Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A Decatur Alabama car wreck on Alabama Hwy 20 has claimed the life of Anthony Cheek, Jr. According to a news report, police believe the driver of the other vehicle, which was headed westbound on Hwy 20 crossed over the grass median and struck the vehicle being driven by Mr. Cheek. It appears police are still investigating this motor vehicle accident and have yet to determine what caused the other driver to loose control of his vehicle and cross over the median.

As experienced Decatur Car Accident Attorneys whenever were asked to review an accident such as this one of the first things we do is gather information and physical evidence in hopes of determining what caused the at fault driver to loose control of his vehicle. Areas of inquiry include:

• Was the driver driving under the influence;
• Was the driver distracted by such things as using a cell phone or sending a text message;
• Did the driver's vehicle have a mechanical malfunction, such as steering, brakes, tires etc..;
• Did the driver fall asleep.

A Greenhill, Alabama (Lauderdale County) car accident this past Friday on U.S. Highway 43 has tragically killed 3 people and severely injured another. The North Alabama auto accident occurred when the driver of a 2006 Chevrolet HHR SUV attempted to turn west across the highway when it collided with a Semi-truck and trailer driving southbound on Hwy 43. According to reports, the weather and icy road conditions played role in the cause of the wreck. The driver of the 18 wheeler was uninjured in the accident.

According the Alabama Department of Public Safety, there were 475 Alabama motor vehicle accidents in 2008 that occurred when the roadway was Icy/Slushy. Further, there were 2,168 auto accidents in Lauderdale County, Alabama in 2008, 558 of which resulted in someone being injured. In 2008, 15 people died in Lauderdale County car and truck accidents.

A new federal ban on texting by the DOT hopes to reduce Trucking Accidents. The DOT announced on 1/26/10 a new federal guideline banning texting while driving commercial motor vehicles. The federal ban goes into effect immediately and applies to drivers of 18 wheelers who driver in interstate commerce and drivers of commercial buses and vans who carry more than eight passengers. Truckers who violate the new texting ban are subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.00.

The state of Alabama is also trying to reduce the number Alabama trucking accidents by passing a state law banning texting while driving. The bill has already cleared the Alabama House of Representatives and if the bill passes the Senate it would become law and ban drivers of all vehicles from texting while driving.

As a part of its campaign to reduce the number of car and truck wrecks due to distracted drivers, the DOT has launched a new website at www.distraction.gov. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers who text while driving are more than 30 times more likely to be in a wreck than non-distracted drivers.

The Mobile auto accident occurred in the midtown area of Mobile, Alabama. According to the Mobile Press-Register, the driver of the motorcycle was transported to Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, which was less than one mile away; sadly the driver did not survive. The report indicates the driver was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The details of the car accident are still under investigation. According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, there were 2,106 motorcycle accidents in Alabama in 2008, 98 of which resulted in a fatality. The number of Alabama motorcycle wrecks increased from 2007 to 2008 as did the number of fatalities. It's imperative that drivers be on the look out for motorcycles while they are on the roadway as a minor fender bender in a car accident can end with a tragic result if involved in the same accident with a motorcycle.

A single car accident on I-85 in Opelika, Alabama (Lee County) killed an Atlanta resident and severely injured another. The auto accident is the first fatality in Lee County in 2010 and occurred in the early hours of the morning. According to reports, the vehicle went into a ravine and overturned and trapped the occupants. At some point the vehicle burst into flames. Currently, it is not clear what caused the motor vehicle accident. When most individuals are involved in a single car accident they don't believe they have any legal recourse. While in many instances this may be true, there are numerous other examples where a single car accident can be the result of someone else's negligent conduct. For example, if another vehicle runs a car off the road causing an accident and the other vehicle flees the scene the injured party can still have a legal claim under Alabama's uninsured motorist laws. Further, a person's injuries in an accident can be enhanced by the failure of a safety device such as an air bag, seat belt, or brakes. In these types of situations a products liability lawsuit can be brought. Thus, if you have been involved in a single car accident you should contact an experienced Alabama car accident lawyer to determine your legal rights.

A Birmingham, Alabama teenager who suffered from mental disabilities was tragically killed in Gadsden when she stepped into the roadway and was struck by a truck. According to the Gadsden Times, the car accident happened on Monday at 6:28 am on U.S. Highway 411. Reports indicate the Birmingham teenager was in the custody of the Jefferson County Department of Human Resources and was living in a group home in Gadsden (Etowah County) at the time of the accident. Evidently, the teenager had wandered away from the group home just before the accident happened. Hopefully, there will be an investigation into this matter to determine how the teenager wandered away from the group home so that this type of tragedy does not occur again.

The snow falling in Alabama will likely mean an increase in the number of car wrecks on Alabama's highways. Drivers should avoid taking to snow covered roadways if at all possible. Some simple safety tips for driving in icy and snowy conditions include:

• Decreasing your vehicle's speed and leaving yourself ample distance between other cars for stopping.

• Use lower gears if possible, which can help increase traction.

• If your rear wheels begin to skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid.

For more cold weather safe driving tips on how to avoid an auto accident visit the weather channel.com

The Alabama Car Accident Lawyers at Martinson and Beason represented our client who was severely injured in an auto accident. The car wreck occurred when the driver of the other vehicle failed to yield the right of way and pulled out in front of our client. As a result of this accident our client suffered a severely broken wrist, which required the plaintiff to undergo two surgeries. As a result of this motor vehicle accident we filed a personal injury lawsuit seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. After written discovery and depositions were conducted to establish the defendant's liability and the plaintiff's injuries, we were able to reach a fair and just settlement for our client. While many cases can be resolved without the need for filing a lawsuit, this case is a prime example of a case whose value was significantly increased by filing suit and taking the depositions of the parties and doctor.

