North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

We continue our spring safe driving series with an alert to the high risk of pedestrian accidents in South Carolina, North Carolina and elsewhere in the country this time of year. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists are hitting the pavements in full stride so motorists need to drive with a little more caution in order to avoid colliding with them this spring.

Another pedestrian killed recently has our Greenville personal injury lawyers urging pedestrians to wear bright clothes so that motorists have a better chance of seeing you. WMBF reports that the pedestrian put himself in danger by walking in the middle of the road in dark clothes. The pedestrian was hit by a pickup truck in the middle of the on-ramp of Highway 9 and Highway 31 during early morning hours.

In 2009, over 4,000 pedestrians were killed in vehicle crashes in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Of the almost 900 total traffic fatalities reported in South Carolina for 2009, 89 were pedestrian fatalities which equates to about 10 percent of the total. Greenville County, ranked second for most fatalities of all counties in South Carolina, reported 7 pedestrian fatalities in 2009. Pedestrians accounted for 13 percent of total traffic fatalities in Greenville County according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Motorists can expect to see more pedestrians now that spring has arrived and cities across North and South Carolina are sponsoring more outdoor activities. Drivers should be on the lookout for walkers and exercise the following safe driving behaviors this spring in order to avoid hitting a pedestrian:

-Never allow yourself to drive distracted by talking on your cell phone, grooming, eating, or reading something while behind the wheel.

-Refrain from swerving to avoid obstacles in the road if pedestrians are present. Avoiding the obstacle may cause you to hit someone inadvertently walking in your path.

-Use extreme caution at night or during inclement weather like severe rain storms, hail or high winds. These conditions make it difficult to see pedestrians so pull over or refrain from driving completely if vision becomes limited.

-Control your speed on rural or highly populated roadways.

Pedestrians are encouraged to always make themselves visible with bright clothing. Limit your walks to daylight hours and pleasant weather conditions if at all possible. More importantly, if you feel you are at risk of an accident, call a driver or use public transportation to get you home safely.

Continue reading "Motorists can avoid a pedestrian accident in Greenville, elsewhere in state" »

Spring is an excellent time for motorists to brush up on their safe driving skills. Now that the weather has become a little more enjoyable the risk becomes much higher for motorcycle, pedestrian or bicycle accidents in North Carolina. As part of a spring safe driving series we will be drawing attention to the dangers faced by motorists encountering more walkers, bikers, and cyclists on Carolina roadways.

Our personal injury attorneys in Statesville, Gastonia and Asheville know that North Carolina ranks near the top in deadly bicycle accidents across the United States. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 16 fatal bicycle accidents in 2009 for the state, which placed it in the top 10 among all states. From 2005 to 2009, North Carolina averaged almost 25 deaths per year from fatal bicycle accidents. The highest death count recorded during that period was 36 in 2005.

The total number of bicycle accidents occurring each year may be skewed as we posted previously on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog. Advocates feel that a good number of accidents don't get reported so creating awareness and methods for safety are more important than ever. Whether cyclists enjoy the hobby as a good method for fitness, or families utilize riding as a method of enjoying quality time together, safety should be made a priority to keep cyclists safe from motor vehicle crashes.

Motorists should keep the following suggestions in mind in order to avoid a crash with a bicyclist:

-Never drive when you are extremely tired. Bicyclists are difficult to see and can appear out of nowhere so drivers should always be on alert.

-Approach intersections at a slower pace and check for any cyclist that may be crossing from another direction.

-Obey all traffic laws and use turn signals so that bicyclists and other motorists don't have to guess what you are doing. Being predictable is the best method to being a safe driver.

-Be on the lookout for bicycle reflectors or bright clothing, especially at night.

-If no bike paths exist on the street or roadway, give the cyclists plenty of space to maneuver.

Motorists and cyclists should always be accommodating when sharing the same roadways in order to keep everyone free from danger. Cyclists are reminded to wear bright clothing, always obey traffic laws, stay alert, and use bike paths with caution when they are available.

Continue reading "North Carolina motorists beware of high risk of bicycle accidents this spring" »

One teen was killed and three others were seriously injured in a South Carolina drunk driving accident on their way to school earlier this month reports USA Today.

The story made national news when the young driver who was killed was driving on a stretch of State Highway 129 that was recently named for his heroic father, a National Guard sergeant killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb.

The fatal crash is a tragic reminder of how so many lives can be affected and changed in a split second by a drunk driver. Our personal injury lawyers in Anderson and Spartanburg know that drunk drivers are responsible for over 30% of total traffic fatalities in the country each year.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported almost half of South Carolina traffic fatalities were a result of a crash in which at least one driver involved had a blood alcohol concentration of .01 or higher. Drunk driving is a serious crime in this state, as well as nationwide.

