Mobile, AL Car Accident Lawyer

Mobile, AL Car Accident Lawyer

Have you recently been involved in an auto accident? Call a Mobile car accident lawyer at Lattof & Lattof, P.C. at (251) 432-6691 for a free consultation. You may be entitled to recover damages. Our personal injury attorneys will get you the compensation that you deserve.

Since 1952, we have helped Mobile, AL residents and people throughout Alabama get the money they deserve after being injured in a car accident. Contact our law office today to get started.

Mobile, AL Car Accident Statistics

Mobile is one of the busiest cities in Alabama. So, it’s no surprise that, between residents, commuters, commercial activity, and guests, the city’s roads see a lot of traffic.

Unfortunately, not everyone who drives in and through Mobile uses the degree of care they should.

Motor vehicle accidents, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and truck accidents, are all too common.

In 2022, there were a total of 14,214 car accidents in Mobile County, Alabama. That’s, on average, 39 car accidents every single day. Statistics reveal that a staggering 76 percent of these accidents occurred in urban parts of the county, like the city of Mobile.

A good percentage of car accidents in Mobile result in injury or death.

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, out of all of the accidents in Mobile County in 2022:

  • 2,963 resulted in an injury, and
  • 75 were fatal.
  • Almost 1/3 of the fatal deaths in Mobile County were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Over 20% of all crashes in Mobile cause some type of physical harm or death. 

Statewide, the number of new crashes increased 14% from 2013 through 2022.

By 2019, the state saw a traffic accident every 3 minutes and 18 seconds. At least 930 people lost their lives in those collisions. And, according to the Alabama DOT, there were roughly 50 injuries for every car accident fatality – meaning roughly 46,500 people got suffered non-fatal injuries in collisions that year, too.  

These Are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Mobile, Alabama

Traffic accidents can happen anywhere in Mobile. There are, however, certain parts of the city that tend to be more dangerous than others.

The following roads and intersections in Mobile see a lot of car accidents:

  • Airport Boulevard and University Boulevard
  • Airport Boulevard and Azalea Road/McGregor Road
  • Cottage Hill Road and University Boulevard
  • Airport Boulevard and Hillcrest Road
  • Airport Boulevard and Cody Road
  • Cottage Hill Road and Hillcrest Road
  • Azalea Road and Cottage Hill Road

Can you guarantee that you won’t get into an accident if you avoid these stretches of road in Mobile? No, but you can decrease the likelihood of a crash. Even if you have to drive through these parts of the city, you can exercise some extra caution behind the wheel.

Why Do I Need a Mobile, AL Auto Accident Attorney If I’ve Been Involved in a Car Crash?

Why Do I Need a Mobile, AL Auto Accident Attorney If I’ve Been Involved in a Car Crash?

When someone else is responsible for causing an auto accident and turning your life upside down, they have to be held fully accountable.

However, don’t expect at-fault parties or insurance companies to volunteer to pay you for your injuries and suffering.

In order to get the money you deserve, you’ll have to put up a fight and be forceful in your demands. Having an experienced Mobile personal injury lawyer on your side can make a world of difference.

At Lattof & Lattof, P.C., our attorneys have more than 100 collective years of experience advocating on behalf of car accident victims in Mobile.

Our family firm is dedicated to giving injured members of our Mobile, AL community a voice against powerful insurance companies. We know just how much is riding on your injury claim and what you’re up against. Our track record demonstrates that we also know how to win. 

When you need help after a crash in Mobile, we will go above and beyond as we fight to get the money you deserve.

You can expect us to:

  • Be available to discuss your case and address your concerns whenever you need us
  • Listen carefully to your side of the story, using the information you relay to us as the foundation of your case
  • Conduct an exhaustive investigation into your car accident in Mobile, carefully considering the crash from all possible angles
  • Determine all possible causes of your collision and, in turn, identify liable parties
  • Seek compensation from anyone who contributed to your wreck
  • Bring in experts to aid us as we investigate, build, and value your case
  • Defend you if and when insurance companies attempt to blame you for the crash, and
  • Handle all paperwork, communication, and negotiations with interested parties.

