AUTO ACCIDENT recovery LAW

At Snable Stevenson & Silva, our personal injury attorneys have nearly 50 years years of experience handling complex auto accident matters, including car accidents and truck accidents. We’ve practiced injury law in Birmingham, Alabama for years. We know what you’re up against and we know what it takes to win. Our attorneys have recovered millions on behalf of accident victims just like you. We’re ready to do whatever it takes to help you obtain a life-changing settlement or award.

When you enlist our injury law firm for assistance, we will:

• Provide you with the support and guidance you need during this very overwhelming time.
• Actually listen to what you have to say and use your side of the story as the foundation for our investigation.
• Conduct an exhaustive examination into the circumstances leading up to and surrounding your car accident.
• Gather and scrutinize relevant evidence, police reports, photographs, video footage, medical records, and witness statements, as we work to determine causation, fault, and liability.
• Take care of all communication with interested parties, including insurance providers.
• Work to disprove the effect of any claims that you share responsibility for the crash.
• Consult with accident experts and injury specialists throughout the process, particularly as we work to determine what your accident claim is worth.

We won’t let insurance companies bully you into accepting less money than your case is worth. Our Alabama injury lawyers will be more than ready to take your case to a judge and jury, in necessary. Our reputation in the courtroom precedes itself. The last thing insurers will want is to go up against us in front of a jury, and that can be a huge asset to you from the start. With an Alabama car accident lawyer in your corner, they’ll have to think twice before offering you anything less than a fair settlement.

What Causes Car Accidents in Alabama?

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), there were over 134,000 auto accidents in Alabama in 2020, with nearly 38,000 injuries resulting from those accidents. ALDOT predicts that there is a greater than 90% chance that you will be involved in an auto accident in your lifetime, and that there is a 40% chance that you will be involved in an auto accident that includes an injury or fatality. Here’s a look at some of the most common causal factors of car accidents in Birmingham and throughout Alabama:

• Distracted Driving

Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver diverts their eyes from the road, takes their hands off of the wheel, or allows their mind to wander from the task at hand. ALDOT reports 57 fatalities associated with distracted driving in 2020.

• Following Too Closely

When roads are congested, it can be difficult for drivers to maintain a safe distance between vehicles. Following too closely, or tailgating, causes a lot of car accidents in Alabama. ALDOT reports over 16,000 accidents resulted from tailgating.

• Failure to Yield

When you’re driving in Alabama, you have to be aware of traffic patterns and traffic laws. If you’re not, or you simply ignore them, accidents can occur when two vehicles attempt to enter the same space at the same time. Nearly 21,000 accidents were reported in Alabama in 2020 involving a failure to yield.

• Speeding

Speeding contributes to plenty of car accidents in Alabama. Nearly 8,000 auto accidents and 128 fatalities resulted in Alabama from speeding.

• Drunk Driving / Driving Under the Influence

ALDOT reports that, in 2020, there were a total of 4,016 auto accidents resulting from alcohol or drug impairment.

• Passing Improperly

A lot of drivers throw caution to the wind when passing other vehicles. And, in turn, these drivers cause a lot of accidents. In 2020, passing improperly or improper lane changes resulted in nearly 8,000 collisions on Alabama roads. 

• Road Defects

The way roads are designed or their lack of maintenance contribute to collisions. Potholes, obscured signage, uneven terrain, and sharp curves can all factor into auto crashes.

Your insurance provider or the other driver's insurance provider won’t be eager to write you a check. They will probably work hard to find a reason to deny your claim or minimize your payout. If you don’t stand up for yourself, insurance company tactics can prevent you from getting all of the money that you deserve. Insurance companies know the claims process inside and out. They want to deal with you and not a skilled lawyer. Therefore, it’s smart to bring an Alabama car accident lawyer into the equation as soon as you can. At Snable Stevenson & Silva, we know the adversaries you’ll face, and we’ve dealt with these insurers for years. Give us a call, and we’ll do everything we can to make them play by the rules and pay you the money you deserve.

For more information on auto accidents in Alabama, visit the Alabama Department of Transportation's website at https://drivesafealabama.org.

Who is Responsible for My Car Accident and Injuries?

Following a car accident in Alabama, you may be entitled to compensation. There are a few different mechanisms through which you can pursue the money you’re owed under Alabama auto accident law. Motorists who are found at fault for a collision in Alabama may be held financially accountable for the medical bills and other losses they have caused others to sustain. Every state has an auto insurance system that is either a “fault” or “no-fault” system. In Alabama, we have a “fault,” or a tort system. In tort states, car accident victims must first turn to the auto liability insurance of the person who caused the accident in order to recover compensation. Under Alabama auto accident law, accident victims must prove that another driver was to blame for the accident that caused their injuries. Accident victims must file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company. Bodily injury liability insurance provides compensation for the accident victim’s personal medical injury, while property damage liability insurance provides compensation for any damage to the accident victim’s vehicle and other personal property that was damaged during the accident. If your injuries are severe, the costs of your accident might exceed what the negligent driver's insurance provider or your insurance provider are willing to pay. If so, you might need to consider filing a lawsuit directly against the negligent driver.