The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported after the incident that the 27 year-old drunk driver has been charged with three counts of felony DUI with injury, driving with a suspended license, and driving under the influence with death.

The teenager, driving a Honda, was hit head-on by the accused drunk driver who allegedly swerved left of the center line. The three teen passengers were transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center in critical condition while the driver was the only one fatally injured.

Continue reading "Drunk Driving Accidents a Tragic Risk in North and South Carolina " »

Sports fans like nothing better than to see their team win, but studies are showing that the closer the game, the better chance you have of getting in a North Carolina car accident on the way home.

There are plenty of sports teams to root for in this area so our personal injury lawyers in Greenville and Anderson want to remind fans to drive responsibly as they exit the parking lot and while waiting in traffic to get to their desired route.

The State reports about a recent study conducted by two researchers from University of South Carolina, and a third from North Carolina State University, who examined traffic fatalities of fans who were driving home after a game.

They found that the closer the game, the more crashes were likely to occur, that is, 133 percent more likely. After examining post-game travel for 271 football and basketball games from 2001 to 2008, they found that testosterone levels seemed higher after closely fought games and there was a direct link between margin of victory and the number of traffic accidents that occurred on the way home from the event.

High levels of testosterone often lead to aggressive behaviors which are then transferred into irresponsible driving behavior. One example, was an incident that arose after a USC football victory of an unbeaten top-ranked opponent when a 20 year-old fan was run over by a car following a fight that broke out while sitting in a traffic jam with another fan.

As nice as the testosterone theory is, we can't eliminate alcohol consumption at sporting events as having a direct effect on driver and passenger safety on the trip home from the game. Earlier this year, CNBC reported about a recent study done at the University of Minnesota in which doctors took breathalyzer tests of 362 sports fans following attendance at 16 professional football or baseball games. Results found that 8 percent of those fans tested were legally drunk and 40 percent had at least some alcohol detected in their system. Another result found that fans 35 and under were 8 times more likely to be drunk than those fans ages 36 and over. Tailgaters were over 6 times more likely to have alcohol detected and 14 times more likely to be drunk than fans that didn't tailgate at all.

Aggressive and drunk driving are two undesirable behaviors that frequently occur following a sporting event. If you plan to tailgate before your next sports outing, or drinking during the game, designate a driver to get you and your group home safely.

Fans who want to avoid aggressive drivers should plan to leave the event early or remain at your parking spot until traffic dies down.

Continue reading "Sporting Events Increase risk of Car Accidents in South and North Carolina" »

WIS TV10 recently reported on a fatal crash involving an ambulance.

Our car accident lawyers in Greenville, Anderson and Spartanburg urge you to contact our experienced staff at the Lee Law Offices if you are in a Carolina car accident with an emergency vehicle.

An early morning crash involving a car and an ambulance killed one and sent 6 others to the hospital.

A Bamberg County ambulance was heading to Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties with 5 occupants, 3 crew members and a mother and child. The car was driven by a 22-year-old male driver and had a 23-year-old male passenger.

The collision took place on Magnolia Street, about a mile north of Orangeburg. The passenger of the car was killed instantly and the driver and the 5 occupants of the ambulance were taken to different hospitals. The investigation into the cause of the crash continues.

The preliminary 2009 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports the following regarding fatalities and emergency vehicles:

-35 persons were killed involving crashes with ambulances.

-17 persons were killed involving crashes with fire trucks.

-90 persons were killed involving crashes with police vehicles.

High-tech emergency vehicles equipped with GPS screens, radio controls, emergency light and siren controls and cell phones are a breeding ground of distraction for an emergency vehicle driver.

South Carolina DMV offers the following information about emergency vehicle drivers. During emergency conditions drivers may drive faster than the speed limit, proceed through a stop sign or red light after slowing down, park in no parking zones and ignore rules about direction of travel or turning. However, all these must be done with public safety in mind.

As a motorist when you see an emergency vehicle approaching or hear a siren you should pull over to the edge of the road or the nearest curb and stop. Avoid entering any intersections until the emergency vehicle passes. Be careful when returning to the street after the emergency vehicle passes by using your turn signal and checking around you to make sure no other emergency vehicles are still en route. Never tailgate an emergency vehicle.

Continue reading "Crashes with Emergency Vehicles in North Carolina require Experienced Law Firm" »

We previously posted on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog that 80% of crashes occurring in the city are at intersections and often these kinds of accidents result in serious injury or death. Because intersections are so dangerous, our car accident lawyers in Charlotte, Statesville, and Winston-Salem frequently update you on the use of red-light cameras, which are meant to keep motorists safe.

