Car Accident Attorneys Working for the Injured in Alabama

With almost 4 million licensed drivers in Alabama, it comes as no surprise that car accidents are sadly too common. 2018 saw an accident occur every 11 minutes and 5 seconds, and your chances of being caught up in an incident while behind the wheel only increases as more drivers take to the road.

Being involved in an auto accident can leave the victim with life-changing injuries, andin some cases, may prove to be fatal. If you find yourself involved in an accident, it is imperative that you are able to access the finest legal advice and ensure that you and your family are supported emotionally and financially in the aftermath.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

A car is essentially a powerful lethal weapon, and a number of external factors and driver decisions can contribute to an accident. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted Driver: if the driver becomes distracted while operating the vehicle, the chances of an accident occurring increase enormously. These may include being distracted by a passenger, using a mobile phone, smoking a cigarette, changing the radio station, or anything else which takes the driver’s attention off the road for a split second. A driver who is tired is also a huge safety risk and has an increased chance of being involved in an accident.
• Intoxicated Driver: a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol has a far higher chance of causing an accident and poses a significant threat to others on the road. Intoxication reduces reaction times, dulls instincts, and means that the driver is distracted.
• Inexperienced Driver: an inexperienced driver, be that a teen or a late learning adult, is at a higher risk of being involved in an accident due to impaired judgment. They may be less confident and hesitate at a dangerous moment, or else allow cockiness to influence their decisions, resulting in speeding orother risky behavior.
• Failure to Adhere to the Rules of the Road: the rules of the road are there for a reason, and reckless driving—such as violating traffic laws, ignoring road signs, speeding, and failing to respect other drivers—make the situation more dangerous for everyone. This behavior can also be very risky for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other drivers.
• Poorly Maintained Vehicle or Mechanical Failure: something going wrong with your vehicle increases the risk of an accident, so it is crucial to ensure that your car is in a roadworthy condition and that any repairs are carried out as soon as possible. Failing to maintain your car properly could render you liable, especially if it can be proven that you knew about the issue in advance. Alternatively, a serious mechanical failure could place the blame on the car manufacturer; again, if it can be proven that they should have anticipated the issue.

What Can I Do If I Am Involved in a Car Accident?

If you are involved in a car accident and can provide evidence that the other driver was at fault, you may be in a position to pursue a case for personal injury.

Determining fault in a car accident is not always easy, but essentially, you need to prove that the other driver was behaving in a careless or negligent manner. Police reports and witness statements can help with this, as can a knowledge and understanding of local traffic laws and requirements. Proof that these were violated will be very helpful to your case.

The statute of limitations states that all personal injury claims in Alabama must be pursued within two years of the date of the accident.

What is Contributory Negligence?

The state of Alabama operates under the concept of contributory negligence which can have a significant impact on your claim. This concept states that if you are found to have been in any way at fault for the accident (even if only by 1%), you will be unable to pursue damages against the other driver. The information will also be passed to insurance companies and can impact the amount you are entitled to claim.

What are My Next Steps?

If you have been involved in a car accident, contact Pharr & Associates Injury Attorneys today at (256) 487-6080. Our skilled attorneys have a number of years of experience in handling car accidents and personal injury cases, and we can advise you on the best course of action in your quest for justice.