North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

There seems to be no end in sight. North Carolina keeps getting hammered with dangerous winter weather. The weather has been a primary factor in a number of snow, ice and rain-related car accidents in Western North Carolina and elsewhere. According to NEWS2, a tractor-trailer tipped over into an embankment on Interstate 40 right by the Brevard Road exit. A lane of that roadway had to be closed so that emergency responders could get the big rig out. This accident happened when Asheville was hit by that punch of mid-February snow.

Our recent weather conditions have been sitting in the 20s and 30s with some wicked wind gusts. Although The Weather Channel reports that it's expected to warm up in the next few days, rain is still prevalent. With slick roadways, risks for car accidents in Asheville are still expected to be high.

Weather can be pretty tricky during this time of year. One day it starts to warm up. The next day we are slammed with icy temperatures and the next days it's pouring rain. Our Asheville car accident attorneys ask that you prepare yourself for any and all types of weather that Mother Nature decides to throw at us. There are a few safe driving tips that can be applied to all driving scenarios. For others, we need to properly adjust our driving habits to accommodate the current traffic and the weather conditions.

General Driving Tips from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT):

-Stay alert at the wheel.

-Always buckle up.

-Never drive while under the influence of alcohol.

-Make sure children are always fastened in approved child seats.

-Always follow the posted speed limit.

-Be patient. Don't rush.

-Never tailgate other vehicles.

-Ignore in-car distractions.

-Keep a lookout for debris in the road.

-Leave early to avoid rushing.

-Consider planning trips that avoid busy and congested roadways.

-Check NCDOT's Traveler Information Management System (TIMS) or call 511 to get real-time travel info.

Winter Weather Driving Tips from NCDOT:

-Make sure that all of your windows and your mirrors are clear.

-Slow it down when weather conditions are shoddy.

-Allow a safe following distance between you and other vehicles.

-Be careful around shaded roadways and bridges because ice accumulates first in these areas.

-If you start sliding on an icy roadway, ease up on the gas and turn your steering wheel in the direction that your car is sliding. Don't brake because you will lose control even more.

-Always carry a cell phone with you for emergencies.

-Always make a complete stop when coming to intersections with no working traffic lights. Treat these areas like four-way stops.

NCDOT is there by your side trying to make the state's roadways safer for everyone. The Department usually budgets about $30 million each year for winter weather road treatments. More funds, if needed, will be drawn from emergency reserves.

Continue reading "Fickle Weather Conditions Increasing Risks for Car Accidents in Asheville and Elsewhere" »

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol a recent fatal pedestrian accident in Spartanburg left officials on the hunt for a hit-and-run driver. The accident happened just minutes before 12:30 a.m. on North Blackstock Road, in front of Fairforest Middle School. Police officials believe the vehicle involved in the fatal accident was medium-sized and either blue or green.

Spartanburg County Coroner Dwayne Corn says the victim was a 26-year-old man who died at the scene. The male pedestrian was only a mile away from his home when it happened, according to FOX Carolina.

Our Spartanburg pedestrian accident attorneys understand pedestrians face some dangerous risks when walking along our busy South Carolina roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 4,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic-related accidents in the U.S. in 2009. In additions to these fatalities, there were another 60,000 pedestrians injured in these types of accidents. South Carolina accounted for nearly 100 of these pedestrian fatalities over the year. We understand that walking is environmentally friendly and a fun way to get some exercise, but pedestrians are warned to be cautious when traveling alongside motor vehicles.

To help to keep pedestrians safe along roadways throughout the state, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is here to offer you some safe pedestrian travel tips. Please review these following safety tips and to share them with your friends and family members to help to make our roadways safer for everyone.

Pedestrian Safety Tips:

-Whenever there's a sidewalk, use it! If there isn't a sidewalk for you to use, walk on the edge of the roadway. Do so on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

-Use pedestrian bridges whenever they are available.

-Be sure you always use an intersection or a crosswalk to cross the street. Pedestrians are most often hit by vehicles when they cross the road at places other than at an intersection.

-Before stepping onto the roadway to cross, be sure to look left, right and back left again before proceeding.

-See and be seen. Make sure drivers know where you are!

-Wait for the appropriate cross signals and traffic lights before crossing the street.

-Keep out of drivers' blind spots.

