Car safety features like seatbelts and airbags regularly save lives and reduce car accident injuries. Still, there were 3,671 accident-related injuries and 42 deaths in Montgomery County in 2018. Sadly, even if you buckle up and drive safely, you cannot control other motorists. It only takes one reckless driver to change your life forever.
Alabama personal injury law protects people from careless and negligent drivers who endanger others. If you or a loved one was injured in a Montgomery motor vehicle accident, you could be eligible for significant financial compensation for your losses. At Norris Injury Lawyers, we don’t want anyone to miss out on deserved compensation.
Our Montgomery, AL, car accident lawyers can determine your eligibility at no cost. Call (800) 477-7510 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Our phone lines are always open.
How Negligence Can Contribute to Montgomery, Alabama Car Accidents
In Alabama, you have to pass a series of tests to get a driver’s license. What is the purpose of the knowledge, road skills, and vision tests? In large part, they contribute to road safety.
Road tests help ensure drivers know the traffic laws and road signs. Applicants demonstrate how they can operate a vehicle under various conditions in the road skills test. The vision test ensures that you can see well enough to navigate the road and avoid obstacles.
Hundreds of motorists get their license and exercise care on the road. Sadly, others abuse their privileges to drive. A lawyer can seek damages for accidents caused by behaviors that violate the care that reasonable people would take to keep themselves and others safe.
Distracted Driving
Alabama Crash Fact: In 2018, distracted driving played a role in at least 39 car accident deaths.
Driving is a task that requires focus. If a driver gets distracted, the consequences can be disastrous. One of the most common distractions is cell phone usage, especially talking or texting. In Alabama, it is illegal to use any handheld communication device while driving.
Other passengers are more likely to distract young, inexperienced drivers. Until their 17th birthday, Alabamians should have no more than one passenger in the car (excluding a parent or guardian).
Other examples of distracted driving practices are:
- Fiddling with settings and controls, such as tuning the radio or adjusting the volume
- Using a GPS
- Applying makeup
- Eating or drinking
- Looking at people or objects not related to the driving task (e.g. accident scenes, landmarks)
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Alabama Crash Fact: An AL impairment-related accident is 6.5 times as likely to be fatal than other types of car accidents.
According to Alabama law, drivers are alcohol-impaired if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. The limit for on-duty commercial drivers (e.g. truckers, bus drivers) is 0.04 percent. Since the legal drinking age is 21, there are “zero tolerance laws” that make it illegal for minors to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.
People who drive while under the influence of drugs put lives at risk. And it’s not only illegal substances that cause problems. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs result in:
- Slowed reaction time
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Altered judgment
- Poor coordination
Some drugs warn against “operating heavy machinery,” which includes motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
Driving while fatigued
Alabama Crash Fact: Fatigue or falling asleep was the primary cause of 210 accidents in 2018 involving trucks.
Everyone gets tired at times. Yet, drowsiness impairs reaction time and cognitive functioning. A late night at the office or a new baby is no excuse to jeopardize the well-being of other drivers. If you suspect that a fatigued driver caused your Montgomery car accident, a Montgomery personal injury lawyer can investigate.
Reckless driving and road rage
National Crash Fact: 39 percent of those involved in a recent crash admit to running a red light in the past month vs. 30 percent not involved in a crash.
The State of Alabama defines reckless driving as “willful or wanton disregard for the rights or safety of persons or property, or without due caution.” Getting angry behind the wheel is the reason for some unsafe driving behaviors. Other drivers might lack the judgment and experience to realize the potentially devastating effects of their actions.
A Montgomery car accident attorney could look for indications of recklessness, such as:
- Speeding, especially in heavy traffic or in significant excess of the limit
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Weaving in and out of traffic without signaling
- Using headlights or brakes to cause an accident intentionally
- Ramming or sideswiping another vehicle
- Forcing a vehicle off the road
- Verbally or physically assaulting other motorists
Hit-and-run accidents
When motorists flee vehicle accidents, perhaps they think they can avoid facing criminal charges or paying for damages. These drivers are violating your rights. According to Alabama law, drivers must stop at the scene of the accident to assess the situation. If someone is injured, the driver must try to help by calling 911 or reporting the accident to the police.
How can Montgomery accident lawyers assist you if you don’t know who hit you? Our law firm can help determine if you qualify for compensation from insurance companies.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
Alabama Crash Fact: One recent year, Alabama was home to some 165 accidents where a bicyclist was hit.
Bicyclists and pedestrians can suffer catastrophic injuries in Montgomery vehicle accidents. The degree of injury can relate to factors under the driver’s control, such as the speed at impact. Studies show that adults most often suffer trauma to the head, legs, and pelvis. Children are more likely to suffer head, neck, and musculoskeletal injuries.
Driving conditions
Certain Montgomery accidents are caused by road conditions, faulty auto parts, or mechanical failure. In these cases, the knowledgeable advice of a personal injury lawyer can help you determine who should be held accountable.
For instance, a poorly maintained road might be the responsibility of the local government. A car manufacturer might be held liable for injuries caused by defective parts. A car mechanic who improperly serviced your car might be responsible for mechanical failure.
To learn whether negligence caused your injuries, request your free claim analysis by clicking “Start Chat” below. A live agent is always on hand to answer your questions.
You Deserve Maximum Compensation for Your Montgomery Car Accident Damages
Serious injuries can affect every aspect of your life. Under Alabama law, you have the right to compensation for your losses. For many car accident victims and their families, legal compensation is the only chance they will have to recover financially from their ordeals. Montgomery car accident lawyers can help you win economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages
For more than 40 years, Norris Injury Lawyers has won millions of dollars for personal injury clients. Unlike insurance companies that might try to take advantage of your precarious situation, our Montgomery car accident lawyers want you to win every penny you deserve.
Before accepting any settlement, contact our law firm for your free initial consultation. An accident attorney can let you know whether your Montgomery car accident claim can cover your:
- Hospital and medical bills
- Rehabilitation and aftercare
- Medical assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and prostheses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Loss of independence due to permanent disabilities
- Modifications to your lifestyle or home (e.g. cleaning services, ramp installations)
- Car repairs
Non-economic damages
In Montgomery, Alabama, you can also receive damages for non-financial losses. Have you experienced mental anguish, pain, and suffering due to your motor vehicle accident? Our law firm can help you pursue compensation to acknowledge the emotional and psychological impact of your car accident.
If you lost a loved one, you might long for his or her companionship and guidance. Spouses might miss the love and affection they received from their mates. Our team of caring lawyers can pursue compensation for these especially painful losses in a wrongful death lawsuit. Call (800) 477-7510 to learn how our experience and resources can work for you.
Getting in Touch with Norris Injury Lawyers is Easy and Convenient
Are you tired of worrying about your future? Our law firm understands the weight of financial stress. We believe that you should be able to learn about your legal options without worrying about adding to your debt.
Under our No Fee Guarantee®, Montgomery, AL, residents get a free initial consultation and car accident case evaluation. You are never obligated to hire us, but if you do hire Norris Injury Lawyers, you won’t pay anything unless your car accident lawyer gets you your financial compensation.
With no upfront costs or hidden fees, there’s no reason to delay. Car accidents can cause suffering and loss, and you have limited time to make a legal move.
Our legal team is dedicated to holding negligent and reckless parties responsible for their actions. Contacting us is convenient. Call (800) 477-7510 toll-free, complete the AL brief car accident contact form, or start chatting now with a live operator.
