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If you sustained injuries after a crash, a Birmingham car accident lawyer can help you pursue justice and fair financial compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

You may be entitled to compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more.

If you need a car accident lawyer, Birmingham offers many potential options.

At the Fob James Law Firm, our experienced personal injury attorneys provide a highly personalized approach to legal representation.

We take the time to listen, understand your needs, and document your claim as thoroughly as possible.

We aggressively pursue a resolution to your case and the maximum possible settlement for you.

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Recent Car Accident Jury Verdict

THE CASE: Successful in obtaining a $40,000.00 jury verdict for a client that suffered whiplash after a car accident. The crash happened when the Defendant pulled out in front of Fob’s client on a residential road. The client starting treating with a chiropractor around 30 days after the crash for about five weeks. The insurance company fought liability and argued Fob’s client was not hurt due to the “gap in treatment”. At trial, Fob did not put medical bills into evidence and tried the case on pain and suffering.

CASE RESULT: A Montgomery County jury awarded $40,000.00 in pain and suffering.

Why Our Birmingham Car Accident Lawyers Are The Top Choice

The responsibility that comes with representing individuals is real and important but I wouldn’t trade it for anything—representing individuals is what I want to do the rest of my life.”

Fob James, Car Accident Attorney
  • We take fewer cases than other personal injury law firms in Alabama so we can provide the utmost care to your situation
  • 50+ years of experience advocating for victims of injuries, our attorneys know what it takes to obtain a higher settlement
  • We never charge fees up front, and if we do not win your case you owe us nothing
  • We are not afraid to take your case to trial
  • We’ve got your back and carry a 5-star rating on Google from helping those in Birmingham.

We are aggressive and passionate accident-injury advocates that work to get the most out of your case. At Fob James Law Firm, we are helping those in Birmingham and around the state of Alabama.

Why Do You Need a Birmingham Car Accident Attorney?

Although you are not legally compelled to have representation, having a car accident attorney on your side provides a host of benefits and advantages for injury accident victims.

When you choose a Birmingham car accident attorney from the Fob James Law Firm, we put our extensive network of resources to work immediately.

We take the time to listen and provide the answers and information you need.

When you work with us, these are just a few of the benefits you will experience.

Investigating and Documenting Your Claim

When you trust our Birmingham car accident attorneys to handle your case, we put our investigators and other resources to work.

We gather documentation and evidence to prove fault and establish liability for your damages.

Representing Your Best Interests

We represent you in all interactions with the insurance company, other attorneys, and any other parties that may be involved.

We handle everything from beginning to end, allowing you to focus on your healing and recovery.

Fighting for Your Future

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could be facing a long fight to get your life back on track. You will need all the help and resources you can get.

We understand that recovering the best possible settlement will give you peace of mind and allow you to get the care and treatment you need.

The Alabama statute of limitations for personal injury is two years.

If you fail to take legal action within that time, you could lose the right to pursue a claim for compensation.

Contact a Birmingham car accident lawyer at the Fob James Law Firm as soon as possible after a motor vehicle accident.

This allows us the best opportunity to protect your legal rights and preserve your right to recover compensation.

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More Car Accident Results We Have Obtained

THE CASE: Attorney Fob James, IV represented a couple severely injured in a car crash on Highway 431 in Russell County, AL. The crash occurred at night when Fob’s client collided into a trailer that did not have functioning tail lights. The insurance carrier said Fob’s client should have avoided the crash. Fob filed a lawsuit arguing the other driver was primarily at fault because his client did not have adequate time to avoid colliding with the rear of the trailer. In other words, once his clients’ headlights illuminated the rear of the black trailer, it was too late to swerve out of the way. After conducting accident reconstruction, Fob’s expert was able to show that Fob’s client could not avoid the crash.

CASE RESULT: The insurance carriers tendered policy limits of $1.1 million dollars.

Top Questions About Car Accidents in Birmingham, AL

At the Fob James Law Firm, we work every day to help personal injury victims.

If you were injured in an accident you didn’t cause, you likely have many questions—and you deserve answers.

Our Birmingham car accident lawyers can give you the answers and information you need.

Meanwhile, these are some of the most common questions that injury accident victims ask us.

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How Do Attorneys Establish Liability for a Car Accident?

