What to Do After a Car Accident in Alabama

Dothan injury attorneys offer helpful tips to avoid even greater harm

An auto accident can leave you unnerved, frightened and in pain. It is important to know ahead of time what you should do after a car accident so you can protect yourself, secure your rights and ensure you get on the road to healing. At Dothan, Carey & Hamner, P.C., in Dothan, we represent accident victims throughout southeastern Alabama, so we understand how difficult it can be to think clearly after a car crash. That’s why we offer these important first steps to take if you’ve been in an accident.

Five steps to take after an Alabama car accident

Follow these steps for your safety and others and to preserve essential evidence to be used in an insurance or injury claim:

• Notify the police — Dial 911 to summon help. When on the highway, dial *HP (*47) to reach the Alabama Highway Patrol.
• Seek immediate medical attention— If your injuries are serious, get to the hospital for proper care as soon as possible. This is your first priority. If you can do so safely, help others who are also injured.
• Document the scene — If you are able, make note of what happened and get the names of anyone present who might later be able to provide a statement or testify. Take pictures from as many angles as possible.
• Speak only to authorities — You are required to answer police questions (though you may, and in some cases certainly should, have an attorney with you). You are not required to speak to the other driver or the driver’s insurance company. An attorney can speak on your behalf.
• Contact an attorney — It is critical that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. If you contact us, we can quickly move to protect the evidence and begin building a strong case.

While you have two years to file an injury lawsuit in Alabama, witnesses and evidence can disappear.  Do not delay in getting our personal injury attorneys working on your case and fighting for your rights.

Five things to look for in an Alabama car accident lawyer

Hiring an attorney is one of the surest ways to protect yourself after a car crash. Most people, however, have never before hired a lawyer and don’t know where to start. Here’s what you should consider:

• Experience — Carey & Hamner, P.C. focuses almost exclusively on personal injury law. With more than 20 years of combined experience, our attorneys have a successful track record of helping victims of auto accidents recover losses suffered through others’ negligence.
• Results — Your attorney should demonstrate a proven history of verdicts and settlements that maximize the recovery for clients.
• Resources — Injury attorneys take cases on a contingency-fee basis — they don’t get paid until they recover money for you — so the law firm you hire must have sufficient resources to cover the considerable expense of investigating, hiring medical and accident experts, taking depositions and more. Our law firm’s track record demonstrates that we have what it takes to pursue even the most complex car accident cases.
• Referrals — In the age of online reviews, people immediately look to recommendations. We receive many referrals from former clients and are happy to discuss those with you.
• Compassion — Of course you want an attorney who will fight and win. Our law firm does just that, but the added care and understanding we provide for injured clients delivers peace of mind and goes a long way toward helping them heal.

First steps after an Alabama car accident

• Notify the police — Dial 911 to summon help. When on the highway, dial *HP (*47) to reach the Alabama Highway Patrol.
• Seek immediate medical attention— If your injuries are serious, get to the hospital for proper care as soon as possible. This is your first priority.
• Document the scene — If you are able, make note of what happened and get the names of anyone present who might later be able to provide a statement or testify. Take pictures from as many angles as possible.
• Speak only to authorities — You are required to answer police questions (though you may, and in some cases certainly should, have an attorney with you). You are not required to speak to the other driver or the driver’s insurance company. An attorney can speak on your behalf.
• Contact an attorney — It is critical that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident so we can quickly move to protect the evidence and begin building a strong case.

While you have two years to file an injury lawsuit in Alabama, do not delay in getting our personal injury attorneys working on your case and fighting for your rights. The moments following a car accident are critical to protecting yourself and your ability to get the compensation you deserve. When you know what to do after an accident and whom to call for skilled legal help, you have the best chance of recovering physically and financially.

Contact compassionate Dothan attorneys focused on Alabama auto accidents

Located across Main Street from the First United Methodist Church in Dothan, Carey & Hamner, P.C. serves clients across southeastern Alabama, including in Enterprise, Ozark and Troy. If you are in a car accident, call our lawyers in Dothan at 855-435-4797 or contact us online today to set up a free consultation about your injury.