Daphne Car Accident Attorneys

Every year, hundreds of people die in car crashes in Alabama, and tens of thousands more suffer severe injuries. Being involved in an auto accident in Daphne or a nearby area can be a traumatic and disorienting experience, and one that can leave you laid up for a while if you get seriously hurt. If your vehicle accident injury happened because of the negligence or reckless actions of another party, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Vehicle accident victims will often run into difficulty filing a claim with the insurance company. Insurers are not in business to lose money, and they have been known to use a number of different tactics to diminish the value of a claim or even deny it altogether. In a situation like this, it is very important to speak with an experienced Daphne, AL car accident lawyer, so you fully understand your legal rights and options.

At Hedge Copeland, PC, we have several decades of experience successfully representing auto accident victims in Daphne, Mobile, and surrounding Alabama communities. Our attorneys have an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved with cases like these, and we work hard to recover full and fair compensation on behalf of each client we serve.

Types of Auto Accidents in Daphne, AL

We handle all types of motor vehicle accidents in Alabama, including but not limited to:

• Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end crashes are among the most common types of car accidents, and they typically happen when the trailing driver experiences a lapse in judgment and collides with the vehicle in front of them. The reason these accidents usually occur is because the trailing vehicle is tailgating the lead vehicle and/or not giving them enough space and time to slow down or stop when they need to. Speeding and distracted driving are other factors that can play a role in a rear-end collision.

• Head-On Collisions: A head-on crash is fairly rare, but when they happen, they can result in some of the most severe and catastrophic injuries. Head-on collisions most often happen in rural areas where there are single lane roads and winding areas in which it is easy for a vehicle to veer off into the lane of the oncoming vehicle. These types of crashes can also happen when a driver goes the wrong way in a more populated area. Distracted driving, drowsy driving/falling asleep at the wheel, and alcohol are common contributors to head-on collisions.

• T-Bone/Broadside Collisions: A T-bone collision occurs when one vehicle crashes into the side of another, resulting in a “T” formation. Also known as broadside or side impact collisions, T-bone crashes often occur at intersections, usually because a car runs a red light or stop sign or fails to yield the right-of-way to the other vehicle. These types of accidents can be especially hazardous, because the sides of vehicles provide the least amount of protection for drivers and passengers.

• Sideswipe Collisions: A sideswipe happens when two vehicles are driving next to each other in the same direction, and they collide. Sideswipes usually occur because of some type of negligent driving, such as one vehicle swerving into the other vehicle’s lane when the driver is distracted, failure to check for blind spots before changing lanes, drunk driving, or falling asleep at the wheel.

• Rollover Crashes: A rollover happens when a vehicle flips over or lands on its side. In the worst cases, a vehicle might flip over several times before stopping. Rollovers are most common with vehicles that have a high center of gravity, such as SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans. Weather conditions, the speed that the vehicle is traveling, and the impact of a collision with another vehicle might also play a role in these types of accidents.

• Single Vehicle Accidents: Car accidents that involve a single vehicle can happen for a number of reasons. Usually, it will be the fault of the driver, but these accidents can also be caused by inadequate maintenance of the roads, missing or confusing traffic signs, mechanical failure, or vehicle defects.

• Multivehicle Crashes/Pileups: Multi-car accidents are most common in heavy traffic, and they often occur when one vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of them, setting off a chain reaction. Generally, the driver of the vehicle that initiated the crash will be the one responsible, although this might not always be the case.

The Challenges with Auto Accident Claims in Alabama

Daphne, AL car accident victims can recover damages for direct monetary losses such as medical bills and lost earnings, as well as non-economic losses such as pain-and-suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. In more limited cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the actions that resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries were especially egregious.

Although you may be eligible for compensation because of your auto accident injuries, there is no guarantee that you will receive anything. The amount of compensation you are able to recover (if any) depends largely on how you handle the claim, which in most cases means how you deal with the insurance company.

As we talked about earlier, insurance companies want to pay you as little as possible for your injuries, and they will pay you nothing at all if they can get away with it. Unfortunately, Alabama makes it easier for insurers because they apply the “contributory negligence” standard to personal injury cases.

Under contributory negligence, an injured person can be barred from recovering damages if they are found to have “contributed” in any way to the underlying accident or event that caused their injury. This means that even if you are only 1% at fault for the car accident and the other driver is 99% at fault, you could lose out on compensation for your injuries.

Because of the uphill battle you are facing, it is important to be very careful how you handle your accident injury claim. First of all, never apologize or admit any kind of fault to anyone for the accident, even if you are just trying to be nice. Any such admission could be used against you by the other side.

Secondly, do not discuss the accident in any type of electronic format, such as email or social media. Electronic communication is discoverable in a personal injury case, and the other side could take things that you say or post out of context and use it to damage your claim.

Finally, do not deal with the insurance company until you have first had your case reviewed by an experienced attorney. If you sustained minor injuries, the other party has admitted fault, and your case is pretty straightforward, you might be able to handle things on your own with their insurer. But if your injuries are moderate to severe, there is some question over who is liable for the crash, and/or there are other complications, you will almost certainly need skilled legal representation.

Either way, it never hurts to at least talk with a lawyer about your case. Initial consultations are free, and all it costs you is a little bit of your time to find out where you stand. This way, you can make the most informed decision and how you wish to proceed.

Contact Our Seasoned Daphne, AL Car Accident Lawyers

For legal help with auto accidents or any other type of personal injury in Daphne, Alabama, call Hedge Copeland today at 251-432-8844 or message us online to set up your free, no obligation consultation.