The Importance of UM/UIM Coverage in Alabama
Uninsured/underinsured (called UM/UIM) insurance is a way for vehicle accident victims to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage when the responsible driver doesn’t have any insurance or enough insurance. In Alabama, insurance companies are required to offer UM/UIM insurance when you purchase your own liability insurance. You…
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 MoreAlabama’s Civil Legal Aid Organizations Do Great Work for the Community
Under the Constitution, you are guaranteed the right to a defense if you are accused of a crime. Public defenders have some of the toughest jobs there are – and some of the most necessary. But they only work in criminal defense, and folks all over Alabama often find themselves in the middle of complicated…
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 MoreWhy Dust Collection Can Lead to Explosions
Last year, there was a dust collector explosion that injured an individual at Buchanan Lumber Company in Aliceville, Alabama. When the fire department and law enforcement arrived at the scene, the dust collector was fully engulfed in flames. The employees stated that they simply turned the equipment on for a test run since it had…
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 MoreWhy the “Highway to Hell” Is Such a Dangerous Road
Even though many efforts have been made across Alabama to increase the safety on US 431, it remains one of the most dangerous and deadliest roads in the United States. In fact, it is often referred to and commonly known as the “Highway to Hell.” The “Highway to Hell” stretches across parts of Alabama, Tennessee,…
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 MoreContaminated Eye Drops Are Causing Eye Infections, Blindness, and Death
A batch of contaminated eye drops is causing an outbreak of infections, blindness, and even three fatalities across the country, resulting in an FDA warning and manufacturer recall. According to ABC News, people around the United States are experiencing serious and life-threatening symptoms after using a popular eye drop product called EzriCare Artificial Tears. In…
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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