FAQs
Personal Injury FAQs
- Common misconceptions about auto accident litigation
- Who can file a wrongful death claim?
- What are case costs?
- How long do I have to file my case?
- How much money is my case worth?
- What if I am injured at work?
- What if I am injured in a car accident?
- Do I have to go to Court for my personal injury claim?
- The insurance adjuster wants to settle and says I do not need an attorney. Do I still need to hire one?
- Who can file a Wrongful Death claim?
DUI FAQs
- What are the punishments for DUI?
- How do I build an effective defense?
- What are my rights if arrested for DUI?
- What are the police allowed to do on a DUI stop?
- Are penalties different if an accident is involved?
- Understanding the law in Alabama and Driver Responsibility
- Can you decide whether or not you will take a breath test? Should you take the breath test?
- Can your license be suspended before your criminal case is resolved?
- Will you lose your license if convicted of a DUI?
- Can I receive a hardship/work license if my license is suspended for a DUI conviction in Alabama?
- Should I wait closer to my court date to contact an attorney?
Personal Injury FAQs
Who can file a wrongful death claim?
For most personal injury cases, we never charge a fee unless you collect. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay us a penny unless there is a settlement or a final verdict at trial. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery. We will advance all the costs associated with obtaining a successful verdict.
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What are case costs?
These are costs we pay out to others to get your case ready for trial. Examples would be filing fees, fees for obtaining medical records, expenses for depositions and experts. Costs will vary depending on the complexity of each individual case.
Remember that if our firm does not recover anything for you, you are not responsible for paying back the case costs to us.
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How much money is my case worth?
Every case is different. We have to examine various factors to help assess value. These factors include liability, the extent of your injury, future medical problems, the amount of your medical bills, lost income, as well as future medical expenses and future lost income. The final evaluation will also involve the ability of the other party to pay a judgment.
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How long do I have to file my case?
You must file your case within the Statute of Limitations. In most personal injury cases you are required to file your case within 2 years of the date of the accident.
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What if I am injured at work?
You may have a worker's compensation claim. You should do the following:
- Tell your employer of your injury
- Ask for and seek medical attention
- Document the accident
- Make notes of all witnesses
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible
What if I am injured in a car accident?
You should do the following:
- Call the police to report the accident
- Seek medical treatment immediately (go to ER)
- Photograph the scene and damage to your vehicle
- Make notes of all witnesses and gather information from them
- Call your insurance company
- Contact an attorney as soon as possible
Do I have to go to Court for my personal injury claim?
In most cases, a fair settlement can be reached long before a court date is needed. You do not have to file a lawsuit in order to obtain a recovery.
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The insurance adjuster wants to settle and says I do not need an attorney. Do I still need to hire one?
Yes. Remember the insurance adjuster works for the insurance company and he or she has one goal: to settle your case for the least amount of money possible. Do not leave money on the table. Claims handled by an experienced personal injury attorney generally result in greater settlement packages for you, the claimant.
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Who can file a Wrongful Death claim?
Only the deceased's spouse, parents and children (and in some cases the Estate itself) can file a wrongful death claim.
DUI FAQs
Can you decide whether or not you will take a breath test? Should you take the breath test?
Yes, you should take a breath test, although it depends on the individual circumstances. However, a refusal or failed test may result in immediate suspension of your license. Further, a refusal to take the test may be used as evidence against you in court. Certain amounts of alcohol could remain (a recent sip of alcohol, mouthwash, gum, mints, etc.) in your mouth that could register as false positives on the breath test. If you have not had anything to drink you should take a breath test if asked.
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Can your license be suspended before your criminal case is resolved?
Yes. It is possible for your license to be suspended then be found not guilty in a criminal trial. There are two ways for your license to be suspended:
- A refusal of the state chemical test
- If you take the test and register over a .08 per se violation
Will you lose your license if convicted of a DUI?
Yes. You will lose your license for 90 days after a first conviction. After a second conviction within five years of the first, you will lose your license for a year. The third conviction results in a three year loss of license, and the fourth and all subsequent convictions result in licenses suspension for five years.
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Can I receive a hardship/work license if my license is suspended for a DUI conviction in Alabama?
No. Alabama has no provision for hardship drivers' license. However, there are many other means by which a skilled attorney can help you keep your driving privileges.
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Should I wait closer to my court date to contact an attorney?
No. Action needs to be taken immediately to help preserve your driving privileges. After a DUI arrest, you only have 10 days to request a hearing to prevent the automatic suspension of your license.
