Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A single car accident north of Huntsville, Alabama has tragically claimed the life of 19 year old Amy Sharpe. The initial investigation revealed the driver lost control of her car and struck a pole. While no other car appears to be involved in this accident, many areas should be investigated to determine what factors played a role in this awful accident. Often, single car accidents can be caused by some defect in the car itself. For example, a defective tire or steering mechanism on the vehicle could have caused the driver to loose control. Or, the vehicle could have hydroplaned as a result of a defective paving job on the highway. While many car accidents are not caused by a defective condition on a vehicle, the injuries that result from a car accident are often enhanced by some defective condition on the vehicle. For example, a vehicle's air bag or seat belt system could fail during an accident causing the occupants to suffer more severe injuries than they would have suffered if the safety equipment had functioned as designed. When these components fail a product liability lawsuit can be brought against the manufacturer of these products. As Alabama car accident attorneys, we thoroughly investigate each motor vehicle accident case to determine what caused the subject accident and whether any defective component on the vehicle contributed to cause the accident or injuries suffered by our client.

A truck wreck between an 18 wheeler and an SUV has sent a Brewton, Alabama (Escambia County) man to the hospital. The Brewton Standard reported that Conner Batson was injured when his SUV collided with a Freightliner semi-truck being driven by Richard McEnheimer of Ohio. According to McEnheimer, the SUV pulled out in front of his 18-wheeler and there was nothing he could do to avoid the wreck. In 2007, there were 8,809 Alabama semi-truck wrecks 2,202 of which resulted in someone being injured. Further, 136 people were killed in Alabama truck accidents in 2007.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, in 2007 there were 759 automobile accidents in Escambia County, Alabama 328 of which resulted in someone being injured. Further, 8 people were killed in car and truck accidents in Escambia County, Alabama in 2007. In 2007 in Atmore, Alabama the largest city in Escambia County, there were 110 motor vehicle accidents 13 of which resulted in someone being injured. Amazingly, no people were killed in a motor vehicle accident in Atmore in 2007. In Brewton, Alabama, the county seats of Escambia County, there were 158 car and truck accidents 38 of which resulted in someone being injured.

A Muscle Shoals Alabama teenager is in critical condition after a single car motor vehicle accident in the Littleville community of Colbert County, Alabama. According to a newspaper report on the car wreck, Jessica Pace (19) ran off U.S. Highway 43 Thursday night and her car was not found until the next day. Rescue workers reported that Pace's car was found about 50 feet down an embankment almost completely covered by kudzu. Pace's car was discovered by construction workers who were resurfacing U.S. Hwy 43. Pace was initially taken to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence but was then transported to Huntsville Hospital.

According the Alabama Department of Public Safety, in 2007, there were 1,501 automobile accidents in Colbert County, Alabama 453 of which resulted in someone being injured. Nine (9) people were killed in car or truck accidents in Colbert County in 2007.

Alabama injury attorney Doug Martinson, Sr., recently settled a lawsuit in which our clients were involved in a car wreck in Scottsboro, Alabama (Jackson County). Our clients, a father and his three children were crossing over Hwy 72 when the defendant driver ran a red light striking the plaintiff's vehicle. Sadly, the wife/mother was following behind her husband's vehicle in her own car and was forced to helplessly watch the severe impact. As a result of this automobile accident, the father suffered multiple injuries, including: a broken back, broken ribs, and an injury to his left elbow. One of the children was also severely injured, suffering a left hip fracture and pelvic ring fracture. The other two children also suffered minor injuries as a result of this car accident. After suit was filed in Circuit Court in Jackson, County, Alabama a total settlement was reached for all Plaintiffs' in the amount of $130,000.00. This settlement comprised the policy limits from the defendant and the policy limits from the Plaintiffs' underinsured motorist carrier. As Alabama Car Accident Attorneys we are always pleased when we are able to make a satisfactory recovery on behalf of such worthy clients.

It should be noted that since this settlement involved a minor, Alabama law requires that the minor's settlement be approved by the Court. This type of approval is done through what is known as a Pro-Ami Settlement Hearing. Typically, the parties will petition the Court for a Pro-Ami Hearing and the Court will in turn appoint an attorney known as a Guardian Ad Litem on behalf of the minor Plaintiff to review the case and determine if the settlement is in the best interest of the minor Plaintiff. Ultimately, a hearing is held and the Court will hear evidence from the Guardian Ad Litem, and the parties and then either approve or disapprove the minor's settlement.

A deadly January 2009 Birmingham car accident caused by three fleeing burglary suspects has lead to the 19 year old driver being charged as an adult. According to the Birmingham News, a Jefferson County, Alabama court has ruled that Brandon Pauldin, (19) will be charged as an adult. Pauldin along with two others have been charged with intentional murder and various burglary charges. The trio was spotted burglarizing a home and when they attempted to flee their car was involved in a serious car wreck with Keith Shoemaker who was tragically killed in the accident.

In addition to criminal charges, Pauldin and the others would also be civilly liable under Alabama's wrongful death statute. Under the wrongful death statute, punitive damages would be awarded to punish Pauldin and the others for their conduct and to send a message to deter others from similar conduct. Unlike most states wrongful death statutes, Alabama's wrongful death statute does not provide for a compensatory damages award.

A three car wreck on Interstate 85 in Opelika, Alabama (Lee County, Alabama) has lead to the death of one motorist. According to the Opelika-Auburn News, the deceased driver was driving southbound on I-85 when they unexplainably crossed the median and struck a Ford F-550 and an eighteen (18) wheeler. The drivers of the other vehicles were not injured. In 2007, there were 3,908 automobile accidents in Lee County, Alabama 1,016 involved someone who was injured. Further, 21 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in Lee County in 2007.

A two car motor vehicle accident in Chilton County, Alabama on Saturday resulted in three deaths. The car wreck happened on Alabama Highway 145 approximately 9 miles north of Clanton, Alabama according to the Birmingham News report. Early reports indicate that there were 6 automobile accident deaths on Alabama's highways over the Labor Day Holiday with three of them coming as a result of this Chilton County car accident. In 2007, there were 975 Chilton County, Alabama motor vehicle accidents 376 involved someone who was injured. Further, there were 20 fatal car wrecks in Chilton County in 2007.

Rodney Snow of Lanett, Alabama (Chambers County) was killed in a car accident on September 3rd when his SUV crossed the centerline in a curve and collided with a dump truck. Both drivers were taken to the hospital where Mr. Snow was later pronounced dead. According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, 16,685 automobile accidents occurred in a curve in 2007. Also, in 2007, Chamber County, Alabama had 809 motor vehicle accidents 265 of which involved someone who was injured. Furthermore, there were 9 fatal wrecks in Chambers County in 2007.

Suspect Marcine Jackson caused a deadly car accident when he collided with another vehicle while attempting to elude the Mobile Alabama police. Mobile police were attempting to pull Jackson over when he fled from police at a high rate of speed. Jackson drove into oncoming traffic and struck another car. Sadly, a two year old toddler in the other car did not survive the wreck. Jackson has been charged with murder, two counts of assault, felony attempting to elude police and possession of a controlled substance.