Alabama Injury Lawyer Blog

The Montgomery Police Department will be combing the streets alongside our little ghosts and goblins to help ensure that everyone has a safe Halloween. Statistics show that your child is four times more likely to be the victim of a pedestrian accident in Montgomery on Halloween than during any other night of the year.

Our Montgomery pedestrian accident attorneys understand that this year the holiday is celebrated on a Monday. Even though it's a school night, nothing's going to stop our wizards and witches from suiting up and gathering candy from neighbors. Neither the City nor the Mayor can dictate when a holiday is celebrated, so Monday it is!

There are a few safety tips that we would like to share with you to help keep your family safe on the 31st. Costumes should be some of your top concerns. It's important to make sure that everyone's in comfortable shoes and that costumes aren't too long. No one needs to trip over Dracula's cape. It's also important that the costumes are made of flame-resistant material and that all props, including sword and knives, are made of soft materials that won't injure anyone.

"One of the biggest mistakes parents make is ... they don't think through the safety of the costumes their children wear," said Julie Farmer, a child safety expert with Children's of Alabama in Birmingham.

It's also important for everyone to discuss the dangers of passing traffic. Children are extremely vulnerable when it comes to car-pedestrian accidents on Halloween night. Talk with them about the risks and the dangers of vehicles.

Pedestrian safety tips to share with your little mummy before trick-or-treating:

-Wear light-colored clothing so that you're more visible to cars. It's also wise to attach reflective tape to your costume or to carry a flashlight.

-Plan a route. It's important to go door-to-door with a plan. Plan a route that's away from heavy traffic and that has sidewalks.

-Make sure everyone walks. Running increases your risks of falling and seriously hurting yourself.

-Always cross the street at a crosswalk or at a street corner.

-Young children should always be accompanied by a supervising adult.

-Children should never dart out from behind a parked car.

-Only trick-or-treat in neighborhoods that are well-lit.

-Wear face makeup instead of a mask. Masks can obstruct vision.

-Be sure to look left and right before crossing the street. Continue doing so as you cross.

By following these safety tips, we can help to prevent a real scare this Halloween -- or a tragedy. Parents are urged to talk with children before heading out to trick-or-treat to help ensure that everyone makes it home safely.

As we ask pedestrians to be safe on our roadways, we also ask that motorists be extra cautious when driving on Halloween night. Drive slowly through residential areas and keep a close eye out for the little gremlins that will be haunting our streets.

Lastly, remember to inspect your child's candy before allowing them to eat any. Throw out any pieces that have been opened or look like they've been tampered with.

Our Montgomery personal injury attorneys and the staff at our law offices wish you a safe and Happy Halloween!

Continue reading "Have a Safe and Happy Halloween! -- From Our Montgomery Injury Lawyers" »

The pulse behind teen car accidents in Alabama and nationwide has recently been examined closely by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in two studies involving young drivers.
Video clips from cameras installed inside the vehicle have determined that teens practice much safer driving behaviors when supervised by an adult than when driving alone the first 30 days after obtaining a license. Findings also suggest that teen drivers are 50 percent more apt to be involved in a crash during the first month of obtaining their unrestricted driver's license.

We bring this up as Teen Safe Driver Week comes to an end Saturday. Montgomery car accident lawyers know that in 2009, there were nearly three-quarters of a million police-reported crashes involving drivers ages 15-18 nationwide. These crashes killed more than 2,800 people and injured another 280,000.

The Measuring Changes in Teenage Driver Crash Characteristics Study examined a group of North Carolina teens and their crash involvements during the first three years of driving with a license. Researchers found teens were less likely to be involved in the same types of crashes after gaining a year of experience. New drivers were twice as likely to crash in the first 30 days as they were after two years of experience. Almost 60 percent of crashes for new drivers in the first 30 days were caused by inattention, failure to reduce speed and failure to yield.

The Transition to Unsupervised Driving Study recorded almost 6,000 video clips of 38 families with a teen driver. Researchers examined the external and internal driving environments for the first six months of licensed driving. The video captured close calls and other incidents related to traffic, darkness, weather, loud music and other passengers to name a few.

