Recovering any compensation might seem like a relief after a car crash. However, accident-related injuries could require more treatment and rehabilitation after a settlement. If this happens to you, you might discover that the funds you received fall short of what you need.
This unfortunate scenario is all too common. Accident victims who do not understand what their car accident claim is truly worth may still attempt to handle the legal matters on their own. At Norris Injury Lawyers, we want you to avoid making a decision you regret later.
Schedule a free consultation with a legal team equipped with 40 years of successful outcomes. Call (800) 477-7510 or click the live chat icon below to tell us about your Alabama car accident.
Understanding Settlements and Lawsuits
In Birmingham, those who cause accidents are responsible for the victim’s losses. In general, the person’s auto insurance pays for these damages. The company might base an offer on the specific details of your case, including the sum of your medical and repair bills.
This initial offer is not always fair. If you accept, you will not be able to make future claims for additional damages.
If you refuse the offer or the insurer says you are not eligible for a payout, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Later, your lawyer might negotiate a more favorable settlement or take your case to court.
Why Your Insurance Settlement Might Come Up Short?
Alabama law allows personal injury victims to pursue financial compensation for their losses after preventable car accidents. While an insurance company might understand its duties, it may not offer to cover all expenses.
The reason: Fairness is not an insurer’s top priority. Insurance companies make money by charging premiums for coverage. If they paid out all their money for claims, they would be unable to generate profit.
To illustrate, consider this fact: About 38,000 people die in US traffic crashes each year. In 2018, the cost of medical treatment and lost wages for auto accidents amounted to 55 billion dollars.
The less money insurers spend on settlements, the more they can keep. Is there any way for Birmingham accident victims to avoid being shortchanged? Yes, they can consult a lawyer.
Come talk to Norris Injury Lawyers. At our law firm, we offer case reviews at no cost. During your consultation, our experienced legal team can determine which damages you are eligible to pursue.
You Can Claim All Applicable Damages
After a crash, you might be hurting physically and emotionally. After making stressful medical decisions, you might not have the time or inclination to read the fine details of the at-fault party’s insurance policy. You might not know where to find such information or how it relates to Alabama personal injury law.
Yet, one way to maximize your compensation is to claim all your eligible losses. If you do not know what you qualify for, it is unlikely you will get everything you deserve.
Norris Injury Lawyers can help. Our knowledgeable attorneys have assisted our clients in pursuing damages like those mentioned below.
Property damage
When people think of property damage from a car accident, they might think that automobiles are the only casualties. Lawyers like those on our skilled team, though, see the big picture, seeking justice on your behalf.
We can seek compensation to cover:
- Vehicle repair: The cost of fixing structural damage (e.g. dents, broken windows, corrosion protection) and mechanical issues (e.g. driveability, alignment, leaks), the difference in value after repairs
- Vehicle replacement: The fair market cash value of a car that cannot be restored or whose repairs would cost more than its worth or a replacement car of comparable value (i.e. year, make, model, and condition), including compensation for upgrades you made, taxes, and license transfer fees
- Towing: Expenses incurred transporting your car from the accident scene to a repair shop
- Rentals: The cost of renting a car while your vehicle undergoes repairs, often billed directly to the insurance company
- Landscaping: Money spent mending fences, lawns, sheds, trees, or other damage resulting from a collision-related event (e.g. flying debris, fire, fluid spills)
- Damaged buildings and parking lots: The cost of rebuilding homes, businesses, or other destroyed personal items or property
Jefferson County residents often carry comprehensive or liability coverage. For more information about how insurance works after an accident, click the “Live Chat” icon at the bottom of your screen.
Medical bills
Most people are able to collect reimbursement for their hospital stay, surgeries, and prescriptions. Yet, many miss out on other reasonable and necessary expenses that Alabama law protects your right to claim.
