North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Susan Karabulut, a 33-year-old nurse who worked at the White Oak Manor retirement nursing home, was killed in a Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident on Sunday. Karabulut was standing outside the assisted living facility when a car that drove onto the sidewalk where she was standing and fatally struck her. Another woman, 47-year-old Lisa McTe, suffered life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car that struck her, 21-year-old Leah Anne Walton, has been charged with reckless driving, driving with no liability insurance, involuntary manslaughter, drug and marijuana paraphernalia possession, and driving with a revoked vehicle registration. Walton told police that she had briefly taken her eyes off the road to reach into her bag for a cigarette.

According to investigators, Walton crossed the double yellow line and drove across the lanes of opposing traffic before striking the two women. Karabulut was pronounced dead at the Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident site.

Distracted Driving
It is never advisable to take your eyes off the road while driving. Acts that are harmless enough when done while not driving, such as looking at the radio while changing the station, reading directions on a map, choosing a new playlist on an iPod, or rifling through a makeup bag to find that right shade of lipstick can turn dangerous when these activities distract a motorist long enough that he/she ends up causing a North Carolina car crash resulting injuries or death.

It can take mere seconds for a catastrophic Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle crash to occur. The driver likely never intended to hurt anyone, but that doesn’t mean that he or she won’t be held liable in civil court. There also may be criminal charges.

Nurse struck and killed outside retirement home, Charlotte Observer, August 23, 2010

Woman charged in fatal pedestrian accident, News14Carolina, August 22, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents With Pedestrians, Nolo

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Continue reading "Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Claims Life of Nurse Standing Outside North Carolina Assisted Living Facility" »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to remind US motorists to drive safely during the summer driving season. Millions of Americans are expected to take to the roads over the next few months. To prevent these excursions or vacations from turning tragic, the NHTSA wants to remind motorists to:

• Avoid distracted driving, including texting or talking on a cell phone while behind a steering wheel.
• Stay up-to-date on auto maintenance.
• Make sure to inspect your tires and ensure that they are properly inflated.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Make sure everyone in the car is wearing an appropriate seat belt or child safety seat.
• Don’t leave children unattended near or in a vehicle.
• Don’t drive while exhausted or drowsy.
• Don’t drink and drive.

The NHTSA is reminding parents of teen drivers that there are preventive measures that they can take to prevent their teenagers from becoming involved in a deadly traffic crash this summer. Because many of them have more free time now that school is out, drivers in the 15 to 20 age group are at higher risk of being involved in an auto collision—already the leading cause of teenager deaths. The number of teen drunk driving fatalities are also known to go up during the summer months.

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers are committed to discouraging teens from driving drunk. Every year, we select a number of high school students as winners of the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. The recipients are selected based on their SAT scores, grades, community involvement, and original presentations that teach other kids about how dangerous it is to drive while under the influence. This year, winners each won a $2,500 college scholarship.

Teen driver risks in high gear over summer, USA Today, June 21, 2010

Consumer Advisory: Make Safety Your Constant Companion This Summer Driving Season, NHTSA, June 22, 2010

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Transportation

70 Rules of Defensive Driving, Road Trip America

Continue reading "Avoid Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accidents By Adhering to NHTSA Advisory on Safe Summer Driving " »

Was the driver that struck two pedestrians in Wrightsville Beach early Sunday morning text messaging while driving? Police say that they found a partially composed text on the screen of driver Jedediah Woodcock’s phone.

Woodcock, 32 , is accused of driving drunk when he struck Lindsey Casey and John Marc Miller. Casey, who was thrown 22 feet during the Wrightsville Beach traffic accident, broke her pelvis in six places, tore ligaments in her knee, suffered internal bleeding, and damaged her vertebrae. Miller, who was thrown 14 feet, had to have a rod inserted in his broken left leg. Witnesses say Woodcock was speeding in his car and “barely hit his brakes” when he struck the two pedestrians.

