A Personal Injury Lawyer You Can Trust in Montgomery Alabama
More than 40 years of experience handling every sort of injury case
Before founding his Montgomery-based practice handling personal injury claims, personal injury attorney Chip Nix worked as counsel to many insurance companies. He knows how insurance companies think and what makes insurance companies pay. Decades of experience handling litigation, both for and against insurance companies, has given him a high degree of insight into how insurance companies defend claims and cases. That knowledge has proven to be invaluable in representing personal injury and wrongful death clients today. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Put Chip’s experience on your side.
Personal injury law covers many types of accidents
A simple mishap can turn your life upside down in a heartbeat. You might feel confused and not sure where to turn. Led by personal injury attorney Chip Nix, our firm guides accident victims through the process of proving liability and damages and getting the compensation they deserve.
Personal injury areas handled include:
Car accidents – Car accidents kill hundreds and injure more than 20,000 people on Alabama roads every year. If you have been in an accident, you may have medical and car repair bills that far exceed your own insurance coverage and you may also be entitled to a variety of other kinds of damages. Let us guide you through the process. This includes pedestrian accidents and hit and run accidents.
Truck accidents – The federal government sets rules for commercial truck use and maintenance, and a company that fails to follow those rules may be held responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. Chip Nix has worked numerous truck accident cases and knows the regulations truckers must follow.
Motorcycle Accidents – Studies show that motorcycle riders involved in an accident with a car are often severely injured and require extensive rehabilitation to recover from those injuries.
School bus accidents – School bus accidents are rare in Alabama, but when they occur, the impact on the families involved, as well as the entire community can be devastating.
Bicycle Accidents – Bicycle accidents can be devastating, but like all other personal injury cases, we must determine who is at fault.
Boating Accidents – Montgomery is close to many rivers and lakes, as well as the gulf coast. Therefore, we handle boating accident cases in the area.
Premises Liability – A slip and fall accident may seem like a simple and not very painful accident. Unfortunately, that simply is not the case. Slip and fall accidents can be quite severe and can result in broken bones and brain injuries. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, please contact our dedicated Alabama personal injury attorney, Chip Nix, right away.
Wrongful death – Wrongful death cases can arise from defective products, car and truck accidents, industrial accidents and other tragedies. Legal actions for wrongful death must be filed, while the estate is still open, by the executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate. Do not wait long before calling us.
Industrial accidents – Work sites are dangerous places that have important regulations employers must follow to avoid industrial accidents. If you have been injured at a site, contact us immediately. The first step we take in these cases is to assure that the necessary evidence is preserved so your case may go forward.
Products liability – There are several ways a company can be found liable for injuries caused by something they designed, made or sold. Manufacturers, distributors and retail outlets can be held responsible for your damages. Speak to us to learn more about the process for legal recovery in products liability cases.
Brain Injuries – These are very serious injuries that can occur as a result of various activities, often that are not your own fault. In these cases you should do everything in your power to recover.
Electrocution Accidents – An electric shock can occur in many different settings: on the job, while at a store, or while at another person’s private property. In any case if you have suffered an electrocution through no fault of your own call us for a free case evaluation.
Burn Injuries – Burn injuries can happen in many different ways. They are very painful and serious. If you’ve suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence or fault you have a right to recover for your suffering.
Spinal Cord Injuries – Among all injuries this is considered one of the most devastating. if you or a loved one has suffered from this kind of accident please call us to discuss your case.
Negligence Cases – Whatever you do you are afforded some duty of care by someone else. In negligence cases we will get to the bottom of the case, and recover for your suffering.
FAQ – We offer a frequently asked questions page for answers to concerns we often hear from our clients.
Once you agree to representation, your personal injury lawyer will file a formal complaint against the person, business, or corporation at-fault alleging they acted recklessly and carelessly. The plaintiff (you) then has the responsibility of proving those allegations against the defendant. The other option may be a negotiated settlement which is often conducted with the insurance company for the defendant. Your personal injury attorney will represent your interests at this phase as well as in a trial if resolution cannot be reached.
Types of Compensation
Once negligence is established, we can seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. We know you have tangible costs associated with the accident but you are also facing other losses which we will have to prove.
The types of damages are compensatory, punitive, and wrongful death. Compensatory damages may include:
Economic Damages – This includes medical bills, an emergency room, doctor and ambulance, therapy and rehab, surgery, the loss of a vehicle, a job, and a salary. In some personal injury claims, the plaintiff may never physically recover. They may suffer permanent brain damage, mangled limbs, and an inability to move. In catastrophic claims, the compensation must be enough to permanently compensate the victim.
Non-economic Damages – A personal injury can have life-altering consequences. You may never again feel safe in a vehicle or driving down the highway. You may always feel vulnerable in a store or in a parking lot. You may have a permanent fear of dogs.
These types of reactions are called pain and suffering, and they represent physical pain and mental anguish which can include depression. You may relive the moment of impact, which is a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which can lead to physical ailments such as migraines, breathing difficulties, digestive issues, and chronic pain. It may be difficult to put a price tag on this suffering.
In a jury trial, the jurors will listen to the plaintiff describe the accident. In a settlement, the insurance carrier will calculate your medical bills and how long you will need to be receiving care.
Punitive Damages – These are not compensatory in nature but are intended to punish the wrongdoer. In order to be awarded punitive damages, the defendant must have exhibited malicious or wanton, recklessness behavior, or fraud.
Whether settling or trial, a survey by Martindale-Nolo found that hiring a lawyer made a big difference. Readers who hired a personal injury lawyer walked away with an average compensation of over $77,000 compared to those who handled their injury claims on their own. They took home an average of just over $17,999.
Why Your Injury Lawyer Should Have Trial Experience
You may not realize it, but conservative estimates are that 90 to 95 percent of personal injury or product liability lawsuits settle pre-trial and out of court. That means just one in 20 ever make it to a courtroom before a judge and jury.
But what if you are that one in 20? You will want to choose a personal injury attorney who is up to the task of preparing your case for trial or settlement. The more favorable an argument your attorney can prepare, the more likely the opponent will be enticed into settling for a fair sum. The more persuasive a trial attorney can present to a jury, the more likely the outcome will be in your favor.
What should your attorney have experience in specifically? Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the accident and identify the witnesses, who are also interviewed. Also, they will need to identify the key people who should be deposed and understand how to lay the foundation for the questioning. In some cases, different legal theories can be applied, depending on the circumstances of the case. Your experienced trial attorney will understand that. Finally, communication is the key. Your experienced trial attorney knows how to explain complex elements of the case in a compelling story that is easily followed.
There are many attorneys out there, but not all have the skills outlined above.
Contact us for a free initial consultation about personal injury law at our Montgomery office
Chip Nix, Attorney at Law has the decades of trial and negotiating experience you need during this difficult time. He represents accident victims in Alabama. If you have questions about whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, we can help. Contact us at 334-279-7770 or online for a free initial consultation. We have flexible office hours and can schedule hospital visits if necessary.