Alabama Injury Lawyer Blog

A new state bill has the potential to provide some research funds for spinal cord injuries (SCI). Recently, an Alabama state senator proposed that officials tack on additional fees for traffic violations, such as reckless driving and DUIs, to generate extra funding, according to Claims Journal. SCIs are an unfortunate outcome of some serious car accidents in Alabama and elsewhere. These injuries can cost a lifetime of pain and suffering, in addition to seemingly never-ending rehabilitation costs.

At a recent news conference, democratic state senator, Marc Keahey, announced the plans for the bill. The news conference was held at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Keahey said the proposed law was a result of the South Alabama student, T.F. Atchison, who was paralyzed from his injuries sustained in a traffic accident. California has a bill similar to the one being proposed here in Alabama. There, the state collects more than $10 million through traffic fines each year for research of SCIs. Keahey says he thinks the Alabama bill could potentially raise about a half a million every year, and likely much more with the help of private donors and other sources.

There are roughly 200,000 people living with SCI in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is a factor in about a quarter of all spinal cord injuries. A lot of these instances occur during drunk driving traffic accidents. Our Alabama spinal cord injury attorneys recognize that there are expected to be anywhere between 12,000 and 20,000 new SCI patients this year. If you or someone you love has suffered an accident resulting in an SCI, you need to contact an experienced attorney. Because these type of injuries result in an astronomical cost of lifetime care, make sure your rights are protected and contact an attorney to help you to gain the compensation you deserve.

The average yearly cost for an SCI is anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. Over a lifetime, that could add up to anywhere from $500,000 to more than $3 million. Without the proper and deserved compensation, victims are often left to suffer both financially and physically.

SCIs may not ever fully heal either. These types of injuries can result in neurologic impairments throughout the body. These impairments often include gastrointestinal, urinary, respiratory and musculoskeletal complications. It doesn't stop there. SCIs can also result in permanent psychological impairments, such as anxiety and depression.

Top Causes of SCIs:

-Traffic accidents: Nearly half.

-Falls: More than 20 percent.

-Violence: More than 15 percent.

-Sports: About 12 percent.

Continue reading "Proposed Bill Could Help to Treat Spinal Cord Injuries in Montgomery and Elsewhere" »

It's almost Super Bowl Sunday, America's most popular sports weekend. This year, national officials predict that millions of people will be gathered around their TV sets at tons of Super Bowl parties. Unfortunately, in addition to team spirit, the weekend of celebration is also one of the deadliest times to be on our roadways. On Super Bowl Sunday, transportation officials estimate that about half of all fatal car accidents in Montgomery and elsewhere will involve a drunk driver.

"Drive drunk, you will go to jail and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office will continue to build partnerships designed to reduce the incidence of impaired driving and will work to lower the number of deaths on the roadways and highways in the county," said District Attorney's Office, Sheriff Tommy Gage.

Our Montgomery drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that more drunk driving-related car accidents happen on Super Bowl Sunday than during any other day of the year, except New Year's Day. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says that nearly 70 percent of people who die because of car accidents on Super Bowl Sunday die in an accident that involves a drunk driver. Residents are asked to prepare themselves for the holiday and the dangerous roadways, and huddle up with friends and family members to discuss safety issues for the big day.

Agencies Involved in this Year's Drunk Driving Campaigns:

-National Football League (NFL)

-U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

-Highway safety and law enforcement officials nationwide.

Officials have dubbed this year's enforcement efforts as "Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk." Officers will be on the lookout for impaired drivers on Sunday, February 5th. These arrests and accidents can be prevented with the proper planning. Everyone who is planning on having a beer, or two, or three is urged to designate a sober driver to get home safely. The NHTSA reports that nearly 200,000 Americans have made the pledge to be a designated driver this season. Be sure you recruit a designated driver of your own to help get you home safely. Thank your designated driver. Offer to chip in with the gas money or pay for their parking. Make sure their non-alcoholic beverage is always full. Give them first dibs at the buffet table and make sure they've got a good seat to watch the game. Without these designated drivers on your team, your ride home could wind up deadly.

If you see a driver on our roadways who you believe is drunk on Super Bowl Sunday, you're urged to contact local authorities with information regarding their vehicle, the direction it's headed, the color, make and model of the vehicle along with its exact location.

Tips to Help Detect a Drunk Driver:

-Someone who is making excessively wide turns.

-A driver who is drifting or swerving in and out of lanes.