-Be sure that you make eye contact with a driver before trying to cross the road. You want to make sure that they see you.

-Wear brightly-colored clothing.

-Carry a flashlight or wear reflective tape when traveling after dark.

-Never let children play near traffic without supervision.

-Avoid drinking alcohol and walking. Just as booze can hinder your ability to drive, it can also hinder your ability to walk safely.

Continue reading "Driver Kills Pedestrian in Hit-and-Run Driver Traffic Accident in Spartanburg" »

After a recent school bus accident in Greenville, six students were taken to the hospital with numerous injuries. According to one witness, the accident was so bad, one student even passed out at the scene. The South Carolina Highway Patrol reports that the accident happened when the driver of a pickup truck crossed over the center line and ran head on into the Greenville County School District school bus in the opposite lane of traffic on West Georgia Road.

According to News Channel 7, rescue crews had to cut the pickup truck driver out of his vehicle and had to rush him to Greenville Memorial hospital via helicopter. Six students from Woodmont Middle School were taken to Hillcrest Hospital. A seventh student and the driver of the bus were taken to Greenville Memorial. The most recent updates regarding this accident state that the driver of the pickup truck has been charged with driving under the influence.

As we've recently reported on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, traffic crashes involving school buses are oftentimes blamed on the bus driver. Unfortunately, in many other cases, they are the fault of other motorists. Just as we have to alter our driving habits around large trucks, drivers need to alter driving habits near buses. It's not just for our safety, but for the safety of students as well.

The American Safety Council is here to offer a few safety tips to help us when traveling around school buses. Drivers are encouraged to review these tips and to share them with the drivers in their family. We all need to work together to help to reduce the risks of serious accidents on our South Carolina roadways.

Safety Tips for Driving Around School Buses:

-Always stop for school buses when they are dropping off or picking up students. It's the law. Stop when following a bus that has activated its red or amber lights. When approaching a bus that is coming from the opposite direction with its lights on, you're required to stop if you're traveling on a two-lane road. On a four-lane (or bigger) road, you do not have to stop, but you should slow down and pass with caution.

-You may proceed when a school bus retracts its stop arm and stops its flashing lights.

-Don't cut off a bus when driving because these large vehicles have a tougher time stopping than the vehicles that you and I have.

-If you're caught for passing a school bus illegally, you can face a $1,000 fine and maybe even 30 days in jail for a first offense. You're also looking at six points on your driver's license.

-Remember that during periods of inclement weather, buses may be allowed to stop on the regular route at safe points nearest the house of each child. Still, buses are not permitted to leave regular routes. In poor weather, be ready for irregular stops.

-Never follow buses too closely.

-Drive slowly in all residential areas.

-Leave early for work in the morning so you're not forced to rush around school buses.

-Always drive with your headlights on so that children and bus drivers can see you.

Continue reading "Intoxicated Driver Slams into School Bus Head On in Greenville Car Accident" »

As our North Carolina personal injury lawyers recently reported, there is a whole new list of child car seat recommendations that were released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even with these new child passenger safety (CPS) recommendations, your child's car seat may not be doing its job -- protecting your child.

The NHTSA recently announced that more than 14,000 Chaperone Infant Car Seats are being recalled. The car seats were sold in the United States and are being recalled because of a faulty harness adjuster. The recalls were originally announced by Britax Child Safety, Inc., the designer and manufacturer of those harnesses. The NHTSA deemed it necessary to pass along the word to help to prevent an unnecessary child injury in Asheville or elsewhere.

The NHTSA says that it has not been alerted about any injuries or deaths resulting from the defect, but it still warns the defect can result in ineffective safety harness straps and ultimately a useless child car seat.

Model Numbers Affected by the Recall:

-E9L692M

-E9L692L

-E9L692K

-E9L692J

The child car seats involved in this recall were sold from the 1st of September in 2010 through the 30th of April in 2011. The recall is intended to address seat rivets that are defective. These rivets connect the car seat and the harness adjuster. With the defect, the harness can come off of the child's car seat. With the straps virtually useless, the child isn't properly secured into the seat and faces extreme risks for injury or death in the event of a car accident.

Britax says that consumers who have one of these seats can contact the company or an authorized retailer to receive a free repair kit. This kit can be used to make sure the harness adjuster is properly attached.

