North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Earlier this month, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the "Booze It & Lose It" campaign would be running it's course throughout the month of December and up until January 2, 2012 to help keep intoxicated drivers off of North Carolina roadways and all motorists safe from drunk driving accidents in Charlotte and elsewhere this holiday season.

The state will heighten efforts by setting up DUI sobriety check command centers statewide and putting more officers on roadways to patrol for suspected drunk drivers.

A Hickory man obviously wasn't aware that DUI sobriety checkpoints would be occurring more often this month when he crashed into a mobile "Booze It or Lose It" DUI checkpoint command center while driving drunk in Newton. WCNC reports the 21 year-old driver is facing multiple charges after crashing his Chevy Camaro into the back of a mobile unit that had been conducting DWI sobriety checks earlier that evening. The intoxicated driver was taken to Catawba Memorial but his injuries were not life threatening. No one inside the "Booze It and Lose it" van was injured or taken to the hospital. The young driver faces charges of DWI, careless and reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and driving with a revoked license.

Hickory drunk driving accident attorneys know that with New Year's Eve a few short days away motorists should start to use even more caution as they venture out on roadways. New Year's Eve celebrations often result in unsafe behaviors like driving under the influence -- so everyone is more at risk of being involved in a crash this time of year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced that drunk driving fatalities have decreased in many states according to new research. Nationally, there were 10,228 deaths caused by drunk drivers in 2010 which equated to a little more than 30 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year. North Carolina is a state that reported an increase from 2009 to 2010 both in total traffic fatalities and fatalities caused by an intoxicated driver. In a year-to-year comparison, total traffic deaths increased by 6 but the number of drunk driving-related deaths increased by 30, or more than 8 percent, from 2009 to 2010.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is using education and enforcement to get the message out during the winter holiday season. Ad campaigns will be running nationwide from December 16 through January 2 to create awareness about the dangers as well as support law enforcement agencies across the country to do what it takes to get intoxicated drivers off of roadways.

Last year, North Carolina law enforcement agencies charged over 3,800 drunk drivers with driving under the influence during the 2010 Holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign. During the period of December 3 through January 2 last year, there were 31 deaths and over 700 injuries as a result of 1,017 alcohol-related crashes.

North Carolina motorists should expect to see over 13,000 checkpoints and stepped up patrols this month. Make the smart choice to drive sober this New Year's Eve and keep drunk driving accidents to a minimum throughout the holiday season and beyond.

Continue reading "DOT Reminds Motorists to Drive Sober to Avoid a Drunk Driving Accident in Hickory, Elsewhere This New Year's Eve" »

According to a recent article posted on CNN.com, drivers throughout the country may be facing a nationwide ban on cell phone use while operating a vehicle following a recommendation made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) at a recent board meeting.

NTSB investigators spent countless hours determining that the 40 people affected by a multi-vehicle crash in 2010 could have been unharmed if a cell phone did not cause the driver to become distracted before the horrendous accident. The NTSB has slowly but successfully worked towards eliminating electronic devices through recommendations to implement state laws in order to reduce car accidents caused by distraction in Greensboro and throughout the country.

To date, the board has recommended a ban on cell phone use for school bus drivers, novice drivers, and commercial truck drivers, which has led to several states passing laws targeting one or all of these groups.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, there are a patchwork of laws directed towards eliminating the use of electronic devices which vary from state to state. Some states ban cell phone use completely while others allow talking but not texting. Some states categorize bans on cell phone use by age or occupation while others lay no groundwork for laws banning the unsafe behavior at all.

Car accident attorneys in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte or elsewhere understand that keeping up with current events has become vital in knowing what law pertains to which driver in each state. It has even become more difficult for law enforcement officials to enforce texting or talking bans in each state because it is nearly impossible to determine whether a driver is texting or dialing a phone number while they drive.

One thing is certain. Accidents caused by distractions are much more frequent today than they were 10 years ago and it isn't a stretch to link electronic devices to the cause of these distractions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that at minimum, almost 3,100 deaths occurred in 2010 that were related to distractions or cell phone use. Additionally, recent driver behavior studies have shown that 1 in every 100 drivers are emailing, texting or surfing the web at any given moment while operating a vehicle.

