Moulton Car Accident Lawyers

Have you been injured in a Moulton or Lawrence County, Alabama, car accident caused by someone else’s negligence? If you’ve been in a car accident in Huntsville, Alabama, the moments right after the crash can be very overwhelming. The days and weeks that follow are likely to be stressful and confusing. Bills start piling up, and dealing with the insurance company can be frustrating. After a car accident, you probably have a lot of questions running through your mind. We have all the answers. Are you searching for the best car accident attorneys near you? Are you looking for the best Moulton car accident lawyer (abogado) you can hire? When you have been seriously injured in a Lawrence County car accident, you need to call the top-rated Moulton car accident attorneys. serious accident victims call when they have been injured. Randy W. Ferguson is Moulton’s premier personal injury lawyer. We offer no obligation, FREE CONSULTATIONS.  Home and hospital visits are available if you are unable to come to our Decatur office. Call 256-350-7200. We are here to help you.

If you’ve been in a car accident in Moulton, Alabama, it can be overwhelming. The days and weeks after the accident can be stressful and confusing. Bills are piling up, and the insurance company is giving you the runaround. Handling a car accident case effectively requires a thorough investigation. This includes preserving physical evidence and promptly contacting witnesses. Taking photos of the accident scene and any injuries is important. It’s also helpful to have medical, accident reconstruction, and vocational rehabilitation experts to support your case. Since insurance companies have their resources, it’s essential to have an experienced personal injury legal team to protect and advocate for your rights.

Types of Moulton, AL, Car Accidents

There are several different types of motor vehicle accidents you could be involved in in Alabama.  We have represented injured parties in all of the following types of car accidents:

• Hit-and-run accident: Alabama law mandates that drivers involved in a traffic accident must remove their vehicle from the road if possible, provide their contact information to the other drivers involved, and offer aid to anyone who is injured. Hit-and-run drivers may face criminal penalties upon being caught. However, if they are not caught, the victim of an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver may require the services of a Huntsville car accident lawyer to seek compensation from their insurance policy.
• Rideshare accidents: If you are injured in a collision while traveling in an Uber or Lyft vehicle or hit by a rideshare vehicle, you could be entitled to compensation. Both Uber and Lyft provide up to $1 million in coverage for their drivers.
• Rear-end collisions in which one car is struck by another in the back of the vehicle. Rear-end crashes are the most common type of car accident.
• Head-on collisions, in which the front ends of both vehicles collide, usually cause serious injuries. Head-on crashes are often a result of impaired or distracted driving. Head-on collisions are most common on rural, undivided, two-lane roads. The majority of fatal head-on collisions happen when a vehicle is navigating a curve and accidentally crosses over the center line. Additionally, these collisions can occur if a vehicle goes off the side of the road and overcorrects when trying to get back onto the road, leading them to cross the center line.
• Motorcycle accidents are usually the other driver’s fault and usually cause severe injuries or death.
• Backing-up accidents occur when a negligent driver reverses and the rear end of their vehicle collides with another car or pedestrian.
• Bicycle accidents are often caused by distracted drivers.
• Pedestrian accidents usually involve very serious injuries or death.
• Side impact or T-bone collisions in which one vehicle is struck on either the driver or passenger side of the vehicle.
• Rollover accidents are accidents in which a vehicle flips or rolls over. Often SUVs or trucks.
• A single-vehicle accident in which a car strikes a ditch, car, tree, or other object. Sometimes these accidents are caused by passengers or animals. These crashes often occur after the driver has a medical emergency or if the driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Sideswipe accidents result when the side of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle traveling in a parallel or opposite direction.
• Multi-car pileup in which three or more vehicles are involved in the accident. In multi-car accidents, the typical injuries experienced by those involved can be quite serious. Because emergency response vehicles may have difficulty reaching injured passengers on crowded freeways, injuries sustained in such accidents can be compounded. Survivors of multi-car collisions often suffer from a range of injuries, especially when the accident occurs at high speeds. Even those who initially seem relatively unharmed may end up with injuries due to the cumulative impact of each vehicle involved. Common injuries seen in multi-car accidents include fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord, and neck injuries, as well as internal injuries. These types of accidents can result in a variety of serious injuries, emphasizing the importance of caution and vigilance on the roads. In cases of a multi-car accident, determining responsibility can be quite complex. It is possible that multiple individuals could be at fault, making it challenging to assign blame to a single party. This scenario usually involves the involvement of several insurance companies, each representing their respective clients involved in the accident. Due to the complexity of such incidents, none of the insurance companies may readily accept responsibility on behalf of their clients, further complicating the process of determining liability in a multi-car collision.
• Commercial vehicle accidents in which 18-wheelers and other large vehicles strike other vehicles.