Following the North Carolina pedestrian accident, Woodcock blew .09 on a Breathalyzer test. Police also found marijuana in his vehicle. The 32-year-old motorist is charged with two counts of aggravated serious injury by a motor vehicle, driving while impaired, driving during revocation, and possession of marijuana. He has a prior DWI conviction.

Negligent Driving
Drivers must not only obey traffic laws, but they also must refrain from doing anything that would distract them from paying attention to the traffic around them or impair their reflexes and judgment in any way.

Drunk driving, distracted driving, texting while driving, talking on the cell phone, drowsy driving, driver inattention, driver inattention, and reckless driving are some of the more common reasons why North Carolina traffic crashes occur. A motorist who engages in careless or reckless driving can be held liable for North Carolina personal injury or wrongful death.

2 pedestrians hospitalized after being hit by driver Sunday in Wrightsville Beach, StarNewsOnline, June 3, 2010

Unfinished text found in car that hit pedestrians, WWAY3, June 4, 2010

Related Web Resources:

Distraction.gov

Injury Prevention & Control: Motor Vehicle Safety, CDC

Continue reading "Distracted Driving?: Unfinished Text Found in Vehicle Involved in North Carolina Car Accident that Injured Two Pedestrians" »

Police are trying to find the driver of a hit-and-run Gastonia car accident that left a 55-year-old man with a spinal cord injury. Jerome Crawford was crossing the street at Gaston Avenue and West Franklin Boulevard on the evening of March 27 when he was hit by a vehicle that was making a left turn from Linwood Road. He is now paralyzed.

Spinal Cord Injury Facts:
• There are almost 200,000 people with spinal cord injuries living in the US.
• About 11,000 new SCI cases occur every year.
• The number one cause of SCIs for people under age 65 is car crashes.
• Fall accidents are the number one cause of SCI’s in the older age group.

According to SCIInfoPages.com, the approximate costs of living with an SCI:
• About 140,000 for initial hospitalization costs.
• $152,000 for a first-year paraplegic.
• $417,000 for a quadriplegic during the first year.
• Average lifetime costs for paraplegics that were hurt at age 25 is $428,000.
• For quadriplegics injured at the same age, the average lifetime cost of living with this kind of SCI is $1.35 million.
• About 52% of individuals who sustained SCIs had insurance at the time they were injured.

In addition to the loss of the ability walk and/or move your upper body, an SCI can lead to spastic muscles, breathing difficulties, blood pressure problems, sexual dysfunction, heart rate problems, and digestive problems. Depending on the seriousness of a patient’s SCI, round-the-clock care may even be required.

Living with a spinal cord injury is life changing and you will likely need a lot of professional help and financial support. Obtaining financial recovery from the party liable for your spinal cord injury can help cover your medical expenses and other associated costs and losses.

Gastonia police seek help in hit and run, Charlotte Observer, April 13, 2010

Man paralyzed after being hit by car in Gastonia, WBTV, March 29, 2010

Spinal Cord Injury Information Pages

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Fact Sheet, CDC

Related Web Resources:
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association

Spinal cord injury, MayoClinic

Continue reading "Gastonia Pedestrian Accident Leaves Man Paralyzed with Spinal Cord Injury " »

14-Year-Old Lindsey Fensmire died from injuries she sustained in a Raleigh pedestrian accident on Friday. Another teen, 14-year-old Krista Carcaterra, also was injured. The two girls reportedly ran in front of traffic on a five-lane road.

No criminal charges are expected to be filed against Ronald Blackwell, the Wilson driver of the SUV that struck the two girls. However, city officials are looking into whether there are safety issues involving the road that need to be addressed.

The two girls were not using a crosswalk when the vehicle struck them. Residents want the city to install a crosswalk or a traffic signal in the area where the North Carolina pedestrian accident happened. The closest crosswalk is a few hundred feet away.

