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" »

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" »

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" »

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" »

Traveling on holiday weekends can be a nightmare, especially if you are expected to be somewhere and become involved in delays or a car accident in Greensboro, Charlotte or elsewhere in the state.

Holiday weekends always make roadways more congested but this weekend draws more attention as motorists head out to family gatherings, Thanksgiving Day parades, or shopping adventures looking to get a jump on holiday gift ideas and sales events.

Gastonia car accident attorneys know that soaring gas prices won't keep travelers off the roadways this weekend so we want to alert motorists to use extra caution as you travel throughout the holiday week and weekend.

According to a recent article in USA Today, Thanksgiving holiday travel is estimated to hit a record high level this weekend. Even those drivers who plan ahead and intend to leave early can run into snags with construction, breakdowns, or congested traffic. Long trips with screaming kids in the car and potential weather-related problems can only add to the stressors of holiday traveling. AAA predicts that 90 percent of holiday travelers will be on roadways rather than through the air this year. More specifically, it is estimated that 38.2 million of the 42.5 million expected travelers will be via automobile.

Speeders will be of particular interest this holiday weekend as law enforcement gets heightened to keep roadways safe during holiday travel. Some states offer maximum traffic violations as high as $2,500 (Illinois and Virginia) for speeding. North Carolina makes the Top 10 list for stiffest penalties slapped on speeders during holiday weekends. A speeding motorist can be hit with a $1,000 fine in North Carolina, Florida, Minnesota and Indiana. Other hefty maximum speeding fines include $2,000 in Georgia and Nevada, $750 in Utah and $625 in Iowa.

North Carolina is also notorious for some of the worst roads in the country. Construction zones can make travel delays a hassle but motorists are reminded to be patient, plan your route accordingly and don't become aggressive when traffic comes to a screeching halt.

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System used the by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported over 900 deaths nationwide on Thanksgiving in 2009 as a result of 354 fatal crashes. In 2009, North Carolina reported 39 deaths on Thanksgiving caused by 14 fatal crashes.

Important holiday driving tips to remember:

-Perform a routine maintenance check on your vehicle. For example, check the cooling system, air in your tires, radiator and brakes to make sure all are working properly before a long trip.

-Take a nap after your holiday meal to avoid causing a drowsy driving accident on your way home from a family gathering.

-Check out area events that might create road closures or traffic delays like holiday parades or shows. Planning an alternate route is advised.

-If alcohol is being served, designate a driver if you intend to drink.

-Whether it is a quick trip to the store or a 50 mile trip to grandma's house expect delays and traffic congestion.

-Just because it is a holiday doesn't mean bad drivers hide out all weekend and stay off roadways. Defensive driving skills should be heightened during holiday travel weeks.

Continue reading "Thanksgiving Weekend Travel Puts Motorists at Risk of Car Accidents in Greensboro, Statewide" »

With the holiday season just a few weeks away, we urge everyone to do their part to help prevent drunk-driving accidents in Asheville and throughout North Carolina.

Our Gastonia drunk-driving accident attorneys remind you that opting to get behind the wheel while intoxicated is a poor decision that will most likely change a life forever. Even if you and everyone else involved is lucky enough to avoid getting into an accident, or survive one that you caused, there are always consequences to pay for driving under the influence.

Two families in South Carolina will be without loved ones this holiday season following a fatal drunk-driving accident in Berkeley County recently. Goose Creek Patch reports one family is mourning the loss of a loved one while the other has to watch a family member face a pending prison sentence.

In one accident, a 47-year-old woman from Moncks Corner died from blunt force trauma after being hit in her 2000 Saturn by a 33-year-old drunk driver operating a BMW. The driver of the BMW was traveling in the opposite direction when she crossed the center line and hit the victim's car in a head-on collision. The defendant was charged with felony DUI, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol, after the victim died. The defendant and the 23-year-old passenger in her vehicle survived with minor injuries despite having not been wearing seat belts.

We are hopeful the 23-year-old passenger will learn a valuable lesson from this tragedy. Without positive role models, teens and other young drivers put themselves at considerable risk while making bad decisions and getting involved in an accident caused by operating a vehicle under the influence.

ACTnowNC.org reports that North Carolina had more than 11,000 drunk-driving accidents in 2009, of which 363 were fatal. Sadly, more than 20 percent of North Carolina's students in 2009 reported riding in a vehicle with an intoxicated person. One out of 10 high school students also admitted to driving under the influence in a one-month period in 2009. Nationwide, 35 percent of the drivers involved in fatal DUI crashes were between the ages of 21 and 24 in 2009. The next highest at-risk age group was 25-to-34-year-olds, who reportedly were involved in 32 percent of accidents that year.

There are several social and health problems that can be associated with underage drinkers. If you see some of the following symptoms from a teen or young person, get help immediately.

