1. Greene & Phillips Attorneys at Law
Focus Area: Auto accidents and trucking collision litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death, premises liability
Background: Founded by David Greene and Will Phillips, the firm has operated for over 26 years and recovered more than $300 million for clients. The team includes 10 personal injury attorneys and over 40 staff members. Attorneys are licensed in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas, with associations to firms throughout the United States.
Location: Three-story building in midtown Mobile, Alabama (also maintains a Birmingham office)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.greenephillips.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. The firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis.
2. Cunningham Bounds
Focus Area: Complex personal injury and medical malpractice litigation
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, workplace injuries, mass torts
Background: The firm has been in operation since 1958 and has recovered billions of dollars for clients over more than six decades. Attorneys hold numerous invitation-only memberships and awards. The firm has handled significant class action matters, including a settlement on behalf of over 3,000 employees and beneficiaries at Singing River Health System. Partners include attorneys recognized as litigation stars with experience in appellate advocacy.
Location: Mobile, Alabama (also maintains an Atlanta, Georgia office)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.cunninghambounds.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation offered.
3. Tobias & Comer Law, LLC
Focus Area: Personal injury representation with focus on compassionate client service
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, defective products, dangerous surroundings, alcohol and drug-related injuries, maritime injuries, workplace accidents, wrongful death
Background: The firm has over 70 years of combined attorney experience and has recovered more than $95 million for clients. Attorneys work each case personally from start to finish. The firm is active in community outreach, including sponsoring the Holiday Dinners food and monetary donation drive to address food insecurity in the Mobile community.
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.tobiascomerlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee arrangements available.
4. Steele Ritchie LLC
Focus Area: Personal injury advocacy with emphasis on community-based representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, wrongful death, estate planning, workers’ compensation
Background: Attorneys Jason Steele and Allen Ritchie have served the Mobile community for over 20 years with more than 60 years of combined legal experience. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for injury victims. Attorneys investigate thoroughly and explore all sources of potential compensation, including insurance coverage analysis.
Location: 5560 Nevius Rd, Mobile, AL 36619 (Tillmans Corner area, accessible from all parts of Mobile County)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.steeleritchielaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered. The firm works on contingency fee arrangements.
5. Moore Law Firm
Focus Area: Motor vehicle accidents and catastrophic injury representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability
Background: Attorney Stephen C. Moore graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he received the Justice Hugo Black Award for outstanding scholastic achievement and served as Associate Editor of The Journal of the Legal Profession. Attorney Frederick J. Moore III also graduated with honors. The firm has obtained maximum recoveries for victims in thousands of personal injury claims.
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Contact: (251) 445-7602 | https://www.moorelawfirm-al.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered with no fee charged to answer questions. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
Personal Injury Laws in Alabama
Statute of Limitations
Alabama law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (Alabama Code Section 6-2-38(l)). The deadline begins running on the date of injury in most cases. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years, but the timeline begins on the date of death rather than the date of injury.
Product liability lawsuits against original sellers have a shortened one-year deadline. However, a 10-year statute of repose limits claims to that period from when the product was first used, regardless of when injury is discovered.
Intentional torts such as assault, battery, sexual assault, kidnapping, and false imprisonment have a six-year statute of limitations.
Medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years of the negligent treatment, or six months from the date of discovery if the injury was not immediately apparent, whichever occurs later.
Claims against government entities have compressed deadlines: municipal claims must be filed within six months, county claims within 12 months, and federal government claims within two years (with six months to file suit if denied).
Negligence Rules
Alabama follows the contributory negligence doctrine, making it one of only four states (along with Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia plus the District of Columbia) to maintain this rule. Under contributory negligence, a plaintiff who bears any percentage of fault for the accident is completely barred from recovering damages.
This means that even 1% fault attributed to the injured party results in zero recovery. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys frequently raise contributory negligence as a defense, even in cases where the plaintiff’s fault appears minimal. This rule makes legal representation particularly important in Alabama personal injury cases, as evidence must be carefully presented to avoid fault attribution.
