Were you in a car accident in Opelika? If the crash was not your fault, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses. You should not have to face costly medical bills, lost wages, and property damage from a crash someone else caused.
The Opelika car accident lawyers from Stokes Stemle, LLC want to help you get the money you need for these and other losses. We take a full-service approach to representing our clients by assisting them in finding medical care and answering their questions whenever they have them. If you’re looking for a car wreck lawyer in Alabama, you can count on our team to work tirelessly in pursuit of the best possible outcome. Contact our office today for a free initial case review.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, there were almost 2,000 car crashes in Opelika in one recent year. Unfortunately, many of these accidents were caused by negligent drivers. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Opelika include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Reckless driving, such as street racing or swerving through traffic
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Not yielding the right-of-way
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
- Poor vehicle maintenance leading to mechanical failure
- Vehicle defects leading to mechanical failure
- Poor road conditions, such as slippery pavement, potholes, or debris in the roadway
- Bad weather conditions such as heavy rain or fog
- Low lighting
What Are the Most Common Injuries from Car Accidents?
Even a minor car crash can cause serious harm. The most common injuries that car accident victims suffer include:
- Lacerations and bruising
- Burns and smoke inhalation injuries from vehicle fires
- Broken bones
- Ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
- Facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic amputation or limb loss
What Compensation Is Available After an Opelika Car Accident?
After a car accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses. The amount you can seek will depend on the value of the expenses and losses you incur due to the accident. For example, you could get financial relief for the following:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, prescription costs, medical or mobility equipment, and physical therapy services
- Costs of long-term care if you have permanent disabilities caused by your injuries
- Loss of wages or earning capacity if you cannot work because of a permanent disability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life due to a disability or permanent scarring or disfigurement
How to Cover Your Losses After a Car Accident in Opelika
After a car wreck in Alabama, an accident victim will typically file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider to seek compensation for injuries and property damage resulting from the accident. Drivers in Alabama must have liability insurance coverage of at least:
- $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
You may also turn to those for compensation if you have purchased specific optional insurance coverage policies. Examples include MedPay, collision, and comprehensive coverages.
However, you may have to take them to court if the insurance company does not make a fair settlement. A skilled Opelika car accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and file a lawsuit to cover your damages if needed.
How to File a Car Accident Claim
An accident victim typically sends a demand letter to the at-fault driver’s insurance company to file a car accident compensation claim. The demand letter lays out the evidence to prove the other driver’s fault for the crash and demands a specific dollar figure for compensation. The demand letter starts the settlement negotiation process. However, the insurance company will often try to negotiate a lower settlement figure.
Eventually, you may need to file a lawsuit if you cannot settle your car accident claim. The statute of limitations on car accident claims in Alabama requires you to file suit within two years of the car accident date. If you file a lawsuit after the deadline, your case likely will be dismissed, and you won’t be able to pursue compensation in civil court.
Pure Contributory Fault Laws in Alabama
Alabama’s pure contributory negligence rule can prevent a car accident victim from seeking compensation for their injuries if they are responsible for causing the crash. In addition, even if the victim is only one percent at fault for the collision, the law bars them from receiving compensation from any other at-fault parties. Therefore, hiring an Alabama car accident attorney who can prove you were not at fault and are owed compensation for your losses is crucial.
How Can an Opelika Car Accident Lawyer at Stokes Stemle, LLC Help?
The experienced Opelika car accident lawyers of Stokes Stemle, LLC can help you build a solid case against an at-fault driver. You can expect our firm to advocate for your rights by:
- Thoroughly investigating the crash to gather evidence such as police accident reports, accident scene photos, surveillance or dashcam footage, post-accident vehicle inspection and repair reports, eyewitness statements, and cell phone records.
- Document your injuries and losses to calculate the total compensation you may be owed, including any expected future expenses related to the crash.
- Determining who is liable for your injuries and identifying all possible sources of compensation
- Working with accident reconstruction experts as well as medical, vocational, and financial experts to build a persuasive case
- Filing your claims with the insurance companies and aggressively pursuing a fair and full settlement
- Taking your case to trial if necessary to demand accountability and justice from the driver that hit you
Contact Stokes Stemle, LLC today for a free no-obligation consultation with an Opelika car accident lawyer about your legal options. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
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