Committed to vigorous and thorough representation of injury victims throughout Alabama while exercising the highest degree of professional, ethical and moral standards.

Automobile Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children, teens and adults younger than 34. There are over 5.5 million car accidents in America every year.  In 2009 (the most recent statistics) 30,797 of those accidents resulted in 2,217,000 injuries and 33,808 deaths according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 100 lives are lost every day due to preventable automobile accidents.

The most common personal injury cases in our court system today are those arising from motor vehicle accidents. This not a surprise, since every 10 seconds, somebody in America is involved in a car wreck.

The driver of a motor vehicle owes a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing injury or damage to others. Reasonable care means such care as a reasonable person would use under the same or similar circumstances. The failure to exercise reasonable care is called negligence.

If a person operates a vehicle negligently and that negligence causes an accident, that person may be responsible for the personal injuries and property damage that you suffer. Compensatory damages frequently sought and awarded by juries in motor vehicle accident cases include:

• Compensation for physical pain
• Compensation for mental anguish
• Compensation for medical bills
• Compensation for property damage
• Compensation for lost income or wages
• Compensation for loss of future earning capacity
• Compensation for permanent injury or disfigurement
• Compensation for loss of companionship of a spouse

When a person willfully acts in a reckless manner with a conscious disregard for the rights or safety of others they are said to be acting wantonly.  In other words, wantonness is acting in a manner that is likely going to hurt someone. Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is an example of wanton conduct.

In certain cases, the driver that causes an accident may be guilty of negligence and wantonness. In addition to the compensation listed above, juries may also award punitive damages. Punitive damages are not only meant to punish the wrongdoer, but also to set an example to deter others from acting in that same way.

Many motor vehicle accident victims believe that they can’t afford to fight for what is right because the other side will have deep pockets and can quickly outspend them. But, you don’t need a large bank account. Just an experienced attorney in your corner to fight for you. In most cases we can represent you on a “contingency” basis, which means you’ll only pay a legal fee if we make a recovery for you. If we don’t get results in your favor (through a cash settlement or a jury verdict) you don’t owe us a fee for our services.

At John Ronald Spencer, P.C., there is never a charge to meet with you to determine whether you have legal rights that must be protected. The initial consultation is always free. You have nothing to lose if you make the call.  But, you may lose all of your legal rights if you do nothing.

Call (251) 445-0590 today to schedule an appointment with an experienced trial attorney.