North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

You might have seen the commercial, with the man suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) because of a text message. He was involved in a serious car accident because of a text message that read "Where r."

The commercial is a part of the "It Can Wait" campaign. It's put on by AT&T and it's working to get drivers to put down their cell phones behind the wheel.

Our Rock Hill car accident lawyers understand that there were more than 3,000 people killed in distracted driving car accidents in the U.S. in 2009. Hundreds of thousands more were injured. Too many drivers are taking their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel for text messages. When you text at the wheel, you're close to 25 percent more likely to get into an accident.

Randall Stephenson, CEO of AT&T, helped to first launch the "It Can Wait" campaign back in 2009. While this campaign is targeting drivers of all ages, it focuses its attention on teenage drivers. Younger drivers are more likely to text at the wheel than older drivers.

Stephenson is asking drivers across the nation to participate in the "No Text on Board -- Pledge Day." On September 19th, or any day before, you're urged to visit the campaign's website to make the pledge to stop texting at the wheel. This is a powerful pledge that can help to save lives.

According to recent polls, about 20 percent of all drivers admit that they text behind the wheel. More than 40 percent of teenage drivers say they do it!

AT&T isn't the only cell phone provider who is getting in on the anti-texting game either. Verizon and Sprint are also pushing these campaigns. Stephenson says he's not upset about his competitors joining. He says that any and all advocacy for this cause is welcome.

"If it's just AT&T owning this issue, it doesn't get the traction it needs," he said.

There are ways that you can work to keep the cell phone out of the driver's seat. It's actually quite simple. You should consider keeping your cell phone in your glove compartment or maybe in the back seat. Keep it out of sight and out of reach to reduce the tendency to use it. If you get a phone call or a text message that must be addressed, there are a few options. You can hand it to a passenger to handle or you can pull over to a safe spot and address it once you've stopped. You can also set up a voicemail message that alerts callers that you may not be answering your phone because you're currently driving. Let them know that you'll call them back as soon as you stop safely.

There's never a good reason to take your attention off of driving. Remember that no phone call and no text message is worth a human life.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving in Rock Hill: "It Can Wait" Targeting Texting Behind Wheel" »

Your risks for a drunk driving car accident in Charlotte and elsewhere are pretty high from now through the Labor Day holiday weekend. During this time of year, we see a steep increase in the number of these kinds of accidents. The Labor Day holiday weekend is actually one of the most dangerous holiday periods of the entire year.

To help to keep you safe, Secretary Conti announced that local and state law enforcement officials will be out searching our roads for drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This enforcement effort is all a part of the "Booze It & Lose It" Labor Day campaign. Officers will be conducting a number of checkpoints and will be stepping up their patrol efforts from now through the 3rd of September, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Our Charlotte car accident lawyers understand that there were nearly 150 people who were killed in drunk driving car accidents over the 2010 Labor Day holiday weekend. These kinds of accidents accounted for more than 35 percent of all highway fatalities. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also working to keep drunk drivers off of our streets over the next few weeks. They're both pushing the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. This is a nationwide campaign that's being used to get drunk drivers off the road, raise public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving, and most importantly, to save more lives on our roadways.

"Together with law enforcement, we can put an end to the 100 percent preventable deaths and injuries caused by drunk driving," said MADD National President Jan Withers.

We're asking everyone to be safe over the holiday weekend. Avoid drinking and driving at all costs. It's a mistake that could wind up taking your life or the life of an innocent person. Make sure you have a sober way to get home. Your best bet is to partner up with a friend or a family member and designate one of you to be the DD. This means that the DD pledges to drink absolutely no alcohol. If you and your buddies want to all drink, that's okay too! If you're out without a sober driver, call a cab, take the bus, call someone to come pick you up or find a safe place to stay. There are too many options available to you for you to decide to get behind the wheel after drinking.

If you see a friend or a family member who has been drinking and is planning on driving, take their car keys from them and help them to arrange a safe and sober way to get home. If you think you spot a drunk driver on our streets, call local authorities to address the situation. Your phone call can help to get an irresponsible driver off our roads and possibly safe a life. Happy Labor Day and be safe out there.

