Gulf Shores Car Accident Lawyer

Motor Vehicle Collision Attorney Helping Gulf Shores Residents

As the southernmost city in both Baldwin County and the State of Alabama, the small resort city of Gulf Shores has grown substantially over the last several years. Served primarily by Alabama State Route 59 (Gulf Shores Parkway), Route 182 (Beach Boulevard), and Route 180 (Fort Morgan Road), the community is a popular destination for vacationers throughout the South, as well as residents who just want to catch a few rays on the beautiful white sand beaches for which the city is known. Predictably, car accidents, truck crashes, and motorcycle wrecks happen with regularity, leaving motorists, passengers, and even pedestrians with considerable medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional trauma. Knowledgeable Gulf Shores car accident lawyer Whit A. Thomas represents people who have been hurt or who have lost family members in serious collisions.

Bringing a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident

Statistically speaking, a typical Alabama driver has at least a one in three chance of being involved in a traffic accident involving injuries or death during their lifetime. There are approximately 125,000 to 130,000 motor vehicle accidents in Alabama each year, causing between 35,000 and 40,000 injuries and nearly 900 fatalities. More fatal accidents happen on Saturday than on any other day of the week, but the most total accidents happen on Fridays.

In order for a defendant to be found liable for negligence in a car accident case, the plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant owed them a duty of care, that there was a breach of duty by the defendant, that the defendant’s actions were both the cause in fact and the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries, and that the plaintiff suffered “damages” as that term is understood under the law.

Alabama is what is known as a “pure contributory negligence” state, which means that if a plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to an accident, they will be barred from recovering compensation from the defendant. This is true even if the defendant’s negligence far outweighed the plaintiff’s negligence. This makes it important to consult a car accident attorney who can help Gulf Shores residents try to deflect allegations that they were partly at fault.

It is not unusual for an insurance company representing a defendant to attempt to pressure an injured person into signing a release or settlement document soon after an accident. The injured person may believe that the insurance adjuster is being helpful, but this is rarely the case. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is best to talk to an attorney before signing any document – even a document proffered by your own insurance company. The language used in such papers is often confusing and may be very different from what you were told verbally.

Hiring a reliable car accident attorney may also help ensure that deadlines, such as the statute of limitations, are met so that you do not inadvertently forfeit your legal rights by not acting in a timely manner. Additionally, an attorney can help you secure the evidence that you will need to build your case, as well as hire expert witnesses that may be needed.

Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Lawyer in Gulf Shores

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a crash, experienced personal injury attorney Whit A. Thomas is here to help protect your legal rights. To put his knowledge, skill, and reputation to work on your case, call us or contact us online and schedule an appointment for a free, completely confidential case evaluation with a Gulf Shores car accident attorney.