“There is no fixed average car accident settlement in Alabama. Alabama requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, subject to the policy and circumstances of the accident. That does not mean every valid car accident claim is worth $25,000, or that $25,000 is the maximum available, because the value of a claim depends on the injuries, damages, available insurance coverage, liability, and other factors. Alabama’s contributory negligence rule can also affect whether an injured person can recover compensation at all. There are many factors that play into settlements, and that’s why having an attorney on your side is important. At Mezrano Injury Lawyers, you pay nothing unless we win your case.”
The value of a car accident claim can vary greatly. As a result, stating a general settlement average for Alabama car accident claims would be misleading. In reality, these cases will depend on multiple factors and your specific circumstances. The individual facts of your case will matter more than any statewide settlement average.
Additionally, while minor injury claims are common, severe injuries can dramatically increase a settlement’s value. At Mezrano® Injury Lawyers, we can inform you about the factors that will impact your claim and explain which of these typically lead to higher settlement amounts. We also offer free, no-obligation case evaluations, which can help give you a better understanding of what your possible claim might be worth.
Factors That Determine a Car Accident Settlement
The Severity of Your Injuries
One of the greatest indicators of a claim’s likely outcome is the nature and severity of your injuries. The more severe your injuries, the higher the damages and overall impact on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
For example, suffering serious spinal damage will lead to more extensive medical costs and a negative effect on your life, as opposed to a minor sprain or fracture. As a result, the more serious your injuries, the higher your settlement amount is likely to be.
Your Medical Treatment
Compensation in a car accident case is meant to reflect your financial losses and damages that were caused by your accident. The medical treatment you receive can lead to excess expenses. After sustaining an injury, especially a serious or life-threatening one, it is important to receive proper medical care.
Your medical treatment could include hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and other future treatment needs. Any settlement you receive will take into consideration the costs of your medical treatment.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Economic damages from a personal injury claim can include both lost wages and reduced earning capacity. Lost wages are past and future income losses you experience due to being unable to work during recovery.
If you are unable to return to work due to permanent or long-term disability caused by your injury, you might also be entitled to consider your reduced earning capacity in your settlement negotiations.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering are subjective losses that can impact the amount of a car accident settlement. These fall under non-economic damages and are another category and type of compensation you can pursue in a car accident claim.
Non-economic damages are meant to account for the negative effects of physical pain brought on by your injury. Your attorney will typically save evidence like medical records, personal logs, and third-party testimony to account for pain and suffering in a personal injury claim.
Permanent Injury or Disability
A permanent injury or disability can significantly affect the value of your personal injury claim. If an injury limits your ability to work, perform daily activities, or enjoy your life, you may be entitled to compensation for the long-term effects of your injuries.
When assessing the potential value of your car accident settlement, your attorney will evaluate the impact of your disability on your personal and professional life and gather evidence related to the permanency of your injury.
Evidence of Fault
In any Alabama car accident case, evidence that proves who caused the crash is especially important when assessing your possible settlement amount. Some forms of evidence that can be used to prove the other party’s fault include the following:
- Police reports: Document the accident, citations, road conditions, and statements
- Photos and video: Show damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and the cause of the crash
- Witness statements: Provide independent accounts of what happened
- Accident reconstruction: May clarify fault when the cause of the crash is disputed
- Medical records: Connect your injuries to the accident and document treatment
- Expert testimony: Can address complex issues involving the crash, injuries, or future losses
Available Insurance Coverage
The amount and type of insurance coverage involved can also determine how much compensation may be available in an Alabama car accident claim. The at-fault driver’s liability coverage may pay for covered losses up to the policy limits, while uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can help when the other driver has little or no insurance.
In some cases, multiple insurance policies are available to provide coverage. An experienced attorney will assess the types of insurance coverage that might be available in your case when evaluating your possible settlement amount.
Assessing Contributory Negligence
Alabama follows contributory negligence laws. Contributory negligence laws prevent an injured person from recovering damages if they shared any fault for the accident. Alabama is one of only four states in the U.S. that still follows the strict rule of pure contributory negligence.
If you are found to share even 1% of the fault for your injuries, you will be completely barred from recovering any compensation. This means that you can have all the other evidence of serious injuries and extensive medical bills, but if your own negligence contributed to the incident at all, you will still be barred from recovering any compensation in a car accident settlement.
Why Do Insurance Companies Offer Less Than You Expect or Deserve?
Insurance adjusters are trained to encourage low-ball settlement offers upfront to minimize the amount of compensation you receive. Any settlement offer should account for the full extent of your losses, including the following:
- Future medical treatment
- Long-term complications
- Lost earning capacity
- The full impact of permanent injuries
- Non-economic damages
- Disputed liability
It can be tempting to accept an insurance company’s first settlement offer, especially when you just want to move on and put the frustrations and stress of a car accident behind you. However, once you accept a settlement offer, you cannot go back and ask for more if it wasn’t enough. An experienced lawyer can help you assess your claim against the insurer’s offer and make sure it covers the true value of your claims.
“An insurance company’s first offer isn’t necessarily a reflection of what your claim is worth. Once you accept a settlement, you generally give up the ability to pursue additional compensation for the same claim. Before accepting an offer, you need to understand your injuries, your future needs, and whether the amount being offered actually accounts for the losses you’ve experienced.”
How Can We Help With Your Alabama Car Accident Claim?
Experience With Serious Injury Claims
Our legal team represents injury victims in serious motor vehicle accident cases, including claims involving significant and permanent injuries.
Trial-Ready Representation
Understanding Alabama Law
Alabama’s contributory negligence rule can make fault especially important in a car accident claim. Our attorneys understand how Alabama’s personal injury laws can affect a case and work to protect clients’ ability to recover compensation.
Proven Results
We have secured exceptional results for clients injured in motor vehicle accidents. Each case is different, and past results do not guarantee a particular outcome.
No Fee Unless We Win
You do not pay an upfront fee to hire our firm for a personal injury claim. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless our team recovers compensation for you.
Call Us To Discuss What Your Alabama Car Accident Claim Is Worth
Every car accident is different. The severity of your injuries, the evidence of fault, available insurance coverage, lost income, and Alabama’s laws can all affect what you may be able to recover in a potential car accident settlement.
If you were injured in a car accident, the best way to understand what your claim may be worth is to have your specific circumstances reviewed by an experienced Alabama personal injury attorney in a free consultation.
Contact Mezrano® Injury Lawyers Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free case evaluation by reaching out to us online or by calling 205-537-0112 . Learn how our team can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
