Gardendale, AL Auto Accident Lawyers

Each year, hundreds of Alabamans are killed and tens of thousands are seriously injured in auto accidents. Gardendale, AL area drivers will be involved in three to four vehicle accidents during their lifetimes (on average), and the risk is even greater for drivers who log a high number of miles on the road in a given year.

When someone is involved in a car accident, they will usually need to look to an insurance company (either the other driver’s insurer or their own) in order to recover compensation. The problem is that insurance carriers are not really interested in paying out for compensation to claimants, their primary concern is protecting their bottom line.

Accident injury victims in Gardendale, AL should be very careful when dealing with insurance companies, because the insurer is not looking out for their best interests. In a situation like this, it makes sense to contact an experienced auto accident attorney, so you understand your rights and legal options.

At Burge & Burge, we have over five decades of experience successfully representing clients who have been injured in car accidents in Gardendale, Birmingham, and surrounding Alabama communities. Our attorneys are focused exclusively on personal injury and related areas of the law, and we have in-depth knowledge of the complexities involved with these types of cases. When you retain our services, we go to work immediately to build a rock-solid case that puts you in the best possible position to recover maximum compensation.

Types of Auto Accidents in Gardendale, AL

We handle all types of vehicle accident cases in Alabama, this includes but is not limited to:

• Head-On Collisions: Head-on vehicle crashes do not happen all that often, but when they do, they can cause some very serious injuries. Head-on collisions most commonly occur in rural areas where there tend to be more single-lane roads. The roads in these areas often have dangerous curves that are more likely to cause a vehicle to cross over into the oncoming traffic lane. Nighttime driving in areas without a lot of lighting increases the risks even further. Head-on crashes also happen sometimes in urban and suburban areas when a driver is going the wrong way down a one-way road.

• Rear-End Crashes: Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of auto accidents. They can range from minor fender benders with no injuries and minimal damage to the vehicles all the way up to high-speed crashes that cause severe and catastrophic injuries. Rear-end crashes usually happen because the trailing driver is going too fast and/or fails to slow down in time to adjust to the car in front of them slowing down or stopping. Speeding and distracted driving are the main culprits for this type of accident.

• Sideswipe Collisions: When two vehicles are driving close to each other and in the same direction, there is a risk of a sideswipe occurring. Sideswipe crashes usually happen because one of the cars crosses into the other car’s lane due to some type of negligence. For example, a driver tries to change lanes without first checking his/her blind spot, or a driver accidentally swerves into the lane next to them while they are sending a text on their phone.

• Broadside/T-Bone Collisions: A broadside or T-bone crash occurs when the front of one vehicle collides into the side of another, which results in a “T” formation. This type of crash usually happens at busy intersections when one vehicle runs a red light or stop sign or fails to yield the right-of-way to the other vehicle. T-bone collisions can often cause serious injuries to occupants of the vehicle that was crashed into because the sides of vehicles provide the least amount of protection for these occupants.

• Rollovers: Rollover crashes occur when a car flips over or lands on its side. In some cases, the car might flip over multiple times before finally coming to a stop. Vehicles with a high center of gravity are more susceptible to rollovers, and those in this category include SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. Large commercial semi-trucks are also at great risk of landing on their sides when they encounter adverse road conditions.

• Multi-Car Pileups: A multi-vehicle pileup usually occurs during heavy traffic when one vehicle rear-ends the vehicle in front of them at a moderate to high speed, which sets off a chain reaction. The driver of the vehicle that initiates the series of crashes is usually the one at fault, although there are some exceptions to this.

• Single-Vehicle Crashes: Single vehicle accidents can happen for a number of reasons, including drunk driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, bad weather, and many others. Usually, a single-vehicle crash is the fault of the driver, but there are some instances when an outside party may be to blame. For example, these crashes can happen because of faulty vehicle parts, negligent maintenance, or inadequate maintenance of the roadways.

Tips for Avoiding a Car Crash in Gardendale, AL

Although the average driver will be involved in multiple auto accidents during their lifetime, there are some steps you can take and habits you can establish to lower your risk of being involved in a crash:

• Watch the road at all times. Always stay focused on the road and stay off of your smartphone or any other electronic device. Avoid reaching for items, turning your head to talk to someone, or any other distractions as much as possible while you are driving.

• Stay sober while behind the wheel. You have most likely heard this numerous times already, but since roughly one-third of all vehicle accidents are caused by chemical impairment, it bears repeating – don’t drink and drive! With ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft available, it is easier than ever to travel safely. Use these options or call a friend to give you a ride if you have had too much to drink.

• Stay within the speed limit. A third of all vehicle accidents are also caused by speeding, and crashes that occur at high speeds tend to cause more severe injuries. The speed limits are set for a reason – follow them and stay safe on the roads.

• Avoid driving after dark whenever possible. Far more auto accidents happen during the evening and overnight hours than during the daytime, and the most dangerous time to drive is between the hours of 12 AM and 3 AM. Although it is not always possible, try to stay off of the roads during the most dangerous driving times.

• Avoid heavy traffic whenever possible. Again, there are going to be times when you run into traffic congestion – no one can foresee all future accidents and areas of road construction that might cause traffic to get backed up. You might also be forced into heavy traffic regularly if you have a daily commute from Gardendale to Birmingham and vice versa, for example. Still, do everything you can to avoid traffic congestion and the risks of crashes that come with it.

Contact the Experienced Gardendale, AL Auto Accident Attorneys at Burge & Burge

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a car crash in Alabama, Burge & Burge is ready to go to work for you! Call us today at 205-251-9000 or message us online to set up a free consultation and case assessment.