Car Accident Attorneys in Daphne, Alabama

Most people will be involved in at least one car accident during their lives. Many of these accidents are minor collisions with minimal injuries and very little property damage, but some are more serious. When an auto accident results in moderate to severe injuries and someone else is at fault, those who have been hurt through no fault of their own deserve to be fully compensated.

Recovering full and fair compensation from a car accident injury can be a very complex and difficult task, however. In most cases, you will be dealing with the responsible party’s insurer, whose goal is to minimize their losses by paying you as little as possible for your injury. If you or a loved one is in the situation, it makes sense to have a strong legal advocate in your corner who is looking out for your best interests.

At Coumanis and York, we have several decades of experience standing up for individuals who have been injured in auto accidents, and those who have suffered other types of personal injuries in Alabama. Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge of this area of the law, and we have a successful track record with even the most complex cases. We work closely with our clients, putting our extensive experience to work to provide the strong personalized representation they need and deserve.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 94% of all car accidents are caused by some type of human error, and a large percentage of these accidents are due to driver negligence. Some of the most common reasons motor vehicle accidents occur include:

• Speeding: Drivers who exceed the speed limit are at greater risk of a collision, because they do not have as much time to adjust to adverse road conditions. In addition, crashes that occur at higher speeds tend to cause more severe injuries.

• Aggressive/Reckless Driving: Many motorists heighten the risk of an auto accident by driving in an aggressive or reckless manner. Examples include excessive speeding, following too closely/tailgating, failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, refusing to yield the right-of-way, making illegal or dangerous turns, making illegal or dangerous passing maneuvers, and street racing.

• Distracted Driving: More than 95% of Americans own some type of cell phone, and more than 80% have smartphones. While carrying a mobile computer wherever we go has made our lives easier in a lot of ways, it has also created an increasing problem with distracted driving. With our seemingly insatiable need to “stay connected”, far too many motorists regularly send and receive texts and other types of electronic messages while driving.

• Chemical Impairment: It has been well known for several decades that driving while intoxicated vastly increases the risk of an auto accident. Still, far too many motorists make the horrible and often fateful decision to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink.

• Drowsy Driving: Drowsy or fatigued driving is far more common than most people realize. According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, 20% of drivers surveyed admit to having fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point during the past year, and 40% admit that it has happened at some point in their lifetime. Drowsy driving is most common among commercial vehicle drivers and those who work long shifts without getting enough sleep.

In addition to driver negligence, there are other forms of human error that can result in an auto accident. These include faulty vehicles/vehicle parts, dangerous road conditions, and improper road signage.

Pursuing a Car Accident Injury Claim in Alabama

Being involved in an auto accident can result in severe and catastrophic injuries, some of which are permanent and life-altering. Compensatory damages for vehicle accident claims can be divided into two general categories:

• Economic Damages: These are direct monetary losses that the victim suffers, such as hospital bills, costs for treatments, surgeries, and other procedures, rehabilitation expenses, the cost of ongoing medical care, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage.

• Noneconomic Damages: These are losses that are real but more intangible and difficult to quantify. Examples include physical pain and suffering, emotional trauma, diminished quality of life, disfigurement, and permanent injury. While no amount of money can adequately make up for noneconomic losses, awarding monetary damages is the best legal system can do to compensate victims.

In more limited cases in which there is clear and convincing evidence that the actions of the responsible party were willful, malicious, or grossly negligent, punitive damages may also be awarded not as compensation to the victim, but rather to “punish” the wrongdoer and help act as a deterrent against similarly egregious behaviors in the future.

Recovering damages from an auto accident claim is especially difficult in states like Alabama, where they apply the “contributory negligence” legal standard. Under contributory negligence, if an injured party is found to have “contributed” in any way to the underlying accident (even 1%), they can be barred from recovering damages. This is a very high bar to clear, and it makes it especially important to work with an experienced attorney who has the proven ability to secure full and fair compensation with these types of cases.

If you are pursuing an injury claim for your car accident, it is important to be aware of Alabama’s statute of limitations, which gives you two years (in most cases) from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. If the statute of limitations has expired, your claim will be time-barred, meaning the court will most likely dismiss the case and you will not be able to recover damages. Two years might seem like plenty of time, but it can go by fast if you continually put off taking action. Do not let time expire on your vehicle accident claim – get in touch with our attorneys as soon as possible, so they can get started on your case.

Contact an Experienced Daphne, AL Auto Accident Lawyer  

At Coumanis & York, we understand that being injured in a car accident takes a major physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their families, and our goal is to make the legal process smooth and stress-free. We handle the entire case from start to finish, and we take care of the complex legal tasks, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. And when we represent you in a personal injury case, you will not have to pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, message us online or call our office today at 251-990-3083 (Daphne) or 251.431-7272 (Mobile).