Car Accident Lawyers in Spanish Fort, AL
Car accidents can strike anytime in any place—even the scenic town of Spanish Fort. Collisions are on the rise in Alabama, and that means you have to know your rights and options after a crash. Whether you were struck by an impaired driver, a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, or a driver looking at their phone instead of the road, you could be entitled to compensation. With the right legal team advocating for you, you may be able to recover the damages you are owed after a collision.
If you’re ready to learn more about your legal options after a crash and start a personal injury claim, the team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell is here to help. Call our Chatom office at 251-336-3411 or our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697 to set up a consultation with our car accident lawyers.
What You Need to Know About Alabama Car Crashes
The Alabama Crash Facts Booklet is a comprehensive source of data for all types of traffic collisions in Alabama. It highlights some of the most alarming statistics, including the fact that there were over 134,000 crashes and nearly 38,000 injuries in 2020—that means a crash every three minutes and an injury-causing crash every 13 minutes.
While the state saw a slight decrease in crash and injury numbers between 2019 and 2020, it saw an overall increase in fatality numbers. At particular risk are pedestrians and bicyclists, both of whom have minimal protection on the road.
Perhaps one of the most interesting data points in the Crash Facts Booklet is the breakdown of contributing circumstances. When we understand what leads to car accidents, we can take steps to protect ourselves and avoid preventable accidents. In 2020, some of the most common causes of car accidents in Alabama included:
- Unseen obstacles on the road
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Fatigued driving
- Impaired driving
- Tailgating
- Misjudged stopping distance
- Improper lane changing
Driver error remains the most consistent factor in car accidents across the United States. Vehicles can malfunction, roads may be unsafe or poorly maintained, and repairs may be done improperly—but human error eclipses all of these contributing factors.
Proving Liability in a Car Accident Claim
You’ll need to prove liability before you can pursue compensation from the liable party. There are several steps involved in proving liability, which is one reason working with an attorney is recommended. Your attorney knows what it takes to prove liability and the evidence needed to demonstrate the other party’s negligence.
To start, you have to show that the party in question owed you a duty of care. Drivers always owe others on the road a duty of care; it’s part of the responsibilities that come with driving. From there, you have to show that the other party breached their duty of care.
Reckless vehicle operation, driving while impaired or fatigued, using a phone while driving, and speeding excessively are all common ways a driver may breach their duty of care to other drivers. It’s crucial that your claim demonstrates how that breach of duty caused the accident that led to your injuries. Finally, you have to show that you suffered real losses. These may include physical injuries, mental trauma, and property damage, amongst others.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The type and severity of injuries you suffer in a car accident play a significant role in determining how much compensation you may receive. This is why you must seek medical care after an accident. Unless you can tie your injuries to the car accident, you’ll struggle to prove your case.
There are several facilities offering urgent and emergency care in Spanish Fort, including AlphaCare Urgent Care, Eastern Shore Urgent Care, and Thomas Hospital Emergency Room. Injuries commonly reported after a car accident include:
- Whiplash: Whiplash is incredibly common after car accidents. It is caused by the violent whipping back and forth of your head during a collision. In most cases, it resolves on its own with rest and time.
- Bone fractures: Broken bones impede your mobility and often require time away from work. Complex fractures may even require surgical treatment.
- Traumatic brain injuries: TBIs vary widely in severity and effect. A mild TBI may cause minimal impact on your day-to-day life, while a severe traumatic brain injury may require around-the-clock care for the rest of your life. The prognosis is heavily affected by how quickly you receive care and begin treatment.
- Spinal cord damage: Damage to the spinal cord can interrupt communication between the brain and different parts of the body, leading to impaired mobility, loss of motor function, and chronic pain.
- Organ damage: Damage to your internal organs can result in internal bleeding, which quickly becomes fatal when left untreated.
- Internal bleeding: Internal bleeding is caused by ruptured blood vessels and organs. The most dangerous part of internal bleeding is the fact that it is not always detectable right away—this injury highlights the importance of immediate medical care.
- Amputations: When limbs are violently ripped from the body, prompt care is needed to limit infection risk. If a limb is cursed or damaged beyond repair, surgical amputation may be necessary to protect the rest of the body.
- Burns: Chemical burns and fire burns can cause scarring, tightness, and pain.
How We Can Help You Pursue the Compensation You Are Owed
After a car accident, you’ll be surprised at how quickly the expenses add up. Time away from work, medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other expenses leave you feeling financially drained. Unfortunately, you can’t depend on the liable party’s insurance company to do what is right. You’ll need a lawyer who is willing to advocate for you during negotiations and in court.
The team at Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell has handled numerous car crash claims throughout our careers. We know how important your settlement is to you and your family—you’ve been traumatized, and you should not be left to pick up the financial burden on your own. Whether your case settles out of court or makes it in front of a judge, trust us to do what is right for you every step of the way.
Schedule a Consultation Now—Call Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell
Our team is ready to meet with you, learn more about your accident, and explain your options. Let’s sit down and talk. Call us or reach out online to discover what we can do to help you during this challenging time.
