Birmingham, Alabama Automobile Accident Attorney

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama with a population of some 196,000 citizens and rests within the geographical boundaries of Jefferson County. It is a main thoroughfare for cars and trucks traveling to Atlanta, Nashville, and the state’s coast. Vehicles travel both locally and from out of town on I-65, I-20, I-459, Highway 31, and Highway 280 to access major healthcare facilities like the University of Alabama at Birmingham, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Brookwood Medical Center, Trinity Medical Center and hospitals in the Baptist Health System. Additionally, Birmingham draws college and graduate students to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University and Miles College. Additionally, Birmingham— and its suburbs—is home to many large shopping centers. With these facilities and opportunities comes increased traffic, which unfortunately leads to more automobile accidents.

In a recent year in Alabama, a traffic crash was reported every 3 minutes and 27 seconds. Other data within the same year, includes:

• There were 986 people killed in 887 crashes.
• A person was killed in a traffic accident every 8 hours and 53 seconds.
• For each fatality, there were about 40 injuries.
• Of all fatal crashes, 53% occurred at night.
• A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting driver.
• Most Alabama crashes occur within urban areas (75%), while most fatalities occur in rural areas (60%).

Know Your Rights & Know What to Do

If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Birmingham, Alabama, then you have certain legal rights. However, you must exercise those rights immediately if you want to receive the just compensation that you deserve, and likely need. Our attorneys know your rights and we know exactly what to do to protect your rights following an automobile accident. Oftentimes, the preservation of evidence associated with your accident is critically important to the prosecution of your car wreck claim and you simply cannot afford to delay. The Birmingham car accident attorneys at Hollis Wright are ready to fight for you and obtain the compensation you deserve. Rest assured that soon after a car accident occurs, the insurance company for the driver that caused the accident is hard at work gathering critical facts and evidence for purposes of trying to establish a defense to your claim.

Call Today – Free Consultation

You can reach the Birmingham car accident attorneys at Hollis Wright here or at 844-LAW-TALK or 205-324-3600. The consultation is FREE and if we represent you, your representation is FREE unless we recover money on your behalf. All of our car wreck cases are pursued on a contingency fee basis which means our fee is conditioned upon collecting money for you.

Steps to Follow After an Accident

If you’ve had an accident, there are several steps you should be sure to take.

• Check and evaluate yourself for injuries and call 911 if able.
  
• Check on the well-being of your passengers.
• Get to safety. Pull over.
• Call the police and emergency medical personnel.
• Exchange information with the other driver.
• Just give the facts to the police.
• Take pictures of the scene if possible.
• Get contact information for any witnesses
• Speak to a Birmingham car accident attorney at Hollis Wright to ensure you are compensated for your injuries.

Before an Accident Occurs on Birmingham Roadways

Before an accident even occurs, there are several steps you can take to be as prepared as possible should an accident occur.

• Ensure your driver’s license is easily accessible.
• Make sure proof of insurance and registration is in your car and easily accessible.
• Keep emergency tools like flashlights, flares and orange cones in your car.
• Be sure your phone is charged to make calls and take pictures.
• Make sure your hazard lights are functioning.
• Make sure you have a spare tire and a jack.

Another important pre-accident step is to make sure you carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your car insurance policy. Recent driving statistics establish that almost 20% of the drivers on the road in Alabama do not have automobile insurance. This is a staggering statistic and oftentimes leaves many accident victims without compensation. If the at-fault driver does not have automobile insurance coverage and/or is uninsured, then the only realistic approach to getting compensation is to turn to your own car insurance company and make a claim for uninsured motorist benefits. And, even if the at-fault driver possesses car insurance, they likely only have the minimum limits in Alabama of $25,000. If you sustained a significant injury, or if a family member is killed, then $25,000 will not be nearly enough to fairly compensate you. However, if your policy has underinsured motorist coverage, then you can look to your insurance company to supplement or add to the $25,000. Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance coverage costs very little, provides additional protection and can offer you a much better chance of actually receiving reasonable compensation for your injuries. You can find more information on underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage here.

Maximize Your Recovery

If you sustained serious injuries, then you likely received significant medical treatment and may have lost your ability to work and make a living for you and your family. Automobile accidents can be a life-altering event and have devastating consequences. However, these post incident problems and challenges can be alleviated to some extent by making an automobile accident claim. The person responsible for the accident, and more importantly their automobile insurance company, is responsible for all costs including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent injury and disfigurement. If a loved one died in an accident, then the heirs or family members have a right to pursue a wrongful death claim. The Birmingham, Alabama automobile accident attorneys at Hollis Wright Law Firm should be consulted today to help you obtain the maximum recovery under the law.

