Injured in an accident? I’m Morris, and I’m ready to help you now.
You don’t know where to turn or what to do next. I know. This is an incredibly tough time for you, and all you want to do is get back to normal again after your car accident.
After helping over 4,000 clients, I understand this. And I will help you get through this so that you can move on with your life. Why? Because I care.
I work with clients to get them the compensation they need and deserve to help them pay for medical bills while continuing to support themselves and their families while they recover.
Morris Lilienthal is a caring and good-hearted person. I highly recommend him as an attorney. He was there for me and my son in our car accident to the end. He went over and beyond in assisting us. Look no further, if you’re wanting someone you can trust and who truly cares about his clients. Thanks, Morris for all you do.
Unfortunately, while a car accident can be extremely traumatic, in many cases, your troubles are just beginning. If you were seriously injured in a car accident, you may be facing extensive medical procedures—not to mention extensive expenses related to your medical procedures. If your injuries are particularly serious, you could also be facing the inability to return to work.
You may be unable to return to work for a week, several weeks, several months, a year, or even forever. Now, you are not only facing medical expenses you may be unable to pay, you are no longer receiving a regular monthly paycheck because you are unable to work. This means that many of your regular monthly payments—housing, utilities, car expenses, food, etc.—may be going unpaid.
You may feel as though you are facing the aftermath of your accident, including potential financial ruin—all on your own. It can feel very lonely as you try to determine what your next move will be and how you will convince an insurance company to pay you what your claim is worth. If you find yourself in this position, you need a highly-skilled, highly experienced Alabama car accident attorney from Martinson & Beason. We have been helping people just like you since 1937.
We know how desperately you need a fair settlement, and we know how to handle the very toughest auto accident claim. We believe you should be allowed the time to heal from your auto accident while we spend our time gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and fighting for your rights and your future. You may be entitled to the following types of damage from your car accident personal injury claim:
Medical costs, both present and future—Your medical costs may include your payment for the ambulance that transported you to the hospital, payments to your treating physician, payment for any surgical procedure necessary, payments for physical therapies, and prescription drug costs. In some cases, if you must travel a considerable distance to see a specialist, you may also be entitled to reimbursement for your hotel costs, gas costs to and from the specialist, and even meals while you are there. You must keep every receipt related to your medical treatments.
Lost wages, both present and future—If your injures were severe, you may have been unable to return to work. Perhaps you could not return to work for a week or so, several weeks or months, a year, or even permanently. You are entitled not only to lost wages from the time of the accident up to the point of your settlement but also for any expected lost future earnings as well. Your lost future earnings will be based on your education, your age, and how much you were earning prior to your accident.
Payment for permanent injury, disability, or disfigurement—If you suffered scars, burns, or other disfigurements from your accident, these injuries are often permanent. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may find yourself unable to do the work you once did, or even enjoy the recreational activities you once enjoyed. In many of these cases, you may never fully recover from your injuries, and the claim for damages will include these facts.
Pain and Suffering—A traumatic car wreck can leave victims with physical pain, as well as mental issues such as serious PTSD, depression, anxiety, humiliation, anger, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, lack of energy, fear, and loss of enjoyment of life. It is important to speak to your car accident lawyer to determine how the severity of your pain and suffering, and the extent to which it interferes with your daily life could impact your settlement.
What are the Most Common Types of Injuries Associated with Car Accidents?
Due to the number of car accidents that occur each day in the United States, it is likely you or someone close to you will suffer injury from a car collision. In fact, according to a Forbes article, every adult driver will file a claim for a car accident approximately once every 17.9 years. This means, statistically speaking, that you could experience four car accidents during your life. Although your injuries resulting from a car accident will be unique to you and the facts surrounding your wreck, the following are the more common types of car accident injuries:
Broken ribs are a very common type of car accident injury, particularly when you are struck from the side (also known as a “t-bone” accident). There is very little protection for your body when you are struck from the side unless your vehicle has side curtain airbags. In other types of car accidents, if you are traveling at a high rate of speed, and the car that hits you is also traveling at a high rate of speed, the seat belt that protects you from more severe injury could actually be responsible for a broken rib. Broken ribs can be extremely painful, although there is little in the way of treatment, other than rest.
