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Monthly Archives: December 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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