(Millbrook, AL, Jan. 28, 2021) — One person died in a collision on I-65 on Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred near Millbrook and involved three vehicles. The deceased individual, whom authorities identified as Dustin Knight, crashed his Ford F-150 into a semi-truck and then a Volvo. Knight was not wearing a seat belt when he died. The Volvo’s driver, Brad Blaisdell, sustained injuries in the crash and received treatment at a local hospital. The semi-truck driver was not injured. The authorities continue to investigate the collision. Source: alabamanews.net Reach out to Fob James Law Firm If You Need Legal Advice Unfortunately, auto accidents like this happen around the state of Alabama. Police must investigate these crashes thoroughly to determine the cause of the accident. You can also request a copy of the accident report. Fob James Law Firm, we understand how devastating these accidents can be for the loved ones and the victims of these accidents. If you sustain injuries or lose a loved one in an accident, please contact one of our accident attorneys or call us at 205-407-6009 to set up a free consultation. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims of this horrible incident. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. REMOVE POST
(Birmingham, AL, Jan. 25, 2021) — On October 6, 2020, a multi-vehicle crash on the I-59/20 and I-65 interchange killed commercial truck driver Charles Eugene Pearce Jr. Pearce was driving south on I-65 around 5:00 PM on the day of the crash. His truck was hit from the side and sent off the I-65 ramp onto I-59/20. The I-65 ramp is positioned 25 feet above the I-59/20 interchange, and authorities believe the fall’s impact caused Pearce’s death. Authorities pronounced Pearce, a 59-year-old Gulf Shores resident, dead at the scene. Another driver sustained injuries in the collision; they recovered at an area hospital. The Birmingham police reported that three other vehicles were involved in the crash in addition to Pearce’s truck. Authorities determined that a white vehicle struck a silver sedan, which then crashed into the semi-truck. Pearce’s vehicle then struck a black SUV. The white vehicle fled the crash scene, and police have been searching for the vehicle and its driver. In January, the authorities obtained video footage of the crash and determined that the white vehicle was a Nissan Cube. The Birmingham police are continuing to ask for the public’s help in this ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Birmingham’s hit-and-run investigators at 205-254-6555. Source: AL.com Reach out to Fob James Law Firm If You Need Legal Advice Unfortunately, auto accidents like this happen around the state of Alabama. Police must investigate these crashes thoroughly to determine the cause of the accident. You can also request a copy of the accident report. Fob James Law Firm, we understand how devastating these accidents can be for the loved ones and the victims of these accidents. If you sustain injuries or lose a loved one in an accident, please contact one of our accident attorneys or call us at 205-407-6009 to set up a free consultation. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims of this horrible incident. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. REMOVE POST
(Madison County, AL, Jan. 22, 2021) — A crash on January 22 killed a 79-year-old Ardmore woman. The crash occurred around 6:15 PM at Wall Triana Highway and Pulaski Pike in Madison County. Gertrude Sloan, the deceased, was a passenger in the Honda Accord that was struck by another vehicle in the intersection. The Honda’s driver, Joe Daniel Mitchell, also sustained injuries in the crash. Authorities were transporting both Sloan and Mitchell to the hospital when Sloan died from her injuries. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the collision. Source: WAFF 48 Reach out to Fob James Law Firm If You Need Legal Advice Unfortunately, auto accidents like this happen around the state of Alabama. Police must investigate these crashes thoroughly to determine the cause of the accident. You can also request a copy of the accident report. Fob James Law Firm, we understand how devastating these accidents can be for the loved ones and the victims of these accidents. If you sustain injuries or lose a loved one in an accident, please contact one of our accident attorneys or call us at 205-407-6009 to set up a free consultation. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims of this horrible incident. If a family member would like the name of a person removed for any reason, please click the “Remove Post” link. REMOVE POST
It’s no secret your car loses value the longer you drive it. Unfortunately, after a car accident, your vehicle will be worth even less than usual. If your vehicle sustained damages after a collision, you may be able to file a diminished value claim to recover compensation. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (205) 407-6009 or send us a message for help. What Is a Diminished Value Claim in Alabama? A diminished value claim allows you to collect damages for your vehicle if it was damaged and its value has decreased. There are three types of diminished value: Immediate: the difference in your vehicle’s value before the accident and after the repairs; Inherent: the most common type, pertaining to the loss of value simply due to the collision; and Repair-related: the value lost from poor repair work following a car accident. When it comes time to trade in or sell your vehicle, it is likely to be challenging. Nowadays, it’s impossible to hide a car’s previous history. Your auto accident will undoubtedly be revealed, along with the repairs, and the vehicle will be worth much less. Even if the car is perfectly repaired and looks like new, the fact that it was involved in a collision remains. How to File a Diminished Value Claim in Alabama Alabama is one of few states that allow