Our firm has handled all types of automobile accidents for over thirty years.

Causes of Moulton Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 35,000 fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year caused by motor vehicle accidents. Thousands are injured each year in car accidents in North Alabama. The number one cause of car accidents in Alabama and the U.S. is distracted driving. Whether a driver is using their phone, GPS, eating, drinking, or talking with other passengers while driving, they are risking their lives, their passengers’ lives, and other drivers’ lives. There are various causes of car crashes, including:

• Driver fatigue: Drowsy driving is also called fatigued driving. It is driving while you are sleepy or tired
• Speeding: Almost 1/3 of all fatal car crashes in the U.S. are caused by excessive speeding. Speed limits in Alabama are similar to those in much of the United States, with a minimum of 15 mph in school zones and a maximum of 70 mph on some interstate highways. The speed limit is highly variable in some areas, so make sure you check the signs. Here are the general speed limits across the state. School zones: 15 mph
  Residential areas: 25 mph
  Non-paved county roads 35 mph
  Highways 45–55 mph
  Roadways with 4 or more lanes at 65 mph
  Interstate highways 70 mph
• Weather and road conditions: fog, ice, floods, snow, and heavy winds create driving hazards and limit visibility for safe driving.
• Driver distractions: driving while focused on any object or activity that takes your attention away from the road. Some common distractions are passengers, cell phones, satellite radio, hands-free devices, and outside distractions.
• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the risk of getting into a car accident. Drunk driving can cause you to become drowsy, have slower reaction times, and lose focus.
• Failure to yield: Failure to yield is one of the most common causes of car accidents in the United States.
• Running red lights and stop signs: People running lights were responsible for 846 deaths in the U.S. in 2018. People often run red lights trying to get through the intersection on a yellow light. They also run lights because they are distracted.
• Disregarding traffic signs: Drivers often do not pay attention to or follow traffic signs.
• Driving too fast for conditions: speeding in rain, snow, or high traffic often causes accidents.
• Failure to stay in your lane: Not keeping your vehicle in your lane can cause accidents. Moving into another traffic lane without properly signaling or checking first to ensure it is clear.
• Failure to watch for motorcycles: Motorcycle accidents are usually caused by drivers not seeing motorcycles in their blind spot or pulling out in front of motorcycles.
• Failure to yield to pedestrians: pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. Drivers frequently do not see pedestrians or fail to slow down for crosswalks.
• Following to close: Rear-end accidents are usually caused by drivers tailgating or following too close.
• Improper passing: Passing in no-passing zones can cause head-on collisions.
• Reckless driving: speeding, drinking and driving, and distracted driving.
• Wrong way driving: Wrong way driving is going the wrong way down a road or interstate. Drunk drivers, the elderly, and people driving on unfamiliar roads often cause wrong-way head-on collisions.
• Texting and driving: The most common distracted driving ace caused by texting and driving.
• Drowsy driving is also called fatigue driving.
• Overweight trucking loads: improperly loaded trucks or overweight trucks cause eighteen-wheeler accidents.
• Defective vehicle parts: Defective brakes or tires often contribute to car accidents.
• Hazardous road conditions—potholes, drop-offs, and other defects—often cause car accidents. You may be able to recover against the construction company or the government agency responsible for maintaining the road.
• Confusing signs: Confusing signs can cause drivers to go the wrong way.
• Unsafe roads: Potholes can cause a driver to lose control, damage a vehicle, and lead to an accident. Things such as roads with limited visibility and the failure to post proper traffic signs can all be contributing factors to severe motor vehicle collisions.
• Construction zones: Many accidents in construction zones are caused by speeding.
• Wet roads: Wet roads reduce your stopping distance and can cause rear-end and head-on collisions.
• Road debris: Items dropped on the roads by vehicles can cause vehicles to lose control or damage their vehicles, thereby causing a car accident.
• Icy or snowy roads: Slick roads can lead to drivers losing control.
• Shoulder drop-offs: Road defects or drop-offs can cause a car to lose control or flip over.
• Aggressive driving: Aggressive driving can manifest in unsafe driving tactics such as tailgating, excessive lane changes, and speeding.
• Driving at night: Nearly half of all fatal accidents happen at night. Oftentimes, drivers are drunk, fatigued, or unable to avoid animals or cars that enter their lane of traffic.

