2021 Scholarship Winner Announcement

Stokes Stemle is thrilled to announce the winners of its 2021 scholarship campaign. This year’s contest focused on looking for solutions to prevent drunk driving.

Despite reaching record lows in recent years, alcohol use remains a leading cause of crashes and traffic deaths in the United States. Nearly a third of all fatalities are the result of driving while intoxicated. Around 28 people die in drunk-driving accidents every year.

Our scholarship winners proposed unique approaches to stopping impaired driving that could make a powerful difference and save lives. Thank you to all who participated and submitted entries!

Meet the Winners of the 2021 Stokes Stemle Scholarship Video Contest

Congratulations to Ted Sullivan, a graduate student at Elmhurst College, and undergrad Kalycia Haynes from the University of South Alabama. Both will receive a $1,000 prize for their compelling videos, which were posted publicly on social media.

Sullivan’s video explored how parents can help reduce drunk-driving crashes by building a trusting and open relationship with their children. Rather than shaming them or punishing them for their mistakes, Sullivan shows how nurturing communication and discussing “what-if” scenarios with their teens can prepare them for situations they may encounter with friends.

The video also offers practical, real-world solutions such as providing teens with a pre-paid rideshare card so that they are always equipped with an alternative way to get home if someone’s been drinking.

We thought that Ted’s video and pledge demonstrated signs of a true leader. His creative solution to provide teens with pre-paid rideshare cards shows that he is serious about finding solutions to the drinking and driving problems in the United States. Congratulations on your scholarship award, Ted!

In her video, Haynes discussed various ways for the criminal justice system to continue cracking down on drunk driving. Proposed solutions included continuing the use of sobriety checkpoints, automatic license revocation, jail time, ignition interlock devices, and DUI courts to work towards rehabilitating repeat offenders. Finally, she reminds us that we all have a legal and moral duty to prevent drunk driving.

Kalycia’s video and pledge submitted for the scholarship received a lot of visibility on her profile! We are impressed by her transparency with her peers regarding drinking and driving and her practical solutions to make the punishment for DUI offenders more severe. We wish you all the best in your endeavors and hope the scholarship award helps.

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How Is Liability Determined in an Alabama Truck Accident?

Determining liability after a truck accident in Alabama can be challenging, if not impossible, to do on your own. Yet it’s crucial to identify who is liable to receive full and fair compensation for your injuries. If you’ve been hurt, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer to uncover who is to blame. Often, more than one party is at fault.

Contact the legal team at Stokes Stemle, LLC today. Our Montgomery truck accident attorneys have years of experience representing Alabamians in complex injury claims. When you put your case in our hands, you can rest assured that we’ll put your needs first. We’ll investigate your claim thoroughly and demand compensation from every possible source. Our lawyers can also defend you if truck companies and their insurers try to pin the blame on you.

At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we are committed to finding out what caused the accident, which parties are responsible, and how we can prove liability in your case. Call now for a free consultation.

Multiple Parties May Be Liable in a Commercial Truck Accident

The trucking industry is large and involves many different entities. People are often surprised to learn that the truck driver is not always the only one at fault for a collision.

Potentially liable parties in a truck accident may include:

• Truck driver: A trucker who caused a crash by speeding, fatigued driving, drunk driving, or distracted driving could be held liable under Alabama law. A truck driver is also responsible for inspecting the truck to ensure proper maintenance. If a cargo or maintenance issue contributes to the crash, the truck driver might share part of the liability.
• Truck company: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets forth guidelines for trucking companies. When a trucking company breaks the rules and those violations contribute to a wreck, the business could be held liable. For instance, a trucking company may be liable if it hires an unqualified driver who goes on to cause a crash. A company might also be liable if it pressures a driver to work more hours than what is legally allowed and the tired driver causes a wreck.
• Truck’s owner: The truck owner, which may be an individual or a company, could be liable if they do not perform regular maintenance, such as for the brakes, suspension, engine, steering, hydraulics, and other parts of the rig.

• Cargo loaders or the shipping company: Heavy loads must be secured properly according to federal law. When cargo is improperly loaded, the contents can shift and throw the entire truck off balance. This makes it more challenging for drivers to operate the truck. If the truck is transporting hazardous materials, they could spill out onto the road and endanger other motorists. When cargo companies fail to load a trailer properly, they can be held liable.
• Vehicle and part manufacturers: Sometimes, truck accidents are caused by defective parts. Transmission failure, steering failure, brake failure, and tire blowouts are examples of issues where the vehicle or parts manufacturer may be held liable for a malfunction. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you may be able to file a defective product claim against the manufacturer to hold it accountable for the truck accident.