drivers to file diminished value claims. The statute of limitations for diminished value claims in Alabama is six years from the date of the accident. Diminished value claims are brought against the at-fault driver or their insurance company. You may file a diminished value claim in Alabama unless: You were at fault for the accident; The damage was due to something other than the auto collision; or You are an uninsured motorist. An attorney can help you file your diminished value claim. They will contact the at-fault party and their insurance company, as well as calculate your vehicle’s value. Your attorney may consult with outside parties to accurately calculate the diminished value. After the at-fault party’s insurance company reviews your diminished value claim in Alabama, they will either deny the claim or offer a low settlement. In either situation, your attorney can communicate back and forth with the insurance company to reach a favorable outcome. Need help with your claim? Reach out to Fob James to help with your diminished claim in Alabama Contact Us Today How to Prove Diminished Value Proving the diminished value of your vehicle can be challenging. You can consult various resources to try to come up with a calculation, but every situation is different. Many factors go into proving diminished value, including: The accident itself; The damage your vehicle sustained; How old the car is; The make and model; and The current market. It is best to consult with an attorney to help prove the diminished value of your vehicle. Contact an Alabama Car Accident Attorney Navigating a diminished value claim on your own can be quite the task. There is plenty that goes into these claims, but an Alabama car accident lawyer will know best how to handle it. They can help calculate the value of your diminished value claim and communicate with the insurance company to help reach just compensation. The Fob James Law Firm has over 40 years of experience helping clients after auto collisions. We have the knowledge and expertise to help you attain a favorable outcome. Contact us online or call our firm at (205) 407-6009 today, and let’s discuss your case.
Insurance companies and police departments track dog bite cases. It is clear that dog bites are not uncommon nor underestimated in importance. Alabama courts and insurance companies order payments and settlements to dog bite victims regularly. Do not underestimate the pain and suffering caused by dog bites. If a dog owned by another person has bitten and harmed you, seek legal representation. Your Alabama dog bite lawyer will file a dog bite claim, seek compensation for your injuries, and hold the dog owner accountable. Call our firm at (205) 407-6009 or contact us online for assistance. We offer free case evaluations. The Average Settlement from a Dog Bite in Alabama The average settlement from a dog bite in Alabama is over $43,000 according to a national tracking of dog bite data. That being said, average dog bite settlements vary drastically since they depend on a number of factors. Alabama Dog Bite Laws Affecting Dog Bite Settlements Every state has laws allowing a person injured by a dog bite to seek justice under certain conditions. Section 3-6-1 of Alabama Statutes regulates dog bites in our state. This law says, in part, that if a dog bites or injures any person who is at a location where they have a legal right to be, the owner of the dog is responsible for the costs and perhaps even the trauma from the attack. However, the statute does not end there. Numerous Alabama court cases address dog bites and help interpret dog bite laws. When you hire an experienced dog bite attorney for your dog bite claim, they will evaluate all legal considerations. These may include: Finding out who owns the property where the bite occurred; Determining the legitimate owner of the dog and who controlled the dog at the time of the incident; Investigating whether the dog owner had previous knowledge of the animal’s dangerous nature; Analyzing trespass laws applicable to the case; Reviewing existing homeowners or renters insurance for the parties involved; and Determining the likelihood of a contributory negligence argument (an argument that the victim was one of the causes of the accident). The legal and insurance implications are elaborate. An attorney needs to hear your side of the story, then apply this information to those facts. The lawyers at Fob James Law Firm are ready to begin the process of helping you get the compensation you deserve. Injured by a dog? We offer free, no-obligation injury consultations Contact Us Today What to Do If You Are Bitten or Attacked by a Dog Here at Fob James Law Firm, we are concerned about the health, safety, and legal rights of citizens of our community. If a dog has bitten you or someone you love, please seek medical care. Medical attention is urgent if a stray dog bit you, you have multiple bites, or you are experiencing psychological trauma. Also, report the incident to the police. You can call 911 or the non-emergency line if the situation is under control. Once you feel safe, contact us. You have a right to be compensated for your dog bite injuries. We want to help you. Please do not agree to settle your claim with the dog owner without first speaking with us. Our Alabama dog bite attorneys will investigate the reports and handle all settlement and legal actions so you get the compensation that you deserve. Contact Our Alabama Dog Bite Lawyers Today If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, call our dog bite lawyers at Fob James Law Firm Today. Our practice focuses on personal injury cases in Alabama and Florida. We have significant experience in dog bite cases and traumatic injuries. We don’t use case managers. We focus on each client. When you hire us, we commit to giving you the highest level of legal representation. For a free case review, contact us today or call (205) 407-6009.
