Henry County Personal Injury Lawyer
Becoming injured due to the intentional acts or negligence of another person is never easy. First, there is the rest and recovery you need to get back to physical and mental health. Unfortunately, mounting medical bills, lost time at work and accumulating paperwork make this recovery process difficult.
On top of that, the insurance companies, the very people who are supposed to make the process easier, can delay your claim with drawn out investigations and misdirection.
Henry County personal injury lawyers fight by your side to get you the compensation that you deserve. Compassionate injury attorneys deal with the details from the insurance companies so that you can focus on getting your life back on track.
Personal Injury Laws
Personal injury claims are not defined by the legislature of the state of Alabama. While the underlying act that leads to the claim may be punishable by the criminal code, such as in cases of assault or drunk driving, any civil action that arises out of these acts will be governed by the common law.
Simply put, the common law is a collection of court decisions handed down over the years. Since courts are required to follow past precedent, people can extrapolate legal patterns from these decisions.
Proving Negligence
One of the most utilized torts extrapolated from common law is the theory of negligence. Since most personal injuries come about from acts that would be considered accidents, the law gives injured people a route to recover damages using negligence.
A person is considered to be negligent if they have a legal duty to protect another person, and by breaking that duty, the protected person comes to harm. Examples of cases that utilize negligence theory include:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Slip and Falls
- Motorcycle Accidents
Intentional Acts
However, there are a number of other personal injury cases in Henry County that do not rely on the defendant being negligent. Most often, these cases involve personal injury that results from an intentional act.
For example, if a person is assaulted and needs to go to the hospital, they may sue the assailant for medical costs as well as pain and suffering. While assault is a crime under Alabama law, only the District Attorney can pursue a criminal case.
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal proceedings, or even if a criminal charge is never filed, an injured party retains the right to initiate a civil claim and work with a Henry County personal injury attorney. Criminal cases and civil cases are always separate, even if the underlying facts are identical.
Statute of Limitations
One other aspect of the law that all potential plaintiffs should keep in mind is the statute of limitations. The Alabama legislature has enacted a law placing time limits on civil claims involving personal injury.
According to AL Code 6-2-38(l), all civil claims alleging personal injury must be filed within two years of the incident. If more than two years have passed since the injury, a plaintiff’s case will be barred and no recovery will be possible.
How a Henry County Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Whether you have been injured in a car accident, truck accident, slip and fall, or by a violent act, skilled attorneys are available to help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Regardless of the circumstances in which you became injured, if it is someone else’s fault, they may be liable for damages.
Henry County personal injury lawyers will analyze your case, determine if another person is responsible for your injuries, and pursue your case with diligence and vigor.
By gathering all of the evidence, consulting with experts, and forming strong demand packages, many of cases settle without ever going to court.
However, if a trial is necessary, skilled litigators will guide you every step of the way. Do not let the insurance companies intimidate you into settling for a token sum; contact Henry County personal injury attorneys today to see how they can aid in your fight for fair compensation.