Internal bleeding is so dangerous because it may not always be immediately evident in the same way a broken bone would. If internal bleeding is not detected soon after the collision, the results can be fatal. This is one of the primary reasons you should always seek medical attention, even if you think you are fine. The adrenaline rush experienced during a car accident can mask symptoms of serious injury, so always see a doctor after a car accident.
Whiplash injuries are often not taken as seriously as they should be. Whiplash injuries can be extremely serious, leading to issues with work and daily activities. These serious injuries to the neck can cause an inability to concentrate, chronic headaches, memory loss, pain, and other cognitive difficulties. When whiplash occurs, the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck are torn, as the result of a sudden jerking motion when the cars collide.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur when the head is thrust violently forward, then backward, during a car crash. This violent motion can shake the brain severely, slamming it into the hard skull bones, and causing a closed brain injury. Brain injuries can also occur when the head strikes a hard surface, such as the steering wheel, dash, or glass. In either case, brain injuries can cause weakness, concussions, chronic headaches, motor skill problems, sensory issues, speech difficulties, insomnia, neurological disorders, and much, much more. These issues can last for weeks, months, or a lifetime.
Back, neck, and spinal injuries often occur during a car accident. These injuries can include minor strains and sprains, fractures, or severe spinal injuries that cause paralysis or disc injuries. Just as whiplash can manifest hours, days, or even weeks after a car accident, so too can a back or spinal injury. A serious spinal cord injury can alter a life forever.
Knee trauma can occur when the knees forcefully strike the dashboard, resulting in serious injury and pain to the kneecaps and ligaments. Knee injuries can be complex, causing significant mobility issues.
Facial lacerations occur when the face comes into contact with the glass, the steering wheel, or the dashboard. Not only can injuries to the face cause significant pain, they can also cause psychological issues since our faces are what we present to the world
Scrapes and cuts are among the most common injuries following a car accident. Loose objects in the vehicle may hit you, or any part of your body could come into contact with a hard area of the vehicle. Scrapes and cuts are not only painful, they can expose you to the risk of infection.
Fractures of other bones, including broken arms, hips, shoulders, and legs, are common injuries from car accidents. A car accident places significant force on your body, causing painful bone fractures.
If you happen to get into a car accident, there are specific things you need to do. First, make sure your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved have cleared the road. Find a safe space away from traffic to speak with them. Then, contact the police. Even in a “minor” crash or fender-bender, you will need the authorities there to document any damages and wrongdoing on behalf of the involved parties.
While you wait for an officer to arrive, write down the license plate number of all involved vehicles. Start exchanging information with the other driver(s), including your full name, insurance, address, and phone number. By this time, a responding officer should be there to print out an accident report for you. You should also take pictures of the damage and surrounding environment with a cell phone or camera.
Being involved in a car accident can be life-changing. Regardless of how minimal or severe your injuries or property damage may be, it is important to seek the help of an experienced attorney to obtain justice.
My insurance company wants me to sign a release before they give me the check. Should I sign it?
Many release forms contain a clause that states you are releasing the insurance company from any further payments in the case. If your accident involved only property damage and the payment is sufficient to cover repairs, it may be okay to sign the release. If you were injured, you want to be certain that no hidden injuries exist that might cause issues at a later date. If either case, it might be wise to have a car accident attorney review your situation and the legal document before you sign it.
The driver who caused the accident didn’t have insurance. What do I do?
Your insurance will cover your claim after the deductible and up to the limits you have purchased. If your policy includes uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), this would come into play. Alabama does require insurance companies who sell insurance in Alabama to provide UM/UIM coverage even if you don’t request it unless the named insured signs a written waiver rejecting UM/UIM coverage.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, these terrifying events happen to nearly everyone at some point in their life, and they often cause injuries and death.
