Alabama Injury Attorney Blog

Recent reports confirm that many drivers are now sending text messages while they drive. According to one study an estimated 20% of drivers are sending text messages while they drive. This number dramatically increases to 66% when drivers 18 to 24 are isolated. Due to the increase in texting and driving many states are considering bans or restrictions on texting and driving. This is due to the direct correlation between distracted drivers and car wrecks. Currently, only Washington state and New Jersey prohibit texting while driving; however, 16 other states are currently considering legislation that would ban or restrict this practice.

A car accident or truck accident can be a very scary and unnerving experience. It is critical that personal injury victims take the proper steps following a motor vehicle accident to gather and preserve evidence to enable them to obtain the maximum compensation they deserve. The following is a checklist for Alabama personal injury victims:

The Accident Scene:

• Call the police
• Exchange information with the other driver, such as: name, address, telephone number, driver's license number, tag number, and insurance information.
• Gather the names and contact information for any witnesses
• If possible photograph the vehicles and scene of the accident

Following the Accident:

• If injured, seek immediate medical attention
• Notify your insurance carrier
• Photograph your vehicle
• Photograph any injuries
• Keep a log of your medical treatment to help document your daily recovery and pain and suffering
• Keep a log of all out of pocket expenses such as co-pays, prescriptions, and lost wages
• Keep all bills, receipts and documents associated with your vehicle's damage and repair
• Obtain a copy of the accident report

Other Key Points:

• Never admit fault to the other driver or police officer immediately after the accident
• Diligently follow through with all medical treatment and care
• Do not speak with anyone from the other driver's insurance company or their attorney without first contacting an experienced Alabama Personal Injury Attorney
• Retain copies of all documents, bills, medical records, etc...

A recent article reports one Alabama man's brush with death when the tree-stand he was using failed and left him hanging for his llfe. The accident occurred when Mike Dreadin, an experienced outdoorsman, was left hanging upside down by his feet more than 40 feet off the ground when the tree-stand he was using came loose from the tree. Dreadin was using a tubular steel tree-stand that attaches to the tree by wrapping around the tree. To climb the tree, the hunter stands up and sits down which allows the top and bottom portion of the tree-stand to bite into the tree. Dreadin failed to use his safety harness and when the stand failed he was left hanging by a 1 inch foot strap. Luckily, Dreadin was able to use his cell phone to call for help and three hours later Dreadin was lowered to safety.

Every year dozens of people are injured or killed in similar tree-stand accidents. While many of these accidents are the result of user error, many others are the result of a defective design in the tree-stand itself. Tree-stand manufacturers like other product manufacturers have a duty to safely design their products and warn against any known hazards or risks. When these manufacturers fail to safely design their products a products liability lawyer can bring a products liability lawsuit to recover damages and seek changes in the products design. The Alabama Products Liability Lawyers at Martinson & Beason have years of experience handling products liability lawsuits.

For more information on tree-stand safety visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.