Alabama Injury Lawyer Blog

Recently, fire personnel and paramedics in Huntsville were among the first Alabama responders to learn the special risks associated with car accidents involving hybrid and electric vehicles.

Our Montgomery car accident attorneys understand the training was provided by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, which has the goal of making alternative fuel choices more widely available throughout the state.

While electric and hybrid vehicles may be relatively safe, they may also contain voltages of 400 to 650 volts of power that could be extremely dangerous for both occupants or first responders, depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Late last year, the Society of Automotive Engineers produced a report indicating that tow operators, first responders and occupants in an accident may be exposed to potential electric shock from systems that are damaged or not fully disengaged right away after a wreck. We're going to continue to see injuries related to this as there are more and more alternative fuel vehicles on the road. Hybrid vehicles are now offered by Honda, Ford, Toyota, Lexus and Mercury.

And there is an increasing amount of research that show these quiet vehicles are more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents. The overall designs of these vehicles may vary slightly, but all use a large battery pack that serves to energize an electric motor - or more than one motor. Most also contain a smaller gasoline engine.

The big concern has to do with the area surrounding the battery and the high-voltage cables that are routed underneath the passenger compartment. The concern is that in a crash, that battery could leak or explode, resulting in the risk of an electrocution hazard if those high-voltage cables are exposed to bare metal, passengers or rescuers.

The SAE has recommended that auto manufacturers install a kill switch for the battery power that would automatically be triggered in the event of a crash. The location of the switch, the group said, should be standardized for safety.

A second recommendation involves the creation of a guide for emergency workers to quickly identify high-voltage component locations, so they can be disabled. And that's what the training in Huntsville recently focused on. The instructor noted it's important for first responders to know what to cut, what not to cut and where to cut it.

Although this particular session did not involve tow truck drivers, the SAE has suggested provided industry-wide training for them on this issue as well to prevent the potential for serious injury.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year held a roundtable discussion of these dangers, and later issued interim guidance for first responders, consumers and tow truck drivers. The NHTSA has recommended that all hybrid and electric car makers produce a standardized disconnect location for all vehicles.

Most auto manufacturers already encase their battery cables in a bright orange sealing, to serve as a warning to anyone who encounters them. However, that color-coding is not a standard federal requirement, so there is no guarantee that all hybrid car makers will use them.

The Electric Driver Transportation Association reported that some 440,000 battery-powered hybrid and electric cars were sold in the U.S. last year, marking a more than 50 percent increase over sales in 2011.

Continue reading "Alabama Traffic Accidents and the Risk of Hybrid Vehicles " »

The National Safety Council (NSC) joins other safety organizations through April as safety advocates promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month.The hope is to draw attention to the serious public health problem presented by drivers who aren't paying attention.

While the public education and enforcement efforts during Distracted Driving month address different kinds of driver distraction, the focus is on cell phone use and NSC urged all drivers to sign a pledge to drive cell free.

Our Montgomery, car accident lawyers know that the majority of drivers are aware that driving distracted is dangerous and yet they do it anyway. It's likely that many drivers underestimate the actual risks they face... risks that are clearly illustrated by some of the stories in the news even as Distracted Driving month comes to a close.

Distracted Driving: It Really is This Bad
One of the biggest issues that makes distracted driving so dangerous is that drivers on the road may not be aware of just how common it is for people to drive without paying attention. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows 660,000 drivers in the United States may be driving while using their cellular phone at any given daylight moment. This means if you are in the car and it is light out, you are sharing the road with 660,000 people who might be talking or texting.

Since any use of a wireless device can make an accident four times more likely, and since using a cell phone to text can make an accident 23 times more likely, the fact that there are 660,000 drivers on the road with a cell in hand is cause for very serious concern. It is no wonder U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood described distracted driving as a "serious and deadly epidemic on America's roadways."

As if the news that thousands of drivers were on their cell phones wasn't bad enough, another news story during Distracted Driving month indicated that some drivers may even be doubling up on the danger. The story reported by NBC involved an Alabama man who was driving his car with his knees while he was "double texting."

The double-texting Alabama driver had a 3-year-old in his vehicle's backseat, along with prescription drugs and $4,500. He said he had been double texting since he was 15-years-old.

Clearly, this recent information shows how bad the problem of distracted driving has become in the United States. As the NHTSA indicates, there were more than 3,300 deaths in 2011 attributed to distracted driving. There were also 387,000 injuries in crashes where a driver was distracted.

The losses from these accidents and injuries are too great to measure when considering the pain of the family members left behind. Distracted Driving Month can hopefully help people to become more aware that distracted driving is never OK and can start to chip away at the number of people driving while distracted. If some drivers are starting to double up on this dangerous behavior, it is clear that the real risks associated with distracted driving have not yet hit home.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Month Educates: News Shows We Still Have a Long Way to Go" »

Recently Alabama.com reported that all eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 were blocked off near Brompton. The lanes were blocked off after an accident occurred involving an 18-wheeler.