North Carolina Pedestrian Accidents
In addition to pedestrian error, driver negligence, and auto products liability, poor road design is another cause of pedestrian accidents. According to Transportation for America, more than 50% of pedestrian fatalities take place on poorly designed arterials that, for the sake of moving as many vehicles through the area, are made up of multiple lanes without enough sidewalks, crossing signals, and crosswalks.

Roads that don’t take pedestrians into account can be high risk areas for bicyclists and people that choose to walk. You may be hold a city liable for failing to design a road properly for pedestrians if traffic injuries or deaths occur. This is why you should speak with a Raleigh, North Carolina pedestrian accident lawyer about your case.

Sidewalks, pedestrian refuge medians, traffic signals, pedestrian lanes, improved road geometry, and lower speed limits are some elements that can improve a road for pedestrians.

Road Safety Where Teen Killed Under Review, Wake MYNC.com, March 29, 2010

Investigators say 2 NC teens hit by car ran out in traffic, 1 girl killed, WTKR, March 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Raleigh among most dangerous cities for pedestrians, WRAL, November 4, 2009

City of Raleigh

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of traffic deaths went down to its lowest level since 1954 with 33,963 fatalities in 2009. That’s 3,300 less traffic fatalities than in 2008. The fatality rate, which factors in the number of miles traveled, hit its lowest level ever.

While US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood acknowledged that this news was positive, he noted that there were still too many people dying in traffic accidents throughout the US.

The NHTSA attributes the drop in traffic deaths last year to its continued efforts to stop drunk driving, remind people to wear seatbelts, and prevent distracted driving. The federal government vows to keep on fighting against these driving dangers.

In North Carolina, our Charlotte car accident attorneys continue to take calls from many people who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes because someone was negligent. Common causes of North Carolina traffic crashes continue to include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drugged driving
• Texting while driving
• Cell phone use
• Failure to obey traffic laws
• Driver inexperience
• Drugged driving

It is very important that you contact an experienced Hickory car crash law firm first before speaking with the responsible party’s insurance company. If you settle your Charlotte, North Carolina car collision case without exploring your legal options, you may be signing away your right to obtain the maximum compensation possible for your spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, burn injuries, neck injury, head injury, back injury, or any other personal injuries.

It can be hard to know at first glance how much medical and rehabilitation care you will need to recover. You may find yourself unable to work for months or even longer. An experienced Monroe, North Carolina car accident lawyer can help you figure all of this out and pursue your recovery for you.

Traffic Fatalities for 2009 Reach Record Low, NHTSA, March 11, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2009 (PDF)

University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center

Continue reading "NHTSA Reports 33,963 Traffic Deaths in 2009" »

21-year-old Brendan Duan Bass has been charged with driving while impaired. Authorities say the Durham local was driving Thursday when he struck Vickie Elaine Riley, 48, also a local resident. Bass then lost control of his car and hit a Mercury Mountaineer before crashing into a pole, striking a sign on the curb, breaking a chain link fence, and ramming into a car that was parked.

Riley was pronounced dead at the Durham car accident site. Police say that Bass also faces charges over using fictitious tags, driving without insurance, and driving without a license.

North Carolina Pedestrian Accidents
Time and again, our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers speak with pedestrians who have gotten seriously hurt because a driver was careless, reckless, or negligent or because the motor vehicle involved had a defective auto part. We know how devastating it can be to have your life suddenly change in an instant.

It is important that you get medical help right away and that you document as much information as possible about the traffic accident. You should also contact a Charlotte-Mecklenburg County pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss your case.

Pedestrian accidents occur far too often. And while medical insurance can help cover some of the medical costs, if you or someone you love was seriously injured, you will likely have had to undergo costly medical procedures, lengthy rehabilitation, and taken time off from work (which can lead to lost wages).

Pedestrian killed; driver charged, News & Observer, February 20, 2010

Man charged with DWI after pedestrian killed, WRAL, February 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
NCDOT: Division of Motor Vehicles

Pedestrian Accidents, Justia

Continue reading "Durham Pedestrian Accident Involving Allegedly Drunk Driver Claims Life of 48-Year-Old Woman" »

Yesterday, mourners gathered on north Tyron Street to grieve over Shalenia Smith, who sustained serious injuries in a Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident on Friday night. She died on Sunday.

