Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyers
ALEA Working to Prevent Wreckless Driving During the Holidays
| December 22nd, 2015
As millions of Americans prepare to travel for the holidays, law enforcement agencies nationwide are stepping up their efforts to keep our roadways safe, and Alabama is no exception. Here’s what you need to know about what’s being done to take dangerous drivers off the road, as well as what you can do to help prevent collisions this holiday season.
The Alabama auto accident attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that from Friday, December 18, until Friday, January 1, Alabama State Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will be out in full force patrolling for motorists who are breaking the law. Troopers will be targeting intoxicated motorists in particular this year after 19 people died last year in Alabama around the holidays as a result of drunk driving.
Troopers won’t just be targeting those who are under the influence of alcohol. According to an article from WBRC FOX 6 News, ALEA will have a number of drug recognition experts on hand to determine if a motorist is under the influence of illegal or illicit drugs while operating a motor vehicle. So far this year, the state’s 21 troopers who have been trained in drug recognition have been responsible for as many as 80 arrests of motorists who were driving while intoxicated.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, we applaud the efforts being made to keep our roads clear of intoxicated motorists this holiday season and our Birmingham personal injury lawyers are hopeful ALEA’s efforts are a success!
Safety Tips for Traveling This Thanksgiving
| November 24th, 2015
As 46.9 million Americans prepare to take to the road for Thanksgiving, the Alabama auto accident attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers say it’s imperative that Alabama motorists keep safety in mind due to the high number of fatal accidents that occur in the state each year.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration show that Alabama ranks fifth in the nation for fatal crashes. Estimates show motorists in the state have a 1-in-5,673 chance of dying in a motor vehicle collision and 1-in-2,889 chance of being involved in a fatal accident.
Law enforcement throughout the state will be making their presence felt on the road to help keep motorists safe. Reports from the Montgomery Advisor say the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will be scheduling extra patrols for the days prior to and following Thanksgiving.
There are also a few steps you can take to help reduce the chances of accidents and injuries over the holiday weekend:
- Using seat belts- Buckling your seat belt each and every time you get into a vehicle will significantly reduce your chances of injury or death in an accident.
- Staying sober- Accidents involving intoxicated motorists tend to spike around holidays like Thanksgiving. You can do your part to prevent drunken driving accidents by utilizing a designated driver if you plan to consumer alcohol or find you’ve had too much to drink while celebrating.
- Eliminating distractions- When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, the technology you hold in your hand on a daily basis should be put down in order to dedicate your attention to the road.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, we take great pride in the work we do to protect the safety and rights of motorists. That’s why our Birmingham personal injury lawyers are hopeful these tips help you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
The Risks of Drugged Driving
| October 6th, 2015
We’ve all been taught about the dangers of drunk driving, and it seems to have been effective. The rate of drunk driving accidents reported in the U.S. is declining. However, there seems to be a new and ever-increasing danger on our roads and it’s drugged driving.
The Alabama car accident attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that roughly 38 percent of drivers killed in car accidents test positive for some form of drugs in their system at the time of a crash. Roughly one-third of those victims test positive for marijuana, while another ten percent have amphetamines in their system.
A report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers several suggestions for how to reduce drugged driving in the U.S. According to an article from WSFA News, these include:
- Raising public awareness about drugged driving
- Collecting and analyzing drugged driving data
- Updating drugged driving laws
- Providing drugged drivers with treatment options
- Providing training on drugged driving for law enforcement and judicial staff
- Continuing to research how drugs can impair one’s ability to drive
At Norris Injury Lawyers, we recognize the risks drugged driving can pose. That’s why our Birmingham personal injury attorneys encourage drivers to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle if drugs or alcohol are impairing your judgment. Instead, call a sober ride to get you home safely.
Drunk Driving Continues to Be a Major Problem on American Roads
| August 11th, 2015
Most motorists are aware of the risks of driving under the influence, but the Alabama car accident attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers point out that drunk driving is still a big problem in our country.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently conducted a survey that found an estimated 2 percent of motorists in the United States—or roughly 4.2 million citizens—admitted to having driven while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the past month.
According to WSFA 12 News, the data provided insight into how we may be able to battle the problem by addressing binge drinking. Researchers found those who binge drink, which is defined as consuming more than 4-5 drinks during a single session, are responsible for two-thirds of all drunk driving accidents in the United States. Men were also more likely to drive under the influence, considering males accounted for 80 percent of drunk drivers on the road.
These numbers may leave you asking yourself what you can do to prevent a drunk driving accident. The answer is simple—don’t drink and drive! The Birmingham personal injury lawyers at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that one way to achieve this goal is to establish a designated driver before going out or using a cab service to get home safely after drinking. Parents should also have an open dialogue with teen motorists about the risks that drunk driving can pose.
We hope these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe!
LGBT Students Experience Sexual Harassment More Often on College Campuses
| July 21st, 2015
Everyone has a right to protection from inappropriate sexual contact or communication. However, new statistics show that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities on college campuses may be at an exceptionally high risk of becoming the victims of sexual harassment.
A poll shows that LGBT students face more than twice the risk of becoming victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence as heterosexual students. The findings, released by The Huffington Post, show 60 percent of heterosexual students polled experienced non-contact sexual harassment on campus, while more than 70 percent of LGBT students reported being victims of non-contact sexual harassment.
Furthermore, almost 20 percent of LGBT students polled reported harassment on a regular basis. Less than ten percent of heterosexual students reported sexual harassment occurring regularly.
Despite these figures, experts say these numbers may be under reported because of victims’ fears that they will not be taken seriously.
