North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging states to get tough on seat belt enforcement trough the holiday travel season.

Our Raleigh car accident lawyers have also reported on the increased enforcement efforts aimed at drunk and aggressive drivers. When it comes to seat belts, federal authorities are not only urging states to increase enforcement efforts, they are urging lawmakers to enact higher fines and tougher seat-belt enforcement measures.

"We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday travel season," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "For the sake of your loved ones and everyone else on the road, please remember to buckle up and put away your cell phone every time you get behind the wheel."

The National Transportation Safety Board reports that North Carolina lacks a primary seat belt enforcement law, which would permit law enforcement to stop and cite motorists for not buckling up. South Carolina was cited as a nationwide leader, with a law permitting primary enforcement for both front- and rear-seat passengers.

The government contends that upgrading to primary enforcement can increase seat belt use by 10 to 12 percent. Increasing fines from $25 to $60 can improve seat-belt use up to 4 percent, while increasing fines to $100 can add as much as 7 percent to a state's seat-belt usage rate.

"Seat belts are the single most protective safety device ever invented for use in vehicles, saving thousands of lives each year. Now our research proves that when states step up sanctions, they're rewarded with huge improvements in belt use," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

Continue reading "Feds push seat-belt use to reduce risk of holiday injuries in North Carolina car accidents" »

With more than 1.1 million North Carolina and nearly 575,000 South Carolina drivers planning to travel more than 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving, the Carolina car accident attorneys and staff at Lee & Smith would first like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday with family, friends and loved ones. We would then like to remind drivers and passengers that along with more traffic, so increases the risk of a Carolina car accident.

AAA Carolinas suggests that the "hassles" of flying - the ticket cost (plus a slew of add-on fees), the ever-shrinking seating accommodations, the $12 bag of peanuts, the personal-space invading TSA scanning requirements - have eroded the popularity of air travel. So much so that fewer than six percent of all Carolina travelers will require an airport to reach their destination.

Across the nation the AAA Foundation estimates that 42.2 million drivers will be traveling 50 miles or more and another 1.62 million will take to the skies. AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet said the 11.4 percent uptick in travel over 2008 numbers can be tied to a slightly improved economy along with "a strong desire to spend time with friends and family" on the part of travelers.

With that said, taking to the roads is not without its hassles and hazards. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, from 2004 through 2008, there were more than 11,500 car accidents on North Carolina roads during the Thanksgiving holiday, (6 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through midnight the Sunday after). Of those, 5,861 people were injured and 106 were killed in serious or fatal car accidents.

The NCDOT announced this week that they will be suspending most major roadway construction projects to help diminish delays motorists already face given the increase in road traffic. They provide a handful of additional tips for motorists traveling across the Carolinas this holiday:

~ Give yourself extra time to reach your destination and try to plan at least a portion of your travel time for non-peak hours. Check road conditions prior to departure by dialing 511 or checking updates on the NCDOT website. Have a travel plan that includes rest breaks every two hours.

~ Be aware of driver fatigue and pay attention to the road and traffic conditions. Obey all traffic laws, particularly the speed limit. Speeding is the leading contributor to fatal North Carolina car accidents. NCDOT suggests you set your cruise control to avoid a ticket as well as reducing your fuel consumption.

~ Make sure both you and your vehicle are in good working condition before hitting the road. You should be sober, well-rested and have a plan. Your car should have plenty of fuel, a recent oil change, good tire pressure and be well maintained if you are planning on driving any distance.

Continue reading "More than 1 million motorists expected on North Carolina roads this Thanksgiving holiday" »

Authorities are geared up for one of the year's major pushes to combat drunk driving through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Our Raleigh, North Carolina injury lawyers frequently report the large number of fatal North Carolina accidents caused by drunk driving. Whether enjoying the weekend with friends and family, or watching football at your favorite sports bar, we encourage you to celebrate responsibly and do your part to reduce the risk of serious and fatal North Carolina drunk driving accidents.

The North Carolina News Network reports that authorities are urging motorists to tie a red ribbon on their car as part of the "Tie One On for Safety" campaign.

"By you tying that ribbon on, you're basically stating to the public and to everyone in the environment here that you're not going to tolerate anybody who is drinking and driving and getting behind the wheel," said Sgt. Jeff Gordon of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Last year, 165 people were killed and more than 3,000 were injured in car accidents caused by drunk drivers in North Carolina. Nationwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that one-third of all fatal accidents involve a drunk driver, leading to more than 11,000 traffic deaths in 2009.

