Florence Car Accident Lawyers

Strong advocacy when careless drivers change your life in an Instant

At Mezrano Law Firm, our trial lawyers have more than 40 years combined experience fighting for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders who were injured due to drivers who sped, drove while intoxicated, or just carelessly failed to pay attention to other drivers. Our Florence car accident lawyers are dedicated to getting you full compensation for your injuries, so you can get your life back on track. Contact us today to learn more.

The truth about car accidents

Nearly 1,000 people in Alabama die each year due to car accidents. Anyone driving US 43 could tell you why, too. Between the college students and the inconsistent turning lanes, getting around on 43 (or on 15^th, depending on where you are) can be complicated.

Florence is home to a lot of state highways – 13, 157, the infamous Rt 20 – but it is our more rural and local roads, like Hermitage, that often prove the most dangerous. Dark roads limit visibility, and Alabama’s penchant for using sub-par asphalt makes it harder to stop without skidding. Throw in some wildlife (both four-legged AND in UNA tee-shirts), and the risk of a wreck can increase exponentially.

Time limits for filing claims and contacting a car accident lawyer

In most cases, the time limit for filing a car accident case is two years. In some cases, such as for filing a claim against the state or county, the time limit is much less. In all accident cases, it is crucial to speak with a car accident lawyer as quickly as possible. Don’t take chances on the time you have to file a claim. It’s important for us to inspect the scene of the crash and the damage to the vehicles immediately after the accident. It’s also critical to get medical help without delay.

Why car crashes happen

Drivers on Florence’s rural and city roads get into accidents for all types of reasons. It is our fundamental job as car accident lawyers to show how the accident happened and why it happened. Most car accidents happen for one of the following reasons:

• Drunk or drugged driving
• Drowsy driving
• Distracted driving
• Failure to follow the rules of the road
• Speeding, reckless driving, and other aggressive behaviors
• Failure to maintain lanes
• Defective auto parts
• Roadway defects
• Poor roadway design

Types of car crashes

The way an accident happens is often instructive on who’s at fault and what types of injuries are expected. While there are always exceptions to the rules, most car accident happen in one of the following ways:

• Head-on collision. When two cars strike each other front-to-front, it’s usually because one driver isn’t where he should be. Head-on crashes happen when a driver is in the wrong lane or going the wrong way down a one-way street. Head-on car accidents are often deadly.
• Sideswipe. This type of accident occurs when one car’s side strikes the other car’s side. It often happens when one car passes improperly or a car merges into traffic incorrectly. Sideswipes are dangerous because they can cause the vehicles to spin around into other lanes of traffic.
• T-Bone accident. This type of accident often happens in intersections. The front of one-are strikes the side of another car. Usually, the car whose front strikes the other car is at fault. These accidents can cause death and catastrophic injuries.
• Rear-end collision. This common type of accident occurs when a driver is distracted. The driver in the rear fails to stop and strikes the car in front. The rear driver is almost always at fault. Rear-end crashes are known to cause whiplash and soft tissue muscle damage
• Multiple vehicle accident. Sometimes, when one car strikes another car, the crash starts a chain reaction resulting in multiple collisions. These complex cases require very skilled trial lawyers.
• Single car crash. Passengers have the right to hold a driver accountable if the driver loses control of the vehicle for any reason. Common reasons include speeding and driver distraction

We work with engineers and traffic-reconstruction experts, when necessary, to show what type of accident happened.

Who’s responsible for your Florence car accident?

In many cases, more than one person or company is responsible for the accident. The more responsible parties there are, then the more insurance that is usually available.

• Driver. Drivers may be held liable if their negligence led to a crash resulting injuries.
• Car part manufacturer. Manufacturers are liable for design defects, manufacturing defects, and failing to warn consumers about potential dangers.
• Government entities. The state and counties may liable for poor road design or for unfixed problems with the roads themselves, like sinkholes, deterioration, or poor signage.
• Liquor vendors and social hosts. Anyone who sells alcohol to someone who is visibly drunk may be liable if that person gets into a car and causes an accident.

One important liability consideration is that in Alabama, victims who were partially at faulty (even just one percent at fault) will not receive any damages. This is because the state follows a contributory negligence system. It is also why it is so important that you seek legal counsel immediately after a crash, so that you are not barred from recovering damages.

Car insurance requirements in Alabama

In Alabama, car owners must buy the following minimum insurance coverages:

• Bodily injury insurance for one injury to one person: $25,000
• Bodily injury insurance for injuries to multiple people: $50,000
• Property damage insurance for injuries to another vehicle: $25,000

Car owners are also required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This insurance is useful when the responsible driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance. For example, if a case is worth $100,000 and the driver only has the minimum $25,000, then UM/UIM can be used to claim the remaining $75,000 (up to the policy limits).

Types of injuries from Florence car crashes

Some injuries are more common in a car wreck. Mezrano Law Firm routinely represents clients who have sustained:

• Traumatic brain injury. Some car accidents are so violent they shake the skull and brain. Brain injuries can alter a victim’s life forever. He/she may lose the ability to think, function, and develop. Many TBI victims need a lifetime of care.
• Spinal cord damage. Severe spinal damage can cause paralysis. Damage to the back, neck, and spine can cause pain that lasts forever.
• Broken bones. Many car accidents break arms, legs, toes, fingers, and other bones. Many bone breaks heal with treatment and lots of time.
• Minor Impact Soft Tissue (MIST). Don’t let the name fool you; a MIST injury may heal, but you could also be in chronic pain for the rest of your life.

Other injuries from car accidents include internal organ damage, heart attacks, difficulty breathing, nerve damage, and other physical and emotional difficulties.

Claiming damages in car accident cases

Once liability is proven, your attorney can help you make a claim for compensation for your economic loss, and your pain and suffering. We detail and have witnesses testify as to all your pain, all your anxiety, and all the things you could do before the accident that you can’t do now. You may also be entitled to punitive damages, which are designed to punish a wrongdoer. If your loved one died in a wreck, your claim automatically becomes a wrongful death claim, and you are only entitled to punitive damages.

Colossus software and damage calculation

Many insurance companies use the Colossus software system to calculate the damages. Generally, this system looks at the type of accident and the medical bills to evaluate damages. Our lawyers are effective at showing that the Colossus software does not apply. For example, Colossus is not appropriate for evaluating death claims. It does not work well for catastrophic and permanent injuries, either. If your settlement award is being “low-balled” because of the software, we can help.

Speak with a strong Florence Alabama car accident lawyer today

At Mezrano Law Firm, our Florence car accident lawyers have more than 40 years of combined experience. We’ve negotiated numerous settlements and obtained jury verdicts worth millions of dollars. To learn what your rights are and to get started on the road to economic and medical recovery, please call us at 205-206-6300 or complete out our contact form.

If you have a case, you have a lawyer. Call us today.