North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

A Garner Magnet High School student was killed in a recent bus stop accident. According to The Daily Dispatch, the 14-year-old student was hit by a vehicle as she attempted to cross the road to catch her approaching bus. The accident happened at about 6:30 a.m.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the driver isn't facing any charges.

Our Greensboro personal injury attorneys understand that school buses are vital tools in getting our kids to and from school safely. We rely on our kids to get to and from that bus stop safely. We just can't always rely on other drivers to be careful and cautious of these young children traveling near the street. The best we can do is teach our young students the safest of travel habits and teach them to steer clear of these dangers.

We've also got to teach them to be safe when walking near the school bus, too. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more kids die when they're hit by a school bus that when they're riding a school bus. The cause of these crashes should be independently investigated. Even when a child is blamed, there may be issues with the location of the bus stop or other considerations.

Children routinely get lessons at school about the danger of getting in the way of buses, among other bus stop safety rules. Please review the follow safety tips from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Share these tips with the little bus rider in your family to keep them safe.

-Parents and guardians should escort young children to and from the bus stop.

-Make sure you're always on time when arriving at the bus stop. You never want to have to rush. That's when accidents happen.

-Make sure everyone at the bus stop stands at least 10 feet from the road. To make it easy for your child to remember, tell them to stay "five giant steps" from the street.

-You want to wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching it. Stay off the road until then.

-Once you're on the bus, sit down. Always use an "inside voice."

-You should always wear brightly-colored clothing to help ensure that passing motorists can see you. This is especially important with bus pick-up times scheduled so early in the morning.

-Always look both ways before crossing the road. Look before exiting the bus and before stepping on the road to board it.

-Never walk behind the bus or directly in front of it. Bus drivers cannot see these areas and children can be overlooked and injured if they travel too closely.

Make sure that you're talking with your young bus rider about these safety tips frequently. You want to make sure that they can travel to and from the bus stop safely to help to keep them safe. We see far too many children die at bus stops in the U.S. each and every year.

Last year, more than 25 children were killed as pedestrians getting on or off a school bus or while they were waiting at the school bus stop. Other motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus continue to be a problem in every community and the school bus industry urges strict police and judicial enforcement against violators.

Continue reading "Teenager Killed at Carolina School Bus Stop" »

There's a driver on the loose and they're wanted for a hit-and-run accident that left a young bus rider seriously injured in Winston-Salem.

According to NEWS2, the accident happened in the early morning hours as the second grade student was attempting to get on her bus at North Cherry Street en route to Gibson Elementary School. The driver of the vehicle in question didn't stop after striking the young rider.

"What type of individual really he thinks he is, to hit someone, knowingly that he hit a young child and leave the scene and disregard any damage he could have done to that person and go on like nothing ever happened?" said the father of the injured child.

Our Winston-Salem injury attorneys understand how dangerous it can be for our young bus riders to venture to and from their bus stops. Unfortunately, there are motorists around here that have little to no concern for these young pedestrians' safety. That's why we're reaching out to all drivers and are asking for their safest and utmost alert driving habits near our area's bus stops.

According to the accident reports, the school bus was stopped and had both its stop arm extended and its stop lights flashing when the accident happened. The young girl's face and neck were injured in the accident. The Winston-Salem Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Unit is currently investigating the incident.

According to The National Coalition for School Bus Safety, there are more than 20 million children who ride the school bus each and every day. These buses aren't only used to get to and from school, but children also rely on them to transport them to and from camp, church, sporting events and other young events.

The School Bus Information Clearinghouse reports that there were 5 children who were killed while riding a school bus in 2010. Another 26 children were killed getting on or off a school bus or while waiting at a school bus stop. One of the top culprits of these kinds of accidents is when a motorist illegally passes a school bus.

We're here with some safety tips for you to share with your child to help ensure a safe journey to and from the bus stop:

-Walk young children to the bus stop. Make sure that older children walk in a group.

-Walk on a sidewalk when one is available. When there is no sidewalk, do not walk in the street and walk facing oncoming traffic. Walk single file with other riders.

-Be sure to look left, right and left again before crossing the street.

-Don't horseplay at the bus stop.

-Wait at least 5 giant steps (or 10 feet) away from the road at your bus stop.

-Never stop to pick something up you've dropped by the bus. Always alert the driver and have them help you.

-Do not approach the bus until it comes to a complete stop along with the traffic around it.

-Talk with children often about these rules.

