1 Dead, 2 Injured in 3-Car Crash on Highway 160

Sadly, yet another life was lost last week in a 3-car crash on Highway 160 in Blount County. The crash claimed the life of 19-year-old Rachel Lake of Warrior. Two others - including Lake's toddler who was riding as a passenger in her vehicle at the time of the crash - were injured in the accident. The deadly 18-mile stretch of highway, which has claimed 16 lives in the past 10 years, is set to be fit with guard rails and other upgrades as early as this summer. Many residents feel that the upgrades need to be implemented now, in order to prevent another death on this dangerous stretch of road.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact a Birmingham accident attorney at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case. We handle auto accident cases in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Birmingham or its neighboring cities, call a Birmingham car accident lawyer at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation regarding your case.

Tragic Accident Leaves 1 Adult Dead, 10 Children Injured

A woman picking her grandson up from school lost control of her vehicle and hit one adult and 10 children, according to news reports. The tragedy happened at Forest Hills Middle School in Fairfield, when 67-year-old Ada Riggs swerved to avoid a child, hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, and began to run over bystanders. A parent - a mother sitting on a rock waiting for her child - was killed. One child is still in the hospital in serious condition. The other 9 children were treated an released. Some people in the community are questioning whether the presence of more crossing guards or police may have prevented the tragedy.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact an experienced Birmingham accident attorney to discuss your case. At The Walker Law Firm, we provide aggressive representation to car accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Our Birmingham car accident lawyers have the experience to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

One Killed, Two Injured in 3-Car Pile-Up

One woman was killed and 2 children were injured in a 3-car accident Monday afternoon. Wet roads were to blame for the accident, which occurred near the intersection of Henry Road and Crestview Road in Anniston. The driver of a Lexus swerved into oncoming traffic, striking a Kia Sportage and another vehicle. A passenger in the Kia was killed in the crash. Two children in the Kia were also injured, one of the children - a 2 year old - is listed in critical condition at Children's Hospital.

Low visibility and slick roads create hazards to drivers in rainy weather. To avoid accidents in inclement weather, motorists should employ the following precautions:

• Because it takes more space to stop a vehicle on wet roads, drivers should leave extra room between their car and the vehicle in front of them.
• Motorists should drive with their headlights on at all times to increase their vehicle’s visibility to other drivers on the road.
• Drivers should slow down and drive below the speed limit when roads are slippery.

If a negligent driver has caused your accident injuries, you should contact an experienced Birmingham auto accident attorney to explore your legal options.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, call the Birmingham car accident lawyers at 1-877-925-5373 for a free consultation regarding your case. Our team of experienced Birmingham accident attorneys can help you receive full compensation for your injuries. We provide thorough representation to accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Don’t hesitate to contact our Birmingham accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case.

Toyota to Recall 3.8 Million Defective Floor Mats

Toyota is set to recall 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S., the company announced in a press release on Tuesday. The floor mats on the affected models may interfere with the accelerator pedal, causing the accelerator to become stuck while the vehicle is in operation. A stuck accelerator can result in high vehicle speed, which may cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle and crash. A California crash that killed three people last month has been attributed to defective Toyota floor mats. Owners may begin receiving notifications of the recall as early as next week.

According to the press release, the following Toyota and Lexus models will be affected by the recall:

• 2007 - 2010 Camry
• 2005 - 2010 Avalon
• 2004 - 2009 Prius
• 2005 - 2010 Tacoma
• 2007 - 2010 Tundra
• 2007 - 2010 ES350
• 2006 - 2010 IS250 and IS350

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported over 100 incidents in which floor mats in the affected Toyota models caused the accelerator to stick. Owners of vehicles equipped with the defective floor mats are encouraged to remove the floor mats from the vehicle and refrain from installing replacement mats until the company remedies the problem.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident caused by a defective product, contact a Birmingham accident attorney at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case. We handle auto accident cases in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Birmingham or its neighboring cities, call a Birmingham car accident lawyer at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation regarding your case.

Birmingham Police Chase Ends in Crash

A routine traffic stop led to a high-speed police chase through a Birmingham neighborhood on Wednesday. Police attempted to stop a green Kia yesterday morning, when the driver sped off. Police chased the car to the intersection of Von Dale Drive and Freda Jane Lane, where the driver hit a tree and fled on foot. The car continued to move for about 200 feet, taking out a mailbox before crashing into a porch. Fortunately, no one was injured in the crash. The driver is still at large.

