Be sure to follow these steps to protect your rights after a collision:
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Make sure everyone is okay. If there are injuries, call an ambulance.
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Call the police and make an official police report.
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Exchange information with other drivers. Get their insurance and contact information.
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Get contact information from witnesses, if possible.
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Take photos of the damage to all vehicles, as well as the scene of the collision.
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Contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
What Compensation Is Available After Getting Injured in a Car Crash in Alabama?
When people think of car accident injuries and compensation, the first things that come to mind are often the medical expenses related to their injuries and the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle. However, while these are two essential components of car accident compensation, they’re not the only ones.
In Alabama, compensation for car accidents seeks to account for not only the immediate costs related to the collision but also the money you’ve lost due to time out of work or diminished earning capacity, as well as the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress you’ve endured.
How Are Injury Settlements Calculated?
Car accident injury compensation is typically categorized into two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages include the money the accident and injuries cost you, and non-economic damages consist of the pain, psychological damage, and diminished quality of life the accident caused.
Economic compensation can cover:
- Medical bills
- Medication costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Non-economic compensation can address:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Calculating car accident injury compensation is relatively straightforward for the economic factors, provided you keep careful records of all the costs related to the accident. Your lawyer can help you gather these documents and determine accurate compensation.
Calculating non-economic factors is more subjective and complicated. Your attorney will consider factors like the severity and duration of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, your ability to earn a living, emotional distress like anxiety and PTSD symptoms, and long-term consequences, and then use a formula to calculate compensation.
Understanding Common Car Accident Injuries
Collision forces generate various types of trauma, ranging from minor discomfort to life-altering disabilities requiring extensive medical intervention. Common car accident injuries include the following:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee and joint damage
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations and scarring
- Burn injuries
- Psychological trauma
- Herniated discs and back injuries
What Is a Typical Amount of Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering often accounts for the most significant percentage of car accident compensation, but the exact amount of compensation involved can vary widely. Every car accident case is unique, and the specifics of yours will determine the value of your pain and suffering compensation.
For example, car accident victims with a minor injury that heals quickly would receive less compensation for pain and suffering compared to a more severe injury that requires a prolonged and painful recovery.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Alabama?
Since the relationship between car accident injuries and compensation is not an exact science, it’s difficult to pin down an average car accident settlement.
Even if you know the extent and severity of your injuries and how much the accident has cost you, the amount of car accident injury compensation you recover still depends on the evidence you provide to prove your claim. That’s why working with an experienced car accident attorney who can calculate and advocate aggressively for maximum compensation is crucial.
It’s also important to note that Alabama follows a contributory negligence system for car accident claims. This means that if you’re found to be even 1 percent at fault for the accident, your personal injury claim will be denied. This is another reason why it’s so crucial to work with an Alabama car accident lawyer who can gather the evidence you need to establish liability and recover compensation.
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