Gathering Evidence to Determine Liability After a Truck Accident

One of the most important aspects of a truck accident claim is gathering evidence to demonstrate that the liable party (or parties) acted negligently.

You must have solid proof of negligence to file a valid claim against the responsible party. Fail to provide persuasive evidence, and your claim against the liable party could be reduced or dismissed entirely. This can be a devastating blow to truck accident victims, who frequently sustain severe injuries and suffer substantial financial and personal losses. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we can collect the compelling evidence necessary to substantiate your truck accident claim.

It’s vital to start investigating right away. Not all trucking records must be kept indefinitely, but your lawyer can send a spoliation letter to prevent critical proof from being lost, altered, or erased. Gathering the relevant evidence can help show whether or not the trucking company complied with safety rules and regulations. Some evidence can even indicate what the truck driver was doing right before the crash occurred.

You can also help your case by taking photos of the accident scene if you didn’t require emergency medical attention.

Common examples of evidence in a truck accident claim include:

• Medical records
• Police report
• Photo, video, or dashcam footage of the accident scene
• Truck driver logs
• Truck inspection reports
• Witness statements
• The trucker’s driving record, qualifications, and medical history
• Electronic onboard recording device (EOBR) data
• Truck driver’s phone records
• Truck company’s compliance history
• Truck wreckage
• Weigh tickets and reports from weigh stations
• Truck maintenance schedules
• Post-crash drug and alcohol test results

If you were too injured to take pictures or interview witnesses at the crash scene, don’t worry. The truck accident lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC will work quickly to get your case back on track.

Contact Our Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Alabama

Additional questions about truck accident liability? The truck accident lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC can answer them all in a free consultation. We serve injured people in Montgomery, Dothan, Auburn, and the surrounding Alabama communities. Call or contact us now to get started.

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Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?

If you’ve been involved in a minor car accident, you might be left wondering whether you need to hire a lawyer. After all, that “nice” insurance adjuster may act like you can handle the claim on your own. But you need to be careful. Although your injuries and damage to your vehicle might not be as serious or extensive as those caused by a violent or catastrophic crash, they still could have a significant impact on your health and finances.

In many instances, talking with an experienced car accident lawyer is a good idea. Having qualified legal representation on your side can help you understand the full extent of compensation that should be available to you. A skilled attorney will also provide vital protection if your injuries and other losses end up being worse than initially believed.

At the very least, speaking with a lawyer about your crash could help you get your questions answered and decide how best to move forward. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we are here to help. Contact us today for a free case review.

What Is Considered a Minor Car Accident?

A minor car accident could be a low-speed rear-end collision, a sideswipe accident, or a slight fender bender. Minor collisions usually result in damage to the vehicle that can be repaired, and only slight injuries that should not require emergency care.

Although this might seem like something that could easily be handled by exchanging insurance information and allowing the insurance companies to resolve matters on their own, that is not always the case. If your injuries turn out to be more severe than you initially believed, or if there is a dispute over who is to blame for the crash, it might be necessary to hire a lawyer to protect your interests.

The Damages May Be More Than You Think

Any time two vehicles collide, there is a risk that the occupants could suffer lasting injuries. This is true even if the collision happened at a low speed. Two common injuries that often result from minor crashes include whiplash and concussions.

Some symptoms of whiplash include:

• Stiffness or swelling in the neck
• Neck pain when trying to move
• Headaches and memory loss
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness or tingling in the arms
• Fatigue

Some symptoms of a concussion include:

• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue

Both whiplash and concussions symptoms could worsen in the hours, days, and weeks after the crash. They could eventually require a hospital visit, imaging tests, therapy and rehabilitation, prescriptions for medication, and other costly and unexpected expenses.

If your injuries start to hinder your ability to perform daily functions, you might be forced to miss work. This can result in lost wages at a time when your medical costs and vehicle repair bills are starting to pile up.

These are some examples of how the damages resulting from a minor collision can be significantly more than you might have expected.

What You Should Always Do After a Minor Accident

After a minor car accident, there are specific steps you can take to protect yourself. Knowing that even a minor crash could have significant repercussions later, you should always:

• Report the collision to law enforcement and save a copy of the crash report.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, including the position of the vehicles, vehicle damage, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
• Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Keep all medical bills and related documentation.
• Follow your treatment plan, including attending all follow-up visits and getting any tests that are recommended.
• Refrain from posting about your crash on social media.
• Contact a car accident lawyer to discuss your rights.

