Posts by Tara Helms
The Dangers of Electric Bicycles
Learning to ride a bike is a childhood milestone. But the bikes we learned on are very different from the bikes that are popular today. Electric bicycles are everywhere these days, and an increasing number of teenagers are using them. It seems, however, that there is more risk and responsibility involved than manufacturers and lawmakers…
Read MoreHuntsville Amends Texting-While-Driving Ordinance
We all know that distracted driving is dangerous. There have been countless news reports and articles about it over the years, and numerous campaigns by law enforcement to get people to stay aware on the roads. That’s why we’re excited to see that Huntsville’s resident lawmakers are doing everything they can to help mitigate how…
Read MoreSurvey Reveals the Threat of Social Media to Children
A recent survey from ExpressVPN illustrates the risks young children face on social media. The company interviewed over 2,000 children and their parents in the US and the UK about their social media usage and their feelings about it. Let’s take a look at the survey and find out how and where children are spending…
Read MoreWhat Do I Do if I’m in a Car Accident While Out of State?
When you find yourself in a car accident while out-of-state, it can be a disorienting and distressing experience. Dealing with potential injuries and vehicle damage, grappling with the legal and logistical implications, all while in an unfamiliar setting, is a situation no one would wish for. However, understanding the appropriate steps to take in such…
Read MoreHow Do I File A UM/UIM Claim in Alabama?
Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents often involve multiple vehicles. Some victims may be pedestrians and bicycle riders. Ideally, the drivers responsible for your accident have liability insurance and the amount of that coverage is enough to pay for all your damages. When the defendants don’t have insurance or don’t have enough insurance, your uninsured/underinsured (called…
Read MoreCan a UM/UIM Claim Be Denied in Alabama?
An uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) carrier may deny a UM/UIM claim for several legitimate reasons. They may also deny your UM/UIM claim for reasons that lack merit. At Martin & Helms, P.C., our lawyers will explain if the denial is legitimate or is just an attempt by the insurance company to get out of paying the…
Read MoreFatality Facts for Males and Females; What the 2020 Data Shows
If you grew up hearing “men are from Mars, women are from Venus,” then there’s a good chance you’ve heard other comparisons between men and women – and certainly one or two about their abilities behind the wheel of a car. They’re almost always stereotypes, and they rarely imply anything good about either sex. But…
Read MoreWho’s Liable for a Crash at a Shopping Plaza?
Even though a large portion of Americans use online shopping platforms to buy items, many people still enjoy going to shopping malls and plazas. In fact, more than 100 million people visited a mall in 2018, which is about half of all adults in the United States. This means that shopping malls and plazas, like…
Read MoreThe Ever-Growing Issue with Freestanding Emergency Departments
It’s no secret that hospitals have been closing all over the country. Sometimes, closures are a result of mergers; other times, they shut down because of lack of funding, or because the cost to maintain them is simply too great. Rural areas bear the brunt of these closings, and Alabama in particular has not escaped…
Read MoreCell Phones Are Distracting a Lot of Truck Drivers
According to Heavy Duty Trucking Info, distracted truck drivers are 72 percent more likely to be involved in a near-miss accident than any other drivers. In fact, truckers who use their cell phones while driving are twice as likely to be in a crash than those who do not. While it is alarming for any…
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