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Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Mobile, AL? 

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If you were recently involved in a serious car accident, you might hear one recurring piece of advice: “Hire an attorney.” Working with an experienced car accident lawyer is often a good idea, especially if your case is complex. But not every car accident claim requires an attorney’s assistance. 

If you’re asking, “Do I need a lawyer after a car accident?” this guide can help you know when an attorney might be helpful for your case. If you’re still unsure, request a consultation with a car accident attorney in Mobile, AL, to discuss your claim and learn how they can assist you. 

Signs You Need an Attorney After a Car Accident

Hiring legal representation after a car accident may help you manage a complex legal process with greater clarity. If any of the following are true, you might benefit from hiring an attorney to assist with your personal injury claim. 

The Accident Involved Severe Injuries or Fatalities

Serious car accidents, such as ones involving impaired driving, often lead to life-altering injuries and even fatalities. If your accident left you or a loved one with severe injuries, you’re likely facing a large, complicated claim. You might find it difficult to manage a legal claim while recovering from serious injuries. 

An attorney can provide necessary support, guidance, and representation while you focus on recovering from your injuries. They can counter any aggressive tactics from the insurance company and help you navigate a complex injury claim. 

The Insurance Company Is Not Cooperating

Insurance companies may want to balance paying out your claim with protecting their own financial interests. This means they might not offer to pay out what you believe your claim to be worth. Alternatively, they might reject your claim altogether if you do not have enough evidence in their eyes. 

If the insurance company is being uncooperative, an attorney can help you strengthen your claim and resist their tactics. 

You Are Facing Steep Medical Bills and Expenses

Serious car accidents often lead to steep medical bills and other expenses. While your health insurance might cover some of these medical expenses, you will likely be subject to copays and deductibles. You may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault driver for expenses resulting from the accident. 

However, the insurance company might provide you with a payout offer that does not fully cover your expenses. An experienced attorney can help you present evidence showcasing the value of your claim and negotiate a higher offer. If the insurer still fails to provide a sufficient payout, your attorney can discuss litigation with you and detail your other options. 

There Are Disputes Over Liability 

The insurance company usually makes a fault determination based on the evidence it receives from all parties involved in the accident. This determination details who was responsible for the accident and, thus, who is liable for financial damages. 

Alabama follows a contributory negligence rule, stating that if a plaintiff is found to be even 1% responsible for their own injuries, they may be ineligible for a compensation claim. As such, the insurer’s fault determination plays a critical role in your opportunity to secure compensation after the accident through this insurance claims process before a lawsuit is filed.

Your attorney may help you provide evidence to clarify your role in the accident and challenge any incorrect fault assessments. 

Times When You Might Not Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Claim 

Do you need a lawyer after a car accident? There are a few instances in which an attorney may not be necessary: 

  • Your accident did not involve injuries: If no one was injured in your accident, your insurance claim may be relatively straightforward, and you may not need an attorney to help you navigate the process.
  • The insurance company is cooperating: If the insurance company has offered you sufficient funds to account for your monetary losses after the accident, you might not need an attorney. However, a car accident lawyer can help you understand what types of compensation may be available to you and avoid accepting an insufficient offer. 
  • The damage was minor: If the damage to your vehicle was relatively minor, you might not need an attorney to assist with settlement negotiations or provide other legal guidance. 

If you are ever unsure whether you need an attorney, consider scheduling a free consultation with one. They can explain more about their services and guide you in the right direction. 

How Can a Car Accident Attorney Assist You? 

If you are wondering whether you need a lawyer after a car accident, understanding the types of assistance an attorney can provide might aid your decision. These are a few of the ways a car accident attorney can assist: 

  • Gather evidence to support your claim: Your attorney can explore several avenues for collecting evidence to help you strengthen your accident claim. 
  • Speak with other parties on your behalf: They can speak with the insurance company, the negligent party, and other parties to help you avoid making a mistake during communications that could negatively affect your case. 
  • Explain complex liability laws: Attorneys understand Alabama’s liability laws, contributory negligence doctrine, and all other relevant statutes and may help you apply these laws to your case. 
  • Avoid mistakes that could compromise your case: With an attorney providing legal advice and guidance, you can avoid mistakes that might negatively impact your car accident case. 
  • Represent you in court: In the event that your car accident lawsuit proceeds to trial, your attorney will represent you in court. 

