Another vehicle has struck yours on the way home from work. Suddenly, everything you were going to do today, tomorrow, next week, and next month has changed. You may be in pain, dealing with panic, permanently harmed, and potentially grieving for what you or others have lost. What would it take to make all of that right again?
While some of the fallout from vehicle collisions can never be undone, an experienced car accident attorney can help you access significant financial resources. Those who hire an attorney for a car accident claim receive payouts more often and in far higher sums than those who represent themselves.
At Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, we know your best shot at justice after a traumatic collision is to hire a car accident attorney with proven experience in delivering for clients.
This page explains what a car accident settlement may cover, how to file a car accident claim, and the types of accidents and injuries we most frequently represent. To speak with an attorney right away, call us at (205) 322-8880 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. For more information, read on.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident due to negligence, you may be entitled to recover the following damages:
Medical Bills: Complete coverage of your medical expenses related to the accident
Lost Wages: This includes loss of employment, missed advancement opportunities, and reduced job-related benefits if you are unable to work full-time after your accident
Pain and Suffering Damages: Physical pain, psychological suffering (like PTSD), and loss of marriage or family cohesion due to fallout from the crash
Punitive Damages: These are “punishment” fees charged to the other party if they’re found to have acted negligently, recklessly, or maliciously
Wrongful Death: Should the injuries caused by a car accident cause or directly lead to a person’s death, their surviving heirs could be granted compensation for the loss of support
You only have one chance to bring a car accident injury case after a crash. With a lawyer, you have a 91% chance of receiving a settlement, as opposed to a 51% chance of any payout for those who represent themselves. Similarly, those who hire a personal injury lawyer self-report settlement amounts that average more than 75% higher than those who represent themselves.
When you hire a lawyer, you’re likely to walk away with more compensation than if you go it alone. That increased money can be used to improve your health outcome and provide financial security for your family.
The car insurance industry estimates that the average driver will file a collision claim about once every 18 years. While the claims process may be frustrating, there are laws to protect you, and car accident attorneys are ready to take on the negotiations on your behalf.
When the vehicles are towed and you’re home from the hospital, the claims process with insurance agencies and other parties begins. Most of it involves gathering the right documentation.
Your car accident claims process may include:
If you have any questions about what you should do (and in what order), who you should trust, or what kinds of evidence or documents you need to keep to ensure a fair settlement, a knowledgeable attorney can supply that information, and do the work on your behalf. Call Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C.at (205) 322-8880 for representation.
In Alabama, drivers are subject to the “fault” system, meaning they are not required to carry no-fault insurance. After an accident, law enforcement and insurance companies will assess the evidence to determine who is responsible. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, you are entitled to seek compensation from their insurance provider. The at-fault driver's insurance must cover all damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs caused by the crash.
However, in some cases, the at-fault party’s insurance payout may not fully cover your losses. If this happens, you may need to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to recover additional compensation for things like ongoing medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. At Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C., we can help you pursue this claim, and there are no upfront fees.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that roughly 6.5 million car accidents occur per year in the United States, averaging to well over 17,000 car accidents per day. The NHTSA also states that the majority of automobile accidents occur during the after-work rush hour between 3 PM and 6 PM on weekdays.
Depending on the type of crash, injuries range from minor to severe, including life-altering brain and spinal injuries. The most common types of car crashes include:
Different crashes cause different types of injury severity. What causes a car accident matters for liability purposes in court—the more at-fault a person is, the more they’re obligated to pay to help fix the harm caused. Whatever kind of crash you’ve endured, the lawyers at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann can handle any claim related to car, truck, motorcycle, or automobile accidents.
In 2023, ALEA Troopers investigated a total of 31,717 traffic crashes, which resulted in 11,070 injuries, and includes 560 fatal injuries. Crashes declined by 273, however injuries increased by 156 in 2023 compared to 2022 totals.
The most common types of car accident injuries include:
According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of two and 34. There is roughly one car accident injury every 14 seconds. Of those accidents, 10% were in SUVs, 7% in pickup trucks, 4% in vans, and 3% in cars.
Preventable causes of car accidents, like alcohol-related crashes and speeding, not only cause an unnecessary loss of human life and health, they also cost Americans billions each year in emergency response costs, uninsured injury treatment, and wage and productivity loss.
Your losses are just as important as these greater economic costs—call Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann at (205) 322-8880 to make your claim.
Those recovering from a serious car accident face numerous burdens. Hiring an attorney can remove many of those tasks, allowing you to heal in peace.
The office of Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. has secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of our car accident clients. We have the experience necessary to investigate your accident and build a strong case to secure a settlement that benefits you and your loved ones.
Recovery has costs. It often takes time, teamwork, and a ton of mental and emotional energy for people to feel themselves again after a car accident. For those who’ve been severely injured, recovery likely requires professional medical help, changes to employment, and other monetary costs. One call to our law firm can improve all aspects of your recovery, by providing peace of mind, accomplishing tasks on your behalf, and securing the financial settlement you need. Reach out to Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann today at (205) 322-8880 for representation.
We may go to court, but you don’t have to.
Most car accident lawsuits can be settled out-of-court in pre-trial negotiations. Sometimes settlements are reached during trial (usually for sums larger than the pre-trial offers), and in other instances, it’s up to a judge to finally decide what’s fair.
If you prefer a quick settlement over a trial, we will always work to serve your interests above all else. However, when cases do go to court, you may not always have to be in attendance—your attorneys show up for you. Trials may take a little longer, but they often open up more compensation opportunities (as when a judge decides to punish the negligent party—those fees may be awarded to you in the form of punitive damages).
In most instances, you have a period of two years to file a lawsuit after the date of a car accident. Once this filing deadline closes, you may not be able to bring legal action anymore. Thus, it’s important that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you or a loved one have been in a car accident, especially since this timeline varies state-to-state.
In Alabama, where Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann is headquartered, the deadline for filing is two years.
Minor car accident claims can be settled in a week, but the more complex the crash, or the more support needed for your injuries, the longer it may take—sometimes months or even years.
While the law usually provides a two-year window for you to file a personal injury claim related to a car accident, your bills and costs begin piling up right away. As soon as your vehicle is hit, you may be out of transportation, out of a job if you can’t get there without a car, in the hospital, or in the horrible circumstance of having to bury a loved one. Time is not on your side.
Hiring a car accident lawyer right away allows us to keep up on top of your deadlines, and provides you with as speedy a settlement as possible.
You should not agree to anything without first consulting with your own attorney.
If your property damage and injuries are minor enough, small claims can sometimes be handled between individuals and insurance companies. However, if your injuries worsen, and you’ve accepted a low-ball amount from an insurance company looking to cut costs, the financial burden is then left to you.
It costs nothing to reach out to Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann at (205) 322-8880 for a free consultation, and it could help you skip over many avoidable pitfalls. Let our years of experience save you critical time after a crash.
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