How is the fault determined in a Lawrence County car accident?

Alabama is known as a fault state. Insurance companies, police officers, and lawyers determine fault by doing the following :

• Independent eyewitness testimony
• Video evidence
• Location of damage on the vehicles
• Marks and debris on the roadway
• Injuries to passengers and both parties
• Cell phone text and phone call records
• Drug and alcohol tests
• Police Reports (not admissible in court)
• In-car data systems that show speed and other evidence

Responsible Parties in an Alabama Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident in Moulton, you may be able to recover from one or more of the following:

• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• The driver of your car, if you were a passenger
• Passengers in your car, if you were the driver
• Drivers of other passenger cars on the road
• Motorcyclists
• Truck drivers
• Loaders of trucks
• Trains
• Bus drivers
• Transit companies
• Uber and Lyft drivers
• Employers of at-fault parties
• Vehicle manufacturers
• Bicyclists
• Pedestrians
• Road maintenance or contractors
• Bars or taverns
• Maintenance companies
• Drunk drivers
• Government agencies

What to do After A Moulton, AL, Car Accident

The following steps are meant to explain the process you can take to resolve your claim, but remember that you will need to adjust the process depending on your circumstances. After an accident, you are often confused and unsure of what to say or do. Remember, once you are working with a Moulton car accident attorney, we will be able to handle these steps for you. Always remain at the scene until you can speak with the other party involved if you can. Never admit you were at fault, and do the following:

• Call 911. The law requires you to do certain things after an accident. If you make the call, be sure you do not admit fault for the accident.
• Immediately file an accident report with the police, sheriff, or state trooper if the agency has not done so at the scene. A police report tells what the officer thinks happened in an accident. It tells what the officer saw and learned about the event from the scene, parties, and witnesses. It is the officer’s opinion based on his investigation. It is not admissible in court. You must file a report to protect yourself. You will also need it to talk to your insurance company Police reports are for accidents that happen on public roads, not private property. The driver in the accident must report the accident using the SR-31 form within 30 days. Fill out this form if there was death, injury, or property damage exceeding $500 inflicted. However, if your accident only resulted in property damage of less than $500 in value, you may not be required to call the police. According to Alabama Code 32-10-6, failing to report an accident that resulted in only property damage is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Get the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number, and driver’s license number of any person involved in the car accident. Record names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all witnesses.<
• Obtain photographs of the accident scene, all vehicles involved (before repairing), and any visible injuries to the parties involved, such as cuts, bruises, and scars.
• If you have a dashcam installed by a company like BlackBoxMyCar, recover any footage that documents the accident.
• Do not discuss the accident or your injuries with anyone except your doctor and your attorney.
• Do not consent to a recorded statement or sign any document without first reviewing it with your attorney. Innocent statements made by you attempting to assist an insurance adjuster can easily be misinterpreted and used to deny or minimize your recovery.
• Get medical attention at the scene. Immediately seek medical attention and tell your doctor the nature and extent of your pain and injury and how the injury occurred. The most important thing throughout the entire process is getting appropriate medical care, but the additional benefit is that you will generate significant documentation that will help to prove your pain, suffering, and injuries from the car crash. Make sure that you are in close contact with your doctor. The longer you wait for treatment, the more likely it is that the adjuster will argue you were not hurt very badly or had another accident.  Further, it will be harder for your doctor to relate your injuries to the accident the longer you wait for treatment.
• Track your expenses. If your car is written off in an accident, you may have to fork out a lot for a new car, so looking for a used car may be your best option.
  A strong claim clearly outlines the financial impact of your accident. Keep records of your:
  • All medical bills, including doctor’s visits, surgery and therapy,
  • Future medical bills, including long-term care,
  • mileage driven to all medical providers,
  • rental car expenses,
  • time away from work,
  • and any other expenses your accident has caused.
• Call us immediately so that one of our motor vehicle personal injury lawyers, who focuses on helping injury victims of Alabama car accidents recover the compensation you deserve in a motor vehicle accident, Don’t wait until after you have filed a claim with the insurance company. Insurance companies are looking for any reason to limit your settlement amount. Insurance adjusters are skilled in handling car accident cases and are working on behalf of the insurance company, not you. You deserve a local Alabama personal injury attorney to fight for your best interests.

What are the most common car accident injuries?

More than half of all accidents in Alabama result in an injury to the driver or his or her passengers. If you or a loved one sustains injuries in a car accident in Alabama, you and your loved ones have a right to be compensated for your injuries. Many of the injuries we see include the following:

• Burn injuries
• Catastrophic injuries
• Broken bones: Partial or complete fractures of bones in the upper body, abdomen, limbs, or digits.
• Lacerations
• Bruising
• Whiplash  caused by jerking motions that affect the neck, shoulders, and upper back includes:
  • Extreme neck pain: Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs in car accidents and is characterized by the sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck. This can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, impacting the individual’s daily activities and quality of life.
  • Strong headaches
  • Damage to the diaphragm: A crucial muscle for breathing, can occur in car accidents due to blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Diaphragm injuries can impair respiratory function and may necessitate surgical intervention for proper management.
  • Injuries to the abdomen: This can involve damage to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys. These injuries can result in internal bleeding, organ dysfunction, and potentially life-threatening complications if not promptly treated.
  • Tingling or numbness that moves into the arms or hands
  • Loss of balance or coordination
  • Instability in the neck
  • Concussions
  • Spinal issues
  • Mental health issues, including depression, insomnia, increased irritability, or behavioral changes
• Concussion
• Eye injury
• Seatbelt injuries: Seat belts can fail in accidents, or if not fastened correctly, can partially restrain the body and cause injuries such as spinal fractures, herniated discs, whiplash, and other soft tissue injuries.
• Chest injury: Chest injuries in car accidents can range from broken ribs and lung contusions to more serious conditions like cardiac trauma. These injuries can affect breathing, circulation, and overall cardiac function, requiring prompt medical evaluation.
• Degloving injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Traumatic brain injury damages the brain and changes how the brain functions. In a car accident, injuries to the brain can occur due to sudden impact or trauma to the head. These injuries may range from minor concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries, affecting cognitive functions and overall brain health.
• Amputations
• Paralysis: These injuries can result in chronic pain, mobility issues, and potential long-term complications.
• Wrongful death
• Soft tissue injuries
• Hip injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Strained ligaments
• Back muscle sprains
• Scrapes and Cuts
• Contusions
• Broken ribs and bones (clavicle, hip, pelvis, and leg fractures), broken arms, wrists, ankles, and feet, and crush injuries can also occur in car crashes.
• Internal injuries/bleeding: blood loss and injuries inside the body that are not visible from the outside. Punctured lungs from a broken rib, collapsed lung, ruptured liver or spleen, kidney injury, and internal bleeding.
• Jaw injuries
• Loss of teeth
• Neck injuries
• Crushed larynx
• Crushed trachea
• Broken neck
• Pelvic injuries
• Penetration injuries
• Brain injuries: Head injuries sustained from car accidents can lead to severe trauma such as hematomas, which can cause bleeding on the brain, skull fractures, and other serious injuries. It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately after an accident to assess the extent of any head injuries and receive the necessary treatment

Damages You Can Recover

An individual who negligently operates a motor vehicle may be liable for a wide variety of damages that an accident can cause, including but not limited to the following:

• Disability and Disfigurement
• Loss of Consortium (spouse)
• Medical Bills
• Lost Wages
• Mental and Emotional Distress
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and Suffering
• Property Damage

How much money can I recover?

The amount of money you can recover in a car accident depends on several different factors, including the following:

• Cost of your medical treatment
• Wages you lost because of the accident
• Pain and suffering
• How severe are your injuries?
• Future medicals
• Impairment
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Insurance of the liable party
• Your own uninsured/underinsured insurance
• Subrogation

Dealing with Car Insurance Companies

Most people in Alabama pay high premiums for automobile insurance, medical insurance, and homeowners insurance. In Alabama, all drivers are required to be insured. That means when somebody is injured in a car accident, there should be sufficient insurance to cover their injuries. Unfortunately, many people do not have insurance, and insurance companies are difficult or unwilling to pay what a case is worth after an accident. These insurance companies make billions of dollars and try to deny as many cases as they can or pay as little as possible to settle claims. When you retain our firm, we will make sure the insurance company pays you the compensation you deserve.

