If you were hurt in a car accident in Alabama, you may be wondering how much your insurance payout or successful lawsuit might be worth. Many people search for “average settlement” amounts in an attempt to better understand their case value. However, there is no good answer to this question.
There is no way to calculate how much an average payout for a car accident might be worth because there are too many factors that influence settlement amounts. Even knowing how similar cases turned out will not help you set realistic expectations in your case.
Your best option to learn how much your case might be worth is to work with an Alabama car accident lawyer to build the most compelling case possible and fight for the money you deserve based on your unique expenses and losses.
No Two Alabama Car Accidents Are the Same
There is no one-size-fits-all payout for Alabama collision cases. Every car accident is unique and so is every settlement or jury trial verdict. Too many factors play a role in determining how much compensation you might receive after suffering injuries in a crash.
Even two similar accidents can result in vastly different settlement amounts. Situations like this can occur because of one distinguishing factor between the two cases, but many crash cases have several factors that set them apart from others. For example:
- Same Accident Type, Different Injuries: Two rear-end crashes could cause dramatically different injuries
- Same Injuries, Different Causes: Two collisions that resulted in broken legs could have occurred in different ways
- Different Accident Type, Same Injuries: One intersection accident that caused neck injuries could involve a commercial truck, while the other involved a passenger car
The goal of any Alabama car accident case is to recover the money the victim lost due to the crash and their injuries. This compensation includes a wide range of expenses and losses, both economic and non-economic. The only way to understand how much a case might be worth is to gather documentation of these recoverable damages. This evidence could include:
- Medical bills and other paperwork to show medical care costs to date, including any related expenses for equipment, therapies, or medical transport
- Income statements and official documents from the employer to show missed work and lost income
- Medical expert testimony to better understand prognosis and future care and support needs
- Receipts to document related expenses
- Relevant medical records to understand the severity of the injury and how it affects everyday life
Factors That Could Affect an Alabama Car Accident Settlement
Many factors work together to determine how much a case might be worth and what compensatory damages a victim might recover. Typically, an Alabama car accident attorney building a case will seek money for a wide range of expenses and losses that occurred because of the crash.
In addition, several elements influence the possible value of a car accident payout in Alabama, including:
Severity of Injuries
The severity of the victim’s injuries is one of the most critical aspects of valuing a case. More serious injuries generally lead to higher settlements. Not only do more serious injuries call for increased medical expenses and pain and suffering, but they also often require seeking compensation for future care and support costs.
Medical Treatment and Expenses
The cost of past and future medical care plays a significant role in calculating damages. This can include any related expenses, too. For example, some victims with serious injuries may require ambulance transportation to the hospital or a medevac airlift to a nearby trauma center. Many car accident victims also require inpatient rehabilitation and continued treatment and therapies for catastrophic injuries.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
If an injury prevents you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income and diminished earning ability. The value of these damages will vary widely depending on your training, education, experience, and income level.
Alabama’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence law. If your actions contributed to the accident in any way, you might be barred from recovering compensation. This is based on common law and supported by case law, including Golden v. McCurry, 392 So. 2d 815 (Ala. 1980). Your personal injury attorney can fight any allegations or attempts to shift blame from the at-fault party onto you.
Insurance Policy Maximums
Under some circumstances, the insurance coverage available could play a role in the payout of a case. Your Alabama car accident lawyer can help you understand if the at-fault driver’s auto liability coverage or your uninsured motorist coverage could limit the money you can recover in your case.
How Can Your Alabama Car Accident Attorney Help Maximize the Payout?
One of the best resources you can have when fighting for compensation after a crash is an Alabama personal injury lawyer. When you have an attorney on your side handling your personal injury claim, you can expect them to:
- Gather crucial evidence to prove fault and liability
- Fight any allegations you were partially at fault for the crash
- Work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries, your prognosis, and any future care needs
- Document your full range of expenses and losses
- Filing a personal injury claim with all liable parties’ insurance companies
- Presenting strong evidence to document the potential settlement value of your case
What If the Insurance Company Refuses to Make a Fair Offer?
Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts after car accidents in Alabama. They may use certain tactics to reduce the value of your case or even deny your claim. You should be aware of this if you are trying to navigate your case on your own.
When you work with an Alabama car accident lawyer, they will take the necessary steps to protect you and pursue a fair settlement offer. This could include:
- Countering any lowball offers and negotiating for a more appropriate settlement
- Ensuring you do not feel pressured into accepting a settlement that does not compensate you fairly
- Preparing and filing a personal injury lawsuit in the appropriate civil court
- Taking your case to trial if necessary to fight for the compensation you deserve
An Alabama car accident attorney will know how to build a compelling case to show fault and liability in your crash. They can use proven negotiation tactics to seek a fair payout for you or take the case to trial when the circumstances call for it.
Speak to an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Having an attorney on your side can help you secure the settlement payout you need for your car accident in Alabama. If you suffered injuries in a car accident, do not settle for less than you deserve. At the Law Office of Dwayne L. Brown, our Alabama car accident attorney can help you get fair compensation.
For 30 years, we have helped injury victims get the compensation they need to recover. As you can see from our case results, we know how to navigate car accident cases. We can handle your case and seek a settlement payout for your Alabama car accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.
