According to one insurance broker, I-65 is Alabama’s deadliest highway. This thoroughfare sees constant high-speed traffic and frequent construction.
Alabama law gives car accident victims the right to seek financial compensation from negligent motorists. Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers can represent your interests as you pursue a claim against the driver responsible for your injuries.
Our attorneys have over 90 years of combined experience serving accident victims in Birmingham, Alabama. Since our firm’s founding, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our injured clients.
Contact our Birmingham car accident lawyers today at (205) 973-6417 for a free consultation.
How Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Interstate 65 Accident In Birmingham, AL
When you suffer an injury in a preventable accident, our Birmingham car accident attorneys can offer the following assistance:
- Reviewing the causes of your accident and advising you about your legal options
- Preparing an insurance claim for the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Negotiating with claims adjusters to resolve your case quickly
- Filing a lawsuit if we can’t reach a fair settlement
Collisions on I-65 in Birmingham, AL, often result from risky driving behaviors, such as speeding and tailgating. Contact Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review with a Birmingham personal injury attorney.
Common Accidents On I-65 In Birmingham
I-65 is one of the primary routes running north and south through Birmingham. However, of these three routes, I-65 is the only divided, controlled-access highway.
Collisions on I-65 usually take the following forms:
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes happen when a vehicle rams into the back of the vehicle ahead of it. The occupants of the front vehicle may be pushed back into their seats, then whip forward as the vehicle slows or stops. Those in the rear vehicle are thrown forward into their seat belts first and are then pushed backward into their seats.
Same-Direction Sideswipes
A sideswipe accident occurs when vehicles traveling in the same direction collide side-to-side. This typically happens when a driver changes lanes or drifts into an occupied lane without looking.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are rare on I-65 because the highway has controlled on- and off-ramps. However, a wrong-way driver could travel up an off-ramp and drive against the flow of traffic, leading to a head-on crash with an oncoming vehicle.
Chain-Reaction Crashes
Highway crashes can accumulate after an initial collision. When colliding vehicles obstruct traffic, another driver may run into the wreck, or slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid hitting it. This driver, in turn, might be hit or strike another vehicle. As other drivers swerve or brake, they can add to the destruction.
Critical Factors That Cause Accidents On I-65 In Birmingham
I-65 crashes in the Birmingham area frequently display a number of factors, including the following:
Intoxicated Driving
Drugs or alcohol can interfere with a driver’s coordination, reflexes, and judgment. Impaired drivers may tailgate, speed, or weave in and out of lanes, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
Intoxicated driving is a leading cause of head-on collisions. A driver might misread or simply fail to spot a “Wrong Way” sign. As a result, they could enter an off-ramp and go the wrong way down I-65.
Speeding
Speeding increases the risk that a driver will lose control of their vehicle. High-speed vehicles generate more force than low-speed vehicles; therefore, the probability — and probable damage — of a crash increases with the velocity.
Following Too Closely
Motorists must follow at a “reasonable and prudent” distance. When drivers tailgate, they risk striking the vehicle ahead of them if the other driver suddenly brakes. Most driving instructors advise following at an interval of three seconds or more. However, impatient drivers may tailgate to try to intimidate the person ahead of them into speeding up.
Liability For Collisions On I-65 Under Alabama Law
In Alabama, liability for car accidents is typically based on negligence. Negligence means a driver failed to show the appropriate level of care and caution.
A car accident lawyer in Birmingham will typically cite a specific traffic violation or careless act to prove negligence. For example, if a driver changed lanes without checking their blind spots and struck a motorcycle in the adjacent lane, they would most likely be liable for the motorcyclist’s resulting injuries.
Contact Our Birmingham Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Highway accidents in and around Birmingham can result in serious physical injuries and financial expenses. Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of clients. Call our Birmingham car accident attorneys today to arrange a complimentary consultation.