Car Wreck Attorney in Alabama

When you're looking for meaningful results, an experienced Alabama car wreck lawyer can make all the difference. Here are some of the actions Morgan and Morgan can take to protect your rights and ensure you get the best possible outcome after a car accident that wasn't your fault:

Arranging for you to get the proper medical care - We understand that medical care costs are frightening to some car accident victims and keep them from seeking care in the first place. However, medical documentation is crucial to recover compensation. It would be best if you were sure you aren't suffering from underlying severe injuries such as brain or spinal trauma. Likewise, sprains and fractures may not be obvious, but if left untreated, they can cause lifelong complications. If you need medical treatment, we can point you to treatment facilities that can provide care and accept payment once your claim is settled. If you've already sought medical care, we will work to ensure you're reimbursed for your expenses, even if it was covered through health insurance.

Reviewing your insurance claim - Before you file an insurance claim, it's essential to understand the language of your policy so your rights are protected. These policies are written by insurance company lawyers whose objective is to guard the company and are often hard to interpret. Even if you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver and have to make a claim against your own insurance company, you may quickly find they treat you as if you caused the accident. That's because they want to pay as little as possible. You'll be required to prove certain elements to get the compensation you need, even though you've already paid for it through premiums.

We always urge people who have been in car wrecks to be very cautious when making statements to insurance company representatives. These employees are trained in tactics to get you to admit to things that will hurt your chances of getting fair compensation. Unfortunately, this is true even when dealing with your own insurer. Sometimes even asking questions will count against you, so it's best to ask your lawyer instead. We can review your policy and the facts surrounding the accident and even handle all communications on your behalf so you don't make any mistakes that could hurt your claim.

Getting your car fixed - It's normal to want your vehicle fixed as soon as possible after an accident. However, if there were a vehicle defect that played a part in the accident, you would want that evidence to be documented and preserved. For example, people that drive vehicles with Takata airbags may not realize that some injuries may have resulted from a defect in the airbag inflation mechanism. While another driver may have caused your crash, the extent of your injuries may include a third party. In that case, you may be entitled to sue both the at-fault party and the car parts manufacturer. This often becomes critical when the other party doesn't carry sufficient coverage to pay for your injuries.

Handling all communications and paperwork - When you're dealing with serious injuries, the additional burden of worrying about what and when to file documents and looming deadlines isn't very conducive to the healing process. An attorney can make a significant difference in your stress levels. You won't have to worry about being hassled by insurance representatives' calls, emails, and texts. At the same time, you can rest easy knowing your interests are being handled by an expert car wreck lawyer. Alabama law allows your legal counsel to assume the role of a protector, with the right to run interference between you and those that can disrupt your peace of mind. However, all final decisions remain up to you.

Making a demand - Once we've gathered a solid picture of your expenses and losses, we tally the figure and present a demand letter to the other parties. This is usually the first step in the settlement process. At this point, the insurance company can deny the letter, pay the sum, or enter into negotiations. Generally, it's in the insurance company's best interest to negotiate a fair settlement to avoid a costly and lengthy court case. However, we've had many instances where an insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith. As a result, we must pursue them through the court system. We cannot stress enough how important it is to work with a car wreck lawyer that is prepared to escalate your claim to the next step if necessary. Otherwise, you'll do yourself a disservice and won't get the full value of your claim.

It may surprise some folks that insurance companies often research the lawyer they're dealing with to see if they have a track record of avoiding the courtroom. Suppose they see your lawyer has a history of settling for undervalued claims. In that case, they have every reason to process yours similarly. Morgan and Morgan employ more than 1,000 trial-ready lawyers nationwide. We've built our foundation on fighting for and delivering justice for our clients.

Negotiating a settlement or going to trial - When working with insurance companies, we always try to negotiate at first. It's generally the most direct and quick route, and we understand you want to get your life back in order and move on. While negotiating a fair settlement is preferable, sometimes, especially when a lot of money is at stake, a court trial may be the best option. Still, you always make the final decisions in your legal matters. If an insurer refuses to negotiate in good faith, our courtroom veterans are prepared to take it to the next level. 