Schedule a Consultation With Jackson & Foster Law

Jackson & Foster Law provides legal guidance and support to accident victims across Mobile, AL. If you are wondering whether you need a lawyer after a car accident, our attorneys can provide an initial consultation to discuss the details of your case and explore how we can assist you. We also may be able to advise you on whether hiring an attorney might not be necessary. 

Contact us today at 251-433-6699 to schedule your free consultation, then learn more about car accident settlements and how they work for accident cases. 

How To Respond to a Low Settlement Offer in Mobile, AL

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If you have been injured in an accident, you know how life-changing it can be. Medical care is often prohibitively expensive, from hospital fees and doctor’s visits to rehabilitative services. Sometimes, injuries prevent you from working, resulting in lost wages. 

Ideally, a settlement offer from an insurance company should mitigate this financial strain. However, you may receive a low settlement offer that doesn’t cover the extent of the expenses. If you don’t know how to respond to a low settlement offer, a personal injury lawyer in Mobile, AL, can help support you. Call Jackson & Foster to learn more today.

Personal Injury and Settlements

Personal injury lawsuits focus on the physical and mental suffering endured by a person due to someone else’s action or negligence. If this sounds like your scenario, you may be able to pursue a claim from the other party’s insurance. Examples of personal injury include:

  • Car accidents
  • Construction accidents
  • Product defects
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Medical malpractice
  • Animal attacks and bites

Often, an injured person will seek a personal injury settlement from the other party to cover the costs associated with the injury. This usually means dealing with insurance companies; for example, homeowner’s insurance may cover dog bites that occur on someone’s home property, while auto insurance typically covers injuries resulting from car accidents.

Unfortunately, an insurance company may try to cover as little as possible. Many injured people receive a lowball settlement offer from an insurance company after they file a claim. This can be very discouraging and frustrating, but there are steps you can take to advocate for a more comprehensive settlement that will cover the extent of your injuries.

Steps To Take After a Low Offer

If you get a low offer, it is crucial to remain calm. It may be tempting to respond from an emotional place, especially if you do not know how to respond to a low settlement offer. However, we recommend taking your time, being careful, and, if necessary, contacting an experienced legal team for help. 

Carefully Read the Offer

Once you are sure you can respond thoughtfully and calmly, carefully read the notice from the insurance company. Many personal injury cases are complicated, so look at every detail of their offer. You may find that for some expenses, their offer is reasonable and fair, but not for others. Clarifying what you object to ensures you spend your time productively. 

Understanding the insurance company’s offer also puts you in a good position to negotiate — arguing effectively against something you don’t understand is hard.

Determine the Value

Before making a counteroffer, take a good look at all the expenses you have incurred due to your injury. Documenting and determining the value of any damages you have suffered will help you be clear and precise. You probably have economic and non-economic damages; you can determine the value of both.

Economic Damages

Economic damages encompass all financial expenses and are typically easy to value with receipts. Bills from doctor’s visits can help prove the expenses associated with your injury. You can ask your employer for a letter that documents the financial cost of any time you had to take off due to an injury, including lost wages and any sick or vacation time you had to use to recover.

Non-Economic Damages

Some expenses won’t have receipts in the same way a doctor’s bill will. One example is “pain and suffering.” If you suffered a lot of physical pain from an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Medical records that detail the extent of your injuries can help prove these damages.

Make a Counteroffer

It is in your best interest to document your counteroffer in writing and send it to the insurance claims adjuster. Be as factual as you can, avoiding emotional language. Explain why you are rejecting the settlement offer and what you will accept instead.

Making a counteroffer does not guarantee receiving what you ask for, though it does clarify your position. It also allows you to refute the insurance company’s offer point by point. 

Wait Until You Have Recovered

Our team recommends waiting until you recover from your injury before beginning settlement negotiations. The recovery process often comes with unexpected setbacks; your initial injury may have caused a domino effect, resulting in several injuries that all need treatment. Waiting until you have a complete picture of your injuries allows you to make an informed counteroffer.

Contact a Lawyer

A personal injury lawyer has experience dealing with insurance companies and negotiating settlements. Contacting an experienced lawyer gives you peace of mind and saves time, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery.

Reach Out Today

Responding to low settlement offers can be stressful, but the difference a fair injury settlement offer can make in your financial security and recovery cannot be understated. Deciding when to hire a personal injury lawyer hinges on whether you might benefit from the extra peace of mind a professional can offer.