Channel 6 News reports the "Tie One On" campaign will run from Thanksgiving to New Years.

Continue reading "Authorities aim to reduce risk of North Carolina drunk driving accidents through the Holiday weekend" »

Two East Carolina University students were killed in a Greenville, North Carolina car accident on Saturday, the Reflector reported.

The four young women were on their way to a salon in advance of their sorority induction later that evening. The women, ages 20, 20, 20 and 19, were in a Toyota that struck a tree after traveling off the right side of Greenville Boulevard near Rosewood Drive.

Our hearts go out to these families. And our Greenville injury attorneys urge parents and teenagers to openly discuss the dangers traffic accidents pose to young drivers as we head into the holiday season.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death of young people ages 15 to 20. In 2008, a total of 5,864 young drivers were involved in fatal accidents. A total of 250 motorists were killed in North Carolina car accidents involving young drivers. South Carolina car accidents involving teenage drivers claimed 141 lives.

Common dangers for young drivers include:

-Speeding

-Distracted driving

-Too many passengers in vehicle

-Not wearing seat belts

-Drunk driving

-Aggressive driving

Continue reading "Fatal North Carolina car accident a tragic reminder of danger to teenagers as holidays approach" »

Our North Carolina car accident lawyers know that during any time of year, drinking and driving is a serious issue that claims thousands of lives each year. The holiday season is no exception. In fact, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations only add to the number of drivers who will get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

In 2008, more than 11,770 motorists were killed in drunk-driving car accidents where at least one driver had a BAC of .08 or higher. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol plays a role in nearly one-third of all fatal car accidents annually, costing Americans more than $230 billion. On average, every 45 minutes someone is killed due to a drunk-driving crash.

Men are far more likely than women to drink and drive, and drivers aged 65 or older are only slightly more likely to have driven while intoxicated than 21 to 24 year olds. Men aged 21 to 24 also admit to being far more likely to have ridden with an intoxicated driver than any other age group. Four out of 10 drivers surveyed by the NHTSA said they felt it would be safe for them to drive after having consumed 3-5 drinks within a two-hour period before getting behind the wheel. With that said, 85 percent of women and 76 percent of men say that drinking and driving is a "major threat".

In 2008, North Carolina alone reported 9,723 alcohol-related car accidents that claimed 227 lives and left 5,005 injured, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reports. Of those, more than 5,575 crashes occurred in rural areas and more than 4,170 happened in urban settings. Drugs played a role in another 843 car accidents, killing 17 and injuring 455.

In an effort to crackdown on drunk driving offenders who are involved in fatal North Carolina car accidents, prosecutors are increasing pursuit of second-degree murder charges against defendants, WRAL-TV5 reports. North Carolina filed nearly 73,000 DWI charges in 2009 and 394 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, representing a significant increase from 2008.

Continue reading "State prosecutors cracking down on drunk drivers involved in North Carolina fatal car accidents" »

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident attorneys know that Thanksgiving is the deadliest time of year for drivers nationwide. According to Forbes, 502 motorists were killed on Thanksgiving Day in 2008, whereas on a typical driving day in the U.S. there are about 100 fatal car accidents. The AAA Foundation believes the increase is due to more drivers on the road paired with more impaired motorists who have also compromised their normal sleep schedules to include a road trip home.

To help keep North Carolina roads safer for drivers and passengers alike, the North Carolina Highway Patrol will be stepping up their speed-limit enforcement efforts across state highways and interstate systems from Nov. 15-28. The No Need 2 Speed campaign will run in tandem with a statewide Operation Slow Down effort and aims to slow drivers down. Speeding is the leading cause of fatal North Carolina car accidents, the Herald Sun reports.

In North Carolina alone, 472 motorists were killed in speed-related fatal car accidents in 2009. As of Sept. 30, there have been 164,722 reportable car accidents across the state. Of those, 78,752 drivers and passengers were injured and another 949 were killed, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reports.

If you are planning on a road trip this holiday season, AOL Autos offer a handful of tips to help drivers avoid getting nabbed for speeding while traveling.

~ First and foremost: DON'T SPEED. Set your cruise control for the speed limit and go.

