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.
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 15th, 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.
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:
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:
We work with engineers and traffic-reconstruction experts, when necessary, to show what type of accident happened.
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.
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.
In Alabama, car owners must buy the following minimum insurance coverages:
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).
Some injuries are more common in a car wreck. Mezrano Law Firm routinely represents clients who have sustained:
Other injuries from car accidents include internal organ damage, heart attacks, difficulty breathing, nerve damage, and other physical and emotional difficulties.
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.
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.
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.