Negligent Drivers in Birmingham Auto Accidents, Alabama Car Accident Lawyers

Negligent Drivers in Birmingham Auto Accidents

Birmingham auto accidents are generally litigated using the law of negligence. A person may be required to pay damages if his or her negligence caused a Birmingham car accident. Generally, people who operate automobiles on Alabama's highways are required to exercise “reasonable care.” Failure to use reasonable care is the basis in most lawsuits for damages in Birmingham auto accident cases. Courts consider a number of factors when determining whether a driver was negligent in causing an automobile accident. Generally, failing to yield the right of way, driver inattention, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and speeding are the most common forms of negligence in Birmingham motor vehicle crashes. Each is discussed briefly below.

Failing to Yield

Failing to yield the right of way to other drivers and pedestrians causes over 15% of Alabama's traffic accidents each year. Negligent drivers often fail to yield to other drivers and pedestrians at intersections or to emergency vehicles, creating a risk of harm to other drivers on the road. If you have been injured in a Birmingham auto accident that was caused by another driver's failure to yield, you need an experienced Birmingham car accident lawyer on your side. Call the Birmingham accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm at 1-877-925-5373 to discuss your case.

Inattention

Many Birmingham car crashes occur because a driver is distracted. Fatigue, talking on a cell phone or to passengers in the vehicle, text messaging, changing the radio station, or tending to children in the back seat can cause drivers to become distracted. According to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), driver distraction contributes to 80 percent of all automobile accidents. If a distracted driver caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol (DUI)

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is responsible for scores of traffic fatalities and injuries each year. According to NHTSA statistics, alcohol-related crashes were responsible for 12,998 deaths and half a million injuries in 2007 alone. In Alabama, 3.5% of all crashes were caused solely by drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 2006.

The Birmingham car accident lawyers at The Walker Law Firm will aggressively pursue claims against drivers who injure or kill innocent motorists after drinking and getting behind the wheel. If you have been injured in a Birmingham auto accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to sue the driver under the legal theory of negligence. Our firm will also investigate potential claims against the bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and social hosts who served alcohol to the drunk driver before he or she got on the road. Many drunk drivers may have either no insurance or too little insurance coverage, with which to pay damages for your injuries. In these cases, the Birmingham auto accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm may be able to pursue recovery from the person or entity that provided the alcoholic beverages to the drunk driver. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Birmingham auto accident that was caused by a drunk driver, contact the experienced Birmingham car accident lawyers at The Walker Law Firm. We will investigate all potentially liable parties to get you the compensation you deserve.

Driving at Unsafe Speeds

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic accidents in the United States and Alabama. Driving at unsafe speeds was the primary cause of car accidents in over 3,600 of Alabama car crashes in 2006. At The Walker Law Firm, our Birmingham accident attorneys use every means available to prove negligence on the part of a speeding driver in order to obtain the highest monetary reward for our clients. Under Alabama law, all motorists are required to drive at a reasonable and prudent speed for the road and weather conditions. Any speed in excess of the following speeds is evidence of unreasonable driving in Alabama:

30 mph in urban districts

35 mph on unpaved roads

45 mph on county-maintained paved roads in unincorporated areas

55 mph on highways (excluding interstate highways and those with 4 or more lanes)

65 mph on highways with 4 or more lanes

70 mph on interstate highways

Note that the speed limit may be lower in school or construction zones. Therefore, you should always be aware of and obey the posted speed limit. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to maneuver safely around curves or avoid objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to bring a vehicle to a complete stop, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver is reacting to a dangerous situation. If you have been injured by a speeding driver, contact the Birmingham car accident lawyers at The Walker Law Firm at 1-877-925-5373 to explore your legal options.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Birmingham auto accident, you should seek the advice of a qualified Birmingham auto accident attorney. Insurance companies will often attempt to settle out of court quickly while victims are still suffering from the trauma of an accident. In all Birmingham car accident cases, it is essential that measures promptly be taken to preserve evidence, investigate the accident, and allow a physician to examine any injuries. The Walker Law Firm is experienced with the unique issues involved in auto accidents and can assist you in receiving full compensation for your injuries.

Call the experienced Birmingham car accident lawyers at The Walker Law Firm now at (877) 925-5373 or fill out our FREE CASE EVALUATION FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensate for your injuries, but a Birmingham auto accident lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law. See Terms of Use.