Alabama Car Accident Lawyer Blog

According to a recent report by the Detroit Free Press, new trucking regulations signed into effect by President Obama will mean that Alabama, along with many other states, will be seeing significantly heavier trucks rolling down the roads.

Though the official national weight limit for trucks is 40 tons (80,000 pounds), trucks have been getting heavier and heavier in recent years. Trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds are currently allowed to operate on federal highways in at least 20 states. Congress recently granted exceptions allowing trucks up to 100,000 pounds onto interstates for the next 20 years.

These changes could bring annoyance to road crews and, potentially, disaster for unlucky drivers. One recent study on 18 wheeler weight and safety, showed that heavier trucks make highways less safe because they're harder to control and stop, and that they leave taxpayers on the hook for damage to roads and bridges. A recent study in Illinois concluded that raising the truck weight limit from 80,000 to 97,000 pounds on federal highways would cause an additional $162 million in damages annually to federal highways.

Bigger, heavier trucks are more likely to get into accidents and damage highways and bridges. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety point out that heavy trucks with gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds (only a tenth the weight limit discussed here) account for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths based on miles traveled. Statistics show that the fatal crash rate for heavy trucks is 2.4 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, more than 50 percent greater than the rate for all vehicles on the roads.

The other problem with the recent move by Congress is that it leads to a slippery slope. The latest increase in weight limits will spur the trucking industry to seek higher limits in other states, with no end in sight as heavier and heavier trucks head towards Alabama roadways.

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: "Safety questions fly as highway trucks get heavier," by Clarke Canfield, published at DetroitFreePress.com.

Former Alabama football star Mark Ingram was involved in a Huntsville truck accident. Fortunately, Ingram was uninjured in the wreck. According to the Huntsville Times, the automobile accident occurred this morning on Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville, when Ingram's car collided with an 18 wheeler. Huntsville Police are still investigating the collision.

Ingram was in Huntsville, AL along with former Alabama star wide receiver Julio Jones for a meet and greet at a local restaurant. Ingram is truly fortunate to be uninjured in this crash. Most wrecks involving an 18 wheeler and passenger car involve serious injuries due the tremendous size and weight of these trucks. For example, in 2009, 1,615 people were injured in Alabama truck wrecks. Further, in 2009, 84 people were fatally injured in truck accidents in Alabama.

By: Huntsville Car and Truck Accident Attorneys

A tragic wreck has claimed the life of Christopher Softley (53) of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. According to an article by Tom Smith of the TimesDaily, the accident occurred about 7:30 am last Thursday morning on Singing River Bridge. Mr. Softley was driving a John Deere tractor and pulling a bush hog when his tractor was clipped from behind by a Mack dump truck that was loaded with gravel. The collision between the dump truck and tractor caused the tractor to flip over and onto its side, trapping Mr. Softley underneath. The collision also caused the dump truck to flip onto its side causing its load to be spilled onto the highway. The driver of the dump truck, Robert L. Cowan, of Russellville, was treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries.

At this time, the police have not released the cause of this accident. From the initial facts, it appears, the driver of the dump truck failed to keep a proper lookout. The Rules of the Road, Title 32 of the Alabama Code, require each driver to a keep a proper lookout and maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front of them to allow sufficient distance within which to stop their vehicle. Obviously, the distance required to stop a fully loaded gravel truck would be much greater than a normal passenger vehicle. An experienced Alabama truck accident attorney would want to inspect the driver and maintenance logs for this driver and vehicle. Many rear end accidents of this type are caused by faulty or defective brakes. Here the subject dump truck should be thoroughly inspected to determine if any mechanical errors contributed to the cause of this accident.

For information on driving tractors on highways, please see the article, Safe Tractor Operation: Driving on Highways.

Truck accident attorney Morris Lilienthal has filed a personal injury lawsuit in Blount County, Alabama Circuit Court arising out of an August 2010 truck wreck that occurred on Interstate 65. It is alleged that the driver of the 18 wheeler was texting while he was driving and as a result did not see that traffic was stopped due to construction. As a result, the driver of the tractor trailer, struck ten (10) other vehicles before coming to a rest. Our client was driving one of the vehicles that was struck in this massive wreck. Our client suffered multiple injuries including a herniated disc in his neck, which required surgical intervention.

The complaint sets forth claims for negligence, wantonness and punitive damages against the driver and the trucking company. The complaint also sets forth claims for negligent hiring, training and supervision, as well as negligent entrustment. The truck accident lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages. We are hopeful that we will be able to return a judgment in this case that will send a message that this type of irresponsible conduct will not be tolerated on Alabama's highways.

A multi-vehicle accident on I-85 between Montgomery and Atlanta in Macon County, Alabama has claimed one life and seriously injured another. An initial report indicates the deadly crash was started by a single car accident. The fatal crash occurred when an 18 wheeler truck crashed into the rear of an SUV claiming the life of Alice Summers of Valley. The driver of the SUV, Henry Lee Davis, was seriously injured in the wreck and was taken to Baptist South Hospital. Police are still investigating this crash.

This tragic truck accident is a prime example of the dangers of 18 wheelers. The size, weight and speed of these vehicles makes any accident involving a truck a serious one. As drivers we all need to be very aware of where 18 wheelers are on the highways and to be sure to give them plenty of room for turning and stopping.

A semi-truck hauling chicken blood overturned on Interstate 65 in Autauga County. According to reports, the chicken blood is used in the making of makeup and dog food. Hazmat teams from ADEM, ALDOT, and the EMA responded to the spill. Certainly sounds like a messy situation. Initial reports indicate the wreck was caused by a problem with the truck's break system. Luckily, the driver was not injured, although he may have been a little bloody.

