Alabama currently ranks as one of the most hazardous states for drivers. Not only are Alabamians twice as likely to die in a motor vehicle accident compared to the average American, the state is home to some of the worst drivers in the nation. Some of the most common dangers Alabama drivers face are excessive speed, impaired driving, distracted driving and lack of seatbelt use.
Despite safety improvements, seat belt laws, and strict DUI enforcement, someone is injured in a car crash approximately every 10 minutes and killed every 10 hours in Alabama. With 18.8 traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents, Alabama is the fifth-most-dangerous state for drivers.
Motor Vehicle Accidents in Rural Alabama
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, most crashes occur in populated urban areas while the majority of fatalities take place in rural areas. In 2014, there were 510 traffic deaths in rural areas and 311 in urban areas of Alabama. The highest percentage of crashes in 2014 occurred on two-lane roadways.
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Based on data from the Alabama Rural Health Association, the traffic fatality rate for rural Alabama resident is almost 56 percent higher than urban residents. Experts believe that traffic fatality rates are higher in rural areas because there are fewer hospitals in those counties. In fact, Alabama ranks second in the nation for the highest number of rural hospital closures.
Unsafe Driving
A recent study by CarInsuranceComparison.com analyzed data from the NHTSA to assess which states had the worst drivers. Among all 50 states, Alabama ranked in the top 10 for worst drivers. States were ranked based on the following criteria:
- Fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
- Failure to obey traffic signals or to wear a seat belt
- Alcohol-impaired driving
- Speeding
- Careless driving
This finding is supported by data from the Alabama Department of Transportation, which found that the three most common causes of traffic accidents in 2014 were:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Failure to yield right of way
Teen Drivers
Alabama is particularly dangerous when it comes to teen drivers. Sadly, Alabama is the second worst state in the country for teen driver fatalities. Driver inexperience, distracted driving, and drunk driving are the leading contributing factors in teen driver accidents. Of all fatal crashes in Alabama in 2014, 7 percent were caused by drivers 19 years of age or under and 20 percent were caused by drivers 25 years of age or under.
How an Alabama Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another party’s negligence, contact the Alabama car accident lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. to discuss your case. Our auto injury lawyers in Alabama have more than 65 years of combined experience helping accident victims obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
We can evaluate the circumstances of your accident, explain your options for pursuing a recovery, and help you build an argument in support of your claim. Our extensive track record of success includes a $13 million jury verdict in a single automobile accident (remitted to $9 million by the court), and more than $1 million in 40 other victories. With offices in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our auto accident lawyers will quickly travel to investigate the details of your case and may be able to help you obtain compensation for your damages.
Call (205) 933-1500 today for a free consultation.