In Alabama, you can potentially file an injury claim against anyone who caused your car accident and caused you to get hurt. This might include:

• Drivers of other passenger vehicles
• The driver of your car (if you were a passenger)
• Your own passenger (if you were driving)
• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Motorcyclists
• Bicyclists
• Pedestrians
• Bus drivers
• Transit companies
• Alabama Department of Transportation and other government transit agencies
• Employers of negligent drivers
• Manufacturers
• Mechanics
• Lyft and Uber drivers
• Taxi drivers
• Cab companies
• Government agencies

The list of possible defendants in a personal injury claim can be long. The only way to know who is responsible for your Alabama crash is by ensuring that it’s subject to a thorough and detailed investigation. At Snable Stevenson & Silva, our Alabama car accident attorneys take the time and invest the resources that are necessary to do just that.

How Do Auto Insurance Claims Work in Alabama?

After a auto accident, you should file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company. The insurance company is then required to provide compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and possibly other damages. However, receiving this compensation from the insurance company is not always easy. Insurance companies are known for contesting accident victims’ claims and for trying to pay as low of a monetary settlement as possible. If the negligent driver does not have auto insurance, or the accident was a hit-and-run and the negligent driver left the accident scene, you may be able to file an uninsured motorist (UM) claim with your own insurance company. You can also file a claim with your own insurer if the negligent driver’s auto insurance fails to provide enough compensation to fully cover the cost of your injuries. This can be done through your policy's underinsured motorist (UIM) bodily insurance coverage. UM/UIM insurance coverage is not required in Alabama. While UM/UIM coverage may add to your insurance premium cost, Snable Stevenson & Silva suggests that all drivers purchase the maximum amount of this insurance that they can. Given that 1 in 5 Alabama motorists carry no driver insurance, UM/UIM insurance coverage may be the only way you can claim compensation for your injuries. All insurance claims in Alabama are governed by a statute of limitations. This is the amount of time you have to file an insurance claim with either your own insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The statute of limitations in Alabama is generally two years from the date of the accident. If you attempt to file a claim after the statute of limitations has expired, you will likely be barred from receiving any compensation.

How Do You Prove Fault in a Car Accident Claim in Alabama?

Because Alabama is an at-fault auto insurance state, you must prove that another driver acted negligently and that the driver’s negligence caused your accident. Drivers can act negligently through drunk driving, distracted driving such as texting, driving while sleepy or drowsy, driving recklessly, speeding, or otherwise failing to follow traffic laws. You cannot simply tell the insurance company that the other driver was at faul for the accident. You must provide evidence that supports your claim. The injury lawyers at Snable Stevenson & Silva gather the evidence that supports your claim, including photos of the accident scene, the police report, eyewitness statements, expert testimony, medical records evidencing your injuries, evidence of lost income, and evidence of damage to your property. The more evidence you have supporting your injury claim, the more like you are to recover maximum compensation.

How Much is My Car Accident in Alabama Worth?

Don’t underestimate just how much of an impact an unexpected crash can have on your wallet and your overall quality of life. You may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The best way to make sure you properly evaluate how much your case is worth is by hiring an experienced car accident lawyer. Here are some things to keep in mind when discussing valuation:

• How serious are your injuries?
• Do you require hospitalization or surgery?
• Will you need rehabilitation or physical therapy to make a full recovery?
• Will your injuries prevent you from going back to work?
• How will your injury affect your ability to do your job and earn an income?
• How has the accident and your injury affected your day-to-day life?
• Do you require help to complete everyday tasks, such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed?
• Did your injury leave you paralyzed or significantly disfigured?
• How has the accident affected you emotionally or mentally?
• Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues because of the crash?
• To what extent was your vehicle or property damaged in the collision? 

Our law firm has been a mainstay in Birmingham for decades. During that time, we’ve invested a lot of time getting to know some of the best and most respected accident experts in the South. We turn to these professionals for help and guidance during the valuation phase. With their help, we can really dig into the details of your case and work to figure out what it’s worth.

What Kinds of Car Accident Claims Does Your Law Firm Handle?