What Will Your Attorney Do After the Accident?

Make no mistake, the insurance company of the at-fault party will go to work immediately and will try to give you the least amount of compensation possible in order to get you to settle. For this reason, it is important to have an experienced Birmingham car accident attorney fighting for you. The Birmingham car accident attorneys at Hollis Wright will handle everything relating to the auto accident claim, while you focus on healing. Your Hollis Wright attorney will:

• Investigate the accident: We will collect police reports, photograph the scene, interview witnesses, gather and analyze medical records. It is important that you provide as much information as possible, including photos and notes you take at your initial consultation.
• Handle the Insurance Company: Your Birmingham car accident attorney at Hollis Wright will calculate your losses—current and future—from medical bills, lost wages, and other damages to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
• Negotiate on Your Behalf: Your Birmingham car accident attorney at Hollis Wright will work on your behalf to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible based on your injury. The insurance company will likely try to low-ball you or deny your initial claim. We will fight on your behalf to ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you.
• Represent You Should the Case Go to Trial: A majority of car accident claims settle with the insurance company before they go to trial. However, the attorneys at Hollis Wright have decades of experience and are ready to go to court should the at-fault party’s insurance company not offer you fair compensation or refuses to take responsibility.

It is important to note that under Alabama law, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the accident or you will be forever barred from pursuing the claim based upon the statute of limitations. Contact an attorney at Hollis Wright today so they can make sure your rights are protected within the allotted time frame.

Common Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident

Car accidents can cause a multitude of injuries, many of which can be life altering. The sheer force and size of the vehicles involved in an automobile accident can lead to some very serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Injuries that occur when the brain is damaged by a blow or piercing injury to the head. Some 50,000 people die from TBI each year, and 80,000 to 90,000 suffer long-term disability.
• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: The impact of a crash can cause total or partial damage to the spinal cord.
• Back Injuries: Back injuries can be delayed in showing up, but the pain and effect from such an injury can be long-term.
• Burns: Should the vehicle catch fire, explode or release hot fluids, burns can occur.
• Internal Injuries: When a crash forces the body into an object, or if a person is hit with a flying object, internal injuries can occur. Many such injuries require emergency treatment.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Bones breaking from impact is common in a car accident and can include serious breaks and compound fractures.
• Disfiguring Facial Injuries and Scars: Broken glass and other flying debris often cause facial injuries. This can also occur from air bag deployment.
• Limb Loss: Amputation can occur or result from a serious limb injury, which is often caused by crushing.
• Neck Injuries and Whiplash: Whiplash is the most common name for muscle, ligament, and tendon injuries in the neck. Even a wreck that occurs at a low rate of speed with minimal property damage can cause whiplash.
• Lacerations, Bruises and “Road Rash": Broken glass and flying objects can cause abrasions.
• Crush Injuries: Any part of the body caught between two objects can cause a serious crushing injury.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, bruising, and other damage to muscles and tendons is common.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Sometimes injuries are more than physical and can include mental and emotional injuries due to the stress of the car accident and its aftermath.

Always be sure to go to the doctor after an accident, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. Many injuries, such as back and neck injuries, develop over time. It is of the utmost importance that you make note of every issue or injury that arises after the accident. This will help your attorney ensure you are adequately compensated for all of your injuries and suffering.

How Much is Your Case Worth?

Your Birmingham car accident attorney at Hollis Wright will begin immediately evaluating your case to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible. This will entail compiling a list of what your damages are from the incident. Items that are directly linked to your finances include:

• Medical bills for injuries (current and future).
• Cost of repairing your car.
• Modifications made to your home due to sustained injuries.
• Lost wages as a result of missing work due to the accident and consequential damages.
• Lost earning potential due to long-term permanent injuries.

Other considerations that are equally as important relate to mental anguish and emotional distress caused by the automobile accident. Many of our clients need mental health counseling following an accident to help them overcome the emotional toll, anxiety and stress that is present.

Get Help from Experienced Attorneys

The Birmingham car accident attorneys at Hollis Wright can represent you every step of the way, from proving the other driver was at fault to negotiating with an insurance company or taking your case to trial. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, please contact the Birmingham automobile accident attorneys at Hollis Wright for a free and confidential case review and consultation. Don’t let the insurance companies push you around and take advantage of you at a vulnerable moment in your life. Call us toll free at 844-LAW-TALK or at 205-324-3600.

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