Alabama's Personal Injury Lawyer
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 carelessly ignored other drivers. A Florence car accident lawyer is dedicated to getting you total 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 the 15th, depending on where you are) can be complicated.
Florence is home to many state highways – 13, 157, the infamous Rt 20 – but our more rural and local roads, like Hermitage, 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 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. We need 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.
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 accidents happen in one of the following ways:
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.
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 merges into traffic incorrectly. Sideswipes are dangerous because they can cause vehicles to spin around into other lanes of traffic.
This type of accident often happens at 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.
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.
Sometimes, when one car strikes another, the crash starts a chain reaction resulting in multiple collisions. These complex cases require very skilled trial lawyers.
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.
In many cases, more than one person or company is responsible for the accident. The more responsible parties there are, the more insurance is usually available.
Drivers might be liable if their negligence led to a crash resulting in injuries.
Manufacturers are liable for design defects, manufacturing defects, and failing to warn consumers about potential dangers.
The state and counties may be liable for poor road design or for unfixed problems with the roads themselves, like sinkholes, deterioration, or poor signage.
Anyone who sells alcohol to someone 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 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 you must 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 must also carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This insurance is valid 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 a minimum of $25,000, then UM/UIM can 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:
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.
Severe spinal damage can cause paralysis. Damage to the back, neck, and spine can cause lasting pain.
Many car accidents break arms, legs, toes, fingers, and other bones. Many bone breaks heal with treatment and lots of time.
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.
