Gulf Shores Car Accident Lawyer

If a daily drive to work or soccer practice turns into a serious collision or deadly crash, life changes in an instant.  Suddenly, you’re spending days or weeks with doctors and physical therapists rather than time with your family.  Medical bills pile up, you miss days or weeks of work, and your future becomes uncertain.

This trauma is made even worse if the other driver who caused the collision was drinking alcohol, distracted, or otherwise exhibiting negligent behavior.  If this has happened to you, a Gulf Shores car accident lawyer can fight for the financial compensation you deserve.  The attorneys at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana are tough negotiators and fierce litigators in car accident cases.

Why Choose Us?

Our Gulf Shores car accident lawyers have an outstanding record of success.

Our Gulf Shores car accident attorneys at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to aggressively negotiating and litigating personal injury claims.  Attorneys C. Randall Caldwell, Jr., Drew Wenzel and Dee Asthana have decades of experience successfully representing clients to get the largest payouts possible.  We have outstanding client victories and proven case results.  We handle car accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian injuries, motorcycle accidents, and many other types of claims.  When you hire us, you receive our full attention, compassion, and commitment to see the case through to a successful conclusion.  We come highly recommended by many satisfied clients.  We also offer an attractive attorney referral program.

How We Can Help

Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana is your go-to source for honest information, straightforward answers to your questions, and experienced legal representation after a serious car accident injury or wrongful death of a family member.  Here are some reasons why our firm is an excellent choice:

• We understand the ins and outs of the insurance claims process.
• We are skilled negotiators and well-practiced, successful trial lawyers.
• We can settle most cases out of court, but we are also aggressive litigators and are more than willing to argue your case in a courtroom if no adequate settlement offer is made.

When you hire a Gulf Shores car accident attorney at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana to represent you, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a skilled advocate in your corner. Our car accident attorneys in Gulf Shores, AL, have earned the trust of hundreds of people in Alabama through our reputation for excellence and trustworthiness.

For a skilled and trustworthy Gulf Shores car accident lawyer who will fight for the maximum payout possible, call Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana today.

Common Types of Car Accidents in Alabama

The Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT) compiles an annual Crash Facts survey detailing the types, locations, and times of crashes throughout the state.  Following is a list of the most common types of car accidents, with total annual crashes:

1. Hit Other Vehicle (115,742)
2. Hit Fixed Object or Other Object (17,139)
3. Hit Pedestrian (613)
4. Overturning (1,424)
5. Hit Parked Vehicle (7,269)
6. Hit Bicyclist (146)
7. Other Non-Collision (341)
8. Hit Animal (3,111)
9. Hit Railway Train (72)

The greatest number of traffic crash fatalities in Alabama happen between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.  Saturday is the deadliest day of the week, and October is the deadliest month of the year.  More males die in traffic crashes than females.

Important Steps to Take After Being Injured in a Car Accident

In the minutes and hours after a car crash, there are several things you should do to ensure your personal safety and preserve your right to file a claim for damages later.  These include:

1. Call 911 to request a police officer and, if needed, an ambulance.
2. Seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you’ve suffered.
3. Get the name and insurance information from the other driver(s).
4. Say little else to the other driver(s). You don’t need to be rude, but you should remember that every word you say could be used against you when filing a claim.
5. Gather contact information from witnesses.
6. Take pictures of your injuries and the crash scene, if possible, as well as the damage to both vehicles.
7. Hire a Gulf Shores car accident attorney to represent you.

There are always unforeseen challenges after a collision.  Our Gulf Shores car accident lawyers can help with obstacles like a police report with mistakes or harassing phone calls from insurance representatives.  When you hire a lawyer to represent you, not only do you increase your chances for a larger payout, but you also have someone to shield you from the unpleasant aspects of the legal system.

Car Accident FAQs

A car accident lawyer in Gulf Shores, AL, understands how overwhelming the legal system can be.  Our firm has represented hundreds of car accident victims, and we hear a lot of the same questions.  Our Gulf Shores car accident lawyer has compiled this list of questions and answers for your convenience.

Q: How often do traffic crashes happen in Alabama?

A:  A vehicle crash was reported every 3 minutes and 55 seconds in Alabama in 2020.  That same year, a person was killed in a vehicle accident every 9 hours and 20 minutes.