Generally, we recommend having a lawyer review a settlement before accepting it. However, here are some common scenarios where working with a lawyer is crucial:

You receive a lowball offer - When you get an offer far from sufficiently covering your damages, it may be time to lawyer up. Often, an insurance representative will present an offer as if it's the best they can do. Maybe they even suggest it's the only offer you'll ever get in an attempt to scare you into accepting it. Don't fall for these schemes. You have rights, and we can help you understand and use them.

The extent of your injuries is questioned - Commonly, car accident victims find themselves being forced to jump through hoops to validate their injuries. An insurance adjuster may suggest your injuries resulted from your lifestyle, age, or some other activity, or they just aren't as bad as you're making them out to be. A lawyer can advise on how to get sufficient medical documentation to make these allegations go away.

They insinuate you're to blame for the accident - This is a huge red flag in Alabama because if you share any fault for the accident, you can't recover compensation for damages. It's a default argument insurers use to avoid being liable for your expenses. Contact us immediately.

Fortunately, Alabama is a fault-based state when it comes to car wrecks. That means whoever is responsible for causing the accident is also responsible for paying expenses and other losses. However, you still must prove the other party was negligent, which resulted in the accident. In a car wreck claim, negligence means the other driver failed to uphold a fundamental duty of care. We all have a duty of care when we get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. It means you make decisions and act in a way any reasonable person would in a similar situation.

When it comes to negligence concerning a car accident, here are some common behaviors that indicate fault through negligence:

• Hit-and-run accidents
• Distracted driving (paying attention to children, eating food, fiddling with the car radio, etc.)
• Texting while driving
• Speeding
• Failing to observe traffic signs and signals
• Changing lanes without checking for traffic
• Driving while tired or fatigued
• Making illegal turns
• Failure to yield the right of way

While these are examples of negligent driving, some actions go beyond negligence into the realm of reckless and dangerous behavior. Wanton and willful disregard for the safety of others can be criminal and include the following:

• Driving while impaired (illegal or prescription drugs or alcohol)
• Street racing
• Driving excessive speeds for weather and road conditions
• Operating a dangerous vehicle like one with worn brake pads or bald tires
• Aggressive driving or engaging in acts of road rage
• Weaving in and out of traffic

Some cases are straightforward, like a drunk driver stumbling around and slurring at the scene of an accident. Others may require the help of investigators, expert witnesses, and accident reconstructionists to prove negligence. In either scenario, you could greatly benefit from the help of a car wreck lawyer. Alabama law requires that negligence must be demonstrated to win compensation. That means the evidence must be presented showing that the other party:

• Owed you a duty of care
• They breached their duty of care
• The breach led to your injuries
• Your injuries resulted in damages (financial and other losses)

Beyond handling a flood of confusing and time-sensitive paperwork, your lawyer will also provide an objective viewpoint and candid advice. This is more important than you realize because accidents that aren't your fault can bring about intense emotions, especially if serious injuries occur. We understand that you expect the other party to pay, and that's our goal too. However, we can also share our years of experience and help you understand how injuries and losses are viewed in the eyes of the law.

You won't have to worry about losing your patience and saying things that may hurt your case. In the end, you can trust us to take actions that will get you the most for your accident. After all, we're only paid a percentage of your settlement or verdict when we win, so we're genuinely invested in ensuring you get the maximum possible.  

When you choose to work with Morgan and Morgan, you're deciding to work with one of the country's largest and most successful law firms. Still, it doesn't cost more to be served by lawyers that have recovered more than $20 billion for clients. You benefit from our extensive experience and access to resources, and it costs the same as if you worked with a lawyer just starting their career.

When it comes to something as vital as your future and access to quality medical care, it only makes sense to entrust lawyers with a track record of success and the means to give your legal matter the attention and in-depth effort it deserves. We offer free case evaluations, and our legal professionals are available 24/7. Don't hesitate to ask about your options and find out if you have a qualifying claim.