Why You May Need a Car Accident Lawyer for a Minor Accident 

While the other driver might be willing to accept the blame for the crash, things aren’t always that easy. Disputes over who was at fault and how much compensation the at-fault party owes are common, and discussions about relatively minor collisions could easily turn contentious.

Having a knowledgeable lawyer on your side could be crucial to pursuing the fair compensation you deserve. This is particularly true if:

• You discover “hidden” injuries after the crash, or if relatively minor symptoms worsen over time.
• There is a disagreement over who was at fault for the crash.
• The other party (or the insurer, more likely) refuses to offer what you think is fair compensation.
• You have doubts about your legal knowledge and ability to handle your claim on your own.

Insurance companies have entire teams working to deny or diminish claims filed against them. That’s why it is often necessary to bring in a knowledgeable car accident lawyer to level the playing field. Getting the insurance company to pay you what you’re owed is often a challenge. But a skilled lawyer from Stokes Stemle, LLC will know the tactics the other side will deploy ─ and how to fight for what is fair and just.

Contact Stokes Stemle, LLC for Help Today

The Montgomery car accident lawyers of Stokes Stemle, LLC represent those who’ve been hurt in car accidents, both minor and severe. No case is too large or too small for us to handle. What matters to us is seeing that justice is served for those who’ve been harmed.

If you’re worried about the cost of hiring us, don’t be. We represent all injury clients on a contingency basis. This means we won’t charge you any fees until we recover compensation for you. There is absolutely no risk to hire us, even for a minor car accident claim. Contact us today for a free case review.

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Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month: What You Need to Know

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The campaign reminds drivers to share the road with motorcyclists. It also educates riders on the risks of riding a motorcycle and how to stay safe while riding.

Motorcyclists don’t have the protection of an enclosed vehicle or other features like airbags or seat belts to keep them safe while riding. That means riders and their passengers face the risk of serious or potentially life-threatening injuries in the event of a crash. That’s particularly true if the collision involves another motor vehicle.

If you were hurt in an accident while riding in Alabama, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Stokes Stemle, LLC can help. Our firm is singularly focused on helping people who have been harmed due to the recklessness of others.

We know that the idea of pursuing financial compensation after an accident can feel overwhelming. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we offer a full-service approach to working with our clients. We’ll handle your legal matters with skill and precision. But we’ll also help you get access to the medical treatment you need as you recover.

Our law firm is available 24/7 to answer any questions you have. Contact us for a free consultation.

History of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month 

The National Safety Council (NSC) designated the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Even though only three percent of registered vehicles are motorcycles, they accounted for 14 percent of fatal traffic accidents in a recent year.

Over the month, the NSC, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other entities will help motorists and motorcyclists stay safe on the road. These awareness efforts include providing motorcycle safety booklets, helpful videos on choosing the right helmet, and assistance finding motorcycle safety courses near you.

Motorcycle Accident Facts

According to the most current data from the Alabama Department of Transportation, 1,867 crashes involved a motorcycle (including motor scooters and mopeds) in Alabama in a single recent year. These collisions resulted in 1,213 injuries and 90 fatalities.

In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that motorcyclist fatalities in Alabama represented about 10 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths in the state during that year.

What Safety Tips Should Motorcyclists Keep in Mind?

Motorcycle riders should always follow these safety tips whenever going out for a ride:

• Always conduct a pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle. Check your tires (pressure and treads), your brakes, all lights and indicators, fluid levels, and determine whether your bike is suffering from any leaks before hitting the road. Also make sure to adjust your tire pressure and suspension to accommodate any cargo or passengers you may be carrying.
• If carrying a passenger, make sure they get on after you’ve started the bike. Sit as far forward as possible to give your passenger room to sit. They should have their own factory-installed seat and footrests on the bike. Have your passenger hold onto your waist or hips and instruct them to lean whenever and in whichever direction you lean.
• Wear a helmet. Alabama law requires all persons riding on a motorcycle to wear helmets approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Riders should also wear shatterproof eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield, along with gloves, boots, and clothing that fully covers arms and legs made from a thick material such as denim or leather.
• Stay visible. Keep your headlight on at all times, even in broad daylight. Make sure your clothing is brightly colored, or place reflective-colored tape on your clothing and helmet.
• Follow all applicable traffic laws. This includes avoiding lane-splitting or riding on traffic lines or between lanes of traffic. Motorcycles are entitled to the entire width of a lane. No more than two motorcycles may ride side-by-side in a single traffic lane.
• Practice. If you ride infrequently, consider doing some practice runs in an empty parking lot or quiet road to reacquaint yourself with your motorcycle’s performance, including how it accelerates and brakes.
• Never operate a motorcycle with power or performance capabilities outside your skill level. If you’re new to motorcycles, start with a lower-powered bike.
• Avoid distractions. Stay off your cell phone, even if you are stopped at a traffic light.
• Always practice defensive driving. Assume that another driver cannot see you. Avoid riding in the blind spots of other vehicles on the road or highway.
• Don’t ride while impaired. Never get on your motorcycle after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
• Avoid riding in bad weather or at night if you can. If the forecast includes bad weather, consider delaying leaving until the weather improves. If the weather turns poor while riding, pull off the road where safe to do so where you can wait inside until the weather passes. If you must ride in inclement weather, remember to travel at a slower speed and exercise extreme caution.

