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31
Jan

Alabama Man Sentenced For Crash That Killed Young Girl

January 31, 2012

A man from Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced today for his part in a two car accident that killed a young girl and left several others severely injured. According to reports from the Press-Register, the 31-year-old man was sentenced to 91 years in prison for several crimes in connection with the crash.

Reports from the Mobile police department state that in 2009, the man was fleeing from officers at speeds of up to 90 MPH along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard when he crashed into another vehicle. A 2-year-old girl that was in the other vehicle was killed on impact. The young girl’s mother suffered serious injuries in the crash and spent several weeks in the hospital. Passengers in the suspect’s vehicle were also injured in the crash.

The 31-year-old pled guilty in a courtroom in October to several crimes connected to the incident including: manslaughter, first-degree assault, possession of cocaine, second-degree possession marijuana, and attempting to elude police.

This conviction could be used as evidence of negligence if the family of the woman and young girl were to file a civil case against the driver.

The Alabama wrongful death attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers are available anytime to discuss your case if you have lost a loved one in an accident that was caused at no fault of his or her own. Call us today to have your questions answered.

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24
Jan

USDA Issues Food Recommendations After Deadly Alabama Storms

January 24, 2012

In the wake of the devastating storms that ripped through parts of Alabama earlier this week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued recommendations on food safety for affected areas. According to ABC 33/40 News, the agency issued the warnings in an effort to prevent food borne illnesses and public health risks associated with spoiled foods.

To Prepare Foods For Weather Emergencies:

  • Keep a thermometer in refrigerators and freezers to gauge food safety.
  • Freeze containers of water to keep food cold in case of a power outage.
  • Freeze leftovers, fresh meats, and milk in case of power outages.

Steps For Food Safety Following A Weather Emergency:

  • Never taste food to determine if it has gone bad.
  • Do not drink bottled water that has been exposed to flood waters.
  • Discard all food not in waterproof containers if it has come into contact with floodwater. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle caps and pacifiers that have been exposed.
  • Canned and packaged foods may be salvaged if in tact.
  • Frozen foods that still have ice crystals, are under 40-Degrees, and still have packaging intact may be salvageable.
  • Discard of any fresh meats, poultry, fish, cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after four hours without power.

The Alabama personal injury lawyers with Norris Injury Lawyers would like to send their condolences to the families of those who were lost in the storms and hope these tips will keep residents safe from food borne illness.

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17
Jan

Drunk Driver Hits School Bus Head-On In Hoover, Alabama

January 17, 2012

A student and a bus driver were injured this morning when the school bus they were in was hit head-on by a pick up truck in a residential part of Hoover, Alabama. An article released by FOX 6 News states that the driver of that pick up was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence.

It was just before 8:00 AM when a McCalla, Alabama, resident called 911 to report an intoxicated driver leaving a local gas station. The woman was instructed to follow the driver until units could catch up with the vehicle and pull it over. The woman followed the drunk driver as he weaved in and out of lanes of traffic. The driver’s luck finally ran out when he went across the double yellow lines in the center of the road and hit a school bus head-on.

The driver of the bus was taken to an area hospital to receive treatment for injuries sustained in the crash, while a student was taken to Children’s Hospital for the same.

The drunk driver will face charges for his part in the crash pending the outcome of an investigation by a crash reconstruction team and results of toxicology reports.

The Alabama auto accident attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers often represent the victims of drunk driving. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, contact an experienced lawyer today for a free initial consultation of your case.

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10
Jan

Wrongful Death Suit Filed in House Fire That Killed Pregnant Woman

January 10, 2012

A woman is suing an Alabama rental property management company for the wrongful death of her pregnant daughter after she was killed in a house fire two years ago. According to WAFF 48 News, paperwork filed in the suit earlier this week show that the home lacked smoke detectors–something that may have saved the woman’s life had they been installed as law requires.

The fire occurred January 4, 2010, on Gault Avenue South in Fort Payne, Alabama. The young woman living in the home was four months pregnant when flames engulfed the home. By the time the woman realized the home was burning, she was trapped and died in the smoke and flames.

The woman’s mother spent close to a year searching for answers about what happened that day. Finally, the fire department informed her that smoke detectors were not installed in the home by the property management, and if they had been, her daughter may still be alive.

This information prompted the mother to file the lawsuit. She says she hopes the legal action will prevent a similar accident from occurring to someone else.

The Alabama wrongful death attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers are an experienced and compassionate team of attorneys who can help walk you through the entire process of filing a claim if you have lost a loved one in an accident that was no fault of their own. Contact us today.

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3
Jan

Drunk Driver Kills Three In Alabama Car Crash

January 3, 2012

Drunk driving has claimed the lives of three young men after they were involved in a collision with a service truck last Wednesday night. According to ABC 33/40 News, the crash happened at the Sam Sutton intersection with Highway 82 in Coker, Alabama.

Police say they believe an intoxicated man in his 20’s was behind the wheel of a pickup truck when they ran a stop sign and cut in front of the service truck passing through the intersection. The service truck T-boned the pickup and sent it flipping over a guardrail and into the median of the highway. All three men in the pickup died at the scene of the crash. The driver of the service truck was uninjured.

Reports say that the driver of the truck had just gotten out of jail for a DUI offense two weeks prior to the accident. This was the second accident at the intersection in the last five months. A crash occurred late this summer that also took two people’s lives.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that motor vehicle accidents are the number one killer of people ages 18-25–their research also shows that 60 percent of those crashes were alcohol related.

The Alabama rollover accident attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers encourage parents to discuss the dangers of drinking and driving, and riding with those who have been drinking, with their teens and young adults. Always assure them that there are other options of getting home other than driving while intoxicated.