If you have one of these seats, stop using it immediately and contact the company to fix the problem.

In addition to making sure your child's car seat is not defective and works properly, you're urged to take this time to make sure you've placed your child in the correct car seat.

It's recommended for children under the age of 4 to stay in a rear-facing child car seat. Only when your child has exceeded the height and weight limit for that particular seat should you graduate them to a forward-facing car seat. Children under the age of 8 need to stay in these forward-facing car seats. Once your child has outgrown the height and weight limitations for this car seat, you're urged to place them in a seat belt-protected booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle. While riding in a booster seat, make sure that the seat belt fits properly, across the upper thigh and the shoulder and the chest.

Continue reading "Recalled Child Seats Increasing Risks for Injury in Car Accidents in North Carolina and Elsewhere" »

A recent bicycling accident in Greenville County on Old Buncombe Road killed a 73-year-old cyclist. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, authorities are still investigating the accident, which happened just before 7 p.m.

According to FOX Carolina, the accident happened as the man was riding his bicycle along Old Buncombe Road and was trying to cross Cedar Lane Road when he was hit by a passing motorists. The man was taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Our Greenville bicycle accident lawyers understand that cycling is a great way to exercise and help save the environment all at once. Unfortunately, the fun, outdoor activity can also be dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were about 650 bicyclists killed in traffic-related accidents in 2009. During the same year, there were more than 50,000 bicyclists injured in these types of accidents. With safer traveling habits from both motorists and cyclists, we can all do our part to help to reduce the number of these injuries and fatalities that occur each year. In South Carolina, more than 10 bicyclists died in traffic-related accidents in 2009.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is here to offer bicyclists with some safe riding tips to help them to prevent an accident with a motor vehicle. Bicyclists are urged to review the following tips and share them with friends and family members. Safe and cautious riders can help to significantly reduce their risks of an accident.

Safe Biking Tips:

-Be sure to obey all of the traffic signs and signals. Bicyclists are required to follow the rules of the road, just like motorists.

-Never ride facing oncoming traffic. Motorists don't typically look for bicyclists who are riding on the wrong side of the road. According to state law, bicyclists are required to ride in the same direction as vehicular traffic.

-Always follow lane markings. You don't want to turn left from a right lane and you don't want to travel straight in a lane that is marked for "right-turns only."

-Never pass on the right. Drivers may not look for you or they just may overlook your bike.

-Always keep an eye on the roadway behind you. Bicyclists should learn how to look over his or her shoulder without swerving or losing balance. If it helps, use a rear-view mirror.

-Always have both of your hands ready to hit the brake. Stopping one-handed won't always allow you to stop when you want or need.

-Allow extra space to stop when it's raining or the roadway is slick. Brakes don't work as well when they're wet.

-You're encouraged to always wear a helmet and to refrain from wearing headphones when driving a bicycle.

-Wear bright clothing when riding during the evening hours.

-Remember to use hand signals when turning so that motorists know where you're headed.

-Be sure to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the roadway in front of them.

-Keep a look out for road hazards and debris in the street.

-Always keep your bike in good-working condition.

-If you're riding at night, you are required by law to use lights.

Continue reading "Bicycle Accident in Greenville County Kills 73-Year-Old Man" »

Parents are strongly urged to visit the new "Car Seat Safety for Kids" website. This is a new, informational website that serves as a one-stop shop for all that parents need to know when traveling with a child. The new website was created to replace the "Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes" website.

The new website was created by researchers with the Kohl's Injury Prevention Program and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. It offers answers to all of your questions regarding child passenger safety (CPS) to help prevent child injury in the event of a car accident in North Carolina.

As we recently reported on our North Carolina Injury Lawyers Blog, a car accident critically injured a 7-year-old passenger. During the accident, both the driver and the child passenger were thrown from the SUV. The young passenger was sent to the hospital to be treated for severe injuries. The little one had to undergo surgery to repair her leg and also had to have both a feeding tube and a tracheotomy.

We would like to remind parents that car accidents are the top cause of death for those younger than 14. Parents should make sure their children are correctly buckled in during every car ride.

With the new website, "Car Seat Safety for Kids," parents will be offered newly-updated videos with the most recent car seat recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

"CPS technicians loved the old videos but they were a little out of step with the 2011 recommendations," says Gina Duchossois, Trauma Prevention Coordinator.

