Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Elderly Alabama pedestrian dead after being struck by a car in an early morning collision

2012-05-18T21:57:53Z

According to article in the Times Daily, an elderly Lauderdale County, Alabama man on a early morning walk was struck and killed by a passing truck early this week on Alabama 157.

Local law enforcement announced that O.Z. Tucker, 91, was killed in the accident that happened at 3:40 a.m., in the Pisgah community. Mr. Tucker was pronounced dead at the scene by Lauderdale County Coroner Andy High. Police investigating the accident said it appears Mr. Tucker was walking north when he was struck by a truck traveling south. His body was found in the roadway.

Alabama State Troopers said Ronald Liles, 46, of Florence, Alabama, was driving a 1995 Chevrolet 1500 truck and was not injured in the accident. Authorities believe that the wreck may have been linked to the fact that Tucker was wearing dark clothing and visibility was poor that morning given the pre-dawn fog in the area. Sadly the accident occurred less than a mile from Mr. Tucker's house.

This incident is a tragic example of the damage that can occur when a pedestrian encounters a vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, some 4,280 lives were lost in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes, amounting to nearly twelve people every day of the year. That same year there were an estimated 70,000 pedestrian injuries as a result of such accidents.

Though the rates of injury for older persons (age 65 and over) are lower than for most age groups, older adult pedestrians are much more vulnerable to serious injury or death when struck by a motor vehicle than younger pedestrians. For example, the percentage of pedestrian crashes resulting in death exceeds 20 percent for pedestrians over age 75, compared to less than 8 percent for pedestrians under age 14.

To help minimize the risk of a deadly pedestrian/motor vehicle crash, when walking at night it is important to wear reflective clothing (not just white or light-colored clothing). Carrying a flashlight is also important given potentially poor visibility such as the fog present in this instance. Pedestrians should always walk on the sidewalk, and never on highways, and they should make sure to pay attention to the "Walk" and "Do Not Walk" signs.

Drivers have an enormous responsibility for the safety of pedestrians given the size and speed of vehicles and their capacity to cause serious and sometimes fatal injuries. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Florence car accident lawyers today. Our experienced Alabama personal injury attorneys handle car claims all over Alabama and are ready to assist you.

Source: "91-year-old man struck, killed during pre-dawn morning walk," by Tom Smith, published at TimesDaily.com.

Recalls of dangerous children's products go unnoticed far too often

2012-05-16T01:44:50Z

For many, the idea of a child being injured due to a defective product is of course devastating. But sadly, the truth is that there are a number of products - including children's toys, bedding and car seats - that are recalled every year due to safety issues. What's truly frightening is that many parents may never even hear of the recall and will inadvertently continue to use the dangerous product.

About 40% of recalls last year, or 121 of 310 overall, involved children's products, according to a recent study titled "Kids In Danger." The same study notes that two such recalls involving bunk beds and infant video monitors lead to deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) complaint database includes many reports of children injured or killed by recalled products.

According to the recently released report, there was actually a decline in the number of recalls in 2011. However, even though there was a 24 percent decrease, injuries and other negative incidents actually rose 7 percent last year.

It turns out that part of the problem is most likely due to the fact that when a recall is announced, only between 15 percent and 30 percent of the products are actually sent back to be fixed. Of course, the larger, higher-profile recalls that make the national news can end up having a larger send back rate, but the many smaller recalls that never receive such attention fall off most parents' radar screens.

Part of the problem is that when there is a recall stores have a hard time always tracking down the purchaser to let them known about. Disturbingly the average recall response rate for child safety seats is only about 41. Car recalls, with correspondingly much higher recall response rates, are bolstered by mandatory registration while retail recalls suffer from stores not being able to locate their former shoppers. The ability to find someone depends on whether they paid with a card or whether they have a customer loyalty account.

Members of loyalty programs at Toys R Us and Babies R Us get e-mail alerts about product recalls; others can sign up on the stores' websites to get notices. Amazon and Costco notify customers when products they buy online are recalled. Those not members of such programs can take action and sign up for recall notices on CPSC's and NHTSAs websites.

