Auto Accident Injury in Tuscaloosa, AL

Car accidents can be terribly frightening, and stay with you for a long time after the dust has settled. As such, an injury that you incur from an auto accident could stay with you even longer. If you have been injured in an auto accident, you are entitled to compensation. To press your rights in this area, you may want to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney in Tuscaloosa.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Tuscaloosa, 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. Drive Safe Alabama reports that in 2020 there were 853 fatal crashes throughout the state.

These crashes claimed the lives of over 930 individuals. This averages out to an individual dying in an auto accident every 9 hours and 2o minutes. In addition, for every life lost there were 40 injuries that were incurred through auto accidents.

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 report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Tuscaloosa residents do not have to file a police report for an auto accident. However, you may want to follow this path as your insurance company will most certainly require that you alert the police after an accident.

If you contact the police, or if there is another party involved in the accident and they contact the police, it is illegal for anyone to leave the scene. For your insurance company you can obtain a copy of the police report from the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

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

Tuscaloosa City Data reports that there were 16 fatalities in 2019. This was a 400% increase from the previous year. Of these fatalities, a shocking 25% of them were pedestrians. The CDC reports that $55 billion is lost annually due to auto accidents in America. In addition, states that have mandatory seatbelt laws have seen a 92% efficacy rate in auto accidents, while states that do not have the laws only rate at 86%. It has been shown that wearing a seatbelt cuts fatalities by 50% when dealing with auto accidents.

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 Tuscaloosa

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. 

According to the Alabama Department of Insurance, all Tuscaloosa drivers are required to have liability coverage. In fact, Tuscaloosa residents’ auto insurance operates by what is known as the 25/50/25 principle. This means that anyone operating an automobile has to have insurance liability of $25,000 for bodily injuries per person, $50,000 maximum for bodily injuries in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

Statute of Limitations in Tuscaloosa

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. Tuscaloosa residents should be aware that time is of the essence when filing a claim for an auto accident. The statute of limitations for those living in Tuscaloosa is 2 years. 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 Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!