Even though there are car safety seat or child restrain laws in all 50 states, car accidents continue to be the No. 1 cause of death for these young residents. It's unfortunate, because these types of accidents are often preventable.

According to AAP, there were nearly 600 children under the age of 5 who were killed while riding in a motor vehicle in 2000. About half of these children were unrestrained at the time of the accident. Many others were improperly restrained. It's important for parents to know which car seat is most beneficial for their child. Please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website for a simple breakdown of all of these car seat stage suggestions.

You may also want to check out one of the child car seat inspection locations in North Carolina to make sure that your child's seat is properly installed. Experts estimate that about 70 percent of all child seats are improperly used, putting children at extreme risks for injuries and death in the event of a car accident.

Continue reading "New Website to Help Reduce Risks of Child Injury in Car Accidents in North Carolina, Nation" »

Interstate 40 between Swannanoa Valley and McDowell Road can be a dangerous area if you're not prepared.

According to the Citizen-Times, many motorists are relieved to leave the steep curves once the roadway finally flattens and the speed limit goes from 55 mph to 65 mph. But they're not home-free yet, as there are still a few remaining curves that stretch across the westbound lanes of the Interstate, between the top of the mountain and near the exits in Ridgecrest. This area has been the site of numerous car accidents in North Carolina.

For this reason, officials with the Black Mountain Fire Department and Mayor Carl Barlett are looking to get an electronic sign installed to help to warn drivers of the conditions. Officials want the sign to warn drivers to slow down through the area.

Our North Carolina car accident attorneys understand that there have many wrecks on the westbound stretch of that roadway in recent years. One of the most memorable, for officials at least, may be the one that happened in November, when a vehicle slammed into the back of a Mountain Police Department car, which then went airborne into the path of firefighters. Luckily, those involved in this accident were only left with bruises and scrapes. Others haven't been so fortunate.

Jones recalls another accident in which a passing motorist slammed into the median and pinned a vehicle. Officials were forced to shut down lanes for an hour. He said that by time he rescued the driver, it had gone from a two-car wreck to a 10-car wreck. He says it was one of the scariest things he ever witnessed.

That part of the road is not in the Town of Black Mountain limits technically, but is still serviced by the fire department. The police department doesn't even have jurisdiction in the area, but they're still responding to accidents there.

One commuter said she sees accidents in the area of this roadway all the time. She says there also a large number of dead deer, bears and road kill, too. People are eager to finish their journey off the mountain, she said, and they end up speeding. Some even say the speeding continues once they exit the Interstate.

Mayor Bartlett says that the state will look into these dangers, eventually. He says it's going to take some convincing though. He says they first have to go look at the accident data in the area and report just how bad they were. The state will then respond only if it feels there is in fact danger to motorists on that strip of road.

Continue reading "Officials Worry of Dangerous Roadway and Reports of Serious Car Accidents in North Carolina" »

Did you know that about 20 percent of all fatal car accidents in Spartanburg and elsewhere involve someone who is an improperly licensed driver? That's what the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is saying in one of its latest reports, "Unlicensed To Kill."

Our Spartanburg car accident lawyers understand there are tons of drivers traveling our roadways with a license that has been suspended, revoked, canceled, denied or simply with no license at all. Throughout the duration of the AAA study, from 1990 to 2009, fatal car accidents involving these illegal drivers took the lives of more than 21,000 people.

The study's results concluded the trend of dangerous and illegal drivers was increasing from 1990 to 2009. In studies of more recent years, researchers believe that this trend has stopped and has possibly even started to reverse. Still, researchers need to collect more recent data.

Of these fatal car accidents, improperly licensed drivers were most commonly between the ages 21 and 34. These drivers accounted for about half of all invalidly licensed drivers in fatal car accidents during this time.

Another 50 percent of fatal accidents that involved an improperly licensed driver were alcohol-related, meaning the driver without proper licensing had alcohol in their system. Of these, about 43 percent were legally drunk with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

Excluding the drivers who were killed in these types of accidents, about a third of them fled the scene of the accident. Of the third who fled the scene, it's estimated more than 51 percent of them were improperly licensed. It's obvious why these drivers flee the scene. If they're busted behind the wheel without a license, they're in big trouble. Instead they're going to let you take the fault for the accident and deal with the consequences on your own. That's why you need legal representation in these types of accidents.

