Lowry, Herren & ClineLowry, Herren & Cline2026-11-06T21:38:00Zhttps://www.griffithlowry.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1504986/2020/11/cropped-glm-512x512-1-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[December delivery truck accidents: Who may be liable?]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489542026-11-06T11:25:55Z2026-11-06T11:19:56ZDecember brings packed shopping lists, holiday packages and more delivery vehicles on the road. Amazon, FedEx, UPS and other carriers often add drivers and vehicles to handle the seasonal rush. As a result, Alabama neighborhoods, parking areas and highways may see more delivery traffic than usual.
This added activity can increase the risk of crashes. Rushed drivers, unsafe stops and tight delivery schedules can put you and other road users in danger. If a delivery vehicle hits your car or injures you, the driver may not be the only party responsible.
How does the holiday delivery rush increase accident risks?
Delivery drivers often face pressure to complete more stops before the end of their shifts. Tight schedules and heavy traffic may lead some drivers to make unsafe choices, including:
Speeding: Drivers may exceed speed limits or fail to slow down near homes, schools and busy intersections.
Unsafe parking: Drivers may block driveways, bike lanes or parts of the road, forcing other motorists to swerve.
Distracted driving: Drivers may check delivery apps, read route instructions or search for addresses while driving.
Unsafe turns and stops: Drivers may make sudden stops, reverse without checking or turn without enough clearance.
These actions can lead to rear-end crashes, sideswipes and collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. Even a brief stop in the wrong place could create a serious hazard.
Who may be liable for an Alabama delivery truck accident?
You may assume the driver bears full responsibility after a crash. However, delivery companies and other businesses may also share liability.Alabama law prohibits drivers from stopping or parking in certain places. These include sidewalks, intersections, crosswalks and areas where a stopped vehicle would block traffic near an obstruction. A delivery driver who ignores these rules and causes a crash may face a negligence claim.The delivery company may also face responsibility if its employee caused the crash while performing assigned work. However, claims involving independent contractors and third-party delivery services can require a closer review.Your lawyer can examine company practices, such as driver training, hiring decisions and delivery schedules. These details could help show if the company contributed to the accident through its own conduct.
Protect your rights after a delivery vehicle crash
A December delivery truck accident can leave you with medical bills, lost income and a damaged vehicle. At our firm, we take on delivery companies and their commercial insurers when their conduct may have contributed to an accident.We examine driver actions, company practices and available evidence to identify all potentially responsible parties. You deserve a thorough review of your injuries and losses, even when a large delivery company stands on the other side of your claim.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[4 holiday driving hazards on Alabama highways]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489632026-11-06T21:38:00Z2026-11-05T14:43:15ZWhat makes holiday driving more dangerous?
Four common hazards deserve your attention:
Heavy interstate congestion: Stop-and-go traffic and sudden braking can lead to rear-end crashes. Leaving extra space between vehicles gives you more time to react.
Winter weather: Freezing rain and black ice can make roads slippery, especially on bridges and overpasses in North Alabama. Reducing your speed helps you maintain control.
Driver fatigue: Long drives and late-night trips can slow reaction times and affect judgment. Taking regular breaks helps you stay alert.
Impaired driving: Holiday celebrations may involve alcohol, increasing the risk of encountering drunk drivers. Impaired motorists may speed, drift between lanes or fail to react to traffic signals.
These risks become even more dangerous when other drivers fail to adjust their driving to road and traffic conditions.
What if another driver causes your accident?
If a negligent driver injures you, reporting the crash, taking photos when safe and getting medical care can help document what happened. Police crash reports may help identify witnesses and other details, while medical records can help show the extent of your injuries.
Alabama follows a strict rule called contributory negligence. If you share blame for a crash, you generally cannot receive money for your injuries, even if the other driver was mostly at fault. Some exceptions apply, so proof of what caused the crash matters.
