Hurt in an accident in Mobile? You may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages. A challenging aspect of personal injury cases is that it can be hard to know whether or not you even have a viable claim at all. The best thing you can do is to set up a free consultation with a top-tier Alabama personal injury lawyer. Do not assume that you do not have a claim. Here, our Mobile personal injury attorney highlights the key considerations for whether or not you have a viable claim in Alabama.
Three Big Questions to Find Out if You Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim in Alabama
The aftermath of a serious accident can be stressful and chaotic. During these challenging times, it can be difficult to focus your attention on legal or financial matters. A lot of people wonder whether or not they have a viable claim. Here are three big questions to ask yourself:
- Was an Injured Bad Enough to Need a Doctor? You can bring a personal injury claim if you sustained a significant injury. If a doctor was required, that is a bad injury. To be clear, you do not need to be hospitalized. Instead, you must have documentation showing that your injuries are real and require some form of professional care. A doctor’s diagnosis creates proof. Medical records are key to any personal injury case in Alabama. Without them, your claim will fall apart. Alabama law demands clear evidence of damages. If you were hurt badly enough to see a doctor, that is a major sign your injuries are serious enough.
- Did Someone Else Cause My Accident? Personal injury law in Alabama is based on fault. To have a valid claim, you will generally need to prove that another party’s negligence was the cause of your accident. The Legal Information Institute defines negligence as the failure to act with reasonable care. Every serious accident requires a thorough investigation. If another party’s negligence was the reason why your accident happened, you can bring a claim for a personal injury.
- Was I an “Innocent” Victim? Unlike virtually all other states, Alabama follows a strict contributory negligence rule. Unfortunately, that means that you generally need to be a truly “innocent” victim to bring a claim. Indeed, if you are even 1 percent at fault for the accident, you may be completely barred from recovering compensation. The harsh rule means you must be totally innocent to win a personal injury case in Alabama. It is another reason why strong, comprehensive evidence matters.
Contact Our Mobile, AL Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At Roger Varner Injury Law, our Mobile personal injury attorney handles the full range of claims. If you or your loved one was hurt in an accident, we will be by your side each and every step of the way. If you are unsure if you have a claim, we can help. Give us a call at (833) 482-7637 or contact us online for a free, no obligation initial consultation. From our Mobile law office, we are strong advocates for injured victims throughout the wider region in Alabama.