This is due to a legal standard known as “Contributory Negligence.”
Fault is based on the four elements of negligence. To prove fault in a car accident, you need to prove the following:
- Duty of care: Did the other driver owe you a legal responsibility to act in a reasonable manner to guarantee your safety? This is obviously Yes.
- Breach of Duty of Care: Did the driver fail to meet his legal obligation?
- Causation: Did the driver’s failure to meet fulfill his legal obligation cause the accident?
- Damages: Did the accident cause damages that are recoverable by the law?
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Alabama?
The state of Alabama has set a two-year deadline to file all personal injury claims. This is stipulated under the law known as the statute of limitations.
Call Our Trusted Auto Accident Lawyers
If you have sustained serious injuries or lost a loved one in an Alabama car accident, let us work for you. We fully understand what you might be going through and have your best interests at heart. Car accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries that may lead to hefty medical bills and untold physical and mental suffering.
Our team is dedicated to helping people like you get back on their feet and put this nasty experience behind them. We will not rest until you have secured the justice you deserve. Call us today at 800-568-5330 for the best legal representation.
Related Attorneys
With all the other daily life struggles, the thought of being involved in a car accident might have rarely crossed your mind. However, car accidents are quite common, especially in the state of Alabama, and this should be a great cause for concern. The average driver in Alabama has a 33% chance of being involved in a car accident that causes injury or death.
Being involved in a car accident is one of the most traumatizing experiences and the resulting injuries can leave you debilitated and dealing with a lot of pain and suffering. Without the proper financial support that you may desperately need, life can become extremely difficult. This is why it is highly important that you seek the assistance of a qualified Vestavia Hills car accident lawyer to help you get the justice that you deserve.
In the unfortunate event that you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, you need to get in touch with our team at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP right away. Our compassionate and understanding personal injury lawyers are committed to assisting clients who have been injured in car accidents caused by others to get the full and maximum compensation they deserve. We have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and have what it takes to take your case to trial. Call us today at 800-568-5330 for your free consultation.
Alabama Car Accident Statistics
Alabama has rather alarming traffic crash statistics. According to The Alabama Crash Facts Book in 2018, car accidents are reported every 200 seconds. The state of Alabama recorded a total of 159,925 car accidents in 2018. Of these, 47,419 crashes were responsible for more than 10,000 injuries and 872 crashes were responsible for 953 deaths.
Studies done by the University of Alabama found that a person is killed in an Alabama car crash every 9 hours and 10 minutes while a person is injured every 11 minutes and 5 seconds. Speeding has been identified as the leading cause of traffic-related fatalities. Drivers below 25 years of age account for about 30% of drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Despite the fact that the Alabama Interstate System only accounts for 1% of the state’s total mileage, it is responsible for 11% of traffic-related fatalities. And while most accidents happen in urban areas (77%), most fatalities are reported in rural areas (67%).
How Much Does a Vestavia Hills Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
A majority of professional car accident lawyers in Vestavia Hills, including Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, operate on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t incur any upfront costs to retain our legal services. You only pay us after we have secured a favorable settlement or jury verdict. This means that you have nothing to lose but to all gain by hiring a car accident lawyer.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The steps you take after being involved in a car accident in Vestavia Hills, Alabama will have a huge impact on the outcome of your case and also your wellbeing and recovery.
Contact Police
It is always important to call in the police after being involved in a car accident. In some cases, it is required by law. This includes if the accident resulted in personal injury, death, or property damages exceeding $250. An official police report will serve as crucial evidence in your case.
Check on Other Involved Parties
You shouldn’t leave the scene of the accident until the police have arrived and allowed you to do so. Leaving a scene of an accident, especially one where one has suffered injuries or have lost their lives, can lead to serious criminal charges.
In the meanwhile, you should look around to find out if there is someone who might be in urgent need of medical attention. You should also look out for any further safety risks such as fires and explosions.
Exchange Info
It is important that you collect the names, contact details, address, and insurance information of the other driver(s) involved. You should also give them yours.
Record the Scene
It is highly beneficial to document the evidence while it is fresh and untampered. If you are in a physical condition to do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene using your camera or smartphone. The photos should provide a better context of the accident to help you prove your case.
Never Admit Fault
While you should remain polite, you should NEVER apologize or admit fault for the accident to anyone even if you feel guilty. This can seriously harm your case. Given Alabama’s strict negligence laws, admitting any liability means that you abandon your rights to pursue any compensation.
