Legal

The Legal section covers court rulings, statutory changes, liability trends, and key developments in Alabama and federal law that shape personal-injury claims. We explain how case law and regulation affect claims strategy, statutes of limitations, damages, and the rights of injured people pursuing justice.

Motorcycle accidents take toll on lives

Across the nation, you’ll find dozens of headlines reporting motorcycle deaths each week. A December 6th report out of Florida says that a Florida Atlanta University student was killed on Singer Island when the motorcycle she was riding on as a passenger crashed into an SUV. Although many of these m

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 13 Dec 2006

Alabama's weekend auto accidents kill seven

An Associated Press story yesterday reported that seven people died in weekend motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Alabama. The accidents include a head-on crash in Choctaw County that killed two men, a one-car accident in which the driver ran off a Madison County bridge, and other traff

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 12 Dec 2006

Truck drivers with rap sheets linked to accidents

An Associated Press news story out of Dallas, Texas reports that as much as one quarter of big rig truck drivers involved in fatal truck accidents from 2000 to 2005 had past records of criminal activity. The report says that:The Dallas Morning News’ analysis discovered that of 953 truckers faulted i

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 11 Dec 2006

Dangerous cycle of truck driving

An interesting article in the Baltimore Sun points out the dangers of long hours and difficult schedules for truck drivers and others on the roads. The article points to the increased demands of the growing global economy as a driving factor in the more grueling schedules truck drivers must keep. Ou

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 7 Dec 2006

Pine Grove accident kills motorcyclist

A fatal collision Saturday on a rural road between a motorcycle and a truck occurred just 13 hours after another fatal accident on the same road. In the first accident, a car ran off the road, struck and tree and caught on fire, killing the passenger. The driver was in critical condition. The motorc

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 6 Dec 2006

Diseases caused by drugs

Many consumers are unaware of the many disturbing statistics about diseases caused by drugs. Worstpills.org offers an article detailing some of the statistics and drug-induced diseases. They say that more than 9.6 million adverse drug reactions in older Americans happen each year, and many are unrep

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 5 Dec 2006

Construction accident at Spring Hill College

The Press-Register reported Friday that a construction worker from Alabama died in an accident at Spring Hill College on Thursday. The victim was working on the third floor close to an elevator shaft when a concrete wall fell on and crushed him. Though the reason for the accident is not clear yet, a

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 4 Dec 2006

Protect your family from adverse drug reactions

WorstPills.org has an interesting article about defective drugs, adverse drug reactions and protecting yourself and your family from such dangers. The most important recommendation they make is to talk to your doctor and keep that communication line open before making any changes. Topics in the arti

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 1 Dec 2006

Four deadly accidents on Mobile County roads

Alabama authorities reported that during two days last week there were four deaths from three traffic accidents in Mobile County. The first accident involved two men in a 1997 Ford Contour crash at Old Shell Road and Fairway Avenue. Both men died and were not wearing seatbeltsThe second accident inv

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 30 Nov 2006

IBM plant workers fear cancer injuries

An interesting article in USA Today reports that a number of IBM workers who spend time working in manufacturing plants, especially those in East Fishkill, NY and Burlington, VT, developed cancer later in life. These alleged worksite injuries are raising concern among former IBM employees.One 55-yea

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 29 Nov 2006

Three-vehicle crash injures six

The Press-Register reported a motor vehicle accident involving three cars in south Mobile County Friday evening. A mother with three children in her car pulled out of a driveway and crashed into another car, critically injuring the mother. The second vehicle caught on fire after a third slammed into

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 28 Nov 2006

Tragic early morning Thanksgiving car accident

An early morning single-car accident on Thanksgiving left one teen dead and one in critical condition, a report from the associated press said. The 17-year-old boy driving the car died at the scene, while the other three passengers lived. The 17-year-old male passenger was in critical condition at h

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 27 Nov 2006