-Lack of participation in youth activities or school groups.

-Constant development of illnesses or hangovers.

-Poor grades in school or frequent absences from school.

-Detection of other drug use.

-Loss of memory.

-Suicide or homicide isn't out of the realm of possibilities with relation to the young person's behavior or attitude.

-Change in sexual activity either by participating in unprotected, unwanted or unplanned activity.

-Behavioral situations that lead to legal problems or lawful consequences such as DWI.

Recent studies have shown the more a young person is around alcohol, the better chance they have of becoming addicted to it later on. More than 40 percent of children who start drinking before age 15 end up dependent on it later.

If you attend a holiday party with your teen child, set a good example by not having an alcoholic beverage. Teach your children to act responsibly and never drink and drive.

Continue reading "Underage Drinking Increases Risk for Drunk-Driving Accidents in Asheville, Elsewhere " »

As part of National Safety Month, June 12-18 is drawing attention to teen driving safety and the dangers inexperienced drivers face on roadways.

Our Charlotte car accident attorneys know that teens in North Carolina and throughout the country are in the midst of the 100 deadliest days of the year for young drivers and hope they use extra caution during the summer months to avoid a car accident in Greensboro and elsewhere.

A recent tragedy in York County is just another reason we should promote safe driving for young people this time of the year. WISTV reports on a fatal accident involving a teen who had graduated from high school a few days earlier. The teen was driving on SC Highway 160 early in the morning when he spotted a cyclist in his path The teen driver swerved to avoid the bicyclist, ran off the right side of the road and hit a pole and a tree before his vehicle rolled over. The teen driver died at the scene, while the cyclist remained unharmed.

The 100 deadliest days, as we posted on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 2009, nine out of the 10 deadliest days for young drivers were between May and August.

The National Safety Council understands the importance of this matter and has dedicated the third week of June to promote safe teen driving. There are more than 15 crashes daily involving a driver between the ages of 15 and 20. Two out of three people who die in teen-related crashes are not the teen driver, but someone else involved in the accident.

Throughout the week, backers like First America and Toyota will sponsor webinars and free online programs to support parents and teens during the early stages of driving.

The Alive at 25 Parent Program is an online interactive course that explains the risks involved and reiterates basic driving skills and the ability to make good decisions while driving.

The second edition of Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety is also a helpful tool for parents and teens. This guide takes you through the stages of getting a license and gaining driver experience. It also identifies the risks of making bad choices, like not wearing a seat belt or driving under the influence. The guide offers a driving skills checklist that can be used each time you go out on a supervised driving session with your teen. The checklist can be rated by satisfactory or needs improvement and includes the following items to name a few:

-Driving at night or during the day.

-Distractions occurring inside and outside the vehicle.

-Merging into traffic.

-Passing other vehicles.

-Sharing the road with trucks, motorcycles, other cars and bicyclists.

-Speed used on turns or curves, during poor weather conditions, or congested roadways.

All motorists are at a high risk of car accidents during the summer months, but teen drivers are especially at risk as they spend more time on the road this time of year. Be a safe driver to reduce the risk of a serious or fatal accident in North Carolina this summer.

Continue reading "Teens at High Risk of Greensboro Car Accidents in Summer" »

Our Charlotte car accident attorneys know that the holiday season can be a hazardous time on the road. To address traffic safety concerns and in an effort to reduce the risk of North Carolina car accidents, law enforcement agencies began a series of traffic enforcement initiatives that will run through the holiday season.

Campaigns span a few days to several weeks and target specific traffic safety issues, namely: speeding, seat belt and child passenger protection, and distracted and impaired driving. In North Carolina speeding is a particularly deadly offense. It is the leading contributor to fatal North Carolina car accidents.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that as of Oct. 31, police statewide have investigated 187,416 North Carolina car accidents that left 1,079 dead and another 88,855 injured. And in 2009, there were more than 1,300 fatalities on North Carolina roads.

To honor the dead and support surviving friends and family, the North Carolina Governors Highway Safety Program is now displaying a "tree of life" on the lawn of the State capital. The tree will remain up through Jan. 3, 2011. The "tree of life" is illuminated with 1,346 multi-colored lights, each light representing a life lost due to a fatal North Carolina car accident.

As we mentioned above, state law enforcement has been and will be cracking down on a host of traffic violations through the holiday season. Enforcement began Nov. 15-28 with a two-week "No Need 2 Speed" campaign that netted 26,870 speeders, with a total of 78,229 traffic and criminal citations written. Cops also recovered 82 stolen cars and booked 873 fugitives.