In the U.S. from 2007 to 2009, there were more than 151,800 drivers who were involved in deadly traffic accidents. Out of these drivers, studies conclude that about 130,360 had a valid driver's licensed. Nearly 1,500 drivers had a driver's license that had been either denied or canceled, about 6,705 drivers who were completely unlicensed, more than 9,390 were driving with a revoked or a suspended driver's license and the license status of more than 3,885 was unknown or unidentified.

If you've been involved in a car accident with an improperly licensed driver, chances are that the unlicensed driver didn't have the proper car insurance either. Without the proper car insurance, it's unlikely that damages are covered. This is where you need help. If you've been involved in one of these accidents, it is vital for you to contact an experienced attorney to help you to fight for the compensation that you deserve as an accident victim.

Continue reading "Improperly Licensed Drivers Causing Fatal Car Accidents in Spartanburg, Nation" »

A 24-year-old and his 7-month-old baby were transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital after an accident with a school bus in Currituck County, according to News Channel 3. His vehicle slammed into a school bus on Highway 168.

"All I could see was the school bus, but underneath, I could see the car wedged underneath," said Audrey Scanlon, the owner of the pizza shop on the road where the accident happened.

Our North Carolina car accident lawyers understand that traffic accidents involving large vehicles, like buses and trucks, frequently result in serious injuries and death. These larger vehicles overpower passenger vehicles like the ones you and I drive. Occupants of smaller vehicles oftentimes sustain a majority of the injuries and fatalities during traffic accidents with buses and trucks. Drivers are asked to be cautious when driving near these large vehicles to help to prevent any injuries or death. Driving around these vehicles require caution and attention.

Emergency response teams had to cut the 24-year-old driver and his baby out of the car that was wedged underneath the school bus. Luckily, the driver only suffered from a broken arm. Injuries could have been much worse.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, there were only the driver and four kids on the school bus at the time of the accident. None of the bus' occupants were injured. The driver of the school bus has been cited by law enforcement for failing to yield.

Authorities worried that the accident could have resulted in explosions, as well. Many can't believe that the accident wasn't more catastrophic.

The driver of the passenger vehicle remains in the hospital and was last listed to be in fair condition.

Millions of students rely on school buses to get to and from school and other school-related events every year. Parents rely on bus drivers to keep their children safe during these road trips. Parents expect these drivers to be responsible and cautious with their children on board. They also expect school bus drivers to abide by common road laws to help to ensure the safety of other motorists.

It's estimated that there are roughly 9 billion trips made by 240,000 school buses every year. Still, nearly 30 school-aged children are killed on these rides every year. To make matters even worse, hundreds of thousands more are injured during the same time.

"Although accidents do occur, the yellow school bus is still the safest way to transport children to and from school," said Pete Japikse, of the American School Bus Council.

Safety Tips for Drivers near School Buses from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT):

-Be sure to always leave adequate room between your vehicle and a school bus. You never want to tailgate a school bus or cut in front of one.

-Stop if you're moving in the same direction as a bus that has stopped.

-Stay stopped until the bus starts moving.

-Keep a lookout for children on all sides of the bus.

-Obey all traffic signs and signals.

-Always pay attention when traveling near school buses. Curb distractions.

-Do your part t keep school zones and bus stops safe.

Continue reading "Bus Driver Cited After Accident in Currituck County" »

A car accident in Salisbury left a 7-year-old passenger in critical condition, according to the Salisbury Post. The accident happened when the young passenger and her mother were thrown from the vehicle after. Reports indicate the mother lost control of the car, over-corrected and flipped on Old Concord Road. Neither the mother nor the child were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. After being treated for serious injuries, the young passenger will now undergo surgery.

"She had surgery to repair her leg, she will have a tracheotomy and a feeding tube put in," the child's aunt told the newspaper.

Our North Carolina car accident attorneys understand that car accidents are the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 14. While this young girl was not killed in the accident, she was severely injured. She will get a tracheotomy to open up her windpipe. Her right leg was also broken in two different spots. Her mother, the driver, sustained a concussion, but is expected to recover. The latest updates indicate that the young passenger is still listed in critical condition.

