Car Accident Attorney in Birmingham

Mandatory liability insurance in Alabama was the following as of 2017:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person
• $50,000 total for bodily injury or death per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

This means there is a heavy cushion of protection when you get into a wreck, but the reality is that for the worst of your injuries or damages, this might not be enough. Alabama doesn’t have personal injury protection, and it also operates under the doctrine of contributory negligence, meaning if you are judged even slightly at fault for the crash, you can receive no monetary compensation.

You might require more due to astronomical healthcare expenses, significant vehicle damage or, worse, the permanent injury or even death of a loved one. These costs become even more daunting when your insurance or that of the negligent driver refuses to pay for your claim by citing a lack of evidence, an understatement of injury or treatment needs, or one of a variety of other methods.

Our attorneys across the country have achieved significant verdicts for many of our clients:

• $12.2 million verdict for a 15-year-old in 2009 after she had been paralyzed from the waist down in a car wreck.
• $2.6 million settlement for a 28-year-old man who was in an accident with a “phantom vehicle” (no physical contact), fracturing his skull and requiring a titanium plate insertion.
• $1,050,000 verdict for our client after the defendant turned into her vehicle, requiring many expensive surgical procedures and a permanent intrathecal pump.
• $950,000 settlement for a 50-year-old ironworker who was in a head-on collision and suffered a severe fracture of his right foot.
• $900,000 verdict after a jury concluded that an insurance company acted in bad faith by refusing to properly cover the medical bills of a client who sustained a back injury in a crash.
• $850,000 settlement for a 40-year-old man struck in a head-on collision and needing multiple surgeries to repair the fractures in his leg.

At Morgan & Morgan, we offer a proven track record of success when it comes to litigating motor vehicle accident claims and helping our clients on the path to recovery.

You should first seek medical attention after a car accident. This step is crucial even if the injuries don't seem serious initially. Getting checked by a professional car accident doctor is the best way to determine whether there's any reason to be concerned about your health after the accident.

Then, if possible, obtain the contact information of the other driver(s) involved in the accident. While at it, ensure you collect their name, address, phone number, and insurance information.

Next, if circumstances allow, take pictures of the damage to both vehicles involved in the accident.

Remember to also collect the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Their testimony could come in handy when you file a claim or lawsuit against the other party.

If possible, write down everything you remember about the accident while it's still fresh in your mind. This is because many memories fade, especially if you suffer head injuries.  

Lastly, contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Birmingham, AL, for a case evaluation. The attorney will review your case and let you know whether you have legal grounds to recover damages.

The correct answer to this question will depend on the unique circumstances of your case. You may not need a lawyer if the accident was minor, you did not miss days off work, and there was no damage. However, consider hiring a car accident lawyer if the accident is more serious.

The damages aside, some additional reasons to hire a lawyer include the following:

• You were seriously injured in the accident and need help getting compensation for your medical bills and other expenses derived from the accident.
• The other driver was at fault, and their insurance company is unwilling to cooperate with you.
• You are unsure of who was at fault for the accident.
• The other driver does not have insurance or enough insurance to cover your damages.
• The insurance adjuster does not handle your claim with the seriousness it deserves.
• You are being harassed by the other driver or their insurance company.

A seasoned car accident lawyer can help you get the medical treatment you need after the accident. Some attorneys can also help you get expensive yet life-saving treatment, such as surgery, while at the same time negotiating a reasonable settlement with the insurance provider.

The attorney will fight for you, ensuring you recover all applicable damages, mostly economic and non-economic. And depending on the specifics of the case, you may also be able to recover punitive damages.

If the other party refuses to settle out of court, a skilled and well-equipped attorney can file a lawsuit against them.

You need an attorney with experience in handling car accident cases. In most cases, the longer they have been handling these cases, the better they are at fighting for their client's rights. For instance, at Morgan & Morgan, we have been fighting for the injured since 1988.

You should also ask them about their success rate in settling cases out of court or winning trials.

Again, you need a lawyer with a proven history of winning. For example, Morgan & Morgan attorneys have recovered over $20 billion as compensation for the injured.

To avoid surprises or disappointments, find out more about the attorney and legal fees involved. At Morgan & Morgan, the fee is free unless we win. We also offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

Reputation is yet another important factor to consider. Ensure you conduct research about the attorney or a law firm to learn more about their reputation. For instance, Morgan & Morgan has over 28,000 5-star reviews on Google alone, a true reflection of our great reputation for fighting for the injured.

