AUTO ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT CLAIMS

auto accident

Although modern technology has made motor vehicles safer than ever, thousands of serious auto accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities still occur each year.

The auto accident lawyers at Pepper & Odom, P.C. fight to help injured victims recover the maximum compensation they deserve for damages sustained such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Our team provides aggressive legal representation and has extensive experience handling all types of auto accident claims.

Auto accidents cause serious injury and death

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported over six million motor vehicle accidents happen each year. In 2019 alone, 36,096 people died and 2,740,000 sustained injuries in auto accidents via motor vehicles in the United States.

Catastrophic injuries such as neck and spinal cord injuries, amputation, and traumatic brain injury often leave victims unable to work or enjoy the things they used to do. Injuries may also require costly medical treatment, hospital stays, multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing home care.

Our car accident lawyers have recovered maximum compensation for clients involved in many different types of collisions, including crashes with large trucks, motorcycles, drunk drivers, and buses.

Types of damages in auto accident claims

Injuries sustained in car crashes can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Our car accident Attorneys at Pepper & Odom, P.C. are dedicated to making things right for injured victims and their families. We know how to accurately value your claim and may be able to recover compensation for damages such as:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Wage loss
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Long-term care
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanent disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Loss of consortium
  • Property damage

No amount of money can bring back a loved one who’s been lost in an auto accident, but we can evaluate your case and determine whether you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Depending on the circumstances, punitive damages may be awarded if a negligent party’s actions were particularly egregious or malicious.

Common causes of auto accidents

As you may already be aware, there are many causes of auto accidents in today’s time. Modern technology has made our vehicles safer than ever for the present day roadways.

However, these technological developments are like a double-edged sword. Even though the cars of today’s time have better safety features for drivers, smartphones do not add anything back into the equation.

Distracted driving is the number one cause of most auto accidents. With technology like smartphones, drivers are more distracted from the road more than ever.

People become so self-confident in their ability to drive for so long that they believe they can perform multiple tasks while driving, like eating, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio, and texting or talking on the phone. Speeding is the second-most cause of auto accidents.

Everyone experiences a driver flying past you on the road at least once in a lifetime. People commonly drive 5 to 20 miles over the speed limit every day.

In a lot of these instances, even if you are going faster than the posted limit, there are other drivers that will blast past you in the other lane. The problem with speeding is that your reaction time gets cut in half.

Much like drunk driving, if you try to prevent an auto accident while going 20 or more over the limit, chances of prevention are very slim. Drivers who are under the influence or intoxicated endanger themselves and other drivers on the road, making them the third most common cause of auto accidents.

Cognitive functions, senses, and motor-skills become lesser than usual while intoxicated, leading to your reaction time being slower, and your decision-making process to be rendered nearly useless. The responsible decision is to never get in a car to drive if you are under the influence or intoxicated.

Find someone sober to give you a ride, or call a ride-share such as Uber or Lyft. Reckless driving is the fourth leading cause of auto accidents such as weaving in and out of traffic, following in too close to the rear of another vehicle (tailgating), and cutting off other drivers.

Other vehicles need plenty of space on the road, and if you see someone driving in a reckless manner, give them space. The best thing you can do is to be cautious and pay very close attention to your maneuvers while on the road.

Remember to practice defensive driving, because there is nothing you can do to make another driver safer. Weather can be another common cause of auto accidents, including rain, snow, or heavy winds.

Rain can cause roadways to become slick, causing hydroplaning without any warning. Snow and colder weather often cause roads to freeze, which can cause a vehicle to slide uncontrollably while braking.

The best rule of thumb for inclement weather is to drive accordingly. Whether it’s driving 5 to 15 miles under the posted limit or driving with weather appropriate tires, keep yourself safe while driving in inclement weather.

Other causes of auto accidents

There are a few other honorable mentions for the most common causes of auto accidents. Those mentions include:

  • Running Intersections
  • Teenage Driving
  • Distracted Driving
  • Improper Turns
  • Wrong-Way Driving
  • Improper Lane Changes
  • Defective Product Designs
  • Night Driving

Whatever the case, our attorneys at Pepper & Odom will fight to make sure you get the recovery you deserve no matter the cause of your auto accident.

Our car accident lawyers deal with insurance companies so you don't have to

Unfortunately, even your own auto insurance company may not have your best interests in mind. Insurers usually offer minimal settlement amounts or deny claims altogether.

The seasoned auto accident lawyers at Pepper & Odom, P.C. are familiar with their tactics, and negotiate aggressively on your behalf to help you get the compensation you need to protect your health and your family’s financial future. Our car accident lawyers will not hesitate to take your case to court if there is no agreement made on a fair settlement.

Why choose our auto accident lawyers?

Our personal injury lawyers at Pepper & Odom, P.C. have a track record of success recovering maximum compensation for clients both inside and outside of the courtroom. Our team will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and gather vital evidence that can be used to build a solid claim.

We also know how to demonstrate the ways in which your injuries and losses have affected your life and why you should receive compensation for your damages. At Pepper & Odom, P.C., we care about our clients.

Our compassionate, competent auto accident attorneys and staff are here to guide you and provide the legal support and services you need throughout the entire claims process.

Contact an Alabama or Mississippi car accident lawyer to learn more

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, you don’t have to do it alone – our experienced team at Pepper & Odom, P. C. is here for you. Contact us online, call our Birmingham office at 205-250-1107, or call 601-202-1111 in Jackson, Mississippi.

Our car accident lawyers represent clients in Alabama, Mississippi, and nationwide, utilizing local counsel.