Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Montgomery, Southeast Alabama & the Tri-State Area
The Montgomery personal injury lawyers at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC are passionate about protecting the rights and best interests of the wrongfully injured in Alabama. With more than 130 years of combined experience and millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our clients, you can feel confident that you are capable hands.
Accidents, though often preventable, are surprising by nature, and we are almost never prepared for what’s to come following an unexpected injury. What’s most frustrating and upsetting is if they happen at the hands of another. If you find yourself injured due to no fault of your own, there is a high chance you are entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, loss of work and wages, pain and suffering, and more. Someone else’s negligence or recklessness can permanently alter your life beyond measure, an injustice we seek to correct.
At Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, we have seen a multitude of personal injury cases result in satisfied clients who obtain the compensation they deserve. We are tenacious and aggressive in our pursuit of justice, fighting for your best interests above all else. Reach out to our Montgomery personal injury team right away to learn more. We look forward to helping you!
Our Areas of Practice in Montgomery
Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers offer comprehensive counsel and advocacy in the following types of personal injury cases:
- Workers’ compensation
- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Construction accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Catastrophic injuries
- Dog bites
- Slip and fall
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Wrongful death
With over 130 years of combined experience, our legal team seamlessly combines sincere compassion for people with a relentless, success-oriented mentality.
What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?
A personal injury lawyer helps people who have been injured in accidents that weren’t their fault. If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation under Alabama law. But, to seek the compensation you deserve, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, one of your lawyer’s first steps will be to investigate your accident and gather as much information as possible. Based on the evidence that is available, your attorney will then determine what type of personal injury claim (or claims) he or she can file on your behalf. Your personal injury lawyer will also carefully calculate the financial and non-financial costs of your injuries, and your attorney will work to secure just compensation on your behalf as quickly as possible.
How Does a Montgomery Personal Injury Case Work?
Most personal injury cases in Montgomery, Alabama involve dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is typical for car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, and most other types of personal injury claims. When you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company for you—and will work to prove both: (i) that the insurance company is obligated to pay; and, (ii) that you are entitled to full compensation for your long-term financial and non-financial costs.
In most successful personal injury cases, this eventually leads to an out-of-court settlement. But, as the claimant, it is up to you to decide whether you are willing to accept a settlement. If the at-fault party’s insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, then your personal injury lawyer may need to take your case to court in Montgomery.
How Do I File a Personal Injury Claim in Montgomery, Alabama?
The process for filing a personal injury claim in Montgomery, Alabama depends on the specific type of claim you need to file. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, you will most likely need to file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. But, there are other possibilities as well, and it is critical not to assume that the other driver’s policy will cover your injury-related losses.
Likewise, in other types of personal injury cases, determining what you need to do in order to file your claim starts with identifying the party that is responsible for your injuries. Then, at this point, your personal injury lawyer can determine whether it makes the most sense to start with an insurance claim or take your case directly to court.
Do I Have to Go to Court to File a Personal Injury Claim?
You do not have to go to court to file a personal injury claim, and it is highly unlikely that you will have to go to court at all during the process. This is because the vast majority of successful personal injury claims settle without going to trial. However, settlement is never guaranteed, so it is important that you are prepared to go to court if necessary.
How Long Does the Personal Injury Claim Process Take?
In most cases, the personal injury claim process takes somewhere in the range of three to nine months. However, some get resolved more quickly, and some take much longer. Unfortunately, as a claimant, much of the timeline is out of your control. While you can—and should—work closely with your personal injury lawyer to make the process as efficient as possible, the insurance companies will make the process take longer than necessary.
How Are Damages Calculated?
In a legal context, damages refer to the monetary compensation awarded to a person who has suffered a loss, or injury as a result of someone else’s negligent actions. Damages in a personal injury claim are typically calculated based on several factors that are intended to compensate you for your physicxal, financial, and emotional losses. These damages are divided into two main categories: economic (special) damages and non-economic (general) damages. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded. Here’s how each type is calculated:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are straightforward and cover the quantifiable financial losses resulting from the injury. These include:
- Medical expenses: This includes all past, current, and future medical costs related to the injury. This covers hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, medication, and any ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages: If the injury has caused you to miss work, you’re entitled to compensation for lost income, including future loss of earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to work in the future.
- Property damage: If personal property, such as a vehicle, was damaged, you can seek compensation for repairs or replacement.
- Other expenses: Any other out-of-pocket costs incurred because of the injury, such as transportation for medical treatment, home care services, or modifications to your home due to disability.
Non-Economic (General) Damages
These damages compensate for non-monetary losses, which are more subjective and often harder to calculate. They include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury. In Alabama, this is based on the extent and duration of the pain.
- Emotional distress: If the injury caused psychological effects like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compensation may be awarded.
- Loss of enjoyment: If the injury has affected your ability to enjoy activities or hobbies you once did, this can be included in your damages.
- Loss of consortium: If the injury negatively affects your relationship with your spouse, you may be entitled to damages for this loss.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages in Alabama are only awarded in cases of particularly egregious behavior, such as when the defendant acted with malice, fraud, or willful misconduct (see Ala. Code § 6-11-20). These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Alabama’s Cap on Punitive Damages:
There is a cap on punitive damages in Alabama. Under Alabama law, punitive damages cannot exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages or $1.5 million, whichever is greater.
Contributory Negligence in Alabama
Alabama follows a strict doctrine of contributory negligence. Under this rule, if the injured party is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any damages. This rule makes Alabama one of the few states with such strict negligence laws.
Because of contributory negligence, defendants and insurance companies will often try to prove that the injured party was partially at fault to avoid paying damages. This is why having a strong legal strategy is crucial.
The At-Fault Party’s Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Should I Take It?
This is a very important question, and you should not make a decision about accepting a settlement offer until you talk to the Montgomery personal injury lawyers at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC. If you settle your claim, you will waive your right to seek additional compensation for your injury-related losses—so it is imperative that you don’t settle too soon. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand the total financial and non-financial costs of your injuries, and then you can use this information to make a smart decision.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Alabama?
Under Alabama law, you have up to two years to file a personal injury claim in most cases. With that said, there are several reasons why you will want to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. There is no reason to wait; and, if anything, waiting will only make it more difficult to recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Fighting for Your Right to Just Compensation
At Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, our primary objective is securing compensation for our injured clients that will cover all their accident-related expenses—not just those that are immediate. While many personal injury victims make a full recovery following their accidents, many others suffer injuries that last for a lifetime and therefore require ongoing treatment. We will fight to obtain the full amount of compensation you are entitled to both now and into the future.
While every personal injury claim is affected by unique, individual factors, you may be eligible to receive compensation such as:
- The full cost of all relevant and reasonable past and future medical expenses, including hospitalization costs, surgeries, physical therapy, counseling, ongoing treatments, and more.
- The amount of wages you lost due to having to take time off work or quit your job.
- Emotional trauma, embracement, and pain and suffering endured.
- Property damage repair costs.
- Punitive damages (in the event your accident was caused by gross negligence).
- Funeral and burial expenses, in the event of wrongful death.
Why Choose Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC?
At Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, we are passionate about achieving the best possible outcome for our clients. We’ve secured some of the biggest victories in Alabama, including a $21 million jury verdict. With more than 130 years of combined experience, our legal team is fully equipped to handle even the most complex cases.
Your well-being is our top priority. After a serious accident, you need a firm in your corner that you can trust. Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers are here to help you seek justice and rebuild your life. With FREE initial consultations, we give you a chance to explore your legal options without any pressure. We’ll keep the process clear and transparent, and make sure you stay informed every step of the way.
Our record of success speaks for itself. While we take pride in our numerous accolades and successful verdicts and settlements, we are most proud of the positive difference we have made in the lives of our clients.
With multiple offices across Southeast Alabama, we serve clients throughout the Tri-State area. Known for our compassionate approach and unwavering dedication, we stand by your side from start to finish.
When you choose Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC, you’re choosing a team that’s not only experienced but also deeply committed to fighting for the best outcome for you.
Contact Our Montgomery Personal Injury Lawyers for Free
If you’ve been seriously injured in or around Montgomery, Alabama, and need legal assistance, the experienced personal injury lawyers at Morris, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC are here for you.
We provide free initial consultations to all accident victims because we believe top-quality legal representation should be available to everyone. Our team is dedicated to helping you secure the full compensation to which you may be entitled under the law.
Contact us today online or at (844) 654-6228 for a FREE case evaluation with one of our Montgomery personal injury lawyers.