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Our Tuscaloosa Accident Attorney Can Handle Your Claim

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After a severe accident, having a competent Tuscaloosa accident attorney shouldn't be one of your worries. Contact Cross & Smith for a free consultation

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What Are Your Rights After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Alabama?

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What Are Your Rights After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Alabama?

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Passengers in Uber and Lyft vehicles and drivers who have been injured in accidents involving these vehicles have always enjoyed the same rights as individuals injured in other types of car accidents, but now Alabama law requires both ridesharing drivers and companies like Uber and Lyft to carry additional insurance beyond the state's standard minimum requirements.

Alabama's Insurance Requirements for Ridesharing Drivers and Companies

The law applies any time a ridesharing driver is logged in to the Uber or Lyft app. If a driver is logged in but, "not engaged in a prearranged ride," limited liability coverage applies, which includes both medical and property damages:

No more than $100,000 will be covered for collisions that occurring during the "logged in/no prearranged ride period;"

Primary automobile liability coverage: a maximum of $25,000 for property damage; and

$50,000 coverage per person for medical costs.

Additionally, Uber/Lyft carries additional coverage for when drivers are logged in but not actively transporting a passenger:

$50,000 personal injury coverage; and,

$100,000 per accident.

However, the coverage amounts increase substantially when an Uber or Lyft driver is actively providing a prearranged ride. In addition to the minimum limits noted above that are provided by the driver's insurance policy, the rideshare company also provides the following:

$1 million in liability

$1 million in underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage

Accident victims who are involved in crashes involving rideshares are typically paid via the insurance company but beware that the insurer's goal is to pay out the least amount of money possible. That said, you are encouraged to seek legal guidance to ensure you obtain the just compensation you deserve.

Compensation claims can often get held up between insurance companies seeking to shift liability between one another. Ridesharing companies' coverage cannot be contingent upon victims' personal insurers denying their claims, and in general, accident victims are not required to pursue personal auto insurance claims before filing claims against ridesharing companies' insurers.

Mandatory Background Checks for Uber and Lyft Drivers

In addition to these insurance requirements, the law also institutes mandatory background checks for rideshare drivers. Ridesharing companies are required to conduct initial background checks and ongoing background checks, and these companies, may not authorize an individual to act as a ridesharing driver, if:

The driver has been convicted of a violent crime, sexual offense, disqualifying felony, disqualifying drug-related offense or disqualifying property damage or theft offense;

The driver has over three moving violations within the last three years (such as red light violations and accidents);

The driver has a DUI violation in the past seven years;

The driver has a major moving violation in the last three years (reckless driving or driving on a suspended license); or,

The driver has had any driving-related convictions in the past seven years.

If you were seriously injured in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft ridesharing vehicle, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. A legal professional can help ensure you preserve your rights and options under the law.

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Local Announcement: What Are Your Rights After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Alabama?

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Passengers in Uber and Lyft vehicles and drivers who have been injured in accidents involving these vehicles have always enjoyed the same rights as individuals injured in other types of car accidents, but now Alabama law requires both ridesharing drivers and companies like Uber and Lyft to carry additional insurance beyond the state's standard minimum requirements.

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How Does Comprehensive Medical Insurance Coverage Impact My Damages Claim?

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How Does Comprehensive Medical Insurance Coverage Impact My Damages Claim?

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How Does Comprehensive Medical Insurance Coverage Impact My Damages Claim? - Cross and Smith

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In Alabama, you may claim medical expenses as damages even if you have no out-of-pocket costs. Read on to learn more from our Tuscaloosa injury attorney.

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Can I Make a Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

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Can I Make a Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?

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Can I Make a Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits? - Cross and Smith

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Workers' compensation benefits are a valuable tool for recovery in Alabama work injury cases. Read on to learn more about whether you're eligible.

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Fully automated commercial semi-trucks are coming soon to a highway near you, but many safety advocates have concerns. Currently, all “self-driving” vehicles are required to have a driver present to monitor the vehicle’s function. However, many states are allowing research, test, and pilot programs for fully automated vehicles. While it may be a while before this technology is available to the average consumer, you may start seeing driverless freight trucks on the road as early as 2023.

The Future of Automated Trucks

Plans for testing automated trucks with fewer safety drivers are already underway in China. The first trial will include a fleet with drivers in the first and last trucks, with driverless trucks in between. According to Utopiolot, the commercial vehicle developer behind the trucks that will be used, the trucks will be able to follow each other at a specified interval, change lanes, and brake automatically.

In the United States, Texas is the state at the forefront of the testing and deployment of automated trucks. While there have been some driverless tests conducted in Arizona, the trucks set to hit the interstates in the next year will be the first deployed for commercial use. Texas is an attractive option for companies that are developing this technology for several reasons. The state has long stretches of road and a thriving freight industry, as it sits on one of the country’s busiest routes. Perhaps more importantly, the state has the least restrictive regulations in the nation when it comes to autonomous vehicles.

Safety Concerns

So far, there have not been any accidents in Texas that are known to have been associated with autonomous vehicles. However, up until this point, all tests have included a safety driver present. While the companies are collaborating with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to ensure the trucks are as safe as possible, many safety advocates are worried that the technology is still too new.

