Category: Car Accidents

Oct 16, 2012 - Birmingham by Cross & Smith

Our Birmingham personal injury attorneys encourage you to start a discussion with your family about the importance of safe driving as we head into the busy year-end holiday travel season. The National Safety Council reports fatal traffic accidents nationwide are up 7 percent compared to the same period last year and more than 5 percent from 2010. It’s news that has safety officials particularly concerned given that the last three months are typically the deadliest of the year.  More than 21,000 people have died in traffic accidents thus far this year; that’s about 90 people a day. Alabama traffic accidents killed 546 through the end of August, down slightly from 2011 but up from 2010. These numbers are expected to continue to increase as the economy improves. And the last three months of the year are historically the most dangerous on our roads.

Oct 3, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Uninsured motorist accidents in Alabama will be targeted by law enforcement with new enforcement measures, which are set to take effect Jan. 1. Passed by lawmakers in 2011, the Alabama Online Insurance Verification System will verify vehicle insurance information when renewing your license plates or during traffic stops. Officials estimate nearly 1 in 4 drivers are on the road without insurance. The Insurance Research Council reports Alabama has the sixth-highest rate of uninsured motorists in the nation.  The Alabama Mandatory Liability Insurance Law requires a minimum of $25,000 death or bodily injury per person ($50,000 per accident) and $25,000 property damage coverage. These minimums have been in place for years but are often times inadequate in the event of an accident. A motorist should purchase as much coverage as he or she can reasonably afford — frequently substantially higher limits are available for a small increase in your premium payment.

Aug 9, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Our Tuscaloosa personal injury attorneys understand the dangers that motorists face in the wake of a breakdown, or when they run out of gas. The side of the road, with traffic flying by, poses serious risks. And the fact of the matter is that these secondary accidents are quite common. There are things you do in the event of a breakdown to help avoid such secondary collisions. It can happen to any of us — an accident, a breakdown or running out of gas. Whatever the reason may be, it’s dangerous to pull over. You want to make sure that you pull your vehicle as far off of the road as possible. Flip on your car’s hazard lights, particularly if your vehicle is causing an obstruction to passing motorists. There are shoulders on the side of the road. They’re there to help motorists in a bind. Only use these areas in an emergency. Your best bet is to drive to a safe place before stopping, if you can.

Jul 27, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

If your daily commute seems to have gotten more perilous recently, you might not be imagining things. The number of traffic fatalities in the first quarter of 2012 soared by nearly 14 percent, resulting in nearly 1,000 more deaths on the nation’s roads. Tuscaloosa personal injury attorneys may see an uptick in all types of accident cases as the economy improves. While the federal government and safety advocates have trumpeted declining traffic fatality numbers throughout the downturn, many economists predicted those numbers would soar again with economic recovery. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 7,630 people died in motor vehicle accidents during the first three months of 2012. That’s up 13.5 percent from the 6,720 fatalities reported during the same period one year ago. If the estimate holds true, it would be the second-largest quarterly increase in traffic fatalities since the government began keeping modern records in 1975. First-quarter results had been declining since 2006, when 9,558 motorists were killed through March 31.

Jul 11, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

If you are between the ages of 5 and 34, you are more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than by any other means. And Alabama is among the nation’s deadliest states in which to drive, according to a 24/7 Wall Street analysis. The analysis is based on a report by The Trust for America’s Health, which looked at recent state-by-state data on causes of injuries and death. Our Alabama personal injury attorneys were not surprised to learn that Alabama is the nation’s third-deadliest state for motorists.

Jun 28, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Officers throughout the state are gearing up for the big travel holiday. Car accidents in Alabama will be a concern as everyone aims to get to and from their destination safely. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 170 people are expected to be killed in traffic accidents during this holiday. In addition, experts are predicting that another 17,000 are going to be injured in motor vehicle accidents. Holiday periods typically see some of the highest accident rates of the entire year. That’s because we’ve got so many more motorists trying to share the road. Keep your temper, obey the rules of the road, and practice the kind of safe driving habits that can help you and your family get there safely! Our Alabama personal injury lawyers understand that Fourth of July travel is expected to be busier than it’s been in 5 years — despite the holiday falling in the middle of the week.

Jun 13, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Texting while driving is dangerous. This is especially relevant when we’re talking about teenage drivers. As a matter of fact, teen drivers not only have the highest rates for car accidents in Alabama, but they are also the driving group that’s most likely to engage in distractions behind the wheel. There is no better time than the beginning of summer vacation to have a serious talk with the teens in your life. Various studies have concluded that drivers understand the dangers that are associated with this dangerous habit, but most of them are not willing to make the changes to increase roadway safety. Young drivers are most prone to ignoring the risks. Perhaps you heard recently about the Massachusetts teen who was charged with vehicular manslaughter and negligent operation while texting after a fatal distracted driving accident. At the conclusion of the ground-breaking case, the teen was sentenced to a year in prison and had his driver’s license suspended for 15 years because of the accident, according to FOX News.

May 23, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is expected to be deadly. Safe driving advocates with the National Safety Council (NSC) are predicting that more than 400 people are going to die in car accidents in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere over the three-day holiday weekend. Experts are also predicting another 42,000 auto accident-related injuries during the weekend. The Memorial Day holiday weekend is defined as the time from 6:00 p.m. on Friday the 25th through 11:59 p.m. on Monday the 28th. During this time, motorists are asked to be extremely cautious on our roadways as the significant increase in motor vehicle traffic is expected to result in an increase in the number of serious and fatal accidents. Typically, the Memorial Day holiday weekend sees a 12 percent increase in the number of fatal car accidents compared to similar non-holiday weekends. During this time of the year, millions of Americans are expected to hit the road to kickoff the summer travel season. Our Tuscaloosa accident attorneys understand that long weekends offer residents and visitors with just enough time to hit the road and to get out of town. Unfortunately, everyone else has the same idea, too. For that reason, ocal and state law enforcement agencies will be out in force.

May 20, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

The roads can be dangerous for anyone driving. One moment of careless driving in Tuscaloosa can lead to a lifetime of injuries. If you have been in an accident and need guidance to get the compensation you deserve, it is critical for you to have an experienced Tuscaloosa injury attorney. Recently the Louisiana courts dealt with a lawsuit arising from an unusual vehicle accident. This case arose in 2006 when an ambulance had to pull over to the shoulder of a four lane highway to deal with transmission problems. Zito v. Advanced Emergency Medical Services, Inc., No. 2011-C-2382 (La. May 8, 2012).The ambulance was covered in reflective tape making it highly visible to cars on the highway, from a far distance. This ambulance was owned by Advanced Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (Advanced) and insured by Empire Indemnity Insurance Company (Empire).

May 10, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

When you are involved in a car accident in Tuscaloosa, you may be confused over your rights. Our personal injury attorneys understand your confusion and we are here to help you get the benefits necessary to pay for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering and other expenses. Swartzbaugh v. Encompass Insurance Company of America is a recent Maryland case that shows the confusion that is often times created by language in automobile insurance policies. Mrs. Swartzbaugh purchased auto insurance from the defendant, Encompass Insurance Company of America, through a local independent insurance broker. The automobile insurance policy named Mrs. Swartzbaugh, her husband Mr. Swartzbaugh and their daughter Kelly as drivers. Mrs. Swartzbaugh purchased the minimum mandatory under-insured motorist (UM) but waived the higher UM coverage option. This waiver was done on a standard form and signed by Mrs. Swartzbaugh. As in many states, a waiver of further insurance coverage remains in effect until the clients withdraw the waiver and purchase additional insurance coverage.