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 in Alabama 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.
The 43-year-old woman was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover. She was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.
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.
"Passengers who suffer injuries following a collision have several options in pursuing a personal injury lawsuit," said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "The passenger may open a claim with the insurance company of the vehicle they were occupied in if their driver is held liable. It has no effect on one's own insurance policy since the claim is being made against a policy that is not their own."
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," said Stefano Formica, Of 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.