Q:  What is “distracted driving,” and is it dangerous?

A:  Distracted driving is a term used to describe a person behind the wheel who is not paying attention to the road and their surroundings because they’re preoccupied with another activity, like texting on their cell phone, eating, talking to other passengers in the vehicle, putting on makeup, or adjusting the stereo.  Did you know that a texting driver is 23 times more likely to get in an accident than a non-texting driver?

Q:  Are depression, anxiety, and fear common after car accidents?

A:  Yes, approximately 40% of motor vehicle accident victims will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  You may experience sleeplessness, mood changes, and nightmares as you struggle to deal with the emotional trauma of a car accident.

Q:  How many people die in car accidents each year?

A:  More than 38,800 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2020, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  Of those, 934 people died in vehicle crashes in Alabama.

Q:  What kinds of injuries result from car crashes?

A:  There are the obvious injuries you might expect from car crashes – broken bones, cuts, back injuries, burns, and neck injuries  — but there are also hidden injuries that often go unnoticed.  Click here to read about those.

Q:  Are there things I should say or not say to my insurance company after a crash?

A: Absolutely.  The first conversations with an insurance company (yours or the other driver’s) are critical and should be handled with care.  Never acknowledge fault for the accident, and do not discuss your injuries in great detail.  Hiring a Gulf Shores car accident attorney and referring all calls to them is the best way to ensure that you don’t say anything that could harm your case later.

Q:  How do you prove negligence?

A:  To prove that the other driver or vehicle manufacturer was negligent, your attorney will have to prove four elements:  Duty, Breach, Causation, and Damages.  These are the four pillars of negligence.  To learn more, read about negligence here.

Our car accident lawyer in Gulf Shores, AL, is always glad to answer your questions and explain your legal rights. If you have additional questions about your car accident, call us for a free consultation at (251) 444-7000.

Alabama is a Fault (Rather Than No-Fault) State

Alabama has a plaintiff-unfriendly “contributory negligence” law, which means you cannot be awarded financial damages in a civil personal injury lawsuit if you were partially at fault for the accident.  Plaintiff’s negligence is a bar to recovery. (ARCP, Rule 8(c)) Jackson v. Waller, 410 So.2d 98 (1982)  (This relates to a lawsuit filed in court.  You may still be able to receive reimbursement from a car insurance company for property damage or medical costs resulting from the accident, though expect them to play hardball if you were partially at fault.)  

Contributory negligence in a motor vehicle accident case means that both drivers were partially at fault for causing the collision.  For example, one driver may have been speeding 12 miles over the speed limit, while the other driver rolled through a stop light.  In this case, both drivers did something wrong.

You can, however, file a personal injury lawsuit in Alabama and recover damages if you were hurt in a car wreck that was entirely the other driver’s fault.  Your Gulf Shores car accident attorney can review the facts in your case to determine whether your claim has the potential for success.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Alabama

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Alabama is two years. ( Ala. Code. Sec. 6-2-38)  So a plaintiff must file a lawsuit promptly, though there are a few exceptions that allow for more time, such as if the injured party is in a coma.  The clock begins ticking on the date of the accident in most cases.  Even if significant time has lapsed since your car accident, it’s worth talking to a car accident attorney in Gulf Shores, AL, to find out about compensation you may be entitled to.

Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana offers calm and compassionate reassurance as you walk through the aftermath of a car accident.  We will handle all legal matters so you can focus on getting better.

We Have an Outstanding Record of Success.

There’s nothing more devastating to a family than when a loved one is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident  Not only are you experiencing the uncertainty of your medical outcome, but you’re also facing mounting hospital bills, time off work, weeks of rehabilitation, and fear about the future.

This experience is made even more tragic if your injuries were due to someone else’s negligence, whether a drunk driver, a government agency that failed to maintain safe roads, or a car manufacturer that knowingly produced defective vehicles.  The law allows you to hold these negligent parties accountable and seek financial damages for the harm they caused.  Our Gulf Shores car accident lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve and seek the maximum payout possible.

Our personal injury lawyers are available to discuss your accident and assess what your case might be worth.  We’ve helped hundreds of accident victims secure significant payouts.  Call us for a free initial consultation at (251) 444-7000.