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, deputies are now transitioning to the "Booze It & Lose It" initiative, which is a year-long holiday-based gig that begins with St. Patrick's Day and concludes in early 2011. Data for 2009 includes:

St. Patrick's Day Booze It & Lose It:
Number of patrols and checkpoints: 2,535
Total DWI violations: 836
Seatbelt violations: 1,832
Child passenger safety violation: 194
Speeding violations: 6,224

Booze It & Lose It (Operation Firecracker):
Number of patrols and checkpoints: 4,815
Total DWI violations: 1,340
Seatbelt violations: 4,881
Child passenger safety violation: 729
Speeding violations: 15,293

Labor Day Booze It & Lose It:
Number of patrols and checkpoints: 10,583
Total DWI violations: 3,514
Seatbelt violations: 10,416
Child passenger safety violation: 1,533
Speeding violations: 30,830

Halloween Booze It & Lose It:
Number of patrols and checkpoints: 2,157
Total DWI violations: 816
Seatbelt violations: 1,189
Child passenger safety violation: 252
Speeding violations: 4,975

Holiday Booze It & Lose It
Number of patrols and checkpoints: 14,662
Total DWI violations: 4,293
Seatbelt violations: 8,778
Child passenger safety violation: 1,533
Speeding violations: 48,548

Continue reading "Law enforcement aiming to reduce risk of holiday car accidents in North Carolina" »

According to newspaper reports, three residents of Dillon, South Carolina, all members of one family, were killed in a North Carolina car crash in Nash County on Saturday. Three of the victims were apparently not wearing seat belts when the driver drove off the road on I-95 and slammed into a tree. According to witnesses, the car was driving at over 80 miles per hour, and the driver did not attempt to break. One report cited a North Carolina Highway Patrol Sergeant stating that the driver might have fallen asleep.

An NHTSA expert panel on driver fatigue and automobile crashes determined that typical crashes that involved driver drowsiness occurred on high-speed roads, most likely during late night or in the middle of the afternoon. In such accidents, the driver was often alone, and did not attempt corrective measures to avoid the crash.

The expert panel also noted that motorists were more likely to get into such accidents during long drives during which they did not take enough breaks. The use of some medications, including some antihistamines in response to allergies, was also found to contribute to driver drowsiness.

All of this is particularly relevant on long weekends like the Memorial Day one, during which people tend to travel and enjoy outdoor activities. Outdoor activities might aggravate people's allergies, making it more likely that they will take antihistamines. Having fun outdoors also tends to make us tired. Finally, long weekends often also mean long drives. The cumulative effect of all those facts is an increased danger of crashes caused by driver fatigue--crashes that can lead to serious injury or death.

Continue reading "North Carolina Crash Kills 3 Family Members" »

Last Monday, The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) and the South Carolina Department of Natural resources (DNR) announced the beginning of the annual "100 Deadly Days of Summer" campaign.

According to media reports, at a press conference that also included representatives of the Greenwood Police Department and the Greenwood, Abbeville, and Newberry County Sheriff's Offices, SCHP Captain Mark Gosnell noted that 281 people died on highways in South Carolina during last year's "100 Deadly Days." However, the number of South Carolina traffic fatalities overall declined last year.

In an effort to diminish the number of fatalities even further, the agencies announced that more safety checkpoints will be deployed throughout the state, both on roadways and on South Carolina waterways. The South Carolina Department of Resources stressed the importance of designating a sober "designated operator" whenever people plan to drink while on a boat. According to Charleston's ABC News station, 15 people have been killed in South Carolina boating accidents to date this year--more than the number killed in such accidents during the entire 2009.

Checkpoints throughout the state will focus on the enforcement of safety belt laws as well as all the laws related to boat safety, including the requirement of Coast-Guard approved life jackets for every person aboard a boat.

Continue reading "South Carolina Highlights the "100 Deadly Days of Summer" on Roads and Waterways" »

The American Automobile Association today released a forecast of Memorial Day weekend travel for 2010. According to the forecast, more than 32 million Americans will be traveling over the long weekend this year --an increase of more than 5% from last year's Memorial Day weekend. 87% of the vacationing travelers (28 million people) will travel by car.

More surprising, perhaps, is AAA's forecast that the average distance that will be traveled by vacationers during the Memorial Day weekend will be approximately 620 miles. Clearly, many of those mini-vacations will not be "staycations" but quite extensive trips.
Many of the cars on the road over the weekend will be filled with families with kids. For the safety of such families (and focusing in particular on preventing injuries to children), Parents Magazine offers a list of useful tips, including:

• getting a tune-up for your car (you still have plenty of time to do this before the Memorial Day weekend!)


• making sure that you get a good night's sleep before setting off (so don't put off packing until the night before the trip...)


• preparing an emergency kit, including first-aid supplies


• planning ahead where you will stash heavy objects and how to secure them, so that they won't fly around the car and injure anyone in case you have to stop abruptly.

Continue reading "In the Carolinas and throughout the U.S., over 28 Million People To Travel by Car over the Memorial Day Weekend" »