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Monthly Archives: September 2012

Defective Product Watch in Birmingham: Trampolines & Home Risks

Sep 26, 2012 - Birmingham by

A new warning has been issued about the risks of child injury involving backyard trampolines. On Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported nearly 100,000 children a year are injured on these trampolines. “Pediatricians need to actively discourage recreational trampoline use,” said Michele LaBotz, MD, FAAP, co-author of the report. “Families need to know that many injuries occur on the mat itself, and current data do not appear to demonstrate that netting or padding significantly decrease the risk of injury.” Birmingham personal injury attorneys understand children are most at risk for injury by dangerous or defective products. Each year, the Consumer Products Safety Commission recalls more than 100 defective products marketed to children — including clothing, toys, cribs, strollers and highchairs.

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Small Plane Crashes an Autumn Risk in Alabama

Sep 25, 2012 - Personal Injury by

A rash of small plane accidents in Alabama has authorities concerned as we enter the autumn flying season. General aviation enthusiasts like to say flying is as safe as driving. While that might be true for flying commercial, it’s patently false when it comes to general aviation. Small plane flight is comparable in risk to riding a motorcycle. That is to say, quite dangerous. In fact, the Airplane Pilot and Owner’s Association (AOPA) reports more than 1,200 general aviation accidents occur annually. In 2009, the FAA reports 475 of the nation’s 535 aviation fatalities occurred in the private aviation sector. Sixty-eight fatal Alabama plane crashes were reported from 2007-2009. A small plane crash killed two people Monday in Cullman County. The accident happened off Cullman County Road 174 near Smith Lake when a Mooney aircraft out of Destin, Florida crashed after the pilot radioed a report of difficult weather conditions and issued a Mayday call. An accident on Saturday involving a seaplane claimed the life of a man on Weiss Lake in Cherokee County. Two others were also killed on Saturday when their World War II era plane crashed in Madison County at the Moontown Grass Field Fly-in.

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Root for the Home Team Responsibly – Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Accidents in Alabama

Sep 14, 2012 - Drunk Driving Accidents by

As Yahoo! Sports reports, nothing less than an undefeated season and a national championship will do for the Crimson Tide. However, it’s unlikely that fans of the Auburn or the Troy Trojans will be outdone when it comes to weekend tailgate parties and cheering their teams to victory. CBS Sports reports Troy’s winning percentage at home has topped 80 percent since 2007. Injury attorneys in Tuscaloosa and throughout Alabama encourage you to celebrate responsibly. The beginning of the college and pro football seasons typically results in an increase in the number of serious and fatal drunk driving accidents. And, with the trio of year-end holidays just around the corner, it’s an important time to renew your commitment to celebrating responsibly — and that includes finding a sober ride home.

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Underride Truck Accidents a Risk in Rear-End Collisions

Sep 13, 2012 - Truck Accidents by

Rear-ending a tractor-trailer continues to be one of the leading ways that motorists are injured or killed in accidents with large commercial trucks. Alabama trucking accident attorneys know that underride guards fail in far too many cases, often because they are poorly or improperly designed. When a car travels underneath a commercial trailer, fatal injuries often result. The government has done little to protect motorists, despite the growing body of evidence surrounding failing underride guards on large commercial trailers. Consumer Reports cites a comprehensive study released last year by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which found even underride guards that meet federal safety standards often fail — even in a low-speed accident. This remains a critical safety issue because 7 of every 10 people killed in accidents with large trucks are riding in passenger vehicles. The IIHS estimates that underride accidents claim approximately 400 lives each year and result in more than 5,000 serious injuries. Undderide crashes occur when the bar at the rear of a trailer fails during an accident, allowing a vehicle to travel beneath the trailer. Even modern vehicles, built to withstand significant frontal impact, are not designed for passenger safety in the event of an underride accident.

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Sleep Apnea a Frequent Risk Factor for Alabama Trucking Accidents

Sep 7, 2012 - Truck Accidents by

Sleepy truckers and big rigs weighing 80,000 pounds are a deadly combination. “Sleep apnea is a major contributor to daytime drowsiness,” the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration states. “A condition that could prove deadly for commercial truck drivers and everyone sharing the road with them.” The Sleep Disorders Center of Alabama reports more than 100,000 accidents a year are caused by a fatigued driver. More than half of such accidents involve a driver under the age of 25. Aside from young drivers, those at highest risk include shift workers, commercial drivers and business travelers. Being awake for 18 hours has the same impact on a driver’s skills as being legally drunk with a blood-alcohol level of .08

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Nationwide Mutual Ins. Co. v. Thomas: Car Accidents on the Job in Alabama

Sep 5, 2012 - Personal Injury by

Many of us drive for work. In fact, transportation accidents are the leading cause of fatal job accidents in this country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Transportation accidents were responsible for 1,795 of the nation’s 4,551 workplace deaths in 2010, accounting for one-third of all deaths on the job. In such cases, an injury lawyer in Tuscaloosa should have significant experience in handling work place injury cases, as well as personal injury claims and car accidents. And, if you drive for work, you should know how important it is to carefully review your insurance policies and to understand the coverage available in the event of an accident. In Nationwide Mutual Ins. Co. v. Thomas, The United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Eastern Division certified two questions of first impression to the Alabama Supreme Court: 1) Whether Nationwide could enforce a coverage exclusion clause in a car insurance policy for transporting people or delivering newspapers as part of the insured’s job. 2) Whether the exclusion applied after the last paper was delivered but while employee was still driving as part of the job.

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"We realize there are many options for representation out there, and we talked with several of the “big names” before finding Cross and Smith. With the others, it felt like we were being bullied, in a tank with hungry sharks. We are still receiving junk mail from some. We are SO thankful we were referred to Justin Smith (Cross and Smith) for our accident claim. He and his team were absolutely amazing."
Posted By: Jamie Wyatt

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