If you or someone you know has been injured because of a company's failure to provide a safe and healthy consumer product, you need the help of an Alabama products liability attorney experienced and ready to help protect your rights and recover damages for your injury. Contact the Huntsville personal injury attorneys at Martinson & Beason, P.C. today for a free consultation at 1-800-255-6534.

Source: "Recalls of unsafe kids products down but often ignored," by Jayne O'Donnell, published at USAToday.com.

Mobile Car Accident Results in Death of Musician and Charges for Driver

2012-05-10T19:25:49Z

The driver of a car that ran off Dawes Lake Road early in the morning on April 21, 2012, was just charged this week with murder according to Alabama State Troopers. The tragic Mobile car wreck resulted in the untimely death of a young, 20-something musician.

Jennifer Fram, 25, is now sitting in Mobile County Metro Jail without bail, according to jail records. The victim of the tragic affair, Nicholas "Nick" Thor Markow, a native and lifelong resident of Mobile, died on Saturday from his injuries. He was only 26. Markow was a graduate of local Murphy High School, and was "a well loved local musician," according to his obituary and one known for performing in the area. Markow is survived by his mother, father, sister and brother as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Alabama State Troopers Spokesman Trooper Greg Eubanks said that Fram was driving the car that ran off the road and hit a sign and a utility pole, ejecting 26-year-old Nicholas Markow, who was killed.

Eubanks said that neither Markow nor Fram, who was injured, wore a seat belt, and he added that Fram admitted to drinking earlier during the night of the crash. Fram was on probation after a previous drunk driving arrest, according to jail records. Fram will soon face a bail hearing in the Mobile County District Court and, as a result, may find herself free awaiting trial.

As Alabama car wreck attorneys we routinely see the devastating aftermath of collisions caused by such drunk driving accidents. Sadly we've represented numerous clients who were injured as a result of the careless and selfish decisions of others who decided to drink and drive rather than be responsible. When a crash such as this occurs in Alabama there are a various possible legal claims that should be explored. First, there is a negligence and/or wantonness claim against the drunk driver. Depending upon several factors, there may be a claim for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. And there may be a claim against the bar, restaurant or store that sold the alcohol to the drunk driver under Alabama's Dram Shop laws. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Alabama car accident lawyers today.

Source: "Driver involved in car accident that killed musician is charged with murder," by Mark Kent, published at AL.com.

Alabama bans texting while driving

2012-04-29T22:08:30Z

The Alabama Legislature is getting close to passing a law banning texting while driving. While the House voted 92-0 in February for legislation backed by Republican Rep. Jim McClendon of Springville to ban all texting while driving the Senate only just approved the bill 24-7 after tacking on a few exceptions.

Though McClendon said he objects to some of the exceptions, he sees passage as a significant step because the House has passed his bill several times only to see it die in the Senate. He predicted a conference committee will work out a compromise that both chambers can approve before the legislative session ends in mid-May.

Republican Sen. Bill Holtzclaw of Madison got the Senate to approve texting while driving if contacting emergency services, receiving GPS information, or stopped in traffic with the car in neutral or park. Holtzclaw said he likes to use his cell phone while stopped at a long traffic light.

McClendon said he dislikes the traffic provision and believes it could result in safety problems. He also objected to the GPS provision which he sees as further diluting the impact of the proposed legislation.

The bill includes a fine of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third or subsequent offense. Democratic Sen. Bobby Singleton of Greensboro said the legislation and the fines will not stop texting while driving. "People are still going to use their phones because they are creatures of habit."

Republican Sen. Jabo Waggoner of Vestavia Hills is more optimistic, saying that law-abiding drivers will follow the law and that it will save lives. He said the same thing happened when Alabama passed tougher drunken driving laws and laws requiring seat belts and child safety seats.

The result of the recent passage means that Alabama now joins 37 other states that ban texting while driving including neighboring Georgia and Tennessee.

As Alabama car wreck attorneys we routinely see the devastating aftermath of collisions caused by such distracted driving accidents. In the last three years we have represented several clients who were injured in a car crashes as a result of the at fault driver texting while they were driving. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Alabama car accident lawyers today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys handle car accident claims all over Alabama. We have handled claims in Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Dothan, Troy and all points in between.

