Personal Injury Attorney in Alabama

alabama

Are you or a loved one dealing with the aftermath of a serious injury you suffered in Alabama? Perhaps a careless driver hit you, or maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage from a truck collision. Regardless of the exact circumstances, if someone else is responsible for hurting you, they should also be responsible for compensating you. That’s where Collins Law steps in.

Led by Attorney April H. Collins, our caring, determined, and experienced team wants to make sure your voice is heard and you get the money you need to put your life back together. Our law firm promises to never take home more money than our clients if we get their cases resolved via settlement or verdict. We are also known throughout Alabama for our track record of having our clients’ accident-related medical bills reduced by upward of 50 percent after resolving their injury case — an all-too-rare thing in the legal profession.

Accident victims like you deserve compensation for injuries suffered at the hands of others. We make sure more of it gets to you. Contact us today to speak with an Alabama personal injury lawyer about your case at no upfront cost or obligation to you.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Alabama Personal Injury Attorney?

The aftermath of a sudden injury can be a difficult time. You’re likely in serious pain that affects your ability to work and earn a living. You could be facing expensive medical and repair bills. While you might know you’re owed compensation by the person who hurt you, actually getting it is another matter entirely

Fortunately, you do not have to face this challenging time alone. Instead, you can turn to a compassionate Alabama personal injury attorney for help. If you choose Attorney Collins and her team to handle your case, you can trust that we will:

  • Investigate the incident thoroughly to determine everyone liable for your injuries
  • Collaborate with experts as necessary to help us calculate what fair compensation entails
  • File your claims on your behalf and negotiate with at-fault parties and their insurers for an out-of-court settlement
  • Take your case to trial and represent you in court if it’s the best way to secure full compensation
  • Treat you with empathy and compassion from start to finish

While we pursue your case, you can focus on what’s important: your health and recovery. Don’t wait to get the benefit of our rigorous legal representation. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation with Attorney Collins.

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What Must Be Proven in a Personal Injury Claim?

To win your personal injury claim, you must prove that your injuries are the result of someone else’s carelessness, recklessness, or other legal fault. Most personal injury cases rest on the legal concept of negligence: that someone did not behave with sufficient care given the circumstances. Negligence can take many different forms: a driver running a red light, a shopkeeper failing to repair a loose railing, or a homeowner leaving a dead tree to rot on their property. If someone else’s negligence led to your injuries, they likely owe you compensation for them.

Establishing that party’s legal fault will take considerable evidence, such as the following:

  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Police or other incident reports
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Photos of your injuries
  • Medical records
  • Accident reconstructions

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Alabama can thoroughly investigate the accident to uncover this evidence and use it to build a strong case on your behalf.

What Damages Could You Be Entitled to in a Personal Injury Case?

Once you establish that someone else is responsible for your injuries, you can demand they compensate you accordingly. Personal injury compensation in your case could include money for the following:

  • Medical Expenses – Covering past, current, and future medical treatment, including hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and any specialized medical care
  • Lost Wages – For income lost while unable to work, including reductions in future earning capacity
  • Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress suffered as a result of the accident
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Compensation for the way injuries affect the ability to take part in hobbies, exercise, and other recreational activities
  • Loss of Consortium – Acknowledging a spouse’s loss of companionship, affection, and support caused by the injuries
  • Property Damage – Reimbursement for damage to or the loss of property, such as a vehicle or personal belongings, due to the accident

Although not available in all cases, punitive damages may be awarded in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

Can You Still Get Compensation If You Were Partly to Blame for Your Injuries?

Alabama follows a strict contributory fault rule, which holds that an accident victim cannot recover compensation at trial if they are in any way to blame for their injuries. This means that if a court finds you are even 1 percent at fault for your injuries, it will bar you from receiving any compensation at all.

However, there are certain exceptions to the harsh contributory fault rule. For example, the “last clear chance” doctrine holds that an injured party can still recover compensation from a defendant who was the only person who could have stopped an accident from happening but failed to do so. For example, imagine a pedestrian crossing a street outside of a designated crosswalk when they are hit by a car whose driver is not paying attention to the road. This pedestrian may have been negligent, but the driver had sufficient time to see the pedestrian in the roadway and apply the brakes. In this case, the injured pedestrian might still be able to recover compensation from the driver who hit them.

How Soon Should You Start a Personal Injury Claim?

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the better. Crucial evidence can disappear or go missing within days of an accident, so your attorney needs to retrieve as much as possible before they’re gone forever. Furthermore, the process of building a strong case, filing insurance claims, and negotiating with adjusters takes time. The best time to call an attorney is now.

How Long Do I Have in Alabama to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Alabama law holds that any personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date of injury. If you miss this deadline, you could be barred from receiving compensation. Don’t put your rights in jeopardy — get in touch with Collins Law right away.

How Long Does a Typical Personal Injury Case Last?

How long a given personal injury case takes depends on a number of factors, including:

  • How many people are involved
  • How clearly the defendant or defendants are at fault
  • How willing they or their insurers are to negotiate
  • Whether the case ultimately goes to court

On the short end, a personal injury case might take a few months to be resolved. On the longer side, it might take several years. Regardless, it’s important to remain patient and trust your lawyer to seek the best resolution under the circumstances.

What Are Common Personal Injury Cases?

At Collins Law, we are prepared to handle a wide range of personal injury claims, including those that involve the following:

What Types of Injuries Happen Due to Personal Injury Accidents?

Personal injury accidents can result in a wide range of severe injuries, including the following:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Trauma to the head can result in TBIs, such as concussions, diffuse axonal injuries, and brain hemorrhages, which can lead to cognitive and behavioral changes.
  • Broken Bones – Fractures are most common in the arms, legs, ribs, and hips. When severe, they may require surgery to correct.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord of the nerves of the spinal canal can cause permanent changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the site of the injury.
  • Burns – Contact with extreme heat or caustic chemicals can damage the skin and underlying tissues. Severe burns may require skin grafts and result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries – Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments might manifest as sprains, strains, or tears.
  • Cuts and Lacerations – Severe cuts might require surgical intervention to repair and can be at risk of infection and other complications.
  • Internal Injuries – Blunt force or penetrating trauma can lead to internal bleeding, organ damage, or other injuries to internal body parts.
  • Emotional Distress – The emotional trauma caused by being in an accident can result in psychological injuries like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Contact an Alabama Personal Injury Attorney Today

Have you or a loved one been hurt in an accident in Alabama? If someone else is to blame, that person could owe you compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Let Attorney Collins, an experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyer in Alabama, help you pursue it.

Contact Collins Law today for a free consultation, and let us empower you to get the compensation you need to take back your life.