This past week has seen a rash of tragic Huntsville area car wrecks. The first car accident occurred in Madison at the intersection of Wall Triana Highway and Gooch Lane. Sadly, this wreck claimed the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. The second fatal auto accident occurred on Highway 53 about 10 miles north of Huntsville. This was a single car accident, which resulted in the death of the driver. The third fatal car accident involved 5 cars at the intersection of Jordan Lane and University Drive in Huntsville. According to a report in the Huntsville Times, the at-fault driver drove into the rear of a line of cars that were waiting to turn in a turning lane. Early reports indicated that the at-fault driver may have had a medical emergency such as a heart attack or stroke.
To see this many fatal Huntsville area car accidents in one weekend is unusual based upon the statistics from prior years. According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, in 2007, there were 34 fatal auto accidents in Madison County, Alabama. Assuming there is a viable personal injury claim that arises out of the first car accident, Alabama law does allow for a wrongful death claim for the death of an unborn fetus.