Prepared by: Mark  Wolfe, Attorney at Law. The following information is provided as general advice and without charge. Questions about specific issues or situations should be directed to an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney. NOTE: The following material is protected by all applicable State and Federal Copyright laws. Published May, 2005.

Laws and regulations related to motor vehicle accidents vary between each state. While the basic legal concepts are the same in most States, each state has developed its own case law and statutory law related to motor vehicle accidents. In addition, the Federal government has enacted certain statutes which apply to commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce.  Case law represents judicial interpretation of Statutes and common law principles. Statutory laws are statutes and regulations enacted by a legislative body to describe or codify specific laws.

The most basic principal of law relating to the operation of a motor vehicle is that drivers have a duty to be careful so as not to injure other people. The failure to use reasonable care while operating a motor vehicle is called Negligence. Most motor vehicle accident claims and cases involve an assertion of Negligence against the at-fault driver. There are also various defenses to a claim of Negligence. These defenses can vary greatly between States.  The motor vehicle laws and regulations of the State where an accident occurs are generally the laws that will apply to claims and defenses.

THE FOLLOWING LINKS MAY PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LAWS AND REGULATIONS RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS:

Motor Vehicle Accidents: A Victim’s Handbook-Alabama edition: Ordering information for this free publication that provides an  overview of Alabama law related to motor vehicle accidents. Alabama residents only: Moore & Wolfe Publication Site

Alabama Rules of the Road: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/135609.htm

Alabama Statutes Related to Motor Vehicles and Traffic:
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/22786.htm

Alabama Law Resources - sponsored by American Law Sources On-line: http://www.lawsource.com/also/usa.cgi?al

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA):
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/

FMSCA Rules and Regulations:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrguide.htm

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Traffic safety information and news. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Motor Vehicle Laws and Regulations for all 50 States:
http://www.rmis.rmfamily.com/db/lawmotor.php

Understanding Negligence Law: This is a good generic article describing the law of Negligence: http://www.pernet.net/~danat/negloview.htm

General Auto-Negligence Questions: Numerous FAQs related to auto-negligence situations: http://accident-law.freeadvice.com/auto/

Entire current Alabama Code: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm