Auto Accident FAQ
Mobile, Alabama
What should I do after an auto accident?
If you have been involved in an auto accident in Mobile or anywhere in Alabama, there are a few steps that you can take that will drastically aid your auto accident claim. After your auto accident, be sure to:
- See A Doctor - Even if you feel fine after your auto accident, it is important that you see a doctor and get a medical report of your health. Oftentimes, injuries may become apparent weeks or months after the accident, making it much more difficult to receive the full amount of compensation for your injuries.
- Collect Information - Make sure you obtain as much information about the auto accident and all the people involved as possible. Get the names, driver's license numbers, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers and passengers involved, along with those of any witnesses. Also, make sure you get the license plate number, make and model, vehicle identification number, insurance company, and policy number of all the vehicles involved in the auto accident.
- Contact an Auto Accident Attorney - An experienced auto accident attorney like those at Long & Waite of Mobile, Alabama, will work with the insurance companies and other drivers to help you receive full compensation for your damages.
- Contact the Authorities - Many times, the police report can help you auto accident claim. The police report will show who the police believe to be responsible for the accident.
- Do Not Make Any Admissions - If you have been involved in an auto accident, it is important that you do not admit anything. Many times auto accident victims are confused after the accident and admit fault, even if it is not true. Admitting that you are responsible for the auto accident can severely inhibit your chances of recovering compensation, even if it is shown that you were not at fault.
More information on what to do if you are involved in an accident.
Can I recover compensation even if the accident was partially my fault?
Unfortunately, in Alabama, the rule of contributory negligence applies. This means that even if you are found to be only 1% responsible for your accident, you will not be permitted to recover compensation. This makes it even more crucial that you hire an experienced Alabama auto accident lawyer. Our accident lawyers will work hard to convince the insurance company - and a jury if necessary - that you have absolutely no responsibility for the accident.
Can I handle my auto accident claim without a lawyer?
Your auto accident lawyer will work with the other people involved in the auto accident, insurance companies, medical records, and will handle all legal aspects of your claim. This will alleviate all the work you would normally have to deal with. You may be able to handle your auto accident claim without an auto accident lawyer, but you should know that the insurance companies' own research shows that when a claim is handled by an attorney, the recovery is at least three times more.
If you want to learn more about your rights and the factors that might affect your settlement, call the attorneys in Mobile, Alabama - Long & Waite today to schedule your free consultation. You'll talk to an experienced, knowledgeable attorney-not a paralegal or an assistant.
Click here to contact our Vehicle Accident Attorneys in Mobile and Baldwin County, Alabama today!