Most cities have seen positive results with fewer intersection accidents in North Carolina since the installation of red light cameras began at back in 2004.

In fact, we posted on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog that red light camera usage was responsible for almost a 25% drop in fatal car accidents at intersections during a 14-city study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It is believed that if red light cameras were installed in all major cities nationwide, an average of more than 2 lives would be saved every day over the course of a year.

Despite the positive results that red light cameras have provided at some of the most dangerous intersections, WWAY reports that North Carolina Senate has proposed a bill that could do away with red light cameras completely. The city of Wilmington put up 13 red light cameras to help drivers pay a little more attention to the law and help prevent senseless intersection accidents caused by running a red light. As usual, public opinion is mixed on whether they should be taken away. Some motorists see the positive outcome that the cameras have in forcing drivers to stop at a yellow light if they know they will be nabbed with a violation through the mail a few weeks later. Others who oppose think that law enforcement officials on roadways are enough and so the added electronic device at intersections is overkill.

What most motorists who oppose the cameras don't consider is that the cameras are strategically placed at the intersections with the most crashes occurring. If an intersection is known to be dangerous, and you take the camera away, how does that improve the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians? Cameras at least make the driver think twice about running a red light. (Others argue the cameras are at the busiest intersections to generate the most ticket revenue).

Very soon the full North Carolina Senate will consider the bill. Once passed at that level it will move to the North Carolina House. Schools that are already struggling to keep themselves funded enough to operate will take a huge hit if the cameras are banned. Some of the income from fines goes to schools as a supplement for needed funding.

Continue reading "Advocates Argue Red Light Cameras Prevent North Carolina Car Accidents" »

The Carolina Cycling News earlier this month reported on the tragic death of two cyclists.

A 47 year old father of three and his son were out on their Sunday morning bike ride around 9 a.m. when they were mowed down by a drunk driver. The father was killed instantly; his 17 year old son was rushed to the hospital but died a day later. The teen was 10 days shy of his 18th birthday.

Our personal injury lawyers in Greensboro, Charlotte and Asheville understand the devastating loss of a loved one to an impaired driver. We know that someone dies at the hands of an impaired driver every 45 minutes.

A witness to the accident had just driven around the two cyclists and then to his horror saw a vehicle swerve into the bike lane. The 63-year old driver struck the two cyclists and didn't stop. The witness blocked the road and forced the driver to stop.

The driver was arrested at the scene and charged with felony driving while impaired, felony death by motor vehicle, open container, cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 630 cyclists were killed and over 51,000 were injured in 2009. Alcohol involvement, by the cyclist or the driver, was reported in over 40% of the traffic accidents that killed a cyclist in 2009. Only 4 states had more cyclist fatalities than the Carolinas, where 27 riders died in 2009.

Driving while impaired killed almost 11,000 people in 2009 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nationally, 38% of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related. In North Carolina, 33% of traffic fatalities involved alcohol consumption to some extent. Alarmingly, in South Carolina alcohol-related traffic fatalities were reported at 47%.

MADD ranks states (includes DC) based on the percentage of total traffic deaths in 2009 that are alcohol-related (1 = lowest percentage of DUI related deaths, 51 = highest percentage of DUI related deaths.) North Carolina ranks in the top 10. South Carolina ranks in the bottom 10.

Continue reading "North Carolina cycling accidents a common spring and summer danger" »

The United Nations voted unanimously to make 2011-2020 a Decade of Action for Road Safety, according to Governors Highway Safety Association.

The primary focus of our Charlotte personal injury lawyers is on North Carolina car accidents and traffic fatalities in general. But we understand that a global focus on road safety can only bring more awareness and adaptation to safer driving habits in the United States and throughout North Carolina.

Starting May 11, 2011 the fight to reduce traffic fatalities internationally will rank as high as the priority given to the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria. It is estimated that there are approximately 1.3 million traffic fatalities and another 50 million serious injuries resulting from traffic crashes in the world each year. At this rate, the World Health Organization expects that traffic-related injuries will be the 5th leading cause of death in the world by year 2030.

In the next 10 years it is expected that 5 million people will die, and another 50 million people will suffer devastating injuries. It is the hope of the UN that with strategies and interventions these tragedies will diminish in number rather than increase. The continued development of the Safe Systems Approach will play a key role in making roadways safer -- paying particular attention to the road, the vehicle and the driver. Using the Safe Systems Approach, the UN has modeled their own prototype in developing the Decade of Action 'Five Pillar' Plan, which pinpoints 5 areas of traffic safety that will gain the most attention. While this strategy includes building safer roads, vehicles, and management capacity, it also will focus on encouraging safer driving behaviors, as well as improving the care given following a crash.