For instance, our lawyers can determine whether you are entitled to:
- Adaptive devices (e.g. wheelchairs, car hand controls, artificial teeth)
- Diagnostic tests
- Physical therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Transportation expenses for medical travel (i.e. doctor’s visits, specialists)
Consulting a lawyer can save you money now and in the future. You can do more than ensure that you are fairly compensated for your current medical debt. The cost of ongoing and future treatment, such as ongoing professional nursing or follow-up procedures, can also be considered.
Lost earnings
Did your car accident impact your ability to work? Suppose you took time off for medical treatment or your injuries left you unable to return to your job.
You deserve reimbursement for your lost income, or your reduced ability to earn a living. Insurance companies will not take your word for how much you make. You will need to present evidence of your wages, namely:
- Pay stubs
- Bank statements
- Tax returns
- W2 or 1099 forms
- Profit and loss statements
- Letters from employers
- Invoices
A capable lawyer can tell you what you need and help you obtain it. He or she can also calculate the additional income that could be otherwise overlooked, such as:
- Tips
- Vacation pay
- Sick days
- Retirement savings
Gathering the needed proof can be challenging, especially if you are self-employed. Yet, you are not alone. Norris Injury Lawyers can help you get fair compensation for your current and anticipated lost wages.
Mental and physical suffering
Serious physical injuries often go hand in hand with pain and psychological distress. Since pain is subjective, there is no fixed amount to match your non-economic damages.
However, as lawyers, we have found that the clearer you describe your situation, the more solid your case for compensation is. For instance, you could keep a journal and record:
- Frequency: How often you experience pain
- Severity: How severe your pain is on a scale of 0 (none) to 10 (excruciating)
- Duration: How long your pain lasts
- Details: The symptoms (burning sensations, shooting or sharp pangs, dull ache, etc.) and how they occur (when you sleep, exercise, eat, etc.)
You might also track how pain and psychological distress changed your daily routine. Did you enjoy walking your dog before your injuries made it too painful? Did you stop driving because of anxiety or fear?
An Alabama court might calculate your damages as a multiple of your economic damages. For instance, suppose your medical and repair bills amount to $10,000. Based on the details you provide about your pain and suffering, the court might decide you deserve twice that amount, $20,000.
The more information provided, the more fair your judgment might be. Your non-economic damages are too significant to leave as a guessing game.
When we listen to your story at Norris Injury Lawyers, we can pinpoint instances of your experience that merit personal injury compensation. Send us a message today, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
You Can Help a Loved One Get Justice
In Alabama, the parents of a minor child can file a wrongful death action. In other cases, the person acting as personal representative (or executor) of the estate has the duty of filing a claim.
Wrongful death lawsuits can include punitive damages. But these only apply when the at-fault party displayed intentional wrongdoing or malicious intent. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and discourage others from following a similar course.
If you lost a close family member in a preventable car accident, our caring team of attorneys can help you seek a fair settlement.
Work With Us and Never Miss a Deadline
Every state limits how long you have to take legal action after an accident. In Alabama, you must file a personal injury claim before the deadline.
Car accident lawyers can work quickly because they have the necessary expertise and resources. To ensure late filings do not affect your opportunity to recover a fair settlement, attorneys might:
- Investigate your accident right away, collecting evidence like police reports and eyewitness statements
- Review insurance policy details to identify all your eligible expenses
- Fill out and submit documents accurately to avoid unnecessary delays
- Negotiate with insurers to maximize your payout
- Consult with doctors and other professionals
- Represent you in court
What happens if you wait too long? You could lose your right to any compensation even if you have a perfect legal claim. The statute of limitations limits the time you have to file and resolve your case.
Act Now to Protect Your Rights
A fair car accident settlement should cover your medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. If you experience ongoing pain or psychological problems, a fair claim would also compensate for your suffering.
Fair settlements are unlikely to occur by chance. It depends on much more than simply filing a claim. To make a success of your legal case, you need legal help to maximize your compensation.
If you would like to determine what a fair settlement for your car accident is, schedule a free case review today at (800) 477-7510. There is no cost or obligation to learn what your case is worth.