Here are some of the reasons why car insurance companies deny claims: 

• The policyholder was at fault for the accident. This is the most common reason for a denied claim. If the insurance company determines that the policyholder was more than 50% at fault for the accident, they may deny the claim altogether.
• The policyholder did not have the right coverage. If the policyholder did not have the right type of coverage for the type of accident that occurred, their claim may be denied. For example, if the policyholder only had liability coverage, they would not be covered for damages to their car.
• The policyholder did not report the accident promptly. Insurance companies require policyholders to report accidents as soon as possible. If the policyholder waits too long to report the accident, the insurance company may deny the claim.
• The policyholder provided false or misleading information. If the insurance company believes that the policyholder lied about the accident or their injuries, they may deny the claim.
• The policyholder’s injuries were pre-existing. If the insurance company determines that the policyholder’s injuries were pre-existing, they may deny the claim for medical expenses.
• The policyholder has exhausted their coverage limits. If the policyholder’s claim exceeds their coverage limits, the insurance company may deny the claim.

How to Get an Alabama Motor Vehicle Crash Report

There are a few different ways to get an accident report after a car wreck in Alabama.  The easiest way is to download the crash report for $15 on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s website. According to Alabama Code 32-10-7, the police must turn in their report within 24 hours after completing the investigation of the car accident. The accident report may take up to 10 business days after the day of the accident for it to be available online. You must provide your name, your driver’s license number, or your accident report number to access your crash report. You will also need to use your email and your debit or credit card to pay the fees and obtain them.  The crash report will then be sent to your email within 48 hours. You can also call  ALEA at (334) 242-4241 to request and pay for the report by phone.  Lastly, you can go to a driver’s license reinstatement office to request and pay in person. If you have problems, call the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at (334) 242-4241. You can also go to an ALEA Driver License Office to purchase a crash report at any of the locations in Alabama.

Alabama Car Insurance

If you are injured in a car crash in Alabama due to the negligence of another driver, you can file a claim against the negligent party’s insurance company. In Alabama, anyone who owns and registers a car must purchase car insurance coverage, although many don’t have insurance or cancel it after getting their tags. Policies: Alabama must provide coverage for at least:

• $25,000/$50,000 in Bodily Injury Protection, and
• $25,000 in property damage liability.

Insurance companies in Alabama are also required to offer uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Drivers can decline the coverage in writing if they choose. Uninsured/Underinsured is the most important insurance you can buy to protect yourself from uninsured or underinsured drivers. It is cheap to purchase and may be the difference between getting fair compensation or getting nothing. Alabama is known for having a lot of uninsured drivers. In Alabama, you can also stack the coverage of up to three vehicles on a single policy, or unlimited if on separate policies.

What do car accident attorneys near Moulton, AL, charge?

We are dedicated to providing comprehensive assistance to individuals involved in car accidents. Through our years of experience and compassionate approach, we guide clients through the complexities of car accident cases. We will help secure the necessary compensation to cover medical expenses and offer support to clients and their families during the recovery process. Our focus on client care ensures that individuals receive the necessary help to move forward after a car accident and rebuild their lives effectively. Have you been injured in a car accident and need help from an experienced car accident attorney? Our experienced Alabama car accident lawyers are here to provide you with a free, no-obligation case consultation at your convenience Deciding to hire a car accident lawyer is an important choice that takes careful consideration. If you need a car accident lawyer in Huntsville, AL, call or email us today. Our consultations are free. We can visit you or your loved one at a hospital, residence, or workplace. Some car accident lawyers, due to their lack of skill or resources, may not pursue all claims and compensation available to you. If you have been a victim of a car accident, do not hesitate to call our skilled and experienced car accident attorneys in Huntsville, AL, for a free assessment of your situation. Call now at 256-350-7200 or 256-534-3435.

Huntsville office location:
303 Williams Avenue SW
Suite 321
Huntsville, AL 35801