Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

The most recent Alabama car accident and Alabama truck accident statistics from 2008 show a decline in the number of automobile accidents and the number of people injured and killed on Alabama's highways. In 2008, 964 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Alabama, which is down 13.2%. Further there were 123,969 wrecks reported in 2008, which is down 8.3%. This decline is likely linked in part to the down turn in the U.S. economy as Alabamians tried to save money by driving less and by driving slower to conserve fuel.

2008 Alabama Auto Accident Statistics

• One motor vehicle accident was reported every 255 seconds.

• One person was injured in a traffic crash every 14 minutes and 47 seconds.

• One person was killed in an automobile accident every 9 hours and 6 minutes.

• Most Alabama wrecks (72.1%) occurred in urban areas, but most fatalities (67.1%) occurred in rural areas.

• For each person killed, there were 36.9 injured.

• Of all fatal wrecks, 47% occurred at night.

• The 2008 pedestrian death toll was 72.

• There were 98 fatalities among motorcycle or moped riders.

• Bicyclists accounted for 4 fatalities.

A Greenhill, Alabama (Lauderdale County) car accident this past Friday on U.S. Highway 43 has tragically killed 3 people and severely injured another. The North Alabama auto accident occurred when the driver of a 2006 Chevrolet HHR SUV attempted to turn west across the highway when it collided with a Semi-truck and trailer driving southbound on Hwy 43. According to reports, the weather and icy road conditions played role in the cause of the wreck. The driver of the 18 wheeler was uninjured in the accident.

According the Alabama Department of Public Safety, there were 475 Alabama motor vehicle accidents in 2008 that occurred when the roadway was Icy/Slushy. Further, there were 2,168 auto accidents in Lauderdale County, Alabama in 2008, 558 of which resulted in someone being injured. In 2008, 15 people died in Lauderdale County car and truck accidents.

A new federal ban on texting by the DOT hopes to reduce Trucking Accidents. The DOT announced on 1/26/10 a new federal guideline banning texting while driving commercial motor vehicles. The federal ban goes into effect immediately and applies to drivers of 18 wheelers who driver in interstate commerce and drivers of commercial buses and vans who carry more than eight passengers. Truckers who violate the new texting ban are subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.00.

The state of Alabama is also trying to reduce the number Alabama trucking accidents by passing a state law banning texting while driving. The bill has already cleared the Alabama House of Representatives and if the bill passes the Senate it would become law and ban drivers of all vehicles from texting while driving.

As a part of its campaign to reduce the number of car and truck wrecks due to distracted drivers, the DOT has launched a new website at www.distraction.gov. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers who text while driving are more than 30 times more likely to be in a wreck than non-distracted drivers.

An early morning Birmingham, Alabama truck accident has tragically killed a passenger who was in the sleeper berth of the truck at the time of the wreck. According to reports, the 18-wheeler overturned as it was traveling on the ramp to U.S. Hwy 280 from the Red Mountain Express. The initial investigation indicates the tractor-trailer may have been traveling too fast to make the curve. The victim was identified as Maja Tomevska of Illinois. Our condolences go out to her family and friends. In Alabama, under these circumstances where a passenger is injured or killed in a car or truck accident, the injured person or their family can not typically bring a claim against the driver of the vehicle they are riding in. Alabama has what is know as a Guest Passenger Statue, which generally prohibits a passenger or their estate from bringing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against a driver of a vehicle in which they are riding. Some noted exceptions that would allow such a claim to brought are: if you can establish wantonness on the part of the driver; establish the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs; or the passenger compensated the driver for the ride. Essentially, under these types of facts, the plaintiff must establish that the driver was either not giving the plaintiff a gratuitous ride or that the driver's conduct was reckless and/or wanton.

A motor vehicle accident between a car and 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 in Gulfport, Mississippi has led to a Mobile Alabama truck driver being charged with leaving the scene of an accident. According to Mississippi TV station WLOX, the Mobile truck driver turned himself in after seeing an interview of the victim on television. Police indicated the semi-truck driver struck the other vehicle and knocked it down an embankment trapping the other driver for several hours before helped arrived. Many Alabama car and truck accidents are caused by hit and run drivers. Under Alabama law if the hit and run driver is not identified a claim can be made for the injured party by filing an Uninsured Motorists claim. Alabama case law essentially states that if an injured party can establish that a "phantom vehicle" caused the accident then they can recover uninsured motorists' benefits. Unlike many states, Alabama does not require actual physical contact between the "phantom vehicle" and the injured party's vehicle. If you or someone you know has been injured by a hit and run driver it's important that you hire an experienced Alabama uninsured motorist attorney.

A Phenix City, Alabama (Russell County) motor vehicle accident between a semi-truck and car has resulted in the death of an elderly Phenix City, Alabama couple. According to a report, the auto accident happened at the intersection of U.S. 280 and U.S. 80. Following the accident, both bodies were sent to Montgomery for autopsies. The investigation into the east Alabama car accident is still ongoing. In 2007, there were 1,932 car and truck accidents in Russell County, Alabama 703 people were injured in these wrecks. Further, 12 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in Russell County in 2007. Phenix City saw 1,352 auto accidents in 2007, with 430 people injured in these crashes.

A truck accident on 15th street in Tuscaloosa, Alabama between an 18-wheeler truck and Alabama Crimson Ride bus early Friday morning injured the drivers of both vehicles. According to the Tuscaloosa News report, the bus, which is used to transport students to and from classes at the University of Alabama, was empty at the time of the accident. The semi-truck subsequently ran over a curb and a fire hydrant busting the gas tanks on the truck. A hazmat crew had to be called into contain the gasoline spill. If you have been the victim of a truck accident contact the Tuscaloosa car and truck accident attorneys of Martinson and Beason, P.C.

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.