Our investigators analyze the documentation and evidence in your case to identify fault and liability.

The basis of any personal injury claim requires that we demonstrate the following elements.

Duty of care

The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care. This means they had an obligation to act in a reasonable manner so as to protect you from unwarranted harm.

Breach of duty

The at-fault party breached their duty of care and, due to their careless or negligent actions, subjected you to unnecessary harm.

Causation

By breaching their duty of care, the at-fault party caused your accident and resulting injuries, making that party liable for your economic and non-economic damages.

Damages

Your attorney will document the damages that you suffered after the car accident using copies of medical bills, W-2s, and other supporting documentation as necessary.

Every injury accident case and the victim is unique.

An experienced personal injury attorney will customize their approach and legal strategy to seek the best possible outcome for you.

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How Is The Value Of Car Accident Damages Calculated?

When pursuing a personal injury settlement, victims typically have the right to recover physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Our team will document your losses to support the full value of your claim. You may have the right to recover compensation for:

  • Current medical care and treatment,
  • Future medical treatment, 
  • Current lost income and benefits, 
  • Future lost income,
  • Pain and suffering,
  • Emotional trauma,
  • Diminished earning capacity, and
  • Diminished quality of life.

Your car accident lawyer will also consider any permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability you suffered when calculating the value of your claim.

If you lost a loved one after they sustained injuries in a Birmingham car accident, the Fob James Law Firm can assist you with a wrongful death action. Contact our office today to learn more.

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What Is The Average Car Accident Settlement In Alabama?

As the victim of a serious injury accident, you face a long road back to health and wellbeing.

The details of your case are as unique as you and your car accident injuries.

Because there is no such thing as an average motor vehicle accident or an average victim, it’s impossible to identify an average value for an Alabama car accident.

The value of car accident cases depends on many different factors, not just damages for injuries. For example, juries in Birmingham, AL tend to award more money than juries in other parts of the state like Shelby County. We call this venue.

Other non-injury related factors that may impact the value of your case include:

  • The likability of the plaintiff versus likability of the defendant
  • Who is the defendant? Juries generally award more against company defendants than individuals
  • Severity of the crash
  • Luck of the draw with jury selection (not all juries are created equal)
  • The defendant’s conduct – if conduct was wanton, a jury could award punitive damages
  • Amount of available insurance coverage

Merely speculating, we estimate that the average car accident settlement in Alabama is likely around $20,000 to $25,000.

Generally speaking, below is a range of car accident settlement values. Again, every case is different so take these figures with a grain of salt:

Severity of Crash and InjuryCase Value Range
Level 1 – Minor Injury$5,000 – $20,000
Level 2 – Medium Injury$25,000 – $150,000
Level 3 – Significant Injury$150,000 – $750,000
Level 4 – Catastrophic Injury or Death$750,000 +

Of course, the only way to truly identify what your settlement value might be is to consult a car accident lawyer in Birmingham.

An attorney can evaluate the details of your case and provide you with a more accurate estimate of your claim’s potential value.

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How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident in Alabama?

In theory, there is no limit to the amount of damages you can sue for. The two main types of damages are compensatory and punitive. Although punitive damages are capped, compensatory damages are not.

Types of compensatory damages are listed in section How Is The Value of Car Accident Damages Calculated. Basically, compensatory damages are whatever a jury says they are.

Punitive damages are not available in every case. They are intended to deter bad conduct from happening in society.

Under Alabama law, punitive damages cannot exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages or $1.5 million, whichever is greater.

For example, if compensatory damages are $1 million dollars, the punitive damages would be capped at $3 million dollars.

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How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer In Birmingham, AL Cost?

At the Fob James Law Firm, we understand that you’re already stretched beyond comprehension, physically, emotionally, and financially.

You’re already worried about how to get the medical treatment you need and how to pay your bills until you can get back to work.

The last thing you need is to be pressed to come up with legal fees.

For these reasons, we accept car accident injury cases on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t pay any legal fees whatsoever until we recover compensation for you.

The standard contigency fee in Alabama is 33% – 40%. If we obtain a settlement before filing a lawsuit, our attorney’s fee is 33% of the total recovery.

If we do not obtain a recovery, you owe us nothing.

We also offer a free consultation, so you can ask questions and get the information you need to make informed decisions about your future.

