Auto Accident Injury in Birmingham, AL

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Birmingham? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Birmingham, AL that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics In Birmingham, Alabama

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Alabama Department of Transportation reports that there were nearly 160,000 car accidents in Alabama in 2019. In these, there were 953 fatalities and more than 47,000 injuries. In Birmingham’s Jefferson County, there were 92 traffic fatalities and approximately 7,700 injuries. The city itself recorded more than 20,000 crashes, resulting in 43 accident-related fatalities. Still, in Birmingham and throughout the state, government leaders are actively working to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries by decreasing distracted and impaired driving and taking other steps.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports.

To obtain a copy of your accident report from the Birmingham Police Department, you can submit a record request online or through the mail. When you do, you must include your name, the accident location, the accident date, and the report number. You also must pay a records fee, which is typically $25. Then, you may either pick up the report in person or receive it in the self-addressed, stamped envelope you included with your request. E-mail copies of crash reports are also available.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the economic losses from Alabama’s motor vehicle accident injuries and fatalities to be $1.53 billion in 2018. This estimate includes about $11 million in medical bills and $1.52 billion in lost work. As Alabama’s largest city, Birmingham bears the brunt of much of the economic impact from car crashes.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws In Alabama

Liability Laws for Birmingham

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. As a fault-based state for purposes of car accidents, Alabama typically requires responsible drivers to pay for the damages they cause. Alabama’s comparative negligence statute may limit your recovery if you were somewhat responsible for the crash, however.

Statute of Limitations In Birmingham

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Alabama’s statute of limitations likely requires you to bring a legal cause of action within two years of the date your car accident occurred.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Birmingham, AL

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Alabama!