Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Huntsville car accident attorney Morris Lilienthal represented our client who was involved in a July 2010 car wreck on Alabama Highway 24 near Decatur, AL. Our client was driving eastbound on Ala. Hwy 20 when another driver failed to yield the right of way and pulled out in front of our client. This negligent action caused a severe impact between the two vehicles as evidenced by the above photograph. As a result of this wreck our client suffered multiple injuries including a knee injury which required surgical intervention and physical therapy. At the conclusion of our client's medical treatment we were able to reach a fair and just settlement for our client. As a part of this settlement we also resolved our client's subrogation interest with her health insurance carrier, which included getting a reduction in the amount of money the client had to repay her health insurer.

If you have been the victim of an automobile accident please see our step by step guide on what to do if you are in a car accident.

By Morris Lilienthal, Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

A rear end car accident near Madison, AL in Limestone County has sadly claimed the life of Stephen Lee Shankle, 21, of Decatur. According to an article by Victoria Cumbow in the Huntsville Times, the wreck happened on US Hwy 72 just four miles west of Madison. Shankle was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by Emily Barnes of Athens. Ms. Barnes' vehicle was rear ended by a vehicle being driven by David Kohlhoff of Madison. The impact between the Kohlhoff and Barnes vehicles was severe enough that it pushed Barnes' vehicle into the vehicle in front of it that was being driven by Ira Oden of Athens. Barnes along with a second passenger Sarah Maddox of Capshaw were treated at Huntsville Hospital. The initial investigation indicates that Barnes and Oden were stopped at the time they were struck.

The news report does not indicate what caused Kohlhoff to strike the rear of Barnes car. It is likely that this accident may have been caused by Kohlhoff being distracted. Approximately 448,000 people were injured in automobile accidents in 2009 that were caused by distracted driving. For more information on distracted driving see our Huntsville car accident attorney's page on distracted driving.

There are multiple causes of action that could arise from this car accident. First, the family of Mr. Shankle has a wrongful death claim against Mr. Kohlhoff. To prosecute this type of lawsuit an estate would have to be set up and the administrator of the estate would be the proper person under Alabama law to bring the wrongful death lawsuit. Second, the family of Mr. Shankle can also seek uninsured and/or underinsured motorist benefits from Ms. Barnes automobile insurance and from any insurance policy in which Mr. Shankle was listed as a driver. Further, even if Mr. Shankle was not listed as a driver but lived with a relative that had automobile insurance a claim can be made under that individual auto insurance coverage. Third, the other victims of this wreck have personal injury claims against Mr. Kohlhoff. Finally, the other victims also have potential uninsured/underinsured motorist claims if Mr. Kohlhoff's does not have auto insurance or does not have enough coverage to sufficiently cover their claims.

Alabama car wreck lawyer Morris Lilienthal represented our client who was involved in a high speed impact car accident on Alabama Highway 67 in Decatur, AL. Our client was driving in the northbound inside lane when the at-fault party tried to cross the4-lane highway, pulling out directly in front of our client's vehicle. As a result of this crash, our client suffered back and neck problems as well as a fractured elbow. Following the wreck he sought treatment for these problems. In this case, we were able to recover for our clients medical expenses, out of pocket expenses and pain and suffering. We are pleased that we were able to reach a just and fair resolution for our client.

If you have been injured in a Decatur Alabama car accident contact the personal injury attorneys at Martinson & Beason for your free consultation.

A severe crash on Hwy 31 in Limestone County just north of Decatur, Alabama has claimed the life of one person and sent another to Huntsville Hospital. The pictures of the vehicles in this motor vehicle accident reveal just how big of an impact occurred. An initial investigation reveals one vehicle may have come across the center line and struck the other vehicle. Full details of exactly what occurred will not be known until Alabama State Troopers complete their investigation. In 2008, there were 1,710 automobile accidents in the Decatur area, 349 of which resulted in someone being injured. Five people died in Decatur area car and truck accidents in 2008.

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.