Opelika, Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

Recovering after a devastating car accident can take a significant amount of time and money. If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in Opelika, the Morrison Law Firm may be able to help. Over many years, we have successfully handled a wide array of auto accident claims in Alabama, which allows us to provide nothing but high-quality legal representation to crash victims and their families. To learn more about filing a car accident injury claim in a free, confidential consultation, call the Morrison Law Firm today at (334) 625-6128, or contact us online.

Why Do Car Accidents Happen?

Car accidents happen too often – and are responsible for devastating, life-changing injuries. Many different causes can lead to a car crash. We discuss some of them below.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving accidents can happen for numerous reasons. However, electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, and GPS trackers are amongst the top distractions for drivers in the United States. One simple text message can ruin a person’s day or life. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), approximately nine people die every day due to distracted driving accidents in the United States. Despite efforts to prevent distractions while operating a motor vehicle, negligent drivers keep using devices putting their lives and those of others in danger.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Driving while under the effects of drugs or alcohol can lead to a devastating accident. Despite many efforts to prevent drunk drivers from operating their cars, thousands risk driving while intoxicated anyway. Every year, intoxicated driving is responsible for thousands of accidents, injuries, and deaths in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the U.S. almost 29 people die every day due to drunk driving. The NHTSA also reports that in 2016, a total of 10,497 people lost their lives in accidents involving the use of alcohol.

Speeding

Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the U.S. According to the NHTSA’s latest Fatal Traffic Crash Data report, speed-related crashes accounted for 10,111 deaths during 2016 in the U.S.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, many car accidents cause severe injuries to all victims involved, including the passengers. Some of these injuries can take an extended recovery period and can be extremely costly to treat. Car accident injury claims we handle include brain injuries, spinal injuries, neck injuries, and others.

Head Injuries

During a car accident, the driver can lose control over his or her body. When this happens, the driver can hit their head against different parts of the vehicle, such as the windshield, the steering wheel, or the dashboard.

Head injuries are amongst the most severe and life-threatening injuries that a car accident victim can suffer. One of the worst head injuries that can be sustained in car accidents is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which occurs as a result of a massive blow to the head. In severe TBI cases, the victim may need ongoing medical treatment and medical attention. Mild TBI, or mTBI, is another term for a concussion.

Back Injuries

Back injuries can be extremely dangerous when they damage the spinal column (backbone) or spinal cord. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves protected by the spine, spreading to multiple areas of the body. If you cut or sever your spinal cord, you will likely lose bodily function from the site of the injury down, resulting in paraplegia (partial paralysis) or tetraplegia/quadriplegia (total paralysis).

Neck Injuries

Whiplash is the most common type of neck injury associated with car accidents, particularly in rear-end accidents. Even a minor “fender bender” can lead to this painful and discomforting injury. Whiplash happens when a person strains the muscles in the neck area, often due to a sudden back-and-forth motion of the head. Common symptoms of whiplash include neck stiffness, pain, headaches, and numbness or tingling sensations.

Bone Fractures

Bone fractures, or broken bones, are extremely common in car accidents. While some bone fractures are obvious, others can take days for the victim to notice, making a swift medical diagnosis essential.

While any bone can break, fractures are more likely to occur in bones that are smaller and more slender, such as the clavicle (collarbone). Depending on which bone broke and how severely, it may take weeks or months for the injury to heal, potentially with lasting impairments or complications.

Opelika, Alabama Car Accident Attorney Offering Free Consultations

If you or a loved was injured in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another driver, you may be able to obtain compensation for your losses. Do not accept any offer from the at-fault parties or their insurance companies before calling the Morrison Law Firm. Opelika car accident lawyer Rick Morrison can fight to show that the other driver caused your injuries. To learn more in a free and confidential legal consultation, call our law offices today at (334) 625-6128, or contact us online.