Guidance counselors at the young girl's school are planning to use this unfortunate event as a time to talk with students about the importance of buckling up during every car ride. Teachers are now working this message into their classes. The school is planning on holding a safety awareness week in the spring to discuss seat belt safety with the students.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were roughly 1,300 individuals under the age of 14 who were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2009. Statistics show that another 179,000 were injured throughout the year. One recent study concluded that in only one year, nearly 620,000 children under the age of 12 rode in vehicles in which parents failed to use a child's car seat or a booster seat for their young passengers.

The use of seat belts and the proper use of child restraint systems oftentimes depend on the driver's seat belt usage habit. Roughly 40 percent of children who ride with an unbelted driver don't buckle up themselves.

Car seats and booster seats are often used incorrectly. A CDC study figured that they're used incorrectly more than 70 percent of the time. Misuse of these devices can greatly increase risks for child injury in the event of an accident.

Children who are 4- to 7-years-old should be riding in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they meet the height and weight limit of the seat. Once they outgrow this seat, they're instructed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to ride in a booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle. For more information on child seat recommendations, visit the NHTSA's Child Safety website.

Continue reading "7-year-old Still in Critical Condition after Rollover Car Accident in Salisbury" »

January has been a deadly month on the roadways of South Carolina. According to The State, there have already been 47 people killed in car accidents in Spartanburg and elsewhere throughout the state. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Richland County has reported the most deaths so far with eight. Lexington County ranked in at number three with five traffic-related fatalities. Most of the victims were residents of South Carolina, but many others were from Virginia and North Carolina.

"It's the same thing over and over and over," said Richland County Trooper Brian Kelly. "It's the drinking and driving, no seat belts, the speeding."

Our South Carolina car accident lawyers understand that officers have grown weary of the irresponsible driving habits of those in the state. Earlier in the month, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts held a news conference to discuss the latest trend in fatal traffic accidents. Throughout the conference he waived his fist in the air and shouted "Enough is enough!" He announced that State Highway Patrol officers will be increasing their enforcement efforts in the coming months and throughout the year to help to reduce the number of fatal accidents. Within these enforcement efforts is a plan for officer to stop pedestrians who they believe are endangering themselves on our roadways.

Just last week, there were four people killed during an accident in Columbia on George Rogers Boulevard.

The trend continued throughout the weekend, losing the lives of six people on our roadways. Two of the fatalities were pedestrians and one was a moped rider. The other three killed over the weekend were motorists who were not wearing a seat belt.

Additionally, there were 35 people killed in accidents across the state so far in January while riding in trucks and cars. More than half of the fatalities in these accidents were victims who were not wearing a seat belt. The rest were bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

Kelly says that we are seeing more pedestrian accidents because of the struggling economy - people can't afford to drive cars like they used to. Kelly asks motorists to keep an eye out for pedestrians and travelers using other non-traditions modes of transportation. Pay attention, he adds.

According to 2005 statistics from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety:

-Someone is killed in a traffic-related accident in the state every 8 hours.

-Someone is injured every on our roadways 10.6 minutes.

-Alcohol-related traffic accidents injure or kill someone every 2 hours.

-Traffic accidents involving a teenage driver injure or kill someone every 1.2 hours.

-A bicyclist is killed every 21 and a half days.

-A motorcyclist is killed every 3.9 days.

-A pedestrian is killed every 3.7 days.

-There is a traffic accident every 4.7 minutes.

If we don't start paying more attention and practicing safer driving habits on our state's roadways, these statistics are sure to get much worse. The number of fatalities is increasing significantly already in 2012. Start now and make a change for safer roadways by being more careful and cautious while traveling.

Continue reading "Officers: January Car Accidents in South Carolina Alarming" »

Officers are trying to figure out what exactly caused a recent fatal car accident in Conover on Reese Drive. What they know already is that the vehicle involved swerved off the road, hit a bunch of trees and ended up in flames after the gas tank erupted, according to WSOC9.

Our Conover personal injury attorneys understand that a number of injuries can result from a car accident, but we often fail to neglect to think of burns in the incidents. Burns can result from car accidents and a number of other types of accidents as well. Someone dies from a burn accident in the U.S. in 2010 every 169 minutes. Someone is injured from these accidents every 30 minutes. Although the top cause of fire-related deaths isn't motor-vehicle accidents, it is still something for which to be on the lookout.

