A serious injury is usually sudden and unexpected. No one plans to be injured in everyday life, but the potential is constantly there. It pays to know how many ways you can be seriously injured with life-altering consequences.  

Whether driving, at work, or visiting a place of business, serious injuries are best addressed with the help of a personal injury attorney.

If the unforeseen happens in Tuskegee or the surrounding area, Attorney Chip Nix has decades of experience holding the responsible party accountable. You may be able to file a claim against the negligent party to pursue compensation for your medical and financial losses.

You deserve to be fully compensated by the responsible party, who should be held accountable for their reckless actions.

Tuskegee Alabama

Located in east-central Alabama, 40 miles east of Montgomery, Tuskegee is home to almost 10,000 residents who travel throughout the area.

As the largest city in Macon County, Tuskegee offers educational opportunities at Tuskegee University and boating on Lake Tuskegee, a city-owned recreational area.  

The Tuskegee Airman National Historic site memorializes the back citizens who became combat pilots in the Army Air Corps. From 1941 to 1946, the Tuskegee Airmen escorted bombers during World War II and, in the process, destroyed over 100 German aircraft.

One of the war’s most highly respected combat units, the Tuskegee Airmen proved they could fly, lead, and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. In March 2007, the Tuskegee Airman received the Congressional Gold Metal for their service.

Tuskegee has a rich history of African-American education and was the focus of the civil rights movements that saw more black voters registered. This area’s history draws thousands of visitors to Tuskegee every year.  

Types of Serious Injury Accidents
The insurance company defines a serious injury as one that leads to death, dismemberment, disfigurement, fracture, loss of a fetus, permanent loss, or use of a body part. The injury should last for some time or permanently.

A serious injury is also considered catastrophic because it will significantly impact the injured person.

Highway Injuries – Accidents involving passenger cars, motorcycles, and big trucks are the biggest category of serious injuries. The Tuskegee area has many roadways – U.S. 85 bypasses Tuskegee running east and west, taking vehicles to Auburn or Montgomery. State Road 80 bypasses Tuskegee traveling west to Columbus, Georgia.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were   42,915 deaths on U.S. roadways in 2021. This represents a ten percent increase from the year before.

In Alabama, 932 people lost their lives in 853 fatal crashes on Alabama roads in 2020. And while most crashes happen inside an urban area, it is the rural roads where more fatalities occur.

Some of the reasons for fatalities on the road include:

• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Driving distracted
• Driving under the influence
• Texting While Driving
• Speed
• Poor visibility
• Turning in front of a motorcycle
• Debris on the road
• Not allowing enough distance between vehicles

Whether an 18-wheeler or passenger van, large trucks carry goods across the country and through Alabama. Due to the disparity in the size of vehicles, passenger car occupants are less likely to survive a crash with an 80,000-pound semi-truck. At the same time, riders in SUVs and pickup trucks have a slightly better chance of survival than someone in a compact passenger vehicle.

Highway speeds more than 50 miles per hour are also responsible for a greater percentage of deaths than collisions at 40 mph.

In Alabama in 2020, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis reports that one-third, or 33 percent, had some alcohol present in their body, while 45% were alcohol-impaired. 

According to NHTSA, motorcyclists are also 29 times more likely to die in an accident than someone riding in a car. In Alabama, 72 motorcyclists or moped riders lost their lives in 2020 crashes.

Sadly, many of these deaths were avoidable if one party had acted responsibly.

Premises Liability – Besides deaths on our roadways, a slip, and fall, also known as premises liability, can happen anywhere a danger exists that is not addressed. A known high-crime area may not have adequate lighting for a nearby apartment or store.

Sometimes, a store may not address a hazard, such as a rickety staircase or a spilled substance on the fall. The unsuspecting shopper may have no idea until they have injured themselves.

Boat Accident – Unfortunately, we often find that people who take to the water also think it’s a good time to indulge in alcohol. Crashes between boats or jet skis or crashes into docks are often the result of the reckless handling of a boat. Falling overboard is a common cause of death or injury on the water.

Work accident – In 2020, employers reported there were 2.7 million injuries in the workplace. Transportation incidents were the most frequent type of fatal event. Unfortunately, shootings in the workplace and exposure to harmful substances or dangerous machinery are not uncommon.

Filing a Serious Injury Lawsuit

When seeking compensation from the negligent party that caused your accident, your claim will need a professional to check all the boxes.

First, Identify the Defendant – was there one person who caused your trucking, workplace accident, or an additional third party? If, for example, a subcontractor loaded the big rig so that it was jackknifed, they would be named as an additional defendant.

Find Witnesses – There are generally witnesses to the events that led to your accident. Maybe someone was driving in the car behind you. There may be street cams of the intersection where your collision took place. Part of evidence gathering is talking to witnesses, taking their statements, and hiring experts to testify about how the accident happened.

Sending a Demand Letter – When there is enough evidence that clearly shows how the accident happened and who was responsible, Mr. Nix will send a demand letter to the defendants and their insurance providers. The amount should help compensate you for your bills and losses.

If the demand letter does not lead to a resolution, we will have to prepare for trial before a jury and judge. Both sides may find some reason to settle the case during this time. Mr. Nix has the negotiating skills to deal with the insurance company to attempt to make you whole again.

Your Alabama Serious Injury Lawyer

Whether you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury, severe burns, spinal cord injury, or even death, Chip Nix, Attorney at Law, will be by your side to seek compensation for your losses. Mr. Nix has more than 40 years of experience handling all types of serious injury cases. Contact him online or at his office at (334) 203-6669 for a free initial consultation.

Sources:

Tuskegee- U.S. Public Health
Tuskegee Study – Timeline – CDC – NCHHSTP

Tuskegee
https://www.tuskegeealabama.gov/

BLS.gov
https://www.bls.gov/iif/

CDC- Motorcycles
Motorcycle Safety | Transportation Safety | Injury Center | CDC

IIHS
Motorcycles and ATVs (iihs.org)

NHTSA