Martinson & Beason, P.C.
Car accidents happen every day. In Alabama, a traffic crash is reported every 4 minutes. We've explored the top intersections for traffic crashes in our state, click on the graphic below to view all of the information on: The most dangerous intersections in Alabama The most dangerous highway in Alabama Intersections…
As of January 30, 2016 of this year, if you are charged with an offense of possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana 1st degree, or possession of marijuana 2nd degree, you will no longer face a mandatory 6-month suspension of your driver’s license. However, a judge may still suspend…
Martinson & Beason, P.C. is pleased to announce Morris Lilienthal has been selected as a 2016 Alabama Super Lawyer Rising Star. The Super Lawyers rating service recognizes attorneys who have a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, with a goal to create a credible listing of outstanding attorneys that consumers can use in finding legal counsel.
Each year, the top 2.5% of Alabama attorneys under forty (or those who have practiced less than 10 years) are recognized for their high achievement in legal ability, professional standards, and peer recognition. Candidates are selected through a rigorous process that combines extensive peer review and independent research conducted by the Super Lawyers organization.
“Serving those who’ve been wrongly injured has been my life’s calling. I am honored to have received this recognition for providing outstanding services to my clients.” Lilienthal said. “We have a tremendous team of dedicated paralegals and support staff who are committed to achieving the best possible results for our clients.”
If you suspected serious car crashes have recently increased, you would be correct. In fact, 2015 saw the largest national traffic fatality percentage increase in fifty years at 7.2%, according to a report from al.com. Alabama also saw an increase in fatal accidents in 2015, though at a slightly slower rate than the national average.
Of Alabama’s 4.86 million people, there were 17.41 fatalities per 100,000 people, and alcohol-related fatalities numbered 4.98 per 100,000 people. Alabama’s statewide average was well above the national average of 10.92 fatalities per 100,000 people.
AxleGeeks (a website division of Graphiq) compiled a list of ‘The Car Accident Capitals of America.’ Perhaps not surprisingly, Alabama was well represented, with Birmingham and Montgomery both taking high spots. We should point out, however, that only cities with a population over 100,000 were considered.
You probably knew a bad credit score could impact your chances of securing a reasonable interest rate when buying a house or car, but did you know a low credit score could also impact how much you pay in car insurance? That’s the finding of a new study by InsuranceQuotes.com, as reported by al.com. Although your credit score is only one of several factors used in the calculation of your auto insurance premiums, it can have a large impact on how much you pay. In fact, your credit can have a larger impact on auto insurance premiums than any other factor, according to Consumer Reports.
In Alabama, drivers with poor credit pay an especially high penalty. Drivers with poor credit can expect to pay 190% more than drivers with good credit. That rate ranks Alabama sixth in the nation for the largest penalty for poor credit. Alabamians with fair credit can expect to pay 56% more drivers with good credit, the highest percent increase in the country. For comparison, Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan also had high penalties for average or poor credit. In contrast, California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, forbids insurance companies from factoring credit into auto insurance premiums. In those states, car insurance quotes focus on driving record as opposed to future risk.
18-Wheelers (semi-trucks) are a crucial part of getting goods to stores, but they pose significant risks to other motorists. Virtually everyone has experienced the stress of driving alongside a big truck, which can be especially intimidating at high speeds or in traffic congestion. Not surprisingly, most fatalities in accidents involving an 18-wheeler are the occupants of passenger vehicles, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In 2014, in accidents involving a passenger vehicle and an 18-wheeler, 97% of deaths were occupants of the passenger vehicle.
Because of their massive size (18-wheelers can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds and can stretch up to 80 feet), wrecks with semi-trucks are often severe. 18-wheelers need about 40% more time to stop, according to Truckers Report. Compounding the problem, semi-trucks also have much larger blind spots than passenger vehicles. Often, it is a combination of factors that cause an 18-wheeler accident.
Because safety starts with knowing the cause of the problem, we’ve compiled this list of reasons why 18-wheeler accidents most often occur:
