Every day, you likely pass by at least one car accident on your commute. You may sympathize with the plight of the victims, who will now have painful injuries and a mountain of expenses as a result of the crash. What you might not realize though is that there is a ripple effect with every car accident in the state, causing it to impact local economies and your wallet.
Every time there is a fatality in a car accident, it can cost the community at large financially due to lost workplace and household productivity. The resulting congestion caused by car accidents also impacts those in the local economy by causing travel delays that add to fuel consumption and adverse environmental effects.
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The Negative Effects of Car Accidents on the Local Alabama Economy
According to TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, numbers published in 2017 revealed over 4,500 fatalities across Alabama roads. TRIP noted that the impact of these crashes cost motorists in Alabama $1.8 billion.
It also mentions the ever-increasing issue of traffic congestion. Nationwide, it costs drivers time and money, though on a local level drivers lose time and fuel to the tune of $1.2 billion per year.
Another ripple that affects everyone in Alabama is the cost of goods. When traffic congestion is high, it causes issues with the supply chain. Trucks can’t move goods efficiently and on time when they are stuck in traffic. As such, this drives up the cost of shipping these goods, which also causes the costs of goods locally to rise.
Essentially, everyone in Alabama is impacted by every car accident on the road. However, not everyone will realize it until they are the victims of a car crash.
The Ripple Effects of Alabama Car Accidents on Victims
While everyone in the local economy will feel the impacts caused by car accidents on our roads, car accident victims will certainly have the most profound effects.
Financial Strains
The financial burdens caused by car accidents in this state will most certainly affect the victims involved. When serious injuries have been sustained, there will be extensive medical costs, rehabilitation costs, and future medical care costs. Even a family that was financially stable before this tragedy may suddenly be thrust into a land of financial uncertainty, particularly if the main breadwinner is no longer able to work.
Physical and Emotional Tolls
The injuries suffered by victims in a car crash may physically impede them from being able to work. Some victims may no longer be able to work in their profession and may be forced to take a lower-paying position. Others may be rendered permanently disabled and unable to work again. The emotional trauma of an event like this can also affect every member of the family, making it harder for them to move forward.
Legal Complications
When car accidents happen in Alabama, the driver who was at fault will be held responsible for the damages. This may seem like a relief for victims, however, it is not quite that simple. Liability must be proven by negligence, and while Alabama is an at-fault state, it is also one of the few that uses the contributory negligence rule.
With the contributory negligence system, it means that any plaintiff who is even slightly responsible in some way for the accident can’t recover damages. Naturally, this rule opens the door for insurance companies to deny claims, leaving victims to incur these steep costs on their own. Many victims are often left in shock when they are told they are partly to blame for their injuries and their injury claim is denied.
What You Can Do to Minimize These Ripple Effects After a Car Accident
It’s certainly not fair that you should sink into debt when another driver’s negligence caused the accident. To avoid having the negative impacts of a car accident permeate every aspect of your life, it is recommended that you take the following steps:
Report the Accident to the Police
Protecting your legal rights and your financial standing after a car accident in Alabama requires notifying the police of your accident. You’re obligated by law to call 911 to report a crash if there is over $250 in property damage, or if there are injuries or fatalities. It’s best to have the police come and issue an accident report, where officers will report their findings. If they give the other driver a ticket and you do not receive a traffic violation, this will be noted on the report and may be helpful to your case.
Gather Evidence
Since insurance companies will use anything they can against you to keep you from recovering compensation, the evidence you present in your claim can make a big difference. You’ll want to take photos and videos of everything at the accident scene. You’ll also want to get statements from any witnesses who saw what happened.
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
The burst of adrenaline you feel after an accident can easily mask any injury symptoms. For this reason, it is vital that you seek immediate medical care. If you do not have a life-threatening injury that would warrant going to the emergency room, you can go to the nearest urgent care center or your doctor. Prompt medical evaluation and treatment are critical to ensure that your condition doesn’t worsen and to establish medical records of the injuries caused to you in this accident.
Talk to a Car Crash Lawyer Right Away
Due to the laws on car accidents in Alabama, you should speak to an attorney after receiving medical care. They can gather additional evidence, such as footage from traffic cameras, to prove you were not at fault and keep you from being blamed.
They can also hire expert witnesses who can reconstruct the accident and testify about how your injuries impact your daily life. Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation that will allow you to learn more about the legal options available in your situation, making it a wise move.