Understanding your rights after a holiday crash
A holiday accident can leave you facing medical bills, lost income and time away from work. Our firm reviews crash reports, witness accounts and other evidence to determine how negligence contributed to your injuries.
You should not have to manage the financial consequences of another driver's negligence without understanding your legal options. We help injured motorists across Alabama evaluate their claims and pursue compensation for eligible losses.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[Understanding your UM/UIM coverage after an Alabama car crash]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489612026-11-06T21:32:02Z2026-11-04T06:00:44ZWhen the other driver's insurance falls short
Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for injury losses caused by a driver without insurance, including an unknown hit-and-run driver. Underinsured motorist (UIM) protection may provide benefits if the amount available from the driver's insurance cannot cover damages. Both generally cover treatment costs, missed income and the physical and emotional effects of your injuries. However, you need to show fault and prove your losses.
Suppose you establish that the other driver caused the crash and that your damages total $100,000. If that driver’s available insurance provides only $25,000, UIM benefits could cover the remaining $75,000, depending on your limits and claim requirements. In Alabama, insurers need to include this protection unless the named policyholders validly reject coverage in writing. Check your policy and any signed forms to see what applies to you.
How stacking increases your available limits
Stacking combines eligible UM/UIM limits to increase the amount available for your claim. This can involve several vehicles under one policy or coverage from separate contracts, as explained below.
Intra-policy stacking (one policy with multiple vehicles)
Within one contract, Alabama’s stacking limit allows the primary coverage plus up to two additional vehicle coverages. If each of three cars has a $50,000 per-person limit, you can stack them for up to $150,000. A fourth vehicle on that policy does not raise this cap.
Inter-policy stacking (multiple separate policies)
The three-coverage cap does not limit how many separate policies you may combine. Your own insurance and a relative's policy are possible sources if you share a household. You need to qualify for coverage under each one. Two policies with $50,000 limits could provide $100,000 if both cover you. Stacking can raise the available limits, but you cannot recover beyond your proven damages.
To protect access to those benefits, tell each UIM insurer about any settlement offer and your intent to seek payment. Give it reasonable time to respond before you release the driver from liability. This allows the carrier to protect its right to seek repayment. Skipping this process could put your recovery at risk.
Navigating difficult insurance negotiations
Seeking fair payment often means showing how lasting injuries affect your ability to earn a living. An experienced attorney can use medical findings and work records to challenge an adjuster's estimate. For example, lifting restrictions could prevent your return to construction work.
Beyond proving these work limits, you may face disputes about exclusions or who qualifies as a household member. Legal guidance can help you address these issues and weigh an offer against your future needs.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[Dangers of working long shifts for Alabama factory workers]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489492026-09-23T10:36:40Z2026-09-23T10:28:43ZMany factory workers across Alabama face grueling schedules to meet production demands or earn extra income. If you are one of them, you might clock 10-, 12-or even 16-hour shifts at work. However, what you might not realize is that these extended shifts put you at serious risk for workplace injuries and long-term health problems.
Safety dangers and common injuries
Fatigue is one of the biggest hidden hazards in industrial work. Long shifts increase your likelihood of suffering various workplace injuries. When you get tired, your reaction time slows and you are more likely to make mistakes that can hurt your body.Long shifts expose you to repetitive strain, back problems and other physical stresses. Additionally, fatigue-related accidents such as slips, trips, falls and machinery-related injuries become more common as your shift progresses.
Legal rights and protections
Alabama is an “at-will” employment state, unlike some other states. There is no maximum limit on the number of hours adult employees can work per day or week in Alabama. However, you are not without protection.The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) entitles you to overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Employers must pay nonexempt workers at least 1.5 times their regular pay rate for those hours.More importantly, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) mandates that your employer provide a workplace “free from recognized hazards.” If your employer forces you to work long shifts that create a demonstrably unsafe environment, it may violate federal safety standards.