~ If you must cruise above the posted speed limit, drive within a pack of cars all going about the same speed. Embed yourself in the middle of the pack, don't tailgate or weave in-and-out of surrounding traffic for pole position.

~ Stay out of the fast lane and don't speed if you are alone on the road.

Continue reading "North Carolina Highway Patrol operating speeding crackdown through Thanksgiving holiday weekend" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported that in 2008, car crashes occurring on rural roadways accounted for 56% of all traffic fatalities. This comes as a surprise to many, considering the fact that 77% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas.

North Carolina reported a total of 1,433 fatal car crashes in 2008. Sadly, 1,013 of these crashes were on North Carolina rural roadways. So almost three-quarters of all North Carolina car crashes occur on rural roadways.

In 2009, State Farm issued a report on the increase in deer causing auto accidents. This report states that vehicles on U.S. roadways had increased by 7% over the previous 5 years. As a result the number of deer-related automobile crashes increased by 17% during that same time frame.

There are many other reasons for rural traffic crashes, include narrow, poorly lit roads, speeding, drunk driving, and driver distraction. But the fall and winter months are a dangerous time for dealing with deer in the roadway.

From July 2007 through June 2009 there were 2.4 million crashes involving a vehicle and deer combination. That's an occurrence rate of one every 26 seconds. The peak times for such incidents are the last three months of the year and in the early evening hours.

North Carolina had a 33% increase in auto and deer related crashes during this time period. The average cost for repair of property for one of these encounters is $3,050. The nation incurs 150 fatalities from these crashes per year as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Some tips on how to reduce a deer related vehicle collision:

-Stay alert for deer crossing signs. These signs are typically put up in areas of heavy deer populations.

- Deer are out and about in the early evening hours (6 to 9 pm) so drive with caution during these hours of the day.

-Use your high beams as much as possible while traveling on rural roads with limited or no traffic.

- Assume that when you see one deer there are usually more to follow.

Continue reading "Rural roads frequent site of serious and fatal North Carolina car accidents" »

Quite frequently 15 passenger vans are used to transport the elderly, church groups, day care kids, commuters, and college/school sports teams. These van drivers need special training and are required to pass a driver's test. When loaded to full capacity these vehicles handle differently than smaller vehicles.

Our North Carolina injury lawyers have spoken before about the dangers of such vans. This holiday travel season, we encourage organizations to ensure the proper maintenance of transport vehicles and safety of passengers. Tire pressure and wear can be particularly critical, particularly as we head into winter driving season.

The National Transportation Safety Board and NHTSA issued the following:

-There were 1,512 fatal crashes involving 15 passenger vans between 1994 and 2004

- 1/3 of passenger car crashes are of the roll over type, compared to over ½ of 15 passenger van crashes

-74% of 15 passenger vans had a least one tire inflated incorrectly (either over or under inflated) by 25% or more than normal standards for these vehicles

When there are ten or more people in a 15 passenger van the rollover risk rises. Each person in the van causes the van's rear weight to be uneven. When adding cargo to the roof of the van, the weight distribution shifts again. All these factors make the van harder to control in the event of an emergency. Many older 15 passenger vans were not designed to protect occupants during a rollover accident.

Data from the NHTSA 15 passenger van study showed that their tires had a high percentage of mis-inflation. Combine the conditions under which these vehicles are driven (i.e. transporting groups of children, inexperienced drivers, etc.) and poor tire inflation suggests a need for better van tire awareness.

Helpful tips for driving a 15 passenger van:

-Occupants should always wear seatbelts

-Check all the tires for proper inflation pressure, uneven wear and damage. Low mileage on a tire doesn't mean they are good.

-Never overload the van with passengers or cargo.

-The driver needs to pass the necessary driving test for driving this type of van.

Continue reading "Under-inflated tires on 15-Passenger vans can lead to North Carolina accidents" »

While driving on the highway or a major roadway you should always be aware of blind spots with other vehicles behind you or to your side. While off the road, a tragic number of North Carolina car accidents involve children in the driveway.

Sport utility vehicles have become the vehicle of choice in most families. What most people don't realize is the risk involved with blind spots while driving these larger vehicles. More specifically the accidents that can occur on your own property with young children standing behind the vehicle as it is driven in reverse out of a driveway. Kids and Cars an organization founded in 1998, reports that from 2002-2007, 44 percent of non-traffic fatalities involving children under the age of 15 occurred because of backovers.