Some teens displayed dangerous behaviors like texting or running red lights during the first few months of unsupervised driving, but the majority of teens maintained good driving habits during this time. Close-call incidents were often due to inexperience or an error in judgment. For example, teens were commonly observed stomping on the brake pedal because they didn't see that traffic was traveling slowly or stopped in front of them. Interestingly, once a novice driver obtained his or her license, it was observed that adults spent very little time (3 percent) riding with their teens. Peers rode with them 61 percent of the time and siblings accompanied them 36 percent of the time when they had an occupant in the vehicle with them.

It has become clearer recently that parental involvement, even after a teen starts driving independently, can play a vital role in keeping young drivers safe behind the wheel. By staying involved through open communication and actively practicing driving skills with teens, parents can continue to instill safe driving behaviors and give positive reinforcement for smart driving choices well beyond the newlywed phase of obtaining a license.

Continue reading "Novice Drivers Most at Risk of Teen Car Accident in Montgomery Within Days After Obtaining a License " »

Today, Oct. 5th, is International Walk to School Day and we're asking everyone to help spread the word about how we can all chip in to help reduce pedestrian accidents in Alabama.

Every year since its launch in 1997 in Chicago, cities in the U.S. have participated in this campaign that raises awareness about the dangers pedestrians face daily and helping to make our roads safer. Back then it was called National Walk Our Children to School Day and held exclusively in the U.S. It has since gone international. In 2005, the event helped to pass legislation that has authorized more than $600 million to states that needed funding to construct safe roadways. There have been nearly 12,000 schools in each of the 50 states that have received some of the funds to conduct their own Walk to School Day.

Our Montgomery pedestrian accident attorneys understand how beneficial an event like this can be for residents across the state. Not only does the campaign raise awareness about pedestrian safety, but it is also a good opportunity for parents and children to go out for a heart-healthy walk. Additionally, it helps to raise awareness about the need for safer roadways. For many cities, International Walk to School Day results in fewer vehicles on the road, which in turn helps to minimize pollution.

Schools that are participating in this year's campaign in Montgomery:

-Chisholm Elementary School

-Floyd Elementary School

-G. W. Carver Elementary School

-Highland Gardens Elementary School

-Seth Johnson Elementary School

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were approximately 1,300 pedestrians under the age of 15 who were killed in traffic-related accidents in the U.S. in 2009. Another 179,000 of these young pedestrians were injured. Child pedestrian accidents accounted for nearly 5 percent of all traffic-related fatalities that year.

The statistics mean that nearly 500 child pedestrians were injured and nearly 5 child pedestrians were killed every single day on U.S. roadways.

Parents are urged to talk to children about the benefits and about the dangers of walking in our community. Children should get out and walk for a number of reasons. Walking increases self-confidence, fitness and responsibility. Don't send your child outdoors without the proper safety tips though. Teaching children safe pedestrian habits early on will help to keep them safe and injury-free on our roadways.

Parents are urged to talk to children about the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street, wearing light-colored clothing during evening hours, and making eye contact with drivers before crossing.

Here are more child pedestrian safety tips that you are urged to discuss with your child. These habits can turn into lifelong skills and can even be used to save your child's life one day.

"Our school intends to use this event as a kick-off to establishing better walking and biking habits for our students," says Cheryl Coprich, the principal at Floyd Elementary School.

Continue reading "Residents Discuss Pedestrian Accidents in Alabama for International Walk to School Day" »

Driving alongside a large commercial truck on our highways and interstates can be an intimidating experience. Add a distracted driver to the equation and results can quickly turn deadly.

Distracted big rig drivers are causing more and more car accidents in Alabama and elsewhere. In an attempt to curb this deadly behavior, the (NTSB) that suggested that every state considers creating and enforcing a cell phone ban for commercial vehicle drivers.

The NTSB recommends that this ban includes both cell phones and text messaging devices, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. Cell phone use during emergency situations would be the only exception. A ban like this could significantly reduce the risks of trucking accidents in Alabama.