Continue reading "Hit-and-Run Driver Leaves Young School Bus Rider Injured" »

There have been 15 middle school students and one adult who wound up in the Emergency Department at Mission Hospital after three separate Madison County school buses and a passenger vehicle collided. According to ABC13, there were two activity buses from Madison Middle School that collided after being rear-ended by a pick-up truck. One of the buses involved in the accident reportedly hit the side of an AB Tech building.

Our Madison County personal injury attorneys understand that parents expect their children to be in good hands when they send them off on the school bus each day. Despite all of the "safety" reports of school buses, we continue to see accidents across the nation involving the big yellow bus.

Each day, there are more than 20 million children who rely on school buses to get to and from school, sports activities, church events and more. What's alarming isn't the number of children who ride these buses, but it's the number of children who are killed in accidents every year. There are thousands killed in accidents involving school buses every year. There are also hundreds of thousands of people who are injured in these accidents, too. School bus safety isn't only an important topic because our children hop on these buses each weekday, it's critical because these buses represent the single largest form of transportation in the country.

Since 1990, there have been close to 1,500 people who have died in school bus-related accidents. Some are children on the bus, some are other motorists and some are even pedestrians and bicyclists. When you break down the numbers, there are about 30 children who are killed in school bus-related accidents every year, both passengers of the buses and pedestrians boarding/exiting the bus.

One of the best things you can do to help your child stay safe while riding the bus is to share with them the safety tips listed below.

School Bus Safety Tips:

-Get to your bus stop at least 5 minutes early.

-Never let young children walk to the bus stop alone.

-Wait at the school bus stop at least 5 giant steps away from the road.

-Look both ways before crossing the road.

-Tie up all loose hangings and backpack strings before boarding the school bus.

-Once on the bus, find a seat, sit down and use an inside voice.

-Keep your arms, hands, head and other objects inside of the bus' windows.

-Prepare your belongings before getting to your bus stop or to school.

-Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of the bus.

-If you drop something outside, near the bus, tell the bus driver before reaching down to get it.

Continue reading "Three School Buses Involved in Madison County Accident" »

We send our kids on the school bus expecting them to be safe and out of harm's way. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, a school bus accident happened in Surry County on Ramey Creek Road and injured two students. There were 10 students on the bus when the accident happened. All students were treated for injuries at the scene of the accident and were released to parents, according to NEWS2. The accident happened just before 5:00 p.m. and officials are still investigating -- the cause of the accident has not been determined.

Our Spartanburg personal injury lawyers understand that the South Carolina Department of Education and the Office of Transportation is responsible for testing, training and licensing all drivers who operate a school bus. To help reduce the risks of accidents involving school buses, officials have created instruction classrooms and nearly 20 driving tests to make sure that these bus drivers know what they're doing. This material covers detailed instructions for loading kids, driving kids and unloading kids, including those with special needs.

While the state does what it can to ensuring your child has a safe ride to and from school, we're asking patents and guardians to do what they have to in making sure that children get to and from school safely. The Beaufort Tribune recently offered parents some simple safety tips to share with children before they get on that big, yellow bus.

Getting to the Bus Stop:

-Make sure they carry their belongings in a backpack so they're less likely to drop or lose them.

-Make sure they wear bright-colored clothing so that motorists can see them easily.

-Make sure that they leave their home on time and arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the school bus is scheduled to arrive.

-Make sure kids stay at least 5 giant steps away from the road when waiting for the bus.

Getting On and Off the Bus:

-If something is dropped by the school bus, do NOT pick it up! Alert the bus driver!

-Children should look closely at surrounding traffic before stepping off of the bus.

-Never cross the road behind the bus. If you have to cross the road, go in front of the bus and make eye contact with the bus driver and other nearby motorists.

-Make sure that your child knows to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are entering or exiting.

Be sure to share these tips with your young school bus rider. Also make sure that they know to remain seated and quiet while riding on the bus. The driver needs to place their full attention on the roadway during the trip to and from school.

Continue reading "South Carolina School Bus Accident Injures 2 Students" »

A child car seat can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

Unfortunately, many parents and guardians don't know how to properly buckle in their child's car seat or their child.

For this reason, officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and those with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is promoting the Child Passenger Safety Week campaign Sept. 16 to 22. During this week-long campaign, safety officials will be raising awareness about the importance of properly buckling in children during each and every car ride. According to the most recent study from the NHTSA, about 20 percent of parents don't buckle in their child properly -- thus increasing their risks for serious or fatal injury during a car accident.

