Personal Injury Law in Hartselle, AL
Hartselle, AL has approximately 1.5 physicians per 1,000 residents, which is slightly less than the national average. So when you suffer a personal injury, you’ll likely wait longer than the average American to be seen by a doctor at Hartselle Health Park Urgent Care or at Decatur Morgan Hospital.
Still, you don’t have the time or energy to deal with unreliable or inexperienced attorneys who push you to settle for less or give up entirely. You need an attorney who will jump in with both feet and take care of what needs to be done.
At Hodges Trial Lawyers, we spend a substantial amount of our time on personal injury claims. We have seen how a serious injury can derail a victim’s life personally, professionally, and financially, and we are committed to holding negligent parties accountable.
If you or someone you love has experienced a personal injury in Hartselle, let’s sit down and talk about your options. Call Hodges Trial Lawyers at 256-539-3110 now.
Alabama Personal Injury Cases Are Different—Here’s Why
Personal injury law is complex and nuanced, since laws vary substantially from state to state. Alabama stands out from the rest in one area: contributory negligence. If you choose an attorney that has minimal experience in Alabama, they could do serious damage to your case if they don’t consider the implications of contributory negligence.
What is contributory negligence? This rule bars a victim of an accident from receiving compensation in court if they are found to have any liability in the accident. Yes, by any liability, we mean even 1%.
This obviously shifts how we must approach negotiations and trial preparation, as contributory negligence makes it much easier for the other party to get out of paying anything if the case goes to court. All they have to do is prove that you share any percentage of fault for the accident, and they don’t have to pay anything.
Another unique law in Alabama is the Guest Statute. This is applicable if you are involved in a car crash as a passenger and the driver of the vehicle you were in is found to be at fault. Unless you were paying them for the ride, they were impaired, or they were otherwise guilty of wantonness, you cannot seek compensation from them.
These laws and other Alabama-specific statutes make it clear that you need an attorney with an extensive body of knowledge and experience in this area.
The Cases We Take at Hodges Trial Lawyers
Personal injury is an expansive area of law, but over the years, we’ve handled cases across the entire spectrum. Turn to us for help with your:
- Car accident: Car accidents are a serious problem in Alabama, and even a minor one could leave you thousands of dollars in debt. We’ve represented clients after minor to severe accidents.
- Motorcycle crash: Motorcyclists often face unfair prejudice after a collision, so we make sure our clients are taken seriously during negotiations and in court.
- Truck or bus accident: These types of collisions can cause a significant amount of damage, so it’s crucial that you work with an attorney who can get you every penny you deserve.
- Slip and fall: Falls area common occurrence, but when they lead to a serious injury, you may need an attorney to hold the property owner accountable.
- Dog bite: Alabama is one state that does not have a “one bite” rule. Even if you are bitten by a dog without any history of aggression, you can still seek compensation from the owner.
- Defective product: Products that are poorly designed, manufactured, or marketed can cause serious injuries. When they do, it’s time to pursue compensation.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has died because of another person’s negligence, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim.
What to Do After an Injury
Taking the proper steps after an injury may protect your right to file a claim against the negligent party. We recommend:
- Reporting the accident: If you’re involved in a car accident, you’ll reach out to the Hartselle Police Department. The appropriate contact point for a dog bite is Morgan County Animal Control. After a fall, you should report it immediately to the property owner.
- Gathering evidence: This may include eyewitness contact information, photos of the scene of the accident, video footage, and photographs of your injuries.
- Seeking medical attention: Local facilities like Hartselle Health Park Urgent Care and Decatur Morgan Hospital are some of the main options in this area. You’ll want to get checked out by a doctor right away to rule out serious injury.
- Talking to an attorney: The sooner you talk to a personal injury lawyer, the better. They can help you avoid common pitfalls that could damage your claim, investigate the accident, and build a case that forces the other party to take you seriously.
Why Choose Hodges Trial Lawyers?
At Hodges Trial Lawyers, we approach every case knowing how important it is to the victim. To you, this isn’t just a case number—it’s what decides whether or not you receive the compensation you deserve after an accident. We don’t churn and burn through clients, pushing them to accept low settlement offers just so we can settle their claim, close out their file, and move on. At every turn, our goal is to do what is best for the client.
In most cases, that means negotiating a fair settlement with the liable party’s insurance company. We’re skilled negotiators who are ready to put some pressure on the insurance company to make a fair offer. If they are unwilling to negotiate fairly, we won’t give up. Our team has a long list of trial victories, so we are more than ready to take your case to court. Whatever it takes, you can trust us to do what is right for you.
Contact Us Now to Start Your Personal Injury Claim
With the right attorney on your side, you can rest easy as you recover from your injuries. Let the team at Hodges Trial Lawyers handle the insurance company and their legal team while you rest. Set up a meeting now to talk more about your options. Just call us at 256-539-3110 or contact us online now to get started.