Like all states, Alabama requires all drivers to carry a certain amount of liability insurance for auto accidents. One of the largest auto insurance companies in the country is Progressive. They are the third biggest insurance providers by market share in America, behind only State Farm and GEICO. If you are in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, you expect their insurance to compensate you fairly for your losses. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Big companies like Progressive might focus a little too much on the bottom line and use their vast resources to give you the runaround. If you are stuck in limbo with your Progressive insurance auto claim, it might be time to talk to an Alabama personal injury lawyer. How the Claims Process Works (and Doesn’t Work) Alabama is one of the many “fault” auto insurance states. This means that a person who is injured in an accident and/or sustains vehicle damage files a claim with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company for compensation. This puts their insurance company in direct opposition to your interests. A Progressive insurance claims adjuster will conduct an investigation to determine if they should pay your claim and how much your claim is worth. In a perfect world, your claim is promptly and properly paid, allowing you to get back to normal. But big carriers like Progressive bog things down in paperwork, investigations, or other bureaucratic muck to avoid paying. If they can get the claimant to settle for less money than they are entitled to or give up altogether, they are turning a profit. This is not only incredibly frustrating, it’s detrimental to your recovery. How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help If you are facing roadblocks with insurance adjusters or are unsure if your claim will be taken seriously, an Alabama attorney can help. You have every right to seek legal representation in these situations, so don’t let the insurance carriers make you sign any paperwork without talking to an attorney. A lawyer can represent your interests in the claims process from start to finish, even when the best option is to file a civil lawsuit. They know the insurance laws specific to Alabama and how to read tricky contractual language that you find in an insurance policy. Progressive processes thousands of auto claims a year. An experienced attorney’s job is to make sure yours doesn’t get buried under the weight of their vast resources. Filing an Auto Claim? Call the Fob James Law Firm First! Auto accidents happen every day. Sadly, sometimes it takes hiring legal representation for the big insurance carriers to take a claimant seriously. If you are looking to file a Progressive auto insurance claim, the personal injury team at Fob James can help. We have over 40 years of experience successfully representing clients in all types of personal injury suits, including auto accidents. We take pride in providing aggressive advocacy for injured victims in Alabama and work hard to ensure they get every bit of compensation they deserve. We offer a free case evaluation to potential clients, so call us at 205-407-6009 to talk about your accident today.
Car insurance commercials are everywhere, and they all claim to offer the best rates and the best coverage. GEICO is the second-largest auto insurance provider in the country, trailing only State Farm. With its digital mascot and clever tagline, the company currently holds 14% of the entire market share—only two points behind the leader. But when you are actually in an auto accident, how do these claims hold up? If you find yourself running into walls with GEICO auto insurance claims, you have the right to seek the assistance of an attorney. How GEICO Insurance Claims Work (or Don’t) Like all insurance companies, GEICO makes money by paying less for claims than they collect in premiums. To maximize profits, adjusters try to get claimants to accept a settlement that is less than the full value of the claim. Depending on the person’s losses, this can mean losing thousands of dollars. Whether you’re dealing with GEICO motorcycle insurance claims or GEICO car insurance claims, the game remains the same. So before you sign any paperwork or formally accept an offer, talk to an attorney. How Can a Lawyer Help? When you hire an attorney to represent your interests, the company has no choice but to take your case seriously. They may transfer your case up the ladder to a higher ranking employee, which means GEICO insurance claims handled by a lawyer may get more attention. Then your attorney can get to work negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf. How Do I Choose the Right Attorney? Although the big insurance companies operate across the country, every state has its own set of laws governing insurance claims. So if your accident happened in Alabama, you’ll want to find a lawyer (or law firm) in Alabama. Most of the time, attorneys who take on insurance companies practice personal injury law. Your attorney should have knowledge of Alabama insurance law. In addition, they should know the ins and outs of auto insurance policies and how to capitalize on this contract for your benefit. The “fine print” in your policy is a contract, and an experienced attorney will know how to navigate this language to ensure that the company upholds its end of the bargain. Finally, you want a lawyer that will be an advocate for you. Insurance companies like GEICO will give claimants the run around to get them to settle for less than they should. But a lawyer can take on the paperwork and negotiations for you, making the process less stressful. Find a lawyer you trust to fight for your rights in GEICO auto insurance claims. Fighting a GEICO Car Insurance Claim? Call the Fob James Law Firm for Help Today! If you were in an auto accident in Alabama, recovery can be a difficult and stressful process. And when GEICO drags its feet on paying a fair settlement, it makes matters even more difficult. At the Fob James Law Firm, our personal injury team has over 40 years of experience successfully fighting for our clients’ rights. We are passionate about achieving the best possible settlement or trial result for accident victims throughout Alabama and Florida and offer a free case review. Call us at 205-407-6009 to talk about your case today.
