Lawyers in Alabama: Your Guide to Legal Success
Have you suffered a personal injury in an accident in Alabama, or been subjected to harmful conduct in the workplace? If so, you could be entitled to receive compensation under the law. Lawyers in Alabama are worth speaking to about your dispute so that you can evaluate whether you have an actionable claim and how you should move forward.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free consultation with qualified local lawyers in Alabama in our network of national trial lawyers (some of whom can practice in state and municipal courts, some of whom can also practice in federal court). Don’t just randomly search lawyers online or read endless attorney profiles to find a qualified AL attorney, whether in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, or any other locale in the state of Alabama. Call us and we’ll connect you to a qualified attorney so that you can access the legal services you need.
That being said if you’d like to learn a bit more about disputes and the process of hiring an attorney before you speak to one, keep reading! We’ll cover some of the basics that you should know before you decide.
What sort of compensation am I entitled to for my legal claims?
In a legal dispute, the plaintiff is entitled to compensation for whatever losses they sustained as a result of the defendant’s negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct. Claimable losses are quite varied, and may include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of property
- Healthcare expenses (i.e., medical bills for whatever medical treatment you received to deal with your injuries, supported by your various medical records)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- And more
Losses vary from case to case, as each dispute is different and each party is different. If you’re unemployed at the time of a car accident, for example, then you won’t necessarily have any wage loss aspect to your damages claim — by contrast, someone who has a high-paying job and is rendered unable to work for several months after their accident is likely to have a substantial wage loss claim.
Talk to your Alabama lawyer about what sort of compensation you could be entitled to receive through a lawsuit.
Why do most personal injury disputes and other legal disputes end in a settlement?
It’s true that most disputes end in a settlement — in fact, industry observers estimate that as much as 95 percent of legal disputes are resolved through a settlement agreement. There’s a good reason for this. Trial litigation has a number of negative aspects. Generally speaking, trial litigation is:
- Innately uncertain
- Resource-intensive
- Exhausting
- Public
Consider uncertainty. Even if you have a strong case, there’s always a “chance” that you won’t win compensation — or even if you do, there’s a chance that you won’t be awarded the payout amount that you’re looking for. This uncertainty plagues all litigation. To avoid the uncertainty of litigation, parties often prefer to negotiate a compromise settlement — this makes it a lot easier to manage risk for both parties.
Consider publicity. Many defendants are businesses that don’t want to stain their brand with the negative publicity associated with serious litigation. For example, if you’re suing your employer for sexual harassment issues in the workplace, then your employer may be worried that the negative publicity of the lawsuit could harm their brand. To avoid this harm to their brand, they may be willing to offer you an early and favorable settlement.
How do I know who is a good lawyer?
There are a lot of lawyers out there, and many of them say similar things to get you to hire them on as formal legal representation. Given that, it’s important to understand what sort of qualities separate a “regular” lawyer from a “good” lawyer who can actually help you maximize your legal claims.
When hiring an attorney, make sure that they have the following:
- Experienced in handling legal claims like yours. Attorneys who have training and experience handling claims like yours are likely to understand many of the nuances of your dispute, as they’ve navigated the very same issues before — this can improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Bear in mind that not all experience is “necessary.” For example, you may not need an attorney who has represented clients before the Alabama Supreme Court or an appellate court, as it most likely would never apply to your dispute.
- Client-oriented approach to legal representation. Attorneys who have a client-oriented approach tend to be more accessible for discussions and are more willing to “work up” a case to its maximum extent. This is important in civil disputes, even if the stakes are not always as high as a criminal law dispute, for example.
- Willingness and ability to take the case to trial, if necessary. Even though most disputes are best resolved through a settlement, it is beneficial to be prepared for trial — this not only leads to stronger legal arguments (and evidentiary support for your claims) but also gives you leverage during settlement negotiations.
- Licensed with the Alabama State Bar. It’s not necessary that your attorney has studied in an Alabama school (i.e., a law school in Alabama), as their knowledge of Alabama law (and how the law is practiced in Alabama cities) would be evaluated in the licensing exam they took with the Alabama state bar.
Make sure to discuss these aspects (along with various legal issues you’re concerned about) with an Alabama attorney before you hire them!
How much is it to hire a personal injury lawyer in Alabama?
Generally speaking, most plaintiffs’-side personal injury lawyers in Alabama (and employment lawyers in Alabama) work on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you usually don’t have to pay any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. Instead, they will provide legal representation in exchange for a percentage cut of whatever compensation they’re able to secure on your behalf — this can range from 25 to 40 percent (or more).
In a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t have to pay anything unless and until you “win” compensation. If you “lose” and aren’t able to secure compensation, then you can walk away with no attorney fees or costs. That makes pursuing your legal claims a lot less risky and financially burdensome. So there’s really no downside to picking up the phone and calling 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get started with a free consultation. It’s a good idea to explore your legal dispute possibilities, and whatever legal issue has you concerned, especially since there is no financial risk involved.
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit for my legal claims in Alabama?
Every legal claim is subject to a “statute of limitations” period, which operates as a sort of deadline for your claim. Failure to file a lawsuit before the deadline passes will result in Alabama courts automatically dismissing your claims on the basis that you have abandoned or relinquished your right to compensation under the law. This can prevent you from securing a payout, so be careful! Delays can have significant impacts on your ability to receive the compensation you deserve.
Statute of limitations deadlines vary from claim-to-claim and state-to-state. In Alabama, for example, the standard “personal injury” deadline is two years from the date of injury. That’s not a long time, so you’ve really got to move forward with your claims in a timely manner to ensure that you don’t accidentally wait too long.
That being said, if you’d delayed past the deadline, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all is lost. In some cases, an exception may apply, giving you extra time — for example, if your injuries are not obvious at first, then your statute of limitations deadline will not begin to countdown until you “reasonably discover” the existence of your injuries at a later date. This can give you enough time to pursue your claims and search for the right attorney for your needs.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Alabama, or subjected to wrongful conduct in the workplace, then you could be entitled to significant compensation under the law. Navigating the legal dispute process isn’t always straightforward or simple, however, and there are many potential complications that you’ll want to discuss with qualified Alabama lawyers. We can help connect you if you’re confused about how to search for a lawyer who fits your needs.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free consultation with experienced local lawyers in Alabama in our network — whether you’re in Birmingham, Huntsville, Vestavia Hills, or some other location in Alabama. During this initial consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your case in detail, get professional legal advice from professional attorneys, and learn about your strategic options going forward. So pick up the phone and call us today to get started with a free case evaluation from distinguished counsel!
We look forward to assisting you in securing the justice you deserve. Your search for a skilled Alabama attorney is over. Call us today.