Our Montgomery truck accident lawyers know that accidents involving large trucks can be extremely dangerous. While this single-vehicle accident did not cause injury to any drivers, resolving the problems caused by the accident still necessitated assistance from police and hours to cleanup, causing headaches for motorists.

18-Wheeler Jackknife Accident Highlights Risks
Jack-knifing occurs when a truck and the trailer that is attached to it get out of sync. As a result, the trailer attached to the back of the truck essentially folds onto itself, turning sideways. The truck, with its sideways trailer, can resemble a V or an L shape instead of the trailer extending behind the tractor.

Jackknifing happens for many different reasons but the most common cause of jackknifing occurs as a result of a loss of traction. The point at which the tire hits the ground is a static contact point because the road isn't moving and the tire itself isn't moving at that exact moment.

If a road is slippery, however, then the tire might skid along the road instead of gripping it. There will no longer be static friction because the tire will be moving at the time when it hits the ground, leaving no static point between two fixed objects. All that will be left to keep the wheel on the ground is sliding friction, which is not nearly as powerful as static friction.

When the tires of the truck's trailer have no static friction, then they may just keep sliding along the road and have insufficient traction to stop. At this point, if the truck driver tries to hit the brakes in order to cause the trailer to stop, the risks are further exacerbated. The wheels can lock and because there is no static friction, the trailer may swing outwards in a sideways direction. This is called jackknifing.

Commercial drivers need to drive carefully, watch the trailer for problems, and be careful about how they brake their truck in order to avoid a jackknifing accident. This is why only experienced drivers with commercial driver's licenses should ever be operating 18-wheelers or any large trucks. This is particularly true of trucks towing tandem trailers.

When the trailer of a truck swings sideways, it can cause the truck to tip over. The trailer that swings sideways can also hit other cars, causing a serious accident. In this incident where I-20 was shut down, it was simply lucky that there were no other vehicles in the path of the truck that jackknifed so disaster was averted.

Continue reading " Jackknifing Accidents Put Alabama Drivers at Risk" »

Have you ever gotten in your car and figured you didn't need to buckle your seat belt because you were just headed up the street? If so, you aren't alone. As HealthCanal.com reports, most drivers tend to buckle up more when they are going on a long trip as opposed to when they are staying close to home.

Unfortunately, our Montgomery car accident lawyers know that most accidents happen close to where you live rather than on long trips. This means that drivers who only wear their seat belts for longer journeys may be more likely to get into a crash without a belt on. This can significantly increase the risk of death in an auto accident.

Drivers Who Don't Wear Seat Belts Set Themselves Up For Disaster
Recently, The Republic reported that more than half of all drivers killed in car accidents in Alabama were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

The data on seat belt use and fatalities came from the Alabama Department of Transportation and relates to accidents that occurred in 2012. Of the 424 people who died in car accidents in vehicles with seat belts available, 251 people did not have their belts on at the time of the accident. Further, 59 percent of the 513 people who died in car accidents in 2012 were not wearing their seat belts at the time when the fatal crash happened.

Many of these people were likely involved in accidents close to where they lived, since drivers who stay nearby are more likely to skip the seat belt. In fact, researchers from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute discovered that:

• 72.7 percent of occasional seat belt wearers buckled up on trips with an average speed of 30 miles per hour. Trips at this average speed were more likely to be journeys around town.


• 89 percent of occasional seat belt wearers buckled up on trips with an average speed of 50 miles per hour. These trips were more likely to be longer trips or road trips as opposed to casual trips around town.

The researchers used the drivers' GPS devices to confirm that drivers who were traveling at the lower speeds were more likely to be traveling on local roads while drivers traveling at higher speeds were more likely to be traveling on interstates and going further away.

Researchers also indicated that drivers who rarely buckled up would do so if forced to by legal deterrents such as laws mandating the use of seat belts and giving law enforcement the authority to pull people over for failure to wear a belt.

In Alabama, people sitting in the front seat are required by state law to wear seat belts. Kids between the ages of 6 and 15 must also wear belts while children under the age of six must be in a federally approved child seat when in the car.

Alabama, therefore, tries to take steps to make drivers buckle up whether they are traveling nearby or going on a longer road-trip. Yet, many drivers fail to do so despite the laws and some of the drivers who chose not to buckle up pay for this decision with their lives.

Continue reading "Montgomery Traffic Safety - Seat Belts Still First Line of Defense" »

In Alabama, every road has a speed limit that drivers are expected to follow. These speed limits exist for motorist safety. Our Montgomery accident lawyers know that the faster you are traveling, the greater the chances of becoming involved in an auto accident. High-speed crashes are also more likely to be deadly because a car that is moving faster will collide with more force.