Source: "Alabama Senate passes ban on texting and driving," by David White, published at AL.com.

Auburn, Alabama single-car accident leaves no one injured, but several without power

2012-04-26T01:26:18Z

The Opelika-Auburn News reported that on the morning of Thursday, April 19, 2012, a woman crashed her SUV into a utility pole. The police would only say that the woman was in her later 30s, but they would not release her identity to the media. The accident happened at 7:45 am in the 1100 block of Sanders Street.

At this time the police are not sure of the cause of the accident. It was raining so it is possible that the driver hydroplaned. She lost control of her vehicle and crashed into the utility pole. The impact snapped the utility pole and it fell across Sanders Street, blocking it for nearly an hour. Her vehicle came to rest on its side.

Lt. Jonathan Ley of the Auburn Police department told the media that the driver was alone in the vehicle, which was a Nissan Murano. Ley also said that he does not believe that alcohol was a factor in the crash. Fortunately no one was injured in the crash, not even the driver.

Though no one was seriously injured, the downed utility pole affected residents in the area. Most were switched to an alternate power source while employees worked to get the pole back up and running. Power was quickly restored. Within 30 minutes, all residents had full utility services.

It is extremely fortunate that this accident did not result in any injuries, but there was damage done to the utility provider's property. If there was negligence on the part of the driver, she could be held liable for the property damage. When the police conclude their investigation into the accident, more will be revealed about how the crash occurred and whether the driver was at fault.

As Auburn car wreck attorneys we routinely see the devastating aftermath of collisions caused by such distracted driving accidents. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Alabama car accident lawyers today.

Source: "Driver uninjured in car-pole crash early in Auburn," by Donathan Prater, published at OANow.com.

See Our Related Blog Posts:
Safer Teen Driving in Alabama
Huntsville Wreck Sends Nine to Hospital

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

2012-04-14T13:29:21Z

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and, as such, the Huntsville car accident lawyers at Martinson & Beason, P.C. want to spread the word about the importance of safety while driving. In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we'll go through several important tips to keep in mind to prevent accidents and injuries resulting from distracted driving.

Some very sad statistics drive home the importance of awareness of safe driving habits:
 
• In 2009, distracted driving was responsible for the loss of 5,474 lives and led to 448,000 injuries (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
• Drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others. (NHTSA).
• Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes (NHTSA).

The following are some tips to avoid engaging in distracting behavior and causing potentially devastating injury to yourself and others:

• Plan in advance - Eat, check your e-mail, make calls and texts, know your route and finish your grooming routine before you get in the car. The little tasks that you try to save for your drive can safely be finished before getting behind the wheel.
• Stay focused - Limit interactions with your passengers, don't talk on the cell phone, don't text and don't even think about surfing the Internet. Let a passenger control the radio or if you are alone, set your iPod to shuffle and don't touch it. Even momentarily lapses in attention can result in tragic accidents.
• Pull over - If you find yourself having to take a call or answer a text message, pull over in a safe, well-lit area to handle your business.
• Make a commitment - Promise yourself that you will not text and drive and that you will avoid distracted driving no matter how tempting.
• Stress to your teen drivers not to text and drive - Spreading awareness is another key to stopping this bad driving behavior before it becomes a habit, breaking your kids early on could save them from years of distracted behavior.

As Alabama car wreck attorneys we routinely see the devastating aftermath of collisions caused by such distracted driving accidents. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Alabama car accident lawyers today.

Source: "April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month," published at Virtual-Strategy.com.

Safer Teen Driving in Alabama

2012-04-08T02:42:13Z

According to a recent report by Huntsville television station WAFF 48, it is possible to get hardheaded teenagers to pay attention on the road and be safe. The Alabama Department of Public Health suggests that car accidents are the leading cause of death of young adults between the ages of 16 and 24. Parents of children in this age bracket are concerned and want to do something to keep their teen safe.

