A tragic car wreck on I-565 near Huntsville and Madison has claimed the life of one driver and seriously injured another. The crash happened around 3 pm on Monday when Latonya Talbert lost control of her vehicle, which was headed eastbound on I-565. Ms. Talbert car came across the median into the westbound lanes and struck a vehicle being driven by Ken Higginbotham. Ms. Talbert died in the crash and Mr. Higginbotham was taken to Huntsville Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Police are still investigating the exact cause of this wreck but do not believe alcohol or drugs played a factor.

Having driven this area of I-565 eastbound many times, it is very likely Ms. Talbert’s car hydroplaned and as a result she lost control of her vehicle. It was raining at the time of the wreck. As Huntsville car accident attorneys, we have seen many accidents caused by vehicles hydroplaning. This is can be caused by driver error such as driving too fast, not having the proper tread on your car tires and by slamming on your brakes when your car begins to slide. Hydroplaning can also be caused by improper road construction. The Alabama Department of Transportation requires road contractors to meet specific guidelines when they design, build and pave a roadway. One such specification is that in a straightway the roadway is to have a 2% slope from the centerline that way water will drain off the roadway reducing the chance a vehicle will hydroplane. For information on driving safely in wet weather visit Safety.com.