BlueRidgeNow.com reports that it is time for North Carolina lawmakers to see the big picture about the dangers of cell phone use and follow the recommendation to ban all electronic devices used by all automobile operators. Following a car accident, investigators are now asking for a driver's texting and cell phone records because they are finding that many accidents are being caused by this form of distraction. Drivers are continuing to multi-task behind the wheel because they don't get how unsafe the behavior is. It is up to the local, state and federal government to inflict consequences so severe that it will curb the unsafe behavior completely and save lives daily.

The National Safety Council's president and CEO recently commended the NTSB for recommending all cell phones be banned behind the wheel unless it is an absolute emergency. She states the national call for action must be addressed by legislators, employers and all drivers if we want to stop this public health threat from occurring daily on our nation's roadways.

North Carolina motorists need to consider for a moment that talking or using a cell phone while you drive is not a necessity but rather a convenience. No phone call or text message should take precedent over causing a crash or taking the life of another so put the phone down to avoid a distracted driving accident this holiday season and beyond.

Continue reading "Nationwide Cell Phone Ban Could Reduce Distracted Driving Accidents in Greensboro, Statewide" »

Each major holiday, the National Safety Council (NSC) makes a prediction on how many lives will be lost on American roadways during the holiday weekend period. For the most part, the predictions are made with holidays that may require excessive travel or consumption of alcohol during the extended weekend like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or New Year's Day. Drunk or distracted driving car accidents in Winston-Salem or elsewhere are more common around holiday weekends as families and friends gather together and have cause for celebration.

Gastonia car accident attorneys understand the dangers that motorists face and hope that all drivers use caution and make smart choices for a safe driving week between Christmas and New Year's this year.

According to the NSC, it is estimated that 287 traffic fatalities will occur during the Christmas holiday period from Friday, December 23 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, December 26 at 11:59 p.m. Most families planning to celebrate Christmas with family will be driving during that period. In addition, the NSC estimates that 28,700 people will be injured severely enough in a car accident to need medical attention. In 2009, the actual number of deaths was significantly lower than the estimated number at 248 and 317 respectively.

The New Year's Day holiday period runs from Friday, December 30 at 6:00 p.m. to Monday, January 2 at 11:59 p.m. During this time, the NSC is estimating just under 300 traffic fatalities and another 29,700 medically treated injuries caused by car accidents nationwide. In 2009, the NSC estimated deaths for this holiday period was 445 but the actual number reported was slightly higher at 458.

Star News Online reports the following holiday driving trips provided by the North Carolina Department of Transportation:

-Non-peak hours are the best time to travel to avoid a potential collision.

-Taking focus away from the roadway inhibits reaction time to road conditions or other motorists. Stay attentive during holiday travel periods.

-Keep a watchful eye for construction areas or collisions that have occurred in front of you. Remember to slow down and move over when you see flashing lights or workers near the road.

-Begin your drive when you are wide awake. Take breaks if you become tired.

-Check for alternate routes before you leave to avoid highly congested areas.

-Maintaining a safe driving speed at 60 mph where permitted can help gas mileage and save in fuel costs. Speeding saves very little in travel time.

-During non-peak travel times try to use cruise control. Recent studies have shown that driving 10,000 miles on cruise control during the course of the year can save over 60 gallons of gas and almost $200 a year in fuel costs.

If you plan to travel to spend the holidays with family, drive safely and make responsible choices to avoid a collision. Making a commitment to drive sober and distraction-free could save a life including your own.

Continue reading "NC Motorists Drive Safely to Avoid a Holiday Car Accident in Gastonia, Winston-Salem" »

The North Carolina Department of Transportation makes all final decisions when it comes to changing road designs or improving safety measures on state roads. Many factors can contribute to a road being hazardous for motorists who travel on them regularly. When a car accident in Greensboro, Asheville or elsewhere occurs because a road is deemed dangerous, state and local governments can be held responsible when roads are not repaired or designed properly.

Charlotte car accident lawyers know that city councils and aldermen often get involved in road design issues when it affects the welfare of motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. What we don't understand is why trying to avoid a disruption in local businesses should take precedent over roadway user safety when it comes to safety measures that are needed in particularly dangerous areas.

