Decatur Personal Injury Lawyers
Representing the people of Morgan County, Alabama
Located right along the Tennessee River, Decatur, or “The River City,” is the largest city in Morgan County. We have great schools, neighborhoods, hospitals, and are home to industrial giants like United Launch Alliance, Nucor Steel, Daikin America, as well as the Alabama Center for the Arts.
As you may unfortunately know, no matter how safe or clean the community you live in or visit is, accidents can still occur. Sometimes accidents just happen, but sometimes others are negligent and careless – and their actions directly hurt you or a loved one. And that’s where the Decatur personal injury attorneys at Martin & Helms come in. Let our decades of experience give you the help you need.
Martin & Helms are great to work with. They are very knowledgeable and they are very organized. I love how they listen to you and make you a part of the family. Very good people. Definitely 5 star rating!
A variety of personal injury cases
Our lawyers handle a wide range of personal injury cases. When you’re injured or harmed due to the carelessness or recklessness of another, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your losses. Talk to our Decatur injury attorneys about:
- Car accidents – Car accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries, both mild and serious. And, they most often happen due to another driver’s negligence. We can investigate your accident and help determine fault.
- Truck accidents – A collision with a tractor-trailer, delivery truck, or any kind of commercial vehicle is bound to be serious. Not only can you sustain serious, potentially life-altering injuries, but your property damage can be extensive. We can help prove the driver or his/her company is liable for your losses.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle drivers can face many dangers from careless motorists on highways and local roads. Careless or distracted drivers can cause serious accidents and injuries to law-abiding bikers.
- Construction accidents – Construction sites are required by law via OSHA regulations to keep the site and area safe in order to protect their workers. When these safety protocols are violated, responsible parties must be held accountable.
- Fires and explosions – Injuries from fires can be catastrophic. If you suffer burns, respiratory injuries, or losses from a fire caused by defective appliances, construction defects, building code violations, or other negligence, we can help.
- Premises liability – Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe from hazards. When visitors are injured in accidents like slip and falls, or injuries due to construction defects or trip hazards, the owner of the property may be liable.
- Product liability – All product manufacturers are responsible for the safety of their consumers, which is why products, medical devices, and drugs must undergo rigorous testing. When you use products per instructions and suffer injury, the company should be held responsible.
- Truck accidents – Because of the difference in vehicle size, accidents with tractor-trailers can be catastrophic. And often, these wrecks are due to truck driver error. Attorneys handling truck wreck cases should be very familiar with the special federal and state safety regulations which apply to trucking companies and truck drivers. Our attorneys have many years of experience dealing with trucking safety regulations and can evaluate whether your wreck with a big truck was caused by the trucking company’s or truck driver’s failure to follow the applicable rules.
- Workers’ compensation – Employees injured on the job have certain rights under the Alabama workers’ compensation system. However, this process can be complicated, or your claim may be denied. Our workers’ comp attorneys can help.
- Wrongful death – In the worst and most reckless cases of negligence, your loved one may lose his or her life. Nothing can bring him or her back, but we do everything in our power to seek justice and compensation for your loss.
Our Decatur personal injury attorneys are compassionate and tailor their approach for you personally. When you work with our legal team, you get a custom approach to your case, because we understand that personal injury law is not one-size-fits-all.
What is the statute of limitations for injury claims in Alabama?
Alabama Code § 6-2-38 states that personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. There are, however, several exceptions to Alabama’s two-year statute of limitations depending on the type of claim. For instance, a minor’s two-year statute of limitations does not begin until she/he reaches the age of 19.
The personal injury attorneys here at Martin & Helms can listen to your situation and explain how the statute of limitations applies to you. It’s important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to ensure you file a timely case. We can help.
What sort of damages can I claim in my Decatur personal injury case?
When we take on your case, our goal is help you heal – physically, emotionally, and financially. By seeking compensation and reimbursement on your behalf for your injuries and losses, we can get you started on the road to recovery from your accident.
Alabama offers three types of damages in personal injury cases:
- Economic. Economic damages typically include reimbursement for expenses like medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, physical therapy, prescription drugs, disability accommodations, or other losses and damages that can be financially quantified.
- Non-economic. These damages provide financial compensation for non-tangible losses, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive. Punitive damages are reserved for severe cases of reckless conduct – where life-changing injuries or wrongful death have occurred. These damages are a way to punish the guilty party as well as publicly deter future reckless behavior. Here in Alabama, punitive damages are not to exceed three times the amount of economic and non-economic damages awarded or $1,500,000, whichever is higher.
It’s important to keep in mind with personal injury cases that Alabama is a “contributory negligence” state. Here’s what that means for you, as the victim of an accident.
Contributory negligence can prevent people from recovering compensation for their losses or injuries if they’re found at all responsible for their accident. Unfortunately, this allows the insurance companies to argue that if you are even a small percentage at fault that you should not be entitled to damages for your losses. Our injury attorneys can speak with you and determine whether or not filing a claim might be in your best interest.
Do I need a Decatur personal injury lawyer?
If you or a loved one is in an accident, you likely have a lot of questions. There are medical and insurance issues that you’ve probably never encountered before. Protecting your right to compensation is paramount, and consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is a wise idea.
When we take your case, we immediately go to work for you, building a personalized strategy and direction for your case. Our team gives you the time to heal from your injuries while we investigate your accident – collecting evidence and reports, interviewing witnesses, negotiating with insurance companies, filing court documents, and representing your best interests.
A compassionate Decatur injury law firm
We’re proud to serve the people of Morgan County, Alabama. For your convenience, following are some important local phone numbers and links in the event of an accident or emergency.
Important local phone numbers
(For immediate police, fire, and medical emergencies, dial 911.)
Decatur Police Department: 256-341-4600
402 Lee Street NE
First Floor
Decatur Fire & Rescue: 256-341-4862
4119 Old Highway 31 SW
Alabama State Troopers Post: 256-353-0631
4204 U.S. Hwy. 31
Information for local hospitals
Decatur Morgan Hospital (Decatur Campus, Parkway Campus, West Campus, Danville Road Campus)
Important local government offices and information
Decatur Municipal Court
402 Lee Street NE
Second Floor
Morgan County Circuit Court
302 Lee St. NE
Personal injury cases don’t have to be overwhelming – because you don’t have to go it alone. We’re here to answer all of your questions.
Is your personal injury lawyer near me?
Martin & Helms is located in Decatur, but we serve all across the state of Alabama. Rest assured, however, that if you are critically injured and unable to come to Decatur, we will travel to visit you in the hospital or rehabilitation center. We also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations.
Dedicated Decatur personal injury attorneys serving Limestone & Morgan County
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, talk to the personal injury attorneys at Martin & Helms in Decatur, just a 1 minute drive from Cook Museum of Natural Science. We give our clients personalized attention while protecting their rights. Talk to us today and find out how we can help you. Call us at 256-539-1990 or fill out our contact form.
Decatur Office
255 Grant St SE Suite 305, Decatur, AL 35601