What is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Alabama

Car accident claims in Alabama typically end in insurance settlements or trial judgments. In a trial, a judge or jury decides the outcome. In a settlement, the parties reach a voluntary, binding agreement. Most car accident cases end in settlements for the sake of time and cost.

Because each automobile accident case has variable factors, listing an average car accident settlement is difficult. Payouts depend on the severity of the injuries, the auto insurance policy limits, and how many people are involved. One of the most critical factors affecting the value of a car accident is fault.

One common thread in car accident settlements is that people who hire a lawyer usually recover more compensation. At Gartlan Injury Law, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for crash victims through settlements and trial verdicts. While those results do not guarantee future outcomes, they show you can trust our dedicated Alabama car accident lawyer to fight on your behalf for maximum compensation.

How Are Car Accident Settlements Calculated?

The primary elements that insurance companies look at when calculating car accident settlements are the losses from the crash. Generally speaking, the more severe your injuries are, the higher your medical expenses are, and the more compensation you can demand.

The types of losses that personal injury lawyers commonly seek on behalf of car accident victims include:

• Current medical bills and future medical expenses related to the collision
• Lost income while you heal
• Reduced future earnings due to an accident-related injury or disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life due to your injuries or a disability
• The cost to repair or replace your car and other damaged property.

When you work with Gartlan Injury Law, an experienced car accident attorney can help you determine your losses after a car crash and the amount of compensation to seek.

What Factors Can Affect the Settlement Payout Amounts?

Many factors could affect your potential settlement in a motor vehicle accident. Those factors include the following:

• Severity of your injuries – More severe injuries can lead to higher settlement amounts because they require more medical treatment (which can be expensive), longer recovery times, and greater disruption of your daily life and ability to work. Insurance companies are more likely to dispute auto accident claims involving severe injuries because the financial stakes are higher. Insurers want to protect their bottom line and pay the lowest amount possible to settle personal injury claims. You need a skilled attorney to push back against insurers’ attempts to reduce or deny your claim.
• Quality of the evidence – Strong evidence, including medical records, witness statements, dash cam videos, and photos of your injuries, can support your claim and prompt the insurance company to offer fair compensation. Weak evidence makes it easier for insurers to minimize or dismiss your claim.
• Auto insurance policy limits – Insurance companies won’t pay more than the policy’s coverage limits. If your losses exceed what the at-fault driver’s insurance can pay, that can limit your recovery unless you sue the at-fault party.
• Liability – Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. That means the law may bar you from receiving compensation if you played any role in causing the crash. Insurance companies often try to blame the accident victims so they can avoid paying fair compensation. A skilled car accident lawyer can fight these tactics.
• Whether there are multiple claimants – If several people suffer injuries in the same auto accident, they may all seek payouts from the same insurance policy. When that happens, the available compensation may be divided among the accident victims, resulting in a reduced amount for each.
• Your attorney’s experience – An experienced personal injury attorney can gather evidence to build a persuasive case and negotiate with insurance adjusters for the highest possible settlement. Without the involvement of a skilled injury lawyer, car accident claims settle frequently for far less than the case is worth.

What Happens If the Insurance Company Refuses to Make a Fair Settlement Offer?

You have two main choices if an insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement. You can accept the offer, close the case, or take your claim to court and let a judge or jury decide. Personal injury trials go through civil court.

Going to trial takes longer, but it provides an opportunity to pursue fair compensation. Filing a lawsuit sometimes prompts the insurance company to reconsider its settlement offer. The insurer may not want to risk a larger payout from a trial. Your attorney can help you weigh the risks and benefits of going to trial, and they can guide you through the process.

How Can Your Settlement Be Affected If You Were Partly Responsible for the Accident?

Under Alabama law, you cannot recover compensation for a car accident if you played any role in causing the crash. So, insurance companies may shift the blame for the crash onto you and try to avoid any liability.

However, if you take your case to trial, it’s up to a judge or jury to determine whether you played a part in causing the accident. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you weigh the potential risks and benefits of a trial and present evidence showing you played no role in the collision.

How Can an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Help with My Settlement?

Hiring a car accident attorney is the best step to improve your chances of pursuing maximum compensation after a collision.

Some ways an Alabama accident lawyer can help with your case include:

• Investigating the accident – Your lawyer will gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements to build a clear picture of how the crash occurred. An attorney can also search for traffic or security footage near the accident scene that may have captured the incident.
• Identifying all sources of compensation – Your car accident lawyer can determine all the parties responsible for the crash. The attorney can review everyone’s insurance policies to ensure you don’t overlook a relevant auto insurance policy.
• Calculating the full value of your claim – A lawyer will add up your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and consider how your injuries may affect your future. All of these losses and expenses may be part of your total losses.
• Handling negotiations – Insurance companies often pressure crash victims to accept lowball settlements. Your lawyer will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and push back against unfair offers.
• Taking the case to court if needed – If the insurer refuses to settle fairly, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit and present your case in court.

Is It Better to Settle or Go to Trial?

It depends on your situation. A settlement is a quicker and typically less expensive alternative to a civil trial. If you have immediate financial needs, the time and stress involved in a trial can make a settlement a preferable option. It provides a guaranteed outcome. A settlement might also be a better option if you don’t have strong evidence to support your claim. Trials have unpredictable consequences.

If you have severe injuries and an insurer won’t agree to a fair settlement, a trial may be the only way to seek the full compensation you need. You might also consider a trial if an insurer tries to blame you for the crash, but you have strong evidence showing you’re not at fault. It’s up to you and your car accident attorney to weigh the pros and cons of a trial and then decide your next steps.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Case in Alabama?

Yes. Under Alabama law, you must file a car accident lawsuit within two years of the crash (in most circumstances). Two years may seem like a long time, but it takes time to develop an injury case. You should give your attorney as much time as possible to gather evidence and build a compelling case to prove you deserve full compensation. Critical evidence can disappear or deteriorate if you wait too long to talk to a lawyer. Please contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after a car wreck to discuss your legal options.

How Long Does a Car Accident Settlement Take?

It depends on the case. Your case might conclude within a few months if you have strong evidence and a capable attorney. However, the claim process can take a year or longer if there are complicated liability issues or your case goes to trial. Ultimately, being patient and letting your lawyer fight for maximum compensation matters most.

Get Help from an Experienced Alabama Car Accident Attorney

Attorney Aaron Gartlan knows you are struggling and facing unexpected expenses if a serious crash has disrupted your life. He is prepared to hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue the money you need to rebuild your life. At Gartlan Injury Law, we take pride in our personalized service. Our legal team will take the time to understand your needs and goals and the insurance policies available to cover your losses.

We handle personal injury lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. So, you will pay no legal fees unless we secure compensation for you. To learn more, contact us today and receive a free case evaluation.

Visit Our Alabama Car Accident Law Offices

Aaron Gartlan

Aaron Gartlan is a graduate of Troy University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law who focuses his practice exclusively on representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others. He is member of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition to his legal practice, Aaron teaches Business Law as an adjunct instructor at Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business and serves as a field artillery sergeant in the Alabama National Guard.