PRACTICE AREAS
Arrows may not center when in edit mode. Once site is published, the arrow will be centered on the tab
When the site is published, this border and note will not show up.
Drag & drop your tab 1 content here
Car Accidents
Trusted and Experienced Car Accident Attorneys
Car accidents are a daily occurrence in North Alabama. Along with those accidents come medical bills, lost wages, property damage as well as pain and suffering. Our office handles these cases in a timely, professional and personal manner. We have the resources to handle the most serious of cases, but we are small enough to ensure that, not only our staff, but also our attorneys will take a personal interest in both you and your case.
There are many lawyers you could pick to represent you regarding your car wreck. Whether you hire our firm or another firm, I would strongly caution you to NOT hire a law based on who has the most TV ads and/or billboards. The biggest advertising budget does not mean the best representation.
Some people attempt to handle their case on their own. I truly wish that could be a successful strategy, but, unfortunately, the great majority of the time it is not. More often than not insurance adjusters who act nice and friendly on the front end waste your time with delaying tactics, while evidence and witness memories are fading, and then make low ball offers for your vehicle, your medical bills, your injuries, and your pain and suffering. Often these low ball offers just barely cover your medical bills, if that, and offer little to no compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. In the meantime, as mentioned, the accident is not being investigated on your behalf (but be assured the insurance company is investigating the accident, you, and your medical history for ways defend your claim during this time), evidence, such as skidmarks, debris, vehicle damage, objective evidence of the injuries, such as bruising, cuts, marks, etc. is disappearing. And, now, the insurance company is going to use that against you.
The insurance company can turn what you would consider a simple claim around on you, and then deny your claim or offer you an unfairly low amount. Why not find out for free, with no strings attached, the consequences of your actions before you go down the wrong path and do damage to your own case.
Why you should hire a lawyer, or at least seek a free consultation and learn your rights?
Call Us Today (256) 739-1962
Or
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
Car accidents are a daily occurrence in North Alabama. Along with those accidents come medical bills, lost wages, property damage as well as pain and suffering. Our office handles these cases in a timely, professional and personal manner. We have the resources to handle the most serious of cases, but we are small enough to ensure that, not only our staff, but also our attorneys will take a personal interest in both you and your case.
There are many lawyers you could pick to represent you regarding your car wreck. Whether you hire our firm or another firm, I would strongly caution you to NOT hire a law based on who has the most TV ads and/or billboards. The biggest advertising budget does not mean the best representation.
Some people attempt to handle their case on their own. I truly wish that could be a successful strategy, but, unfortunately, the great majority of the time it is not. More often than not insurance adjusters who act nice and friendly on the front end waste your time with delaying tactics, while evidence and witness memories are fading, and then make low ball offers for your vehicle, your medical bills, your injuries, and your pain and suffering. Often these low ball offers just barely cover your medical bills, if that, and offer little to no compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. In the meantime, as mentioned, the accident is not being investigated on your behalf (but be assured the insurance company is investigating the accident, you, and your medical history for ways defend your claim during this time), evidence, such as skidmarks, debris, vehicle damage, objective evidence of the injuries, such as bruising, cuts, marks, etc. is disappearing. And, now, the insurance company is going to use that against you.
The insurance company can turn what you would consider a simple claim around on you, and then deny your claim or offer you an unfairly low amount. Why not find out for free, with no strings attached, the consequences of your actions before you go down the wrong path and do damage to your own case.
- We offer free initial consultations.
- We, and by we, we mean an attorney, will come to you (your house or a nearby business or restaurant, wherever you feel comfortable) to speak with you about your case.
- We will explain your rights and what you should expect and let you know if the insurance adjuster appears to be treating you fairly.
- There are no strings attached. At the end of your consultation, if you decide not to hire us or it appears you do not need legal representation at that time to handle the case, you do not owe us a dime. We will not pressure you or hassle you later.
- If you do decide to hire us, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means our fee is a percentage of the recovery we make on your case.
- If we do not make a recovery, you do not pay us a dime.
Why you should hire a lawyer, or at least seek a free consultation and learn your rights?
- Remember, the insurance company has investigators and attorneys on their side working against you in order to save their insurance company money.