Although not the case in this incident, police chases often result in serious injuries to other motorists and pedestrians on the road. If you have been injured in a Birmingham auto accident caused by a speeding driver, you deserve full compensation for your injuries. An experienced Birmingham car accident lawyer can help you calculate all of the damages that resulted from your accident. Don’t get pushed around by the negligent driver’s insurance company. Let the Birmingham auto accident lawyers at The Walker Law Firm help preserve your rights.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact an experienced Birmingham accident attorney to discuss your case. At The Walker Law Firm, we provide aggressive representation to car accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Our Birmingham car accident lawyers have the experience to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Increased Seat Belt Violations in Alabama

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, seat belts saved an estimated 15,147 lives in 2007, during which roughly 82 percent of passenger vehicle occupants wore their seat belts. If more people wore seat belts, thousands of lives could be saved each year. Unfortunately, in 2006-2007, the Alabama Highway Patrol issued 86,516 tickets for seat belt violations, up almost 30,000 from the previous year.

As a Birmingham accident attorney, I know firsthand that wearing seat belts can save lives and help prevent personal injuries when auto accidents occur. In Alabama, every front-seat passenger over 15 years of age is required by law to buckle up. In addition, children under the age of 6 must be secured in a federally-approved child safety seat. Children under the age of 15 must be wearing a seat belt while riding in the front or back seat of the vehicle. Observing Alabama’s seat belt laws can help prevent tragedy in the event of a Birmingham car accident.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, call the Birmingham auto accident lawyers at 1-877-925-5373 for a free consultation regarding your case. Our team of experienced Birmingham accident attorneys can help you receive full compensation for your injuries. We provide thorough representation to accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Don’t hesitate to contact our Birmingham auto accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case.

Birmingham Hit-and-Run Victim Released from Hospital

A man who was injured in a hit-and-run accident just after walking his daughter down the aisle a few weeks ago was released from the hospital on Friday. Bill Forward was loading chairs into a van after his daughter's wedding on Greensboro Avenue on June 27th when he was struck by a light-colored SUV. Both of his legs were broken in the incident. The driver of the SUV has still not been identified.

Unfortunately, pedestrians involved in motor vehicle accidents often suffer serious or fatal injuries. As with Mr. Forward's case, many of these accidents are caused by negligent or reckless conduct on the part of motor vehicle drivers. If you have been injured in an accident that resulted from the negligence of another, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. An experienced Birmingham car accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Our Birmingham accident attorneys specialize in personal injury and wrongful death cases that stem from pedestrian accidents in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Birmingham or its neighboring cities, call a Birmingham car accident lawyer at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation regarding your case.

State Troopers Make 152 DUI Arrests Over Holiday Weekend

Alabama State Troopers reportedly made 152 DUI arrests over the busy holiday weekend. Extra patrols were in force this weekend in an attempt to reduce drunk driving accidents, which tend to increase during the Fourth of July holiday. State Troopers investigated three fatal crashes this weekend, two of which are suspected to be alcohol related.

If you sustained injuries in a car accident that was caused by an irresponsible drunk driver, you should consult an experienced Birmingham auto accident lawyer to discuss the details of your case. Victims injured in Birmingham car accidents may be able to seek recovery not only from the drunk driver and their insurance provider, but also from the bar, restaurant, or night club that improperly over served them. An attorney experienced in Birmingham car accident cases can help you receive money for the medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, and physical pain you suffered as a result of the accident.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, contact an experienced Birmingham auto accident attorney to discuss your case. At The Walker Law Firm, we provide aggressive representation to car accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Our Birmingham auto accident lawyers have the experience to get you compensation for your injuries.

Woman, 93, Killed in Birmingham Auto Accident

A 93-year-old Hoover resident was killed in an accident when she turned left in front of oncoming traffic on Monday. Unfortunately, the majority of auto accidents are caused by driver error. Drivers who misjudge the distance of oncoming vehicles, or simply fail to see an oncoming vehicle altogether, can cause serious, debilitating injuries, and even death.

According to a study conducted by the 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. Driver negligence, such as talking on a cell phone, inattention, or tending to children in the vehicle, is the leading cause of auto accidents in the U.S.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by a negligent or inattentive driver, call the Birmingham auto accident lawyers at 1-877-925-5373 for a free consultation regarding your case. Our team of experienced Birmingham accident attorneys can help you receive full compensation for your injuries. We provide thorough representation to accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Don’t hesitate to contact the Birmingham auto accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case.

U.S. DOT Increases Roof Strength Requirements on Passenger Vehicles

The U.S. Transportation Secretary announced this week that the Department of Transportation is setting tougher roof strength standards for passenger vehicles. The new restrictions will require all cars, trucks, and SUVs under 6,000 pounds to have a roof strength that is able to withstand up to 3 times the vehicle's weight. Previously unregulated heavy vehicles (6,000 to 10,000 pounds) are now required to have a roof strength that can withstand 1.5 times the vehicle's weight. These standards will begin to be implemented in September 2012, to be standard on all vehicles by 2017. The announcement was met with acclaim by vehicle safety advocates, who have been clamoring for stricter roof strength standards for years.

