Being involved in a car accident, whether or not you are injured, is an inconvenient and time-consuming event. It also means that you will have to deal with the insurance company.
One of the main things you should keep in mind, is that you do not have to accept what an insurance company’s adjuster first offers you for damages to your vehicle. In fact, you should take your vehicle to at least two other reputable companies for estimates on what repairs will cost. You can fight the insurance company.
In many states, claims are settled through insurance companies or during a civil lawsuit mediation process. You will be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and loss of wages.
Some states, including Alabama, apply the contributory negligence standard, which means that you won’t be able to recover any money damages if you contributed to the accident.
If you are in an accident, call 911 and exchange information with the other driver. Do not apologize or discuss who may have been at fault in the accident. To recover damages from an accident in which you are not at fault, you have the following options:
– file a claim under your own insurance policy
– file a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy
– file a lawsuit
In the state of Alabama, you have two years in which to file a claim for property damage and personal injury. If you miss the deadline, most courts will deny you the right to sue a party for damages.
If you have legal questions about recovering damages from a car accident, please consult our Online Legal Directory to find an attorney in your area.