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Your Pelham Personal Injury Attorney
The short answer. In Alabama most injury claims must be filed within two years (Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)). A child under 19, or a person who is legally insane when the claim arises, may have more time (Ala. Code § 6-2-8(a)). The trial court for Shelby County sits in Columbiana, at 112 North Main Street, Columbiana, AL 35051. To talk it through, send the form on this page and we will work to connect you with an attorney in our network.
An injury changes the pace of your days. Medical visits, paperwork and worry about money can crowd out everything else. If you were hurt in Pelham because of another person’s actions, this page explains how Alabama treats injury claims so you can plan your next step.
This page is general information, not legal advice. NeedAnAttorney.net matches people with attorneys and does not represent anyone. The legal points below come from Alabama’s statutes, and the form at the top of the page is how you reach an attorney.
Before You Hire: Questions For A Pelham Attorney
Ask these in any first conversation:
- The deadline. Ask the attorney to name the exact last day to file for your claim. The general limit for injury claims in Alabama is two years (Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)).
- Your share of fault. Ask how a finding that you were partly responsible would change the numbers.
- Limits on damages. Ask whether any rule restricts the amount you could recover in Alabama.
- The money terms. Ask how fees are calculated and which costs come out of a recovery.
- Who will work on it. Ask who handles your file day to day and how fast messages are answered.
Common Kinds of Injury Claims
Vehicle crashes
Whether the collision was minor or serious, the same early steps help: get checked by a doctor, photograph the vehicles and the scene, exchange insurance information and keep any repair estimates.
Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
Walkers and cyclists hurt by a vehicle should write down the location, the time of day, the lighting and the signals as soon as they can. Witnesses who stopped are valuable, so ask for their contact details before they leave.
Falls and unsafe property
Wet floors, icy steps and broken railings cause injuries that turn on how long the hazard existed and who was responsible for it. Photograph the hazard as soon as you can and report the fall to whoever runs the property.
Wrongful death
When a death is caused by someone else’s wrongful act or neglect, the claim works differently from an injury claim. A wrongful death claim follows its own rules in Alabama; ask an attorney which date applies (Ala. Code § 6-5-410). You do not have to sort this out alone or quickly; an attorney can explain who is allowed to act and what the dates are.
Injured in Pelham? Get matched with an attorney now.
Your Own Share Of The Blame
An insurer’s argument that you share the blame carries real weight in Alabama.
A claim can be barred if you share any of the blame, with narrow exceptions in some cases. Photographs, witness names and medical records help show where the fault lies.
How Damages Are Measured
In an ordinary injury claim in Alabama, the amount depends on the facts of the claim. Special rules can apply to particular kinds of claims, so ask about yours.
Keep every bill and record, because they carry the claim. Punitive damages are limited separately (Ala. Code § 6-11-21(a)).
When The Clock Starts And Stops
The general time limit for an injury claim in Alabama is two years (Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)). A person under 19, or one who is legally insane when the claim arises, may have more time (Ala. Code § 6-2-8(a)).
A wrongful death claim follows its own rules, so ask which date applies (Ala. Code § 6-5-410). If a government body may be responsible, the steps can differ (Ala. Code § 11-47-23). Ask in your first conversation which date applies to your claim.
Insurance Limits To Know
Alabama requires at least $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to two or more people in one accident and $25,000 for property damage (Ala. Code § 32-7-6(c)).
When the other driver carries only the minimum and your injuries are serious, any other policy that applies becomes important. Before you accept a payment, ask your attorney to check for every policy that might apply, yours included.
The Court and Hospitals Behind a Pelham Claim
Pelham lies in Shelby County, according to Census Bureau place and county names. Shelby County’s 18th Judicial Circuit circuit court is listed in Columbiana, at 112 North Main Street, Columbiana, AL 35051. Another facility on the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Trauma System list of trauma centers, Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham, is also in Shelby County; it is listed as a Level I trauma center. In Shelby County, the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Trauma System list of trauma centers shows University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital in Birmingham as a Level I trauma center. Another facility on the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Trauma System list of trauma centers, Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham, is also in Shelby County; it is listed as a Level III trauma center.
Records matter later. Get the complete chart and an itemized bill from each place that treated you, and write down the date of every visit, including any transfer to another facility.
Where To Begin After An Injury In Pelham
The form at the top of this page is the starting point. NeedAnAttorney.net reviews your details and works to match you with an attorney in our network who may handle cases in Alabama. It costs nothing to use and does not commit you to anything.
Meanwhile, jot down the facts while they are fresh: date, time, place, who was there, what care you have had and what work you have missed. Save every bill and every message from an insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alabama put a ceiling on pain and suffering?
It depends on the facts of your claim, so ask an attorney whether any rule limits it in your case. Medical bills and lost income are handled separately from pain and suffering. An attorney can tell you which rules apply to your facts.
Is the other driver’s policy enough to cover my injuries?
At least $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to two or more people in one accident and $25,000 for property damage (Ala. Code § 32-7-6(c)). A crash with several injured people can use up limits quickly. It helps to learn early what other coverage may exist.
What should I save for my claim?
Hold on to your medical bills and records. Photographs of the scene and your injuries help. Add pay records for time off, estimates for repairs and every message from an insurer.
Do I have to give the other insurer a recorded statement?
Not right away. A polite request to wait until you have talked to someone about your options is fine. Early offers can be low, so wait until treatment is clear.
What if the injury happened on public property?
There are special steps. Special claim or notice steps can apply (Ala. Code § 11-47-23). The rules for public bodies differ from the rules for private parties. Do not wait to ask.
How long does an injury settlement take?
It varies with the injury and the insurer. Claims often wait until your condition is clear and the total losses are known. A lawsuit adds time.
Is there a deadline for suing after an accident in Alabama?
Generally two years (Ala. Code § 6-2-38(l)). A person under 19, or one who is legally insane when the claim arises, may have more time (Ala. Code § 6-2-8(a)). A wrongful death claim follows its own rules (Ala. Code § 6-5-410).
Does it matter that I was partly to blame?
The rule: a claim can be barred if you share any of the blame, with narrow exceptions in some cases. How the blame is assigned matters. Keep notes about how the injury happened.
Injury Attorney Pages For Other Alabama Communities
The same matching service covers more of Alabama. Pick the community closest to where it happened.
