After a serious accident in Alabama, securing full and fair compensation is essential to protecting your health, finances, and future. Victims may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages, and in some cases, punitive damages. Below, our Mobile, AL personal injury lawyer explains the categories of compensation available under Alabama law.
You Have the Right to Full Compensation After an Alabama Accident
A major accident can cause physical, emotional, and financial hardship. Alabama law allows injured victims to seek the maximum recovery possible to cover medical bills, replace lost income, and restore quality of life. The three primary types of damages in personal injury cases are:
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages cover your direct, measurable financial losses. In Alabama, these often include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage and other documented expenses
These damages are backed by receipts, invoices, and financial records. Alabama law permits full recovery of all reasonable and necessary costs caused by another party’s negligence.
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate victims for intangible but very real losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or disability
Although harder to calculate, these damages are critical to achieving true justice. Insurance companies often undervalue them, making strong legal representation important.
3. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not designed to compensate you but to punish a defendant for especially reckless or malicious conduct. In Alabama, they are awarded only in cases involving fraud, malice, oppression, or conscious disregard for safety. Examples include drunk driving accidents or intentional misconduct. The standard of proof is “clear and convincing evidence.”
- Important Note: Alabama has no cap on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. A previous cap on non-economic damages for medical malpractice claims was struck down by the Alabama Supreme Court.
Speak With a Mobile, AL Personal Injury Lawyer
At Roger Varner Injury Law, our Mobile personal injury attorney fights to recover the maximum compensation available under Alabama law. If you have questions about the damages you can claim after an accident, we are ready to help. Call (833) 482-7637 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation case review. From our Mobile office, we represent injured victims across South Alabama.