This recommendation comes after a hearing that recently took place that involved an Alabama trucker and a fatal accident that killed 11 people and took out several buildings back in March of 2010. The driver of the truck involved in that accident made several phone calls and sent several text messages just seconds before the fatal accident. Phone records reveal that he had made 70 texts and call within the 24-hour period leading up to the incident.

Our Montgomery trucking accident attorneys understand that accidents involving tractor-trailers and other big rigs can oftentimes product fatal consequences. To help prevent a number of these accidents, the NTSB recommends that all 50 states prohibit the use of both hand-held and hands-free devices by these drivers of commercial trucks. The board has turned the recommendation over to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help pass it as a law since the NTSB does not have the authority to do so.

"It can be especially lethal when the distracted driver is at the wheel of a vehicle that weighs 40 tons and travels at highway speeds," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

Some truckers are defending their right to use cell phones while driving, disregarding the number of studies that have proven the dangers of the action. Recent studies conclude that using a cell phone while driving gives you the same abilities and reaction times as a driver that is legally drunk, or has a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08.

One of the best solutions for this problem would be for the Alabama Legislature to enact a ban that would stop the use of cell phones and text messaging devices by all drivers on our roadways. A number of lawmakers have made that rather difficult though, as some have blocked recent bills to ban texting drivers statewide. A ban of cell phone use by drivers has never come close to passage in our state. Alabama is one of the few states left that has not regulated the use of cell phones by adult drivers.

"Distracted driving is becoming increasingly prevalent, exacerbating the danger we encounter daily on our roadways," Hersman says.

In 2009, there were nearly 5,500 people killed on U.S. roadways because of accidents that involved a distracted driver. More than 990 of these deaths were the result of driver using a cell phone, according to distraction.gov.

Continue reading "NTSB Recommends Anti-Cell Phone Proposal to Reduce Risks of Trucking Accidents in Alabama, Nation" »

The Alabama Department of Transportation will be teaming up with local law officials to help promote the "Ride Like A Friend. Drive Like You Care" (RLAF) safety campaign.

This campaign is to encourage both safe teen driver and safe teen passenger behavior. Law enforcement officials and members of the DOT will be working alongside teachers, student leaders and school administrators to help plan, organize and execute a number of campaign activities at local schools.

This campaign is all in effort to kick off National Teen Driver Safety Week, which takes place from October 16th to the 22nd. The safe driving week is held on the third week of October every year. Its main focus is to promote safe driving habits to teens and to prevent their risks of being involved in a car accident in Alabama.

Our Montgomery teen car accident attorneys understand how beneficial these types of programs can be. Unfortunately, newly licensed teen drivers are oftentimes unable to understand the dangers, the risks and the consequences of irresponsible behavior while driving or riding in a vehicle. The Ride Like a Friend campaign aims to discuss the importance of well-mannered driver and passenger behavior through a number of school-related activities and campaign materials.

Ride Like a Friend is more than just a saying. It's a concept for teens to learn, understand and practice. This campaign was created to target teens and takes into account a lot of input from local teens. Material for the campaign has been created and designed by safe teen driving experts alongside the advice of teens.

It is important to keep safe driving as a frequent topic of conversation with our teens. According to recently released teen-driving information in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 16-year-old drivers who participate in a Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) program experience 26 percent fewer car accidents that those who were licensed without a GDL program. The study took teen driving statistics collected from 1986 to 2007, according to CNN Health. The problem with this is that the study also found that there was a more than 10 percent increase in the number of fatal accidents experienced by 18-year-old drivers who had completed a GDL program compared to those who hadn't.

"Right now, we're not getting the net effect across all teens that we're hoping for," says Scott V. Masten, Ph.D., an author of the study.

This is such an interesting finding because while GDL programs are expected to reduce the risks of car accidents by newly-licensed drivers, these reduced risks are supposed to follow the driver long after they've completed the program. Researchers have found that may not be the case. It is important to understand that parents and role models need to continue on with the education and the discussion of safe driving habits all through high school and well into college. Parents should make safe driving habits a frequent topic of conversation in the home.

