Archive for May, 2012

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29
May

Alabama Reports Low Number Of Highway Fatalities Over The Holiday Weekend

May 29, 2012

While the Memorial Day weekend brought a high volume of traffic on state highways, the Alabama Highway Patrol is reporting a lower than average number of fatalities. According to ABC 33/40 News, only three fatalities occurred over the holiday weekend. This number is down from the seven deaths that were reported over the holiday weekend last year.

Troopers stated that the three fatal accidents occurred in Walker, Madison, and Winston Counties. In two of the crashes, the victims not being properly restrained by seatbelts at the time of the accident was listed as a contributing factor. The other accident involved a man who was ejected from his motorcycle. No fatalities were reported on Sunday or Monday, which are statistically the deadliest days to travel the highways.

Law enforcement attributes this to a high number of DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols, which were conducted statewide over the weekend. The agency is also in the midst of running its “Click It or Ticket” campaign aimed at educating the public on the importance of always wearing a seatbelt when in a motor vehicle.

The Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers with Norris Injury Lawyers say that the best way to avoid injury in the event of an Alabama Car Accident is to buckle up before the vehicle enters the roadway. Doing so will help ensure you are held inside the vehicle during a collision, thus reducing your chances of injury.

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22
May

Lawsuits Filed In Connection With Depuy Hip Replacement Device Recall

May 22, 2012

After being hailed as a medical and technological breakthrough, the artificial hip replacement device made by DePuy Orthopedics has been plagued with problems and defects.

The device was introduced in 2005 after DePuy bypassed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) process of conducting clinical trials through the process known as 510(k). This allows a company to skip the clinical trial phase of approval if the company can show that its new device is “substantially equivalent” to one already on the market.

Five years later, the agency would recall approximately 93,000 of the hip implants, known as models ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System, due to mechanical failure. When the metal parts rubbed together inside the body, not only would the device wear quickly, but the metal debris could seep into the bloodstream and cause a buildup of toxic metals.

Since the recall two years ago, there have been approximately 6,000 lawsuits filed against the company claiming that testing should have been conducted on the product before it was introduced. The first of those trials is set to begin in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December.

While thousands of individuals who have suffered because of these failed devices have filed lawsuits, the Alabama Personal Injury Lawyers with Norris Injury Lawyers say it is not too late for others who have been affected by a faulty Depuy Hip Replacement device to file their own complaint.

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18
May

Alabama Governor Signs Law Banning Texting While Driving

May 18, 2012

In an effort to save lives, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has signed a bill making it illegal to text and drive in Alabama.

Sending a text message has been proven to take a driver’s eye off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which for a driver traveling at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field, blindfolded.

Alabama is the 38th state to adopt such a law, which was worked on by Representative Jim McClendon for six years before it won legislative approval.

Al.com reports that the new law, which goes into effect August 1, forbids the sending of text messages, instant messages, and emails while driving. It is, however, still permissible to make phone calls while driving.

Offenders will be fined $25 the first time, $50 the second time, and $75 for the third time and any subsequent offenses. Each offense will count as a two-point violation on a driver’s record.

Bentley has said that “even though the penalties are not great,” the law is designed to remind people not to text and drive.

Distraction.gov reports that you’re 23 times more likely to crash if you’re texting while driving, and that texting while driving is the most alarming distraction of all because it causes manual, visual and cognitive distractions.

The Alabama Car Accident Attorneys at Norris Injury Lawyers want to remind Alabama drivers that it’s never worth the risk to text and drive.

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8
May

Two Injured After Three-Vehicle Collision in Alabama

May 8, 2012

Two people were injured as a result of a three-vehicle collision last week in Auburn, Alabama. According to OA Now News, the crash happened around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Farmville Road and North College Street.

Sgt. Joe Morris, a spokesman for the Auburn Police Department, stated that the accident occurred when a female driver in a 2000 Chevrolet Malibu sedan was traveling east along Farmville Road. She did not stop at the intersection and plowed into the side of a southbound box truck. The impact of that collision caused the large truck to tip and roll over on its side. The truck landed on top of a 2005 Acura SUV traveling in the opposite lane.

The driver of the SUV that was crushed had to be cut from the wreckage before rescue crews could airlift her to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The driver responsible for the crash also suffered minor injuries and was taken in for treatment as well.

Auburn police say they are still investigating what factors may have contributed to the crash.

The Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyers with Norris Injury Lawyers say that distracted or careless driving often leads to accidents that involve a red light or stop sign being ran by another driver. That’s why the firm asks that motorists eliminate distractions and focus on the road in order to prevent an Alabama Car Accident.

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2
May

Alabama Officials Declare Today “Stop The Texts Day”

May 1, 2012

While past research has shown that drivers using an electronic handheld device while operating a motor vehicle are four times more likely to be in an accident, another study has found evidence that laws banning the use of cellphones while driving has done little to curb the number of crashes caused by distracted driving.

According to CBS 42 News, Alabama state officials are hoping to reduce the number of accidents by declaring today “Stop the Texts Day”. The campaign hopes to educate teens and young adults on the dangers of texting and driving. Organizers hope to get their message out by utilizing social media outlets. Facebook and Twitter accounts have been created for the campaign and will have information and statistics posted throughout the day. Others are encouraged to share this information through their own social network. The campaign is also asking participants to post letters to a Tumblr account about the dangers of texting and driving.

In the meantime, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, Kristin Nevels, has stated that the agency will continue to promote better ways to prevent accidents before they happen, such as automated braking or lane departure systems.

The Birmingham Personal Injury Lawyers with Norris Injury Lawyers know that an Alabama Car Accident can happen to anyone at any time, but you can do your part to keep the roads safe by simply putting your cellphone down while driving.

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