Car accidents happen in an instant, yet they can cause months or years of pain and suffering related to physical, emotional, or financial harm. If you suffered any injuries or losses because of a car accident, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps.
You have the right to pursue justice if your injuries and losses resulted from someone else’s negligence. Learn how an Alabama car accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you understand your legal rights and pursue justice and compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case for free with a team member.
Building Your Personal Injury Case
If you suffered injuries or losses because of a car accident, you have the legal right to pursue a personal injury case to obtain compensation from the negligent party responsible for those damages. While every car accident has different sets of facts and circumstances, it is essential to note that all personal injury cases require four legal elements to have a basis in law: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Duty
Every driver on the roadways has a duty and responsibility to other drivers to comply with state and federal laws and operate their vehicle in such a manner that follows the rules of the road.
Breach of Duty
If a driver breaches their duty and responsibility to other drivers and operates their vehicle negligently or recklessly, it might result in a serious accident. That breach of duty might include:
- Speeding
- Failing to yield or stop when required
- Failing to follow road signs or stop lights
- Driving while texting or otherwise distracted
- Driving while drowsy
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Any negligent or reckless action taken by a driver could breach their duty to remain safe on the roadways.
Causation
To have a personal injury case under the law, the breach of duty must have resulted in the injury or damage to another party. The actions taken by the negligent party must directly cause injuries or losses to a victim.
Damages
To present a personal injury claim in an Alabama court or receive compensation from a negligent party’s insurance company, a victim must suffer actual damages. These damages can include any injury, property damage, or losses. Ultimately, damages include any physical, emotional, or financial harm.
Types of Compensation
Depending on the facts and circumstances of your car accident, you might have the ability to receive different types of compensation, even if you were not the driver. Alabama Code § 32-1-2 allows passengers to file personal injury lawsuits in certain situations.
The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit following a car accident is to make the victim whole again. To do that, the victim seeks compensation for any injuries or losses that they suffered as a direct result of the negligent person’s actions. Here are some examples of possible compensation after a car accident.
Medical Bills
In many cases, a victim of a car accident suffers severe physical injuries. In these cases, victims may seek to receive compensation for expenses incurred to treat their physical and medical injuries, including:
- Emergency transportation to a hospital by ambulance
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries
- Doctor’s visits
- Physical therapy
- Mental health therapy
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
Lost Wages
If you suffered any physical injuries because of a car accident, you likely would not return to work immediately. Serious injuries often result in lost wages, which a victim can request to recoup in a personal injury claim. However, a victim could seek not only lost income for time missed, but also any lost bonuses, promotions, employee benefits, retirement contributions, transportation allowances, or other compensation they otherwise would have received.
Property Damage
In almost all car accidents, property damage occurs to a vehicle. As a victim of someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your repair bills or replacement costs for your vehicle and its contents.
Pain and Suffering
If you suffered injuries because of a car accident, you likely have felt severe pain and suffering because of those injuries. You have a legal right to receive compensation for the pain and suffering you endured as a result of your car accident, which may include mental anguish, physical pain, and the inability to perform specific tasks either temporarily or permanently.
The calculation of pain and suffering is a challenging and legally complex task. An Alabama car accident lawyer can help you quantify your pain and suffering as part of your compensation request for your car accident. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to receive a free case review from a team member and see whether you qualify for compensation for pain and suffering.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Alabama Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a deadline imposed by the state that sets a time limit on when a victim must file a lawsuit. Alabama allows car accident victims to file a claim up to two years following the accident under Alabama Code § 6-2-38. A victim must file a claim by this deadline; otherwise, they might lose their ability to do so permanently.
While two years may seem like a long time to file a personal injury claim, dealing with medical visits, negotiating with insurance company adjusters, and conducting an investigation for evidence to bolster your case can take a considerable amount of time. A car accident lawyer can help ensure that the deadline does not pass on your case, leaving you unable to file a claim for compensation under the law.
Learn How an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have suffered injuries or losses due to a car accident, you might want to consider how an Alabama car accident lawyer can help you build a personal injury case, determine the amount of compensation you deserve, and negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to set up a free consultation with one of our team members. The sooner you call, the sooner we can start fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form