Bessemer Personal Injury Attorneys

Suffering an injury that was caused by someone else can be a very traumatic event. Victims often have to spend a lot of time in the hospital and recovering from their injury, and during that time, they may have to miss quite a bit of work. In some cases, an injury victim may not be able to return to their previous job at all, which can put a major financial strain on the entire household.

If you or someone close to you suffered a personal injury in the Bessemer, AL area through no fault of your own, you deserve to be fully compensated. But unfortunately, insurance companies do not usually see things the same way. Their goal is to minimize the amount in damages that they have to pay out to injury claimants, because this enhances their bottom line. In a situation like this, it is very important to work with experienced attorneys who know how to successfully pursue claims against well-funded adversaries such as large insurers.

At Burge & Burge, we have more than five decades of experience representing clients who have suffered personal injuries in Bessemer, Birmingham, and nearby Alabama communities. Our firm is focused exclusively on helping clients who have been injured recover the compensation they deserve, and we have extensive knowledge of the complexities and nuances that often accompany cases like these.

We are skilled litigators and strong negotiators. In a typical Bessemer, AL personal injury case, it is generally in everyone’s best interests to work out a settlement and avoid the time and expense involved with going to trial. But that said, if the other side is not willing to negotiate in good faith, we are ready and able to pursue full damages through litigation.

Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Over the years, we have handled numerous types of personal injury cases for clients in Bessemer and throughout Alabama. This includes but is not limited to:

• Car Accidents: Tens of thousands of Alabamians are injured or killed in auto accidents each year. Most car accidents result from some type of human error, whether that be negligence on the part of another driver (e.g., drunk driving, distracted driving, reckless driving, etc.), failure to properly maintain the vehicle, vehicle defects, poor road conditions, or other factors.

• Truck Accidents: Accidents involving large semi-trucks can be especially destructive because of the size mismatch between big rig trucks and regular cars. Commercial truck accidents also involve numerous federal laws and regulations, and there are typically a number of different parties that could be at fault for the crash.

• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists enjoy the freedom of riding out on the open roads, but the flip side to that they have very little protection if they are involved in an accident. This is why when a vehicle crashes into a motorcycle, the person riding the motorcycle is at greater risk of serious injuries.

• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians are another group that is very vulnerable during traffic-related accidents. And this is particularly true in the case of younger children and the elderly. Pedestrian accidents have increased significantly in recent years, and this is due at least in part to problems that have been caused by advanced technology like texting while driving.

• Workplace Accidents: Bessemer workers in many industries are vulnerable to work-related injuries and illnesses. Some examples include construction, manufacturing, landscaping, power utility workers, and healthcare. When someone suffers an injury in the workplace, workers’ compensation is generally the first avenue available to get compensated. However, there are many such accidents in which a third party (other than the employer or a co-worker) could be at fault. In cases like these, the injured worker may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party, opening the door to a wider range of damages.

• Railroad Accidents: Railroad worker injuries do not fall under the purview of workers’ compensation. Instead, they are governed by the Federal Employer Liability Act (FELA), and injured workers are required to prove negligence on the part of their employer in order to recover compensation. Our attorneys have extensive experience helping railroad workers successfully pursue FELA claims.

• Wrongful Death: In the worst cases, a personal injury can turn fatal. When this happens, loved ones of the victim may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Alabama has very unique wrongful death laws, and it is very important to work with attorneys who understand these laws and what it takes for plaintiffs to win these types of cases.

Pursuing a Bessemer, AL Personal Injury Claim

Alabama is a very difficult place to lodge a personal injury claim because of the state’s contributory negligence laws. Most states use a comparative negligence standard, which allows victims to recover compensation even if they are partially at fault for the underlying accident or event that caused the injury. This is not the case in Alabama.

Under contributory negligence, an injured person can be barred from recovering damages if they are found to have “contributed” in any way to their injuries. This means even if you are only 1% at fault, you might lose out on being able to recover any damages. With such a high bar to clear, it is extremely important to work with attorneys who have the proven ability to secure favorable outcomes even in more complex cases.

Another thing to keep in mind about personal injury claims in Alabama is that claimants have only two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit. This is known as the “statute of limitations”. The two-year deadline does not apply to all cases, however. For example, if you are suing a government entity, you may only have six months to file the claim, and there are specific procedures that need to be followed in cases like these as well.

Contact Our Skilled and Compassionate Bessemer, AL Personal Injury Attorneys

At Burge & Burge, we understand that this is a difficult time for you, and we will work hard to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible. We handle all of the complex legal tasks for you, and we deal directly with the other side, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back on track.

To schedule a free consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys, message us online or call our office today at 205-251-9000. We look forward to serving you!