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Yearly Archives: 2011

Drunk-Driving Car Accidents in Alabama Expected to Increase Significantly through Holidays

Dec 27, 2011 - Car Accidents by

In Alabama, there were nearly 850 fatalities resulting from alcohol-related car accidents in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere in 2009. Nearly 300 fatalities were the result of drunk-driving accidents that year, according to Alcohol Alert! The number of roadway fatalities resulting from drunk-driving accidents is typically more prominent in December when residents and visitors set out on road trips to visit friends and family members for the holidays. An increase in traffic will increase your risks for an accident, but the increase in drunk drivers we see during this time period increases your risks even more. For this reason, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has launched this year’s ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign to crack down on drunk driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Safety is our focus year round at DOT. But this holiday season, we’re stepping up our efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads and reminding Americans ‘drive sober, or get pulled over,’ ” said USDOT Secretary LaHood. “We’re making gains in our fight against drunk driving, but we cannot and will not let up.” Our Tuscaloosa drunk driving car accident attorneys understand that 2010 statistics illustrate a decrease in the total number of fatalities result from drunk-driving accidents. Still, there’s a sizable number of fatalities in December alone. These types of accidents are the cause of one out of every three fatalities on U.S. roadways each year. In 2010, there were nearly 10,500 people killed in the U.S. because of […]

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Safety Tips: New Year’s Travel Increases Risk of Accidents in Alabama

Dec 23, 2011 - Car Accidents by

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 285 people will die over the Christmas Day holiday period. This long holiday weekend is considered by officials to be the time from the evening of December 23rd to the end of December 26th. During this time, the NSC also estimates that approximately 28,700 people will be injured in car accidents in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere. New Year’s will be just as dangerous. Our Birmingham car accident attorneys understand that the holiday season serves as a common backdrop for fatal car accidents across the country. This year, there are roughly 92 million Americans who will be traveling farther than 50 miles from home for holiday destinations. This is a near 2 percent increase in the number of travelers from 2010. The increase in traffic increases motorists’ chances for a severe car accident. Please drive safely and cautiously to ring in the New Year injury and accident free. In 2009, there were nearly 250 people who died in car accidents during the Christmas holiday, compared to the near 410 that died in 2008. The NSC recommends that all motorists wear a seat belt when traveling over the Christmas holidays.

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More Fatal Car Accidents in Alabama in 2010 than Previous Year

Dec 20, 2011 - Car Accidents by

The holidays are right around the corner and our risks for car accidents in Birmingham have skyrocketed. From 2009 to 2010, Alabama actually saw an increase in the number of fatalities resulting from traffic accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) just put out the new 2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes Overview. These are the full stats regarding traffic accidents that occurred throughout the year. They’re also the most recent traffic statistics available. The overall report says that there was a decrease in the total number of traffic accidents fatalities from 2009 to 2010 throughout the country. The report also says that we experienced the fewest fatalities on U.S. roadways since 1949. While this news may be good, there is some bad that comes with it. While the total number decreased, a few categories of fatal accidents saw a significant increase, including fatalities among large truck occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. And the overall number of fatal traffic accidents increased in 20 states as the economy continues to recover. Our Birmingham car accident lawyers note that while the numbers were relatively low throughout the year, they started to increase as the year progressed. This leads officials to believe the risks for car accidents will rise as our economy recovers because travelers will feel more comfortable splurging on road trips. Despite the decreased number, motorists are asked to remain cautious and alert at the wheel.

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Tuscaloosa Nursing Home Abuse: Do your Part During Holiday Visits

Dec 5, 2011 - Personal Injury by

We expect our loved one’s nursing homes to provide the best quality of care and resources available, especially through the holiday season. It is important for families to seek a home that is able to provide safety and security. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse and neglect in Alabama is an all too common occurrence. Nursing homes have a responsibility to take the proper measures to provide a hazard-free and comfortable living environment. Accidents and forms of neglect and abuse in a nursing home can lead to long-lasting psychological, mental and physical injury and too often results in death. Our Tuscaloosa nursing home neglect attorneys understand that owners and employees of these facilities must follow state and federal laws to ensure the safety of residents. These laws help to protect residents’ safety, environment and well-being. All too often, these standards are not met and without your interactive relationship with the facilities, the dangers can go unnoticed or unreported. Be an active member in your elderly loved one’s life and in their stay at a nursing home.

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Birmingham Car Accidents: Holiday a Good Time to Discuss Safe Driving with Elderly Family Members

Nov 28, 2011 - Birmingham by

During the holidays, families across the country will be joining together to give thanks and spend time with family. Unfortunately, during the holidays the number of fatal car accidents in Birmingham will increase dramatically. Family members should use this time to discuss the dangers they’re likely to face on our roadways with elderly family members. Many older drivers will set out on our roadways to join together with their families across the state. The rest of us will spend more time with elderly loved ones than at any other time of the year. These drivers may not drive as frequently as you and me and may have forgotten how to handle the holiday traffic. They can also be experiencing some aging affects that can hinder their abilities behind the wheel. The holidays are a good time to assess the driving abilities of older loved ones and to talk with them about staying safe behind the wheel. Researchers with the Center for Advanced Public Safety (CAPS) at the University of Alabama conclude that the majority of fatal traffic accidents happen late at night or during the early morning hours.