Our Asheville accident lawyers understand that parents have the responsibility of making sure that our youngest passengers are safe when riding in a car. Unfortunately, studies show that parents are making a ton of mistakes when it comes to buckling child passengers. Parents are asked to review the safety tips (listed below) and share them with friends and family members to make sure that everyone is safely buckled in.

"We encourage everyone to take advantage of the many resources available to ensure you've done everything to properly protect your child," said Secretary Ray LaHood.

A child's body isn't able to withstand the impact of a motor vehicle accident as well as an adult's. Kids need to be properly buckled in to the correct child car seat to be best protected in the event of an accident. Alarmingly, about 90 percent of parents and guardians say that they are confident that they are using their car seat the right way, yet studies show that one out of every five adults does so improperly.

One of the best resources available to parents and guardians are the Child Seat Inspection Centers located throughout the state.

Each year, there are hundreds of young passengers whose lives are saved in car accidents because of properly used car seats. Hundreds more could be saved if everyone did so properly.

Car Seat Safety Tips from Safe Kids USA:

-Keep kids in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car for as long as you can.

-Never exceed a child car seat's height and weight recommendations.

-Never recline a child car seat more than a 45 degree angle.

-Buckling them in now will help to establish the foundation for a lifelong habit of seat belt use every time your child travels.

-Remember that children are always the safest in the back seat.

-Keep children in each stage of their car seat for as long as possible.

-Only graduate your child to an adult seat belt when they will fit into it properly.

Continue reading "Child Passenger Safety Week: Getting Kids Safely Buckled In" »

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!" »

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" »

According to troopers, a 12-year-old girl was ejected from a vehicle involved in a recent Greensboro car accident on Highway 17. The accident happened around 8:00 p.m. WCTI12 reports that the young passenger was not buckled in to any kind of car seat or adult seat belt when the accident happened. The 18-year-old driver has been charged with failing to maintain lane control as well as a child restrain violation.

Our Greensville car accident lawyers understand how critical it is to make sure that our young children are buckled in during every car ride. The safety of these young passengers relies on the driver and the other adults in the vehicle. We are the key between life and death for our young passengers.

Unfortunately, not all adults are aware of how these children need to be seated and which child car seats they need to be seated in. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides that information.

Child Car Seat Recommendations:

-Children under the age of 1-years-old: These young ones need to be placed in a rear-facing cart seat and in one that is appropriate for their size and weight. Don't get a seat that's larger than they need in hopes of them growing into it one day. Keep these seats in the back seat and away from an active airbag.

-Children between the ages of 1- and 3-years-old: You want to keep these children in a rear-facing car seat for as long as you can. Once they reach the height and weight limitations for the rear-facing car seat then it's okay to graduate them to the next step, which is a forward-facing car seat. Make sure that these seats are also in the back seat and away from an active air bag.

-Children between the ages of 4- and 7-years-old: Once your child outgrows the height and weight limitations of forward-facing car seat, it's then time to graduate them to a booster seat. Children are still to ride in these booster seats in the back seat of the vehicle and away from an active air bag.

-Children between the ages of 8- and 12-years-old: You'll want to keep your kid in their booster seat for as long as you can. Once they've grow big enough so that an adult seat belt will fit them properly, then they can graduate to the next level and ride like you and I. When sitting in an adult seat with an adult seat belt, the shoulder part of the belt should lie firmly against their shoulder and the lap part should fit snugly across their upper thighs.

Parents, you're urged to select your child's car seat based on their age, their size and their weight. You want to make sure that the seat fits them appropriately and that you use it during every single car ride.

Continue reading "Child Ejected in Greensboro Car Accident -No Seat Belt Alleged" »

Officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently teamed up with those at Safe Kids Worldwide to help to raise awareness about the risks and the consequences of heatstroke injuries to children in Asheville and elsewhere.

Throughout the entire month of July, officials will be conducting a number of events highlighting the dangers accompanied with leaving children in a hot vehicle. Heatstroke continues to be the number one cause of vehicle-related, non-crash accident deaths for kids who are under the age of 14. In 2011, there were nearly 35 of these fatal accidents reported to officials nationwide. These accidents are oftentimes just that -- accidents -- but can be prevented with a little bit of awareness.

"We're working to get the message out to families with young children," said Ray LaHood with the USDOT.