Star News Online reports that aldermen in Southport are concerned about building a traffic circle that would interfere with local businesses so they have written a resolution voicing their concerns to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The installation of a traffic circle at the intersection of N.C. 87 and N.C. 211 would ease the flow of traffic and make the area safer but the board fears several local businesses will be affected in a negative capacity and potentially be put out of business.

A second option that the DOT is weighing is the use of an eight-phased signal design located at the intersection. This plan would be incorporated in a seven-mile stretch of widening current road structures from two lanes to four lanes.

Highways 75, 77 and 85, as well as, Interstate 40 are considered some of the most dangerous roadways in the state. When it comes to dangerous roadways, there are several things that can be considered a hazard. If roads sag into a low area there may be water that accumulates on top causing a risk of flooding or icy conditions that can cause motorists to lose control. Roadways that are traveled frequently or require constant snow or debris removal can be at risk of wear and tear dangers which include the development of pot holes, grooves or buckling. These hazards also may cause a motorist to lose control of the vehicle and cause serious injury if an accident occurs.

A few examples of poor road design include confusing transition markings, missing guard rails, construction zone hazards, insufficient signage, poorly designed railroad crossings, landscaping obstructions or traffic controls placed at ineffective locations.

Insufficient funding is often an excuse used for putting off remedying a dangerous area of roadway but it is the responsibility of state and local officials to make sure accidents aren't occurring because there is poor signage or a traffic light malfunction among other things. Accidents that occur more than once in a particular area of roadway need considerable attention as to what can be done to eliminate future injuries or deaths.

Continue reading "Poor Roadway Design Leads to Greater Risk of Car Accidents in Greensboro, Statewide" »

Motorists throughout North Carolina may have noticed an increase in the number of Department of Transportation (DOT) trucks on roadways during last month. News & Record reports that weekend service for Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) was extended to several counties starting the first weekend of November to help response time to a car accident in Greensboro, Asheville and elsewhere in our area.

Motorists who run into trouble on roadways during weekend travel now have another option for assistance thanks to the department. Asheville car accident attorneys know how important response time to an accident is. Not only does it help quicken medical attention directed to accident victims but it can also get vehicles involved in an accident moved off the roadway to eliminate the risk of another accident caused by a rubbernecker interested in the scene of an accident.

Before November, IMAP was available only through the week. Now the bright yellow trucks are canvasing interstates and highways on weekends and offering assistance to stranded motorists and helping to report accidents to authorities. IMAP patrols are now be available from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in Davidson, Randolph, Guilford, Alamance, Forsyth, Davie, Orange and Rowan counties. The trucks will be monitoring Interstate 40, U.S. 29, Interstate 85 and U.S. 52 among others.

The purpose of IMAP is to assist motorists who have broken down or have been involved in an accident while managing the flow of traffic so that heavily traveled roads don't become backed up for miles or completely shut down for hours. The service is free and has several benefits for travelers. Not only is there a faster response time to idle motorists but emergency services and personnel can be coordinated and offer rescue services much quicker.

Motorists should not confuse IMAP drivers for law enforcement officials. IMAP drivers only assist at the scene. They are not the authorities involved in an investigation. Motorists should also be careful of knowing who to look for. IMAP drivers wear uniforms, carry identification stating they are NCDOT personnel and drive yellow trucks with a logo imprinted on the side. Unmarked vehicles stopping to assist that don't meet these criteria do not work for IMAP and should be approached with caution. If an IMAP truck drives by your disabled vehicle they are probably already responding to a different call or accident.

To view maps of roadways covered in your area, click on the city links found below.

Greensboro
Winston-Salem
Charlotte
Asheville

In 2009, there were roughly 63,000 stops to help stranded motorists. Motorists who see a yellow DOT truck should remember to slow down and move over to reduce the risk of another car accident as you pass by the scene.

Continue reading "IMAP Aims to Improve Response Time Following a Car Accident in Greensboro, Statewide" »

No one is ever prepared to receive notification that a loved one has been killed in a drunk driving accident in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Asheville or elsewhere. The news is difficult to take even when you suspect the bad news is coming. Sadly, very few police officers or other people who give death notifications are trained or prepared to deliver the devastating news to parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, or other family members or loved ones.