Federal regulations concerning autonomous vehicles have stalled for years, which means it is up to the states to determine regulations. For instance, there are still no laws addressing who is liable if a driverless vehicle causes a truck accident. Trucking companies argue that the best way to ensure safety is to test and fine-tune the technology in real-world conditions. However, consumer advocate groups such as Texas Watch argue that rushing the technology and using other drivers on the road as beta testers puts those drivers at risk.

How Companies are Improving Safety

In many cases, automated driving technology may improve safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many of the assistive features already available on some newer model cars can actually help reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities. The technologies may be able to detect and react to a potential crash quicker than a driver, and they reduce human error due to recklessness, distracted driving, or fatigue.

However, the technology is still under development. One of the main issues that truck automation developers are working on with the Texas Department of Public Safety in advance of the deployment is to teach them how to respond to police vehicles. This is no easy task, as the trucks will have to be able to differentiate between police and other emergency vehicles, know when and how to safely pull over, and communicate with police officers without them requiring specialized equipment.

The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) has published a number of Best Practices guides that apply to all automated vehicles, including first responder interactions and metrics for analyzing safety. As automation technology improves and learns how to better interact with the environment, it likely won’t be long before much of the goods and materials shipped across the country are hauled by driverless trucks.

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Automated Semi-Trucks Are Coming. Are They Safe?

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Texas will be the first state to deploy driverless commercial trucks.

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If you're a commercial truck driver, it's time to start getting ready for the 2022 Brake Safety Week. From August 21st through the 27th, the inspections will be conducted by the Commerical Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) throughout North America, including in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The CVSA will be gathering truck safety data, checking brake conditions, and removing unsafe trucks from roadways that fall under their Out-of-Service criteria. Vehicles that pass the inspection will be affixed with a decal.

The Importance of Brake Safety

As commercial truck drivers know, a fully functional braking system is crucial for safety. In fact, faulty brakes are known to be one of the most common maintenance issues that can contribute to trucking accidents. Even with a fully functional braking system, commercial trucks have a longer stopping distance than other vehicles due to their size and weight. Poorly maintained systems can increase this distance as well as reduce overall braking capacity.

For this reason, the braking systems on trucks are required to be tested every time the vehicle is driven. Even a minor issue such as a leak in the brake line can lead to an accident that might otherwise have been prevented. Despite this, nearly 52,000 vehicles were removed from service due to brake violations during last year's CVSA inspections.

Preparing For Your Inspection

While it is important to prepare your truck for Brake Safety Week inspections, proper truck brake safety requires attention to maintenance all year long. The braking system has numerous components, each of which should be checked daily, weekly, or monthly. If your system has been properly maintained with high-quality parts, you should not be at risk for violation.

Specifically, the CVSA will be looking for missing, loose, worn, or damaged parts in the braking system, as well as leaks in the brake lines. They will check the functionality of warning devices, such as the antilock braking system and dash light indicators. In addition, they will ensure that the brakes are properly adjusted. This year, they will be focusing on gathering data on the level of chafing seen in brake hoses and tubes as well. Inspectors will also remind drivers of the importance of pre- and post-trip brake checks.

If you own a commercial truck, make sure your truck is in compliance now. This is important for not only keeping your truck on the road, but for keeping yourself and other drivers safe.

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It's Time to Get Your Truck's Brakes Checked During Safety Week

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If you're a commercial truck driver, it's time to start getting ready for the 2022 Brake Safety Week. From August 21st through the 27th, the inspections will be conducted by the Commerical Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) throughout North America, including in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Four Avenues for Recovery in a Construction Site Accident Lawsuit

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Four Avenues for Recovery in a Construction Site Accident Lawsuit

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Four Avenues for Recovery in a Construction Site Accident Lawsuit

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have you been injured in a construction incident? construction accidents offer multiple different avenues for recovery. read on to learn more. Four Avenues for Recovery in a Construction Site Accident Lawsuit posted by Cross & Smith, LLC on CGMIMM.

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Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-2-.04 - Physical Environment

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Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-2-.04 - Physical Environment

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Alabama Construction Falls a Deadly Reality

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Alabama Construction Falls a Deadly Reality

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Alabama Construction Falls a Deadly Reality - Cross and Smith

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Two men were recently killed in an Alabama construction accident after reportedly falling some 90 feet to the ground from a man-lift on the side of a bridge. Officials with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration are investigating why the lift failed as the two men were reportedly placing wood under a bracket. Our Tuscaloosa construction accident lawyers understand the lift suddenly became detached from the side of the bridge as the two men were working. Both men were employed by Montgomery County’s primary contractor, R.R. Dawson Bridge Company, the company tapped to construct a multi-million dollar bridge at Highway 80 East which would pass over Interstate 85. This was just one portion of a 10-bridge project. County sheriff’s officials have called the deaths of the two men, one from Montgomery and one from Birmingham, accidental. While no one may intend for injuries or deaths to occur on construction job sites, the reality is they most assuredly will happen unless proper procedures are taken to prevent hazards. This means taking special care to prevent falls in particular, which account for one-third of all construction industry fatalities. Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a campaign intended to raise awareness among construction employers about the dangers of falls, and to urge extensive precautions taken in order to protect workers. The three primary kinds of falls in construction occur from roofs, ladders and scaffolds, according to the CDC. Starting with roofs, the CDC, along with the National Institute for […]