Continue reading ""Booze It & Lose It" Campaign Busting Drunk Drivers through Labor Day" »

In the Triangle area, there are more than 350 pedestrians injured or killed in traffic accidents every year. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area is rich with college students, families and active walkers, bikers and hikers.

To help to reduce the risks of pedestrian accidents and to make walking in the area a little safer for pedestrians, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) teamed up with a number of safety advocates to kick off "Watch for Me NC."

This is a campaign that's working to educate, raise awareness and improve roadways for the safety of our area's on-foot traffic. The project is also being assisted by the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This campaign will be going through October.

"Our goal is to educate drivers and pedestrians on what they can do to make our roads safer for everyone," said Paul Morris with NCDOT.

Our Chapel Hill personal injury lawyers understand that the campaign is targeting some of the most dangerous areas in the state for pedestrians, including Durham, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Raleigh. The campaign is posting a number of pedestrian and driver-related safety messages on city buses, at gas stations, in radio and TV spots and on university campuses.

In addition to the robust publicity campaign, law enforcement officials from throughout the state will be on the hunt for those who aren't obeying pedestrian laws. They'll be particularly targeting motorists who do not yield to pedestrian in crosswalks.

In the Triangle, there are nearly 100 people hit by cars who don't stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk each year. Another 160 people are hit while walking at night. There are 100 who are hit by cars in parking lots. The truth is that drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings and pedestrians need to walk with a little more caution and awareness of safety risks. Defensive walking habits are your best bet against a potentially fatal run in with a motor vehicle.

The state of North Carolina, and the Triangle in particular, continuously ranks among the most dangerous places for pedestrians. Planning for the "Watch for Me NC" campaign kicked off nearly a year ago. It wasn't officially launched until August this month.

During this time, and well after, pedestrians are urged to practice the following safety tips. Smart travel is safe travel:

-Always lookout for cars in all directions.

-When walking at night, only walk in well-lit areas and make sure you can be seen. Wear brightly-colored clothing and reflective materials.

-Avoid engaging in distractions while walking. Keep your attention on your surroundings.

-Be predictable when walking and expect the unexpected. You can't trust the judgments of other travelers.

-Never let children walk unsupervised. When walking with young children, always hold their hand.

-Obey all traffic laws and pedestrian traffic signals.

-Keep an eye out for turning and reversing cars.

-Cross the street where you have the best view of traffic.

Continue reading "Campaign Working to Protect Pedestrians in the Triangle" »

School is starting back up in South Carolina and during this time of the year, we're warning drivers about the presence of school bus riders and school buses along our state's roads.

Both riders and buses bring about risks for accidents if drivers aren't aware and careful. To help to keep them safe, Congress provided states across the country with funds for a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program back in 2005. These programs are still running strong and have been proven to be beneficial in helping to keep our students and motorists safe.

According to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), this program helps to encourages children to walk and bike safely to and from school. The program helps communities in planning, developing and implementing activities and projects that can help to improve safety for all travelers and to reduce traffic in the area, all while promoting a healthy lifestyle for all residents.

There are five E's to a comprehensive plan through the Safe Routes to School Program: Engineering, Encouragement, Education, Enforcement, Evaluation.

Our Rock Hill injury lawyers understand that young bus-riding children aren't always able to recognize or understand the dangers that are associated with vehicular traffic. It's our responsibility as parents, as guardians, as friends and as members of the community to do all that we can to help to protect our young ones. Parents are urged to talk with their kids before they head out of school this year. Teach them about safe traveling habits. Motorists are asked to be cautious in areas where bus stops can be found as well as near residential and school zones.

Walking to the Bus Stop and to School Safely:

-Never allow young children to walk alone. Always supervise these young pedestrians.

-Older children should never walk alone. Make sure they walk with a buddy.

-Make sure you plan out a safe route with your child. Make sure they stick to this route.

-When near the street, children should never horseplay with one another.

-Teach children to never talk to strangers.

-Dress your child in brightly-colored clothing so that they're easily seen by passing motorists.

-Children should always look both ways before attempting to cross the street.

-Always walk, never run, across the street.

