This tragic accident gives rise to one important and distinct area of Alabama car accident law and that is Alabama's Guest Passenger Statute - Ala. Code § 32-1-2. (enacted 1935). This law basically states that if you are a guest in someone's car IE you're not paying for the ride - and your injured or killed as a result of the driver's negligence you cannot file a claim against that person. This law specifically states:

§ 32-1-2. Owner's liability.

"The owner, operator or person responsible for the operation of a motor vehicle shall not be liable for loss or damage arising from injuries to or death of a guest while being transported without payment therefor in or upon said motor vehicle, resulting from the operation thereof, unless such injuries or death are caused by the willful or wanton misconduct of such operator, owner or person responsible for the operation of said motor vehicle."

Thus, unless you're paying for the ride and/or the driver is receiving some type of monetary benefit from you riding with them or it's their job to drive you somewhere if that person wrecks as a result of some negligent act then you cannot hold them liable for your injuries. The one big exception noted in the law is if the driver was acting in a willful or wanton manner. For example, if it could be established the driver was drunk or high on drugs then a claim could likely be made for a passengers injuries as the driver's conduct would likely be considered willful or wanton.

As experienced Huntsville car accident attorneys we often see this type of wreck where one vehicle veers into another's lane of travel. Our experience tell us that this is often caused by a distracted driver IE someone on a cell phone, texting, changing a radio station, etc.. While this wreck happened at 9:30 am there is also the possibility that the other driver could have been intoxicated on drugs or alcohol. These are all areas of inquiry when assessing such a car accident.

In addition to the aforementioned areas of inquiry, an experienced wrongful death attorney would not only look into claims against the at fault driver but also claims for uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits (UM/UIM). UM/UIM coverage is required by Alabama law on every car insurance policy sold in the state unless the driver signs a written waiver. This coverage applies when the at fault drive is either uninsured or does not have enough insurance to cover the claim. For more information on Alabama's uninsured motorist laws see the Avvo legal guide: A Guide to Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law in Alabama.

As Birmingham car accident attorneys we too often see the dangers distracted driving can cause. The US Government website for distracted driving www.distraction.gov states there are 3 main types of distraction for drivers:

• Manual - taking your eyes off the road
• Visual - taking your hands off the road
• Cognitive - taking your mind off what you're doing

Paying attention to these three items will save lives. A tragic accident such as this can be caused by a driver simply losing focus for only one or two seconds.

A wreck between two 18 wheelers on Interstate 20/59 in Tuscaloosa Wednesday night tied up traffic for hours. The Tuscaloosa truck accident occurred when the driver of southbound tractor-trailer lost control swerved into the median then into the northbound lanes and collided with a Fed Ex truck and trailer. As a result of the horrific impact both trucks caught fire. John Spencer, of Tuscaloosa was injured when one of the trucks hit his 1992 Buick. Terry Jackson one of the truck drivers was also injured in the crash.

At this time there is no indication of what caused this crash. When an accident like this occurs the investigation into the accident will likely include a drug test for each truck driver as well as a review of the driver's log books as well as the truck itself. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the hours of service of truck drivers IE how much time they can drive before they have to rest. For more information on this topic see the Alabama Injury Attorney Blog post: Truck Accidents - Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Regulations.

A tragic car accident in Brewton, AL (Escambia County) results in two deaths. According to a news report on the crash, it started when police responded to a domestic violence call involving Martin Reid. Reid attempted to elude the Brewton Police and led them on a chase on US hwy 31 N at speeds of up to 120 mph. As Reid was attempting to pass a vehicle he struck an SUV driven by Donald (Donnie) Rotch. Both Rotch and Reid died as a result of the horrific impact. Rotch was the principal of T.R. Miller High School and a beloved member of the community.

This awful crash brings up a very tough issue of when police should continue or discontinue a high speed pursuit. Under Alabama personal injury law, there are several areas that should be inquired into under these types of facts. A potential recovery to help compensate the victims family could be had from Mr. Reid's insurance carrier and his estate, Mr. Rotch's uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and potentially against the Brewton Police if it is determined they violated the proper procedure in continuing this pursuit. Currently, the Alabama State Troopers are investigating the wreck. For more information on police pursuits see the article: High-speed police pursuits: dangers, dynamics, and risk reduction.

In 2008, there were 7,123 truck accidents in Alabama, which resulted in 1,769 injuries. Further, in 2008, 132 people were killed in truck accidents in Alabama. As Huntsville Truck Accident Attorneys we know the dangers 18 wheelers pose on the Alabama's highways due to their size and weight. An accident that might be a minor fender bender with another car can be deadly when a semi-truck is involved.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which regulates and mandates the procedures for operating semi-trucks on US highways has a section on Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Electrical Wiring - Title 49 - Part 393. This section regulates the types of lights that are required on eighteen wheelers . As experienced Alabama truck accident attorneys I would be very interested to determine if the log truck involved in this wreck meet these guidelines as this may be a key issue as to the cause of this accident given the wreck occurred at day break.

This case is also an example of the dangers of drinking and driving. As evidenced by the photograph of our client's vehicle, he is lucky to be alive. Please don't drink and drive as you are not only putting your life at risk but the lives of other innocent drivers.

The Alabama Car Accident lawyers at M&B currently represent a Selma resident who was the victim of another serious car accident in Selma. Selma Car Accident Attorney Morris Lilienthal was born in Selma, AL. Attorney Lilienthal's family owned a men's clothing store in Selma for over 100 years. We take pride in helping car accident and personal injury victims in the Selma area.

This crash re-emphasizes the dangers of these large trucks on Alabama highways. A car accident that would only be a minor fender bender with another car can be fatal if it involves a truck of this size. Thus, we encourage everyone to please be very cautious when driving in and around 18 Wheelers as you may see them but it does not mean that they see you!

For safe driving tips preventing truck accidents visit roadsafeamerica.org

As we approach the Fourth of July Holiday we encourage everyone to please slow down and be aware of your surroundings as you take to the roads this holiday weekend. Historically, the Fourth of July holiday period is one of the deadliest on Alabama's highways. In 2008, 16 people were killed in Alabama car accidents during the Fourth of July holiday period. As Huntsville car accident lawyers we know that many of these wrecks can be avoided if people will simply slow down and be more aware of their surroundings.

Unfortunately hit and run car accidents happen far too often. Last year, our firm represented the victim of a hit and run car accident in Huntsville. In a situation where the accident was caused by a hit and run driver, Alabama's uninsured & underinsured motorist law allows for claim to be made under the victims UM/UIM policy. The hit and run driver is often called a phantom vehicle. It's extremely important when hiring an Alabama car accident lawyer to hire someone who has experience handling underinsured motorist claims. One unique aspect of Alabama UM law is that it allows for the stacking (adding together) of polices. For more information see "A Guide to Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Law in Alabama."

Interstate 22 is Alabama's newest Interstate Highway, which follows the US Highway 78 corridor from Memphis, Tennessee to Birmingham, Alabama. This 213 mile Interstate runs through the cities of Holly Springs, Mississippi; New Albany, Mississippi; Tupelo, Mississippi; Hamilton, Alabama; Winfield, Alabama; and Jasper, Alabama.