In July 2010, in Wayne County, North Carolina a 15-month-old child was critically injured while the father was moving his vehicle. As a result, Wayne Goodman, Chair of Safe Kids North Carolina, offered that doing a quick 5-second check around the vehicle prior to leaving could reduce the risk of injury or even save a young person's life.

Safe Kids North Carolina offers some helpful suggestions to help prevent the tragedy that can occur from backover accidents.

-Always maintain supervision when children are in your care.

-It is important to make sure your driveway is not conceived as a playground to small children by keeping all toys or sporting equipment removed when vehicles are parked.

-Create a barrier separating the play area from where the cars are parked or driven when entering or exiting the driveway.

-Maintaining a safe play area away from parked or running vehicles can ultimately save a life.

Continue reading "Blind spots are common cause for North Carolina car accidents" »

The USA Today reports that something as simple as a teen driving contract could help protect your young driver from the dangers of poor driving decisions.

As our Raleigh accident attorneys reported recently on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, parental involvement in the driver education process can go a long way toward reducing the risk that your young driver is involved in a serious or fatal accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to report that car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers ages 15 to 20. In 2008, a total of 6,428 motorists were killed in accidents involving teen drivers -- accounting for about one-sixth of traffic fatalities nationwide. North Carolina car accidents involving teenagers killed 250 people. South Carolina accidents involving young drivers claimed 141 lives.

The North Carolina Department of Crime Control & Public Safety reports that a teenager is involved in a car accident every 23.6 minutes.

Teen driving contracts typically place restrictions upon a teen driver and removes them as he or she gains experience. It also sets out the terms and consequences for violation of the agreement. Some car insurance companies provide discounts to teenagers and parents who have a signed safe driving contract.

Parents can download a North Carolina Teen Driving Contract here.

Continue reading "Raleigh car accident lawyers urge parents to use teen safe driving contracts " »

A Butler High School football player is facing charges in connection with a Charlotte, North Carolina car accident that claimed the life of a 51-year-old man, News Channel 9 reported.

Our Charlotte injury lawyers frequently report the dangers faced by teen drivers on our roads and encourage parents to speak to their young adults early and often about the importance of making good driving decisions. Only by using each of these tragedies as a teaching opportunity can we have a positive impact on the dangers faced by teenage drivers on the road.

In this case, the 17-year-old withdrew from the football team this week, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials. He faces a misdemeanor charge of death by vehicle, driving without a license and failure to yield the right of way. The DMV reports he was never issued a driver's license.

The school senior and former running back turned across Rocky River Church Road to go left onto Camp Steward Road when he hit the victim on his motorcycle, according to police. The fatal Charlotte motorcycle accident is also a reminder that riders will be out enjoying a few last rides as long as the weather is tolerable. Motorcycle accidents usually lead to very serious or fatal injuries to riders and keeping an eye out for motorcycles can help motorists avoid such tragedies through the final weeks of riding season.

The rider was pronounced dead at the scene. Police report that the teen was also charged with driving without a license in September. The victim's wife of nearly 30 years, as well as his daughter and son-in-law, said he was an avid motorcycle rider who enjoyed getting out on his bike whenever he could.

Continue reading "Teen driver blamed for causing fatal Charlotte car accident that killed motorcycle rider" »

A Greensboro, North Carolina tractor-trailer accident seriously injured a man in a wreck Tuesday night on U.S. 29, according to the News-Record.

Our Greensboro accident attorneys understand the complex nature of trucking accidents and the often serious or fatal consequences caused by accidents with large trucks on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 1 in 9 fatalities on the nation's roads involve an accident with a semi or other large commercial truck. In 2008, more than 90,000 motorists were injured and 4,229 were killed in accidents with large truck. North Carolina trucking accidents killed 143 while 81 motorists died as a result of truck accidents in South Carolina.

In this incident, the southbound lanes of U.S. 29 were closed near Hicone Road for about 12 hours. Police report a Gibsonville man was driving a 1998 Toyota Camry north on U.S. 29 when he tried to turn left onto N. O'Henry Street. The 48-year-old driver of a Kenworth tractor-trailer reports that victim turned into his path, causing him to crash his truck into the vehicle's passenger side.

The truck caught fire and was extinguished by firefighters. The truck driver was able to escape. The cause of the crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

FOX 8 reports the 31-year-old victim was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Continue reading "Greensboro semi truck accident critically injures Gibsonville man" »