-Never wait for the bus or to cross the street on the road. Stay behind the curb.

-Obey all crossing guards and traffic signs and signals.

Motorists must take special care when approaching children. About one out of every five children who were killed in a traffic accident in 2008 was a pedestrian. During the entire year, there were nearly 4,400 pedestrians killed in traffic accidents. Another 70,000 were injured. An alarming number of these injuries and fatalities were young children. In 2008, nearly 300 of these fatalities were of kids under the age of 14-years-old. Help to keep them safe during this school year and be on the lookout behind the wheel.

Continue reading "Carolina Accident Watch: Schools Back In Mean Child Pedestrians are Out!" »

There will be a new guardrail installed at the curve located on Highway 55, near Turkey Creek Road, as a result of a pretty serious accident that happened back in November.

According to Doug Landon with the Highway Patrol, the driver fell asleep behind the wheel and smashed into the guardrail. His daughter was inside the car when the accident happened and was trapped with her dead father until she was found about two days later.

Residents in the area frequently complained about the danger at that bend and say that a guardrail has been needed for a while. A North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) spokesperson says that after each fatal accident, officials investigate the factors and determine if any improvements need to be made to that particular portion of the road.

Our Cove City personal injury lawyers understand that the young victim in the accident is finally speaking out. She says that what officers are saying is the cause is not the truth. investigators don't agree, saying that they may never be 100 percent sure, but all of the collected evidence points to the driver falling asleep at the wheel because of a "chronically sleep deprived condition."

His daughter says he simply lost control of the vehicle. The young victim's moms says that she thinks a tire blew out, causing the father to lose control.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, it's critical for you to contact an experienced attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you to get the information and investigation you need. It's important to get more than one look at the accident. An attorney can help you to comb through finer details to help to make sure that the facts all line up and that justice is served.

Officials are banking on drowsy driving as the cause of the accident.

Drowsy driving is in fact a serious problem. Many people don't even realize the dangers that accompany this condition. According to DrowsyDriving.org, drowsy driving contributes to more than 1,500 traffic fatalities and another 71,000 injuries each and every year. Experts believe that this number is actually much higher because drowsiness isn't properly noted in accidents all the time. There's no simple test to determine if a driver is drowsy, like there is to determine if a driver is drunk. Drivers need to be more aware of the signs of drowsiness and need to understand the dangers. You know not to drive drunk. You need to know not to drive while drowsy.

Officials believe that Drowsiness/fatigue may play a role in crashes attributed to other causes such as alcohol. About a million such accidents each year are thought to result following a lapse in driver attention.

Continue reading "Fatal Car Accident Warrants Installation of Guardrail in Cove City" »

A bicycle accident on a busy North Carolina road launched the start of "Ghost Bikes." A father of three was hit and killed by a passing semi-truck as he cycled alongside the road. Fellow cyclists put a white bike at the site of the accident to serve as a memorial and to help to raise awareness about these kinds of accidents, according to The Republican.

When loved ones got to the scene of the accident, they already noticed an old white bike that was stood up alongside the road unchained. It was a ghost bike.

These bikes are now popping up all over the world. According to the organization's website, there are about 500 of these bikes in nearly 200 locations throughout the world. The bikes come in all different shapes and sizes, just as the victims do. Most of them are white, but there is a bright pink one that's been spotted. Many are smashed to signify the consequences of car accidents with bicyclists.

Our Asheville bicycling accident attorneys understand that these kinds of accidents are alarmingly common during this time of the year. Nationwide, bicyclists are hitting the road. The warm summer weather provides idea conditions for bicyclists. Unfortunately, motorists aren't recognizing the presence of these travelers and their safety is suffering because of it.

New York City has been noted for the number of Ghost Bike memorials. There are currently more than 100 throughout the city. New York City is also the city where the group of bicycling advocates who maintain ghostbikes.org reside.

Every year, there are hundreds of cyclists killed and thousands more injured in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 620 cyclists who were killed and more than 50,000 who were injured in accidents with motor vehicles in 2010. These accidents accounted for about 2 percent of all motor vehicle-related deaths. More than 70 percent of bicyclists who were killed during the year were killed in urban areas. About 30 percent of the fatalities happened at intersections and half of them happened between the hours or 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.