Unfortunately, many drivers choose to exceed the speed limit despite the dangers. As a result, speed is the number one factor in causing Alabama car accidents that result in fatalities. A recent article published on the website of The News Courier also indicated that speeding combined with high traffic volumes can be especially deadly.

Speeding & High Traffic Don't Mix
When analyzing crash data in Alabama from 2007 through 2011, it is easy to identify certain specific areas where a high number of fatal accidents occur. The high rates of death in these areas can be explained by both the traffic congestion and by the fact that drivers often exceed the speed limit within these particular locations.

The News Courier identified six of the locations where there are an abnormally high number of fatal accidents. These locations include:

• Interstate 20/59 at Arkadelphia Road. Along Arkadelphia Road, there are around 40,000 cars each day while the Interstate has upwards of 140,000 travelers. Twelve crashes and 13 deaths occurred in this area.


• Interstates 65 and 459. These areas saw more than 100,000 cars each day. Seven crashes occurred in this high-traffic pocket, resulting in ten fatalities.


• Interstate 20/59 from 1st Avenue North to Roebuck Parkway. Between 55,000 and 70,000 vehicles travel here daily. Seven crashes, including three single vehicle accidents, occurred and resulted in seven deaths.


• U.S. 78 from Cherry to Dugan Ave. Six crashes and six deaths occurred in this area where between 40,000 and 45,000 cars travel each day. Two of the deaths were pedestrians.


• Interstate 65-Interstate 20/59. Traffic counts exceed 125,000 vehicles. Six deaths resulted from six accidents.


• Interstate 20/59 at Tallapoosa Street. As many as 151,000 cars each day travel through this stretch of road. Five deaths and five crashes occurred here.

These specific areas represent a high number of the total deaths that occurred in Shelby and Jefferson Counties. From 2007 to 2011, there were a total of 537 fatal accidents within these counties and 590 people died. Many of the deaths could have been prevented if drivers did not speed so much through these high traffic zones.

When a driver chooses to speed, he may lose control of his vehicle. He may also be unable to stop or get out of the way if the car in front of him stops or if he approaches an accident or an obstacle. All of these are among the reasons why speeding causes crashes, especially in areas of peak congestion.

Continue reading "Speeding is the Leading Cause of Car Accident Deaths in Alabama" »

On March 11, the Montgomery Advertiser indicated that a teenage skateboarder was speeding down a parking garage ramp when he lost control and went into oncoming traffic. Tragically, the fourteen-year-old lost his life in the accident.

Our Montgomery accident attorneys know that this tragic accident is not the only one that will involve a young person this spring. In fact, Alabama kids on bicycles, skateboards, scooters and rollerblades are all in potential danger of becoming involved in a fatal car accident or in a car wreck that causes serious injury. As the weather gets warmer and more kids head outside to ride their bikes or play, the chances of an accident increase significantly.

Bicycle Accidents are Dangerous to Alabama Kids
While skateboarding, scooter and rollerblade accidents are all more common over the summer, bicycle accidents are an especially serious risk for kids because so many children ride bikes. Kids also often ride bicycles for longer distances in order to get to the home of a friend or to other recreational activities since bikes provide an effective method of transportation.

Unfortunately, the statistics on bicycle accidents show that kids who ride their bicycles around in the spring and summer might not be having the carefree and safe good time that they and their parents were hoping for. The statistics from Bicycling Info.org reveal that 618 people were killed and 52,000 were injured in bicycle crashes in 2010, with 20 percent of those who suffered injuries ages 16 and under.

Bicycle accidents can be dangerous and lead to a high number of deaths for a lot of reasons. One major issue is that many kids ride in higher-traffic areas or in areas without sidewalks. Some children do not know the rules of safe biking and others refrain from wearing helmets even though they are supposed to. Parents may also have more difficulty supervising their kids when kids are off from school and riding bikes, especially as more parents need to work longer hours due to a tough economy.

Talking to Kids About Bike Safety
While it can be difficult to supervise your children all the time when they are biking, parents need to make sure they are making age-appropriate rules for when, where and how a child can ride a bike. For example, kids who are very young should ride only in the driveway or family yard under supervision. Kids who are older may be allowed to ride their bike to the home of a friend in the neighborhood. However, parents need to make sure they set and enforce limits to keep kids from riding in heavy traffic areas where they are more likely to get hurt.

Children's of Alabama also offers some additional tips on bike safety that parents should share with their children including:

• The importance of wearing bright visible clothes when riding a bike so drivers can see you easily.


• The dangers of night bicycling.


• The importance of being aware of the traffic and riding with traffic in a single-file path.

By educating kids on bike safety and by supervising and setting guidelines, you can hopefully help to keep your children safe. If a driver is involved in an accident that causes your child to be hurt, you may have a right to obtain legal compensation.