There is some sort of GDL program in every state and the District of Columbia. Each state's program, including Alabama's Graduated Licensing program, requires that teen drivers abide by a driving curfew and limit the number of passengers in the vehicle at a time, but after that first set of regulations each state varies.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were nearly 150 teens killed because of car accidents in Alabama in 2009.

Parents are urged to continue to push the importance of safe driving habits. Parents are some of the most influential people in the lives of teen drivers and can make a significant impact on a teen's road safety.

Continue reading "Alabama DOT Gears up for National Teen Driver Safety Week to Reduce Risks of Teen Car Accidents in Montgomery and Elsewhere" »

"State troopers and local officers statewide will be watchful for any traffic violations in
the areas of school zones, bus stops and stopped school buses," said Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy. "In every state, it is illegal to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload students. Motorists need to be observant of all the traffic laws that serve to protect our children's safety."

Kids are heading back to school and they're also heading towards increased risks of child injury in Montgomery. Every year, roughly 25 million students across the country jump on board the big, yellow buses to get to and from school, according to the National Safety Council. There are also many children injured and several killed in school bus accident every year. In 2005 alone, there were more than 130 people killed because of school bus-related traffic accidents. Another 11,000 were injured in these incidents.

Our Montgomery personal injury attorneys would like to ask that all motorists practice extra cautious driving habits as the school year begins -- school buses and young bicyclists and pedestrians will be commonplace. We ask for caution not only to avoid a motor-vehicle collision, but to avoid hitting a child entering, exiting or waiting for the bus. Of everyone that was injured in a school bus accident from 2000 to 2004, nearly 50 percent of injuries were sustained by school bus passengers, nearly 10 percent were by bus drivers and approximately 40 percent were occupants of other vehicles. The rest of the injuries were sustained by pedestrians, bicyclists and others.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety offers these safe driving tips for motorists to help keep our young bus riders safe:

-Keep an eye out for children when backing out of your driveway or when exiting your garage.

-Watch out for students who are walking or biking to the bus stop and to school.

-When driving through neighborhoods and through school zones, be sure to watch out for children as they may be more focused on getting to school instead of getting there safely.

-Keep an eye out for children who may be walking where there are no sidewalks.

-Watch for children who are gathering or playing near their bus stop.

-Be ready to stop at all times. Children may dart out into the street without checking for traffic first.

-Always stop when you are directed to do so by a school patrol sign, designated crossing guard or school patrol officer.

Laws in all 50 states make it illegal to drive pass a bus that is stopped and loading or unloading children.

It's important to talk to your little student about proper bus behavior. Talk to them about the importance of keeping quiet on the bus, keeping the bus aisles clear and never walking within 10 feet of the bus except when boarding.

Continue reading "Back-to-School Brings Risk of Child Injury in Montgomery " »

According to the local authorities, a five-car accident in Montgomery on I-85 took the life of one and injured others. The accident blocked rush hour traffic for roughly 6 hours. Involved in the accident were three cars and two trucks.

The Montgomery Police Department says that the accident was caused by a pickup truck that swerved into the emergency lane after it blew a tire on the Interstate. Because of the quick swerve, an SUV and a flatbed truck collided and caused a domino effect of collisions.

The accident happened on the northbound lanes of the Interstate between Bell Road and Taylor Road just before 4:00 p.m. Police were forced to reroute traffic down Eastern Boulevard, to Atlanta Highway and back up to the Interstate using the Mitylene exit, according to Alabama Live.

Our Montgomery personal injury attorneys understand how dangerous interstate driving can be, especially in summer's heavy traffic and during rush hour. Motorists are urged to drive with extra caution on these busy roadways as small incidents, like a flat tire, can return catastrophic results if you're not practicing safe driving habits. Take a safe following distance: You may tailgate for years and get away with it -- or you may face this type of situation in front of the nose of your vehicle and having a little extra time could save your life.

"As traumatic as it was, the city did a good job diverting traffic and getting people around the scene. When you clog up the interstate like that, you really face some challenges," said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.

During the accident, two of the tractor-trailers involved spilled lumber all over the Interstate.