In Raleigh, there's a memorial for Steven Jordan, that sits in the grass right next to a busy six-road street. It has been there since the 4th of July, when that passing truck driver slammed into him. Since then, the driver has been charged with a failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision and a misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Bicycle advocates in the area also helped to organize a memorial ride for their lost bicyclist.

Drivers are asked to use these bicycles as a reminder. Keep an eye out for these two-wheeled travelers along our streets. Much of their safety relies on your safe habits. Look twice, save a life.

"I think ghost bikes aren't only a memorial but art," said Timur Ender, local bicycling advocate. "Whenever I pass one I have a moment of silence -- they're a reminder of how fragile life can be."

Continue reading "Ghost Bikes Placed at Locations of Fatal Bicycle Accidents in North Carolina" »

Students from Freedom High School and East Burke High School jumped behind the wheel recently to learn about the risks and the dangers of distracted driving, more specifically texting while driving.

According to the News Herald, this demonstration was filled with both drunk driving and texting while driving courses. Students were also able to see what a sobriety checkpoint was like, thanks to the Morganton Department of Public Safety and the Burke County Sheriff's Office. Driver's education teacher Mario Lowery decided to add texting while driving education into the school's driving course. He said that he always noticed lessons involving drunk driving, but never distracted driving.

"Texting and driving is definitely something that belongs to our generation," explained a student. "Older generations learned to drive before phones even had the ability to text."

Our Morganton car accident lawyers understand that car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. They also make up the group of drivers who are most likely to engage in distractions behind the wheel. It's not a hopeless road though. With thorough education and training we can help to get these young drivers to pay more attention to the road.

The problem is that most teen driver courses only focus on drunk driving and talking on a cell phone while driving. Not many focus on texting while driving, which is a growing problem among this young age group.

In the state of North Carolina, drivers under the age of 18-years-old are prohibited from using a hand-held phone. All drivers are prohibited from text messaging while driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). You can get a $100 fine if you're busted breaking these laws. But just because there are laws does not mean that the driving public is listening. Education is one effective way to get the message of these dangers across!

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, about 120 teenagers were killed in 2011 because of distracted driving car accidents. And those are only the accidents in which a distraction was observed. Officials believe there were many more in which a driver didn't fess up to engaging in distractions.

In just 2010, there were more than 3,000 people who were killed in car accidents involving a distracted driver. Another 415,000 people were injured in these accidents, too. They all could have been prevented as well. Drivers just need to pay more attention to the road and less to those electronics. When you text and try to drive at the same time, you're nearly 25 times more likely to get into a serious accident.

Parents are urged to get in on the education, too. Talk with your teen driver. Make sure they're aware of the state's distracted driving laws along with the dangers and the risks that are associated with distracted driving.

Continue reading "Teens Learn Dangers of Texting and Driving in Revamped Driver's Course" »

Big-time rapper DMX, Earl Simmons, was recently hospitalized after an all terrain vehicle (ATV) accident in the Carolinas. He's recovering, but says he remembers little about the accident. According to the Examiner, the rapper was riding on his ATV near his home when he flipped the ATV, rolled down a hill and landed on his back. He was rushed off to a local hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion. Sources say that he's fortunate that he didn't land any other way otherwise it could have been much worse. Because of his concussion, DMX says he isn't able to remember what happened in the accident. This is the second time he's been in the hospital this year. He went in back in January as a result of food poisoning.

"Flipped my f--- four wheeler over," he tweeted over the weekend.

Our Asheville ATV accident lawyers understand that there were more than 90 ATV accident fatalities reported from 2007 through 2010 in North Carolina. Because of the risks that are involved with these vehicles, state officials have enacted strict laws to help to keep riders safe. In the state of North Carolina, no one under the age of 8-years-old is permitted to operate an ATV. Children who are under the age of 12 are only allowed to operate an ATV under 70cc and kids under the age of 16 are only allowed to operate an ATV under 90cc.

ATV Operation Laws:

-Drivers under the age of 16 can operate an ATV only under the supervision of someone over the age of 18.

