Auburn Car Accident Attorneys

If you’re wondering what the most dangerous thing is that you can do in Auburn, the answer is probably to get within a motor vehicle. While there are thousands of safe car trips taken each day in Auburn and surrounding areas, car accidents are also the leading cause of injury and death in Alabama.

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation Crash Facts, in a single year in Auburn (the most recent year for which data is available), there were 2,074 crashes and 512 people injured. In Lee County that same year, there were more than 5,000 crashes, 15 deaths, and over 1,400 persons injured.

Auto accidents in Auburn should be taken seriously, as they have the potential to change the course of a person’s life when serious injuries are involved. If you’ve been in a crash, you should call reputable car accident attorneys at the Alsobrook Law Group. We are here to advocate for you.

Top Causes of Car Accidents in Auburn, Alabama

One of the most harrowing facts about car accidents in Auburn and throughout our state is not merely that they happen, but that they are so often preventable and would not happen but for the negligence of one of the parties involved. Indeed, some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Speeding;
• Driving drunk or while drug- or alcohol-impaired;
• Driving while distracted;
• Driving aggressively;
• Performing illegal maneuvers;
• Failing to yield or stop;
• Tailgating; and
• Other reckless or careless behavior.

If you have been involved in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, we can help. You deserve to be fully compensated for your losses, and maintain the right to hold the at-fault driver liable for your damages.

Bringing Forth a Car Accident Claim After a Crash

Alabama is a traditional tort liability, or at-fault, car accident state. Essentially, this means that drivers who cause accidents and damages to others are responsible for paying for those damages. As such, after a car accident in Auburn, you have three options for recovering compensation: filing a claim against your own insurance company (depending on the coverage you carry), filing a claim against the liability insurance of the at-fault driver (the most common route to recovery), or filing a lawsuit directly against the responsible party (this is typically only done if a settlement cannot be reached out of court first).

Usually, it will be the liability insurance of the at-fault party that pays for your damages. If the at-fault party does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance, you can file a claim against your own policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In the event that you cannot reach a settlement with the insurance company, you maintain the right to file a lawsuit.

If you file a lawsuit, you must do this within two years’ time (from the date of your accident), per Alabama’s car accident statute of limitations. Note that if you are filing a claim for property damage only, the statute of limitations is six years.

Contributory Fault in an Alabama Car Accident Claim

In most claims that settle out of court via settlement negotiations, the contributory fault of the claimant will not be heavily weighed. However, if your case does go to court and litigation is required, contributory fault can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

Contributory fault refers to the claimant’s/plaintiff’s contribution to the occurrence of the accident. In Alabama, the contributory negligence rule bars a plaintiff from recovering compensation from the defendant if the plaintiff contributed to the accident in the slightest – even a mere one percent.

Because any accusation of fault could ultimately serve as a bar to recovery, working with an experienced lawyer who knows how to gather evidence and organize evidence in a compelling manner so as to prove the fault of the defendant is critical.

Damages Recoverable in a Car Accident Claim

A car accident can cause serious injuries, including bone fractures, facial injuries, traumatic brain injuries, external injuries, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and many more. These injuries are often painful, disabling, expensive to treat, and result in lost wages, the inability to perform certain activities, and a number of noneconomic losses, like suffering, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life.

When you call our Auburn car accident attorneys, we will work hard to get you 100 percent of the compensation you deserve. We will advocate for your right to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage costs, and noneconomic damages, too. We have experience building successful claims and negotiating with insurance adjusters, and we know what it takes to maximize our clients’ settlements. We also have litigation experience and the proven ability to file a lawsuit and litigate your case in court if need be.

Take Steps to Protect Your Right to Recovery Now

Being involved in a serious car accident can be a shocking experience, as well as one that’s tragic. As you navigate the aftermath of a crash, filing a claim may be far from your mind. Unfortunately, though, if you don’t take certain steps nearly immediately, you could be barred from recovery.

Our lawyers strongly recommend filing a police report, seeking medical care, informing your insurance company of the accident, and collecting as much evidence as you can, such as witnesses’ names, at the scene. As soon as you are able, you should also call a car accident attorney who can open an investigation into your case, determine fault, and start calculating your damages.

Reach Out to Our Car Accident Attorneys in Auburn, AL Today

If you’ve been injured in a crash, it’s important to have skilled car accident attorneys working on your claim. Working with an attorney can significantly improve the outcome of your case. At the office of the Alsobrook Law Group, we offer free injury consultations for all car accident claims and can start working on your case immediately. Please send us a message online, visit our office in person, or call us today at 334-737-3718 to learn more.