In most instances, Statesville car accident attorneys don't have dealings with family members in the early stages of being notified of a death or injury. Family members contact us when they want justice to be served or a family member deserves compensation for severe injuries sustained in a crash. Drunk-driving accident attorneys are empathetic to what families are going through and fight for the rights of victims and families to get the compensation they deserve.

According to a recent article in USA Today, the way death notification is given to a family member has a tremendous impact on how traumatic the experience may be for him or her following the news. Last year, almost 33,000 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents, which means a minimum of that many loved ones had to be told that a family member would not be returning home. Approximately a third of the family members had to hear their loved one was killed by a drunk driver.

A 14-year veteran studying death notifications and an associate professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Georgia recently commented that several things can help ease the trauma when delivering devastating news. A person hearing the news for the first time may be more traumatized when a police officer seems aloof, holds back information or gets the news by phone as opposed to hearing it in person by a police officer who is empathetic and offers their condolences.

Because the news is so devastating and hard to deliver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has taken initiatives to help police and other first-responders on how to serve death notifications more succinctly. MADD representatives have been working with law enforcement officers since 1988 on how to train these individuals to be better at death notification. In 1995, MADD received a federal grant to develop a standardized training program for death notification.

In 2001, a study by the University of Florida found that over 40 percent of police officers had no experience or classroom knowledge of how to deliver news to family members that someone had been hurt or seriously injured in a car accident. In addition, 70 percent of the group studied admitted they had already had to notify at least one family of a death announcement.

Each year, 700 to 1,400 police officers now receive death notification training from MADD through the standardized training program. Training includes:

-A four- to five-hour training session to learn how to notify family members in person that a loved one has been killed by a drunk driver or other car-related accident.

-The availability of wallet cards that can be handed out by police officers when family members or victims need to speak to someone about mourning or need support from someone who has already experienced the same grief.

-Trainees can attend a national conference that offers sessions specific to police officers and death notifications.

Future plans include launching a course online by October 2012.

Continue reading "Receiving Notification of a Fatal North Carolina Drunk-Driving Accident Can be Traumatic" »

Driving under the influence is never a good idea for any driver in any age group. But recent data shows that on average 6,000 people are killed nationwide each year by a teen driving while intoxicated. The combination of all illegal drug usage-related deaths doesn't even account for that many fatalities each year in the United States. Did you ever think it was possible that underage alcohol-related car accidents in Charlotte and elsewhere would take the lives of so many people annually when teens aren't even of age to legally drink yet?

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has teamed up with the National Football League in an effort to encourage teens not to engage in drinking and not riding in a vehicle where the driver has been drinking.

Charlotte drunk driving accident attorneys understand there seems to be a connection between drinking alcohol and football. Some people think that America's favorite pastime just wouldn't be the same if there were no tailgate parties, or if fans didn't have a beer in their hands to cheer on their favorite team. Unfortunately, attending a football game usually leads to a higher risk of a drunk-driving accident occurring after the contest is over, putting other motorists in jeopardy of serious injury or death.

Teens throughout the United States are encouraged to take the pledge to make good decisions and resist riding with someone driving under the influence by signing up on MADD's Power of Youth Facebook page. By taking the pledge, you will automatically be entered to win officially licensed NFL prizes like hats, T-shirts or other fan-favorite clothing. Make the power of peer pressure turn positive by urging friends to sign up. Recruitment of friends to sign up for the pledge increases your chances to win.

If you are between the ages of 13 and 20, visit MADD's Facebook page so that you can pledge to stay safe the rest of this season and well into the New Year. The NFL and MADD want to give you and your friends "MADD props" for choosing to stay safe and sober in the days and weeks to come.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) offers these alarming facts to consider:

-30 percent of underage drinkers admit to paying for their own alcohol. Almost 10 percent purchase it themselves compared to 22 percent who gave money to someone else who bought it for them.

-50 percent of teens admit to consuming alcohol at someone else's house while 30 percent confess their last drink was at home.

-26 percent of people between the ages of 12 to 20 years-old admit to drinking alcohol in the last 30 days.