Damage Caps
Alabama does not impose caps on compensatory damages (economic and non-economic) in personal injury cases. However, the Alabama Supreme Court found general damage caps unconstitutional in 1991 (Moore v. Mobile Infirmary Association).
Punitive damages are subject to limitations. In cases involving physical injuries (except intentional injuries or wrongful death), punitive damages are capped at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000. For small businesses (worth $2,000,000 or less), the cap is $50,000 or 10% of the business value, whichever is greater.
Government liability is capped at $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for claims against cities, towns, or counties.
Alabama wrongful death cases are unique nationally: surviving family members can only recover punitive damages, not compensatory damages. This means recovery is tied to the severity of the defendant’s misconduct rather than the family’s actual losses.
Medical malpractice cases have a statutory cap of $400,000 on non-economic damages, though the constitutionality of such caps remains subject to legal challenge.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Alabama operates as an at-fault (tort) state for auto insurance purposes. The driver who causes an accident is legally responsible for resulting damages, and injured parties typically file claims against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
Minimum liability insurance requirements (25/50/25):
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is included by default unless waived in writing by the policyholder. This coverage pays for injuries caused by uninsured drivers or hit-and-run accidents.
Drivers must carry proof of insurance in paper or electronic form and present it upon request by law enforcement. Driving without required insurance is a Class C misdemeanor, with first offenses punishable by up to three months in jail and fines up to $500. Subsequent offenses can result in license suspension for six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Alabama’s contributory negligence rule affect my Mobile car accident case?
Alabama’s contributory negligence rule means that any fault on your part, no matter how small, can bar your entire recovery. If you were rear-ended on I-10 but were slightly over the speed limit at the time, the defendant’s insurance company may argue you contributed to the accident. This makes preserving evidence and witness statements critical immediately after any accident in Mobile. An attorney can help present your case to minimize fault attribution and counter defense arguments. Never admit fault or apologize at the scene, and avoid recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel.
What damages can family members recover in an Alabama wrongful death case?
Alabama wrongful death law differs significantly from other states. Surviving family members cannot recover compensatory damages for losses like funeral expenses, lost income, or medical bills incurred before death. Instead, recovery is limited to punitive damages, which are meant to punish the defendant for misconduct. This means the amount recoverable depends on the severity and nature of the defendant’s negligent or wrongful conduct rather than the financial impact on the family. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death, and only the personal representative of the estate (appointed by the probate court) can bring the lawsuit.
Are there maritime injury protections for workers injured on Mobile Bay or the Port of Mobile?
Yes, maritime workers injured on navigable waters near Mobile Bay, the Port of Mobile, or on vessels have federal protections beyond Alabama state law. The Jones Act provides remedies for seamen injured due to employer negligence or vessel unseaworthiness. Longshore and harbor workers may file claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) for injuries occurring on navigable waters or adjoining pier areas. These federal claims have different procedures and deadlines than Alabama personal injury law, and benefits may include maintenance and cure (living expenses and medical care during recovery). Mobile’s significant maritime industry makes these claims relatively common in the area.
What should I do if I slip and fall at a Mobile business but the owner claims I was partially at fault?
Given Alabama’s contributory negligence rule, you should document everything before leaving the scene. Photograph the hazardous condition (wet floor, broken step, inadequate lighting), note whether warning signs were present, and obtain contact information from witnesses. Request a copy of the incident report. Seek medical attention immediately, as delayed treatment can be used to argue your injuries were not caused by the fall. Do not provide recorded statements to the business’s insurance company, as adjusters may attempt to extract admissions that could be used to establish contributory negligence and bar your entire claim.
How long do I have to file a claim against the City of Mobile or Mobile County?
Claims against the City of Mobile (a municipality) must be filed within six months of the injury date. Claims against Mobile County have a 12-month deadline. These deadlines are strictly enforced and cannot be extended. The claim must be filed with the appropriate government office before any lawsuit can be commenced. If the government entity denies your claim or fails to respond, you then have limited time to file a lawsuit in court. Missing these administrative deadlines typically results in permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation, even if you have a valid injury claim. Contact an attorney immediately if you believe a government entity in Mobile may be responsible for your injuries.