Our legal team will work diligently to negotiate a swift and significant settlement on your behalf. Insurance companies know that we don’t have the patience for games. If our clients don’t receive a fair offer, insurers know that our trial lawyers will not hesitate to bring the fight before a judge and jury.

This can be a huge asset for you from the start. The only way insurers can avoid a trial is by offering a huge settlement. 

To get started and learn more, all you have to do is reach out to our law firm in Mobile, AL. Your first consultation is 100 percent free, so call today.

Alabama Has At-Fault Insurance Rules

Following an accident in Mobile, AL, insurance benefits will typically be the primary source of compensation for crash victims. The state has fault insurance rules, which means that the at-fault party’s insurance company will be on the hook for damages. 

So, if you are injured in a crash due to the negligence of another driver, you can submit a claim to recover benefits from their insurance policy. In Alabama, anyone who owns and registers a car must purchase car insurance coverage.

Policies must provide coverage for at least:

  • $250,000/$500,000 in Bodily Injury Protection, and
  • $25,000 in Property Damage Liability.

Insurance companies in Alabama are also required to offer Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage. However, drivers can decline to add this type of coverage to their policy, though doing so is not recommended. Alabama has a particularly high rate of uninsured drivers on the road.

When you submit a claim, you can recover amounts up to the at-fault driver’s policy limits. If your damages exceed what an insurance company will pay, you can seek additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Mobile?

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Mobile?

Car accidents happen every day in Alabama. These wrecks can and do happen for a lot of different reasons.

However, there are some factors that tend to play a role in a lot of these collisions. Here’s a breakdown of some of the leading causes of car accidents in Mobile.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving involves much more than texting or talking on the phone. Distracted driving occurs whenever a driver takes their hands off of the wheel, diverts their gaze from the road, or allows their mind to wander. In any form, distracted driving is dangerous. This is particularly true when the distracted driver is young.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, 10 percent of all fatal accidents in 2016 involved a distracted teenage driver.

Speeding

Drivers who speed are more likely to lose control of their vehicles. When speeding, drivers have less time to react and come to a complete stop when traffic patterns change. Mobile has speed limits for a reason. Ignoring them – by traveling too fast or too slow – contributes to accidents every day.

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the risk of getting into a crash. Unfortunately, drunk driving is all too common. Nationwide, there are more than one million drunk driving arrests every year. Not everyone who drives drunk is arrested before they cause an accident. Roughly 30 people die in drunk driving accidents every day.

Failure to Yield

Drivers have to be aware of the rules of the road in Mobile. That includes knowing which lanes of traffic and which vehicles have the right of way. However, statistics indicate that many drivers don’t know or just don’t care. Failure to yield is one of the most common causes of non-fatal crashes in the state.

Driving At Night

You’re much more likely to get into an auto accident in Mobile if you’re driving after dark. Why? You’re more likely to share the road with drunk and fatigued drivers at this time. It’s more difficult to see – especially if you or others are driving dark vehicles. Driving at night is so dangerous, in fact, that nearly half of all fatal crashes occur after the sun goes down.

Racing Through Intersections

Roughly 2 out of every 5 car accidents happen at an intersection. It’s easy to understand why – intersections are where cars traveling in different directions cross paths. It’s where cars are most likely to meet bicyclists and pedestrians. There’s just a lot going on. When drivers approach an intersection, it’s important to do so carefully. However, some drivers speed up and drive aggressively in an effort to beat a red or yellow light. Accidents aren’t always far behind.

Vehicle Defects

Drivers aren’t always responsible for causing accidents.

There are times when defective vehicles or equipment can play a role. When brakes fail or airbags deploy spontaneously, accidents can and do happen.

In these cases, the company that designed, manufactured, and/or sold the defective vehicle could be held financially accountable for the consequences.

Dangerous Roads

When you drive in Mobile, you expect that the roads will be in good condition. And, the city has to work hard to make that a reality. However, sometimes potholes aren’t fixed or dangerously designed intersections are ignored. When a dangerous condition or hazard contributes to a car accident, the government agency responsible for that condition can be on the hook for damages.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a crash in Mobile, Alabama? If so, contact the experienced and compassionate team at Lattof & Lattof, P.C., for help. We’ll get to the bottom of what happened and help you fight to get the money you deserve.

Who Is Responsible For My Injuries After a Mobile Car Wreck?