The Road Safety Tag is the official emblem that will be used internationally in the Decade of Action for Road Safety. Starting May 11th, the United Nations is encouraging participation by:

-Visiting the official website to register your office or organization in making a 10 year commitment for safer driving. You can then download the Road Safety Tag for free which can then be displayed as a symbol of your participation in the worldwide effort to decrease traffic deaths.

-Plan an event on May 11th to include the Toward Zero Deaths initiative.

-Wear a Road Safety Tag in a personal effort to join other well-known government officials like former President Clinton, Secretary LaHood and Mayor Bloomberg to name a few.

-Make a request in writing to your mayor or governor to show a commitment to prevent traffic-related fatalities in our communities by wearing the Tag.

It is important that we make a committed effort to stop the bleeding, literally. By pledging to be safer drivers we can do our part to make roadways safer in North Carolina and throughout the country.

Continue reading "Governor Focuses on Highway Safety to Help Decrease Risks of North Carolina Car Accidents" »

North Carolina is joining transportation officials across the nation in recognizing National Work Zone Awareness Week. In attempt to help ease the flow of traffic in these construction and maintenance work zone areas and reduce the risks of a Charlotte car accident, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be increasing the monitoring of traffic flaggers through specific training and certification programs, according to The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse.

Our Spartanburg car accident lawyers urge motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones this spring and summer. "Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone." is the campaign for this year's Work Zone Safety Week, as motor vehicle accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of work zone fatalities.

According to the NCDOT, North Carolina experienced more than 2,100 injuries and more than 10 fatalities from work zone crashes in 2009. The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse reports that the United State witnessed nearly 34,000 injuries and approximately 700 fatalities from these work zone crashes that year.

NCDOT offers these safety tips to drivers to help then make their way through work zones:

-Follow posted speed signs. Speed limits often fluctuate in work zones. Drivers are urged to follow these posted signs to increase safety for both motorists and workers.

-Avoid changing lanes in work zones.

-Eliminate all distractions. Put all cell phones and hand held devices in the glove compartment or in your back seat.

-Keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles, construction workers and equipment. Avoid tailgating.

-Pay close attention to flaggers. These employees are trained officials and have the ability to help save lives amid the congestion.

-Have patience. Traffic is prone to slow down in these areas.

-Plan ahead. If you know you trip is going to have to go through a work zone, it is recommended to either leave earlier or find an alternative route to your destination.

The NCDOT offers this Work Zone Safety Public Announcement for you to share with your friends and family to help us make our roadways a safer place for everyone.

Continue reading "Work Zone Safety Awareness aims to Reduce North Carolina Car Accidents this Spring" »

Greensboro police are among many law enforcement officials throughout the state who recently took part in a "No need 2 speed" campaign when they applied a zero tolerance policy for speeding drivers on interstates and roadways throughout North Carolina, according to News & Record.

The campaign was initiated to reduce the number of speed-related car accidents in Greensboro and throughout the state.

Charlotte Business Journal recently reported the success of the program when last November almost 27,000 North Carolina motorists were cited for speeding throughout the state during the last campaign. Our Carolina car accident attorneys agree that speeding is a tremendous danger -- for every 10 mph you driver over 50, your chances double of being in a serious or fatal car accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speed-related crashes cost Americans approximately $23 billion a year according to the "Speed Shatters Life" campaign's Think Fast Brochure.

Other speed-related facts found in the brochure include:
-An average of 1,000 fatalities occurs each month in speed-related crashes.

-Repeat offenders are more likely to be involved in fatal speed-related crashes, meaning drivers typically have prior traffic violations.

-60% of all speed-related fatal crashes occur from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and occur on rural roadways.

-Single vehicles are involved in 66% of all speed-related crashes.

-Speeding has economic and environmental costs. Most passenger cars and light trucks use 50% more fuel traveling at 75mph than they do when traveling the normal speed limit set at 55 mph.

One resolution to help law enforcement officials maintain proper speed limits is the placement of speed cameras along highways and interstates. Yahoo News reports the placement of speed cameras on Interstate 95 in Ridgeland, SC is brewing a major controversy between highway safety advocates and state lawmakers.

The strategically placed cameras have caught thousands of drivers violating the speed limit on camera -- they are then mailed a $133 ticket a couple of weeks later. Drivers are forewarned by a white sign that states "Photo-Radar Assisted Speed Enforcement" as they enter the small town.