Our Asheville personal injury attorneys understand that parents, guardians and caregivers are the first line of defense against these kinds of accidents. You might think that leaving a child in a car could never happen to you, but you'd be surprised. The recent announcement of the new partnership is being used to build on the national campaign, "Where's baby? Look before you lock." because these types of accidents are still all too common. There have been more than 530 children killed in the United States as a result of vehicular heatstroke since 1998. Most of these kinds of accidents happened to children who are 3-years-old or younger.

These kinds of accidents can happen to anyone. Most of them are accidental and it can even happen with the most conscientious and loving parents. During the hot summer months it's especially important for parents and guardians to be aware of who is in the vehicle and who gets out when the vehicle stops.

Even when the outside temps are in the low 80s, the temps inside a car can reach a deadly level in just 10 minutes. This is even true when the windows are cracked or rolled down. The bodies of our young ones are extremely vulnerable in these situations. Kids who are under the age of 4-year-old are at the greatest risk for these kinds of injuries.

In 2010, there were nearly 35 fatalities resulting from in-car heatstroke, or hyperthermia. Although that's a number that's down from 49 in 2009, officials are still worried and are working diligently to spread the word and to raise awareness about these dangers. There are hundreds more who are injured in these kind of accidents every year. Some of the most common injuries include a loss of hearing, blindness and permanent brain injury.

Many times, these kinds of accidents happen after a child hops into a car when a parent isn't looking. Other causes result from when a parent or a guardian who isn't used to transporting a child inadvertently forgets a quiet infant in a car seat in the back of the vehicle. Help to protect our little ones and check every seat every time you leave your car.

Continue reading "Heatstroke Injuries to Children in Carolinas Likely through Summer" »

A school bus accident in Anderson sent a young bus rider to the hospital after the bus driver failed to yield and slammed into a minivan. On the bus were nine Glenview Middle School students. A 12-year-old was taken away in a neck brace to the AnMed Health Medical Center, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The accident happened shortly before 4:30 p.m. on the day before the school district kicked off its week-long spring break.

According to Independent Mail, the bus driver was leaving the school's parking lot, pulling out onto Old Williamston Road, when she pulled out and slammed into a minivan. The minivan was driven by a teacher at the school. According to Sgt. Bryan McDougald, speed was not a factor in this accident.

Our Anderson personal injury attorneys understand that parents throughout the city rely on school buses to safely transport their children to and from school each day. We trust that bus drivers will drive safely, abide by road laws and help to keep our kids safe. Unfortunately, school bus accidents happen. It's inexcusable when these kinds of accidents happen because of negligence on the bus driver's behalf.

School buses are the largest type of mass transit in the country, offering nearly 10 million student trips each year. That's about twice as many passenger trips that are provided by transit buses across the U.S. About half a million school buses help to get nearly 25 million students to and from school, sporting events and other school-related events each year.

Since 1990, nearly 1,500 people have been killed in school bus-related traffic accidents. Nearly 70 percent of the fatalities in these accidents were of occupants of other vehicles, about a quarter was bicyclists or pedestrians and another 9 percent were the passengers in the bus.

Every year, nearly 30 school-aged children are killed in school bus accidents. It's not just the school-aged passengers that are at risk either. Many times, these students are involved in accidents before and after boarding the bus. Of the 30 yearly fatalities, about 20 die in pedestrian-related accidents, roughly 15 are killed by school buses and the last 10 are killed by other vehicles involved in a school bus accident.

To help keep our young students safe before, during and after their school bus rides, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety is here to offer parents and students with a few simple safety tips.

Safety Tips:

-Wait for the bus at least 10 steps away from the road.

-Arrive at least 5 minutes early.

-Only approach the bus once the bus driver has signaled the okay.

-When crossing in front of traffic, make eye contact with drivers before proceeding.

-Once you get on the bus, sit down and use an inside voice. No yelling or standing.

-Keep hands and other objects away from the window.

-Always listen to the bus driver.

-Be ready when the bus is approaching your stop. Gather your things. Stand up once the bus has come to a complete stop.

-If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver. Don't bend down and get it!

-Step away from the roadways once you've exited the bus.

-Never walk behind the bus.

Continue reading "School Bus Accident in Anderson Injures 12-Year-Old Rider" »

Remembering to buckle your child during every car ride may not be enough to ensure their safety in the event of a car accident in Rock Hill and elsewhere. Parents are urged to learn how to correctly buckle in children during every car ride. You may think you're doing it right, but researchers recently discovered that a majority of parents aren't!