Continue reading "Bicycle Accidents Put Montgomery Kids at Risk" »

The Governors Highway Safety Association recently released a report with deeply troubling statistics.

Our Montgomery car accident lawyers understand that teen driver deaths were up nearly 20 percent in the first six months of 2012 (as compared to the same time frame in 2011). Alabama saw one of the greatest increases of all, with a 400 percent rise in the number of these tragedies.

The study was conducted by researcher Dr. Allan Williams, formerly the chief scientist at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Fatality figures were collected for every state and Washington D.C.

The increase wasn't entirely unexpected, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had predicted that there would be a roughly 8 percent increase in the number of overall traffic deaths. However, the fact that we have 16- and 17-year-olds dying at an even more rapid rate is alarming.

And the fact that Alabama saw such a sharp increase - from 3 deaths from January through June 2011 to 12 in the same time frame in 2012 - leaves us deeply saddened. It also fuels our commitment to raising awareness of this issue, especially as we head into spring break, prom and graduation celebrations - all of which have historically been prime times for drunk driving, distracted driving and drowsy driving for teenagers.

Alabama was one of just six states in the country that saw such an alarming increase.

Researchers say part of the problem could be that the benefit we saw as a result of enacting graduated drivers licensing programs are beginning to level off, having been in place for a few years now.

Another factor is likely the improvement in the economy. At the height of the recession, teens were competing for low-wage, entry-level jobs with older adults with more experience. These lack of opportunities and income meant teens had less gas money so they weren't on the road as much. Now that we're beginning to see a shift, they are on the road more often, and that's more opportunities for crashes.

Some of those with a bit of extra income may likely be gearing up for spring break. For many, that could mean several-hour stretches on the road (which can lead to drowsy driving) with a handful of friends in the car (ample distraction).

Prom and graduation too are times when we tend to see increased risk, often due to drunk driving.

One thing that the GHSA noted that several other states are doing is hosting brief parent orientations to driver's education courses for teens. This is something Alabama doesn't do, but in light of the increase, it's certainly something we feel would be worth exploring.

Another point that really needs to be driven home to teenagers is that distracted driving is a deadly serious concern. It's gained a lot of attention from the media in recent years, and we worry that teens are becoming numb to it. Yet distracted driving continues to be a very real problem, especially among teens.

Last year, Alabama legislators enacted a ban on texting while driving, so we hope that year-end figures may reflect a decline as a result.

But parents can and should remain involved. First, there are a number of apps, both for iOS and Android phones that will lock the text and other functions if the vehicle is moving faster than 10 miles per hour. Also being a good example and following through when your child breaks the rules can be quite effective.

Continue reading "Alabama Teen Driver Deaths Spike in 2012" »

A serious accident involving two 18-wheelers on I-459 in Hoover is under investigation by local authorities.

Our Birmingham personal injury attorneys were amazed to learn that no one was hurt in the crash, though we weren't surprised to learn that yet another trucking accident had occurred on the highway.

Although it's not yet clear whether the weather was a factor in this crash, we do know that it occurred just two days after a huge swath of Northern Alabama was under a winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service, with a mix of rain, sleet and snow causing particularly treacherous conditions on elevated roadways and bridges.

This is relatively common this time of year in our state. Although the southern half of the state is noted for its more tropical climate, Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile have been known to drop several degrees below freezing, and in some cases can see a foot or more of snow, according to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

All of this is compounded by the fact that winter brings shorter days and longer nights. Given that the majority of crashes occur after dark, this combination can be deadly.

Truckers can't be held responsible for the weather, obviously, but they can be held liable for a negligent reaction to it. They are (or should be) trained to know when road conditions or poor visibility requires them to slow down or even pull over. There are also industry-wide federal guidelines with regard to how much weight these vehicles can safely haul and how long of a stretch drivers can safely go before a dangerous level of fatigue begins to set in.

And yet, we continue to see serious crashes resulting from actions and behaviors that are entirely preventable.

It then becomes incumbent upon motorists who share the road with these large vehicles to take safety into their own hands. While you should always drive defensively and without distractions, this is doubly important in the midst of inclement weather and at night.

As you grab your keys and head out the door, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Slow down and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.


• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If you find your wheels locking up, ease off the brake.


• Make sure your lights are on.


• Keep your windshield and lights clean.


• Use your high beams whenever possible - just remember to dim them for oncoming traffic.


• If the road is icy, refrain from putting the car in overdrive or cruise control.


• Look away from headlights coming in your direction, as they can temporarily blind you.


• Use extra caution on bridges, overpasses or roads less traveled. These will be the first to freeze.


• Don't pass snow plows or sanding trucks.


• If you suspect your vehicle may not be able to handle the road, stay home. Same goes if you think you might be too tired to drive.

