According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24% of weather-related accidents happen each year as a result of driving on “snowy, slushy or icy pavement, and 15% happen during snowfall or sleet.” These accidents lead to over 1,300 fatalities and 116,800 injuries.
If you or someone you love is hurt or was killed in an accident on icy roads, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. If the accident was the result of negligence on behalf of another driver, a Birmingham icy road lawyer may be able to hold them responsible.
For a free, no-risk review of your case, contact the Morris Bart law firm today. We offer a free consultation for car accident victims. We also work on a contingency fee basis only. This means if you decide to have us represent you in your Birmingham icy road case, you are not expected to pay any upfront, out-of-pocket costs. We receive payment only if we are successful with your case. That means you have absolutely nothing to lose. Contact us today at (205) 380-4158.
Types of Injuries that Occur Because of Icy Roads
There are many types of injuries that can occur in car accidents on icy roads, including:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
These injuries can occur when someone experiences a blow or jolt to the head upon impact during a car accident. In fact, car accidents are the second-leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These injuries can range in severity, but when the injury is severe, victims may show changes in personality and impairments in memory and sensation.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are another injury that commonly occurs in car accidents because of the force created on impact. These injuries usually heal fine after medical treatment and proper rest. However, in some cases, complications can occur. If the broken bone pierces the skin, for example, the victim may experience severe bleeding. This situation also creates a possibility of infection. If the victim in the car accident is young, they may experience uneven bone growth as they grow older.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be devastating for the victim. The spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages from the brain to other parts of the body. When damage occurs to the spinal cord, it impairs the body’s ability to property deliver messages to the limbs. Though some people are able to live full, productive lives after this type of injury, the majority of people need wheelchairs and other assistive devices to manage their mobility loss.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries, specifically ligament injuries, commonly occur as a result of car accidents. These injuries are typically extremely painful and require medical treatment and rest to heal properly. Many knee injuries require surgery.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is a symptom of another internal injury. However, it can quickly become life-threatening itself, particularly if the victim does not realize they are bleeding internally. Severe hemorrhaging, which can occur after a car accident, can lead to external bleeding, organ failure, seizures, coma, or even death.
If you are injured in one of these ways or in some other way by a driver who was driving negligently in icy conditions, you have the right to hold them responsible for their behavior. Contact the Morris Bart law office today at (205) 380-4158 for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Icy Road Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call 800-537-8185
Recoverable Damages After an Accident on Icy Roads
Every case is different, so the type of damages that you may qualify for depends on the severity of your accident and other details of your case. Our team has worked on cases like yours before, and some of the types of damages that victims recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future wages if you cannot return to work
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Property damage
If the accident that occurred on an icy road was fatal, your family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and possibly recover:
- Medical expenses left to the family to pay
- Funeral and burial costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Benefits and wages previously provided by the deceased
- Loss of support and protection
Laws that May Impact Your Case
There are two laws, in particular, that may impact your case: the statute of limitations and the legal doctrine of contributory negligence.
Statute of Limitations
Every state has its own statute of limitations that places a limit on the amount of time you have to file a claim in a personal injury accident. In Alabama, the statute of limitations is two years. That means if you do not file a claim pursuing compensation from the defendant within two years of the date of your accident, you are generally barred from recovering any type of compensation.
Contributory Negligence
Contributory negligence is a legal doctrine that allocates damages based on the degree of responsibility of the parties involved in the accident. According to contributory negligence, if the plaintiff is found to be at all liable in the accident, even just 1% responsible, they are barred from recovering any compensation.
A Birmingham icy road lawyer can do a thorough investigation and illicit the help of accident scene reconstruction experts to determine liability, protecting you from any underhanded defense tactics that might claim you are more responsible for the accident than you are, based on the facts of the case.
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How a Birmingham Icy Road Lawyer Can Help
We understand how overwhelming it can be to think about pursuing legal action after a car accident. We also understand that icy road accidents can be difficult, as it may be challenging to determine liability or prove that the plaintiff is not responsible for the accident. However, our team does not shy away from tough cases.
We work with accident scene reconstruction experts who can help us investigate the case and gather evidence proving liability. We also work on a contingency fee basis only, which means you do not have to pay out of pocket to access any of these resources.
For a free, no-risk review of your case, contact the Morris Bart law firm today at (205) 380-4158.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