Finally, find out whether the attorney or law firm has access to the powerful resources required to handle your case. A lawyer or firm that lacks such resources will not be able to effectively fight for you, especially against the big bullies.

While there are many different questions you may need to ask the attorney during the initial consultation, the following are among the most important:

• How long have you been practicing car accident law in Birmingham, AL?
• How many car accident cases have you handled?
• What is your success rate in winning these cases?
• Will you handle my case or pass it off to someone else in the firm?
• How do you charge for your legal services?
• What are my chances of winning my case?
• What are the potential consequences if I lose my case?
•  Can you help me get treatment while the case is being discussed?
• Are you certified by the Alabama State Bar?

There is no standard settlement amount for victims of car accidents. The true value of your case will depend on its unique circumstances. However, in most cases, the following factors influence the value of a car accident claim:

• Your percentage of fault
• The kind of injuries and damages sustained
• Insurance policy limits
• Number of defendants
• Whether or not you have legal representation
• Your attorney's experience

It's not uncommon for insurance companies to try to convince accident victims that hiring a lawyer is unnecessary and will only increase the cost of the claim. They may even offer to settle the case quickly and get you the compensation you need. But this is just a trick to prevent you from recovering the actual value of your claim.

It's important to remember that the insurance company's goal is to pay out as little as possible on claims. For this reason, their initial offer is rarely fair.

So if they don't want you to hire a lawyer, chances are you have a valid and strong case for that matter. That's a good reason to actually find a competent attorney as soon as possible.

Negotiating a car accident settlement with the insurance company without a lawyer is possible. However, without an attorney, the insurer will likely take advantage of you during the settlement negotiation process. Specifically, they may try to lowball you on the settlement amount or deny your claim altogether.

On the contrary, an experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to get you the maximum settlement possible. This is because a skilled attorney is usually familiar with tactics insurance companies use to avoid liability or offer lowball settlements.

If the other party does not want to settle outside of court, then your attorney will represent you in court. However, this also depends on the attorney or law firm you choose.

When the attorney or firm lacks powerful resources to fight for you, they will likely not want to take the case to court. This is because court processes are usually expensive and also require experience. And given that not all attorneys or law firms are the same, you should only work with the most powerful, such as Morgan & Morgan, to increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.

Alabama is a contributory negligence state, meaning you cannot recover damages from the other driver if you were even 1% at fault for the accident. However, this does not mean you are automatically barred from collecting damages.

Although the contributory negligence legal doctrine is highly controversial and less popular (only practiced in five US states, Alabama included), it does not apply to:

• Children under 14 years
• Mentally challenged or incompetent individuals
• Children under seven years

Both options have pros and cons, and the right choice for you will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. If you decide to file a claim with your insurance company, the most popular option, it will likely be resolved more quickly than a lawsuit.

However, you may be unable to recoup as much money through an insurance claim as you would a lawsuit. And if your insurance company denies your claim or only offers a low settlement, you may still need to file a lawsuit to get the full compensation you deserve.

On the other hand, filing a lawsuit against the other driver or their insurance company may take longer than an insurance claim. However, it could result in a higher financial award.
 
The best way to find out which option works best for you is by consulting your attorney. They will review the unique circumstance of your case and provide the best possible legal advance, including the right pathway to compensation.

In Birmingham and throughout Alabama, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years from the date of the accident. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you do not file a lawsuit within two years, you will likely lose your right to recover any damages for your injuries.

No, you are not required to accept the settlement offer from the insurance company even if they attempt to push you into acceptance. The only reason they will do that is to close the case and prevent you from realizing the true value of your claim.

However, the insurance company may stop paying for your medical treatment if you reject the offer. That is yet another good reason to hire an attorney to represent you.

If you're involved in a car accident in Birmingham, Alabama, you should report it within 30 days. You can file the accident report with the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You are also required to file a report if the accident caused property damage worth $250 or more.

Absolutely! Hiring a Morgan & Morgan car accident lawyer can significantly improve your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. This is because we are different from other injury law firms in the state and country.

For starters, we are the nation's largest injury firm, serving clients from coast to coast. As a result, our attorneys have access to powerful legal resources designed to help them take down the bullies in the insurance industry. And with a proven history of winning cases—by huge margins—you can count on us to settle for only what you deserve, not just any offer.

If you are involved in a car accident and searching for car accident lawyers in Birmingham or anywhere in Alabama, Morgan & Morgan is here to help. Not sure if you have a valid case?

Fill out our free case evaluation form now.