Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions about Car Accidents in Alabama
The following are common questions that car accident victims in Birmingham and throughout Alabama may ask when discussing their cases. The answers are provided for your convenience, but are not intended to take the place of detailed legal advice regarding your particular case.
If you or a loved one has been in an automobile accident, the Belt Law Firm in Birmingham, Alabama invites you to meet our staff, discuss your needs and requirements, and determine how we can help you. Contact our Birmingham car accident attorneys online or call us toll free at 1-888-933-1514 for your free initial consultation.
What should I do if I am involved in a car accident?
If you are involved in a car accident, you should do the following:
1. Report the auto accident to the police and request an ambulance if you think one is needed. If the automobile accident is relatively minor, you may usually move the vehicles out of the line of traffic. If an officer is dispatched, wait in your car for the officer to arrive. It is not advisable to chat with the other driver(s) or bystanders.
2. While you are waiting in your car for the officer to arrive, take notes about the car accident while it is fresh in your mind. Draw a diagram of the accident, write down any observations you may have, write down anything you may have heard anyone say about the auto accident, try to get the names and contact information of any witnesses, and be sure to note any injuries or ill effects you may be feeling. If you have a cell phone with a camera, take pictures of the accident scene.
3. Once the officer arrives, you will probably be asked to give a statement about the car accident and the extent of your injuries. If you are asked what caused the automobile accident, try to be as concise as possible and do not make statements about who was at fault. If you are asked to list your injuries, try to be as complete as possible. The insurance companies will probably have access to this report later, and they can use any statements about fault, or omissions of injuries, against you.
4. Visit a hospital or doctor immediately to determine if your injuries are serious. If at any time after the auto accident you experience an increase in pain or discomfort, see a doctor.
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5. Continue to keep daily notes of any car accident-related difficulties, including less obvious effects such as fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, loss of sleep and anxiety.
6. Do not make statements to representatives of your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company until you have retained a Birmingham car accident attorney. Your car accident lawyer will give you invaluable advice about dealing with insurance companies.
7. If you were injured in an auto accident and have already made statements to the police and the insurance adjuster(s), you should contact a Birmingham auto injury lawyer immediately to assess your case.
I was in an accident, but I don’t know exactly what caused it. How do I know who was at fault?
Fault in a traffic accident can be very obvious. For example, if one driver runs a red light and hits another car, then he is at fault. There are many cases, however, where fault is not as clear. In these cases, a Birmingham automobile accident attorney can help you document who was at fault. Sometimes the officer reporting on the accident will assign fault and even issue a citation. If you obtain a copy of the police report and you are assigned fault, you may still have a case. This report simply represents the officer’s opinion and fault can still be argued in court or negotiated.
My car was rear-ended at a stoplight. Could I be found at fault for the accident?
It is not likely that the driver of the front vehicle in a rear-end collision would be found at fault for an accident. The physical evidence, the damage to the rear end of the first car, and the damage to the front end of the second car, makes it fairly easy to determine what happened. When the car accident is the result of a third car rear-ending the car behind you, then the driver of the third car may be at fault. To discuss the details of your specific case, contact the Birmingham car accident attorneys at the Belt Law Firm today.
A car making a left turn at a green light struck my car. Am I at fault?
Traffic code states that a driver making a left turn, even at a green light, must yield to any oncoming traffic before making the turn. Therefore, in an automobile accident involving a left turn, the driver making the turn is usually at fault. The only exceptions are when the oncoming car is speeding, the oncoming car runs a red light or the turning car began to turn when it was safe, but something happened to make the car stop or slow its turn. Even in these cases, it is best to contact a Birmingham auto accident lawyer in case the other driver tries to claim some mitigating factor contributed to the accident.
What should I do if the other driver’s insurance company wants me to make a recorded statement?
You may be asked to give a recorded statement within 24 hours of an automobile accident. Never give a statement until you have spoken to a Birmingham car accident lawyer because your statement could harm your chances to file a claim for your injuries.
The other insurance company wants me to sign a release before they will pay for the damage to my car. Should I sign it?
Never sign any paperwork such as a release from an insurance company, following an auto accident without first consulting a Birmingham car accident attorney. Many injury victims have unwittingly signed away their right to file a claim before understanding the extent of their injuries.
I had an accident with an uninsured driver. My insurance company has offered to send me a check today, but I am not sure whether I will have more medical bills. What should I do?
You should not agree to any settlement with your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company without consulting a Birmingham accident attorney. The insurance company’s goal is to give you as little money as possible, even if it does not cover all of your expenses related to the accident. An attorney will help you negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you get reimbursed for all of your expenses.
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These answers are provided for the convenience of our clients and are not meant to take the place of our legal advice. The Belt Law Firm cordially invites you to meet our staff to see if we can help you. Contact us online or call us toll free at 1-888-933-1514 for your FREE initial consultation.
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