In most cases, kids aren't even seated in the right seats either! According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), parents and guardians need to get with the program and get up to date with the latest child car seat information.

The NHTSA recently launched a new public service announcement (PSA), "The Right Seat," highlighting the importance of choosing the right car seat for your kid and making sure that it's properly installed every time. In the PSAs, the NHTSA teamed up with the Ad Council to reach parents across the county and to help save the lives of young passengers, too.

Our Rock Hill injury attorneys understand that correctly used car seats have been able to save the lives of more than 8,950 kids under the age of 12 from 1975 to 2008. Even more lives could have been saved if more parents choose the right seats and were able to use them correctly. With this campaign, officials are hoping to help. Still, car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for this young, vulnerable and helpless age group.

"Safety is our top priority for everyone on our roadways, and we're calling on parents to do everything they can to protect our most vulnerable passengers," said LaHood.

The new PSAs will be available online, on the radio, on TV and in outdoor advertising nationwide.

Through "The Right Seat," officials aim to help ensure that all parents and all caregivers are properly securing passengers who are under the age of 12, whether it be in an adult seat belt, a booster seat, a forward-facing car seat or a rear-facing car seat. Officials just want adults to "make sure their child is in the right car seat."

With the launch of these PSAs, the NHTSA also announced the launch of the new "Parents Central" website, which offers parents and guardians a quick and easy way to search through a ton of resources and tools to help ensure the safety of child passengers.

This knowledge may be one of the best ways to help protect our young ones. Parents, caregivers, daycare providers, babysitters and anyone else who may drive with a child are urged to check out these resources and help to save lives.

Continue reading "Risks of Child Injury in Rock Hill: Child Seat Safety" »

A delay in rules intended to reduce the risk of child injury and death due to back-over car accidents in North Carolina and across the country could have fatal consequences.

Our North Carolina car accident attorneys are disappointed in this news, which was announced by federal Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood just a few days ago.

Lahood said more time is needed to conduct further data analysis and research before official regulations can be handed down. To some, it appears the government may be bowing to pressure from the auto industry, which is complaining that some of the rules would be costly and time-consuming to implement. In particular, the industry has voiced concern about the proposed requirement that starting in 2014, all vehicles should be equipped with rear view cameras that would allow them to spot young children that may be behind them.

It's been over a year since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested a requirement aimed at improving motorists' rear visibility. It was supposed to be something that would ultimately be phased in for all cars and trucks.

Ami Gadhia, a spokeswoman for Consumer Reports magazine, told the Associated Press that the delay is disappointing. She added that she hoped the day would soon arrive when all vehicles would be equipped with rear visibility technology so that children aren't hurt and dying needlessly.

The whole issue was kick-started in 2008, when Congress passed a law in response to dozens of crashes in which young children were hurt or killed after being backed over.

Particularly of concern are the wide blind spots for sport utility vehicles.

As the New York Times reported, every single week, two children die and another 50 are hurt when someone backs over them accidentally. In the vast majority of these cases, the person behind the wheel when these incidents occur is a parent or other close relative.

Those with the traffic association have said that mandating these cameras could prevent more than 110 deaths and possibly as many as 8,300 injuries every single years if drivers had a better view of what was behind them. Statistics show that of the approximately 230 people that are killed each year in these kind of accidents, a whopping 45 percent are younger than 5. Another 17,000 people are hurt in back-over accidents every year.

The auto industry, however, is concerned about the price tag, about $200 per vehicle. That breaks down to more than $2.5 billion total, a cost that would ultimately be handed down to buyers.

According to the advocacy group SafeKids.org:

• Most back-over victims are between the ages of 12 and 23 months.
• More than 60 percent of back-over accidents involve a large truck or SUV.
• In more than 70 percent of these cases, a close relative is at fault.

Continue reading "North Carolina Back-Over Car Accidents Continue to Cause Child Deaths, Injuries" »

In a tragic accident that has gripped the hearts of many in the community, the lives of two young children were lost in a west Charlotte car accident.

From what our Charlotte car accident attorneys know so far, the driver of the truck who allegedly hit the two children has been arrested and charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by a motor vehicle.

Under North Carolina statute 20-141.4, this charge is filed when someone is accused of unintentionally causing the death of another person with a vehicle while they are breaking another state or local law regarding the operation of a vehicle or the violation of a traffic law. It doesn't include deaths caused by a drunk driving, which would be a separate, more serious, offense.

