Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Thousands of people will be hitting Alabama roadways this Christmas Holiday weekend. As Huntsville Car Accident Attorneys we know this will sadly mean that several people will tragically lose their lives in car wrecks during this busy travel holiday. In 2007, 15 people were killed in Alabama car wrecks during the 102 hour Christmas holiday period. In 2008, 8 people were killed during the 102 hour holiday period. Many times these fatal car wrecks can be prevented by following a few simple rules:

1) Always wear your seat belt and be sure small children are properly secured in their car seats;
2) Obey the speed limit;
3) Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you;
4) Leave early to allow extra time for the added traffic on the highway; and
5) Be attentive to the location of other vehicles.

If drivers will follow these simple 5 Rules the then likelihood of being involved in a fatal crash will be significantly reduced. We want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

A head on collision in the city of Graysville, AL (Jefferson County) has sadly claimed the life of one driver and seriously injured two others. According to a Birmingham Fox 6 News report, the two car accident happened on Cherry Avenue near Hillcrest Road. The wreck was caused by one vehicle coming over the center line and striking the other. Police have not stated which vehicle was at fault. The driver of a Dodge pickup truck was sadly killed in the wreck and a 5 year old passenger in the vehicle was injured and taken to Children's Hospital in Birmingham. The driver of the other vehicle, a Chevy pickup, was also injured and taken to UAB Hospital in critical condition.

In this type of motor vehicle accident, it is essential that a thorough investigation be conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident. This investigation should be conducted as soon as possible after the wreck occurs as the condition of the roadway, such as any skid marks, gouge marks, and debris can soon change and be forever lost. Many times, the services of an accident reconstruction expert are needed to reconstruct exactly how the accident occurred to establish that the other party (defendant) is at-fault.

A tragic car wreck on I-565 near Huntsville and Madison has claimed the life of one driver and seriously injured another. The crash happened around 3 pm on Monday when Latonya Talbert lost control of her vehicle, which was headed eastbound on I-565. Ms. Talbert car came across the median into the westbound lanes and struck a vehicle being driven by Ken Higginbotham. Ms. Talbert died in the crash and Mr. Higginbotham was taken to Huntsville Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Police are still investigating the exact cause of this wreck but do not believe alcohol or drugs played a factor.

Having driven this area of I-565 eastbound many times, it is very likely Ms. Talbert's car hydroplaned and as a result she lost control of her vehicle. It was raining at the time of the wreck. As Huntsville car accident attorneys we have seen many accidents caused by vehicles hydroplaning. This is can be caused by driver error such as driving too fast, not having the proper tread on your car tires and by slamming on your brakes when your car begins to slide. Hydroplaning can also be caused by improper road construction. The Alabama Department of Transportation requires road contractors to meet specific guidelines when they design, build and pave a roadway. One such specification is that in a straightway the roadway is to have a 2% slope from the centerline that way water will drain off the roadway reducing the chance a vehicle will hydroplane. For information on driving safely in wet weather visit Safety.com