- You are responsible for paying or arranging payment of your medical bills up front. Insurance companies normally will not front you money to pay your bills or help you find a doctor that will treat you without expecting payment up front. They want you to have as little treatment and as little medical expenses as possible. They know that if you cannot afford treatment, you are likely not to seek the care you need, which saves them money. Also, if you try to “tough it out” at first, because of financial issues, the delays and gaps in care make juries second guess whether you were really hurt. Again, saving the insurance company money at your expense.
- Just because the insurance company says they will take full responsibility, it does not mean they offer a fair amount to pay all of your medical bills and compensate you fairly for other losses from your car accident. Liability is only a small part of the fight. Insurance adjusters immediately assume you are exaggerating your injuries and/or your medical treatment is unnecessary, and they begin looking for ways to possible convince a jury of this. Insurance companies will not take your word for your injuries and pain and suffering. If you are hurting or having medical issues from your wreck, you should seek prompt, appropriate care. If you fail to seek prompt reasonable and necessary medical care, defendants can use your inaction against you to convince a jury to not award you all of your bills.
- Just because the insurance company pays your vehicle property damage does not mean they are going to treat you fairly regarding your personal injuries suffered in the accident. Quick payment for the vehicle damage is often done so that the vehicle is repaired or salvaged before photos or other investigation of it can be done.
- Just like you hear on TV shows for criminals, anything you say to an insurance adjuster can and will be used against you. Recorded statements are a tool for the insurance company, even your own, to build a defense to your claim. You need a lawyer with you if you ever give a recorded statement to any adjuster or investigator.
- Police reports are not admissible in a trial. This is why it is so important for an investigation on your behalf be done as soon as possible.
- Most of the time in a trial, the jury is by law never informed the driver who caused the accident has insurance. Insurance lawyers are able to use this to make it appear as if you are trying to collect a large amount of money against a poor little individual, who just accidentally caused a wreck. Again, this is why you need an accident attorney to begin building and preparing your case as soon as possible.
- You normally will have to pay back your health insurance company and/or any outstanding hospital and medical bills out of any settlement or judgment. For your health insurance company this is called subrogation. The car insurance adjuster may not tell they are withholding this amount from your settlement until after you accept a settlement. Our firm does not allow this. We agree to be responsible for paying back your health insurance company and other medical bills and then work to negotiate down these amounts so that you receive more of the settlement.
- Once you sign a release or cash or deposit a check with release language on it, the insurance company will never have to pay you another dime, even if you later discover you incurred more severe property damage or medical injuries than you believed or were told at the time. When you sign a Release, it is forever. You should have a lawyer review all releases before you sign so that you understand what you are giving up.
Call Us Today (256) 739-1962
Or
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
Drag & drop your tab 2 content here
SEMI-TRUCK ACCIDENTS
We are truck accident lawyers and help people who have been involved in a collision with an 18 wheeler or other commercial motor vehicle. Because of the size and mass of semi-trucks, the physical and mental injuries and damages they can cause can be devastating to you or someone you love who has been in a truck accident. In addition, because they are commercial vehicles and are subject to many Federal and State laws, handling this type of case can be very different than most car accidents.
Because of this you need an a trusted and experienced tuck accident attorney, like our firm, who is familiar with the law and has experience in handling trucking and commercial vehicle collision cases. At our firm an attorney will meet with you and personally handle your case.
Truck accidents often happen while you are while you are on the interstate or even in another state. We can handle those cases as well by getting approval from the court in that jurisdiction.
18 wheeler accidents can have all the issues and problems we discuss under the car accidents tab above; but, truck wrecks also have their own unique issues and problems that make it imperative that you hire a truck accident attorney. Primarily, you need someone on your side to immediately begin investigating and securing evidence related to the wreck. Compared to a car wreck, there is much more investigating and evidence collection and securing that can and needs to be done, and be done quickly.
Trucking companies who operate 18 wheelers and their insurance companies often times have personnel on staff who are trained to respond to truck wrecks at once to try to minimize the potential liability exposure of the company for their negligent conduct. It can be critical to your case that your attorney acts quickly to obtain and document any evidence before it disappears. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers will begin to investigate your case immediately. We have the resources to act immediately and do the following:
Call Us Today (256) 739-1962
Or
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
Because of this you need an a trusted and experienced tuck accident attorney, like our firm, who is familiar with the law and has experience in handling trucking and commercial vehicle collision cases. At our firm an attorney will meet with you and personally handle your case.
Truck accidents often happen while you are while you are on the interstate or even in another state. We can handle those cases as well by getting approval from the court in that jurisdiction.