Continue reading "Alabama Trucking Accident Risks Heightened By Bad Weather" »

The widely anticipated Super Bowl XLVII Sunday showdown of the San Francisco 49ers versus the Baltimore Ravens will kick-off Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Central Time.

Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers are expecting a great game. Unfortunately, we're also expecting a spike in DUI car accidents this weekend and into the early hours of Monday morning as well.

It's the most popular broadcast on television, with some 130 million American viewers tuning in live each year.

A 2003 study conducted by the researchers at the University of Toronto and published in the New England Journal of Medicine examined nationwide DUI crash statistics for nearly 30 consecutive Super Bowl games.

The study showed that overall, the number of crashes in the hour after the game ends jumps by nearly 70 percent.

Most people would say the reasons why are fairly simple: People drink alcohol when they watch football, and are sometimes irresponsible and get behind the wheel after doing so. This is true, but there are a number of other contributing factors as well. For example, the game doesn't typically end until late in the evening. Statistically, more crashes happen at night and this also contributes to driver fatigue. Additionally, there is a lot of "Monday morning quarterbacking" that goes on during the drive home - replaying all the what-if's and recounting all the best or most disappointing plays. This inevitably contributes to driver inattention.

This phenomena is more pronounced among fans whose team has just lost. In fact, researchers found that while DUI crashes rose by 68 percent in states where the home team lost, they increased by just 6 percent in states where the home team won. Overall "neutral" states saw an increase of about 50 percent.

In general, we know that alcohol is involved in nearly 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents claiming the lives of 16 to 20-year-olds. Unfortunately, many professional football players aren't setting a prime example for these youth, with many recent headlines chastising the National Football League for its seemingly laissez faire attitude regarding numerous players arrested for drunk driving. USA Today sports writer Jarrett Bell scolded the agency saying it "should be ashamed of its weak DUI policy."

Law enforcement officials have known anecdotally for years that DUI crashes and arrests climbed significantly on Super Bowl Sunday, prompting them to organize checkpoints and roving patrols in an effort to nab offenders. This year will be no different. Alabama authorities have pledged to be out in full force.

Sadly, they won't catch everyone. We encourage all Super Bowl fans to consider the following before kick-off:

• Before the party starts, designate a sober driver.


• Pace your alcohol consumption by alternating with non-alcoholic drinks and eat plenty of food.


• If it comes time to leave and you are drunk or buzzed without a designated driver, call a friend, call a taxi or stay where you are. Whatever you do, don't get behind the wheel.


• If you see a friend about to drive drunk, intervene.

Continue reading "Alabama Car Accidents Surge on Super Bowl Sunday" »

Our Montgomery personal injury lawyers note a recent national report details the activity of each state legislature over the past year as it relates to car accident prevention and highway safety.

Alabama didn't fare as well as we would have hoped. It was given a mid-level "yellow light" rating by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, which released its "2013 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws" earlier this month.

The state had nearly 900 fatalities attributed to car accidents in 2011, bringing the 10-year total to more than 10,200. Every year, that costs the state an average of $2.8 billion, not only in property damage, but in emergency services, hospitalization, lost wages and disability benefits.

This alone should be enough of an incentive to spur action by our elected representatives. But adding to the persuasion is the fact that federal money is available through the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (or MAP-21) for those states that are successful in the passage of certain traffic safety initiatives. Last year, the federal government approved setting aside billions of dollars for this specific purpose.

When you consider the funds taxpayers have to shell out due to motor vehicle crashes each year (more than $230 billion nationwide), it makes a great deal of sense. That's in addition to the fact that more than 32,000 people were killed in America in car crashes in 2011, another 2.2 million were injured and traffic accidents remained the No. 1 cause of death for young people between the ages of 5 and 24. In fact, some 1,150 children under the age of 14 were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2011.

Alabama is not the only state with work to do. The advocacy group notes that there are 316 laws that need to be adopted in all states and the District of Columbia in order to meet the research group's recommendations for basic safety laws. These measures touch on everything from driver cell phone restrictions to motorcycle helmet requirements to graduated driver's licenses for teens.

Specifically in Alabama, we have our work cut out for us. The recommended laws that we have yet to pass include:

• A law requiring children age 7 and younger to ride in a booster and/or car seat;


• A graduated driver's license program for teens that would include provision for 30 to 50 hours of supervised driving, an age 16 minimum for learner's permits, tighter nighttime restrictions, stronger cell phone restrictions and an age 18 minimum for an unrestricted license;


• Ignition interlock requirements for all DUI offenders - not just those with multiple arrests and convictions.

Booster seat laws have been shown to reduce the risk of injury in children ages 5 to 7 by nearly 60 percent. Those in side-impact crashes were found to benefit the most, with the risk of injury reduced by nearly 70 percent.