Were You Injured by a Motorcycle Accident? Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else in Alabama, securing full and fair compensation can help you avoid serious financial hardships. Turn to the lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC for help. Our Montgomery, Alabama motorcycle accident lawyers demand maximum compensation and fight aggressively for fair results. Call or fill out an online contact form for a free consultation today.

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Motorcycle Safety Tips for Alabama Motorcycle Drivers

Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in crashes with passenger cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Alabama statistics show that roughly 1900 of the state’s motorcyclists were involved in wrecks in a recent year, killing 90 people and injuring 1,213 more.

Staying alive means riding safely. Read on for motorcycle safety tips from the lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC.

Know the Law

You must have a Class M driver’s license and be at least 16-years-old to ride a motorcycle or moped in Alabama. That license should be in your possession at all times in case you are stopped by law enforcement.

Alabama motorcycle drivers should also:

• Wear a helmet that is compliant with Department of Transportation (DOT) standards.
• Ride on the permanent and regular seat of the motorcycle.
• Only carry passengers if the bike is equipped with footrests.
• Wear shoes at all times.
• Carry nothing that prevents both hands from being on the handlebars.
• Remember that lane sharing (riding two abreast) is permitted in Alabama, but lane splitting — cutting in between cars in traffic— is illegal.

You must also have taken a rider safety course or passed a written test before getting your class M license. The Alabama Motorcycle Safety Program offers rider safety courses throughout the state. Classes are available for advanced riders as well.

Know Your Bike

Not all motorcycles are created equal. You need a bike that fits you. You should be able to rest both feet on the ground when sitting on a motorcycle. It should not be too heavy for you to maneuver easily.

Get to know your bike by:

• Reading the owner’s manual.
• Making sure that you understand how the controls work, especially the brakes, turn signals, horn, headlights, and cut-off switch. Don’t ride on the street until you can locate the controls without having to look for them.
• Check that your tires, fluid levels, lights, clutch, and throttle are in good working order. Look for any leaks by checking under the motorcycle.

Get Your Gear

A DOT-approved helmet and shoes are required for motorcycle drivers in Alabama. A face shield and/or goggles are recommended to prevent debris from flying off the road and into your face.

Other riding gear is also a good idea, including:

• Jackets
• Riding pants — not just regular jeans. There are denim pants that are reinforced with material to increase their resistance to abrasions.
• Riding suits
• Boots
• Gloves
• Elbow/knee/shin guards

We know what many people think. In an Alabama summer, who wants to put on long-sleeve jackets, pants, and boots in sweltering temperatures? The motorcycle accident lawyers at Stokes Stemle, LLC strongly encourage you to consider wearing motorcycle gear. Many clothes are designed with both hot and cold temperatures in mind.

Follow Traffic Laws

Everyone has an obligation to obey the rules of the road. Yet the truth is that most accidents are not accidents at all. Typically, there is at least one party to blame.

Determining who is at fault will be important if you are in a collision and need to file an injury claim. But to reduce the chances of a crash, you should:

• Maintain a safe following distance: Motorcycles need the same amount of time to stop as passenger vehicles.
• Know the right-of-way laws: Nearly two-thirds of motorcycle accidents happen because another driver violated the motorcyclist’s right of way, according to the Alabama Motorcycle Manual.
• Stay visible: Motorcycles are smaller, narrower, and more difficult for drivers to spot. Do your part to stay visible by using your headlights, wearing the proper clothes, and riding in the left portion of the lane to help others see you.
• Beware of blind spots: Every vehicle has blind spots. Don’t linger in them. Keep in mind that large trucks and tractor trailers have much larger blind spots on all sides.
• Don’t speed: Driving too fast is a common cause of all accident types. Speeding is especially dangerous for motorcyclists because they lack the same safety protections enjoyed by other motorists.

