What to do After an Alabama Elevator Accident

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Elevators are all over the state of Alabama, predominantly in shopping malls, department stores, apartment buildings, and the like. While generally, going up or down an elevator is no more than a minute-long blip of your day, this is not always the case. Sometimes, when elevators are either improperly manufactured or improperly maintained, they can malfunction. These malfunctions very often wreak havoc, causing serious injuries.

When elevators malfunction, passengers are very much at their mercy, so any number of outcomes are possible. If you are someone who was injured in an elevator accident, you are most likely now looking into financial compensation to help cover the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, and more. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some of the questions you may have regarding your legal options going forward:

What causes elevator accidents?

Elevators are complex machines, and they are composed of hundreds of working parts. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple malfunction to cause serious damage. Some of the most common causes of elevator accidents are as follows:

  • Drive malfunction
  • Negligent elevator design
  • Pully system malfunction
  • Power failures
  • Improper installations
  • Faulty wiring
  • Abrupt stops
  • Failing to keep equipment up-to-date
  • Door operator errors
  • Mechanical breakdown
  • Control system malfunction

What injuries are sustained in elevator accidents?

Some of the most common injuries sustained in elevator accidents that have recovered compensation in the past are as follows:

  • Cuts and bruises
  • Concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Torn ligaments
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Wrongful death

How can I recover compensation following an elevator accident?

To recover financial compensation, you and your attorney must first prove that you were injured due to another party’s negligence. To do so, your attorney will work to obtain security camera footage of your accident, witness statements confirming your claim, pictures of the safety hazard that caused your accident, police reports, and more. Additionally, after an accident, you should always seek medical attention. A physician will provide you with medical documentation detailing the severity of your injuries, which you may also use to prove your claim.

What is the statute of limitations in Alabama?

The statute of limitations is the amount of time you have from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. The statute of limitations in Alabama is two years, so you must act fast. If you fail to do so, you will be denied your right to sue.

Contact our experienced Alabama firm

Stone Crosby, P.C. has proudly served clients in Alabama for over 100 years. Our firm has experience handling matters including divorce and family law, estate planning and administration, business law, employment law, class actions, consumer protection, business law, real estate law, among many others. If you require quality legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.