Victims of sexual harassment have rights, and the Birmingham personal injury lawyers at Norris Injury Lawyers are here to help. Call (800) 477-7510 to speak with our legal staff now.
Birmingham Car Accident Lawyers Discuss Potential New Graduated Licensing Rules
| June 30th, 2015
Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of accidental injury and death among teenagers today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that teens account for only 14 percent of the United States’ population, yet the demographic makes up almost one-third of total costs for motor vehicle injuries.
The Birmingham car accident attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that one of the best ways to protect our nation’s young people from dangers behind the wheel is a graduated licensing program. The system allows teen drivers to slowly gain independence while gaining experience behind the wheel. This works by limiting the times teens can drive, the amount of passengers they can carry, and the activities they can perform behind the wheel.
Alabama’s graduated licensing program has been lauded as a success in the past, but some lawmakers feel stricter regulations are still needed. According to Montgomery Advertiser, District Attorney Randall Houston is pushing for teens to not only be required to have more supervised driving hours, but to also face more stringent penalties if caught violating the restricted driving policies.
Current regulations call for violations to be punishable by a six month extension of the extended driving period or until the violator turns 18. Houston is asking legislators to approve a bill that would not only bump a violator back down to a learner’s permit, but would also call for a $250 fine for the teen and a $500 fine for any adult that knowingly lets a teen break the rules.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, we believe the graduated licensing system plays an important role in keeping motorists safe. That’s why our Birmingham personal injury lawyers are anxious to see if the new rules are adopted.
Federal Officials Allege Fraud in Thousands of SSD Benefits Approvals
| June 9th, 2015
It can be extremely difficult to get a claim for Social Security Disability benefits approved. In fact, only an estimated 40 percent of claims are initially approved. The Birmingham Social Security Disability attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers point out that, for some, the fight for benefits continues after an approved.
Roughly 1,200 Social Security Disability beneficiaries were recently told by the federal government they would be losing their benefits because of their attorney’s actions. According to WSAZ 3 News, federal officials allege that the attorney who handled each of the claimants’ cases used fraudulent medical evidence to secure approvals for the claims. A judge is also being accused of awarding benefits, even when the evidence presented didn’t constitute such an award.
The Social Security Administration has lifted the bans in response to outcry from recipients. Now, each of those individuals must submit their medical records within the next 30 days for review.
Getting approved for Social Security Disability benefits be quite complicated, and an experienced attorney can assist you through the process. At Norris Injury Lawyers, we know Social Security Disability law, and we’re here to help protect your rights to benefits. Call us at (800) 477-7510 today.
Alabama Car Accident Attorneys Discuss the Importance of Buckling Up
| June 2nd, 2015
Data from the Alabama Department of Transportation shows that Alabama saw a total of 870 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle collisions in 2012. The Alabama car accident attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that despite seat belts being the best way to reduce the chances of death in the event of an accident, many motorists are still refraining from buckling up.
In an article from ABC 33/40 News, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Trooper, Jonathan Appling, stated that more than half of all those killed in motor vehicle collisions are not wearing seat belts at the time of their accident.
Why are people not buckling up? It may be because our state’s seat belt laws are too relaxed. Alabama law doesn’t require anyone over age 18 to wear a seat belt in the back seat of a vehicle.
Appling stated that others tend to not buckle up due to overconfidence in their abilities on the road. He went on to explain that over time, drivers begin to get comfortable in a feeling that they won’t be involved in a wreck.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, we know the risks of not buckling up. That’s why our Birmingham personal injury lawyers ask that you wear your seat belt each and every time you go for a ride in a car, truck, or SUV.
Birmingham Defective Product Lawyers Talk About the Takata Airbag Recall
| May 26th, 2015
In the event of an automobile accident, an airbag should help save your life. But the Birmingham defective product lawyers at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that as many as 34 million vehicle airbags have recently been recalled by Tokyo-based company, Takata Corp., because the units may put motorists’ safety at risk. Reports indicate the recall is the largest of its kind in the history of the United States.
The recall affects one in seven vehicles registered in the U.S. and was sparked after reports began to emerge of debris being launched toward vehicle occupants in a crash where airbags are deployed. Many people are working to determine if their vehicle has been affected by the recall, but a list of vehicles included in the recall has yet to be released by federal and company officials.
According to ABC News, motorists are being encouraged to enter their vehicles’ VIN numbers into a database at safercar.gov on a regular basis to determine if their airbags are included in the recall. Vehicle owners are also being instructed not to disengage or inspect their own airbags.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, we have seen the lifesaving effects airbags can have in the event of an accident. That’s why our Birmingham personal injury lawyers are hopeful this recall can help make vehicles for millions of drivers safer.
Transvagnial Mesh Injury Lawyers Discuss $119 Million Settlement Offered by Boston Scientific
| May 20th, 2015
While some women who undergo procedures using transvaginal meshes suffer no complications, other patients have reported serious and sometimes life-threatening adverse health events.
Transvaginal mesh can erode inside the walls of a patient’s body and has been known to perforate body tissue, organs, and bowels.
The transvaginal mesh injury lawyers at Norris Injury Lawyers explain that as many as 50,000 victims filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of the products. Now one of those manufacturers is hoping to settle around 3,000 of these cases out of court.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, one of the companies that produces transvaginal mesh, Boston Scientific, is hoping to settle a number of claims for an estimated $119 million. As part of the settlement, payments for the victims would be funded into an escrow account by October 1. However, the company would accept no responsibility for wrongdoing.
At Norris Injury Lawyers, our Birmingham personal injury lawyers hope that patients harmed by transvaginal mesh get the compensation they deserve for their damages.