GPS tracking devices are one option. Once a car is equipped with the device, it charts how fast the driver is driving and where the car is at all times. While some teens do not like the idea of being constantly monitored while they are away from home, a few believe that a GPS tracking system will help to keep teens aware of their driving habits and how those habits may or may not lead to an accident. One high school student said, "I guess I wouldn't like it because I would think they don't trust me but at the same time I really don't have a reason not to have one put in there. I don't do anything really bad."

However, some believe that this new technology is not going to be enough to keep a teen safe on the road. Willard Scissum, an experienced driving instructor, suggests that talking with your teen about driving safely and then giving them the confidence to be an effective driver is the best way to make sure that your teen is safe on the road. He said, "A lot of kids are going to rebel against that because they feel like they're trying to follow them around and check up on them and everything. But you should be able to build that trust in that child."

Scissum has been teaching people how to drive for more than 30 years. He taught Drivers Ed at a local high school and when he retired in 1999 he opened his own driver instruction school. Scissum knows first-hand how a car accident can be immediately life-changing. He told 48 News, "I had a niece that I lost in an accident. She was 21-years-old and a student in college. Her mother didn't live but one year, she grieved herself to death."

When teens are taught how to be effective drivers, it reduces the number of car accidents. However, both teens and adults are probably going to be in at least one accident while driving on the road and depending on the seriousness of the injuries and damage, the accident could lead to some legal liability. If you have questions about a car accident and think you may need some legal advice, please contact the Huntsville car accident attorneys at Martinson & Beason, P.C.

Source: "Better communication could foster safe teen driving," by Christine Pae, published at WAFF.com.

Huntsville Wreck Sends Nine to Hospital

2012-04-06T02:38:29Z

According to a recent article in The Huntsville Times, a three-vehicle wreck sent nine people to the hospital this past Friday night. The major accident left one in critical condition, according to HEMSI Chief Operations Officer Don Webster.

The accident occurred at approximately 11 p.m. at the intersection of Alabama 53 and Stringfield Road in northwest Huntsville.

A 16-year-old male was taken to Huntsville Hospital in critical condition, said Webster. The others did not appear to have life-threatening injuries though final word has not yet been released.

Also transported to a Huntsville hospital were two 18-year-old females, a 27-year-old female, a 49-year-old female and a 23-year-old male. Three children, including two 15-year-old males and an 11-year-old male, were transported to Huntsville Hospital Women's and Children's Center.

According to WAFF-TV, seven of the people were in a van returning home from a spring break vacation when their vehicle was rear-ended by a truck. The accident then sent the van flying into a car ahead of it, setting off a dangerous chain reaction. The driver of the car was listed in serious condition.

Watching a loved one be taken to the hospital is never easy. No one ever expects bad things to happen to the people they care about but the fact is that driving can be a dangerous activity and when the right safety measures are not taken, even fatal accidents do occur.

As Huntsville car wreck attorneys we routinely see the devastating aftermath of collisions caused by such accidents. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Alabama car accident lawyers today.

Source: "Three-vehicle wreck in NW Huntsville Friday night sends nine to Huntsville Hospital," by Yvonne T. Betowt, published at AL.com.

Decatur Alabama Car Accident Settles

2012-03-30T12:44:42Z

The Huntsville personal injury lawyers of Martinson & Beason, PC are pleased to announce we have just settled a Decatur car wreck that occurred at the intersection of Alabama Highway 67 and Danville Road. The wreck occurred when the at fault driver failed to yield the right of way to our client and turned in front of her vehicle causing a t-bone collision. As a result of this impact, our client suffered several injuries, the most severe of which was a shoulder injury. Her shoulder injury ultimately required surgical intervention and two rounds of physical therapy.

As a result of the severity of our client's injuries we brought a claim against the at-fault driver and a claim for underinsured motorist benefits (also known as UM or UIM). We initially recovered the at fault's parties policy limits. Under Alabama law, the minimum policy limits are just $25,000.00, which in many cases is not a sufficient amount of recovery if the plaintiff has incurred any substantial injuries. In this case, the at fault party (the defendant) policy limits were not sufficient enough so we also sought and obtained recovery under our client's underinsured motorist policies.