Following a car accident in Mobile, you can potentially seek compensation from anyone who contributed to the wreck.

This might include:

The only way to determine liability is by figuring out what caused your accident in the first place. Our qualified car accident lawyers in Mobile will conduct an exhaustive investigation to find the answer. We’ll work with experts – including accident reconstructionists, engineers, forensic specialists, and former law enforcement officers – to gather the evidence and information we need to understand what happened. Once we’ve determined the cause(s), we can know who to blame. 

What Happens If I’m Blamed For My Car Accident or Injuries?

Alabama is a contributory negligence state. This means that sharing any responsibility for your accident or injuries will bar you from recovering compensation. So, be prepared for defendants in your case to argue that your own negligence somehow played a role in the crash or your resulting injuries. 

For example, let’s say you were recently rear-ended at a busy intersection in Mobile. The driver who slammed into the back of your car argues that you share some of the responsibility for the accident because you were texting and didn’t notice that the light had turned green.

They even have surveillance footage from a nearby convenience store to support their accusation. Since your negligence contributed to the crash, you’ll be barred from recovering compensation.

Note that you can be prohibited from recovering compensation in situations where your negligence contributes to or exacerbates your injuries. For instance, let’s say you weren’t texting at the time of your car accident. However, you weren’t wearing a seat belt. That fact can stand between you and your ability to recover compensation.

You have a lawful duty to buckle up and limit the likelihood that you’ll sustain injuries. By not wearing your safety belt, you put yourself in harm’s way. A defendant in your case will absolutely attempt to use that to prevent you from recovering damages for your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Alabama?

It can take time to get back on your feet after a car accident in Mobile, AL. However, do not put off filing a personal injury case and demanding compensation from at-fault parties or insurance companies. State law limits the amount of time you have to assert your rights and file a claim.

In most cases, the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Alabama is two years. That means you’ll have up to two years from the date of your crash to file a claim and request compensation. 

Tolling the Statute of Limitations

There are circumstances that could potentially give you more time to file a claim.

This could be true if:

  • You were a minor at the time of the accident
  • You didn’t discover your injury right away, despite reasonable efforts, or
  • The defendant in your case is missing or can’t be located.

These are factors that could allow the statute of limitations to toll – or pause – for a period of time.

Claims Involving the Government Subject to an Accelerated Timeline

You can’t usually sue the government if you get hurt. However, governmental immunity can be waived when an injury is the result of a dangerous road condition or hazard. If the government agency in charge of the roads – or one of its employees – knows or should know about a hazard and doesn’t take steps to fix it, it can be liable for resulting harm. 

When you want to sue the government after a car accident in Mobile, you’ll have to do so quickly. Alabama law requires that all claims against municipalities are filed within six months of an accident. If the city denies your claim, then you’ll have additional time to file a civil lawsuit in court.

The clock begins to tick the moment you get hurt in an accident in Mobile. You will lose the right to recover compensation if you don’t file your claim on time. Things are tough enough after an accident without the added stress of a lawsuit. So, the best course of action is to ask for help as soon as you can. Lattof & Lattof, P.C., is ready and willing to help you fight to get the money you deserve. Call today to learn more.

What Compensation is Available to Mobile Car Accident Victims?

Car accidents are expensive. According to the average economic cost of an evident car accident injury is roughly $27,800.

For a disabling injury, the average cost is more than $96,000. A fatal crash will cost, on average, $1,659,000.

There are just averages and don’t even take into account the intangible consequences of a collision, such as pain and suffering. 

If someone else caused you to get hurt, you cannot and should not be forced to take on these financial burdens. The at-fault party and/or their insurance provider must be forced to take responsibility and pay. Lattof & Lattof, P.C., will advocate tirelessly on your behalf to make that happen. We’ll aggressively pursue all damages that are available to you under Alabama state law.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are paid to reimburse you for the verifiable financial costs and expenses that arise from your accident.

These damages are commonly awarded to compensate for:

  • Medical expenses, including ambulance transportation, hospitalization, surgery, medication, and medical equipment
  • Property damage
  • Lost income and wages
  • Temporary and/or permanent disability
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Rehabilitation, and
  • Nursing care.