With regard to teen driving, we know that young teens (15, 16 and 17) are far more likely than older drivers (even their 18 and 19-old peers) to get into motor vehicle crashes. A lot of that is due to inexperience. That's why graduated driver's license programs are so important. They allow teens to gradually gain the skills needed to be safe drivers.

And lastly, ignition interlock requirements for all DUI offenders should be a no-brainer. If you drive drunk, that's the price you should have to pay. Some people have taken the stance that first-time offenders shouldn't be dealt with as harshly because they may be social drinkers who made a mistake. But Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that most offenders, by the time they receive their first DUI, have already made roughly 90 trips behind the wheel while impaired. The rest of us should not be giving a free pass to those who put all of our lives in danger.

Continue reading "Report: Alabama Car Accident Prevention Laws Need Improvement" »

In November, our Montgomery injury lawyers discussed our support for Drowsy Driving Prevention Week and the risks associated with exhausted drivers behind the wheel. We mentioned that drowsy driving is dangerous for everyone, including teens and professional drivers, and discussed that drowsy driving can be just as serious as driving drunk.

Now, a new report is out indicating that drowsy driving awareness is more important than ever. The New York Times covered the report in a January 4th article and the details are enough to make any driver concerned.

Drowsy Driving a Widespread Risk
With around 730 fatal accidents in 2009 attributed to drowsy driving, government researchers decided to take action to get a little more information about the scope of the problem. According to the New York Times, an epidemiologist working at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention undertook a widespread survey on the dangers of drowsy driving.

The survey involved numerous detailed questions about daily activities including sleep habits, work habits and driving habits. The study was administered to 147,000 adults across 19 different states as well as the District of Columbia and it shed a lot of light on just how many people are choosing to drive when they are fatigued. According to the survey respondents:

• Approximately 4 percent of adults nationwide admitted that they had fallen asleep while they were driving.


• Men were more likely to report driving while fatigued than women.


• At least five percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 44 admitted to drowsy driving. Youth were the largest group of drowsy drivers.


• The number of people driving while fatigued declines with age. Only 1.7 percent of people aged 65 and older reported driving while drowsy.


• Snoring and short sleep duration were both associated with a greater likelihood of drowsy driving. Snoring may be a sign of obstructive sleep and breathing challenges while sleeping, which can help to explain why those who snore are more likely to be tired behind the wheel.

These statistics should be cause for concern for every driver. Although 4 percent of people falling asleep behind the wheel may not seem like much, when you consider how many drivers there are, that is millions and millions of people who might be nodding off.

Is There Hope for Curbing Drowsy Driving Dangers?
While the new survey reported in the New York Times indicates that the dangers of drowsy driving are quite widespread, there is hope that people are getting help and trying to improve their sleeping habits, which could curb drowsy driving risks.

On December 19, for example, Money News reported that more Americans than ever before have been seeking help for sleep disturbances.

According to the Money News Article, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine announced that it has accredited its 2,500th sleep center. This is a record high since the first center was accredited back in 1977 and there are now five times more sleep centers than were in business a decade ago. The increase in the number of centers has been prompted by more Americans than ever being proactive in solving problems related to insufficient sleep.

As Americans increasingly seek treatment for problems impacting their sleep, the hope is that there will be fewer drowsy drivers on the road and that the roads will become a safer place for everyone.

Continue reading "New Report Quantifies Drowsy Driving Risks in Alabama" »

On the last day of 2012 before the New Year dawned, Alabama.com took a look at some resolutions from some big names throughout the state. Resolutions from Tuscaloosa officials and business owners, as well as from UA Athletes, included things like being on time, working harder and eating healthier. One thing noticeably absent from the list, however, was a resolution to be a better, safer driver in 2013.

Each year, millions of people throughout Alabama and the United States make downright bad driving decisions. These decisions put the drivers, their passengers and every innocent person on the road in danger. Our Montgomery accident attorneys want 2013 to be the year when people become safer drivers by doing more to avoid preventable accidents. To that end, we urge everyone to make smarter, safer driving choices and to make a resolution to avoid some of the most dangerous driving behaviors.

Resolve to Avoid These Dangerous Driving Behaviors in 2013.
If you are ready to make a commitment to becoming a safer driver in 2013, here are a few things that should be a part of your New Years 2013 resolution:

• Resolve not to speed. Going over the speed limit was the cause of 2,666 Alabama traffic crashes in 2010 according to Alabama Traffic Crash Facts.


• Resolve to slow down -- even BELOW the speed limit if you have to in order to be safe for the current road conditions. In 2010, there were 4,836 Alabama crashes caused by a driver going too fast for conditions. This is even more crashes than caused by going over the posted speed limit.


• Resolve not to text and drive or to drive distracted. Distraction.gov says that a person who texts and drives is 23 times more likely to crash than someone not distracted.