Don't end the season on a sour note. Make a commitment to stay safe by not hopping in the car with someone who has been drinking or getting behind the wheel after you have had a drink. Score one for the good guys; it could just save a life.

Continue reading "Teenagers Can Win NFL Gear by Taking Pledge to Drive Alcohol-Free in Charlotte, Elsewhere" »

Last month, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Since November 2006, much progress has been made nationwide to spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving accidents in Asheville, and elsewhere in the country.

Hickory drunk driving accident lawyers know that the holidays bring a greater risk for drivers to get behind the wheel after having a few too many drinks. We hope that all motorists in North Carolina make smart choices when it comes to being sober before getting behind the wheel.

In a recent press release, MADD announced its Report to the Nation, which is a state-by-state comparison of how each one ranks in its efforts to eliminate drunk driving. Overall, the nation received a three-star rating out of five categories, indicating that advocates feel there is still much work to be done to achieve a zero-tolerance goal nationwide.

States were rated on efforts to eliminate drunk driving in the following categories related to passing legislation or enforcement of drunk-driving laws:

Ignition Interlocks: a state has adopted a law that requires all convicted drunk drivers to have this breathalyzer device installed in their vehicle. The driver must blow into the device in order for the engine to start.

Sobriety Checkpoints: locations are set up statewide during holiday or weekend periods to catch potential drunk drivers.

Administrative License Revocation (ALR): a drunk driver has his or her license suspended or revoked for a period of time by enforcing ALR statewide.

Child Endangerment: any intoxicated driver pulled over for driving under the influence with young children in the vehicle will face a stiffer penalty.

No-Refusal: enforcement of no-refusal activities occurs when a driver doesn't cooperate after being suspected of drunk driving.

Only five states received a five-star rating, with North Carolina being rated with three out of five stars. A star was issued for the enforcement of sobriety checkpoints, ALR and child endangerment. Areas that still need improvement in North Carolina are ignition interlocks and "no refusal". Legislation for interlock devices for first-time offenders testing .15 or over were passed in 2007 but North Carolina still needs to take action and pass the law to include all convicted offenders. There is also a need to address "no refusal" in North Carolina or else face consequences when a driver is suspected to have been drinking.

According to recent data provided by Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, the United States spends roughly $132 billion a year related to drunk-driving costs. A little more than $71 billion is spent on quality-of-life losses while $61 billion is spent on monetary costs. Only a small percentage of these costs are paid by federal, state and local governments or employers.

We encourage all motorists to make smart choices in order to avoid a drunk-driving accident this holiday season and beyond in North Carolina or elsewhere.

Continue reading "North Carolina receives 3-Star Rating in Efforts to Eliminate Drunk Driving in Asheville, Statewide" »

It is no secret that teen drivers are often the most at risk of being involved in a car accident in Gastonia, Charlotte or elsewhere. Teen car accidents can be particularly tragic around the holidays.

Winston-Salem car accident attorneys cringe when they see a report of an accident involving a teen driver with little ones in the car. Not only can young drivers lose their focus and become distracted, but sometimes they are not mature enough to know how to tend to a child's needs or behaviors.

The Salisbury Post recently reported of a fatal teen car crash that killed a teen passenger riding in the front seat. Three children under 6-years-old riding in the back managed to survive. There were no witnesses to the accident, but the 17-year-old female driver is presumed to have veered off the right side of the road after coming around a bend. She ended up overturning the Chevy Blazer straight into a utility pole.

The teen passenger riding in the front seat was thrown approximately 100 feet and died despite three people working together to administer CPR until help arrived. The three children along with the teen driver were tended to by area residents until emergency responders arrived at the scene. They were taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast but their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The accident is under investigation, but local residents said they heard music blaring from the SUV after the accident. Additionally, speed has been a common factor in several previous accidents in the same vicinity.

Nowadays, parents have so many concerns when it comes to keeping teen drivers safe on roadways. Cell phones and other youth passengers riding in the vehicle are common causes of distraction related to an accident. Young drivers tend to speed because they don't think anything will come of this unsafe behavior. Teens seem to have easy access to alcohol, which can put them at considerable risk of a fatal accident if they choose to drive under the influence.