These damages can be awarded for both present and future costs. By recovering economic damages, you should be made financially whole.

Non-Economic Damages

Not every consequence of a car accident comes with a receipt. Some consequences and injuries are intangible.

However, just because you can’t necessarily touch or physically feel them doesn’t mean that they’re any less impactful.

In fact, many times, it’s these subjective and personal injuries that have the longest lasting and most devastating effects. 

Non-economic damages are often awarded to car accident victims to compensate for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD
  • Disfigurement
  • Scarring
  • Loss of consortium, and
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

Since these types of injuries are so intimate and personal, they are incredibly difficult to value in terms of money. So, it’s not uncommon for the value of non-economic awards to vary significantly from one case (and one victim) to another.

Valuing Non-Economic Damages

In Alabama, insurance companies typically calculate non-economic awards by using a multiplier. Very simply, a factor between 1 and 5 is applied to the value of a victim’s economic award. The more severe the injuries and suffering, the higher the factor.

For a car accident where suffering was rather minimal, insurers might apply a factor of 1. That means the value of non-economic damages would equal the value of your economic award. So, if economic damages totaled $20,000, your entire award would total $40,000. 

For a car accident where suffering was extreme – perhaps in situations where you became paralyzed or lost a limb – insurers might apply a factor of 5. So, if your economic damages totaled $200,000, your total take-home award would equal $1.2 million.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are different because they’re awarded for one sole purpose – to punish the defendant for their actions. So, these damages are only applicable in a small percentage of personal injury matters. A defendant’s conduct must have been so reprehensible that a court believes that punishment is warranted. 

In Alabama, punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of any compensatory damages or $500,000, whichever is greater. However, there is a hard cap of $1.5 million.

We Handle All Car Accident Cases in Mobile

At Lattof & Lattof, P.C., our attorneys have spent decades standing up for and fighting on behalf of car accident victims in Mobile.

If you’ve recently been involved in a crash, let us put our more than 100 years of combined experience to work for you.

We represent clients who have been injured in all types of car accidents in Mobile, including:

We can also help to recover compensation if you’ve sustained airbag injuries or seatbelt injuries in a crash. Give us a quick call or reach out to us online to learn more today.

Common Car Accident Injuries

When you get hurt in a car accident in Mobile, the consequences can be catastrophic. Even a relatively minor injury can generate a great deal of pain and suffering and end up costing you a lot of money.

So, there’s a lot riding on your personal injury claim for damages.

You can trust that Lattof & Lattof, P.C., will work night and day to help you recover maximum compensation for all of your car accident injuries.

We handle cases involving:

Don’t underestimate what your car accident injury case is worth. Don’t allow insurance companies to bully you, manipulate you, or scare you into accepting less money than you deserve. Call Lattof & Lattof, P.C., and let our skilled Alabama car accident lawyers fight to secure every last dollar you deserve.

Our team will enlist the aid of experts as we value your case. We’ll rely on the professional insight of medical doctors, psychologists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and anyone else who might be able to shed some light on your case.

We’ll use the information they provide to really understand your injuries and how your accident might affect your life – today and in the future. By investing this time, we’ll be positioned to negotiate a huge settlement or win a substantial verdict for you at trial.

What is My Car Accident Case Worth?

Every car accident is different. Crash victims are different, too. So, every car accident case is unique. What your particular case is worth will ultimately depend on the specific details of your case. Here are some factors that can influence the value of your case:

  • How severe are your injuries?
  • What do your medical bills look like?
  • Will you require medical treatment for the foreseeable future?
  • Will your injury impair your ability to work?
  • Do you think you’ll ever be able to work in the same capacity again?
  • Will you require assistance to complete everyday tasks, such as showering, eating, or driving?
  • How has the trauma of the accident affected you? 
  • Do you experience chronic pain?
  • How badly was your property damaged in your accident? Will it have to be repaired or replaced? What will that cost?

The more severe your injuries and suffering, the more your case is probably worth. The only way to know for sure and put yourself in a position to maximize your recovery is to enlist the help of a qualified car accident lawyer. Lattof & Lattof, P.C., is here to help. All you have to do is give our law firm in Mobile a call to get started.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Mobile, AL?

