Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Huntsville, AL
If you slipped and fell in a store or while walking on the sidewalk resulting in an injury requiring medical treatment, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 20,000 serious slip and fall accidents occur each year. Slipping and falling on a wet floor or icy parking lot can result in serious injuries and significant medical expenses for many individuals. By filing a civil lawsuit against those parties responsible for creating the dangerous condition, injured individuals can obtain the financial compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
Dangerous Conditions
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere. All residential and commercial property owners have a duty to keep the premises they own safe. When their failure to do so results in an accident causing injuries to others, the property owner can be held legally responsible for any resulting injuries.
Some of the most common dangerous conditions resulting in slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet spills in grocery stores
- Broken or uneven sidewalks
- Improperly waxed floors
- Torn, loose, or bulging carpet
- Snow or ice-covered sidewalks
- Poorly lit parking lots
- Poorly maintained stairs, including missing steps
- Debris on floors and sidewalks
- Faulty handrails
- Exposed wiring
To prove a property owner was negligent in keeping their premises safe, the injured individual must show the owner failed to take reasonable steps to maintain their property or prevent injuries.
Contributory Negligence
Many property owners will argue the injured individual shares fault in causing the accident. Under Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, if the injured individual bears any of the legal liability for the injury, they may be unable to bring a claim against the property owner. Unknowingly, many slip and fall accident victims jeopardize their own case by being unaware of the rules of contributory negligence. If the property owner can prove the injured person was even one percent at-fault for the accident, no recovery will be available. To protect their right to seek compensation, slip and fall accident victims should first seek the assistance of an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer who understands the complexities of contributory negligence laws before filing any claims against property owners.
When to File a Claim
Under Alabama law, individuals injured in a slip and fall accident have two years after the date of injury to file a lawsuit against the potentially responsible parties. Failure to file a lawsuit within the required time could result in an inability to receive compensation for one’s injuries. Special claim filing rules apply when filing a civil lawsuit against a government agency. By contacting an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident occurs, injured individuals can protect their rights to hold the responsible parties, including government agencies legally liable for their actions.
Maximum Settlement Amounts
Filing a slip and fall claim can help injured individuals pay for the costs of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost wages. However, many slip and fall accident cases never make it to trial. Insurance companies for the property owners try to settle these types of injury claims as quickly and as cheap as possible. Attempting to negotiate the terms of a settlement without the assistance of an experienced Alabama personal injury lawyer is never a good idea. To make sure all your rights are protected, and to obtain the maximum settlement amount, injured individuals should consult with experienced counsel before accepting or signing any settlement offered by an insurance company.
Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers at Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C. Help Slip and Fall Accident Victims Obtain Compensation for Their Injuries
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, compensation for the resulting injuries may be available. At Hodges Trial Lawyers, P.C., our experienced Alabama personal injury lawyers are dedicated to obtaining the maximum amount of compensation for our clients. Our offices are conveniently located in Huntsville and Athens, Alabama to represent slip and fall accident victims throughout North Alabama, Madison County, Limestone County, Marshall County, Jackson County, Morgan County, and Lauderdale County. To schedule a free consultation today, call us at 256-539-3110 or contact us online.