-Coming close to hitting other vehicles or fixed objects.

-Driving at a very slow or fast speed, not consistent with posted speed limit.

-Stopping randomly for no reason.

-Not responding quickly to traffic signals.

-Making illegal turns.

-Driving with no headlights on.

Continue reading "Super Bowl Sunday Expected to See Significant Increases in Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Montgomery, Nation" »

A recent school bus accident in Alabama sent 21 young students to the hospital. On board the school bus were 41 students from both Goshen Elementary School and Goshen High School. The bus reportedly flipped over and landed on the driver's side, according to WSFA12.

The Pike County school bus rolled over at the intersection of County Road 2246 and County Road 2243 just after 7:00 a.m. Twenty-one of the students were transported to Troy Regional Medical Center. Reports indicate that most injuries were minor. One student was said to have suffered a broken arm, while a number of others reported only minor scrapes and cuts.

Our Montgomery school bus accident attorneys understand that the cause of the school bus accident has yet to be identified by officials. Investigations are ongoing. While we await more information on the cause of the accident, the larger issue is the trust that parents and guardians put into our state's school bus drivers to safely transport our young ones to and from school every day. School officials have a responsibility to provide safe vehicles and safe drivers to the students of the community.

"The bus was a mile from the school, fully-loaded and there were bad conditions. The rain was terrible," said Pike County Sheriff Russell Thomas.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety and Alabama State Troopers will be continuing the investigation into the accident. Currently, there are no charges pending on that bus driver and all of the students have reportedly been released from hospital care.

"We are fortunate and blessed that the injuries are no more serious than they are," said Dr. Mike Bazzell, Pike County Schools Superintendent. "The response by law enforcement and EMS was excellent."

Reports indicate that no other vehicles were involved.

School Bus Facts, according to the American School Bus Council:

-From 2004 to 2005, Alabama operated about 7,100 school buses.

-The 7,100 school buses in the state completed nearly 150 million trips that year.

-Children are nearly 15 times safer riding to and from school in a school bus than in other modes of transportation.

-School buses are the country's largest mass transportation system. These buses complete 10 billion passenger trips and nearly 4.5 billion miles of travel a year.

-Modern school buses are federally required to be equipped with a number of safety features, including fuel system protection, rollover protection, emergency exits, special mirrors, warning lights, better breaks, special passenger crash protection. These requirements are upheld to help protect our young school-aged passengers.

School Transportation Officials are required to ensure that vehicles, staff members and bus driver are well equipped with the proper tools, knowledge and skills to get our children to and from school safely each day. Our children's safety should be their number one priority.

Continue reading "School Bus Accident in Alabama Injures 21 Students" »

Recently, an Auburn University student, Elizabeth Ainsworth, was killed as she rode in her boyfriend's pickup truck. As the two traveled down U.S. 280 in Lee County, her boyfriend lost control of the truck and flipped it over the median. Her boyfriend wasn't badly injured in the single-car accident, but Ainsworth was ejected from the vehicle. Because of the injuries sustained in the Alabama car accident, the girl was taken to a Columbus, Georgia hospital. Doctors report she had severe trauma to the brain. Tragically, she died in the hospital. Ms. Ainsworth was 20-years-old, according to The Anniston Star.

According to state officials, her boyfriend was typing the address of a nearby sports store into his GPS device when he lost control of his vehicle. The high school senior could face traffic-related homicide charges. These potential charges could result from the girlfriend's accidental death and the driver's admitted actions behind the wheel. The key word is that charges could result, but there's a possibility that they may never be filed.

Our Montgomery distracted driving car accident lawyers understand that the driver did in fact admit to engaging in distractions as the accident occurred. Safe driving experts see this recent accident as the perfect ammo to get legislators to ban all forms of texting for drivers in the state. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, only drivers who are 16-years-old (or those who are 17-years-old with an intermediate license for less than 6 months) are prohibited from text messaging while driving. All other drivers are free to take their mind off the road and their hands off the wheel to text as they please. Alabama has some of the most relaxed distracted driving laws in the country. So far, 35 states ban text messaging for drivers. Safe driving advocates say that it's about time Alabama joins these states.

The Anniston Star reports that the defense that "it would be tough for officers to enforce such a law" is no excuse for officials. It's no surprise that distracted driving leads to potentially fatal traffic accidents. Yes, there are a number of things that can distract us behind the wheel, including interacting with passengers, radios, children, etc., but text messaging is at the top of this list.