These tougher restrictions will help to lower the number of fatalities in rollover accidents. In 2007, rollover accidents were responsible for over 10,000 deaths and another 250,000 injuries. Victims involved in rollover accidents often suffer serious, catastrophic injuries that may leave them permanently disabled and unable to return to work after the accident. Barry Walker is a Birmingham auto accident attorney with the skills and experience to help rollover accident victims receive full compensation for their injuries.

Our Birmingham auto accident lawyers specialize in personal injury and wrongful death cases that stem from rollover accidents in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Birmingham or its neighboring cities, call a Birmingham auto accident attorney at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation regarding your case.

Off-Duty Officer Killed in Motorcycle Crash

An off-duty Tuscaloosa police officer was killed in a motorcycle accident over the weekend, according to various news reports. The accident occurred on Sunday evening at around 5 p.m. The officer apparently lost control of his motorcycle while on a curve just east of Akron on Alabama Highway 60. He later died of his injuries at a Tuscaloosa medical center.

Unfortunately, accidents involving motorcycles are more likely to result in serious injury or death than other motor vehicle accidents. In 2007, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists were about 34 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 8 times more likely to be injured. When a motorcycle accident occurs because someone else was negligent, reckless, or careless, accident victims and their loved ones are often entitled to compensation for their injuries.

Many of our clients are unable to work after a motorcycle accident and are facing mounting medical bills. They may suffer permanent injuries that lower their ability to enjoy once-loved activities, such as riding their motorcycles. Our accident experts will thoroughly research your case, assess your injuries, and fight to ensure that you are fully compensated for all of your losses. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Birmingham auto accident attorney to discuss your case. At The Walker Law Firm, we provide thorough representation to accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Our Birmingham auto accident lawyers specialize in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

New Program Helps Promote Safe Teen Driving

American Family Insurance Company's "Teen Safe Driver Program" is helping parents monitor their teens behind the wheel, ultimately leading to safer teen driving habits. When parents sign up for the program, a small camera, which is placed in the teen's vehicle, records the teen's driving. The recordings are analyzed by the company to identify and catalog risky driving behavior, such as swerving, speeding, sudden stops, and rapid acceleration. After the behavior is analyzed, the teen's "report card" is sent to the parents by the insurance company.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the number one cause of death among American teens. This program seeks to change those statistics by allowing parents to monitor and correct their teens' unsafe driving habits. It is hoped that this program will prevent auto accidents and reduce insurance rates for parents with teen drivers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident caused by an unsafe driver, call the Birmingham auto accident lawyers at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation. Our team of experienced Birmingham accident attorneys can help you receive full compensation for your injuries. We provide thorough representation to accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Don’t hesitate to contact the Birmingham auto accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case.

Pedestrian Killed in Birmingham Auto Accident

A Birmingham man died Monday after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of University Boulevard and 22nd Street South, according to the coroner's report. The driver of the vehicle said that he did not see the man until it was too late to stop. Unfortunately, when pedestrians are involved in motor vehicle accidents, they typically sustain serious, life-threatening injuries as a result of the accident.

In 2006, nearly 600 pedestrians were injured in auto accidents in Alabama, and another 81 pedestrians died as a result of their injuries. If you were injured as a pedestrian in an auto accident, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries from the driver of the vehicle that hit you or from anyone responsible for causing the accident. An experienced Birmingham auto accident attorney can help identify all responsible parties in order to help get you full compensation for your injuries.

Our Birmingham auto accident lawyers specialize in personal injury and wrongful death cases that stem from motor vehicle accidents in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. If you have been injured in an automobile accident in Birmingham or its neighboring cities, call the auto accident attorney you can trust today at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation.

Helping Birmingham Auto Accident Victims Get Compensation for Their Injuries

No one expects to be involved in an auto accident. That is why most car accident victims aren’t prepared for the financial costs associated with an auto accident injury. If you have been involved in a Birmingham auto accident, you are not alone. Statistics show that there were over 130,000 traffic accidents in Alabama in 2007, which resulted in 1,110 fatalities and almost 40,000 injuries. Our Birmingham auto accident lawyers help injury victims seek compensation to pay their medical bills, repair their damaged vehicles, and make up for time missed from work. Some common auto accident injuries are:

• Neck & Back Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Scars, Burns, & Physical Disfigurement
• Broken Bones & Fractures
• Paraplegia & Quadriplegia
• Wrongful Death

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, call the Birmingham auto accident lawyers at 1-877-925-5373 for a free initial consultation. Our team of experienced accident attorneys can help you receive full compensation for your injuries. We provide thorough representation to accident victims in Bessemer, Birmingham, Fairfield, Helena, Homewood, Hoover, Irondale, Mountain Brook, Tarrant, Trussville, and Vestavia Hills. Don’t hesitate to contact the Birmingham auto accident attorneys at The Walker Law Firm to discuss your case.