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27
Dec

Crash Fatalities In Alabama Down This Holiday Season

December 27, 2011

Traffic fatalities were down this holiday season in Alabama compared to last year. According to Al.com, only three people died as a result of automobile crashes in Alabama this holiday, versus the five that died last year.

Alabama state troopers say they investigated three fatal accidents over the 78-hour holiday period. A spokesman for the department stated that a pedestrian was killed after being struck in Russell county. Also, two separate crashes occurred in Jefferson county, which resulted in the death of a driver and another pedestrian.

Troopers attribute the lower numbers of fatalities and accidents on an increased efforts by law enforcement across the state to crack down on intoxicated drivers during the holiday season. Law enforcement efforts included:

  • Public Safety’s holiday safety initiative includes extra patrols
  • Sobriety checkpoints
  • Line patrols and LIDAR speed detection

Troopers also targeted other violations that often contribute to crashes, including: speeding, following too closely, driver distraction, and improper passing.

The Alabama auto accident attorneys with the Norris Injury Lawyers applaud state and local law enforcement agencies efforts to make Alabama highways safer for everyone this holiday season. They would also like to remind motorists to refrain from consuming alcohol before driving.

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20
Dec

Debate Over Distracted Driving Comes To Alabama Legislature

December 20, 2011

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended to the federal government last week that states should ban all driver use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices, except in emergencies.

Text messaging on cell phones is banned for all drivers in 35 states and the District of Columbia.  Seven states, including Alabama, ban only 16 and 17-year-old drivers who have held an intermediate license for fewer than six months from texting.

The City of Montgomery, Alabama, has ordinances against text messaging and the use of hand-held devices while driving but it’s only a secondary offense. Being a secondary offense means police cannot pull over violators for that reason alone.

Alabama Representative Jim McClendon, who is in favor of the ban, stated, “If you don’t use seat belts, you put yourself at risk.  When you text message, you put everybody at risk.”

The Alabama legislature will reconvene in February 2012 to determine if the ban should be put into effect or not.

Last year in Alabama alone, an estimated 14,000 car crashes—about one in nine of all roadway accidents–involved distracted driving, such as talking on a cell phone, eating, texting, or toying with the navigation system. In those crashes, 132 people died and 4,380 others were injured, according to estimates by the University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety.

The Alabama Car Accident Attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers want to encourage drivers to refrain from using electronic devise while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

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13
Dec

Dothan Daycare Bus Driver Run Over By His Own Vehicle

December 13, 2011

A Dothan, Alabama, daycare bus driver was injured today after being run over by his own vehicle. According to WSFA 12 News, the accident happened at approximately 2:45 PM at the daycare facility located on the 2300 block of Denton Road.

Authorities with the Dothan Police Department (DPD) stated the preliminary investigation determined that the driver brought the bus carrying eight children to a complete stop before exiting the vehicle. Once the driver was off the bus, either a human error or mechanical malfunction caused the emergency break of the vehicle not to fully engage, and the bus began to roll backwards. As the driver attempted to jump back into the bus to stop it, his legs got caught in the wheel well, and he was dragged under the bus.

The man was taken to a local hospital to be treated for moderate injuries he sustained in the accident. No children were injured in the accident, and police stayed at the accident scene until the children’s parents could come pick them up.

The Alabama Auto Accident Attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers would like to remind drivers to use your vehicle’s emergency parking break, even when it’s on a flat surface. If you have been injured in a car accident at no fault of your own, contact an experienced attorney today for a free initial consultation.

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6
Dec

New Study Shows Abuse At Work Can Affect Life At Home

December 6, 2011

Those suffering abuse from a boss at work, mentally, physically, or sexually, know the toll it can take on a person’s mind, but a new study has found that may not be the only person it affects. According to HealthDay News, an article in the latest issue of Personnel Psychology says that stress and tension from an abusive relationship with a manager or boss at work can have a negative impact on the employee’s partner, that relationship, and relationships with the rest of their family.

There is hope for abused employees though. The Baylor University research uncovered that the stronger the family ties and at-home satisfaction, the less likely at-work abuse would affect home-life.

Abuse from a boss can range from tantrums and inconsiderate actions, like yelling or belittling an employee, to making unwanted sexual advances.

Study co-author and assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, Merideth Ferguson, advised employees to utilize employee assistance programs and other resources to reduce the impact an abusive boss may have on your family. The American Psychological Association also offered several tips on managing your boss.

The Alabama Sexual Harassment Attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers would encourage anyone who is dealing with abuse in the workplace to contact a lawyer immediately to discuss your case.

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29
Nov

Alabama Roadways Safer This Thanksgiving Weekend

November 29, 2011

Alabama roads were a little safer this year over the Thanksgiving holiday than this time last year. ABC 33/40 News reported yesterday that the Alabama Highway Patrol (AHP) only investigated five fatal crashes over the holiday weekend versus the twelve from the year before.

The AHP looked at reports taken from 6:00 PM Wednesday, November 23, to midnight Monday, November 28. During that stretch, investigators were called to five separate accidents that resulted in six deaths. Troopers believe that alcohol may have played a factor in three of the crashes. They also confirmed that five of the six individuals who died were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crashes. The accidents that occurred happened in Mobile, Russell, Etowah, Washington, and Madison Counties.

Troopers say the safer roads are the result of heavier patrols during the holiday season on state highways. The agency said that more troopers monitoring speeding and dangerous driving  were out this year versus this time last year.

The state has seen a steady decrease in the number of fatalities in traffic related accidents in recent years. In 2009, only 848 people were killed in traffic accidents, down from 967 the year before, and 1110 in 2007.

The Alabama Auto Accident Attorneys with Norris Injury Lawyers are encouraged by the data from the holiday season. They would also like to thank Alabama motorists for keeping the roads safe this year and urge drivers to keep up the safe practices.

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