Expert witnesses are a staple in modern personal injury litigation. More now than ever, both parties to personal injury cases are hiring expert witnesses for various aspects of a case. Thus, the outcome of many cases depends on which expert a jury believes. As a result, the expert witness consulting business has exploded into a $7 to $10 billion dollar per year industry and continues to grow at 20% per year.
Mercury Poisoning Gains National and Local Media Attention
Mercury exposure and poisoning has gained national media attention as of late due to an outbreak of mercury poisoning claims across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a warning that various skin-lightening creams produced in Mexico may be contaminated by mercury. The circulation of contaminated creams is believed to be limited to Pacific-coast states.
Personal Injury & Insurance 101: What is Subrogation?
Injured individuals are often confronted with insurance issues before, during, and upon resolution of their personal injury claim. Due to the complex nature of modern insurance policies, many individuals are unfamiliar with such issues. Perhaps, the most commonly misunderstood aspect of insurance and personal injury litigation is subrogation.
Poor Highway Design May Cause Car Accidents
Dangerous roadway conditions frequently contribute to Alabama highway car accidents. While some dangers may not be preventable, roadway construction companies may be responsible for failing to adequately guard against foreseeable dangers through suitable design and construction procedures.
Alabama House Passes Bill to Ban Cell Phone Use by School Bus Drivers
The Alabama House of Representatives took another step towards reducing distracted driver accidents. Just days after the House unanimously passed an anti-texting bill, Representatives passed a bill that would prohibit school bus drivers from using electronic communication devices while driving. After much debate on the floor, the bill passed with an 83-1 vote.
Wrongful Death and Taxes
As April approaches, most of us have already begun to file our tax returns. Generally, many individuals' deductions and exemptions are uniform from year to year. However, for persons injured in accident, a settlement or jury verdict may complicate their typical tax equation. Classifying their personal injury damages as compensatory or punitive damages is often necessary to determine their overall tax liability.
Minimize Your Blind Spot to Reduce Interstate and Highway Accidents
Each year, many Alabama car and truck accidents are caused by drivers' blind spots. These points of poor visibility are usually located near the rear of the vehicle and often cause accidents when drivers merge into or out of traffic.
Alabama House Overwhelmingly Passes Ban on Texting While Driving
The Alabama House sent a strong message when it passed a bill to ban texting while driving. The 92-0 vote was a clear signal that texting while driving has no place on Alabama roads.
Four-Wheeler and Bicycle Accidents: Helmets Help But Not a Cure-All
As we inch closer to warmer temperatures, many Alabamians are heading to the great outdoors to enjoy various recreational activities. In many parts of rural Alabama, trail rides on ATVs and four-wheelers highlight many individuals' weekends. Individuals in larger cities spend many outdoor hours on bicycles. While such activities provide a pleasurable getaway for many Alabama citizens, many others suffer catastrophic injuries from these outdoor pursuits.
New Alabama 18-Wheeler Design May Reduce Interstate Accidents
An Alabama-based shipping company recently revealed a new flatbed truck trailer that some commentators suggest will "revolutionize" the shipping industry. The innovative trailer allows for easy conversion from ordinary 18-wheeler transportation to intermodal rail transport. In addition to a new, efficient means of transportation, the new flatbed design may reduce the number of flat-bed truck accidents in Alabama and other states.