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Do I Need to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident?

After an accident, it’s critical that you contact the police immediately.

The police will take statements, review the scene, and prepare an official report documenting the incident.

Because this report may become a critical component of your claim, it is necessary to obtain a copy for your records and for your attorney.

The method for obtaining a copy of a police report varies depending on where your accident took place and which law enforcement agency responded to the scene.

Related: How to Read a Birmingham Accident Report

Fortunately, an experienced attorney knows how to obtain a copy of the official report, no matter where in Birmingham or throughout Alabama your accident took place.

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Injured In A Jefferson County, AL Car Accident? We offer free case reviews

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?

Although some victims walk away from a motor vehicle collision unscathed, many others sustain life-threatening or catastrophic injuries.

Some of the most common types of injuries suffered by Birmingham car accident victims include:

  • Lacerations,
  • Contusions,
  • Fractures,
  • Dislocations, 
  • Head injuries,
  • Neck and spinal injuries,
  • Nerve damage,
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI),
  • Internal injuries,
  • Lost digits, and
  • Lost limbs.

Many victims experience permanent scarring or disfigurement. Victims can sustain permanent impairment or disability, requiring long-term care and adaptive assistance.

Coma, paralysis, and para- or quadriplegia are also possible.

You can reduce your risk of being seriously injured in a car accident by always using your vehicle’s seat belts and restraints.

However, in the most serious crashes, a seat belt may not be enough to prevent catastrophic injuries for you and your passengers.

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When Should I Seek Medical Treatment After an Accident?

Even if you do not believe you sustained serious injuries, it is best to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident.

If you had passengers in your vehicle at the time of the collision, each of you should be evaluated by paramedics at the scene. Many accident victims experience shock immediately after a crash.

In this state, victims might not recognize injuries or experience pain as they would normally. 

As soon as possible, you should see your doctor or another medical practitioner. Visit the emergency room or an urgent care facility for a full medical evaluation.

Some types of injuries can go undetected, increasing the potential for further damage. Getting comprehensive treatment as quickly as possible can help speed your recovery.

The medical records from your treatment will also play a critical role in the documentation of your case.

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How Long Do I Have to File My Car Accident Lawsuit? 

Alabama law provides a statute of limitations of two years for most personal injury lawsuits.

A statute of limitations is the deadline set by law for filing your lawsuit. A failure to file within the time-frame bars you from filing later. There are very few exceptions to this requirement.

A Birmingham car accident lawyer keeps track of these deadlines so you don’t miss your opportunity to pursue the compensation you deserve.  

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What Should I Do After a Car Accident Checklist

what to do after a car accident alabama

There are a few things you should do in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. These steps are important to follow, not just to ensure your safety, but also to help ensure that your claim is successful.

The fewer surprises or roadblocks you run into in the process, the better.

Pull Over and Contact the Authorities

If your vehicle is still operable and you are in a safe enough head-space to do so, first move your car to the side of the road.

Next, call 911 to report the accident and to get emergency medical providers to the scene as quickly as possible.

Reporting an accident to the police isn’t just a legal obligation for drivers, it also helps in the claim process. Your accident report is the official record of the wreck.

Thus, you and your lawyer will need to know what’s in it to avoid any unpleasant surprises in the claim process.

Seek Medical Care

Be sure to get checked out at the scene, and go to the emergency room if necessary. Even if you don’t need immediate care, you will want to get a detailed medical evaluation to see if you have any injuries.

Always follow your doctor’s orders so that you recover from your injuries properly. Also, always make sure you get a full report from your doctor on any issues that arise.

Gather Evidence

If you do not require emergency medical care, you should gather as much evidence as possible. Photograph the scene of the accident.

Take pictures of both vehicles, their license plate numbers, and any other damage in the surrounding area. You should also exchange insurance information with the other driver (or drivers). Ask any bystanders if they have a recording of the accident.

More and more people use dashboard cameras these days, so your chances of having a solid recording of the wreck are much higher than they once were.

Contact a Birmingham Car Accident Attorney

Finally, you should contact a car accident lawyer in Birmingham, AL to get a consultation on the next steps you should take.

Whatever you do, you do not want to admit fault to anyone at the scene of the collision or to any insurance company.