The Legal Process After an Alabama Car Accident
If you are the victim of a Huntsville, Alabama car accident, one of the most important decisions you will make is which law firm to choose. It is important that you choose a highly qualified, highly skilled, experienced law firm, such as Martinson & Beason. Once you have an attorney who will be your advocate from beginning to end, you will be able to spend the necessary time healing, while your attorney handles the legal end. While your situation is unique, the legal process will proceed as follows:
First, you will ensure you receive proper medical treatment—it is never a good idea to attempt to settle your claim until you know the full extent of your injuries. You may need to see more than one doctor, possibly a specialist, to determine what it will take to help heal your injuries. Your attorney can help you find the medical treatments you need, so take advantage of that resource.
You will need to file a car accident claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and, possibly, your own insurance company as well, if the at-fault driver had no insurance and your insurance includes Uninsured Motorist coverage and Underinsured Motorist coverage. In some cases, the insurance company may ask for a recorded statement. Never give a recorded statement until you have spoken with your car accident lawyer. Your attorney can review your insurance coverage, determine if you have uninsured or underinsured driver coverage, review the insurance coverage of the other party, and help you find the best place to have your car repaired. Since you will likely need alternate transportation, your attorney can also see if your insurance or the defendant’s insurance will cover a rental car.
Once you secure representation, your car accident lawyer will deal with virtually every issue related to your accident—the insurance companies, other attorneys who might otherwise be causing you stress and anxiety, and even your own health insurance company. Your attorney can collect all your medical records and bills relating to the accident, as well as other accident-related expenses and damages.
Next, once you’ve completed medical treatments, a demand letter will be sent to the defendant’s insurance company which clearly lays out the facts of the claim, including why their insured is liable for the accident, the medical treatments you have undergone and will continue to undergo, the extent of your injuries, any losses associated with your inability to return to work, and any other demands for damages.
Either the insurance company will agree to the demand letter, or there may be a series of back-and-forth letters between your attorney and the insurance company. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit will be filed, and your case will be prepared for trial.
If your claim goes to trial, you can rest easy in the knowledge that not only are the Martinson & Beason attorneys skilled negotiators, they are also aggressive litigators who never hesitate to step into a courtroom and fight for your rights. There will be expert witness testimony, as well as testimony from both sides before a verdict is rendered by the judge or jury.
The nature and duration of your medical treatments will depend on the severity of your injuries. If you have a history of pre-existing injuries, the insurance company will attempt to blame your current symptoms on those pre-existing injuries. While your treatments will be determined by your unique injuries, some of the treatments you may undergo include:
Acupuncture Therapy—If you are in constant pain, but your medical diagnosis includes no recommendation for surgery or fractures, acupuncture might be helpful for you. Not only can acupuncture relieve your pain, but it can also support the repair of injured tissues.
Physical Therapy, particularly for those experiencing chronic headaches, neck or back pain, shoulder pain, or joint pain. Whiplash injuries traditionally respond very well to physical therapy, and it can be helpful for knee injuries as well. Your physical therapy could include massage, heat and cold stimulation, stretching exercises, and the use of resistance bands.
Chiropractic Care—Although some doctors—and insurance companies—tend to have little use for chiropractic care, in fact, visiting a highly-trained chiropractor can help you reach optimal spinal alignment. Chronic headaches may benefit from chiropractic care as can neck pain and upper or lower back pain. In general, it will take multiple visits to reach optimal pain relief.
Nerve Block Injections or Epidural Injections—If you have a damaged spinal disc, a nerve block injection can offer serious relief to inflamed spinal nerves as it blocks nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. An epidural injection can also treat spinal pain; it is injected near the affected nerve, thus decreasing inflammation and pain.
Cervical and Lumbar Fusion—If the neck needs stabilization following an injury, cervical fusion joins selected bones in the neck with either a bone taken from another part of your body or a metal plate. A lumbar fusion is similar to cervical fusion, however, a bone graft can be added to the spine segment, halting the motion in the area of pain.
Myofascial Release—Because trauma from an auto accident can place as much as 2,000 pounds per square inch of pressure on a small area of the body, myofascial release uses gentle, sustained pressure on the connective tissues, which can restore normal range-of-motion, and help eliminate pain.