-Passengers are not allowed to ride on an ATV unless the vehicles has been designed specifically for passengers.

-All ATV operators are required to wear a helmet as well as eye protection.

-ATV use on public streets and highways is prohibited unless you're attempting to cross to the other side.

-If you're riding from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise then your ATV is required to have a lighted headlight and a taillight.

-If you were both after January 1st of 1990 then you're required to have an ATV safety certificate.

-People who use an ATV for hunting, farming or trapping are exempt from the law's provisions.

ATVs were first brought to market back in 1970 by the Honda Motor Company. They were brought to the U.S. for evaluation. Creators hoped that the vehicles would stir up a buying frenzy. Unfortunately, these vehicles may have been a little more dangerous than they were fun. Creators quickly learned how easily they were to flip over. ATVs have caused more than 10,000 fatalities since then and millions more injuries. About a quarter of these fatalities are of children who are under the age of 16.

While ATVs may be all fun and games for most, the truth of the matter is that they're very dangerous. Parents are urged to make sure that their children aren't riding an ATV that is too big for their child and to make sure they're properly trained and educated in how to ride an ATV safely. Education and safe habits are your best bet against a potentially fatal accident. Consider enrolling in an >ATV safety course to help make your riding experience a lot safer.

Continue reading "ATV Accidents in Asheville Likely Without Proper Education, Just Ask Rapper DMX" »

According to a recent study that was published in the Journal of Safety Research, young drivers are not wired to be able to recognize the dangers that accompany drowsy driving.

All too often, these young drivers are jumping behind the wheel with little to no sleep. Officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted the recent study and say that sleep-deprived driving can even be as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than driving under the influence. What's most unfortunate is that most drivers' attitude regarding these conditions are unknown, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

The study was also able to conclude that both alcohol-related and sleep-related car accidents are most likely to happen among young drivers. It was also able to determine that among all of the drivers who take long highway road trips, drivers who are under the age of 30 are the most sleep deprived of them all. Lastly, test results concluded that the driving errors that are displayed by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol are also very similar to those of drowsy drivers.

Our Rock Hill personal injury lawyers understand that more residents are taking long road trips during this time of the year. It's the summer travel season and residents are heading out on vacation. Our young drivers are getting to enjoy some time away from school and they're spending more time behind the wheel, too. For these reasons, we're facing some severe risks for car accidents throughout the state, especially our teen drivers. Not only are drivers urged to practice their safest driving habits during this dangerous travel season, but they're also urged to get plenty of sleep before they hit the road.

"Drunk driving is universally viewed as dangerous, but young people especially don't understand the very serious risks associated with drowsy and distracted driving," said Janet Froetscher with the NSC.

The study looked at how our young drivers perceived the dangers of drunk driving against the dangers that are associated with sleep-deprived driving. It was clear that driving while tired is viewed as not only understandable, but acceptable by these young drivers while drinking and drinking and driving was viewed as a big no-no!

Teenage drivers are out of school right now and they're enjoying their summer breaks. Parents are urged to talk with the teen driver in their lives about the dangers of both drowsy driving and drunk driving. While we'd like to have the utmost confidence in our teens to make smart, responsible and safe decisions at the wheel, we're better off safe than sorry and discussing the risks with them now. Make sure that your teen knows to stay out of the driver's seat if they're feeling tired. Offer them an out and ask them to call you for a safe ride home.

Continue reading "Teens Beware of Drowsy Driving Risks this Summer" »

A recent traffic accident in Conway left the roadway a mess. The accident happened in Horry County between a passenger vehicle and a farm tractor, near Bear Bluff Road and SC Highway 90, according to WMBF.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the accident and was assisted by the Horry County Fire Rescue. The tractor was attempting to make a left turn from Highway 90 onto Chavis Road when it happened. The passenger vehicle attempted to pass the tractor on a double yellow line, according to reports. The driver of the passenger vehicle didn't realize that the tractor was going to make a turn. It clipped the tractor and was sent spinning. Luckily, no one was injured in the accident, just shaken up.