18 wheeler accidents can have all the issues and problems we discuss under the car accidents tab above; but, truck wrecks also have their own unique issues and problems that make it imperative that you hire a truck accident attorney. Primarily, you need someone on your side to immediately begin investigating and securing evidence related to the wreck. Compared to a car wreck, there is much more investigating and evidence collection and securing that can and needs to be done, and be done quickly.
Trucking companies who operate 18 wheelers and their insurance companies often times have personnel on staff who are trained to respond to truck wrecks at once to try to minimize the potential liability exposure of the company for their negligent conduct. It can be critical to your case that your attorney acts quickly to obtain and document any evidence before it disappears. Our 18-wheeler accident lawyers will begin to investigate your case immediately. We have the resources to act immediately and do the following:
- As your truck accident lawyer, we know what to look for and how to obtain the information needed to pursue your truck accident claim.
- We will examine the “black box” to determine truck speeds and brake applications.
- We will investigate truck driver’s activities recorded on the GPS system.
- We will review the truck driver’s log books, toll records, and other required records of the trip and inspections.
- We will obtain bills of lading, orders, weight records and other documentation of the load.
- We will acquire driving histories, drug and alcohol tests.
- We will obtain vehicle maintenance records.
- As in all accident cases we will obtain or make photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved, take statements of witnesses, and obtain accident reports.
- We will examine pay stubs and work records of the driver.
- We will immediately conduct our own investigation of the scene, including, but not limited to taking measurements of skid marks, securing evidence of vehicle damage, and investigating the scene.
- Truck driver fatigue due to over-long driving hours and/or violation of Federal service hours.
- Truck driver’s use of alcohol or drugs.
- Truck driver’s violation of rules of the road such as failure to maintain a proper lookout, failure to yield the right of way, etc.
- Improper loading and/or overloading by the truck driver or the loading company.
- Failure to maintain the vehicle’s braking system or other safety systems by the trucking company and/or truck owner.
- Failure to properly train truck drivers and/or loaders.
- Speeding, reckless or grossly negligent driving by the truck driver.
- Negligent hiring and/or negligent retention of reckless or unqualified driver.
Call Us Today (256) 739-1962
Or
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
Drag & drop your tab 3 content here
WRONGFUL DEATH
Wrongful Death Cases
In 2013 in Alabama 852 people died from being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Hundreds of others die each year from preventable work place injuries or other accidents caused by the negligence of others. When a person dies due to the negligence or wantonness of another person or company, families not only permanently lose the companionship of their loved one, but also may be losing the financial support of the deceased and the future dreams and desires of the deceased. While legal action cannot bring the back your loved one, the law does provide a method to seek compensation which can help replace some of the monetary losses suffered.
The State of Alabama’s wrongful death statute is different than any in the country. The damages set out in Alabama’s statute is based on “the wrongful act, omission, or negligence of the person or company causing the death. Other states base damages primarily on the future income potential of the deceased.
Any death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of another is a possible wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death cases commonly result from the following:
Because of the catastrophic damages involved in wrongful death cases and the uniqueness of wrongful death law in Alabama, it is important that you hire a trusted and experienced wrongful death law firm like the Collins Law Offices firm. You will be in personal contact with an attorney. We will be right by your side from the beginning until the end to assist you in this most difficult time. We have the resources, knowledge, and experience to handle these cases, but we are small enough to ensure that, not only our staff, but also our attorneys will take a personal interest in both you and your case.
We help wrongful death victims.
CALL NOW
256.739.1962
OR
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
In 2013 in Alabama 852 people died from being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Hundreds of others die each year from preventable work place injuries or other accidents caused by the negligence of others. When a person dies due to the negligence or wantonness of another person or company, families not only permanently lose the companionship of their loved one, but also may be losing the financial support of the deceased and the future dreams and desires of the deceased. While legal action cannot bring the back your loved one, the law does provide a method to seek compensation which can help replace some of the monetary losses suffered.
The State of Alabama’s wrongful death statute is different than any in the country. The damages set out in Alabama’s statute is based on “the wrongful act, omission, or negligence of the person or company causing the death. Other states base damages primarily on the future income potential of the deceased.