In the state of Alabama, there were about 14,000 traffic accidents in 2011. Of these accidents, about one out of every nine involved a distracted driver. In these accidents, more than 130 people died and another 4,400 were injured, according to estimates from the University of Alabama.

"What's clear from all of the information we have is that driver distraction continues to be a major problem," said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Administrator David Strickland.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving in Alabama Kills another Innocent Motorist" »

The distracted driving laws in Alabama are still pretty relaxed, despite all of the federal attention on the dangers and risks associated with distracted driving. In our state, all drivers, except those with intermediate driver's licenses, are allowed to talk on a phone and text message while driving a motor vehicle, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

According to CNN, everyone, including teenagers, parents, employees, business owners and government officials, may be forced to hang up the phone while driving if officials get their way in 2012. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is creating a nationwide proposal to make it illegal for drivers of all ages to use a portable electronic device at the wheel. This nationwide proposal is intended to help reduce the risks of distraction-related car accidents in Montgomery and elsewhere. The ban would include both hand-held devices and hands-free devices. But not everyone is on board with the idea.

Our Alabama car accident lawyers understand that recent studies conclude drivers distracted by portable devices can cause fatal car accidents. Some even say that distracted drivers are just as dangerous as drivers who are drunk. Others fight for their personal rights and claim that they're should continue to be allowed to use these devices as the wheel. Many drivers underestimate the dangers associated with the habit and feel they a good enough driver to avoid the consequences resulting from distracted driving.

"No call, no text, no update is worth a human life," said Deborah Hersman NTSB chairman.

No one knows yet if the NTSB's proposal will sway government officials. The proposal asks all states to enact laws prohibiting drivers from using communication devices. Still, many states have yet to act. Why would they do it now? Some states have banned drivers from texting but not from making phone calls, so it's difficult for officers to enforce. How do you determine if a driver is typing a text message (which is illegal) or dialing a phone number (which is permitted)?

Matt Richtel from the New York Times says that it's not just drivers. Cell phones are endangering everyone. He says that he's reported on events in which a neurosurgeon made a personal phone call right in the middle of an operation! He adds that, according to a recent poll, at least half of technicians who run bypass machines admit to texting during operations.

It's no secret that business owners are looking for ways to squeeze as much work out of employees as possible, even if that means conducting business behind the wheel. Some businesses have enacted anti-cell phone laws for company drivers, but many turn a blind eye to the dangerous habit.

Hersman continues to push a nationwide ban on cell phone-using and texting drivers. She says there's got to be an ending point, a time when we've seen enough needless deaths on our roadways from distracted drivers. However, CNN is reporting that the NTSB is likely to fail in this proposal.

Continue reading "NTSB's Proposal Not Expected to Halt Distraction-Related Car Accidents in Alabama and Elsewhere" »

Few resolutions will have a greater impact on the safety of you and your family than resolving to be a better driver in 2012. As our Montgomery personal injury attorneys recently reported on our Alabama Injury Lawyer Blog, there is much room for improvement.

Alabama car accidents are a leading killer of kids, teens and adults under the age of 34. In so far as age groups are concerned, teenagers and retired adults are most at risk. Bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcycle riders also share outsized risk. But that doesn't make the rest of us safer. Make no mistake about it, car accidents are your family's leading risk for a traumatic accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported, more than 860 motorists died on Alabama roadways in 2010 -- representing an increase in traffic fatalities in our state even as the nation as a whole recorded a reduction in traffic fatalities.

Nationwide, nearly 33,000 people died on the road.

Leading causes included:

Drunk Driving: One-third of traffic fatalities nationwide involve a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don't drink and drive.

Bicycle Accidents: More than 600 riders were killed and another 51,000 were seriously injured in fatal bicycle accidents in Alabama and elsewhere. Men in their 30s and 40s have become among the most common victims as cycling has increased in popularity for both recreation and fitness. These accidents often result in very serious, debilitating injuries and can have a devastating impact on a family's finances.

Pedestrian Accidents: The number of pedestrians killed in accidents nationwide continues to rise. In 2010, a total of 4,280 walkers were killed -- compared to 4,109 in 2009. More than 70,000 were seriously injured, an increase of 11,000 accident victims over the previous year. School children and senior citizens are among the most at risk.