Our South Carolina personal injury lawyers understand the risks that are associated with farming and with farming vehicles. It's that time of the year again and farm equipment can be expected on roadways throughout the state. Drivers are urged to be cautious when traveling near these vehicles as accidents are likely if you're not paying attention.

There were about 35,000 people who were killed in traffic accidents last year. Another 2 million people were injured in these accidents. You don't oftentimes think of farm equipment when talking about traffic accidents, but you'd be surprised by how often these vehicles are involved in fatal accidents on our roadways. Agricultural vehicles account for less than .5 of the total number of vehicles that are involved in accidents, but they still pose serious risks for other drivers. In 2006, there were nearly 100 fatal accidents involving farm equipment, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Many more serious injury accidents occurred. Often, vehicle's are surprised by the slow traffic on the road, or come upon a piece of farm equipment over the crest of a hill and don't have time to stop.

This may not seem like a lot of accidents to you, but when when placed in the context of the agricultural population or when evaluated based on exposure rates in the agricultural industry, it's a lot worse than the smaller numbers initially indicate. For example, a 2003 report on work-related roadway crashes by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) showed that while Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing had a comparatively low frequency of fatal crashes among all industrial divisions at more than 7 percent, the 4th lowest of the 11 major divisions, the industries' rate per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers of 2.58 FTEs was the third-highest rate.

The issue of farm equipment - vehicle crashes is of increasing concern because:

-Increased motor-vehicle traffic on rural roads by drivers who are not familiar with farm
equipment operation patterns.

-Larger farm equipment, often taking up more than half the roadway

-Longer distances between fields and farmstead as farms are larger, and rented ground is more common with fields longer distances away.

-More corn planted and planted closer to intersections (as crop commodity prices increase) creating cross-traffic vision problems during summer months, prior to harvest.

-Tight county budgets that may result in lesser maintained roads.

Continue reading "Farm Tractor Crashes with Car in Conway Accident" »

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently celebrated the 28th anniversary of the 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age Law. Officials with MADD believe that this law helped to save nearly 30,000 lives by reducing the risks for drunk driving car accidents in Asheville and elsewhere -- and will continue to save more as the years pass.

Some argue that the drinking age should be lowered, saying Europeans who start drinking at an earlier age learn to do so more responsibly and have less alcohol-related problems than the states. Others say that if they're old enough to go to war, at the age of 18, then they should be also considered old enough to drink alcohol. Officials with MADD say that these are all shallow arguments with no supporting evidence.

The minimum age of 21 is the result of extensive research in which the reactions of various age groups to alcohol was studied. Teenagers get drunk about twice as fast as adults. They also have a tougher time knowing when to stop. Teens are also likely to overdo it and tend to binge drink more often than adults. Enforcing the minimum age of 21 for consuming alcohol beverages helps to prevent fatal car accidents and helps to protect our young one's maturing brains.

Our Asheville car accident attorneys continue to be an active supporter of MADD and its agenda to prevent drunk driving accidents. It's a three prong approach, including better education efforts, better enforcement and better care of victim's rights.

In celebration of the recent anniversary, officials with MADD asked you to help out and to protect victims' rights. Officials are asking you to get a hold of our U.S. Representative and urge them to co-sponsor House Joint Resolution 106 (H. J. Res. 106), a proposed U.S. Constitutional Amendment for Victims' Rights.

Through this amendment, the rights of crime victims would be better protected by allowing them to get important information regarding proceedings. They would also be allowed to be present at proceedings and would also be granted with the right to be heard on these important decisions. Currently, each and every state has specific statutory laws. There are a lot of states that already have constitutional amendments protecting victims' rights, but unfortunately these laws are oftentimes ineffective.

Even in states were victims are given "strong protection," less that 60 percent of these crime victims are even notified in the event of the case's sentencing hearing. Less than 40 percent of crime victims are ever told about the pretrial release of the defendant. Officials say that this is because the rights of the defendant are enshrined in the federal Constitution - 23 separate rights in all. Still, victims' rights remain as state-based.

Officials with MADD say that there's one way to help to protect these rights and that's through the federal constitutional amendment, or House Joint Resolution 106.

To get this movement to progress, the amendment will need at least 100 co-sponsors.