Our client was injured when the car he was a passenger in was struck by an uninsured motorist at 100 mph. Alabama car accident lawyer Morris Lilienthal represented our client in the personal injury case. The car accident occurred in May of 2009 on U.S. Hwy 431 in Abbeville Alabama (Henry County). This tragic car wreck is a perfect example of why it's important to have uninsured motorist coverage and why it's important to hire an experienced Alabama uninsured motorist attorney. In this case, the at-fault motor vehicle did not have automobile insurance, nor did the car the plaintiff was riding in. Further, the plaintiff did not have car insurance. Fortunately, the plaintiff lived with a relative that did have car insurance. Most car insurance policies provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to any relative who resides with the insured. In this case, the plaintiff was not named on his relative's insurance, but he was a "resident relative" therefore he was covered under his grandmother's car insurance. We are pleased that we were able to reach a fair and quick settlement for our client.

A deadly two car wreck in Marion County Alabama has sadly claimed the lives of a one year-old and his grandfather. The auto accident happened in the Bear Creek community of Marion County on Alabama highway 13. According to a report, the Alabama State Troopers are currently investigating the cause of the accident. Marion County is located in West Alabama on the Mississippi state line. Hamilton, Alabama is the county seat of Marion County. In 2007, there were 515 motor vehicle accidents in Marion County 219 of which resulted in someone being injured. Further, 11 people were killed in car and truck accidents in Marion County in 2007. By comparison there were 153 automobile accidents in the city of Hamilton in 2007. If you have been injured in a car or truck accident the law does limits your time to file a claim, its important to contact an experienced Hamilton Alabama Car Accident Attorney.

An early morning Birmingham, Alabama truck accident has tragically killed a passenger who was in the sleeper berth of the truck at the time of the wreck. According to reports, the 18-wheeler overturned as it was traveling on the ramp to U.S. Hwy 280 from the Red Mountain Express. The initial investigation indicates the tractor-trailer may have been traveling too fast to make the curve. The victim was identified as Maja Tomevska of Illinois. Our condolences go out to her family and friends. In Alabama, under these circumstances where a passenger is injured or killed in a car or truck accident, the injured person or their family can not typically bring a claim against the driver of the vehicle they are riding in. Alabama has what is know as a Guest Passenger Statue, which generally prohibits a passenger or their estate from bringing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against a driver of a vehicle in which they are riding. Some noted exceptions that would allow such a claim to brought are: if you can establish wantonness on the part of the driver; establish the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or the passenger compensated the driver for the ride. Essentially, under these types of facts, the plaintiff must establish that the driver was either not giving the plaintiff a gratuitous ride or that the driver's conduct was reckless and/or wanton.

A motor vehicle accident between a car and 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 in Gulfport, Mississippi has led to a Mobile Alabama truck driver being charged with leaving the scene of an accident. According to Mississippi TV station WLOX, the Mobile truck driver turned himself in after seeing an interview of the victim on television. Police indicated the semi-truck driver struck the other vehicle and knocked it down an embankment trapping the other driver for several hours before helped arrived. Many Alabama car and truck accidents are caused by hit and run drivers. Under Alabama law if the hit and run driver is not identified a claim can be made for the injured party by filing an Uninsured Motorists claim. Alabama case law essentially states that if an injured party can establish that a "phantom vehicle" caused the accident then they can recover uninsured motorists' benefits. Unlike many states, Alabama does not require actual physical contact between the "phantom vehicle" and the injured party's vehicle. If you or someone you know has been injured by a hit and run driver it's important that you hire an experienced Alabama uninsured motorist attorney.

A two car wreck occurred at the intersection of Hwy 157 and Saint Joseph Drive in Cullman, Alabama. According to the Cullman Times, the driver of one car allegedly ran the stop light at Saint Joseph Drive and collided with a vehicle traveling on Hwy 157. The driver and two occupants of the car traveling on Saint Joseph Drive were transported by EMS to Cullman Regional Medical Center. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle were uninjured. In 2007, there were 29,486 motor vehicle accidents in the state of Alabama where the cause of the accident involved a driver who failed to heed to a traffic control device. Many times these car and truck accidents are caused by a driver who is distracted and thus fails to see the traffic control device. As Cullman car accident lawyers we often see the destruction that can be caused by a distracted driver.

A car accident between a Mobile Alabama motorcycle officer and a car has sent the officer to the hospital. The motor vehicle accident happened at the intersection of Highway 90 and Rangeline road in Mobile. Following the accident the Mobile police officer was taken to University of South Alabama hospital for treatment. According to Mobile channel 5 news, the driver of the car alleged that he had a green light and that the police officer ran a red light and turned in front of him. Mobile police indicated the accident is under investigation and would not release any details at this time. In 2007, there were 2,032 motorcycle accidents in Alabama. Motorcycle accidents often occur because of driver error; however, they also occur due to other driver's failure to pay attention and account for motorcycle riders. For more information on motorcycle safety, please visit the motorcycle safety foundation.

A car wreck in the Ashford, Alabama community (Houston County) has sent 3 people to Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan. The 2 car accident likely occurred when the driver of one car failed to yield the right of way when entering an intersection. The injured where a mother and her 5 year-old and 3 year-old. According to the Dothan Eagle, the 3 year-old toddler was not restrained and was ejected from the vehicle. Thankfully, the 3 year-old did not suffer life threatening injuries. This automobile accident is a prime example of why parents should always take the time properly restrain their children. As Dothan car accident attorneys we have seen the tragic result that can occur when parents fail to properly restrain their children in car seats. For more information on Alabama's child restraint law see our Alabama Injury Attorney Blog site.