• Resolve never to drink and drive and never to let a friend drive drink. Alabama Traffic Crash Facts show 4,784 accidents in 2010 attributed to a driver being under the influence.


• Resolve to obey safety laws at intersections and to yield when it isn't your turn. 15.2 percent of all Alabama crashes in 2010 were caused by a failure to yield, according to Alabama Crash Facts. This means 19,508 accidents listed a failure to yield as a primary accident cause.


• Resolve to exercise extra care with night driving. According to Alabama Traffic Crash Facts for 2010, 49.4 percent of fatal crashes occurred at night.


• Resolve to be on the lookout for bikes and pedestrians at all times. In 2010, seven people died and 169 were injured in bike accidents. Young kids tend to be at the greatest risk when it comes to bike and pedestrian crashes with Alabama Traffic Crash Facts reporting that kids 15 and under were the victims in 27 percent of bike crashes causing injury.


• Resolve not to tailgate or follow too closely behind others. Alabama Traffic Crash Facts show that 17,268 crashes in 2010 were caused by tailgating. That's 76 percent of accidents.


• Resolve to wear your seat belt all the time, every time. Alabama Traffic Crash Facts reported that the chances of being killed in the front seat was 46.4 times higher for people not wearing a seat belt when involved in a car crash.

If you stick to all of the items on this list, you can make sure you are never a menace on the roads.

Of course, accidents can still happen if other people fail in their obligations. This is why you should spread the word about your safe driving resolution to all of your friends and family members and encourage them to make 2013 the year they resolve to be a safer driver. If you spot someone engaged in dangerous driving behavior, be sure to steer clear... and if you are hurt in an accident due to a bad choice that another driver makes, be sure to take legal action to hold that bad driver accountable.

Continue reading "Alabama Traffic Safety: Make Safe Driving Your 2013 Holiday Resolution" »

In 2011, there were 259 drunk driving deaths in the state of Alabama and drunk driving was a factor in 29 percent of all traffic deaths according to MADD statistics. These deaths were tragic and avoidable, and are a reminder that it is very important to refrain from drinking and driving this holiday season.

Over the holidays, the number of drinking and driving deaths normally increases as two of the biggest drinking days of the year are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and New Years Eve. Our Montgomery accident attorneys want to remind everyone of the dangers; we urge you to stay safe and keep your friends and family safe over the holidays.

Drunk Driving and the Holiday Season

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is supporting a national drunk-driving prevention campaign called Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. As part of the campaign, traffic safety offices throughout the U.S. are partnering with the GHSA to launch public education campaigns and to step up enforcement of drunk driving laws.

In Alabama, the Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division is participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Efforts. Their efforts include:

• Establishing checkpoints, especially in areas where high numbers of crashes related to alcohol have occurred in the past.


• Using social media to educate the public of holiday alcohol dangers.


• Hosting events to increase awareness of holiday drunk driving.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will run from December 13 through January 1. Maximum enforcement efforts, including an increase in law enforcement and the establishment of DUI checkpoints, will occur during the highest risk days including New Years Eve.

How to Stay Safe
While the efforts of law enforcement may help to stop drunk drivers before they do any danger to themselves or others, ultimately it is up to each individual to make the choice for himself or herself to be smart and not drink and drive.

When you are going out this holiday season, it is important that you make the wise choice to protect yourself, your passengers and innocent drivers who have to share the road. Some of the things you should do include:

• Always having a designated driver whenever you are going to be consuming alcohol. If you are going out to celebrate, you should name your designated driver prior to going out so that everyone is on the same page.


• Stepping in if you see your friend's make dangerous choices. If you believe that your friend is too drunk to drive, take his or her keys, call a taxi or do whatever it takes to get him home safe.


• Having the phone number of a taxi with you whenever you are going out drinking and bringing enough money to pay for a cab if necessary.


• Talking to your teenagers about drunk driving if you are a parent, and making a house rule that they can always call for a ride no matter what.

By making the choice not to drink and drive, you can potentially prevent a devastating accident. You also need to be aware that there may be more drunk drivers out over the holidays and be watchful for others who might be driving erratically and who could cause you to be harmed in a crash.

Continue reading "Alabama Drunk Driving Accidents a Holiday Risk" »

The number of trucker, pedestrian, bicyclist and motorcyclist fatalities is on the rise.

While officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are focusing on an overall reduction in traffic deaths nationwide, the fact remains some of our most vulnerable travelers continue to face increased risks on the road.

We're not discrediting the decrease, we're just saying that maybe a little more attention needs to be paid to the categories that are seeing significant increases in fatal accidents. Our Montgomery accident lawyers understand that there was a near 2 percent decrease in the number of highway fatalities overall. The numbers dropped to less than 32,400 in 2011, making it the lowest number witnessed in the U.S. since 1949. Sounds promising, but did you know that Americans drove less in 2011 than in 2010? And that number is back on the rise amid a recovering economy and falling gas prices.

