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Bence Law Firm LLC
Phenix City Personal Injury Lawyer | Bence Law Firm
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After being hurt in an Alabama car accident, you must file a claim with an insurance company to seek the compensation for your injuries and other losses. For victims who have never been in a crash before, the claims process is unfamiliar territory. Knowing what to do — and what not to do — is very important to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
The good news is that you don’t have to figure out these things alone. An experienced car accident attorney from Bence Law Firm LLC can help file your claim to filing a personal injury claim and dealing with any obstacles that may arise along the way. Call today to learn how to file a car accident claim in Phenix City.
You can start protecting your legal rights the moment after a crash occurs. The following steps can be helpful:
If you were critically injured in the wreck, don’t worry if these steps weren’t taken. Bence Law Firm is staffed by a talented legal team that can investigate the wreck and collect the evidence needed to support your motor vehicle crash claim in Phenix City. Your priority should be your health and recovery. We can handle the rest.
Every state has a time limit to file a car accident claim. In Alabama, you have two years from the date of the car accident to bring a claim against a negligent driver. Failure to file before the deadline could bar you from receiving compensation forever.
Many accident victims do not take action right away because they think that two years is a long time. But it’s really not. Before filing a claim, a lawyer must conduct an investigation, collect evidence, review medical records, and build a strong argument for the compensation that accident victims deserve.
An attorney will also need time to evaluate when the best time to file a claim will be. With catastrophic injuries, the ultimate outcome for a victim may not be known for months. Your lawyer will want to wait for you to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) first. This is the point at which your doctor believes that you have recovered as much as can reasonably be expected given the nature of your injuries.
Alabama requires all motorists in the state to carry auto insurance. The minimum requirements in Alabama are known as 25/50/25.
This coverage allows accident victims to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s important to note that you can only collect compensation up to the policy limits. The costs for medical care and lost wages can easily exceed the minimum amount for people who are seriously injured. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help you explore whether there are other avenues for compensation after a wreck.
Many accident victims are hesitant to file a car accident claim because they don’t want to go to court. This is understandable. No one wants to recall the trauma of a car accident, especially while they are trying to recover from serious injuries.
Fortunately, the vast majority of Alabama car accident claims settle out of court. Settlement negotiations take place between you, your lawyer and the insurance company of the at-fault party. Typically, a fair settlement can be reached during these negotiations. That means that you will not have to go to court.
However, there are times when an agreement cannot be reached. In those circumstances, your lawyer may recommend taking the case to trial. There are risks and benefits of a trial, so you should always have a detailed discussion with your car accident attorney before making a decision.
There might also be a reason to pursue trial if the at-fault driver’s policy limits do not adequately cover your losses. For example, the lifetime costs for someone with a brain injury or spinal cord injury can number in the millions. To seek additional compensation, you may be able to file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver.
You are not required to hire a lawyer to handle your car accident claim. However, Bence Law Firm highly recommends that you do.
Attorneys have specific skills and training that can be critical assets in order to maximize your claim for compensation, such as:
If you have been in a car accident in Alabama, our car crash attorneys can support you through every step of the claims process. Contact us online to arrange a free consultation and learn how to file a car accident claim in Phenix City.