"Everyone did an outstanding job [rerouting traffic and cleaning up], especially since it could not have happened at a worse time," said Christopher Murphy Director of Public Safety.

Here are some Interstate driving tips to help keep you safe during your summer travels:

-Entering the Interstate: Make sure you abide by ramp speed, which is usually 45 mph. Then gradually increase speed and you get near the Interstate roadway.

-Changing lanes: Make sure you use your blinkers. Check your vehicle's surroundings to make sure you lane maneuver will not obstruct anyone's driving path.

-Speed: You shouldn't exceed the speed limit. It's important not to go too slow either. Travel at a steady, and legal, pace with cars around you.

-Passing: Make sure to look all around before passing. Be sure that you can do so safely. One you've passed the vehicle, make sure to check to ensure that you've completely passed the vehicle before entering back into the lane. Try not to fly past the vehicles you're passing. Pass at a safe and steady speed.

-Exiting the Interstate: Get to the right-hand lane as soon as you know you're approaching your exit. Do not wait until the last minute. Once you've spotted your exit ramp, put on your turn signal, exit cautiously and begin to slow your speed.

Continue reading "Flat Tire on I-85 Causes Five-Car Accident in Montgomery" »

SafeMotorists.com reports July and August are two of the three deadliest months of the year to drive on American roadways.

Many families are preparing for a final summer get away in August before school starts up, which causes roadways to be more congested and increases the odds of being involved in a car accident in Alabama or elsewhere in the country.

Our Alabama car accident lawyers know that families want to spend a little quality time before the kids head back to school; motorists should expect to see more vehicles and use caution when it is needed.

Not only are drivers likely to become distracted this time of year but you may notice a few who have partied too much at a summer barbeque or otherwise made the decision to drive after having too much to drink. If you are hit by a distracted or drunk driver, contact an experienced car accident attorney to make sure your rights are fully protected and you are provided the resources necessary to seek a complete recovery.

Al.com reports that traffic fatalities in the first quarter of this year were up compared to last year during the same period according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety (ADPS). Officials report a total of 137 fatalities this year through March compared to 129 deaths from January through March, 2010. According to the Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 774 fatal wrecks in 2009, claiming the lives of 848 motorists. Another 35,000 were seriously injured. Almost two-thirds of the fatal wrecks were in rural areas.

A traffic safety study in Indiana reported by Pharos-Tribune indicated that July and August are the deadliest months to drive. Not only were motorists' fatalities high during these months but the risks for motorcycle accident peaked. Nationwide, states (including Alabama) report similar trends.

Safemotorist.com reports that Fourth of July weekend is typically one of the deadliest weekends of the year, most likely due to the high volume of traffic and the number of motorists who drive under the influence. However, when listing the 10 deadliest days, 7 out of 10 were in July and August. These dates include July 2, 3, 4 and August 3, 4, 6 and 12. Saturday and Friday have proven to be the most fatal days of the week in terms of motor vehicle crashes in recent past and the deadliest times to drive during the day are 3:00 - 6:00p.m. and 6:00-9:00p.m.

ADPS's plan to countermeasure traffic fatalities in our state is to incorporate more driver license checkpoints and patrol more in areas with high crash rates; motorists are warned to always have their license, registration and proof of insurance card with them when they are driving in order to avoid penalty. Always remember safe and defensive drivers keep families safe and should always be a priority when you get behind the wheel.

Continue reading "July and August typically the Deadliest Months for Alabama Car Accidents " »

Warmer temperatures during the summer months create many risk factors that Alabama motorists need to be aware of in order to reduce the number of car accidents in Montgomery and elsewhere.

One thing most motorists probably don't think to do is check their tires for wear and proper inflation. But a consumer advisory from the U.S. Department of Transportation is alerting motorists to do just that. From 2005 to 2009, there were roughly 116,000 people injured and almost 3,400 more killed in tire-related crashes in the U.S.

"While its true improperly maintained tires can contribute to a crash at any time of year, it is particularly critical for motorists to check tires during hot weather, when families and luggage often overload vehicles for long vacation trips," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland warned. "Underinflated tires spinning on hot asphalt for extended periods of time can be a recipe for disaster."