Filing an auto insurance claim can be a daunting experience. When the accident involves an Allstate insured, the claims process may become even more challenging. Allstate is often ranked as one of the worst insurance companies in the country. In fact, researchers at the American Association for Justice rank Allstate as the absolute worst. Allstate accident insurance claims adjusters are notorious for denying and undervaluing claims. Your best chance of getting a fair settlement is to hire an Alabama auto accident lawyer who can protect your rights. Pursuing Allstate Car Accident Claims Allstate has been in business for nearly 100 years. Its primary mission is to earn returns for its shareholders. However, that mission comes at the expense of Allstate policyholders. While promoting a “good hands’ approach to the public, the American Association for Justice says Allstate routinely uses a “boxing gloves” approach with its own policyholders. It’s also widely known that Allstate values claims using software called Colossus. This software was the subject of a multi-state lawsuit against Allstate for mishandling claims. Programs such as Colossus can be easily manipulated to lowball victims. The system may routinely place a percentage of fault on you when there is none. The system even looks at information such as whether an attorney represents you, yet it doesn’t take into consideration factors such as your pain, stress, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. With Allstate insurance accident claims routinely denied or undervalued, it’s crucial that you don’t let yourself get taken advantage of or treated unfairly. Your claim value should be unchanged no matter what insurance company the at-fault driver has. Having a skilled Alabama car accident lawyer on your side is essential. How an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Can Help When it comes to Allstate accident claims, retaining an experienced attorney is the best way to go. At the Fob James Law Firm, we routinely deal with Allstate adjusters, so we know what to expect. We will preserve and gather all evidence to support your claim. We will request records, speak with witnesses, conduct a scene investigation, and more. It may be necessary to retain industry experts such as an accident reconstructionist who can confirm the accident occurred as you stated. This report or testimony may be needed when Allstate tries to attribute fault to you wrongfully. We may also retain a medical doctor who will review your records and determine whether your injuries are consistent with the type of accident and follow an appropriate treatment regimen. This information may be critical with what Allstate deems as a low-impact accident. Allstate will aggressively argue against paying out claims in a collision where there is not much physical damage to the vehicles. The adjuster will say that a mild concussion, whiplash, and other soft tissue injuries are subjective and you can’t prove them in court. But our attorneys have experience combating these tactics. Contact Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers Today The best way to protect your rights and maximize your accident claim is to hire an attorney. Insurance companies cannot take advantage of your inexperience with the claims process when you have a legal advocate on your side. At the Fob James Law Firm, we have four decades of experience helping Alabama clients get the compensation they deserve after a car accident. Let us put our skills and expertise with Allstate accident insurance claims to work for you. Contact our office today to learn more about how we can help.