Any death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of another is a possible wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death cases commonly result from the following:
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Semi-Truck Wrecks Construction accidents (such a falls or heavy equipment accidents)
- Workplace accidents
- Dangerous Drugs
- Defective products
- Criminal acts
Because of the catastrophic damages involved in wrongful death cases and the uniqueness of wrongful death law in Alabama, it is important that you hire a trusted and experienced wrongful death law firm like the Collins Law Offices firm. You will be in personal contact with an attorney. We will be right by your side from the beginning until the end to assist you in this most difficult time. We have the resources, knowledge, and experience to handle these cases, but we are small enough to ensure that, not only our staff, but also our attorneys will take a personal interest in both you and your case.
We help wrongful death victims.
CALL NOW
256.739.1962
OR
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
Drag & drop your tab 4 content here
WORKERS COMPENSATION
Workers Compensation Cases
If you are injured on the job, the workers compensation law of the State of Alabama is probably your only route to recovery of your damages. Workers compensation benefits are supposed to cover all of your medical bills resulting from your on the job injury and some of your lost wages for the time you are off of work while recovering. In addition, if you have a permanent injury / permanent restrictions / permanent impairment rating and/or due to your injury, you cannot return to the same job and wages you had prior to the injury, you are entitled to additional compensation.
The Alabama workers compensation law sets out a mathematical formula based on your average weekly wage, a certain number of weeks of that wage the Alabama legislature decided a long time ago that your injury was worth, and a permanent impairment rating, which is a percentage normally given by your doctor of your injury’s impairment to a portion of your body or your body as a whole. This should be a simple system for employees to obtain compensation for injuries incurred while performing duties for their employer -- medical bills, lost wages, a formula for permanent injuries. It should be simple calculations, but insurance companies have complicated the system and continually deny, delay and attempt to under-compensate injured employees. While they are delaying your compensation, the insurance company is investigating you, maybe even following a recording your actions, and trying to uncover something they can use against you.
Because of this, if you think your on the job injury has a chance of causing you any long term problems to your work or life due to restrictions or pain or medication side effects, you should contact a workers compensation lawyer immediately and most definitely before you sign any paperwork. You need someone on your side.
The attorneys at the Collins Law Offices are trusted and experienced workers compensation attorneys. We know the Alabama workers compensation laws and can get you the settlement or verdict you are entitled to under the law. We offer free consultations to review on the job injuries. Also, we will come to you – to your house or other place of your choosing. Therefore, why not let us review your case? You have nothing to lose.
In addition, we handle workers compensation cases on a contingency fee. The Collins Law Offices charges no fee for our services unless a recovery is made.
There are some important things to keep in mind if you have a possible workers compensation case:
1. Report your injury to your supervisor and/or employer as soon as you can after any medical emergency is treated.
2. With few exceptions, in order for workers compensation insurance to pay for your medical treatment, you must see the doctor provided by your employer and/or workers compensation insurance company.
3. If you are dissatisfied with your treating physician or desire a second opinion, you may request a “panel of four” doctors from which you can choose one to seek further treatment. You can only request this one time, so be careful when choosing. I would highly recommend you seek a workers compensation attorney if you have reached this point.
4. You do not receive compensation for pain and suffering in workers compensation.
5. We will retain and work with expert witnesses who are not biased towards the insurance company in order to obtain a true determination of your permanent impairment rating and vocational (job opportunity loss) rating.
6. If the workers comp doctor releases you and you still are having medical problems and/or pain, get a second opinion.
7. If you are given temporary work restrictions and released back to work on light duty by your doctor, do not do anything outside your work restrictions. If your employer asks you to perform an act outside of your restrictions, show your employer your restrictions and inform he or she that your doctor has ordered you not to do that activity.
8. Remember: insurance companies want to close your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible and adjusters deny, delay and/or under-pay claims in order to achieve this goal.
9. There are certain limited ways that you may be able to get outside of workers compensation and obtain a better outcome:
a. Third party actions: did another person or company, such as a negligent driver or machine manufacturer, cause your on the job injury.
b. Removal of safety devices: did your employer remove or knowingly allow to be removed a safety device from a piece of machinery on which you were injured.
10. Employers that staff fewer than five employees are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
11. Workers compensation is no fault insurance; therefore, as long as you were on the job and acting in the line and scope of your employment you are entitled to workers compensation benefits even if the accident was partially or totally your fault or a co-employee’s fault.
12. Upon reporting an injury, you will most likely be required to submit to a drug screen. Refusal to take a requested exam or failing a requested exam could result in the denial of your claim. This is a very technical issue of the law and if you have this or a similar issue in your case, you should contact an attorney immediately.