Practical steps
If you suffer an injury due to fatigue, you may hesitate to report it because you fear blame for the incident. However, know that Alabama’s workers’ compensation operates on a no-fault system. Even if your own fatigue contributed to the accident, you are generally still entitled to medical benefits and wage compensation.If you feel that long shifts make your workplace dangerous, take action. Keep a log of your hours and report safety concerns to establish a record. For example, an employer may retaliate against you for reporting safety concerns or you could sustain injuries due to workplace hazards. You may want to consider seeking legal counsel to explore your options and strategies.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[5 things to know during North Alabama’s back-to-school traffic]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489292026-08-13T10:54:49Z2026-08-13T10:49:18ZOn roads like US-278, AL-157 and I-65, it only takes one driver looking at a phone or running a bus stop arm to put a student in the hospital. Alabama law imposes clear duties on motorists to prevent tragedy, but parents see these rules broken every morning. If another motorist's negligence hurts your child this school year, you need to know what options your family has.
1. School zone speed limits are enforceable by law
Drivers must comply with strict speed limits in school zones to protect students during arrival and dismissal times. Most zones require vehicle operators to slow to 15 or 25 mph when lights flash or signs are posted. A driver who speeds through a school zone and hits your child has violated state law.
2. Bus stop arm laws exist to save lives
When a school bus extends its stop arm and flashes red lights, motorists traveling in both directions must come to a complete stop. The only exception under state law is for vehicles traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway with a physical barrier or an unpaved median. On undivided four-lane roads, all lanes must stop.
3. Alabama bans using phones behind the wheel
Distracted driving remains a leading cause of crashes near schools and bus stops. Under the state’s Hands-Free Law, it is illegal for anyone to physically hold or manually operate a wireless telecommunication device while driving. If a distracted motorist hurts your child, an attorney can subpoena mobile phone records and telemetry data to demonstrate whether the driver was texting, browsing or physically holding a device at the time of impact.
4. Teen drivers face additional restrictions
Alabama's Graduated Driver License law places strict limits on 16- and 17-year-old Stage II drivers. These young motorists cannot operate vehicles between midnight and 6 a.m., and new license holders face restrictions on the number of passengers they can carry.When a teen driver violates these regulations and causes a crash, they are liable for damages. The teen's parents may also face liability if they meet specific legal criteria, such as negligently entrusting the vehicle to the young motorist.
5. The law offers an avenue to pursue recovery if an accident occurs
In the event of an avoidable accident, you can seek a personal injury claim on behalf of your child. Available compensation often includes:
Head into the school year with confidence and clarity
Safe commutes start with alert driving, and no parent should have to watch their child suffer because another driver chose to break the law. Alabama has protections to back you up when others fail to drive responsibly. If an unsafe driver disrupts your family's routine, knowing your legal rights ensures you can seek full justice and accountability.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[Road rage and motor vehicle accidents in Alabama]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489282026-07-07T15:58:03Z2026-07-22T15:56:13ZRoad rage behaviors that lead to crashes
When a motorist drives while angry or agitated, their emotions can quickly affect their judgement. Road rage often increases the risk of a collision due to the following actions:
Aggressive maneuvers: Tailgating, slamming on the brakes and weaving wildly through traffic
Intimidation: Using the vehicle as a weapon, forcing other drivers off the road or preventing other cars from merging
Impaired judgment: Experiencing delayed reaction times and decision-making caused by anger
A driver experiencing road rage is often more focused on reacting emotionally than on protecting the safety of others. As a result, the chance of a crash increases significantly.
The legal impact in Alabama
In Alabama, road rage often moves beyond simple negligence and into wantonness – a conscious disregard for others’ safety. When a driver acts wantonly, victims may be eligible for punitive damages, which punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Alabama also follows a strict contributory negligence rule, which can make recovering compensation especially difficult for the injured party. If a victim even slightly contributed in any way to the accident, they may not recover compensation. Having strong evidence that proves that the other driver’s road rage caused the crash is crucial in establishing fault.