We handle all car accident and truck accident injury claims in Alabama. Don’t hesitate to contact our compassionate team to learn about your legal options after a car accident in Alabama. At Snable Stevenson & Silva, we represent clients who have been injured in:

• Frontal collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipes
• T-Bone accidents
• Rollovers
• Highway crashes
• Interstate crashes
• Single-vehicle crashes
• Multiple Vehicle crashes
• Speeding accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Red and yellow light accidents
• Uber accidents
• Lyft accidents
• Truck accidents
• Accidents involving bicyclists
• Accidents involving pedestrians

We handle cases where our clients, after being involved in a Alabama car accident, suffered:

• Back, shoulder, and neck injury
• Whiplash
• Head injury, including concussion
• Traumatic brain injury
• Burns
• Chest injury
• Eye injury
• Amputation
• Spinal cord injury
• Crushing injury
• Soft tissue damage
• Fractures and broken bones
• Paralysis
• Catastrophic injury

Our law firm also handles accidents involving death. If someone you love died in a fatal collision in Alabama, you could be entitled to substantial compensation for your loss. Our wrongful death attorneys can help you navigate this tough time. Just reach out to us by phone or online today to learn more.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Snable Stevenson & Silva accepts auto accident cases on contingency. This means that you don’t have to worry about the cost of hiring our law firm unless we win your case. We front the costs associated with your case and assume all of the risk. We only get paid when we negotiate a settlement or secure a jury verdict on your behalf. Then, our attorneys simply recover a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your net award. It’s that simple.

Snable Stevenson & Silva Can Help You to Recover

Snable Stevenson & Silva is an eminent injury law firm that prides ourselves on providing impeccable representation for victims of auto accidents. Our firm’s successful track record in handling auto accident cases can be attributed to our strategic approach, diligent attorneys, and a commitment to client welfare.

Extensive Personal Injury Law Experience

The proficiency of Snable Stevenson & Silva's attorneys is a significant asset. Our experience in handling a plethora of personal injury cases means that we have an in-depth understanding of the legal framework concerning auto accidents. This expertise allows us to devise an effective legal strategy that encompasses a thorough investigation and appraisal of the accident. Our attorneys are skilled at evaluating the scene, examining police reports, and consulting with experts to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the incident.

Meticulous Investigation

One of the many strengths of Snable Stevenson & Silva is our relentless pursuit of evidence. We leave no stone unturned in gathering all relevant information, including photographs of the accident scene, witness testimonies, expert testimonies, and any available surveillance footage. This meticulous collection of evidence plays an integral role in establishing liability.

Thorough Evaluation of Damages

We excel in evaluating, establishing, and defining our clients' damages. When representing a client, it is imperative to accurately quantify the damages incurred due to the accident. This includes not only the immediate medical expenses, but also the long-term consequences such as loss of earning capacity, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. Our firm's lawyers engage with medical professionals to ascertain the extent of injuries and the long-term impact on the client’s quality of life. This diligence ensures that clients receive adequate compensation for their losses.

Skilled Negotiation

The attorneys at Snable Stevenson & Silva are skilled negotiators. Often, insurance companies attempt to minimize the compensation awarded to victims. Our attorneys are experienced in handling negotiations with insurance adjusters and opposing counsel to ensure that clients receive a fair settlement. If a fair settlement is unattainable through negotiation, our attorneys are always prepared and willing to take the case to trial.

Client-Centric Approach

One of the reasons why Snable Stevenson & Silva is well-respected is our client-centric approach. We recognize that victims of auto accidents are often overwhelmed with the aftermath of the incident. This includes not just physical pain but emotional trauma and financial distress. To alleviate some of the stress, our attorneys work tirelessly to shoulder the legal burden. We communicate with clients openly and honestly, keeping them abreast of all developments in the case. We also provide clients with realistic assessments and manage expectations accordingly. This level of transparency and compassion fosters a relationship of trust and confidence.

For potential clients, choosing Snable Stevenson & Silva means entrusting their case to a team that not only has the legal acumen but also the empathy and dedication required in such trying times. Our approach ensures that clients’ rights are fiercely protected and that they receive the compensation they rightfully deserve. Our firm’s reputation and client testimonials speak volumes about our capability to effectively manage and successfully resolve auto accident cases.

Snable Stevenson & Silva's unwavering commitment to justice, coupled with a comprehensive approach to case management, ensures that clients receive not just compensation, but the peace of mind in knowing that their case is in the most capable hands. Potential clients can place their trust in us, confident in the knowledge that we will strive relentlessly for their welfare and justice.

Contact our Birmingham, Alabama Auto Accident Lawyers Today for Legal Help

Have you or a family member recently been involved in a car accident in Alabama? Contact Snable Stevenson & Silva for immediate legal assistance and advice. You may be able to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Our qualified Alabama car accident lawyers can help you fight to secure a full and fair award.

We offer a free case evaluation and consultation. Contact our law office in Birmingham, Alabama to schedule yours today. If you can’t come to us, we can arrange a time to visit you. Consultations can be arranged at the hospital, your home, or even your place of business. There’s a limited amount of time to act, so give us a call to get started today.