Motorcycle Riders: The number of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents has skyrocketed in recent years. In 2010, a total of 4,502 riders were killed -- compared to 4,469 in 2009. Another 82,000 were seriously injured. Like cycling, motorcycle accidents often result in very serious or fatal injuries -- and victims are typically a household's primary wage earner.

The common thread in all these accidents is driver behavior. More than half of all motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle are the fault of the other vehicle's driver. Failure to yield is the most common cause. Bicycle and pedestrian accidents share common causes. And drivers can prevent drunk driving accidents simply by not climbing behind the wheel after having too much to drink.

Other common causes of motor vehicle crashes in Alabama include speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving, red-light running and failure to yield at intersections, in parking lots or when pulling onto the road from a private drive.

Do your part to keep the roads safe in 2012. The life you are saving could be your own or that of a friend, family member or loved one.

Continue reading "Reduce Risk of Montgomery Car Accidents -- Be a Better Driver in 2012" »

Nearly 70 lives could be saved in Alabama car accidents by the implementation of a stricter graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, according to USA TODAY. According to a recent report from the Allstate Foundation and the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately 2,000 lives could be saved in just a year if all states were to enact a more thorough GDL program.

"We knew that when states pass good laws, lives are saved and a lot of money is saved. We'd just never done the analysis," says John Ulczycki from the NSC.

Our Montgomery car accident lawyers understand that this newly released report was put out just in time to reach Congress before they make big decisions regarding a multi-year highway and transit-spending bill. This bill would offer a portion of the allotted $25 million to states who are looking to toughen up their GDL program. Stricter GDL programs are associated with lower teen accident rates.

Traffic accidents are still the number one cause of death for teens in our country. Per mile driven, these young motorists are four times more likely to get into an accident than the drivers of older age groups.

Alabama's Current GDL Program:

-Stage One, Learner's Permit: Must be at least 15-years-old and must pass a written exam. Drivers who meet these qualifications can drive under the supervision of a parent or a guardian or a licensed driver who is over the age of 21.

-Stage Two, Restricted License: A driver may apply for this license once they've turned 16 and have held a learner's permit for at least six months. These drivers are unable to drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless traveling to or from school, work or a religious sponsored event. Drivers are allowed to drive unaccompanied during emergencies as well. A driver cannot ride with more than three passengers in addition to the supervising driver.

-Stage Three, Unrestricted License: A driver can apply for this license at 18 and must have held a restricted licensed for at least six months. At this stage, all restrictions have been lifted.

According to the Allstate and NSC report, a good GDL program has seven components. Our state's program has a few of the components, but not all of them.

Components that are suggested for Alabama's GDL program:

-A minimum age of 16 to get a learner's permit.

-A minimum of 30 hours supervised driving to complete during the learner's stage.

-A minimum age of 16 and a half to apply for an intermediate license.

-Restricted drivers should not be allowed to drive with more than one non-family passenger in the vehicle.

Parents are urged to speak with the teen drivers in their lives to reiterate the importance of safe driving habits. Through the holiday season we see more traffic on our roadways. Increased traffic means an increased risk for car accidents, especially for teen drivers. Please be safe over the holiday period and be cautious behind the wheel.

Continue reading "Officials Urge States to Beef up GDL Program to Save Lives in Alabama Car Accidents" »

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 850 people killed in car accidents in Alabama in 2009. About 350 of these accident fatalities were alcohol-related, which more than 300 involved a car accident with a drunk driver.

With the holiday season here, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has launched its yearly Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. This campaign started back in November of 2006 and has been going on every year since then. With the fifth anniversary of the campaign, MADD released rankings for each state regarding their progress towards fighting drunk driving car accidents.

Our Montgomery drunk driving car accident lawyers understand that more than $130 billion is spent every year in the U.S. on costs resulting from drunk driving accidents. Overall, the country received a rating of three out of five stars in its efforts to stop the drunk driving problem. The state of Alabama also received three stars. The report says that our state uses high-visibility law enforcement tactics to help reduce the number of fatal drunk driving accidents throughout 2011. This year, Alabama was the last state to enact an ignition interlock law. Our state's law only pertains to those who are consider repeat offenders and those who are first-time offenders of drunk driving and reported a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or higher.

