What are my rights as an car accident injury victim in Alabama?

Car accidents can be traumatizing and life-altering, leaving victims with devastating injuries, huge medical expenses, and even permanent disability. Knowing and understanding your rights as a car accident injury victim in Alabama is critical in protecting your interests and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. This article will walk you through everything you need to know, especially if you're considering hiring an Alabama personal injury lawyer or car accident attorney. 

Alabama Car Accident Laws

Alabama operates under "fault" car insurance regulations. In a nutshell, this means that if another motorist is at fault in a car accident, they and their insurance company are responsible for all damages resulting from that accident. As a victim, you have three options: File a claim with your own insurer, file a third-party claim directly with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault driver.

Alabama also has a "contributory negligence" rule. This model stipulates that if you are found even 1% at-fault for the accident, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. This rule is quite significant for car accident victims, underscoring the importance of working with a skilled Alabama personal injury lawyer to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Your Right to Compensation

As a car accident injury victim, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in severe cases, disability, and disfigurement. 

The law in Alabama upholds your right to demand fair compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. You may also claim compensation from your insurance company if you have relevant policies (such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage) in place. Remember to consult with an experienced car accident attorney to ensure that you receive the highest compensatory amount possible.

Seeking Legal Representation

While it isn't mandatory to retain a lawyer for a car crash claim, having a dedicated car accident attorney can work greatly in your favor, especially when multiple parties are involved or there is a dispute about who is at fault.

Attorney Stephen Thompson is a personal injury lawyer in Alabama who specializes in championing the rights of car accident victims. He will fight to secure evidence proving the other parties' fault, argue against contributory negligence claims, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and advocate for your best interests in court, ensuring you receive maximum compensation.

Maintaining Confidentiality

You also have the right to confidentiality in your dealings with your personal injury lawyer. Any discussions, advice, and information exchanged remains private and privileged, protecting you from potential invasive tactics leveraged by the defense. 

Statute of Limitations

As an accident victim, you have to be mindful of the statute of limitations, which dictates the timeframe within which you can file a lawsuit. In Alabama, you have two years from the date of the accident to bring a personal injury claim. If you fail to do so within this period, your case may be dismissed without being heard.

Right to Fair Treatment

The law entitles all victims to be treated fairly throughout the legal process. This includes fair treatment from law enforcement officials, insurance companies, attorneys, and all other entities involved. 

Conclusion

Navigating the aftermath of a car accident in Alabama can be daunting. However, understanding your rights can empower you to take the necessary steps towards justice and compensation. Remember, engaging the services of a seasoned Alabama personal injury lawyer like Stephen Thompson can make all the difference, by guiding you through this complex process while fiercely advocating for your rights. The attorney will insure that your claims are handled promptly and correctly and that you recover the maximum compensation to which you are entitled under Alabama law. Your path to recovery after a car accident begins with knowledge and an assertive approach to defend your rights in Alabama's challenging fault-based system.

Free Initial Strategy Session

All Initial Strategy Sessions are Free. If you would like to discuss your options, you are invited to fill out one of the Contact Forms. I will attempt to contact you if I think I can help you.

During your Initial Strategy Session, I will asist you in creating a strategy on how to best pursue your claim, whether it be the result of a Car Accident Claim, 18 Wheeler Injury, or, Alabama Workers' Compensation Claim. At your Initial Strategy Session, you will receive the following:

• First - I will listen to your story. You will have a chance to tell everything to someone who wants to hear what happened to you.
• Based on the information that you provide, I will give you my best advice on both what claims you have, and the next steps you should consider to proceed with your claim(s).
• If your claim is something that I think I can help you with, I will explain the services that I can provide for you, and what the next steps are that we should take. We will start working immediately.
• If your matter is something that I do not think I can help you with, then I will attempt to put you in contact with another lawyer that might be able to help you.
• Either way, what should happen is we will put to rest some of the unkowns that you may be experiencing. We will start to shed some light on what you can expect, and how to best pursue the benefits you deserve.

Don't delay getting the recovery you deserve! Contact us today for your free Strategy Session!