Fayobserver.com reports that a third of American teens drink alcohol and almost 20 percent of teens binge drink. Teens are able to walk into a convenience store, purchase a potent malt liquor and not be be asked for age identification. Law enforcement officials expect that as holiday parties begin to increase in the next few weeks, so will underage drinking and the number of teen driver arrests. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's is dangerous for all drivers because alcohol intake increases due to celebrations or more time off from work or school.

If you have a young and inexperienced driver in your family, parents or guardians are encouraged to talk to them about safe driving during the holidays. Reiterate the importance of driving distraction-free. Make a point to discuss the dangers of driving under the influence and the consequences they can face if they are caught for underage drinking or become involved in an accident.

Continue reading "North Carolina Teen Drivers Urged to Drive Safely During the Holidays to Avoid a Car Accident in Gastonia, Elsewhere" »

As we muddle through the busiest shopping period of the year, our Charlotte car accident lawyers want to remind motorists to use extra caution in parking lots filled with anxious or distracted pedestrians. Parking lots are packed with vehicles and shoppers this time of year, which makes the risk of being involved in a parking lot accident in Greensboro, Charlotte or elsewhere all that more heightened compared to shopping under normal circumstances.

A recent parking lot accident at a Home Depot in Maryland is a reminder of how easily accidents can lead to serious or fatal injuries. The Baltimore Sun reports a 79-year-old driver experienced a medical emergency while he was driving through a Home Depot parking lot that caused him to hit six people. The victims were transported to the hospital with injuries, but two have reportedly died from the Thanksgiving Day accident at the Hyattsville Home Depot. The conditions of the other four victims remain undisclosed. The accident is under investigation and no charges have been filed against the driver to date.

For some odd reason shoppers tend to throw courteousness out the window this time of year. Whether it is the shortened time period to cross everything off the shopping list or the race to get to the best sales event, people can get a little aggressive and unruly. When this behavior gets transferred to operating a vehicle, it can put pedestrians at risk of severe injury while walking in the parking lot to and from their vehicle.

To help reduce levels of agitation and encourage a little common courtesy in the spirit of giving, we offer these etiquette tips to help reduce parking lot incidents:

-Drivers should not block other cars behind them while waiting for a parking space near the store entrance to open.

-Pull into a parking space by centering the vehicle with equal space on either side. Pull forward so that the rear end of the vehicle doesn't hang out and block the view of other motorists as they try to see around it.

-If a space is too small to fit into, look for another parking spot. Trying to cram in to a small spot is dangerous and can lead to vehicle damage or personal injury.

-A driver has many blind spots in a parking lot so be aware of these as you maneuver around pedestrians and vehicles.

-Watch for speed limit signs and one-way indicators. Always follow the speed limit and follow the direction indicated by signs and markings on the pavement.

-Stop or yield to oncoming or crossing foot traffic and vehicles.

-Always use a turn signal when making a turn or pulling into a parking spot.

-Never leave a cart or dolly in the parking spot when you are done shopping. Not only can it be aggravating to other motorists attempting to pull into a space when spots are limited, but it can also cause vehicle damage when left unattended.

-Resist aggressive behaviors by not honking the horn or making inappropriate gestures to pedestrians or other motorists.

-Never create your own parking space. It is illegal and dangerous.

Continue reading "Charlotte Parking Lot Accidents Common at Malls, Outlets During Holiday Shopping Season" »

A recent survival story involving a 9-year-old girl that did what it took to stay alive following a North Carolina car accident that killed her father is both tragic and heartwarming all at the same time. Independent Online News reports the young girl survived the crash alone for nearly two days by eating cold Pop-Tarts, snacks and drinking Gatorade while lying next to her father who was killed in the crash.

Statesville car accident lawyers know how difficult it is for an adult to survive an accident for nearly two days let alone a young child who didn't have the guidance of an adult to assist her through this difficult time.

The father and daughter duo were on their way home in Cove City when the father lost control of the car and the vehicle ended up overturned in a ditch 16 feet below the driving surface. The child's father was found dead in the driver's seat. The 9-year-old survived below-freezing temperatures while wearing a coat, rationing food and keeping hydrated for 43 hours following the accident. The child attempted to dig herself out of the vehicle but was unsuccessful as she was upside down in the vehicle.