Make sure you consult with a Birmingham car accident lawyer before talking to an insurance adjuster.

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Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents We Handle

The Birmingham, AL car accident lawyers of the Fob James Law Firm fight tirelessly for our clients.

We provide compassionate legal representation and fight to recover the compensation you deserve.

Although you can sustain serious or life-threatening injuries in almost any type of motor vehicle collision, some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

We also handle Alabama car accident and injury cases that involve:

  • Defective vehicles and parts,
  • Road construction,
  • Roadway debris,
  • Obstructed views,
  • Poor signage & traffic control,
  • Poor roadway maintenance, and
  • Commercial trucks.

Our personal injury attorneys will assist you with every aspect of your case and handle all the details.

This ensures that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and putting your life back on track.

In most cases, we can negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company before going to court.

However, if filing a lawsuit becomes necessary, we will work to build the most well-documented, persuasive case and fight for you in court.

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Alabama Car Accident Statistics

Alabama car accident statistics
Alabama Accident Statistics
Type of vehicle accidents alabama
Auto fatalities age alabama

The Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS) at the University of Alabama provides comprehensive Alabama car accident data.

In 2023, over 142,000 motor vehicle accidents occurred in our state, resulting in almost 16,500 injuries.

Among those, 3,678 victims suffered incapacitating injuries and 882 people lost their lives.

Drive Safe Alabama also tracks Alabama crash facts.

Some of the most disturbing highlights include:

  • Alabama is ranked #12 out of all 50 states for speeding-related traffic fatalities; 
  • In Alabama, a traffic crash was reported every 207 seconds in 2021;
  • In 2021, a person was injured in a traffic crash every 13 minutes and 27 seconds; and
  • In their lifetime, typical drivers in Alabama have a greater than one-in-three chance of being in a crash involving injury or death.

Practicing safe driving habits and wearing your seatbelt can help you stay as safe as possible on the roadway.

However, no matter how careful you are, you have no control over other motorists.

One distracted or intoxicated driver could cause your life to change forever.

If that happens to you or someone you love, you need a car accident attorney on your side and that you trust.

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Recent Car Accident Case Settlement

THE CASE: Successful in obtaining a $150,000.00 pre-trial settlement for a client that suffered a neck injury that did not require surgery. The injury was caused by a motor vehicle collision when the Defendant pulled out in front of Fob’s client on a busy road. The insurance company initially denied liability and the client’s initial law firm filed suit. When Fob took over the case, the insurance company’s top offer was $20,000.00 and the client had an eighteen month gap in treatment. After the Defendant’s deposition, Fob was able to discover a witness from the 911 call transcript and obtain an affidavit from the witness, who testified the Defendant was clearly at fault. Fob also hired an expert radiologist to compare his client’s MRI and CT scans before the collision with the MRI and CT scans after the collision to prove the collision caused an objection change and herniation in his client’s cervical spine.

CASE RESULT: The insurance company requested meditation shortly before trial. Due to Fob’s work up of the case, the case settled for $150,000.00, which is a large amount for a non-surgical case in Mobile County, Alabama. The client was happy with the result, especially since the insurance company’s initial offer was only $20,000.00.

The 5 Best Car Accident Lawyers in Birmingham, AL (picked by Fob James, IV)

“If my wife or one of my kids were injured in a car accident—and Fob James Law Firm could not handle—who would I hire to represent them? I would hire one of the attorneys listed in this blog.”

— Fob James, IV – Trial Lawyer

While we would be honored to represent you or a family member injured in a car accident, if you do not choose us we want you to have the best representation possible.

For this reason, Fob James, IV selected, who are in his opinion, the best car accident attorneys in Birmingham, AL.

The lawyers on Fob’s list are in their prime and are obtaining record jury verdicts for their clients right now and likely over the next two decades.

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Schedule a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer Near Me in Birmingham, AL

You don’t have to deal with this traumatic situation alone.

Trust the top rated Birmingham car accident attorneys at the Fob James Law Firm to assist you through this challenging time.

We will fight tirelessly for you to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries, trauma, and losses.

Our five star reviews speak for themselves.

We offer a free consultation and case analysis for Alabama car accident victims.

Contact the Fob James Law Firm online or call us to discuss your case with a top rated car accident attorney in Birmingham, AL.

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Birmingham Car Accident Information