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Tuscaloosa Car Accidents a Thanksgiving Weekend Risk

Nov 22, 2011 - Car Accidents by

Car accidents in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere over the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend are expected to take the lives of more than 430 people, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). An additional 43,500 people are expected to be injured seriously enough to require professional medical attention during this time. Distracted driving, drunk driving, aggressive driving, speeding and driving too fast for road conditions can all increase your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident. Drivers are urged to be cautious and alert on our roadways to avoid one of these accidents. Travel preparations may be one of the best ways to avoid an accident. Know exactly where you’re headed and have a plan. Thanksgiving is defined as the holiday weekend from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 27th. While this year’s fatality prediction is nearly 20 percent lower than the average number of deaths over the last six Thanksgiving holidays, drivers are urged to be alert and cautious on our roadways to help avoid an accident. The Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend is more than 10 times more dangerous than any other similar non-holiday period. Our Tuscaloosa car accident attorneys understand that the increase in travelers equates to higher risks for a crash. This year, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is predicting that roughly 43 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles for their Thanksgiving Day vacation. This number is up nearly 5 percent from the 41 million who traveled […]

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Earlier Sun Set and Greater Risks for Car Accidents in Tuscaloosa

Nov 15, 2011 - Car Accidents by

We gained an extra hour of sleep with the recent daylight savings time change. But the change also ushered in more dangerous roadways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging drivers to be more cautious on our roadways as the sun sets even earlier. Only about a quarter of travel happens during the evening hours, but more than half of all fatal car accidents in Tuscaloosa happen during this time. Pedestrians are at serious risks during this time as well. The NHTSA reports that about 4,100 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2009. Nearly 60,000 more were injured. About 25 percent of these accidents happened between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Another 13 percent happened from 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. The NHTSA asks drivers to drive slowly and cautiously after the sun goes down. Many drivers have a tough time adjusting to the new low-light conditions. Our Tuscaloosa car accident attorneys understand that pedestrians are more difficult to see near our roadways during the evening hours. For this reason, pedestrians are asked to be proactive and to either carry a flashlight or to wear reflective tape to be more visible to motorists. Pedestrians should use sidewalks when available and only cross at intersections and crosswalks. Remember, vehicles can be unpredictable. Be cautious on our roadways and don’t rely on traffic signals and signs.

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Drowsy Driving Prevention Week to Reduce Fatal Car Accidents in Alabama, Nation

Nov 10, 2011 - Car Accidents by

“Drivers have a tendency to underestimate the impact being tired has on their driving ability, which puts themselves and others at risk,” says AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety president and CEO Peter Kissinger. A recent survey concluded that more than 95 percent of drivers feel that drowsiness is completely unacceptable behind the wheel. Ironically, about a third of all these surveyed individuals admit to jumping in the driver’s seat while feeling sleepy. AAA reports that drowsy driving is a factor in about one out of every six fatal car accidents in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere. Drowsy driving is also reported to be a culprit in about one out of every 10 car accidents resulting in injury. AAA conducted this study and recently released the findings just in time to coincide with the National Sleep Foundation‘s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. During this week-long campaign, AAA and the National Sleep Foundation will be teaming up to raise awareness about this very real and very dangerous driving behavior. Drowsy Driving Prevention Week takes place from November 6th through the 12th, according to WAFF48. Our Alabama car accident attorneys understand the dangers that sleepy drivers present. What’s most troubling about these drivers is that many of them are unaware of their drowsiness and the risks they’re putting motorists at on our roadways. Accidents resulting from drowsy driving can oftentimes turn deadly. These types of accidents can be easily prevented by following just a few preventative measures.

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GlaxoSmithKline in $3 billion settlement with US

Nov 3, 2011 - Pharmaceutical Litigation/Dangerous Drugs by

Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC said Thursday that it has agreed in principle with the United States government on a $3 billion settlement of investigations of the company’s sales and marketing practices. The agreement is expected to be completed next year, and the settlement will be paid through the company’s cash resources, it said. The case dates from 2004, and included investigations of possible price irregularities and the development and marketing of the diabetes drug Avandia. The company said the tentative settlement covers both civil and criminal liabilities.

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Safe Halloween Tips from Our Alabama Accident Attorneys

Oct 27, 2011 - Car Accidents by

Our Alabama child injury attorneys would like to wish you a safe and Happy Halloween. We’d also like to share some information with you to help keep the entire family safe on the 31st. There are dangers lurking on Halloween night and with just a few safety precautions, we can all have a safe Halloween. Child injury is four times more likely to happen on Halloween than during any other night of the year. While kids look forward to suiting up in their Halloween costumes, trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins, parents worry about the real dangers of the holiday — including pedestrian accidents.

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