Dealing with the workers compensation insurance company can be demeaning, stressful, and complex. Let the lawyers at Collins Law Offices take the pressure, stress, and problems off of you.
Call today for a free consultation at 256-739-1962
Or
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
If you are injured on the job, the workers compensation law of the State of Alabama is probably your only route to recovery of your damages. Workers compensation benefits are supposed to cover all of your medical bills resulting from your on the job injury and some of your lost wages for the time you are off of work while recovering. In addition, if you have a permanent injury / permanent restrictions / permanent impairment rating and/or due to your injury, you cannot return to the same job and wages you had prior to the injury, you are entitled to additional compensation.
The Alabama workers compensation law sets out a mathematical formula based on your average weekly wage, a certain number of weeks of that wage the Alabama legislature decided a long time ago that your injury was worth, and a permanent impairment rating, which is a percentage normally given by your doctor of your injury’s impairment to a portion of your body or your body as a whole. This should be a simple system for employees to obtain compensation for injuries incurred while performing duties for their employer -- medical bills, lost wages, a formula for permanent injuries. It should be simple calculations, but insurance companies have complicated the system and continually deny, delay and attempt to under-compensate injured employees. While they are delaying your compensation, the insurance company is investigating you, maybe even following a recording your actions, and trying to uncover something they can use against you.
Because of this, if you think your on the job injury has a chance of causing you any long term problems to your work or life due to restrictions or pain or medication side effects, you should contact a workers compensation lawyer immediately and most definitely before you sign any paperwork. You need someone on your side.
The attorneys at the Collins Law Offices are trusted and experienced workers compensation attorneys. We know the Alabama workers compensation laws and can get you the settlement or verdict you are entitled to under the law. We offer free consultations to review on the job injuries. Also, we will come to you – to your house or other place of your choosing. Therefore, why not let us review your case? You have nothing to lose.
In addition, we handle workers compensation cases on a contingency fee. The Collins Law Offices charges no fee for our services unless a recovery is made.
There are some important things to keep in mind if you have a possible workers compensation case:
1. Report your injury to your supervisor and/or employer as soon as you can after any medical emergency is treated.
2. With few exceptions, in order for workers compensation insurance to pay for your medical treatment, you must see the doctor provided by your employer and/or workers compensation insurance company.
3. If you are dissatisfied with your treating physician or desire a second opinion, you may request a “panel of four” doctors from which you can choose one to seek further treatment. You can only request this one time, so be careful when choosing. I would highly recommend you seek a workers compensation attorney if you have reached this point.
4. You do not receive compensation for pain and suffering in workers compensation.
5. We will retain and work with expert witnesses who are not biased towards the insurance company in order to obtain a true determination of your permanent impairment rating and vocational (job opportunity loss) rating.
6. If the workers comp doctor releases you and you still are having medical problems and/or pain, get a second opinion.
7. If you are given temporary work restrictions and released back to work on light duty by your doctor, do not do anything outside your work restrictions. If your employer asks you to perform an act outside of your restrictions, show your employer your restrictions and inform he or she that your doctor has ordered you not to do that activity.
8. Remember: insurance companies want to close your claim as quickly and cheaply as possible and adjusters deny, delay and/or under-pay claims in order to achieve this goal.
9. There are certain limited ways that you may be able to get outside of workers compensation and obtain a better outcome:
a. Third party actions: did another person or company, such as a negligent driver or machine manufacturer, cause your on the job injury.
b. Removal of safety devices: did your employer remove or knowingly allow to be removed a safety device from a piece of machinery on which you were injured.
10. Employers that staff fewer than five employees are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance.
11. Workers compensation is no fault insurance; therefore, as long as you were on the job and acting in the line and scope of your employment you are entitled to workers compensation benefits even if the accident was partially or totally your fault or a co-employee’s fault.
12. Upon reporting an injury, you will most likely be required to submit to a drug screen. Refusal to take a requested exam or failing a requested exam could result in the denial of your claim. This is a very technical issue of the law and if you have this or a similar issue in your case, you should contact an attorney immediately.
Dealing with the workers compensation insurance company can be demeaning, stressful, and complex. Let the lawyers at Collins Law Offices take the pressure, stress, and problems off of you.
Call today for a free consultation at 256-739-1962
Or
Click here to submit any questions or obtain a free case evaluation.
Drag & drop content here