Category: Car Accidents

Nov 28, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

The holiday season is a time for celebrating with friends and family. Unfortunately, the time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s generally results in an increased number of auto accidents, both because there are more drivers on the road and because more of those drivers engage in dangerous behaviors like drinking and driving. Unfortunately, a car accident over the holidays can have serious and far-reaching consequences and can change lives forever. Over the holiday season, our injury attorneys in Tuscaloosa urge every driver to exercise caution. Refraining from drinking and driving or other dangerous behaviors is always important, but never more so than during the festive season when the risk of accidents is highest.  Alabama Drunk Driving Accidents Cost Lives Despite law-enforcement efforts to enforce drunk driving laws, some drivers who go out for a good time over the holiday season end up driving home drunk. The tragic consequences of Alabama drunk driving accidents can be seen every day in those who are injured and in families who lose loved ones.

Nov 25, 2012 - Car Accidents by Cross & Smith

Through Thanksgiving and the year-end holiday season, many families will be having parties and get-togethers and will be hitting the malls and shopping centers to pick up gifts. Most estimates indicate that the number of drivers on the roads goes up during the four-day Thanksgiving weekend as well as during the Christmas holiday, and many experts advise caution when it comes to driving during these busy times. Unfortunately, the holiday driving dangers don’t exist just on highways and roadways. Parking lots and driveways are dangerous places with more people on the road and there is a significant risk of backover accidents.  Our car accident lawyers in Birmingham urge everyone to be very careful in driveways and parking lots this holiday season in order to minimize the chance of a backover accident. Those with children need to be especially cautious of the dangers, as should elderly individuals who may not be able to get out of the way of a reversing car.

Nov 14, 2012 - Birmingham by Cross & Smith

When it comes to drowsy driving, professional drivers, train engineers and pilots may be at even higher risk. Our Birmingham personal injury lawyers urge motorists to take seriously the risks of driving tired as safety advocates promote the message of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week: “Drive Alert – Arrive Alive.”  As we reported recently on our Alabama Injury Attorneys Blog, driver fatigue is one of the top causes of trucking accidents nationwide. Shift workers are already at high risk and health advocates continue to be concerned about the high number of truckers suffering from sleep apnea.

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.