USA Today reports that ironically the child's mother was searching for her daughter and was also involved in an accident within 100 feet of where her daughter was trapped. Rescuers did not locate the vehicle involved in the first accident while attending to the accident involving the child's mother despite screams being made by the young child trapped inside the vehicle. It wasn't until almost 24 hours later that a person walking discovered the overturned vehicle lying in the ravine. The person called 911 and rescuers were able to help the child to safety.

Stories like these are reminders that with a little planning car accident victims can survive the aftermath of a potentially dangerous car crash. Winter weather can often make driving conditions more dangerous so there is no time like the present to place a car safety kit in your vehicle. Many retailers offer a pre-made safety kit but putting together your own is simple and may be more cost-efficient. The safety kit should contain the following items:

-Thermal blanket or heavy sleeping bag.

-Large flashlight with extra batteries.

-A knife or sharp cutting blade.

-Plastic cover with tissues or paper towels for sanitary purposes.

-Kitty litter or sand to help with traction and a shovel.

-Several bottles of water and dry or perishable foods and snacks.

-First-aid kit which contains bandages, gauze, wraps, rubbing alcohol, ointments, aspirin among other treatment remedies.

-Extra clothing like sweaters, sweatpants, heavy jackets or thermal underwear.

Once you have the kit put together, place as many items as you can in a backpack or travel bag. Put the emergency items in the bag and place in the back seat of your vehicle. Items that don't fit in the bag can be put in the back seat or trunk for storage.

Increase your chances of survival by preparing for the worst and having an emergency survival kit handy in the back seat of your vehicle at all times.

Continue reading "North Carolina Child Survivor Story a Reminder for Motorists to Consider Travel Safety Kit" »

Holiday weekends typically mean an abundance of state troopers and local police officers patrolling North Carolina roadways to reduce the risk of drunk driving or car accidents in Hickory or elsewhere. The number of law enforcement security checkpoints and patrol officers increase during holiday periods when roadways are used more frequently.

WTVD reports about a recent holiday weekend accident that sent three people to the hospital, including a police officer. The accident happened while a state trooper was in pursuit to offer assistance to another officer involved with a suspected drunk driver.

Investigators report the unmarked cruiser was traveling at a speed of 70 mph on Interstate 85 with lights flashing and the siren on when the trooper exited the highway at North Duke Street. To avoid traffic waiting for the light to turn green at the end of the off ramp, the trooper pulled along the shoulder, lost control of the cruiser and crashed into a traffic light control box. The impact of the crash caused the cruiser to go sailing across six lanes of traffic before hitting another vehicle. One of the passengers from that vehicle suffered a broken hip and pelvis while the other had less serious injuries but was sent to the hospital for medical attention. The state trooper was treated and released from the hospital.

Officials from the North Carolina Highway Patrol stated that police officers try to avoid a crash while in pursuit, but when in emergency response mode they sometimes drive above the posted speed limit. This was an unfortunate accident according to state officials because the trooper couldn't balance the danger of speeding in pursuit to the potential harm of hurting a motorist.

Winston-Salem car accident attorneys want to remind North Carolina motorists of the Move Over law set forth by state legislatures in January 2002. In order to prevent contact with policemen, firefighters, emergency responders, utility workers and other rescuers responding to an emergency situation, state officials passed this law that requires motorists to move one lane over if it is safe to do so whenever they see flashing lights or hear a siren. Failure to move over could result in a minimum penalty of $250.

According to Move Over, America, 164 police officers have died nationwide after being struck by a passing vehicle. In 2009, there were 10 law enforcement official deaths nationwide, that's almost half of the number killed in 2008 reported at 18. According to a recent national poll sponsored by the National Safety Commission, 71 percent of Americans don't know that a Move Over law even exists. To date, 43 states have passed a Move Over law in order to help protect emergency responders from being struck while trying to do their job.

Motorists who spot flashing lights should always slow down and move over to help reduce the risk of making contact with an emergency responder.

Continue reading "North Carolina Trooper Injured While Responding to Drunk Driving Pursuit" »