Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs) are a large source of frustration, financial liability, and loss. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, picking up the pieces afterward can be challenging. This can include insurance deductibles, hospital trips, time off of work, and even coping with fatalities. Whether you or someone you know has been affected physically or emotionally by such an occurrence, seeking legal representation is a wise choice to receive reparations for what was endured. There are also many resources for both mental and physical side effects experienced, and financial aids for those who have high medical expenses. Regardless of your current situation, there are many means of accessing help. You do not have to undergo this process of recuperation alone.

What to Do if You Cannot Work After an Accident

If you cannot go back to work immediately after your accident, you are able to receive monetary support or compensation for your time off. A personal injury attorney can help guide you through the process of a wage loss claim. Attorneys can advocate for you to get as much as possible on your claim.

• Wage Loss and Car Accidents – For those who are in an accident and are not at fault, this list will teach you how to apply for money deposits from your auto insurance company.
• Disability Allowances – If you become disabled after a collision or accident, you can read about the many FAQ’s here.
• Social Security Disability Benefits – If you cannot work because of a medical condition expected to continue for a year or more, or be lethal, you are sanctioned indefinite disability benefits.

Need help with requesting an official copy of the incident police report?

After being involved in a car accident in Alabama, it’s important for injured victims to maintain a copy of their police report, especially those who are planning to file a claim against negligent parties. Injured victims can visit an Alabama State Police Post and show them some form of photo identification when requesting a copy of the report or our local personal injury attorney can provide one to you free of charge. If you or someone you love was hurt in an Alabama car accident and still need a copy of the police report, we can help you get one. We are here to assist those in need.

How to Request an Incident Report Copy for Your Vehicular Collision

If you are a victim of a collision you can receive a report of the incident through the Alabama DMV or one of their approved partners. By filing the corresponding VIN or License Number you can retrieve an incident report for your records.

Emotional Support

Regardless of whether or not you have obtained physical trauma, most accidents result in emotional afflictions which can last long periods of time. If you need assistance or guidance in coping with the pain a car crash causes, the following links will be of assistance:

• TRAUMA FACILITIES – If you need access to a facility that is well versed in trauma and PTSD, the Alabama region has five local centers across the state that are technically trained in this area of care.
• REGIONAL SPECIALIZED PSYCHOLOGISTS – If you are in need of a specialized psychologist after a traumatizing event, this list will provide you with Alabama regional contacts to explore as you heal. They are also trained in PTSD and the elongated mental effects of collision accidents.

Financial Hardship Assistance

It is a wise choice to seek legal help when navigating the landscape of collision fees. A good lawyer will be able to advise you on what should be paid and what should be brought up in court if necessary.

• RESOURCES BY STATE – Here you will find an index of qualifying attorneys who can help mitigate the legal red tape and red tape you will experience with your insurance.
• ALABAMA COMPENSATION LAW – Alabama’s compensation law covers a variety of expenses for which compensation is paid. The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission provides the only substantial financial compensation to victims for expenses for personal injuries including medical, funeral and counseling bills. This assistance lessens the financial burden on innocent victims of violent crime and serves as a vehicle of hope for the rights of crime victims.
• APPLICATION – If you believe you qualify, you can retrieve an application here.

Source for those affected in the Alabama region – http://www.acvcc.state.al.us

Alabama Car Insurance Coverage Minimums

In 2013, Alabama instated the Mandatory Liability Insurance Law to help define Alabama car insurance regulation. It requires drivers to carry insurance on all auto vehicles driven. The Alabama DMV has a certain regulative minimum in order to operate a vehicle on publically maintained roads. The least amount of coverage you must possess is:

• A $25,000 coverage policy for bodily injury or death per person
• A $50,000 coverage for bodily injury or death per accident
• A $25,000 coverage policy for damage to property

Specific states have different requirements for coverages. This is dependent on state population, accident record percentages, terrain, and climate which can increase the likelihood of a collision. The Alabama DMV has many resources to mitigate the area of insurance coverage here. If you drive in the state, you will be required to produce S22 documentation that you are an insured driver.

Accidents Due to Drunk Driving Drunk Driver

If you are in a collision as a result of an intoxicated driver, there will be harsh implications from the Alabama courts and the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS). According to the Alabama DMV, a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more is driving under the influence, .04% if you are in a commercial vehicle, or .02% or more if you are under the age of 21. For more information, contact the AL DPS. If there is any insinuation of drug use or alcohol consumption, police will administer a blood test or breathalyzer to confirm the suspicion.  Below is a list of resources that can help you find support or legal provision if a drunk or influenced driver is the reason for your accident:

• MADD – This acronym stands for “mothers against drunk driving”, and is an organization of passionate individuals who aid those who are victims of drunk driving. They have established the organization to bring attention to cases of drunk driving and also to prevent underage drinking in teens and young adults. They have a 24-hour helpline for those in crisis or have experienced a drug or alcohol-related collision, it is 877. MADD.HELP.
• GUIDE TO CONVICTIONS – If you are seeking to learn more about the levels of convictions in drug or alcohol-related accidents, this is a resource where you can see the tiers of conviction.
• LAW RESOURCES –This source will explain the conviction process in addition to a list of local Alabama attorneys and fatal accident lawyers available to represent you in court.

ALABAMA VEHICLE AND COLLISION STATISTICS:

Vehicle Population in Alabama The state of Alabama is largely rural, so in comparison to other metropolitan communities, the rate of collisions is lower. There are 2.3 million registered vehicles in the state. However, there are currently 3.94 million individuals who possess a valid driver’s license. The full list of registered drivers nationwide can be found here.

Alabama Collision Statistics

Since 2016, the number of fatal collisions in the state of Alabama has increased by nearly a quarter according to the University of Alabama.  A car crash is reported every 202 seconds in 2016 alone, in accordance to Drive Safe Alabama’s website, and speeding was the primary cause for collisions.

Fatal Car Crashes

• In 2016, 994 of the reported 155,907 collisions were fatal
• Drivers have a 1 in 3 chance of getting in a collision
• Alabama has an over .5% greater likelihood than the national average of getting in a fatal collision

Types of Collision Fatalities

• Hit a fixed object: 456 of 111, 982
• Hit pedestrian: 349 of 17,501
• Overturning: 67 of 641
• Hit parked vehicle: 9 of 7,680
• Hit bicyclist: 2 of 183
• Hit animal: 6 of 61

Alcohol Involvement

Alabama has a higher than average rate of death for drunk driving than the national average. In 2003-2012, the average individual was 40% more likely to get involved in an alcohol-related fatal accident. It has been found that 2 am was the most likely time to get involved in a DUI or a DWI, and especially on a Sunday. More information can be found on Drive Safe Alabama, which is an excellent archive for vehicular crash information.