What to do after a road rage incident
If you get into a car crash because of another driver’s anger, your first priority should always be your safety. It is best not to argue with the aggressive driver or pull over to confront them, as this can escalate the situation and put you in further danger.
It is better to move to a safe location and call 911. You can collect evidence while waiting for police to arrive, including:
Photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions and injuries
Names and contact details of witnesses
Dashcam and traffic camera footage
When the police arrive, explain what happened and describe any aggressive or reckless behavior by the other driver. It is vital to ensure those details are in the police report.
Enforcing safer driving practices
Pursuing an insurance claim is not just about your personal recovery. It is also about preventing further car accidents involving intentional or wanton acts. A lawyer can help you hold the aggressive driver accountable while securing the compensation you deserve.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[5 dangers of June road construction work for Alabama motorists]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489262026-06-17T21:31:11Z2026-06-16T15:45:10ZUsual work zone dangers
Roadwork zones can change driving conditions quickly and increase the risk of severe motor vehicle crashes. Several common factors can cause liability for an injury after a road accident:
Poor signage: The Alabama Department of Transportation or private firms must provide clear alerts according to standard traffic rules. Failing to place clear merge signs or active speed limit warnings may put them at fault for resulting wrecks.
Negligent driving: Drivers must use great care and slow down when entering marked work zones. Drivers who speed, tailgate or look at cell phones violate the law and can face blame for rear-end crashes.
Hazardous conditions: Crews may leave steep drops, loose gravel or unmarked lane shifts that shake up passing cars. These groups can face blame if their failure to keep a safe road directly causes a driver to lose control.
Improper equipment placement: Crews might park big dump trucks, diggers or temporary walls too close to open lanes. This setup can cut the view of drivers and create obstacles for them.
Confusing lane merges: Engineering firms may build temporary lane transitions that force big trucks and small cars to combine too abruptly. When short merge zones trap high-speed traffic, the firm or contractor may share blame for side-swipe wrecks.
Following a work zone road accident in Alabama, it is essential to immediately take photos of the active crews to preserve vital evidence before the construction setup changes. These scene photos can help prove the other driver violated Alabama law, which doubles traffic fines for moving violations that happen while crews are working. In addition, police reports and traffic tickets issued to the driver can strengthen an injury claim.
Advocating for your rights
Navigating a motor vehicle accident claim while on the road to recovery can be overwhelming. With legal support, you may receive guidance for evaluating the evidence, identifying every at-fault party and advocating for your rights during a difficult time.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[Should you say “I’m sorry” at an Alabama accident scene?]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489242026-06-15T17:56:52Z2026-06-15T15:05:15ZHow an apology can ruin your claim
In Alabama, all injury claims must follow the pure contributory negligence system. This bars you from getting any compensation from the other driver, even if you are 1% at fault for the crash.
If you say that you are sorry to the other party, the insurance adjuster will treat this as a confession of guilt. You may have said this as a polite gesture, but it can be that 1% they need to deny your car accident claim entirely.
What you should say to the other driver
Instead of apologizing, check on everyone’s safety, including the other driver and their passengers. Then, exchange your names, contact numbers, driver’s licenses and insurance information.
Should they start the conversation about the collision, keep everything strictly to the facts. If they keep pressing you about the accident, simply inform them to let the police and insurance companies handle the details.
Once the police arrive at the accident scene, they will interview you for an accident report. You must be honest when answering their questions, but avoid speculating.
Getting legal help to handle insurance negotiations
Insurance adjusters tend to be aggressive in getting a confession from you. They can use various tactics to make you accept low settlement offers. Facing these by yourself can be overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Seeking legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney can get you the guidance you need.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[Summer road trips through Alabama: Tips after a car accident]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489222026-06-12T15:46:08Z2026-06-12T15:46:08Z travel through Alabama is common as families head to lakes, Gulf beaches and travel the route south toward the Destin Coast. More vehicles on I-65, I-10 and rural lake corridors means more opportunities for crashes, especially when drivers are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, speed changes and heavy congestion. When an out-of-state motorist is involved, the legal and insurance issues quickly become complicated.