In this case, our client had 3 vehicles with underinsured motorist coverage on each vehicle; therefore, under Alabama's uninsured motorist statute we were able to stack or add these coverage's together to get our client a larger recovery. We are pleased that we were able to reach fair and speedy recovery for our injured client. If you have been the victim of a car accident in Alabama regardless of whether it is in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Mobile, Dothan, or Huntsville contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Martinson & Beason for a free legal consult.

Heavier trucks may not be rolling to Alabama soon after all

2012-02-27T01:35:05Z

As a follow-up to an earlier post regarding a decision to allow heavier trucks to drive on Alabama interstates, a House panel voted to put the brakes on the measure to allow 97,000-pound trucks on U.S. interstate highways. The decision also limits the expansion of the use of double- and triple- trailers in states that currently allow them.

According to an article on CNN.com, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently voted to delay any expansion in use of trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds for three years. This delay will give the U.S. Transportation Department needed time to study the potential effect on highway safety.

"Before we put the public safety at risk, we should do the study and make an informed decision," said Representative Jerry Costello, an Illinois Democrat who offered the amendment in a recent transportation bill.

Twenty-nine states already allow limited numbers of trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds on their interstate highways, usually by special permit. This would freeze the process and prohibit other states from doing the same.

The trucking association is disappointed with the vote, because "there have already been dozens and dozens of studies" showing increasing truck productivity reduces the number of miles driven by trucks said a spokesman for a trucking industry group. That "not only reduces accident risk, congestion and emissions, but also will ultimately save money in reduced highway maintenance costs."

Anti-trucking groups, largely funded by the railroad industry, say that bigger and heavier trucks would need the length of two football fields to stop. This increase in weight would thus result in more and deadlier accidents across the country as these hulking vehicles spread across the interstate system. Safety experts point out that people in passenger vehicles are especially vulnerable in collisions with large trucks because of the great difference in weight between cars and large tucks. In two-vehicle crashes involving passenger vehicles and large trucks, 98 percent of the fatalities were occupants of the passenger vehicle (See article The Dangers of Large Trucks posted by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety).

The double and triple trailers mentioned in the bill represent another problem called "cracking the whip." This occurs when, after breaking fast or being involved in an accident, the third trailer of the truck veers into other traffic lanes, where it may sweep other vehicles off the road.

As Huntsville truck wreck attorneys we routinely see the devastating aftermath of collisions caused by heavy trucks. If you've been the victim of such an accident and need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Alabama truck accident lawyers today.

Source: "Big rigs won't be getting any bigger -- for a while," published at CNN.com.

Alabama attorney general asked whether accident reports are private

2012-02-22T23:57:15Z

The Athens, Alabama City Council on Monday night voted to seek an attorney general's opinion on whether accident reports are public record, The Athens News Courier reported.

The issue arose because people other than those involved in an accident have requested copies of wreck reports filed by Athens police, according to City Attorney Shane Black.

The request for an opinion from the Alabama Attorney General also asks that if wreck reports are declared public records, can the city redact information such as address numbers and telephone numbers of the motorists involved before releasing the report.

The reason this has become important is because of the amount of sensitive information contained in many reports. Full names, birth dates, addresses, driver's license numbers, telephone numbers, work places, vehicle make and model and, possibly, who caused the wreck and whether that person committed any traffic violations in the course of the wreck can all be found in a typical report. Should ordinary taxpayers be able to view any or all such information if they had no involvement in the incident?

Other states, including California, release accident reports only to those who have "proper interest." This has been found to include the drivers, owners of damaged property, guardian or conservator of the drivers, anyone who may be held liable in a civil case, parents of minor drivers, attorneys representing involved clients, an injured person, insurance companies, vehicle owners or another person proving proper interest.

Previous opinions by Alabama attorneys general have said information contained on the front of the incident reports should be available to the public but not the more detailed information found on the back of the reports.