"While we have made great strides over the last 30 years, drunk driving is still the deadliest epidemic on America's roads, killing approximately 11,000 people every year," added U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

During the holiday season, the number of drunk driving accidents increases significantly on Alabama roadways and roadways across the country. This is why MADD chooses to hold this campaign effort in November. With Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's all within a short time, residents throughout the country will venture out to gatherings with family and friends. Unfortunately, many of these gathering offer alcoholic beverages and too many drivers choose to drink, to get behind the wheel and to drive home. The recent report ranks states and their ability to stop these intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents.

The report ranked state's on their countermeasures to deter drunk driving, including:

-Requiring offenders to drive with ignition interlock devices.

-The execution of sobriety checkpoints.

-Participating in "no-refusal" activities for those who are believed to be intoxicated behind the wheel.

-Enacting harsher penalties for those who operate a vehicle under the influence with child passengers.

-Enacting Administrative License Revocation for drunk driving offenders.

We ask all residents to enjoy the holiday season, but to do so safely. There's no reason to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Before you head out to holiday celebrations, make sure you have a sober driver to take you home or make plans to stay over somewhere.

Continue reading "MADD's Annual Campaign Ranking Efforts to Stop Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Alabama, Nation " »

Nearly 33,000 people were killed in traffic accidents in the United States throughout 2010. While this number is both a decrease from 2009 and the lowest recorded number since 1949. However, fatal car accidents in Alabama increased from 2009 to 2010 with more than 860 people killed on our roadways.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently put out the 2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes Overview, which is the most recent car accident statistics available.

While the number of roadway fatalities decreased, the number of injuries actually saw a significant increase. There were many categories of accidents that reported an increase in the number of fatalities as well, including fatalities among pedestrians, motorcyclists, van occupants, bicyclists and large truck occupants.

Our Montgomery car accident attorneys understand that the new, lower number of fatalities may be good news for many. But the fact that the number of fatalities started to increase during the last part of 2010 alarms others. As the economy continues to recover, travel experts predict that more motorists will be hitting our roadways. With more motorists on the roadway we can expect to experience increased risks for an accident. This is especially important as we enter the holiday season. Residents and visitors use this time to travel about the state to visit with friends and family members, that's why we typically see a significant increase in the number of serious traffic accidents in the month of December.

The NHTSA recently introduced two new measures to keep better count of the more common causes for accidents on our roadways, the "alcohol-impaired driving crashes" measure and the "distraction-affected crashes" measure. Alcohol-related accidents accounted for about a third of all traffic accident fatalities in the country during 2010. This new alcohol-related measure allows officials to categorize accidents with a more narrow definition of the term including only those crashes in which a motorist reported a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .08 or above, the legal limit throughout the country.

Distraction-related accidents are also growing more common on our roadways. According to the most recent statistics, there were about 3,100 people killed in traffic accidents because of a distracted driver in 2010.

"The findings from our new attitude survey help us understand why some people continue to make bad decisions about driving distracted--but what's clear from all of the information we have is that driver distraction continues to be a major problem," said David Strickland, NHTSA Administrator.

Accident types that produced an increase in fatalities in 2010:

-Motorcycle accidents.

-Accidents in urban areas.

-Pedestrian accidents.

-Bicyclist accidents.

-Large truck accidents.

-Van accidents.

-Injury accidents.

-Accidents in Alabama.

-Twenty states, including Alabama, reported an increase in the total number of fatalities from 2009 to 2010.

Continue reading "Fatal Car Accidents in Alabama Increase despite Nationwide Decrease" »

"OMG." It's not just some of the new lingo that teens use when they're text messaging, but it's the name of a new campaign that is sponsored by the U.S Department of Transportation to help stop teens from texting behind the wheel.

Teens text while driving more than any other age group of drivers and are at the highest risks for a distraction-related car accident in Montgomery and elsewhere, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a matter of fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the country. Car accidents take more lives than all illegal drugs combined.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's office is joining the fight against dangerous teen drivers, too. It recently held the city's annual teen driving summit, which took place this year at the Gardendale Civic Center, according to Alabama's 13. During the summit, the school resource division debuted a new high-tech tool to help keep teen drivers safe. The new tool is an interactive computer program called "drive-square." The driving simulator illustrates just how dangerous texting and driving is and what the consequences can be.

Our Montgomery car accident attorneys understand that drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving in the state of Alabama, according to the Governors Highway safety Association. Unfortunately, these young drivers don't always abide by this law and still make phone calls and text behind the wheel. We urge parents and young drivers to view the newly released PSA campaign as it will air nationwide on gas station pump-top screens that are owned by Outcast PumpTop TV.

