Have you or a loved one sustained an injury directly caused by the negligent actions of another individual? You have legal rights.
At The Long Brothers, we understand the many challenges injured people face after an accident. From medical treatment to handling the insurance company, the legal process can be frustrating and overwhelming to handle alone.
For this reason, consulting an experienced and knowledgeable Foley personal injury lawyer will be to your advantage. While every case is different, we treat every client that walks through our doors with the same compassion and dedication.
Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Firm Handles
In order to best serve the Foley community, we handle various types of personal injury cases. Some of the cases our firm represents include but are not limited to the following:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Spinal cord injuries
- Mesothelioma
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dog bite injuries
- Slip and fall accidents
- Vacation accidents
- Boating accidents
- Parasailing accidents
- Jet Ski accidents
- Wrongful death
- Products liability
- Medical malpractice
Every personal injury case is unique and involves specific details that should be reviewed by an attorney.
If You Have Been Injured
If you were injured in an accident similar to those mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to contact our law firm about your legal options.
Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers knows what it takes to build a strong case. From our in-depth investigations to our negotiation skills, we will help you gather the paperwork and evidence required for a successful claim. If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s careless behavior, we will fight on your behalf and strive to obtain every penny you deserve.
Personal injury cases are time sensitive, so it’s imperative to contact our firm as soon as possible after your accident to ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines and your chance of obtaining any compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Personal Injury Checklist: Steps to Consider After an Accident
The moments after an accident can be overwhelming and scary. Our team has created a simple checklist to help you know what steps to follow after being involved in an accident:
- Remain calm.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident.
- Call for help.
- Take photographs of the accident scene and your injuries, if possible.
- Seek medical treatment.
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.
After an accident, it can be difficult to know what to do. However, your actions can have a significant effect on your claim, so it’s important to keep these steps in mind. Continue reading for more tips on protecting your legal rights after an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Four Ways to Protect Your Claim
In the event of an accident, it’s crucial to be knowledgeable of common mistakes to avoid. In some cases, injured people are unable to receive compensation because they made mistakes that ultimately damaged their claim. Below are four suggestions that may help protect your claim and chances of obtaining compensation after an accident:
1. Never Admit Fault
While you may be tempted to apologize for the accident, even if the other party is to blame, admitting fault in any way can decrease your chances of compensation. It’s important to not discuss liability or fault with the other party and/or parties involved. Always wait until police arrive to explain what happened.
2. Inform the proper authorities
After an accident, it’s important to inform the proper authorities. The best person to notify of your injuries will depend on your specific accident. For example, if you were involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should always contact the police and first responders.
If your accident happened on someone else’s property, it’s important to inform the property owner of your injuries. Never try to handle your accident alone. Failing to inform the proper authorities can have a significant impact on your claim and right to compensation.
3. Always seek medical treatment and follow your doctor’s orders
Even if you don’t feel any serious pain after the incident, you should always be evaluated by a medical professional. Pain doesn’t always arise immediately. In some cases, your injuries may surface days later.
Furthermore, failing to seek medical attention or ignoring your doctor’s orders after an accident can drastically damage your claim. This can cause the insurance company to believe what you suffered was not severe, resulting in less compensation than you deserve.
4. Collect evidence related to your injuries
Evidence is a crucial component of successful claims. Gathering the necessary evidence can support your claim and increase your chances of compensation. Additionally, preserving evidence is important, because physical evidence can easily be destroyed by the other party.
For example, if you experienced a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property due to uneven flooring, the owner may attempt to quickly repair the flooring in order to avoid a lawsuit. Taking photos of the scene of the accident can help prove what happened and who is liable.
Other types of evidence can include:
- Medical bills
- A police report, if applicable
- Witness statements
- Proof of lost wages
Statute of Limitations in Alabama
Many injured people are unaware that there are deadlines that must be adhered to when seeking damages. Each state has statute of limitations laws that apply to an individual’s right to file a lawsuit after an accident. Personal injury cases are usually settled before a lawsuit becomes necessary. However, it’s important to understand the statute of limitations in the event that a settlement cannot be reached during the negotiation stage.
In the state of Alabama, you have two years to file a lawsuit against the negligent party or parties at fault. If you wait and file after this deadline, your chances of receiving any compensation for damages are little to none.
To ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines, such as the statute of limitations, it’s in your best interest to consult an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Am I Eligible to Obtain Compensation?
No two cases are the same, so whether or not you’re eligible to receive compensation will depend on the details of your accident. In order to calculate a reasonable settlement amount, our team must review the circumstances of your individual case.
Some of the factors taken into consideration include:
The Severity of your Injuries
The nature of your injuries affects the amount of compensation you’re entitled to receive. For example, some injuries can cause permanent damage, which may increase compensation.
Medical Expenses
After an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses. This can include any surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and other treatments related to the accident.
Lost Wages
If your injuries caused you to miss time from work, lost wages may be taken into account when determining a fair compensation amount.
Property Damage
Depending on the type of accident you were involved in, you may be awarded compensation to help cover any property damage.
Our attorneys are advocates for injured people. We’re aware of the tactics insurance companies use to get people to agree to low settlements that don’t measure up to what they endured. With our team on your side, you can trust that you aren’t being taken advantage of by an insurance company.
How We Can Help
At The Long Brothers, we are passionate about helping injured people fight for justice after an accident. If you or a loved one suffered injuries that weren’t your fault, you need a legal team that understands the laws affecting your claim.
We have helped countless people and their families receive the compensation they are rightfully owed. While compensation can’t undo the physical and emotional turmoil you experienced, it can cover the high costs of medical expenses and help you move forward after an accident.
When you contact our firm, we will review your claim and help you understand how to best proceed. Our clients are a priority to us, so we will always strive to address any questions or concerns you have and keep you updated on the progress of your case.
Call our office today at 251-432-2277, or fill out our case review form to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to speaking with you about your legal options. Don’t wait long, call Long & Long.