It was at the request of Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks that the City Council approved a resolution requesting an opinion from the AG's office. It usually takes at least two weeks for the attorney general's office to respond to a request for an opinion, but this may take longer as the AG is currently busy advising legislators regarding immigration issues currently before the body.

If you've ever had the misfortune of having to file an accident report and are in need of the assistance of an experienced Athens car accident attorney, please contact one of Martinson & Beason's skilled Alabama auto accident lawyers today.

Source: "Athens mayor: Should wreck reports be available to everyone?," by Jean Cole, published at eNewsCourier.com.

Alabama drivers beware, uninsured motorists are everywhere

2012-02-11T21:15:03Z

An article in USA Today discussed the incredibly cost associated with increased numbers of uninsured motorists on the nation's roadways. The news is especially bad in Alabama, which was found to have the sixth highest number of uninsured drivers in the country.

According to the statistics, if you're in a car accident in Alabama, there's a good chance the other driver has no insurance. The highest rates of uninsured motorists, rating from 20 to 30 percent of all motorists, are all in the South. The states with the highest uninsured driver estimates were Mississippi (28%), New Mexico (26%), Tennessee (24%), Oklahoma (24%), and Florida (24%) and Alabama (22%). At the opposite end of the spectrum are the five states with the lowest uninsured driver estimates were Massachusetts (4%), Maine (4%), New York (5%), Pennsylvania (75) and Vermont (7%).

What do these numbers mean for you and your family? It means that if you are in an accident, there is a higher possibility that it will be with a driver who is uninsured. This would mean no coverage for the injuries you sustained except for the insurance that you purchased at your expense.

All 50 states have some mandatory insurance law. In Alabama, drivers are required to have at least bodily injury liability and property damage liability. If you're stopped by a police officer in Alabama and you do not have proof of insurance on your vehicle and you've been involved in an accident then you can receive a ticket at the scene.

There is one good thing you can do to protect yourself from uninsured or even under-insured drivers, and it's fairly cheap and easy. Go out and get yourself some uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage is coverage that you buy as part of your own policy, in addition to your liability and comprehensive coverage that protects you in case an uninsured driver runs into you. Twenty states and the District of Columbia require uninsured motorist coverage, but Alabama does not.

It's important to point out that uninsured motorist coverage will not pay for repairs to your vehicle if you're involved in an accident. It will, however, cover some things like medical expenses or lost wages due to the accident. It also covers pain and suffering and even punitive damages.

It is important that you review what your UM and UIM coverage is. Keep in mind that if you have more than one car on your policy that you can stack your no fault polices to provide increased coverage. It is too late after an accident to find out that you didn't protect yourself. Most coverage increases aren't that much compared to the extra protection they provide.

Alabama's uninsured motorist laws can make pursuing financial compensation from an uninsured or underinsured driver tricky. An experienced Alabama car accident attorney can help you in navigating the state's uninsured motorist laws so you can gain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. If someone you know has been the victim of such an accident and you need assistance, contact one of Martinson & Beason's skilled Birmingham auto accident lawyers today.

Source: "One in seven drivers have no insurance," by Larry Copeland, published at USAToday.com.

Huntsville Area Teen Dies in Bike Crash with SUV

2012-02-07T14:19:11Z

According to a report in the Huntsville Times, Huntsville police just released the name of a Columbia High School student who tragically died after the bike he was riding collided with an SUV last week after leaving school. Hunter J. Cantrell, only 15-years-old, was riding on Farrow Road near the high school when his bike was hit by the SUV around 3 p.m. Investigators say that the teen was hit while riding near the school's entrance in Research Park.

Cantrell was critically injured and taken to Huntsville Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Police have begun an investigation into this tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Cantrell family.

In a statement, Huntsville City School's Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski said, "We were saddened by the death of a student at Columbia High School. I expressed our sympathy, thoughts, and prayer to the family, and would ask everyone to keep his family in their thoughts and prayers."

The tragic episode is reminiscent of another horrifying episode not even a year ago when an Alabama bicycle accident in Baldwin County claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy. In that accident, the Mobile Press-Register describes how the young man was riding home from a summer-school program when he was hit by a Waste Management garbage truck.