"Teen drivers are particularly vulnerable to distracted driving, which is why we are making an extra effort to ensure they understand the dangers," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Young drivers can also see this video at Regal Cinemas and on the Distraction.gov wesbite, in addition to gas pump screens across the nation. Through these mediums, the USDOT believes it can reach teens nationwide to truly raise awareness about the danger of texting at the wheel and the importance of focusing on driving only. Putting down the cell phones can help to save lives.

The holiday season is here and teenage drivers are ready to get some time off of school and head out on holiday vacations to see friends and family members. The new PSAs use popular text message phrases, including "L8R" and "LOL," to communicate with these hip drivers. The PSAs will be shown on nearly 7,000 movie screens in more than 535 theaters and at roughly 12,000 gas pumps around the country.

Greg Dunn, the President and COO of Regal Entertainment Group, says they he and his company hope that these PSAs can make a difference in the driving habits of teenagers and encourage them to pay attention to the roadways during the busy holiday travel season.

Continue reading "New Campaign to Curb Texting-Related Teen Car Accidents in Alabama, Nation " »

A recent tractor-trailer accident in Lee County caused Interstate 85 to temporarily close, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation. Two southbound lanes and one northbound lane was closed when the tractor-trailer crashed in a work zone. It happened near mile marker 49.5.

Troopers were forced to reroute traffic through Wire Road. Officials are asking motorists to be careful when driving through that area, according to Alabama Live. Construction zones have reduced speed limits for a reason. Speedy traffic is not safe through these areas and can cause serious accidents. It's also important to curb all distractions. Work zones require a driver's full attention to avoid an accident.

Our Montgomery truck accident attorneys recently discussed the dangers that motorists are facing on our roadways with the holiday traffic and with daylight saving time. Drivers are asked to be extremely cautious and to drive defensively throughout the remainder of the year. Typically, we see more fatal accidents during the last quarter of the year than during any other time. Many of these accidents can be avoided if drivers can change their driving skills to accommodate traffic and environment conditions.

Trucking accidents are some of the most dangerous traffic accidents on our roadways. These vehicles possess so much weight and power that they can destroy a passenger car in mere seconds. Drivers are asked to be careful when driving near semis. It's important to always be able to see the driver of the truck and to never linger on the roadway near it. Allow these trucks with plenty of room and to steer clear of their danger zones.

According to Alabama's 2008 traffic statistics:

-There were nearly 900 fatal traffic accidents that took the lives of more than 960 people.

-There was a traffic accident reported every 255 seconds.

-Someone was injured in a traffic accident every 15 minutes.

-Someone died in an accident every 9 hours.

A car accident can happened anywhere at any time. More than 70 percent of car accidents happen in the state's urban areas, which more than 65 percent of traffic-related fatalities happen in rural areas. Nearly 80 percent of all fatal accidents happen within a 25 mile radius of the victim's home. Nearly 50 percent of these accidents occur at night.

In Alabama, more than 70 percent of accidents involve one vehicle hitting another. When a truck is involved in these accidents, the results can be deadly. You're urged to drive cautiously around semis and tractor-trailers.

The top causes of car accidents in Alabama are:

-Failure to yield the right of way.

-Driver not in control.

-Misjudging stopping distance.

-Tailgating.

As the holiday season approaches, we can expect more vehicles on our roadways. During this time, traffic accidents increase significantly. The good news though is that they're preventable with responsible driving decisions and cautious navigation. Enjoy your holiday season, but do so safely.

Continue reading "Lee County Trucking Accident Closes Interstate 85, Shows Danger of These Vehicles" »

The Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend will be attracting drivers to roadways across the country and increasing risks of car accidents in Alabama and elsewhere. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nearly 43 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles for their Thanksgiving Day destination, despite higher gas prices.

Only about 41 million Americans traveled last year, when gas prices averaged $2.88 a gallon. This year, prices sit at about $3.39 a gallon. We're expected to see a four percent increase in the number of travelers from the previous year.

Other holiday periods throughout 2011 haven't been as active on our roadways. Many credit the economy for the minimal travel. Memorial Day travel remained about the same from the previous year while travel during Labor Day and Independence Day actually decreased. AAA believes that travelers initially stayed home to save money, but are brushing off their financial concerns for the Thanksgiving Day holiday and are hitting the roadways for a much needed vacation.