Ride Sober

Don’t drink and ride. Being able to maneuver and respond quickly to emergencies is critical for motorcyclists. Even a small overcorrection could cause the bike to topple over. And with motor skills, judgment, and vision impaired by alcohol, small errors can have devastating consequences.

Adjust Your Driving at Night 

Motorcycle drivers are much harder to spot at night. Even with headlights and taillights on, it will be tricky for other drivers to tell the difference between a motorcycle and another car.

Don’t make any assumptions that other drivers will do the right thing. Instead, stay safe by:

• Reducing your speed.
• Increasing your following distance.
• Watching the car in front of you. Headlights that bump up and down may indicate rough patches of road ahead of you.
• Wearing reflective clothing.
• Using your high beams whenever you can. Remember to turn them down when you see other cars coming to avoid blinding them.
• Riding in the portion of your lane that gives you the best visibility. Don’t switch lanes frequently — it makes you unpredictable and can confuse other drivers.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

At Stokes Stemle, LLC, we hope you never need the help of a motorcycle accident attorney. But if you are hurt in an accident and someone else is to blame, talk to a lawyer right away.

Motorcycle accidents can cause some of the worst injuries, especially ones to the neck and head. These injuries can result in sky-high medical bills, lost time off work, and permanent disabilities. You should not have to pay for these expenses alone if another person caused the wreck.

An Alabama motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm will investigate your case, collect the evidence needed to support your claim, and negotiate effectively for the best possible result in your case. Compensation can cover medical costs, missed wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more.

Don’t wait to get started on the path to justice. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

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Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer After a Truck Accident

According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, thousands of Alabama residents are injured and dozens are killed every year as a result of large truck accidents. Many truck accident victims are forced to deal with devastating and debilitating injuries, unexpected medical expenses, damaged vehicles, and other serious consequences after a truck accident.

Just because accidents happen frequently doesn’t mean that they are unavoidable. If a truck driver, trucking company, or another entity’s negligence cause a crash that harms others, they can and should be held accountable. An experienced truck accident lawyer like those at Stokes Stemle, LLC know this, and we are ready stand up for you. We will demand justice by filing a claim against the responsible parties and pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries.

Give us a call or contact us online to learn more about how an experienced truck accident injury attorney can help you.

Trucking Insurance Policies Are Different

In a typical car accident case involving two passenger vehicles, the injured party will often seek a fair settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance provider.

If you’ve been injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, however, multiple liable parties and insurance policies may come into play.

The company that hired the truck driver will likely have liability insurance. The truck driver may have their own insurance policy as well. Many commercial vehicles are covered by vehicle-specific insurance policies, and the cargo they haul may be insured, too.

Filing a claim with one insurance provider can be complicated enough, but dealing with multiple insurance companies at once can be challenging if you are not familiar with the process. The insurance adjusters’ role is to protect their company’s bottom line. They may do this by minimizing your claim or denying you compensation entirely. Without the help of a truck injury lawyer, you may be stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare with mountains of paperwork from multiple claims. This can be extremely frustrating when you are trying to recover from your truck accident injuries.

Commercial truck insurance policies also tend to have higher policy limits to cover the devastating damage and severe injuries that often occur when trucks are involved in accidents. Insurers have even more incentive to minimize or deny claims when large payouts are potentially involved. This is not a battle you want to fight on your own. A lawyer with extensive experience handling truck accident claims will have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to prove your claims.

Truck Accidents Usually Cause More Damage

When a large commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the resulting injuries and property damage can be devastating. While the truck driver may walk away from the crash unscathed, all-too-often, the occupants in the smaller vehicle suffer severe, catastrophic, or fatal injuries.

Unfortunately, the truck driver, trucking company, and their insurers may fight back against your injury claim. They may deny causing the accident, delay dealing with your claim, or might even try to blame you for the crash to avoid paying what you’re owed.

With so much on the line, it’s vital to hire a dedicated truck accident attorney to represent you and your interests. These entities will have truck driver accident lawyers on their side who do nothing but defend against liability claims, so you should have qualified counsel looking out for your interests and fighting for you.

Multiple Parties May Share Liability for Truck Accidents

Some truck accidents involve truck drivers who are owner-operators, meaning they are self-employed drivers who own their own trucks. If an owner-operator causes a truck accident, they alone are most likely liable for accident-related damages.

