A man was killed in a car accident while fleeing police in Huntsville Alabama.
A man was killed and two other people were injured after a driver dodged an attempted traffic stop, resulting in the deadly crash in Huntsville. According to Huntsville Police reports, the crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Old Monrovia Road near the AMC Theater. Montarious Rooks, a 29-year-old man from Madison County, sped away from a traffic stop for a tag violation and the police began a chase, but stopped at a traffic light due to concerns of a high-speed chase in a congested traffic area. Shortly after, police were called to a nearby car accident and the officer recognized the vehicle as the one he had been chasing. Both Rooks and a passenger in his vehicle were taken to the hospital with serious injuries and the driver of the second vehicle suffered minor injuries. Driver actions taken immediately following a car accident can save lives and are helpful to support legal action for damage compensation.
Post-Accident Actions.
If you are in an accident near Huntsville Alabama, you should:
- Check on the condition of the people involved in the car accident,
- Call the police or emergency responders if needed,
- Get a written accident report,
- Remain at the accident scene,
- Exchange driver and insurance information,
- Get witness contact information,
- Call your insurance company to set up a claim,
- Seek out medical treatment if necessary,
- Take pictures of the scene, and the vehicle damages,
- Seek legal counsel.
“Fault” insurance state.
It is important to understand insurance laws in Alabama in order to process a claim for vehicle damage, personal injury, or wrongful death. Alabama has a “fault” insurance system in place, meaning when someone causes a car accident, their insurance company must pay for a victim’s losses. Claims revolve around the legal concept of negligence to determine percentages of fault. To establish negligence, it must be proven that:
- A driver, or other party owed you a duty of care, such as a duty to operate their car safely according to Alabama’s traffic laws,
- The at-fault party violated this duty of care and caused injury,
- Physical, emotional, or financial injuries resulted because of the at-fault party’s conduct.
Filing restrictions and legal counsel.
In the state of Alabama, the court system allows a person two years to file a legal claim related to a car accident causing personal injury, or wrongful death. If you have been involved in a car accident in Huntsville Alabama, seek legal consultation so an experienced personal injury attorney can help file a wrongful death action, or potential legal claim toward a settlement to cover damages from a vehicle accident.
Sources:
https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/alabama/al-code/alabama_code_6-2-38