According to NewsChannel 36, the 1 and 5-year-old siblings were walking with their dad near the intersection of West Tyvola Road and Shady Lane around 8 in the morning. Also with them was their baby sister. They were on their way to daycare. That's when a box truck traveling toward the intersection, struck the two boys and killed them.

The infant girl and her father were not seriously injured, according to news reports.

There had been no sidewalk alongside the road where the family was walking. One neighbor who was interviewed by a local news team said it was "only a matter of time" before someone was seriously hurt or killed on the roadway.

In that specific area, media reports indicate there have been two prior pedestrian crashes. The city's department of transportation said it had identified the need for a sidewalk along the roadway, but there wasn't enough in the city's budget to pay for construction or even design.

A witness to the horrible accident said the driver of the truck did not move to help the children after the crash. One man worked to perform CPR on one of the boys, but to no avail.

The crash is being investigated by both the North Caroline Highway Patrol and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The daycare's director was quoted as saying that the children were great kids, and the loss is one that weighs heavy on their hearts.

According to SafeKids.org, the number of pedestrian accidents across the country averages out to about 355 child pedestrian deaths annually. That is for children under the age of 14. Another 15,500 children are injured as a result of being struck by vehicles.

What many motorists may not understand is that children, especially those younger than 10, aren't able to accurately determine their risk of injury. It is critical for parents to discuss these dangers with their children so that the risks are mitigated.

Here are some additional statistics on child pedestrian accidents to keep in mind:

• Of the children who were killed in pedestrian accidents, more than two-thirds were males;
• Vehicle back-overs were listed as the cause in more than 100 deaths of children younger than 4.
• More than 40 percent of children who are fatally struck by vehicles are hit between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Continue reading "Charlotte Car Accident Kills Two Children" »

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" »

Halloween can be a scary time for kids, literally, because they are at considerable risk of being struck in a car accident in Winston-Salem, Gastonia, or elsewhere in the state. Motorists may find small trick-or treaters difficult to spot because the activity occurs at dusk or dark when visibility is limited.

Our Asheville car accident attorneys want to remind motorists that October is Halloween Safety Month so be mindful of children walking to help reduce the risk of causing severe injury.

American College of Emergency Physicians reports that Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for pedestrian accidents involving young children. For children under age 16, 38 percent of all pedestrian accidents happen between 3 and 7 p.m., which is prime time for trick-or-treating. Children walking at night in a costume can inhibit their ability to see, presenting a high risk for a fall accident. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are the most dangerous days of the week for pedestrian deaths, especially when Halloween falls on one of these days. Even though Halloween is on a Monday tris year, don't let your guard down.

Research is limited when it comes to the dangers of pedestrian deaths on Halloween but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at data from 1975-1996 and determined that children were four times more at risk of a pedestrian accident involving a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other night of the year. Data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) narrowed down the number of pedestrian deaths involved in a motor vehicle crash on October 31 between 4 and 10 p.m. From 1975-1996, researchers found that 89 deaths occurred for children between the ages of 5-14 years old. This equates to an average of four deaths per year on Halloween between 4 and 7 p.m. for this age group.

AAA Exchange offers these Halloween safety tips:

To Motorists

-Use peripheral vision to be alert for children on front yards or walking away from the front porch of a house.

-Use extra caution when pulling into or out of private driveways or alleys.

-Use your headlights, even during daylight hours, so that your vehicle becomes more visible.

-Be prepared for children crossing streets mid-block and not at a designated crosswalk.

-Keep an eye out for children walking on sidewalks, curbs, medians and roadways.

To Trick-or-Treaters

-Avoid wearing a costume with a mask that covers your entire head when possible. Use nontoxic face paint to avoid problems with vision.

-Props should be blunt-tipped and flexible to avoid serious injury if a fall occurs.

-Place reflective tape on your costume if you plan to go out at night. Reflectors make children more visible.

-Never shine a flashlight into the eyes of a motorists, instead place it face down in your treat bucket.

-Choose homes that are clearly participating in Halloween activities with well-lit porches or driveways.

-Always trick-or-treat with an adult present.

Keep your children safe this Halloween by going over some helpful rules and tips to help them avoid being struck by a car. Remind them to steer clear of vehicles by crossing at intersections and making themselves visible at all times.

Continue reading "Halloween Increases Risks of Car Collisions with Trick-or-Treaters in Winston-Salem, Gastonia" »