Being involved in an accident is a stressful event, especially when it comes to the claims process. When you file a claim for damages with State Farm Insurance, you want to ensure you are doing everything possible to maximize your potential compensation. To help you better understand State Farm accident claims and how an Alabama car accident lawyer can help, here are some helpful tips to maximize your claim. Reporting Your Alabama Accident Claim When you contact State Farm reporting a claim, make sure to have all necessary information available, including: The at-fault driver’s name and insurance policy number; A copy of the police report or at least the report number given at the scene; Names and contact information for any passengers in the vehicles; Contact information for any witnesses present; and Details of the accident. Be cautious when speaking with the other driver’s insurance company that you don’t say anything that could be construed as admitting fault. Once you report the claim, State Farm’s claims processing department should give you a claim number and the adjuster’s name. Expect that the claims adjuster will call you and ask for a recorded statement. You should never give a recorded statement to anyone without an Alabama accident lawyer representing you and protecting your rights. How the State Farm Claim Process Works State Farm accident claims work similarly to those of other insurance companies. The adjuster will be looking for ways to assign more liability to you or to reduce the amount of potential payout. They may claim your injuries weren’t as severe as you suggest or that your treatment extended beyond the usual timeframe for a similar injury. When you have a skilled Alabama car accident attorney representing you, we will make sure you have all the necessary evidence to support the maximum compensation possible. Some of the best ways to maximize your claim value include: Preserve as much evidence as possible; Get medical treatment right away after the accident; Keep an accident and pain journal; Don’t attempt to negotiate with the State Farm adjuster on your own; Stay off social media and don’t post about the accident or your injuries; and File a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Immediately following the accident, it’s crucial to get scene photos if possible. These photos can show vehicle placement, damage, skid marks, and other essential details such as weather, potential hazards, etc. If you aren’t transported from the scene by ambulance, seek medical treatment right away. You may have injuries that are not visible to the naked eye. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the easier it is for the State Farm adjuster to say your injuries aren’t that severe or there was another incident that caused your pain. Your attorney will review all the evidence and prepare a demand for the insurance adjuster. In some cases, it may be necessary to hire industry experts who can prepare a report and testify about the facts of the accident or your injuries. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer you a fair settlement, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. Contact an Alabama Accident Lawyer Don’t let an insurance adjuster take advantage of your inexperience with auto claims. One of the best ways to maximize your claim is to hire an experienced Alabama auto accident lawyer. At the Fob James Law Firm, we have over four decades of experience helping accident victims just like you. Contact our office today to learn more about how we can assist with State Farm accident claims. Let us put our skills and knowledge to work for you and help you fight for a top-dollar settlement.
When you move a loved one to a nursing home, you assume they will be respected and receive appropriate care. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse is a problem happening at nursing homes around the country. Many instances of abuse are not reported, which only helps these facilities get away with mistreating residents. Alabama elder abuse laws have provisions to protect nursing home residents, which is why it’s crucial to report any suspected abuse and contact an Alabama nursing home abuse attorney right away. If you have concerns about how a nursing home treats your family member, you should file a complaint right away. At Fob James Law Firm, we understand how upsetting it is to think about a loved one suffering harm. We have years of experience fighting for victims’ rights and can help you hold the facility accountable. Who to Contact to File a Nursing Home Complaint in Alabama? When you see signs of possible abuse or neglect, you should submit a report to the Alabama Public Health Department by contacting the ElderCare Hotline at 1-800-356-9596. If the matter is urgent and you believe a family member’s life is in danger, call 911 immediately. You can also file online by filling out the Nursing Home Complaint Form on the Alabama Public Health website. You need to fill out the form as completely as possible. The more information you provide, the more quickly the agency can act. If you are concerned about retaliation, you can file an elder abuse complaint anonymously as well. The representative assigned to the case will not reveal your name during the investigation. Once the agency receives the complaint form, it will open an investigation. You will receive a call from the State Survey Agency representative if you leave your contact information. They will let you know who to follow up with at the agency as well. Nursing home complaints that involve state or federal nursing home regulations will be looked into as soon as possible. The agency representative will observe patient care, look at records, and conduct interviews with the staff. Once the matter is concluded, the State Survey Agency will notify you of the results. If your complaint doesn’t fall within the State Survey Agency’s jurisdiction, they will refer the matter to the right agency for follow up and investigation. Holding the Alabama Nursing Home Accountable Reporting the suspected abuse is the first step. You should also speak with an experienced Alabama nursing home abuse lawyer who can help you get justice for your family member. We can represent the victim and pursue a claim for damages against the facility. While the official investigation is pending, the abuser could be victimizing other residents. Pursuing a claim against the nursing home requires a skilled Alabama nursing home attorney. Contact an Alabama Elder Abuse Attorney Nursing home residents have rights and protections afforded to them under Alabama elder abuse laws. If you suspect your loved one is the victim of abuse or neglect by someone at an Alabama facility, contact Fob James Law Firm today. Let us put our skills and experience to work for you and your family and hold the nursing home financially accountable.