You might not think that the decisions you make or the actions you take after a car accident are all that important. However, nothing could be further from the truth. What you do after an accident can have massive impacts on your health, well-being, and ability to recover compensation. So, keep these things in mind after a wreck in Mobile.

Stop and Stay

Always remain at the scene of an accident that results in property damage, injury, or death. Never leave, unless you are going directly to a hospital to obtain medical care. Leaving the scene of an accident without checking on others and exchanging insurance information is against the law. And, it can make getting compensation for your injuries next-to-impossible.

Report the Accident

Call the local police in Mobile or dial 911 to report the crash. An officer will be sent to the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation. If anyone was injured, an ambulance can also be dispatched. When the officer arrives, they’ll ask questions and document the details of the crash in an accident report. This report can be critically important in the future. i=It might contain information that tends to be forgotten over time, such as what the weather or traffic conditions were like at the time of the crash. Your attorney can rely on the details in the report during an independent investigation.

Don’t Apologize or Admit Fault

While you might feel compelled to apologize, don’t. Alabama is a strict contributory negligence state. An apology will absolutely be used against you down the line. Don’t feel uncomfortable about keeping quiet. In reality, you don’t really know what happened. You only experienced the crash from your limited perspective. The only way to know what caused your accident – and who is at fault – is by waiting until it’s been investigated from top to bottom.

Seek Medical Attention

Go to the doctor and seek medical treatment, even if you don’t think your injuries are severe. A car accident is a traumatic event. Your body goes through a lot. You may have sustained internal injuries that pose a serious threat to your health and well-being.

Left untreated, you might experience potentially life-threatening complications. Getting medical help right away can help to keep you safe.

Your visit to the doctor will also be important if you decide to pursue compensation. That’s because you’ll have to prove that your injuries are a result of your accident. The medical record generated by your visit can be used to establish that causal link.

Refuse to Provide a Recorded Statement

Insurance adjusters will attempt to get you to provide a statement on the record. Don’t, unless and until you’ve consulted with an attorney. Adjusters are simply searching for a way to get you to say something that can be taken out of context and/or used to deny your claim for damages. They’re not on your side. 

Don’t Engage With Insurance Companies

Here’s the thing. Insurance companies are for-profit entities. They are interested in one thing and one thing only – making money. They don’t make money when they approve insurance claims and pay crash victims like you. So, insurers will go to great lengths to deny responsibility or minimize payouts. If fault is clear, an insurer might attempt to contact you with a settlement offer not long after a crash.

They know you need the money and are banking on the fact that you’ll be eager to get cash in your hands as soon as you can. However, these early offers are typically for way less than cases are worth. If you accept, you’ll likely be asked to sign a waiver and give up the right to pursue additional money in the future. That’s true, regardless of what your case ends up being worth. So, accepting money now could do more harm than good.

Contact a Mobile Personal Injury Lawyer

The best way to increase the odds of a successful financial recovery after a car accident is by turning to an attorney for help. At Lattof & Lattof, P.C., our lawyers will handle all aspects of your legal case. We’ll handle at-fault parties and insurers. We’ll keep you in the loop, but we’ll do the heavy lifting. This way, insurance companies have to play by the rules and you get the time you need to recover. 

Call Our Mobile, AL Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation

Has your life been turned upside down because of a car accident in Mobile, AL? Whether you’ve been injured or lost someone you love in a fatal crash, Lattof & Lattof, P.C., is here to provide legal advice, guidance, and assistance.

Contact our Mobile, AL law offices to find out how we can help you fight to maximize your financial recovery. We offer a free initial case evaluation, so connect with our firm online or give us a call to get started today.

Mobile, AL Car Accident Testimonial

Mobile AL Car Accident Lawyer Review

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Highly rated Auto Repair Shops in Mobile, AL

  1. R & R Automotive
    3255 Moffett Rd
    Mobile, AL 36607
  2. Crowell Automotive
    1530C W I-65 Service Rd
    Mobile, AL 36693
  3. Brakes For Less
    3108 Moffett Rd
    Mobile, AL 36607
  4. Rester’s Auto
    7850 Zeigler Blvd
    Mobile, AL 36608
  5. Franklin Automotive
    575 Snow Rd S
    Mobile, AL 36608

*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest rated auto repair shops on Yelp.