Seek Medical Attention
This is one of the most crucial steps after a car accident. After all, nothing else matters without health. Getting immediate medical attention will not only help to preserve your health, but it will also help to identify and address any hidden issues early enough. In regards to your personal injury case, having your injuries documented by a medical specialist will help to provide crucial evidence to prove the extent of your injuries and resulting damages.
Call a Vestavia Hills Car Accident Lawyer
You should not try to handle a personal injury case on your own. There are a lot of complexities and legalities involved, and if you have no experience, you can end up jeopardizing your claim. To protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve, you need to have an attorney on your side. An experienced Vestavia Hills car accident lawyer from our firm will provide all the necessary legal advice and guidance. He or she will advise you on the best course of action and help you navigate the complex personal injury claims process. Having an attorney significantly improves your chances of receiving fair compensation.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
The best thing you can do for your personal injury claim is to hire a lawyer. An attorney will bring their expertise and experience to the table and improve your chances of winning the case. To help you focus on your recovery and ensure that everything goes smoothly and in your favor, they will handle the bulk of the process. You might be wondering, why exactly do I need a lawyer. The following are some of the key reasons why you should hire an attorney:
Case Evaluation
Your attorney will help you determine whether you have a valid claim or not. They will interview you and assess the merits of your case. Determining whether you have a case or not will help save you a lot of time and money. Your attorney will also help you determine how much you might be owed and also advise you on the best way forward.
Investigation
You will need as much evidence as possible to prove your claims. Obtaining this evidence and presenting it in an efficient manner on your own may be difficult, especially when dealing with some serious injuries. An attorney has the necessary experience and resources to expertly investigate an accident.
Communication and Negotiation
Dealing directly with the insurance company is not a good idea. Since they are aware that you have no experience with insurance policies, the law, or with your legal rights, they will use this to their advantage. The risk of saying or stating something that may jeopardize your case is always high. They may also pressure you into accepting lowball offers.
Car accident lawyers are aware of all these tactics and will not settle for anything less than what you are rightfully owed.
Advocacy
Even though a majority of car accident cases are usually settled out of court, in some cases, your attorney may see it best to take your case to the courts. If this happens, your attorney will handle all the legal paperwork, ensuring that it is filed within required deadlines. He or she will also prepare you for the trial process and advise you on what to say and what not to say.
You will also offer expert legal representation in court. He or she will effectively present your case before a judge or jury and provide convincing arguments in support of your case.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in an Alabama Car Accident Claim?
There are different kinds of damages that you can recover in a car accident claim in Alabama:
Economic
Economic damages are meant to cover financial losses incurred by the victim as a result of their injuries and property damage. These include medical bills, lost wages and salaries, rehabilitation, therapy, and other monetary losses.
Non-Economic
These are damages meant to compensate the victim for non-monetary, subjective losses. They include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, loss of life enjoyment, etc.
Punitive
These types of damages are rarely awarded in personal injury claims. They are usually awarded in special cases, often where the accident wasn’t a result of simple negligence but rather reckless and deliberate acts.
How Is Fault Determined in Alabama?
In order to recover damages in a car accident claim in Alabama, the defendant should be fully at-fault for the accident. This means that if you are found to be even 1% at-fault you lose your right to seek compensation. This is due to a legal standard known as “Contributory Negligence.”
Fault is based on the four elements of negligence. To prove fault in a car accident, you need to prove the following:
- Duty of care: Did the other driver owe you a legal responsibility to act in a reasonable manner to guarantee your safety? This is obviously Yes.
- Breach of Duty of Care: Did the driver fail to meet his legal obligation?
- Causation: Did the driver’s failure to meet fulfill his legal obligation cause the accident?
- Damages: Did the accident cause damages that are recoverable by the law?
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Alabama?
The state of Alabama has set a two-year deadline to file all personal injury claims. This is stipulated under the law known as the statute of limitations.
Call Our Trusted Auto Accident Lawyers
If you have sustained serious injuries or lost a loved one in an Alabama car accident, let us work for you. We fully understand what you might be going through and have your best interests at heart. Car accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries that may lead to hefty medical bills and untold physical and mental suffering.
Our team is dedicated to helping people like you get back on their feet and put this nasty experience behind them. We will not rest until you have secured the justice you deserve. Call us today at 800-568-5330 for the best legal representation.