"As we look to the future, it will be more important than ever to build on this progress by continuing to tackle head-on issues like seat belt use, drunk driving, and driver distraction," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Officials with the NHTSA report that there was a more than 1 percent drop in the number of vehicle miles traveled among Americans in 2011. Fewer miles driven means that drivers are spending less time on the road and are seeing fewer risks for accidents.

In the state of Alabama, there were close to 1,000 people killed in traffic accidents in 2011, according to statistics released this week. This serves as a more than 3.5 percent increase from the previous year. So much for any of that good news affecting us. Our drivers are facing more dangers across the board.

The largest increase in fatalities nationwide was among motorcycle riders. There were 80 motorcyclists killed in 2010 and close to 140 killed in 2011, illustrating a near 90 percent increase.

The number of distracted-driving car accident fatalities saw a steep increase too. Even with all of the newly-enacted distracted driving laws and with the advancements in hands-free technology, we're still seeing thousands die on our roadways because of careless driving.

Females may be getting a little safer behind the wheel. According to the most recent statistics, there was a drop of over 500 fatalities among females.

Head up! Fridays were a little safer in 2011 than they were in 2010. There were actually close to 400 fewer fatalities witnessed on Fridays in 2011.

Overall, there were 36 states that saw a reduction in the number of traffic fatalities. But the work is far from over!

We're not trying to focus on the bad news, we just want to bring it to your attention so we can all make the proper changes needed to improve roadway safety. Some of the simplest moves can help to reduce these accident risks. Wear a seat belt, stay sober behind the wheel and pay attention. The truth of the matter is that most traffic accidents are preventable.

Continue reading "Accident Fatalities Up Throughout Alabama" »

According to a publication called "Alabama's Teenage Drivers at Risk," auto accidents involving teenagers are a critical problem and one that requires immediate attention.

The CDC also reports that auto accidents are the number one cause of death in kids between the ages of 16 and 19. Many of these accidents occur either when a teen is driving or when he or she is in the car with friends.

These statistics are frightening to parents, but it is important for parents to read them and to be aware of the risks that their kids face. Parents who know of the dangers of teen driving can talk to their kids about staying safe. As winter approaches, our Montgomery accident lawyers believe that this holiday season is the perfect time for parents to sit down with their kids and go over some driving risks and driving rules.

Talk To Your Kids About Alabama Auto Accidents
The holiday season is a time when the weather gets bad and many kids may face driving in winter conditions for the first time. The holiday season is also a time when college kids may come home from school, driving long distances. With holiday vacations and so many parties and celebrations going on, kids may also spend more time driving during the holidays. For all of these reasons, the risk of accidents may increase.

The holidays are not only the most dangerous driving times, but they also present parents with the opportunity to spend time with their kids. During this time, it is a good idea to go over safe driving tips and to help your children to better understand how dangerous driving can be.

Alabama Auto Accident Risks for Teen Drivers
When you talk to your kids about car accidents and the risks they face, it is helpful for you and your children to understand just how serious the problem is. According to "Alabama's Teenage Drivers at Risk," an AAA publication:

• There were 708 fatalities among teenagers in Alabama from 2004 and 2008.


• Teen drivers ages 15 to 19 suffered 38,233 injuries in car wrecks between 2004 and 2008.

The crash data in Alabama indicates that every single day in the state, there were 21 injuries or deaths among teenagers in auto accidents. This is a staggering number of teens each day who experienced life-changing injuries or who lost their lives.

What Should You Know
As parents, it is important to make sure your kids not only know the risks but also understand the most dangerous driving behaviors. There are many top causes of teen car accidents but some of the most common reasons for wrecks included speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving and drowsy driving.

Teens especially may be at risk of driving distracted or driving when they are too tired. Distraction.gov, for example, reports that fatal wrecks with teens involved a distracted driver in 11 percent of cases. Further, the outcome of an AAA study published in Auto Blog revealed that drowsy driving was a bigger problem among teens than among the general population, and that teens were less likely to stop and rest if they were nodding off or exhibiting diminished ability to drive due to being tired.

Parents should discuss these specific behaviors with their teens and should forbid driving late at night, after having had a drink, or when talking or texting on a cell phone. Parents should also discuss the dangers of speeding, tailgating, aggressive driving, failure to yield, or failing to use proper turn signals.

For parents who want to go a step further in educating their kids and in enforcing safe driving rules, the website of the Alabama Department of Public health http://www.adph.org/teendriving/Default.asp?id=4448 also has a driving contract that parents and kids can sign that outlines the requirements and limitations of a teen having the privilege to drive.

Continue reading "Alabama Injury Lawyers: Talk To Your Teens About Safe Driving This Holiday Season" »