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Being involved in a car accident in Mobile, Alabama can be expensive for the victims involved. Not only does a car accident victim suffer physical and possibly mental injuries that keep him or her out of work, but there are also piling medical bills and property damage that must be paid for. If you or someone you know is facing serious injury and extensive property damage to your vehicle, know that Alabama is an at-fault state. Simply put, Alabama law requires the at-fault driver’s insurance company to pay for costs of economic and non-economic damages suffered by the other party as a result of the collision.
Mistakes to Avoid
Contrary to popular belief, successfully obtaining full and fair compensation for injuries suffered from the individual or entity who caused the underlying accident can be difficult. This is because the insurance company will likely not want to offer an accident victim a fair deal. Additionally, there may be several legal issues that must be overcome in order to succeed. Below are the top five mistakes that could hurt your car accident case that you should avoid:
- Failing to gather evidence at the crash site: whether it is photos of the damage, pictures of your injuries, video of the accident scene, the names and contact information of witnesses, or other information, be sure to gather evidence. Failing to do so will make it that much harder to win your case.
- Not seeking immediate medical attention: after first contacting 9-1-1, be sure to get medical help for others who are hurt and for yourself. Do both even if the accident does not seem so serious. What may seem like a minor injury now can have more serious symptoms later.
- Not keeping proper documentation: because whoever is found to be at fault for damages will be financially responsible, you need to be able to account for all economic losses suffered. Keep records of all medical bills and costs, keep track of days missed at work, and note repairs of property damage relating to the car accident.
- Speaking with the insurance company before a lawyer: while the claims representative may be nice to you, he or she is not your friend. In fact, insurance companies are for-profit entities who report to owners and shareholders. The insurer may trick you into saying things against your interest by getting you to admit fault or convince you to settle the case for much less than it is worth.
- Omitting information to your attorney: the car accident lawyer handling your case should know everything – the good, the bad, and the ugly – regarding your case. The reason is twofold: first, virtually all communications between you and your attorney are confidential and privileged; second, he or she will only have the opportunity to minimize any problems associated with your case if aware of them.
Our Attorneys Can Help
The list above is just five of the most common mistakes to avoid that can cause you to lose your Mobile car accident case. Car accident claims can be complicated. Do not try to handle this on your own. Instead, contact the experienced Mobile Alabama car accident attorneys at Stevenson Klotz today.