Before you head out on your next road trip, make sure you check your tire treads and test your air pressure for proper inflation. Older tires can't handle the stress that heat creates, which can lead to a highway blow out and loss of vehicle control.

Safercar.gov offers an array of information on tire safety. Some recommendations include purchasing an accurate tire pressure gauge to keep with you in the vehicle, not overloading your vehicle on long road trips and checking your owner's manual for proper inflation amounts for your vehicle.

For more information about tire safety, visit Rubber Manufacturers Association online at betiresmart.org.

An article in Reader's Digest points out several other summer driving hazards that motorists should be aware of. In order to avoid costly property damage or severe injury sustained in an accident, keep the following summer dangers in mind while you hit the roadway:

-Small critters like groundhogs, opossum, or skunks in addition to large wild animals like deer, mountain lions or black bears can run onto the roadway without warning. Though larger animals are easier to detect, it doesn't make them any less dangerous or easy to avoid when traveling at normal speeds. Motorists should look for animal crossing signs and know the area in which they are driving to avoid hitting wild animals.

-Planning travel around inclement weather isn't always possible so be alert for dangers of hydroplaning or poor vision, which can lead to a loss of control of your vehicle. Motorists are advised to keep all windows and mirrors clean, check to make sure lights and turn signals are working efficiently and always use your headlights when severe weather strikes.

-Symptoms of fatigue or drowsiness are often associated with warm weather. Ten percent of drivers admit to having dozed off behind the wheel within the past year. Before long road trips, make sure your air conditioning is working in your vehicle and you are well rested before you leave. It is also recommended to share the driving with another passenger or take lots of rest breaks throughout the trip.

-Bicyclists and motorcycle riders hit the roads in force in summer; motorists are advised to be watchful for two-wheeled vehicles because they are often difficult to see.

-Speeding is never a good idea no matter what time of year, yet many motorists think when the weather is pleasant they can make up for lost time by driving fast. Speeding is a leading contributor in motor vehicle accidents and is a factor in roughly 30 percent of fatal crashes.

Motorists, who control their speed, and those who stay alert for animals, poor weather conditions, bicyclist or motorcycles, will improve their odds of arriving at their destination safely.

Continue reading "Summer Driving Hazards Increase Chances of Car Accidents in Alabama" »

Summer has officially begun, and the upcoming months create a higher risk of unintentional injury in Montgomery and elsewhere throughout the United States.

For the month of June, the National Safety Council is celebrating National Safety Month in an attempt to raise awareness of these preventable injuries and deaths.

Our Alabama personal injury attorneys understand that everyone looks forward to summer as school lets out, families enjoy summer vacations and others just relax by the pool to soak up some sun. We also understand that the recognition of this awareness month is extremely important as people have a tendency to throw all safe behaviors to the wind.

The National Safety Council has chosen to focus on the top five causes for these unintentional injuries and deaths throughout the month. The schedule is as follows:

-Summertime Safety, June 1 to 4 - Since many residents spend the summer poolside, many of the injuries are related to pools and spas.

-Preventing Overexertion, June 5 to 11 - Overexertion has been ranked as the third leading cause of these unintentional injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms every year. The most common types of these injuries are strains and sprains, specifically to the lower back.

-Teen Driving Safety, June 12 to 18 - Promoting safe teen driving is crucial in keeping our roadways safe during this time of year as more and more students hit the road. It is reported that every year roughly 5,500 people are killed in motor-vehicle accident that involve a teen driver.

-Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls, June 19 to 25 - Falls are among the nation's top causes unintentional injuries. Adults 55 and older are more likely to be the victim of falls.

-On the Road, Off the Phone, June 26 to 30 - Motor-vehicle accidents continue to be the nation's number one cause of unintentional deaths. This is true of all age groups. One of the leading contributors to these accidents is distracted driving. According to the NSC, 23 percent of all motor-vehicle accidents involved a driver using a cell phone.

The NSC designated a whole month to these incidents because unintentional injuries and deaths in the United States have reached an inexcusable level. There were about 128,000 unintentional deaths in the U.S. in 2009. This 2009 estimate is the highest on record and is nearly 50 percent higher than reports from 1992. That year recorded the lowest annual total since 1924. The cost of these unintentional injuries exceeded $693 billion nationally, or about $5,900 per household.

Continue reading "Summer Increases Risk of Injury in Montgomery and Elsewhere" »

Recent estimates, from the National Safety Council (NSC), reveal that there are more than 400 traffic fatalities expected to occur over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

These estimates also predict that there will be more than 39,400 injuries that require medical attention. This weekend serves as the traditional summer kick-off weekend and brings out the most careless habits of drivers, which often results in an increased number of car accidents in Alabama.

For record keeping purposes, the official holiday weekend begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and concludes ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

Our Alabama car accident attorneys urge residents to practice defensive driving skills over this holiday weekend and to make smart decision behind the wheel. One of these decisions should be to wear your seat belt as they can help to save your life if involved in a motor vehicle accident. The NSC estimates that more than 300 people may survive the holiday weekend because they will be wearing seat belts during an accident. They also estimate that another 103 lives could be saved if everyone were to wear their safety belts over the celebratory weekend.

In an effort to increase the use of seat belts in motor vehicle occupants, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started running its "Click It or Ticket" campaign on May 23 and they will continue to run it through June 5. The nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign has been proven to be the most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever as it has been able to contribute to the highest national safety belt usage rate. It has increased the usage rate to nearly 90 percent. Law enforcement agencies will be out in full force enforcing a zero-tolerance enforcement of seat belt laws nationwide throughout the campaign.

The Memorial Day holiday weekend typically sees an increase in traffic fatalities of more than 12 percent compared to similar non-holiday periods.

The NSC offers these safety tips to motorists to help ensure a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend on our roadways:

-Put away all distractions while operating a motor vehicle.

-Make sure that all of your passengers are buckled up and that all children are in the appropriate child safety seats.

-Leave the house with plenty of time and with a plan. This will help you with having a calm ride, avoiding acts of frustration.

-Drive defensively and adjust to all weather conditions.

-Be sure to be well-rested before setting out on a weekend trip.

-Do not drink and drive. Driving while under the influence will greatly impair our reactions and judgment abilities.

Continue reading "Law Enforcement in Full Force this Memorial Day Weekend to Decrease Risks of Fatal Car Accidents in Alabama and Elsewhere" »

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that more than 1.6 million crashes occur each year as the result of someone driving distracted.

Twenty-eight percent of crashes nationwide are caused by a driver using a cell phone, either hands-free or hand-held, to text or talk while driving.

Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers know the devastation that victims and their families go through when dealing with the aftermath of a serious or fatal Montgomery car accident. We applaud the effort being made by the NSC and FocusDriven (an advocate group for cell-free driving) to dedicate the month of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The House of Representatives voted last month, almost unanimously, on the resolution introduced by Rep. Betsy Markey to create distracted driving awareness month following the tragic death of a 9-year-old girl who was killed by a distracted driver in Colorado in 2008.

"Erica's memory will forever live on through this resolution and help prevent other distracted driving deaths from occurring," said Shelley Forney, Erica's mother and founding board member of FocusDriven.

Throughout the month of April, the two non-profit groups are asking drivers to put their cell phones on silence or turn them off completely while they are behind the wheel. To further reduce the risk of a distracted driving accident, they urge you to put the phone in the trunk or glove compartment so that there is absolutely no temptation to answer a ring tone or text alert when it comes in.

"If drivers can go one month without using their phones while driving, they will find out - as many of us have - work still gets done. Many drivers realize most of the calls they thought were so important, really aren't. It is our hope drivers will decide to make the change permanently. Doing so will make our roadways safer for everyone," said Jennifer Smith, FocusDriven president and founding board member.

Drivers are encouraged to create a temporary voicemail message that notifies callers they are driving but will return their call as soon as it is safe to do so.

