Kimeia A. Bennett Killed in Car Accident in Dallas County, AL
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata left the roadway and overturned near Selma
Kimeia A. Bennett, 43, of Uniontown, was killed in a single-vehicle car accident on U.S. 80 near Dallas County 209 on May 3, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata left the road, struck a guardrail and overturned. The driver and another passenger suffered injuries in the early morning crash and were transported to Vaughan Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Bennett, a passenger, was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover.
Troopers with the Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the loss of control. No charges have been announced.
Why did the Hyundai leave U.S. 80?
While the cause and liability of a crash are being investigated, it is important that a competent attorney handles investigations into cases such as this to ensure the rights of the victim and their family are protected.
"Rollover crashes demonstrate how suspension design, tire condition, and center of gravity affect stability. When these elements fail, vehicles overturn violently, reinforcing the importance of engineering resilience in accidents that are widely regarded as among the most severe crash types, said Candice Bond, a national legal analyst for Accident News and managing partner at Bond Legal.
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, the state recorded more than 140,000 total crashes in 2024, with speeding and unbelted passengers remaining major causes.
What are the next steps for the injured passengers?
Insurance adjusters often contact injured parties within days of a crash, before the full extent of medical costs and long-term effects are known.
"In addition to any police investigation, an attorney can review a crash to determine what may have contributed, including driver actions or road conditions," noted Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal.
Victims like Bennett are injured in motor vehicle accidents across our country, and it is often not their fault.
Alabama personal injury framework
Alabama follows a contributory negligence (one of only 4 states) system for personal injury claims arising from traffic collisions. Under this framework, injured parties may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other documented losses. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alabama is 2 years from the date of the crash.
Damages in Alabama personal injury cases typically fall into two categories: economic damages, which cover quantifiable losses such as hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and income disruption, and non-economic damages, which address pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life. Alabama courts evaluate the totality of circumstances when assessing fault allocation.