Car Accident Attorney in Bessemer, Alabama

In Bessemer, many of our residents either commute into Birmingham or work in one of the area’s major businesses. We are home to U.S. Pipe, which has a major plant in the city and has plans to expand in the future. There is also a hospital, water park, outlet mall, civic center, and golf course in the area.

If you are in Bessemer for other reasons, you are likely accustomed to heavy traffic. It may be home to under 30,000 residents, but those who live in the area often must deal with a mixture of busy highways and rural roads, both of which can be the source of dangerous and deadly car accidents.

A car accident ranging from a minor fender bender to a catastrophic crash can take place in a split second. In that time you can be left with physical, emotional, and financial consequences that should not be your responsibility. If you’ve been involved in one of these crashes, the experienced Alabama car accident attorneys at Burge & Burge, PC, have more than 50 years combined experience helping victims just like you to reclaim their lives.

Alabama Car Crash Facts

According to the latest statistics from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), a typical driver in Alabama has a more than one-in-three chance of being involved in a vehicle crash during their lifetime that results in either injury or death. There is also a more than 98% chance that Alabamian’s will be involved in a severe crash during their lifetime.

In 2015 alone, people in Alabama drove more than 68.5 billion miles on the state’s roads, which was a 3.08% increase from the prior year. Across the board, there have been annual increases in the number of total crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Alabama’s roads.

Among car crashes in Alabama, most occur in urban areas (78%), while the most fatalities take place in rural areas (59%). Most of the crashes in the state occur on city roads (42%), followed by state routes, county roads, and interstate highways.

Dangerous Road Conditions Around Bessemer

We’re all aware that while we have a small town feel we also have the benefit of easy access to Birmingham. Major highways running through or near Bessemer include I-459, I-20/59, U.S. Route 11, and S.R. 150, which connects the town with Hoover. Some of the area’s heaviest traffic can be found on Highway 150 between Hoover and Bessemer, particularly in the stretches closest to I-459.

ALDOT has plans to widen some of these areas, which will create additional issues and hazards while the construction takes place. In late 2018, ALDOT also plans to close the I-20/59 bridges around Birmingham for demolition and replacement, which is sure to be an ongoing nightmare for drivers.

On a county-wide basis, there were 27,409 vehicle crashes in Jefferson County in 2015, resulting in 5,974 injuries and 80 fatalities. This was a 9.5% increase in the number of accidents in just one year. The results in Bessemer were much worse. In just one year’s time, the number of auto accidents soared 25.8% from 1,329 to 1,673.

Common Causes of Alabama Car Accidents

All Alabama drivers are responsible for following the rules of the road and taking care to keep others from harm. When a driver fails in their responsibility and causes an accident, they could be held responsible for the damages. Most accidents in Alabama involve some type of driver error. The top causes of car accidents in this state include:

• Failing to yield the right of way
• Tailgating
• Misjudging the distance to stop
• Improper lane changes
• Unseen vehicles, objects, and people
• Excessive speed
• Swerving to avoid an object or vehicle
• Failure to heed a signal, sign, or officer
• DUI
• Drowsy driving

Injuries That May Lead to Damages in a Car Crash Case

Injuries sustained in a car crash might range from mild to severe. Even an accident at relatively moderate speed can result in serious and long-lasting injuries. Some of the common injuries resulting from car accidents include:

• Back and neck injuries
• Head injury
• Internal injuries
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Lacerations and scarring

If you’ve been hurt and require medical care, you will have to pay the medical bills and may also miss time from work, resulting in lost wages. Some injuries even result in permanent disability as well as lingering pain and emotional trauma. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of these losses.

Who is at Fault in a Bessemer Car Accident?

If the other driver was careless or negligent in their actions, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and other damages that arise out of that crash. Unfortunately, proving fault in an Alabama car crash is sometimes easier said than done. Under Alabama law, an injured person may not collect damages if they contributed to their injuries, even if the contribution was not the primary cause of the crash. Because of this, an insurance company may attempt to get you to admit fault or twist the sequence of events to minimize their losses. Speaking with a skilled personal injury attorney is the best way to protect your rights.

How an Experienced Bessemer Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you or your loved ones are the victims of a car accident in the Bessemer area due to the careless or reckless acts of another driver, you shouldn’t have to deal with the financial consequences of that crash on your own. At Burge & Burge, PC, our experienced Alabama car accident attorneys have helped many accident victims hold negligent parties responsible for their actions.

Our skilled legal team will investigate your case, guide you through your options, and take the necessary steps to protect your legal rights. We will help you gain access to the services you need to reclaim your life while we fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. Contact our Birmingham office now at 205-251-9000 or reach us online to schedule a free consultation.