Businesses and corporations that offer a cell phone to their employees are encouraged to participate in awareness this month by creating a company policy to prohibit employees from using their phone while driving. Employees tend to multi-task while in the car -- especially at work -- but this can be extremely dangerous and should be avoided.

When businesses allow employees to conduct business on cell phones while driving, they are putting their employees at a 4 times greater risk of a crash," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.

The NSC offers a variety of resources that can help companies protect their employees. The Cell Phone Policy Kit for Employers is one tool that businesses can use to adopt a policy that fits within their expectations. By creating awareness and emphasizing safety, employers can keep their workers safe and reduce the risk of a distracted driving accident while on company time.

Continue reading "April awareness month reduces risk of distracted driving car accidents in Alabama" »

A Montgomery pedestrian accident has claimed the life of a 62-year-old man after an accident on East Boulevard, the Advertiser reported.

Our Alabama personal injury lawyers note a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which found the number of fatal pedestrian accidents is not declining as quickly as the overall number of traffic fatalities nationwide.

In this case, the victim was attempting to cross the street when he was struck on East Boulevard between Young Barn Road and Arbor Station Road. The 40-year-old driver was charged with driving under the influence.

Nationwide, the number of fatalities began to climb again during the first six months of last year after four straight years of declines.

"GHSA is concerned to see this reversal. One factor may be the increased distractions for both pedestrians and drivers," said Chairman Vernon F. Betkey Jr. "Anyone who travels in a busy city has seen countless pedestrians engrossed in conversation or listening to music while crossing a busy street. Just as drivers need to focus on driving safely, pedestrians need to focus on walking safely - without distractions."

Take that for what it's worth. But the vast majority of the pedestrian accidents we see are the fault of inattentive, impatient or negligent drivers. We think it just as likely that the uptick in fatal pedestrian accidents could be the result of more people walking during the economic downturn.

Nationwide, fatal pedestrian accidents have dropped from 4,892 in 2005 to 4,092 in 2009, an average drop of more than 200 a year. However, fatalities increased by 7 deaths during the first six months of 2010, to 1,891. While fatal pedestrian accidents in Alabama continued to decline, from 39 in the first half of 2009 to 27 in the first six months of 2010, the state still ranked 19th deadliest in the nation. The state is the nation's 23rd most populous.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 64 fatal pedestrian accidents in Alabama were reported in 2009.

Transportation for America ranked Alabama cities based on fatal pedestrian accidents in 2007 and 2008. Most dangerous based on number of fatal accidents per resident:

1) Mobile: 31 fatalities
2) Huntsville: 16 fatalities
3) Montgomery: 15
4) Birmingham-Hoover: 29
5) Decatur: 3
6) Florence-Muscle Shoals: 3
7) Tuscaloosa: 7
8) Anniston-Oxford: 2
9) Dothan: 2
10) Columbus: 12
11) Auburn-Opelika: 2
12) Gadsden: 0

Continue reading "Montgomery pedestrian accident highlights risks for Alabama residents" »

An Alabama man was recently injured while on the job in an Alabama manufacturing plant. He was walking thru the main aisle way of a storage warehouse when a container weighing several hundred pounds fell on top of him. The man suffered five fractures, some of which required surgery to stabilize.

Generally, an injured employee's only remedy is under the Alabama Worker's Compensation Act. However, if the injury is actually caused by an individual or entity with no connection to the employer (a third party), the injured worker may pursue a case against the third party directly.

Continue reading "On the Job Injuries: Third-Party Liability" »

A Gulf Shores, Alabama man pled guilty to DUI Manslaughter earlier this week in a Florida Court in connection with a drunk driving collision in which one man was killed and another seriously injured. The at-fault driver faces up to 20 years in prison. (Montgomery Advertiser 1-25-11 - from the Associated Press). Assuming the at-fault driver was insured, the family of the deceased driver is likely to recover the limit of the available liability coverage. Many drivers only have liability insurance coverage for the minimum limit under Alabama law of $25,000. However, there may be other potential defendants and/or sources of recovery.

Continue reading "Alcohol-Related Auto Accidents: The Offender May Not Be The Only Source Of Recovery" »