“We’re #1” is a favorite phrase offered by Alabama and Auburn fans regarding their respective football programs. Alabamians love to claim #1. However, there is a “#1” that none of us can be proud of.

According to the Birmingham News, Alabama ranks #1 in the southeastern United States in the number of truck death/truck accident/death/fatalities. Much of this can be blamed on a lack of state laws and regulations regarding the trucking industry. See the attached articles to this website.

The thing that is striking to us is the number of dump truck wrecks that are occurring in Alabama. Unlike interstate tractor trailers which undergo regular inspections, nearly 1 out of 3 trucks or drivers checked by Alabama State Troopers in 2003 had a safety problem so serious that officers would not let them back on the road until the problem was fixed, according to the 5/15/05 Birmingham News.

Every year nearly 500,000 large trucks are involved in traffic accidents in the United States. Approximately 5,000 of these accidents involve semi trailer trucks resulting in fatalities. 

Almost 10% of large truck fatal crashes occurred in the State of Alabama. That’s right, 1 out of 10 fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in Alabama! These facts cause us a great deal of concern. It is not easy to represent the families of people killed in these horrible crashes.

I want it to be clear. I am an attorney who practices in this area of the law. This website is to honor my clients and to bring this important issue to the attention of the public. It is for the purpose to share information with the public about dump truck wrecks and trucking safety issues. WE HAVE A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM IN ALABAMA.

Surely some people who visit this site will come to us as clients. Others will use this information to gain understanding. Hopefully others will use this website and the information found herein to put pressure on the legislature of the State of Alabama to implement serious truck safety laws and regulations.

If the people of Alabama are to known as #1, let it be because we have the safest highways in the country.

Top 10 Causes of Truck Wrecks

Allen Smith, a former truck driver who publishes the TruthAboutTrucking.com blog, has listed the "Top 10 Causes of Truck Accidents" as follows:

1. Prescription Drug Use 26%
2. Traveling Too Fast 23%
3. Unfamiliar with Roadway 22%
4. Over-the-counter Drug Use 18%
5. Inadequate Surveillance 14%
6. Fatigue 13%
7. Illegal Maneuver 9%
8. Exterior Distraction 8%
9. Inadequate Evasive Action 7%
10. Aggressive Driving Behavior 7%