However, many drivers work for companies that own multiple vehicles or even large fleets of trucks. There are also other entities like third-party maintenance companies, cargo loading companies, and even the company that owns the cargo that could bear responsibility after a crash.

Proving fault in any accident claim can be challenging but identifying all liable parties after a truck accident will usually require the help of a skilled truck accident lawyer.

A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Develop an Appropriate Legal Strategy

A knowledgeable truck accident attorney will be familiar with the unique challenges these cases present and will develop appropriate legal strategies to increase your case’s chance of success.

When you hire Stokes Stemle, LLC to represent you, we can establish a strong legal strategy to give you your best chance at success by:

• Gathering evidence of liability from accident reports, driver logbooks, electronic GPS, cell phone records, trucking company maintenance records, witness statements, and background investigations
• Estimating the value of a fair truck accident settlement by accounting for all of your accident-related losses, including your physical and mental pain and suffering
• Working with medical professionals to evaluate your injuries and estimate the cost of future treatment
• Communicating with insurance providers on your behalf and handling settlement negotiations from start to finish

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you’ve been hurt in a collision with an 18-wheeler, don’t trust your injury claim to just any lawyer. These cases often involve severe injuries, multiple liable parties, and entities who will fight aggressively to protect their bottom line. You deserve the maximum compensation possible for your claim to ensure that you can pick up the pieces and move on with your life. With an experienced truck accident attorney on your side, you can rest easier knowing that your case is in good hands.

Turn to the team at Stokes Stemle, LLC, and let us get you the compensation you deserve. Call us or reach out to us online for a free case evaluation today.

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How Common Are DUI Accidents in Alabama?

Despite decades of public awareness campaigns, law enforcement crackdowns, enactment of tough DUI laws, and other efforts, drunk driving accidents remain far too common in Alabama and across the country.

If you have been injured because of someone else’s foolish decision to drink and drive, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Contact the law firm of Stokes Stemle, LLC, now for a free claim review.

Alabama DUI Car Accident Laws

According to Alabama’s drunk driving laws, a driver is considered legally intoxicated if:

• Non-commercial drivers aged 21 or older have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 grams of alcohol or more per deciliter of blood (g/dL).
• Non-commercial drivers under the age of 21 are legally drunk if they have a BAC of 0.02 g/dL or more.
• Commercial drivers are legally drunk if they have a BAC of 0.04 g/dL or more.
• Drivers operating school buses or daycare vehicles are considered legally drunk if their BAC is 0.02 g/dL or more.

Drivers who are found guilty of driving under the influence are subject to harsh penalties, including possible fines, license suspensions, and even jail time. Additionally, there are enhanced penalties for motorists who drive drunk while children under 14 are in their vehicles and for drunk drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or more.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in Alabama

The following facts and statistics demonstrate the nature and severity of the drunk driving problem in Alabama. According to research from the Alabama Department of Transportation and reporting by Montgomery’s WSFA News:

• 210 people were killed in 5,524 vehicle accidents involving suspected drug or alcohol impairment in one recent year.
• Alabama car crashes involving drivers under the influence were 7.62 times more likely to result in fatalities.
• Alabama men were more than 2.75 times more likely than women to cause impaired driving accidents.
• The majority of impaired driving crashes occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and more than 42 percent occurred on weekend days.
• Alabama’s rate of impaired driving deaths per 100,000 people was 5.5, the fifth-highest among all states.

What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident with a Drunk Driver

If you are involved in an accident with a suspected drunk driver, you should take the following steps to protect your legal rights and your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries:

• Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver, if possible.
• Request contact information and statements from any available eyewitnesses.
• Take photographs of the accident scene, including any vehicle damage or visible injuries caused by the crash.
• Seek immediate medical attention, and follow through on any treatment plans prescribed by your doctor.
• Keep a record of any medical bills, repair invoices, or other incidental expenses you incur as a result of the accident.
• Avoid discussing the details of your accident with others or posting about it on social media.
• Keep track of your pain and suffering in a daily pain journal, which can be used to illustrate the impact of the injury on your life.
• Contact an experienced Alabama DUI accident attorney.

Get Help from an Alabama DUI Accident Lawyer

The dedicated lawyers of Stokes Stemle, LLC, have a deep knowledge of Alabama law and years of experience representing the interests of people injured in drunk driving accidents. We fight aggressively for DUI accident victims and seek to maximize their compensation and hold drunk drivers accountable.

Contact us now for a free case review to speak directly with our compassionate personal injury attorneys.

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