Our Montgomery car accident attorneys understand that the end of the year brings about a number of road trips and vacations for families across the country. This increase in travel brings increased risks of serious accidents on our roadways. Travelers are urged to venture out with a plan and with the proper tools to help ensure a safe trip. All drivers should have their car checked out before make a trip and should also carry the necessary equipment to deal with a driving problem, including a car problem, a navigation problem or an accident.

"Driving AAA's projected increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers is pent-up demand from Americans who may have foregone holiday travel the last three years," said Bill Sutherland, vice president of AAA Travel Services.

Most travelers will be getting around in a motor vehicle over the holiday period. Air travel is expected to decrease, according to Air Transport Association of America, while AAA expects a 2 percent increase.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the Thanksgiving holiday kicks off on November 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and ends on November 27th at 11:59 p.m. The NSC estimates that more than 430 people will die on our roadways during this year's holiday period. It also estimates that about 43,400 people will be injured and will seek medical assistance during this time.

The average number of the deaths experienced over the last six years of the Thanksgiving Day holiday was more than 10 percent higher than the average for similar non-holiday periods.

NSC Fatality Estimates/Actual for recent Thanksgiving Day holidays:

-2004: 556/556

-2005: 610/605

-2006: 555/623

-2007: 564/542

-2008: 479/484

-2009: 447/401

The NSC urged drivers to slow down and buckle up. Seat belts can increase your odds of surviving an accident by 45 percent. Seats belt are expected to save at least 150 lives through the weekend.

Continue reading "Car Accidents in Alabama over Thanksgiving A Top Concern" »

Car-pedestrian accidents in Montgomery typically happen more frequently when it's dark outside. With the recent Daylight Saving Time adjustment, the sun sets earlier, increasing the chances for accidents after dark. Although only about 25 percent of travel happens during the nighttime, about 50 percent of fatal accidents occur during this time. Pedestrians are oftentimes overlooked after the sun sets.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges pedestrians and motorists to be safer on our roadways to avoid an accident. Drivers should alter their driving habits to compensate for the reduction in visibility. It is interesting to note that some drivers will focus on the windshield as it's the most visible object. It's important for drivers to consciously look passed the vehicle's windows to ensure alertness of your surroundings, including the dangers.

Our Montgomery pedestrian accident attorneys understand that even drivers with perfect vision experience difficulties seeing at night. There is less to see when the sun sets and our eyes have to work hard to focus on our surroundings. Drivers oftentimes have a misconception of dangers on our roadways at night because they're unable to see everything. By adjusting our driving habits, we can help to steer clear of any accidents.

The NHTSA reports that there were more than 4,000 pedestrians killed in the country in traffic-related accidents in 2009. Reports indicate that about a quarter of these fatalities occurred between 4 and 8 p.m. Another 13 percent occurred between 4 and 8 p.m.

The NHTSA is asking drivers to be cautious when navigating after dark. The low-light driving conditions can take some time to get used to. During this time everyone faces a greater risk for injury and death, especially pedestrians. Here are some safety tips to help drivers and pedestrians decrease their risks of an accident.

Nighttime safety tips for motorists:

-Slow down. During nighttime driving, motorists need more time to see a pedestrian. Reaction time is delayed because visibility is reduced. Slowing down will give you more time to react.

-Keep in mind that pedestrians can be wearing headphones. While wearing these, pedestrians are less likely to hear your vehicle approaching.

-You should always keep your windows and mirrors clean to enhance visibility. Keep your windshield wiper fluid full.

Nighttime safety tips for pedestrians:

-To help motorists see you along our roadways, you should always carry a flashlight or wear fluorescent tape on your clothing.

-You shouldn't depend on traffic lights and traffic signals. Motorists can be distracted or have total disregard for these devices. Walk defensively and alertly.

-You should never jaywalk. Cross streets only at street corners or at sidewalks.

-Allow pedestrians with the right-of-way to ensure they cross the street safely.

-You should always walk on a sidewalk when one is available. When there's no sidewalk, you should walk safely away from the roadway, facing traffic.

Continue reading "Nighttime Pedestrian Accidents in Alabama Increase with Fall Time Change" »

A recent car accident in Alabama killed a man after his vehicle was hit by a trailer that broke loose from a utility vehicle. After being struck by the trailer, his vehicle was thrown off the road and into Cypress Creek, according to Times Daily.

The accident happened on Alabama 20 just after 4:00 p.m. The creek was between 12 and 15 feet deep.

