Auto accidents occur every hour of every day. They are one of the most common sources of personal injuries. Drivers responsible for the accident are liable for any personal bodily injury or property damage. Insurance payouts that are fair and adequate can cover the costs of some damage, but oftentimes, it's not enough. When it's not enough, you may need a personal injury lawyer with specific auto accident experience.
At Hobbs Law, LLC, our auto accident attorney in Alabama can help you file a solid, well-supported personal injury claim to fight for just and fair compensation. Please feel free to contact us online or at 205-683-2892 to schedule a free consultation about your case today.
Common Auto Accident Injuries in Birmingham, Alabama
Injuries sustained from auto accidents can range anywhere from minor to fatal. The types of immediate bodily injuries often involved in personal injury claims include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations and cuts
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Chronic pain
All of the above injuries can be serious and life-threatening. Regardless of severity, all bodily injuries are potentially compensable if you are the accident victim. In many cases, psychological, mental, and emotional injuries are also compensable.
Types of Auto Accidents in Alabama
The type of injuries you sustain depends on the type and manner of the car accident. Common types of crashes include:
- Head-on collisions, which are among the most devastating types of collisions that result in serious and life-threatening bodily injuries
- Rear-end accidents, which are among the most common and frequently result in whiplash
- Side-impact collisions, which are common, usually occur at intersections and result in a range of injuries depending on where the vehicle was struck
- Roll-over accidents, which are less common but result in head and neck injuries
- Sideswipe accidents, which are less common and occur when one of two or more vehicles traveling parallel with each other swipes the side of the other vehicle
- Blind spot accidents, which are less common and occur when one vehicle fails to spot another car while changing or merging into another lane
The type of car accident can indicate liability for property and bodily damages. It's important to remember, though, that accidents can be complex events. So, though the type may initially and seemingly indicate fault, a thorough investigation must be conducted to clearly understand where liability falls.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Alabama
Car accidents happen for many reasons. Typically, causes can be grouped into three categories: drivers, vehicles, and the environment.
Drivers
- Intoxicated driving (e.g., alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, illicit drugs)
- Distracted driving (e.g., eating, texting, disciplining children)
- Drowsy driving or falling asleep while driving
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Decision error (e.g., driving too fast for the conditions, misjudging another driver's actions)
- Recognition error (e.g., inattention)
- Performance error (e.g., overcompensation, poor directional control)
Vehicles
- Tires/wheels-related
- Brakes-related
- Steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related
- Manufacturing defects
Environment
- Slick roads (e.g., water, loose debris)
- Glare
- View obstructions
- Signs/signals
Most crashes are the direct result of one driver. Aside from crashes caused by drivers, vehicles, or environmental conditions, other reasons don't fall within these categories. For instance, pedestrians can sometimes be the cause of an accident. In other circumstances, the cause cannot be determined.
When the cause of an auto accident is easily identified, liability will also tend to be easily identifiable. More complex auto accident cases, however, require the insight of an experienced auto accident attorney and the knowledge and expertise of expert witnesses.
Benefits of Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Alabama
After a car accident, insurance companies investigate the cause of the wreck to determine who was at fault. They then sometimes offer to cover the victim's expenses. Insurance companies, however, are for-profit entities. They make money by collecting premium payments and increasing their profit margins by minimizing the amount of money they pay out in settlements.
When an insurance company offers a settlement, that offer may not represent the actual value of the fair compensation a victim deserves. Victims should be compensated for their:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Property damage
- Lost wages, past, and future
- Reduced earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- And more
Insurance settlement offers sometimes cover property damage and medical bills, and only those expenses incurred to date. Sometimes the settlement will also include lost wages, but again, it may only include the wages lost to date, not future wages or loss of earned income. Much of it depends on the rules of your jurisdiction.
Accident victims can fight for what they deserve by hiring a lawyer and pursuing these other forms of compensation.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Alabama Today
Auto accidents can be straightforward or complex. Regardless of which, it is in your best interests to speak to an auto accident attorney. At Hobbs Law, LLC, we work hard for our clients to obtain fair and just compensation. Please contact us using our online form or at 205-683-2892 to schedule a free consultation today.