Traffic Accident: What Can I Collect?

Allen Ritchie • August 23, 2023
Two cars are involved in a car accident on the side of the road.

What is the number one question I get? Not surprisingly, it is “What is my case worth?” This is not because of greed but rather because injured people need money to care for their families and to get better.

The soft answer to the question is – It depends. The real answer is – It depends.

Generally, you will collect based on the severity of your injuries. The reason is simple. The more injured you are, the more money you need.

Here are some things you may collect:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Physical and mental therapy
  • Emotional distress
  • Future lost income
  • Mental anguish
  • Inability to perform tasks
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of quality of life

Generally, you are collecting on the insurance of the person who hit you. But remember, this may be quite low. Alabama only requires drivers to carry bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Plus, they are required to carry property damage liability of $25,000 per person. This is why I strongly recommend you carry your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Let me give you a few other tips I have learned in my many years of experience. You can sometimes combine your home insurance with auto insurance and occasionally use the insurance on other vehicles to help pay your bills. That is why you need a lawyer experienced in auto accidents to examine your case.

Two other things. First, at a law firm like ours, there is never a penny out of your pocket. Legal costs are taken out of what we can collect. Second, never give a recorded statement until you have spoken with a lawyer. In my experience, those are meant to hurt you, not help you.

If you suffer from any personal injury accident – car, boat, on-the-job, slip and fall , nursing home abuse , etc. – you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie (251) 666-1212. Remember that it is free. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Plus, join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We’ll have some legal information you can use. Plus, we specifically set aside a few hours on Monday morning to answer any questions you may have in real-time. Just call our office.

Alabama Personal Injury Lawyer

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

A termite is crawling on a rock in the water.
By Steele Ritchie June 20, 2025
Termite Damage in Alabama: What You Need to Know (Q&A)
A judge 's gavel is sitting on top of a black table.
By Jason Steele March 28, 2025
Injured? Why a limited amount of time to sue in Alabama? Learn more from Jason Steele from Steele Ritchie LLC.
A man is writing on a piece of paper with a pen.
By Allen A. Ritchie March 21, 2025
Live In Alabama? 3 Essential Legal Papers … or Regret It Later. Learn more from Allen Ritchie with Steele Ritchie LLC.
A woman is sitting on a window sill with her head in her hands.
By Jason Steele March 17, 2025
Injured, Do I Have to Hand Over My Clothes? Learn more with Jason Steele from Steele Ritchie LLC.
A bunch of termites are crawling on a wooden surface.
By Allen Ritchie March 7, 2025
You cannot live in the Mobile area and not know about termites. Every year, they come, and they stay here all year long. Why? They like what we like – our warm summers and mild winters. In fact, the area around here is perfect … and I mean perfect … for termites. Those dangerous, destructive […] The post Termites Coming to Mobile and Baldwin Counties first appeared on Steele Ritchie.
A woman is driving a car on a highway.
By Allen Ritchie March 3, 2025
Question: An Uber or Lyft accident. Is it like being a passenger in a friend’s car? JASON: Not in Alabama. Plus, getting you paid can be complex, and you may need a lawyer to figure it out. Here is the big difference: You are dealing with a business, not an individual. The good news is […] The post Suing the Uber Driver After a Wreck first appeared on Steele Ritchie.
A woman is laying on a couch blowing her nose with a napkin.
By Allen Ritchie February 21, 2025
Here, in and around Mobile, we can work in some dangerous situations and with some very dangerous chemicals. Not feeling well? Don’t think your illness is just part of getting older. It could be that your job is literally killing you. This happens more often than most people think. In Alabama, it is estimated that […] The post AL Law: Work Is Making Me Sick first appeared on Steele Ritchie.
A young girl in a purple jacket is sitting on a couch with her hands on her chin.
By Allen Ritchie February 17, 2025
Question: If a Moon Pie injures me, can I sue? JASON: Really, you want to tell a jury in Mobile that a pastry hurt you? Well, happy Mardi Gras. Seriously, the question is not, can you sue, but rather, can you win? I am going to guess that you were hit by a Moon Pie […] The post Injured by Moon Pie. Can I Sue? first appeared on Steele Ritchie.
Two cars are involved in a car accident on the side of the road.
By Steele Ritchie February 11, 2025
A personal injury accident can be overwhelming, leaving victims confused and unsure of what steps to take next. Knowing the proper actions to take immediately after the accident can significantly affect your recovery and legal claim, whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall, workplace injury, or another type of incident. Taking swift action helps […] The post What to Do After a Personal Injury Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide first appeared on Steele Ritchie.
A person is holding a cell phone with social media icons on the screen.
By Allen Ritchie February 7, 2025
After an accident, not only can your family and friends read your posts – but so can the other driver’s insurance company. And those guys are looking for any reason not to pay you. Posting about your accident could cost you thousands of dollars. Yes, thousands. Here are 5 tips I share with my clients: […] The post Stop the Social Media. You’re Injuring Your Injury Case. first appeared on Steele Ritchie.
Show More