Continue reading "MADD and Asheville Attorneys Working to Protect Victims' Rights" »

As we recently reported on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog, officers throughout South Carolina kicked off the 100-day enforcement effort, HEAT or Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Driving, to help to make our roadways a little safer for everyone.

Unfortuntately, there were more than 10 people killed in South Carolina accidents in the last week. Five on them happened on the Grand Strand, according to Carolina Live.

"This is not uncommon to see a rash of fatalities during our summer months," said Sonny Collins, South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Corporal.

According to accident statistics, this year is seeing just about as many deadly accidents as any other year. As of the 17th of July, there were already 97 deadly crashes. During the same time in 2011, there were already 96.

Collins says that you can be the safest driver out there and you're still going to run into dangerous drivers. It's a risk that we all face, especially during the summer travel season. He adds that the South Carolina Highway Patrol is working to do everything that they can to help to reduce the risks of accidents.

The 100 Deadly Days started around Memorial Day and go until Labor Day.

The campaign and enforcement efforts are still going strong. Officers are in search of motorists who aren't wearing their seat belt and for drivers who display dangerous and aggressive habits behind the wheel. You may have seen the variable message boards. Those are the ones that are lining roads across the state reminding drivers of safe driving habits. They're one of your best defenses against a potentially fatal car accident.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offers safe driving tips to help you to stay safe in all sorts of dangerous driving situations. Officials offer tips on how to safely share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, commercial vehicles and with road workers. Drivers are urged to keep a watchful eye out. Look for our more vulnerable travelers, like bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. These travelers are oftentimes overlooked by drivers of passenger vehicles. Make sure that you take the extra time to scan your entire surroundings before making a move in traffic.

Drivers are also asked to be cautious when traveling through our state's work zones. These areas are plentiful during this time of the year. The weather is warm and workers are taking advantage of it. Slow down and be on the lookout for roadway dangers in these zones. Avoid tailgating and allow for traffic delays.

Continue reading "Car Accidents in South Carolina Showing Increase from Previous Years" »

As we recently reported on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) officials have decided to team up with safety officials at Safe Kids Worldwide to help to educate parents about and to raise awareness of the risks that are associated with leaving kids in vehicles during the hot summer season.

Now, officials with North Carolina are joining the cause, too. In the state of North Carolina, there were nearly 20 kids who were killed in these kinds of accidents since 1998. Most of these fatalities occurred to kids who were under the age of 3. As we recently reported, heatstroke accidents resulting from leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is the number one cause of non-crash, vehicle-related death for kids who are under the age of 14.

Our Charlotte child injury attorneys understand that you might think that this kind of accident could never happen to you, but both federal and state officials know better. Officials understand that these kinds of accidents can happen to anyone, even the most loving and caring parents. In other cases, schools, daycare centers and other caregivers have been found responsible.

Officials with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) warn parents that it only takes a few minutes for temps inside a vehicle to be lethal to a children. Children are not equipped to handle the heat like we are. If you have been outside, you know how hot it's getting out there. According to The Weather Channel, Charlotte has seen temps in the 90s for weeks now.

"This campaign is designed for families with young children, but it applies to everyone who cares about the safety of children," said USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood.

Nationwide, there were nearly 50 kids who were killed in these kinds of accidents, heatstroke resulting from being left alone in a vehicle. Heatstroke injuries and fatalities, medically known as hyperthermia, are ultimately preventable. Officials with the NCDOT and the NHTSA are working to put on a number of events in the state of North Carolina and elsewhere throughout the country to help to educate parents about these preventative measures and to help to raise their awareness about the problem.

Parents are warned to never leave a child unattended in a car. You shouldn't even do this even when you're "running in" to grab something. You also always want to check your entire car, both front and back seats, before getting out and locking it up. Many times, parents forget about sleeping or quiet children in the back seat. That's how these accidents happen. With so many things on our minds and so many errands to get done, parents just forget. Most of the time, these are not malicious acts, but they're complete accidents -- accidents that can be prevented.

Continue reading "North Carolina Officials Join Feds to Reduce Risks of Heatstroke Accidents" »

There have been nearly 15 municipalities across the state that have been chosen to receive monetary help with their pedestrian and bicycle planning. There were nearly $400,000 in grants awarded last month by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to help with these programs.