Andy High, the Lauderdale County Coroner, pronounced the 70-year-old passenger dead at the scene of the accident. The SUV that flew into the creek was driven by the man's son who was 34-years-old from Florence. The two were on their way to visit their mother/grandmother in the hospital; she was recovering from surgery.

Our Montgomery accident lawyers understand that the impact from the loose tractor-trailer was so powerful that it sent the SUV across lanes of oncoming traffic and then into the creek. Witnesses reported that the SUV sank into the water quickly.

According to accident reports, Sgt. Chris Ticer and officer Troy Gruley from the Florence Police Department both dove into the water after the 70-year-old man. Both were unable to rescue him. Members of the Florence Fire and Rescue Team and the Florence Police Dive Team also dove in after the victim, but had no luck.

The trailer was reportedly being pulled by a Toyota T-100. The driver of that truck was not injured.

The Florence Police Department's Crash Reduction Unit is investigating the accident.

The 70-year-old man is the 52nd individual to die in a car accident in the southern Tennessee counties of Lawrence and Wayne and in Northwest Alabama this year. This was also the second fatal accident experienced in this region during the month of October.

What to do if your vehicle goes into the water:

-Remove your seat belt once you've hit the water. Crashing into water is much like crashing into a brick wall, so it's important that you always wear your seat belt when driving. Don't unbuckle your seat belt before you've opened your window.

-Your car will not sink immediately once you hit the water. You'll typically have a minute or two. The first thing you need to do is open a window. If the water has already reached your window, wait for the water level to rise above the window so that pressure is stabilized. That way it'll be easier to open your window.

-If you can't roll down your window, break it open. Electric windows should work for a few minutes after hitting the water.

-Back-door windows don't always roll all the way down, so remember your back-seat passengers. They may have to climb up to the front seat to escape with you.

Continue reading "Loose Trailer Involved in Fatal Car Accident in Lauderdale County" »

All vehicles go through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 5-star safety rating program.

The NHTSA recently reported that it will be rating all new model 2012 vehicles. Some vehicles that have carry-over designs from previous models may have already been rated. This program is used to help consumers to determine which vehicles are most likely to keep them safe in the event of a car accident in Montgomery or elsewhere. More than 80 percent of the new model vehicles are going through the test. More than 90 percent of the new model vehicles will have rollover tests conducted as well. Manufacturers get very competitive when it comes to these tests. Poor rating can severely damage the sales for a specific vehicle.

Our Montgomery car accident attorneys understand that more than 70 new models will go through the NHTSA's rigorous testing. Consumers who check such ratings when making a new-vehicle purchase can reduce their risks of serious or fatal injuries in the event of an accident. It's just one more way to be a smart consumer while keeping your family as safe as possible.

This year's tested vehicles include more than 40 passenger cars, more than 20 SUVs, eight pickups and two vans. The new rating system has been upgraded from last years. With each and every upgrade, vehicle manufacturers continue to advance their products to meet stricter rating systems. You're urged to check out www.safecar.gov to check out your vehicle's car rating. This is also a great website to use to learn about any vehicle recalls.

"By revamping the tests and creating a more rigorous program last year, we raised the bar on safety for all vehicle manufacturers. People should remember: More stars, safer cars," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

Safety ratings aren't the only thing that new NHTSA testing provides for consumers. The new program also offers drivers with information regarding a vehicle's "crash avoidance" technology.

In 2010, there were less than 40 vehicles that came equipped with this technology. Since the NHTSA started testing the technology in its new program, nearly 70 vehicles have installed safety features. These features include forward collision warning (FCW) and lane departure warning (LDW). Of the new vehicles, more than 10 have LDW, nearly 20 have FCW and nearly 40 come equipped with both. As tests get harder and more thorough, car manufacturers are forced to create better cars to keep up and to make their products appealing to consumers.

Safety ratings are one of the most important factors to consumers when purchasing a vehicle.

The 5-star rating system has been combing the design of vehicles for about 30 years now. This rating has become the gold standard for those who are looking into purchasing a new vehicle. These ratings let drivers know about their chances of not only surviving an accident, but avoiding one in the first place.

As soon as the new ratings are released, you're urged to scan through them before purchasing a new car. You can still visit the website to learn about the dangers, safety features or any recalls of the car you're currently driving.

Continue reading "NHTSA Rates New Model Cars to Determine Effectiveness of Safety Features in a Car Accident in Alabama and Elsewhere" »