Were you injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver in Alabama? Was the other person texting, talking to someone in the car, eating or drinking, or otherwise not paying attention? If so, you have the right to seek fair compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
The Alabama car accident attorneys at the law firm of Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., have seen firsthand how dangerous and prevalent distracted driving can be on the roads and highways throughout our community. We’re committed to helping people who’ve been injured by distracted drivers seek answers and justice.
If a distracted driver has hurt you in Alabama, contact us now for a free consultation.
Distracted Driving in Alabama
According to one recent analysis, Alabama is the second-worst state in the nation for distracted driving. The Alabama Department of Transportation reported 57 statewide crash fatalities due to distracted driving in just one recent year.
Alabama’s distracted driving law prohibits drivers from writing, sending, or reading text-based communications on wireless devices. “Text-based communications” include text messages, instant messages, and emails, while “wireless telecommunication devices” include cell phones, laptops, tablets, and similar portable devices.
Under a new hands-free law enacted in 2023, Alabama now also outlaws the use of handheld cell phones to make telephone calls behind the wheel. The law makes it illegal to drive while physically holding or supporting a wireless communications device with any part of the body. The law also prohibits the use of hands-free devices that require more than the press of a single button or a single finger swipe to begin or end a call.
Alabama’s distracted driving law also prohibits drivers from watching, recording, or broadcasting videos while driving. The law makes an exception for the use of GPS navigation. Voice-to-text messages are also permitted.
Alabama law enforcement officers were scheduled to begin ticketing drivers in June 2024 after a year of issuing warnings for violations while motorists became aware of the new law, according to a report from CBS 42 News in Birmingham.
Alabama law grants police officers primary enforcement abilities concerning distracted driving violations. Primary enforcement means Alabama police officers can pull over a motorist any time they see a violation of the state’s distracted driving laws, regardless of whether the motorist is breaking any other laws.
Why You Need a Lawyer for an Alabama Distracted Driving Case
To obtain compensation from a distracted driver after an accident, you must prove that they were distracted behind the wheel and that their distraction directly contributed to the wreck.
That’s where the help of a seasoned distracted driving lawyer comes in. At Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., we can support your Alabama distracted driving accident case by:
- Explaining your rights and determining the potential value of your case
- Identifying all potential sources of compensation for your crash injuries
- Conducting an independent investigation into the distracted driving accident
- Communicating with insurance providers and other parties on your behalf
- Obtaining medical records, accident reports, and other evidence for your claim
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and accident reconstruction specialists for statements
- Managing essential case documents, details, and deadlines on your behalf
- Filing case paperwork and negotiating aggressively to maximize your settlement
Types of Distracted Driving Crashes and Resulting Injuries
When drivers succumb to distracting activities behind the wheel, they are more likely to contribute to devastating collisions, such as:
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe crashes
- T-bone accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Angle-impact crashes
- Single-vehicle wrecks
- Multi-car pile-ups
- Rollover accidents
Many distracted driving accidents occur at high speeds because distracted drivers often fail to apply the brakes, swerve, or take other evasive actions, leaving many crash victims with injuries like:
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Seatbelt and airbag injuries
- Abdominal and internal injuries
- Dislocated and broken bones
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Road rash and burn injuries
Proving Liability for a Distracted Driving Crash in Alabama
Depending on the circumstances, your attorney could help you identify, obtain, and preserve the following types of evidence as proof of liability in a distracted driving accident claim:
- Police accident reports, if law enforcement responded to the scene
- Photos of the accident site, vehicle damage, and visible injuries
- Videos from traffic cameras, dashcams, and other outdoor cameras
- Statements from eyewitnesses who saw the collision
- Testimony from expert witnesses like accident reconstruction specialists
- The other driver’s cell phone records showing telecommunication activity
Potential Compensation in an Alabama Distracted Driving Case
The money you receive in a successful car accident injury case can help provide you with the resources you need to recover from the crash as fully as possible. With a successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you could receive financial compensation for crash-related losses like:
- Hospital bills and medical costs you incur for the treatment of your crash injuries
- Reduced income from any time you missed work due to your crash injuries
- Projected losses in your future earning potential, if you suffer permanent injuries
- Pain, suffering, lost quality of life, and other injury-related subjective losses
- Incidental expenses, such as out-of-pocket travel costs for doctor’s appointments
Alabama Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits
If you need to sue for the compensation you need after a distracted driving accident in Alabama, you should know that state law restricts the amount of time you have to do so. Specifically, Alabama’s statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If the two-year deadline passes and you attempt to sue anyway, the court will most likely dismiss your case, and you will lose the right to demand compensation for your accident-related losses.
The two-year statute of limitations is relevant even if you never intend to sue for the accident because the ability to threaten a lawsuit is your most important bargaining chip during insurance settlement talks. The team at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., is here to help you determine how the two-year statute of limitations applies to your situation and handle every aspect of your claim promptly and efficiently.
Contact Our Proven Alabama Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
If you have questions about your rights and wish to discuss your Alabama distracted driving accident case with a trusted attorney, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Morris, King & Hodge, P.C. We can answer your questions and review your case for free when you contact us for an initial consultation session.