This is now the 9th year in a row in which the grant program has offered assistance to cities throughout the state to design and develop their own comprehensive strategies to help to make their areas more accessible and safer for both bicyclists and pedestrians.

Municipalities that were awarded funds are scattered across the central, western and eastern regions of the state. There were approximately 20 applications that the awards committee had from which to choose. These applications were from transportation planners from across the state, including councils of government, metropolitan planning organizations and municipalities.

Our pedestrian accident lawyers understand that these programs and these kinds of systems are very important when it comes to the safety of residents and visitors statewide. Bicycle and pedestrian programs are key in helping to ensure the safety of all travelers. The municipalities that have received some of the funds are now expected to start the planning process for their new programs this fall.

Which areas received some of these funds?

-Mount Holly: Nearly $32,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Gastonia: $39,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Boone: $45,000 for a bicycle plan.

-Siler City: Nearly $25,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Chapel Hill: $57,000 for a bicycle plan.

-Angier: $20,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Fuquay-Varina: Nearly $32,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Wrightsville Beach: Nearly $25,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Southport: Nearly $25,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Clinton: $22,000 for a bicycle plan.

-Trent Woods: nearly $25,000 in pedestrian funds.

-Duck: Nearly $25,000 in pedestrian funds.

The planning initiative and grant program has been sponsored by both the NCDOT's Transportation Planning Branch and the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. Money for these funds has been allocated from a fund that was previously approved by the General Assembly back in 2003. Federal funds were also earmarked for these kinds of specific bicycle and pedestrian planning.

There has been nearly $4 million awarded to nearly 140 communities for this kind of planning since 2004.

During this time of the year, motorists are asked to be on the lookout for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially in areas that don't have the most ideal bicycle and pedestrian programs. Safe driving habits may be the key in helping to keep these vulnerable travelers safe on our streets. Keep an alert eye out when driving.

Continue reading "Funds Distributed Statewide to Reduce Risks of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents" »

As you might remember, we recently warned motorists about the risks of all kinds of car accidents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. During holiday periods, we typically see a significant spike in the number of roadway fatalities. Officers were out on our roadways in full force over the Fourth of July holiday period and they were on the hunt for drunk drivers and other drivers displaying dangerous driving habits statewide.

Well, the results of the enforcement campaign are in and officials with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) feel that the enforcement efforts were a success.

According to Gene Conti, the State Transportation Secretary, both local and state law enforcement officers were able to cite nearly 2,000 motorists for driving under the influence during this year's "Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker" campaign. This campaign ran from the 29th of June through the 9th of July. In addition to the near 2,000 who were busted for driving under the influence, an additional 63,500 were cited for various criminal and traffic violations.

Our Asheville personal injury attorneys understand that drunk driving car accidents are common during holiday weekends and other similar time periods.

Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents are also more common during the summer travel season. Just because the "Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker" is over does not mean that enforcement efforts against drunk drivers are as well. There are officers patrolling our roadways in search of these dangerous and irresponsible drivers. Officers would like to remind drivers that there is never a good reason to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol. It's not only a good way to increase your risks of getting into a potentially fatal traffic accident, but it's also a good way to land yourself in jail.

"These numbers show how dedicated state and local law enforcement are to removing drunk drivers and other violators from our roads," said Conti.

Throughout the entire state of North Carolina, there were nearly 6,000 dedicated patrols and sobriety checkpoints conducted during the enforcement campaign. Nearly every single officer was on duty and in search of dangerous drivers. It was all in an effort to help improve the safety of our roadways during this dangerous time. This effort will be continuing on and drivers are warned to be safe behind the wheel or face being busted by an officer!

Counties that reported the highest number of driving while intoxicated (DWI) citations:

-Mecklenburg: More than 105 citations.

-Roberson: More than 75 citations.

-Durham: More than 75 citations.

During the enforcement period, officers were also able to apprehend nearly 950 fugitives and were able to recover more than 90 stolen vehicles.

Continue reading "NC Law Enforcement Officials Bust Thousands during Operation Firecracker" »