Practice Areas
When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
For more than 30 years, the personal injury attorneys of Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. have been protecting the rights of personal injury victims. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars to help people piece their lives back together after a serious accident or injury.
We have over 100 years of combined personal injury law experience and won over $850 million in awards for our clients. We’re here to help and are on your side. When you are ready to have your questions answered, you may call us at (205) 322-8880 for a no-obligation, 100% free consultation.
We understand the impact an injury has on you and your family. It is common to feel that this was “only an accident” or that another person did not intend to injure you. This is the same sentiment shared with hundreds of clients we have represented.
You are not alone, and these feelings are common. A lot of our clients often have an “aha” moment when we talk about “negligent” or reckless behavior. What you need to understand is that other people can be held liable under injury laws even if they didn’t intend to injure you. This is one of the main principles behind negligence laws: someone must be held responsible for your losses.
Personal Injury Representation in a Wide Range of Practice Areas
We have the resources and legal knowledge necessary to successfully litigate for our client’s rights in a wide range of practice areas. This is not an exhaustive list, but clients often come to us for representation in the following practice areas:
- Auto Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Aviation Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Defective Medical Devices
- Medical Malpractice
- Construction Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
It’s important that you work with a personal injury law firm that can take on a variety of personal injury cases and understands the required approach needed for your case type.
Even seemingly straightforward personal injury cases can be complex. They can take money to hire experts, pay court costs, prepare depositions with witnesses, or even order a police report. We have the resources and legal knowledge necessary to successfully litigate for our client’s rights.
Our firm can help you recover monetary compensation and we make the process easy. In fact, you do not pay us a fee unless we win on your behalf. We advance all costs and you pay nothing out of pocket.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury anywhere in Alabama, contact our personal injury attorneys. We are ready to fight for fair compensation for your medical expenses, damages, pain, and distress that commonly result from these types of cases.
What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury?
Personal injury lawsuits encompass every type of injury you can think of. Because of this fact, every personal injury case has specific factors that will determine how the claim is handled. For example, different state and federal regulations apply to each kind of case.
Our Birmingham law firm handles all types of injuries, including those related to motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and product liability cases. This is not a complete list of injuries we cover but are among the more common cases we see:
What Are the Most Common Motor Vehicle Injuries?
Motor vehicle accidents of all kinds occur each year, leaving millions of people suffering from injuries that range from whiplash and chronic headaches to broken bones and permanent disability.
Safety regulations and standards for commercial truck drivers and companies are more extensive than that of everyday drivers of passenger cars, since truck accidents can involve more serious injuries. Motorcycle drivers also must abide by a separate set of rules in order to legally operate their vehicles. Our law firm has experience in litigating in all areas of motor vehicle law.
What Are the Most Common Medical Malpractice Injuries?
Every year thousands of Americans are harmed due to negligence that occurs in a medical setting. Medical malpractice involves the failure of a medical professional to exercise the proper standards of care with regard to treatment.
Injuries in a medical malpractice case can involve a misdiagnosis or failed diagnosis, incorrectly performed surgery, pharmaceutical errors, and even defective medical devices. These types of injuries can add hardships to a person who may already be dealing with a difficult medical issue.
What Are the Most Common Wrongful Death Claims?
Injury cases where the victim has passed away as a result of the accident are categorized as wrongful death cases. These types of cases present unique challenges for attorneys, as they require a heightened degree of sensitivity and empathy when communicating with the surviving loved ones.
In addition, these cases require skillful handling and presentation of evidence and legal arguments, as the victim is no longer available to testify on behalf of themselves. Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference when it comes to obtaining a favorable wrongful death award.
What Are the Most Common Product Liability Injuries?
Manufacturers have the responsibility to provide safe, reliable products for consumers. When a product causes harm or injury to a person due to no fault of their own, these companies must be held accountable.
Injuries caused by products can include objects falling onto someone, someone falling off of a product (such as a defective ladder), electric shock injuries, chemical exposure injuries, and other types of damage.
A personal injury claim for product liability not only allows the injured to seek compensation but also helps prevent the same type of accident from happening again. For instance, initiating legal action can help get dangerous products recalled and pulled from consumer shelves.
When Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Due to the complex nature of personal injury cases, pursuing a claim can seem overwhelming without the aid of an attorney. Hiring a Birmingham personal injury lawyer can help you or your loved one seek a fair settlement from an insurance company. We will pursue the maximum amount of compensation owed to you in an effective and efficient way.
You have the right to exercise due process if you have been injured as a result of another’s negligence. Due process means you are entitled to fair treatment by the court during your case.
Insurance companies typically want to close a claim as quickly as possible and may not take into account the full extent of your injuries when offering a settlement.
Our attorneys will not settle for less than what is fair to our clients. We have over 30 years of legal experience and resources to properly investigate each case we handle. We continue to maintain our reputation of achieving favorable results for personal injury clients in Birmingham and all over the state of Alabama.