The rear tires of the garbage truck rolled over the boy's body resulting in massive head trauma, a shattered pelvis, a lacerated liver and a ruptured spleen. Though the south Alabama accident victim fought hard, he succumbed to his injuries several days after the bicycle accident.

As Huntsville Alabama injury attorneys we routinely see the horrifying aftermath of accidents involving children If someone you know has been the victim of such an accident and you need help navigating confusing legal waters, contact our skilled Huntsville auto accident lawyers today.

For a related article please see "Bicycle Accidents Rise with Popularity of Cycling"

2 Car Madison Wreck Claims the Life of One Driver

2012-02-01T14:27:44Z

A two vehicle accident at the intersection of Hughes Road and Madison Boulevard in Madison, AL has sadly claimed the life of one driver. According to a report by Huntsville TV station WHNT 19, a driver of a Lincoln Town Car collided with the driver's side of a Chevrolet Cavalier as the Chevy was making a turn at this intersection. Police are still investigating this wreck to determine the cause of the accident and who was at fault; however, police did tell WHNT that alcohol may have been involved. Sadly, this auto accident has claimed the life of Nataliya Elliott (41) of Lacey's Spring. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Elliott's family and friends.

If the driver of the Lincoln Town Car is determined to be at fault for this wreck, then a wrongful death lawsuit can be brought on behalf of Ms. Elliott's estate. Under Alabama law, to bring a wrongful death claim an estate has to be set up as the proper party to bring the claim is the administrator of the estate. See our website link, for more information on Alabama's wrongful death law. Under this law, claims can be made against the other driver and possibly under any uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage (UM or UIM) that may have covered Ms. Elliott.

As Huntsville drunk driving accident attorneys we too often see the deadly results that occur when people choose to drink and drive. Just this week, we resolved a claim for a client who was involved in an auto accident with an intoxicated driver in Madison, Alabama. If the driver of the Lincoln Town Car is deemed to be at fault and he was intoxicated there could be a possible claim against a bar, restaurant or store that may have served and/or sold him alcohol. This type of action is known as a dram shop claim.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident with a drunk driver it is very important that you speak with an experienced Alabama car wreck lawyer. Our firm has been representing injury victims for 75 years and handles car wreck claims all across the State of Alabama.

Alabama Drivers Talking And Texting While Driving Leads to Deaths

2011-12-21T22:22:53Z

Distraction is deadly. Recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that crashes attributed to distracted driving killed 3,092 people last year.

On Tuesday, after completing its investigation of a 2010 highway accident in Gray Summit, Mo., where a pickup driver who had been texting ran into a truck and set off a series of collisions that killed two and injured 38, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its strongest warning yet on distracted driving.

The NTSB made the decision to aggressively call for all 50 states to ban the non-emergency use of portable electronic devices for all drivers. No exceptions. The recommendation by the NTSB went on to say that there should be a major media campaign informing drivers of the decision and a high-visibility enforcement of the bans by police officers to ensure strict compliance.

There are four types of driver distraction - visual, aural, manual and cognitive - and use of portable electronic devices, including cell phones, involves several, if not all. According to a recent article in the Washington Post on distracted driving and car accidents a 2008 study published in the journal Brain Research as well as another in the Journal of Experimental Psychology show that it is more distracting to engage in a cellphone conversation than it is to talk with a passenger.

As recent as September 2010, a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute of commercial drivers (18 wheeler drivers) found that a safety-critical event is 163 times more likely if a driver is texting, e-mailing or accessing the Internet on a portable electronic device.

The cost of being constantly connected is too high. Want proof? Just ask the families of those 3,092 people who died last year. No phone call, no text, no electronic update is worth a human life.

As Huntsville car wreck attorneys we routinely see accidents that are caused by distracted driving. If you've been the victim of such a texting-related automobile accident and need help deciding the proper course of action, contact our skilled Alabama auto accident lawyers today.

See Our Recent Blog Posts:

More Alabama Drivers Admit to Distracted Driving

Settlement Reached in Huntsville Alabama Car Wreck Caused by Texting Driver