Madison, AL

April Collins

As a Birmingham, Alabama-based personal injury attorney, April H. Collins believes accident victims don’t just suffer life-changing injuries. They also suffer personal injustice. So, she made it her mission to represent people who don’t feel their voices are being heard and can’t fight for themselves against deep-pocketed insurance companies. “I love my clients,” Attorney Collins says. “I love being able to help them through some of the lowest times they have had. I love seeing the transition in their spirits from their first call to our office to the end of their case. It is like a light has turned back on.” For Attorney Collins, case success and client satisfaction go hand-in-hand, and as Collins Law’s founder and lead attorney, she is committed to achieving both. She combines tenacity in the court and the settlement room with deep compassion and understanding for the people she helps. In doing so, Attorney Collins has put Alabama residents on the path to physical and personal recovery by getting the full and fair financial compensation they need. She also has a record for reducing her clients’ medical bills after their cases are resolved, which, in the legal industry, is rare. Her practice areas include auto, truck, motorcycle, and commercial vehicle collisions; injuries from pedestrian, bicycle, bus, and slip-and-fall accidents; and wrongful death lawsuits. The motivation for Attorney Collins’ career in law came from her father. As she explains, he would always tell her she needed to be a lawyer “because I talked a lot. From then on, I always thought I would want to be an attorney. I was very interested in legal shows and watched them as a little girl. I’d watch Court TV like it was cartoons.” She stayed true to her goal of being in law by earning her law degree from Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in Montgomery, Alabama. She also obtained her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Throughout her career, Attorney Collins has become well-recognized by her colleagues in law and the Alabama legal profession. She holds a distinction as one of the “10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys” by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys for her exceptional and outstanding client service. Attorney Collins is active in the Alabama State Bar’s Leadership Forum and the Black Women Lawyers Association of Alabama, for which she served as its first president. She has also been part of the executive committee for the Magic City Bar Association and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40’s civil plaintiff executive committee. Besides being a loving mother of four children, Attorney Collins is an active part of the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama. This organization has been close to her heart ever since she was a child in Athens, Alabama. “The BGC was my saving grace during a time when life was hard,” she recalls. “I could go to the BGC and just be a kid. I have so many fond memories of the club that I attended. I even met the first attorney I’d ever seen at a BGC event.” Attorney Collins takes pride in her being named the group’s 1995-1996 Youth of the Year, as it built her self-esteem and set her up for personal success in the years to come. “It afforded me opportunities to speak to our city’s businessmen and key leaders, giving me the confidence to speak in front of crowds at a young age,” she says. After becoming an attorney, Attorney Collins vowed to give other Alabama at-risk youths the chance to move forward in life. As campaign chair for the BGC, she helps raise money for their Capital Campaign, makes her own financial contributions - including purchasing a van for the group - and serves as an events host. Attorney Collins is also the author of Amazon best-seller Only the Strong Thrive, a faith-filled inspirational and motivational memoir. This incredible life story is about overcoming adversity and using the power of affirmation. It debuted in 2018 as Amazon’s No. 1 new release. In addition, Attorney Collins helped found Hoover-AHEAD. This civic group works to promote racial and ethnic equity and inclusion within the city of Hoover, Alabama. She’s also been involved in Leadership Hoover, which helps develop qualified, highly motivated individuals who want to expand their leadership skills and become more involved in the city’s needs. As strong of a connection she has for her community and as never-ending as her love is for her family, Attorney Collins says being in personal injury completes the circle of passion. “I love seeing clients’ smiling faces when they pick up their settlement checks,” she explains.“ I love hearing them tell me how grateful they are for my staff and me. I even love the day-to-day work, including negotiating with the insurance companies and the nitty gritty of litigation work. “I just love what I do and would not want to be doing anything else.”

Amanda Tyler

Some of the clients we help have have been through the most traumatic incidents they have ever faced or will face. It’s such a great feeling when they get to a “turnaround point”, when they start feeling better both physically and mentally. You can hear and feel the positivity coming back into their lives, and that is so special to me. We’re not just here to help them collect a check. We’re here to make this process easier for them and to help them get their life back. My work family! I love being surrounded by such a positive, strong, hard-working group of women. Spend time with my kids. I like painting, traveling and gardening.

Carolann Harris

When a client came into the office with her son, I got to give her the biggest hug and appreciate her growth, love on her, and reassure her that we have her back. I love talking with people going through a hard and stressful time and just letting them know that we are here for them, that they are not alone, and that we will do our best to make their day a little better. I also love my co-workers. The love and kindness they show me and everyone they come in contact with is truly inspiring. Outside of work, I love to play volleyball, attempt karaoke, dance terribly with my friends, and work out!

Shannon Bibbs-Napier

Having a client tell me they are thankful they had me as a case manager. They told me I made their stressful experience smooth, and that made my heart smile. That’s why I work hard for our clients. The work environment is top-notch! Not only is there a sense of family, but there is also a real sense of teamwork. Also, our clients. Being in a motor vehicle accident can be a traumatic experience. It’s a joy to help them navigate through the process of recovery. I enjoy cooking, baking and spending time with my niece, nephew and dogs.

Angela Zhang

As an Operations Specialist supporting the business side of the firm, I don’t typically interact with clients directly. However, I’m fortunate to hear heartwarming stories every day from our incredible team members who do. What truly stands out to me is how deeply our team empathizes with each client-putting themselves in their shoes and fighting for them as if they were their own family. Even just hearing their accounts, I can feel the clients’ pain, frustration, and struggle following their trauma, as well as the relief, gratitude, and bravery that come with their healing and settlement. It’s a powerful reminder of why the work we do matters. Definitely the nonstop pursuit of top-notch client service-especially helping our injured clients get the care and compensation they truly deserve. I love the feeling of growing every day and knowing that I have the potential to keep improving, all while working alongside the most supportive, kind, and intelligent group of ladies! I love hiking, camping, and traveling with my family and friends-it’s the perfect way to unwind and make lasting memories together.

Macy Kirby

My favorite client interaction was a client’s reaction to getting a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that had been put into building her case. I also love long mediation days that allow you to really bond with your client! I love the environment cultivated by each person that works here - motivated, compassionate hard workers that never stop learning, advancing their skills, caring for others, lending a helping hand, and fighting for their clients! Spend time in my backyard with my two pygmy goats and four hens named Eggar Allen Poe, F. Scott Chicksgerald, Emily Chickenson, and Big Mama Blume.

Mattice Steele

When a client came into the office to pick up her settlement check & she expressed how appreciative she was of Collins Law. She felt like she was a part of the family & it was very heartwarming to hear how much of a difference each person can make throughout a case. I love the work environment. Everyone is so helpful regardless of their position. It’s great to come in every day & be surrounded by such strong, positive energy. It’s also great to feel part of a family! My favorite thing to do outside of work is go to the gym, go to dance classes & make floral bouquets.