Why out-of-state crashes create legal complexity
A typical Alabama wreck may involve one police report, one insurer and one set of state rules. Interstate accidents can involve multiple insurers, multiple states and disputes over where to file a lawsuit. Evidence also becomes harder to secure when drivers and witnesses return home quickly and vehicle repairs are completed in another state.
Jurisdiction and venue: where the claim belongs
When it comes to disputes about legal action, one of the first questions involves jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is the court’s authority over the parties. In many Alabama roadway crashes, Alabama courts can exercise jurisdiction because the collision occurred in Alabama and the defendant purposefully drove here. Venue then determines the proper county, often where the crash happened and results in the application of Alabama law.However, disputes over jurisdiction can arise in various circumstances such as when a crash involves a rental car company, an employer-owned vehicle or a driver who argues they have no meaningful ties to Alabama beyond passing through.
Insurance coordination: aligning policies and deadlines
Insurance coordination is the second major hurdle. Out-of-state drivers may carry coverage written under another state’s rules, while Alabama’s liability framework and procedural requirements generally still govern the claim. It is important to be aware of this potential roadblock and prepare to move forward with this potential issue in mind.Summer road trips should end with memories, not litigation. If a crash involves an out-of-state motorist in Alabama, jurisdiction and insurance coordination can quickly become the deciding factors. Prompt documentation, early insurer notice and experienced guidance can help preserve evidence, identify all available coverage and position the claim for a fair resolution.]]>On Behalf of Lowry, Herren & Cline<![CDATA[4 fatal driving mistakes you need to be aware of]]>https://www.griffithlowry.com/?p=489182026-06-02T16:46:06Z2026-06-02T12:09:04Z1. Driving blind (literally)
Smartphones pull your eyes off the road for several seconds at a time. If you look down to read a text for five seconds at 55 mph, you are driving the length of a football field completely blind. That is why so many rear-end collisions happen without the driver ever touching the brakes.
Other everyday distractions create similar deadly blind spots.
Eating a meal behind the wheel
Fiddling with the radio or climate controls
Turning around to talk to passengers
Any break in focus makes a sudden stop impossible.
2. Erasing your safety margin
Speeding increases the physical force of a crash and wipes out your reaction time. Excessive speed leaves you with zero safety margin to avoid an obstacle when traffic suddenly halts on a rural two-lane road or the highway. Aggressive habits such as tailgating or erratic lane changes turn a bad situation into a crash. Victims face long, painful recoveries.
3. Trying to power through exhaustion
Between local manufacturing and early-morning healthcare shifts, there are a lot of exhausted workers on the road. The CDC reports drowsy driving impairs your judgment and reaction time almost exactly as alcohol does.
Rolling down the windows or blasting the radio won't save you. Eventually, your body forces "micro-sleeps." Those brief, uncontrollable moments of unconsciousness in heavy traffic are all it takes to cause a devastating wreck.
4. Playing games in a semi-truck's blind spot
Thanks to the local warehousing industry, we share the road with a massive amount of heavy commercial trucks. While these operators hold special licenses, passenger cars make the mistake of lingering in a truck's blind spots or abruptly cutting them off.
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can need almost the length of two football fields to stop, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. When a smaller car cuts off a truck, the smaller vehicle absorbs the brutal brunt of the damage.
Financial recovery after a crash
Figuring out exactly which of these mistakes caused the wreck dictates how an injured person recovers financially. Lost wages and mounting medical bills create crushing stress when a crash forces you off the job. Insurance companies may try to shift the blame and offer quick, but low settlements before the full extent of your injuries is clear.
Securing evidence from the scene, pulling crash reports and negotiating with adjusters requires intense focus. Handing that heavy burden over to legal counsel who handles motor vehicle accidents lets you focus entirely on healing and getting your life back to normal.]]>