In 2009, nearly 90 percent of all fire-related fatalities in the county happen in homes. In 2010, fire fighters responded to nearly 385,000 household fires in the U.S. These fires took the lives of nearly 3,000 people and injured another 13,350 throughout that year.

According to The Burn Resource Center, there are a number of factors that can be used to determine just how severe a burn is. Burns are classified by depth and they may be first, second, third or fourth degrees.

First-Degree Burns: These types of burns are red and very sensitive to touch. In a first-degree burn, the skin will appear blanched when you apply pressure to it. These types of burns involve only a little bit of tissue damage, which only affects the epidermis. A sunburn is a good example of a first-degree burn.

Second-Degree Burns: These types of burns affect both the epidermis and the layer underneath that, the dermis, or top layer of skin. These types of burns cause blisters, swelling, pain and redness. They also often affect hair follicles and sweat glands. If these types of burns aren't treated, decreased blood blow and swelling can occur, which can cause the turn to turn into a third-degree burn.

Third-Degree Burns: These types of burns affect the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. These burns cause the skin to char or to turn a translucent white color. With these burns, the area affected can be numb although the victim will feel pain. Healing of these types of burns takes a much longer time to heal because the skin tissue and the structures are already destroyed. Third-degree burns typically result in extensive scarring.

Fourth-Degree Burns: These types of burns are often called full-thickness burns as they affect all lawyers of the skin in addition to the structures below. The structures include muscles, ligaments, bones and tendons. These kinds of burns aren't painful because of the destruction of nerve endings. Treatment for these burns can include skin grating and surgery and they can cause life-threatening injuries, amputation or a lifetime of rehabilitation.

Continue reading "Car Accident in Conover Ends in Fiery Explosion" »

A recent school bus accident in Easley injured 10 children and one adult bus rider, according to WYFF4. After the accident, the Pickens County school bus driver was ticketed and put on administrative leave.

The accident happened just before 7:30 a.m. the intersection of Highway 135 and West A Avenue in South Carolina when the school bus slammed into an SUV. According to officers, the school bus pulled out in front of the SUV. Ten students were taken to area hospitals - three to Baptist Hospital and seven to Greenville Memorial. Of those, four were in high school, five were in elementary school and one was in middle school. There was one supervising bus rider who was also taken to the hospital.

Our South Carolina school bus accident attorneys understand that parents expect to send their child to school in a safe environment. This safe environment should extend to the school bus ride. Safe school bus drivers are a necessity in protecting our young learners. Unfortunately, a driver's disregard for traffic laws left 10 students hospitalized. The driver was cited for failing to yield the right-of-way and was put on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's Traffic Safety Digest, the South Carolina Department of Education and the Office of Transportation is responsible for testing, training and licensing all of its public school bus drivers. It is important that these drivers are being thoroughly trained, educated and tested with the safe driving habits necessary for school buses in order to keep our children safe on their way to and from school.

Every day, there are more than 22 million children in the U.S. who ride the big, yellow bus to and from school and school-related activities. In addition to school events, millions of young passengers ride these types of buses to youth, athletic, church an camp events.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are nearly 9 million school bus trips taken every year. With nearly 450,000 school buses on roadways throughout the country traveling roughly 4 billion miles every year, accidents are bound to happen. According to recent statistics, more than 140 people die every year because of school bus-related traffic accidents.

Our South Carolina school bus accident attorneys would like to stress the importance of safe traveling school buses, especially for drivers who hold the lives of our young ones in their hands. Talk with your child about the dangers of riding a school bus. Be sure to remind them to be a quiet and courteous passenger to help the bus driver to focus on the roadway. Keep the child's play at home and enjoy a safer ride to school every day.

Continue reading "Driver Suspended After School Bus Accident in Easley, 10 Students Injured" »

Two recent pedestrian accidents in North Carolina are garnering the attention of city residents, Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials, city council members and law enforcement officers. It's agreed: more needs to be done to make the intersection of South College Street at East Stonewall safer for pedestrians, according to WSOCTV.

"I think we need to have an awareness campaign of some sort to make sure they know what's going on as it relates to pedestrian rights," said Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Cannon.