Traction—Traction can be helpful for specific types of injuries, although it is no longer used as often as it once was. Traction applies force to your spine through the use of pulleys, weights, and/or bodyweight.
Dealing With The Insurance Company After a Car Accident in Alabama
Car crashes are traumatic and can be devastating. If you are a survivor of a car wreck, your injuries will most likely have effects that are far-reaching, in your personal life and the lives of your family members. It may put you out of work for some time, cutting off your source of income. You may have hefty medical bills that you will have to pay. If your car was damaged, you will have repair bills added to the mix. If you have lost a loved one in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, it’s only natural to want justice. Regardless of your situation, you deserve financial compensation for your pain and suffering. We can help you to fight for it.
There are many steps you’ll need to take, depending on your auto insurance carrier. Click on the link of your insurance provider to find out your next steps:
Following a car accident, it’s essential that a thorough investigation is conducted. Any physical evidence, such as the vehicles involved in the accident, needs to be preserved so that they can be inspected and photographed. Any witnesses should be contacted immediately while their memories are still fresh. The accident scene and any injuries should also be photographed. You can be sure that the insurance company will have lawyers and investigators working for them; this is why you need an experienced personal injury legal team behind you.
Because of their complexity, automobile accident cases often require the expertise of professionals outside the legal field. Throughout the years, our attorneys have developed a network of medical, accident reconstruction, and vocational rehabilitation experts to help us prepare and present our clients’ cases, which allows us to give the highest level of service to each client.
Answers You Can Trust. Take It From Our Clients.
Our Alabama car accident lawyers have been recognized by other lawyers, judges, and former clients as having the skill, knowledge, work ethic, and resources to get the best possible results for our clients, and we have received several awards. Read our clients’ testimonials here.
We handle all automobile accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not charge you a fee until and unless we make a recovery for you. In other words, you have nothing to lose by reaching out to us.
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury, contact our experienced and dedicated Alabama car accident attorneys. The evaluation is free and confidential.
Car Accident Injuries Can Surface Months And Sometimes Years Down The Road.
It doesn’t matter the size or severity of the crash. Big or small—every crash has the potential to have large effects. Even a seemingly minor accident, like a fender-bender or a rear-end collision, can cause more damage than you might imagine. It is important to remember that just because you can’t see an injury doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
This is why you need an experienced car accident attorney on your side. It is important that you do not sign anything without knowing exactly what you are signing. Once you settle for a certain amount in compensation, that is it. You won’t be able to receive any more after that. Oftentimes, however, additional injuries surface months and sometimes years down the road.
An experienced Alabama attorney, such as the ones at Martinson & Beason, P.C., can help you to know when to settle and when to take a case to trial if the other party is not offering a settlement that will cover the full extent of your damages. You have enough to worry about right now; you should not have to make these decisions by yourself. That is what we are here to help you do. Let us apply our expertise for you so that you can focus on recovering.
Don’t Assume Fault Until You Know The Facts.
One of the main things that hold people back from seeking legal help and financial compensation for their car accident-related damages and injuries is the ever-plaguing question: “Who was at fault?”
When you are in a car wreck, everything happens so fast, it is so easy to get confused and mix up the facts in your mind. Too many people begin to think, “Maybe I was to blame after all…” As car accident attorneys, we at Martinson & Beason, P.C. implore you to seek legal counsel before you blame yourself unfairly. There are many factors that could have contributed to your accident, such as vehicle defects, poor weather conditions, or hazardous road conditions.
Never assume responsibility before you know all the facts. It is also very possible that multiple people are at fault. Even if you are partially responsible for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for a portion of your damages and injuries. This is why it is critical that you don’t assume anything until you talk with a car accident attorney.
For more information about car accidents, please visit the pages below. To learn the questions, you must ask before hiring a car accident attorney, download our Special Report.
Hurt in a Car Accident? Contact Our Huntsville Car Accident Lawyers Right Now.
We are here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your recovery is our top priority. Contact us for a free consultation and start your recovery process right now.
Martinson & Beason, P.C.