If you are still unsure about how to respond to a low settlement offer, given the specifics of your case and situation, a professional personal injury attorney can help. Call Jackson & Foster to learn more about how our team can help you. Our legal team will patiently explain your rights, answer any questions you might have about the legal process, and walk you through the steps should you decide to move forward.

What Happens After a Deposition in a Car Accident Case in Alabama?

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Car accident victims usually seek compensation through a standard insurance claim process, but sometimes, settlement negotiations fall through. If this happens, your Alabama car accident attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf. 

Personal injury cases will then proceed to the pre-trial discovery phase, which includes deposition, a type of formal out-of-court hearing. Find out what you should expect during this stage and what happens after a deposition in a car accident case.

What Is a Deposition?

A deposition is an official court hearing in the early stages of a lawsuit. Car accident depositions take place out of court and include giving testimony under oath. You, the other motorist involved in the collision, and available witnesses will give an account of what happened during the accident, including any possible violations of traffic rules or car safety practices.

Both sides’ attorneys will question the people giving testimony. This process helps lawyers understand how the accident happened, evaluate the reliability of witness testimonies, and estimate the extent of the damages. Depending on the case, deposition may conclude in a single hearing or spread out over multiple sessions that take a few days.

Your attorney will prepare you for the deposition and let you know what you can expect. They may advise you how to respond to certain questions the other side’s lawyer is likely to ask, and how to avoid making statements that may harm your case. 

What To Expect After a Deposition

What happens after a deposition in a car accident case may depend on how the hearing went and whether the other side is willing to offer a reasonable settlement.

Reviewing the Deposition Transcript

Within a couple of weeks, both sides will receive a transcript of the deposition hearing based on a verbatim recording by the court reporter. You and your attorney may review the transcript for accuracy. Let your attorney know whether you notice any mistakes or contradictions in the transcript.

Your attorney will evaluate how the deposition may affect the outcome of your lawsuit. If the lawyer determines your case needs another witness, they may call for an additional deposition.

Medical Examinations After Deposition

The defendant’s lawyer may request you to undergo a medical exam that confirms any accident-related injuries. You’d need to visit a doctor the liable insurer chooses. 

Settlement Negotiations

Settlement negotiations during the litigation process may include formal mediation. Mediation usually takes place once both sides have reviewed the information collected during discovery, including everyone’s deposition testimonies. Once this happens, both parties have a better understanding of their case and its likely outcome.

At this point, the liable insurance company may come up with a settlement offer. Your attorney will evaluate the offer and help you understand whether it reflects your claim’s worth. If the offer is reasonable, you may choose to accept it, and then your case will settle without a trial. You will collect a settlement, the case will close, and you won’t be able to make any future claims based on this accident. 

Should You Accept a Settlement or Go to Trial?

Going to trial with a car accident lawsuit always involves risk. The outcome can be unpredictable, meaning you could win a larger award than expected or walk away with nothing.

Usually, it’s in everybody’s interests to resolve the case before trial. Settling is more secure and means you’ll receive your payout more quickly, which is important when shouldering high upfront medical costs while unable to work. 

If the other side refuses to come up with a fair settlement offer and your attorney believes you have a solid case, you may choose to go to trial. Your lawyer will help you weigh the risks and benefits of settling versus going to trial, but the decision will ultimately be yours. 

What Happens During a Trial

If you decide to take your case to trial, your lawyer will help you prepare for testifying in the courtroom. Other people who may give testimony include witnesses who had seen the car crash and expert witnesses like medical professionals and accident reconstructionists. The other side’s lawyer may use your deposition to verify your statements. 

After hearing both sides, the court will issue a verdict and, if you win, determine your award. 

While only a small percentage of car accident lawsuits end in trial, you should choose a lawyer with a solid courtroom track record. You’ll have a better chance of resolving your case successfully when the other side knows your attorney is prepared to fight for you at trial. 

How Soon Does a Car Accident Case Settle?

If your case is relatively straightforward and the negotiations go smoothly, you may be able to reach a settlement within a few weeks of your deposition hearing. More complex cases could take a few months or longer. Your personal injury lawyer can give you a time estimate based on their experience in similar cases.

Jackson & Foster: Helping Car Accident Victims Seek Justice in Mobile, AL

No one wants to be counted among the car accident statistics in Mobile, AL, but when the unexpected happens, you need a trusted legal team to advocate for your rights. Contact us at Jackson & Foster to learn what to do after an accident, what happens after a deposition in a car accident case, and how our skilled lawyers can help you claim compensation for your damages.

Call 251-433-6699 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation today.