A two car accident in Monroe County has claimed the life of Anna Lee Cunningham. Monroe County is located in south central Alabama and Monroeville is the county seat. Ms. Cunningham was a passenger in a car that collided with a Peterbilt tractor-trailer on County Road 50 near the community of Beatrice. Initial reports indicate the driver of the car, Reginald Cunningham, swerved to avoid another car causing his car to lose control and collide with the 18-wheeler. Also injured in the accident were Reginald Cunningham, Debbie Lewis, Reginald Lewis, and Ladarious Lewis.

If this crash was caused by another vehicle these victims would likely have a claim for uninsured motorist (UM) benefits. Under Alabama law, if a phantom vehicle causes an accident and even if that vehicle cannot be identified the injured parties can still have a cause of action for UM benefits. In this case, there would possibly be a wrongful death claim on behalf of the estate of Ms. Cunningham for UM benefits and there could also be UM claims made on behalf of the other victims.

The CDC has just released a report on the decline of fatal automobile accidents involving teenage drivers age 16 to 17. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teens in the US, accounting for about 1/3 of all teen deaths. The study reviewed FARS (Fatality Analysis Report System) data from each state from the years 2004 to 2008 and a sharp decline in the number of fatal car wrecks involving young drivers. According to the report, during that time period 9,644 passenger vehicle drivers aged 16 or 17 were involved in fatal crashes. Sixty-five percent (65%) of the drivers in these fatal crashes were male. Further, thirty-six percent (36%) of the drivers in this group were found to be speeding at the time of the wreck. Ultimately, this report found that the national rate for drivers aged 16 or 17 years involved in fatal crashes declined 38% from 2004 to 2008. Researchers believe this decline is due in part to new tougher graduated driver's license laws for teenagers, restrictions on cell phone usage, seat belt usage and a rise in gas prices.

While we certainly believe this is step in the right direction, there are still too many teen deaths on Alabama Highways. In 2008, a total of 38 teenagers age 16 or 17 lost their lives in Alabama car accidents. For more information on Alabama's new graduated driver's license law see our previous blog article: Alabama Graduated Driver License Law.

A tragic car v. truck accident has claimed the lives of two teachers and two young children. The wreck occurred on US Highway 82 In Tuscaloosa County near the Pickens County line. This area of US 82 is a 4 lane highway and early reports indicate a third vehicle may have run a stop sign on a road that intersects with US 82 causing a the 18 wheeler to try and avoid that vehicle causing it to come over onto the vehicle the teachers and children were riding in. As a result of this awful accident, LeWanna Nettles, 59, her sister Stephanie Nettles Barnes, 54, and two children 2 and 8 were killed. Ms. Nettles was a current teacher at Aliceville High School and sister Ms. Barnes had retired from teaching at Aliceville the year before. This is truly a tragic loss for their family, friends and Aliceville High School. As a native of Pickens County (Morris Lilienthal) and the husband of someone who taught at Aliceville Middle for eight years I know that a loss like this will hit this community hard; however, I also know that this communities closeness will bring people together to help them overcome this great loss. Our condolences and prayers go out to victims families and friends.

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 truck wreck on US Hwy 72 in Huntsville, AL has sadly claimed one life and sent four others to Huntsville Hospital. The crash happened Sunday about 9:40 am near O'Bryan's Steakhouse. A semi-truck and SUV collided causing the SUV to flip several times. The driver of the SUV, Roberto Carlos Tlalmanalco-Cienpeugos, was ejected from the vehicle and died as a result of his injuries. Mr. Cienpeugos family was transported to Huntsville Hospital. According to Don Webster of HEMSI the Cienpeugos family is from Morgan County. Police are still investigating the wreck.

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.

A truck accident in Colbert County, Alabama has left a Florence man in critical condition. The truck wreck occurred on Alabama Hwy 20 just after day break. Aubrey Riley of Florence was severely injured when his truck slammed into the rear of a log truck. Riley was flown to Huntsville hospital. Several of the logs struck the cab of Riley's pick up and even went through the windshield. Alabama State Troopers are still investigating the crash.

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.

A truck accident in DeKalb Co., may have left some thirsty. The eighteen wheeler wreck occurred on Highway 35 which is known to be a dangerous spot for tractor-trailers. The driver of the Bud Light truck was pinned inside the truck when it overturned. Fortunately, firefighters from Fort Payne, Alabama were able to extract the driver and while he suffered some broken bones he looks to make a good recovery. The same can't be said for several hundred cases of beer. Many southerners enjoy beer and wrecks, it's called Nascar, but this is one accident that would make any Nascar fan shed a tear at the useless loss of all that beer.

A car accident involving a dump truck on Hwy 331 in Montgomery County, Alabama has sadly claimed the life of Tiffany Weeks, 18, of Luverne (Crenshaw County). At the time of the wreck, Ms. Weeks was driving a 2004 Pontiac Sunfire. Alabama State Troopers are still investigating the cause of this wreck.

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

It appears there is a correlation between an increase in the number of Alabama State Troopers on our highways and a reduction in car and truck accidents. During this past Memorial Day Holiday, Alabama State Troopers again cranked up their Take Back the Highways Campaign. According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, 16 people were killed on Alabama's Highways from May 22-31, which is down 11 deaths from last year when 27 people lost their lives in Alabama automobile accidents.

Alabama Troopers gave more than 24,700 traffic citations during this campaign, which includes more than 8,200 speeding tickets and almost 7,000 for seat belt and child restraint violations. With over 4.6 million people now living in Alabama that means there are now more drivers on Alabama's Highways than ever before. While no one likes getting a speeding ticket, if having more State Troopers on Alabama's Highways will make them safer then more state troopers need to be added.

Continue reading "More Troopers Equals Fewer Car Accidents and Deaths on Alabama's Highways" »