Personal Injury Attorneys in Prattville, AL

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Alabama

Successfully recovering compensation through a personal injury claim requires demonstrating that another person or organization’s negligence harmed you. Our attorneys understand how to demonstrate negligence in a variety of scenarios and can advise whether you have a strong case.

Our team at McDowell Faulk & Shirley can represent you in many types of personal injury claims, including those involving:

• Car accidents. All drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else on the road. When a driver’s negligence causes an accident, they become liable for the injuries they cause. If you’ve been injured in a car crash, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel pain, your injuries may be hidden by adrenaline, and some injuries that may require urgent medical care could worsen and only become evident after days or weeks have passed. Once you know the full extent of your injuries, our lawyers can help you explore legal action against the negligent driver and pursue compensation for your damages.
• Truck accidents. Accidents involving trucks, or “big rigs,” bring an entirely different set of problems. In many cases, large trucking companies or their insurance carriers will try aggressively to get you to give up your claim or settle for an amount way less than you deserve. Don’t fall into their trap, and don’t accept any settlement without first consulting an attorney. More than one party, including parties other than the truck driver, may be legally responsible for the accident. We can thoroughly investigate the collision and pursue every potential avenue of liability.
• Motorcycle accidents. “Share the road” isn’t just a slogan: It’s the law. Motorcyclists have as much right to use and be safe on the roadway as others. Unfortunately, distracted or impatient drivers often cause motorcycle crashes that lead to tragic consequences. Our attorneys can anticipate and work to overcome bias against motorcyclists in these cases and fight to get the compensation you need to cover your damages.
• Slips and falls and other premises liability accidents. Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises. When they fail to adequately address safety hazards that they knew or reasonably should have known about, they become liable for any injuries these hazards cause. For example, if you slipped, fell, and suffered serious injuries because of a spill at a grocery store that wasn’t cleaned up for half an hour, you may have a strong case for compensation. Other types of dangerous conditions that can warrant premises liability claims include uneven flooring, poor lighting, and broken handrails. 
• Dog bites. A dog bite can be traumatic and painful. Alabama has complex dog bite laws, but you shouldn’t wait to discuss your legal options with our team if you were bitten in a public place or while lawfully present on private property. Depending on the specifics of what happened, you could be entitled to compensation. 
• Wrongful death. If you lost a loved one due to another person or entity’s negligence, you understandably want justice and accountability. The personal representative of the deceased’s estate, who is usually named in the deceased’s will, has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent party and seek compensation for the deceased’s surviving family members.

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

In Alabama, you generally have two years from the date you were injured to file a personal injury claim. In cases involving wrongful death, the time limit is two years from the date the victim passed away, which isn’t necessarily the date they suffered fatal injuries. If you wait too long to take legal action, you typically lose your right to pursue your case or recover compensation. 

Two years may seem like a long time, but we encourage you to reach out as soon as you can after suffering injuries in an accident. The sooner you discuss your case with our team, the sooner we can start investigating, preserving evidence, and building a strong claim designed to secure every dollar you deserve.