Accident victims in Alabama have clear legal rights. Individuals who suffer serious injuries in falls and other accidents caused by businesses’ and property owners’ negligence can—and should—seek just compensation, and they should hire an experienced Birmingham premises liability lawyer to help them take legal action promptly.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Summer Break Accident in Alabama
Unfortunately, accidents during summer break in Alabama are not uncommon. From overcrowded bars and swimming pools to dangerous parking garages and elevators, vacationers can face a variety of property-related risks. If you suffered serious injuries in a premises-related accident in Alabama, here is an overview of the legal rights you have available:
1. The Right to Seek Treatment from a Doctor of Your Choosing
After an accident, you have the right to seek treatment from a doctor of your choosing. The at-fault business’s or property owner’s insurance company cannot tell you where to go for care. Seeking treatment promptly after an accident is important; while you may want to salvage your summer vacation, you need to prioritize your health and financial stability.
2. The Right to Access Your Medical Records
Any time you seek treatment, you have the right to access your medical records. If you have a premises liability claim, your medical records will be key evidence in support of your claim for just compensation. With this in mind, you should try to keep copies of your medical records if you can (which may involve downloading copies through your healthcare provider’s patient portal). But, if you don’t have any of the records you need, your Birmingham premises liability lawyer will be able to help.
3. The Right to Investigate the Accident
Proving liability after a premises-related accident requires evidence from the scene. As an accident victim, you have the right to conduct an investigation in order to gather the evidence you need.
With that said, you should not try to investigate on your own. Not only can this be risky, but you also need to ensure that any available evidence remains admissible in court. Once you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will be able to send an investigator to the scene who is familiar with the evidence-gathering procedures that are necessary to preserve admissibility.
4. The Right to File a Claim Against the Business or Property Owner that is Responsible
In Alabama, businesses and property owners can be held liable for premises-related accidents in various circumstances. Some examples of potential grounds for liability include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Inadequate maintenance
- Inadequate security
- Inadequate supervision
- Dangerous product displays or storage
- Neglected safety hazards
- Poor construction and property defects
If a business or property owner is legally responsible for your injuries, you have the right to hold the business or property owner fully accountable. You can file a claim with the business’s or property owner’s insurance company, and you can use the evidence that is available to seek a settlement that fairly compensates you for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses.
5. The Right to Be Treated Fairly During the Claims Process
As an accident victim in Alabama, you have the right to be treated fairly during the claims process. The business’s or property owner’s insurance company has a duty to handle your claim in good faith, and you have the right to seek a fair settlement that allows you to focus on getting back to your normal life.
Even so, recovering the financial compensation you deserve can still prove to be very challenging. The business’s or property owner’s insurance company may seek to avoid liability through various means, and it will try to settle your claim for as little as possible. You can avoid making costly mistakes by hiring an experienced lawyer to represent you, and you can rely on your lawyer to negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.
6. The Right to Make an Informed Decision About Settlement
If a settlement offer is on the table, you have the right to make an informed decision about whether to accept. While the business’s or property owner’s insurance company may attempt to talk you into accepting an unfair settlement, you can—and should—fight for the full compensation you deserve.
With this in mind, you should not accept a settlement until you know how much your claim is worth. Accident victims in Alabama can seek just compensation for their present and future losses; and, if you were seriously injured in the accident, you could be entitled to a substantial financial recovery.
7. The Right to Experienced Legal Representation
Finally, you have the right to experienced legal representation. If you were injured in an accident during summer break in Alabama, you do not have to try to handle your situation on your own. You can hire a lawyer in Alabama, and once you hire a lawyer to represent you, he or she will be able to:
- Investigate and preserve the evidence needed to prove liability
- Identify the business’s or property owner’s insurance company
- File a claim with the business’s or property owner’s insurance company on your behalf
- Calculate just compensation for your present and future losses
- Negotiate on your behalf and help you make an informed decision about settlement
Whether you are an Alabama resident or you are visiting from out of town, you should not wait until you get home to get started on your claim. Instead, you should seek treatment promptly, and you should speak with an experienced Birmingham premises liability lawyer as soon as possible.
Discuss Your Accident with an Experienced Birmingham Premises Liability Lawyer for Free
Were you injured in an accident while on summer break in Alabama? If so, we can help, but it is important that you contact us promptly. Call 205-855-2745 or tell us how we can reach you online to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Birmingham premises liability lawyer today.