Our Charlotte pedestrian accident lawyers understand that pedestrian safety is a top concern among those in the city. Mayor Cannon says he is in complete and utter disbelief that drivers in Uptown have such disregard for pedestrians and their right-of-way at these crossings. He says that the intersections need to be examined and more needs to be done to increase the safety of pedestrians in the city.

The first accident happened as a pedestrian attempted to cross Stonewall at roughly 7 a.m. and was hit by a passing vehicle. The second accident happened as a 47-year-old attempted to cross at the same intersection and was struck by a dump truck.

Officials with CDOT say that one of their top priorities is to address the dangers for with pedestrians crossing this intersection. Transportation officials and the city's manager's office are all on board in saying they need to learn out why these accidents happen. They will then use the findings to create a solution to make it safer for everyone.

CMPD Captain Jeff Estes says one accident is too many, one fatality is too many and something needs to be done. He says he is looking forward to working with CDOT to make the necessary changes.

According to The University of North Carolina, there are about 2,200 police-reported pedestrian accidents in the state every year. Some suggest this number is actually higher, as some incidents are never even reported. Of the 2,200 accidents, it's estimated that nearly 200 are killed and another 500 are injured every year.

Drivers are asked to be cautious near this dangerous intersection and elsewhere throughout the state. To help to reduce the risks of pedestrian accidents, The University of North Carolina is here to offer some safety tips for drivers to keep our foot travelers safe.

Driver Safety Tips to Protect Pedestrians:

-Assume that pedestrians are everywhere, even in spots they're not likely to be. This will help you to stay on guard at all times.

-Remember that pedestrians can be difficult to see, especially at night or in bad weather. Always keep a close eye out.

-When approaching a crosswalk, drive slowly and be ready to stop.

-Always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, even when the crosswalk is not marked.

-Never pass another vehicle that is stopped for a pedestrian.

-Be extra cautious when driving through neighborhoods and school zones.

Continue reading "Two Pedestrian Accidents in Charlotte Drawing City's Attention" »

A paralyzed bride made her way down the aisle to marry her best friend last August after a accident with one of her bridesmaids left her with no feeling in the lower half of her body. With her new husband, the recently injured woman has made it a goal of hers to start moving her body again, go back to school and to eventually start a family, according to New York Daily News.

The paralyzing North Carolina accident happened just a few days before the bride's wedding when one of her bridesmaids accidentally pushed her into a pool. From the accident, she suffered from broken vertebrae that hindered her ability to feel or move her legs.

Our Asheville injury attorneys understand that victims of spinal cord injuries and paralysis face a lifetime of obstacles and difficulties. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spinal cord injuries (SCI) currently affect about 200,000 people in the country. Every year, there are up to 20,000 new SCI patients. If you or a family member is dealing with paralysis or another SCI, contact an attorney immediately. Victims should never hand over statements to insurance companies and should never accept any compensation payments before talking with an experienced attorney. Legal representation can help you to fight for what you deserve after such a devastating injury.

The North Carolina bride hasn't made her first-walking steps yet, but she's spent time at a rehabilitation center in California, which has helped make her even stronger. She is now able to stand with the assistance of a special hydraulic frame. She admits being very weak before attending this program.

"She didn't leave here walking, but she increased her strength tremendously," said Kimberly Davis, an instructor at the California rehabilitation center.

She plans on going back to the rehabilitation center, but practices her exercises at home until then in hopes of one day being able to walk again.

Paralyzing accidents and SCI's are extremely costly! The average medical costs for one of these injuries is roughly $30,000 a year. A lifetime of living with an SCI can cost anywhere from half a million to more than $3 million. This is why it's important to seek legal representation in the event of an accident. You want to make sure that you're provided with the proper compensation to make it though the costly times.

Spinal Cord Injury Facts:

-More than 50 percent of SCI victims are considered paraplegic. The rest are considered quadriplegic.

-More than 80 percent of these victims are male.

-Nearly 60 percent of these injuries are experienced by individuals ages 16- through 30-years-old.

-The average age of an SCI victim is 31-years-old.

Spinal Cord Injuries are Commonly Caused By:

-Traffic accidents.

-Violence.

-Falls.

-Sports-related accidents.

Continue reading "Spinal Cord Injury in North Carolina Doesn't Keep Bride from Wedding" »