What Is the Process of a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
There is a basic process for filing a personal injury lawsuit. However, each case is unique, and the process will vary based on different factors, such as the type of injuries sustained and specific details of the case. We will handle these matters so that you can focus on your health and recovery.
Factors to consider in the personal injury case process include:
Filing Deadlines: Birmingham personal injury law has a statute of limitations that determines the timeline of when a personal injury claim can be filed. If the claim is not filed within the proper deadlines, you may miss out on your chance to be compensated.
Documents and Forms: Our law firm handles all correspondence, communication, and necessary documentation for properly investigating your claim. We also gather all the evidence, including medical records, wages lost, and other accident-related costs, to complete a case file.
Legal Fees: The entire length of a personal injury lawsuit varies, which can influence the overall costs of a case. However, we do not take legal fees unless a settlement is obtained. By scheduling a free case evaluation, you can learn the extent of your legal options without any obligation to proceed.
Settlements: A successful outcome can come through two main ways: we can file a formal lawsuit and see the process all the way through to a trial. Or, sometimes even the threat of a lawsuit will force the opposing party to negotiate a settlement with us.
We are tenacious advocates for our clients’ legal interests and are unwavering in our commitment to pursuing the results they deserve. We will pursue whatever route gets the best outcome for our clients.
What Types of Personal Injury Compensation Are Common?
Accident injuries may worsen in the days or weeks following. New injuries can also manifest, such as muscle spasms, migraines, or dizziness, which might not be immediately apparent. An insurance company will want to settle a claim as soon as possible, but may not take into account the full extent of these injuries.
Our law firm is devoted to giving each client high-quality service and personal attention to fighting for the fair compensation our clients deserve.
Costs and medical expenses for injuries can cause added financial turmoil for victims already suffering the physical effects of an accident.
Compensation in a personal injury lawsuit can cover:
- Emergency room care, medical costs, and rehabilitative expenses
- Property damage repairs
- Wages lost due to time missed from work
- Loss of future earning capabilities
- Permanent disability as a direct result of the accident
- Emotional distress or pain and suffering as a direct result of the accident
- Any other accident-related costs
If you’ve been injured in an accident and are still in recovery, you may already be receiving hospital bills. Our Birmingham personal injury attorneys want to help you alleviate this financial burden through compensation.
When Is It Time to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
No one should have to experience the trauma of an accident, but unfortunately, it happens all too often. These unexpected events cause people to face setbacks and challenges that affect their day-to-day life. A personal injury lawsuit may not fully undo the damage, but it can help create a more positive future for those who have been injured.
Our Birmingham law firm has settled or tried hundreds of multi-million dollar cases over the past three decades with the single focus of getting the results our clients deserve. Let our personal injury attorneys help you seek due process through Alabama’s judicial system and take the legal burden off your shoulders. Our personal injury lawyers have the philosophy of putting clients’ interests first and achieving the best possible results.
Since its beginning in 1986, Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. has become a standout in the Birmingham legal community and is one of the most successful firms in Alabama. We have the experience behind us to provide the legal counsel you need for achieving a fair outcome.
Our case evaluations are free and require no obligation to proceed with a case.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you and your family if you’ve been seriously injured. You can call us at (205) 322-8880. We believe in providing the highest level of representation for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no set time length for personal injury cases. Every case will be different and can involve different factors. Depending on the facts, an injury case can take anywhere from several months to more than a year or even longer.
The following can influence how long a case takes:
- Severity of injuries
- Number of parties involved
- Insurance negotiations
- Available evidence
- Specific state and federal laws
There is no average settlement or verdict amount for injury cases. Again, each case is different. The settlement or damages award will depend on how bad the injury is and the other party’s degree of negligence.
The skill and ability of the attorney handling the case is also a major factor. A capable attorney will be able to argue for the highest possible compensation amount and skillfully present evidence and arguments for the client’s benefit.
Also, it is easier to gather evidence and records the closer it is to the accident or incident. This is especially true for automobile accidents, as the debris and other evidence will usually be cleared quickly from the accident site.
Contact the lawyers at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann today at (205) 322-8880 if you need legal representation. We do all we can to ensure that your case gets handled and processed in a timely manner.
Yes, the help of a lawyer will be particularly valuable during such a stressful time. Any type of accident can be traumatizing, and you might not know where to begin to file a claim. A qualified injury lawyer can help:Gather and organize documentation for your case
- Negotiate and communicate with the other parties on your behalf
- Review the evidence and craft a solid legal strategy
- Argue your case in court to obtain maximum recovery
- Provide moral support and encouragement during difficult times
At Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, we are passionate about helping people get their lives back on track after an injury. We believe injury victims should be compensated to the fullest under Alabama injury laws. Get in touch with us at (205) 322-8880 if you or a loved one have been injured and need assistance for a claim.