Lawmakers want to shut the cameras down because they consider it an unconstitutional form of law enforcement since not all speeders are ticketed, only those going over 80 mph. They should probably reconsider since the cameras have proven that motorists driving along I-95 are traveling slower. During the first 7 months of 2010, there were 4 fatalities in a total of 55 crashes. From August 2010 to the end of last month there were no deaths and only 38 crashes. Furthermore, since implementing the use of the cameras, there has been a 50% decrease in the number of drivers going over 80 mph.

The state Senate recently voted 40-0 to ban speeding tickets enforced by a photograph and requires tickets to be handed rather than mailed to violators caught traveling over the speed limit.

Continue reading "Speed Kills in Car Accidents in North and South Carolina" »

The National Safety Council (NSC) and safety advocate group FocusDriven is partnering this month for the inaugural National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents in Asheville, Greensboro and throughout the country.

Our North Carolina personal injury lawyers salute the two groups for dedicating this month to putting down the cell phone and paying attention to roadways.

In late March, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month was introduced by Representative Betsy Markey and passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as a resolution to the tragic accident of Erica Forney who was killed in a distracted driving accident in November of 2008.

The House voted 410-2 in favor of designating a month of awareness to distracted driving.

"Erica's memory will forever live on through this resolution and help prevent other distracted driving deaths from occurring," said Shelley Forney, Erica's mother and founding board member of FocusDriven.

The NSC estimates 1.6 million crashes each year are caused by cell phones or drivers who text or email while behind the wheel. The NSC and FocusDriven are asking drivers to silence, turn off, or store their cell phones in the trunk or glove compartment while they are driving during the month of April.

The temptation to answer ringing or buzzing phones or text message alerts is far too great so putting them in an out-of-reach location will inhibit drivers from giving in to the urge to respond. The two non-profit organizations are also asking drivers to change their temporary voicemail greeting to reflect that they are driving so that callers know to leave a message or try again later.

Businesses in North Carolina and elsewhere in the country are prompted to create and enforce polices related to cell phones this month in an effort to eliminate cell phone use by employees while they are driving. Most employees find driving a good time to multi-task, especially during business hours, but the reality is that they are at 4 times more risk of a crash while talking or texting on a cell phone.

"NSC provides many resources, including a free Cell Phone Policy Kit to help businesses protect employees," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.

Talking and texting while driving has become a serious epidemic that leads to severe tragedy for the victims' families who are left to mourn for their loved ones killed in distracted driving accidents. Drivers should put down their cell phones while driving this month and beyond to reduce the daily risk involved with distractions while behind the wheel.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving Month Aims to Reduce Risk of Car Accidents in Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Beyond" »

Our car accident attorneys in North Carolina agree that the economy has had a huge impact on the number of traffic fatalities occurring in the United States the last few years.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is boasting that the country reached the lowest level of reported motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2010 in over 60 years. The number of miles driven was up significantly at 21 billion miles but the number of traffic fatalities in 2010 dropped 3%.

What they are failing to emphasize is that reported fatalities for the fourth quarter of 2010 were up from the previous fourth quarter of 2009 by almost 2%.

The reduction of car accidents in Charlotte, Asheville, Statesville and throughout North Carolina is not congruent with the rest of the country. We posted previously on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog that the National Safety Council reported only 4 fewer deaths in motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina for 2010 than the 1,279 reported in 2009.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the region with the biggest decline was the Pacific Northwest which reported a 12% drop. The two regions that include North and South Carolina revealed a minimal decrease of 4.7% and 3% respectively.

The government wants to take credit for the decline in motor vehicle traffic fatalities based on all the safety initiatives and state laws that have been put in place across the country.

"The decrease in traffic fatalities is a good sign, but we are always working to save lives," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. "NHTSA will continue pressing forward on all of our safety initiatives to make sure our roads are as safe as they can possibly be."

By this he means the government, with the help of safety advocates, have put into motion national anti-distracted driving campaigns, drunk driving campaigns, seat belt use campaigns and the launch of Distraction.gov which is a public awareness website about distracted driving.

The government has also made a push to improve vehicle safety by requiring the automaking industry report safety defects immediately to the consumers who buy their vehicles. The government credits technology such as electronic stability control, and warning systems like lane departure and forward collision, for the improvement of driver and passenger safety.

The government can take credit, if they must, but in the end it is motorists who are in control of maintaining driver and passenger safety. Driving responsibly and abiding by the laws in place are the best ways to keep North Carolina roadways safe for you and other motorists.

Continue reading "North Carolina Car Accidents Likely to Increase as Economy Recovers" »