Contrary to popular belief, driving is not a right in the U.S.-- it’s a privilege. It’s a privilege that we’re subject to lose if we don’t follow the rules. Like the other 49 states, Alabama has unique laws that drivers have to obey.
Unfortunately, too many people take driving privileges for granted, cause an accident, and then injure someone.
If you were injured in an accident with a driver who was disobeying Alabama’s driving laws, then consider contacting a personal injury attorney to learn how to file a personal injury claim.
Specific Rules in Alabama
In Alabama, every driver needs to obey the following laws.
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Seatbelts: In Alabama, anybody who is in the front seat of a passenger car must be wearing a seatbelt. The price of a seatbelt citation is $25.00.
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Drunk driving laws: If you get caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or above, then you could be arrested for drunk driving. First-time offenders could also be subject to having to install an ignition interlock device (IID) if their BAC was 0.15 or more when they were caught.
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Open container laws: Like other states, the consumption of alcohol while operating a vehicle is prohibited in Alabama. Similarly, alcohol cannot be stored in an open container in the passenger area. The main exceptions would be if the driver was operating a vehicle where people might be drinking (i.e., a party bus or limo).
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Distracted driving: Alabama drivers aren’t allowed to use a “wireless communication device” (in most cases, that would be a cell phone) to send any kind of written communication while they are operating their vehicle.
An Example of the Rules In Action
It may be useful to get a sense of how these driving laws might be used in practice. For example, if you were sideswiped by someone whose BAC was 0.12 (which is over the legal limit) and the accident caused you to break your femur, then you could probably file a personal injury claim.
If that did happen, then that driver will most likely be at-fault for the accident.
In this case, the party who is “at-fault” is the one whose actions were more than 50% responsible for the accident, and Alabama’s courts (who operate under an at-fault system) ultimately get to decide this.
Find an Attorney Who Can Help You
Getting into an accident in general is scary, and it’s even scarier not knowing whether or not it’s your fault. Learning Alabama’s driving laws should be your first step after your accident. Learn all that you can.
Then, consult with a personal injury attorney. He or she can help you build your case and possibly even get you financial compensation from a successful claim. It could put your mind at ease to know that you’ll be able to recover without worrying about basic survival.
That sense of serenity alone is worth it, so consider reaching out to a personal injury attorney today to get started.