Karen Owens, Smith’s mother, says her daughter and friend were crossing the street after a visit to Walmart when a car driven by 28-year-old Christopher Breeding struck her. He claims that the North Carolina pedestrian accident victim ran in front of his vehicle and he was unable to stop. He also says it was difficult to see the women that night because they were wearing dark clothing.

Breeding was arrested and charged with DWI. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says that more charges may be filed against him.

Smith leaves behind her mother and three siblings.

North Carolina Pedestrian Deaths
Losing someone you care about in a North Carolina pedestrian accident or car crash is tragic. All of a sudden, your life is irrevocably changed while the life of the person you love has been cut short for one of the worst reasons—because someone was reckless or careless or negligent. Drunk driving, speeding, texting while driving, talking on the phone will driving, failure to obey traffic signals, and driving under the influence of drugs are some reasons why pedestrian accidents happen.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding a Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, funeral or cremation services, lost wages, loss of future wages, loss of benefits, punitive damages, mental trauma, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of inheritance, and other damages.

Vigil honors woman, 20, killed by car, Charlotte Observer, January 19, 2010

Woman hit by DWI suspect dies from injuries, WBTV, January 19, 2010

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Transportation

Pedestrians, 2008 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)

Continue reading "20-Year-Old Charlotte, North Carolina Pedestrian Struck by Alleged Drunk Driver Dies from Her Injuries" »

Following Friday’s winter storm, it is important that South Carolina and North Carolina motorists be extra careful when driving in such dangerous road conditions. Black ice can be found on city and county roads, as well as overpasses and bridges, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation and State Highway Patrol doesn’t expected the treacherous conditions to disappear.

Motorists cannot do anything to improve the road conditions or the weather, but they are still responsible for driving safely to and from their destinations. With such hazardous road conditions to contend with, drivers cannot afford to drive drunk, text while driving, talk on a handheld cellular device, speed, or engage in any other form of distracted driving or careless motor vehicle operation. One reckless or careless act can lead to a North Carolina car crash that can cause serious injury, perhaps even destroying someone’s life.

In the event that you or someone you love is seriously injured in a North Carolina car accident or a South Carolina motor vehicle collision, do not hesitate to contact our Charlotte, North Carolina auto crash lawyers to schedule your free consultation.

Driving Safely in Snow and Ice:

• Winterize your auto.
• When necessary, use tire chains or winter tires.
• Drive slower than you usually would and adjust your speed to the road conditions.
• Pay attention.
• When slowing down to stop or turn, do so three times earlier than your normal routine.
• Keep a safe distance with the vehicle in front of you.
• Make sure your windows are clean and clear.
• Be on the lookout for extra wet or icy patches on the road.

Snowstorm cleanup in the Carolinas, Count on News2, December 21, 2009

Icy roads, closed schools in western N.C., Charlotte Observer, December 20, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Preparing for Winter Driving – How to Drive in Snow and Ice, SafeMotorist

Winter Driving Tips, AAA Exchange

A fourth person has died from injuries sustained during a tragic Hope Mills car accident last week. Brooke Paquin, whose boyfriend, Tristan Hanna, also was killed in the motor vehicle crash passed away on Saturday.

Brooke and Tristan were heading to Wrightsville Beach when, according to witnesses, Hanna’s vehicle accelerated to 65 mph, which was over 20 mph above the speed limit, before driving into oncoming traffic and striking the vehicle carrying Hien Truong, his wife Huyen, and baby daughter Hannah, who was about to celebrate her first birthday.

Hien, Hannah, and Tristan all died that night. Huyen was transported to a hospital where she was admitted in critical condition. Tristan’s father says his son, who has epilepsy, may have been having a seizure when the deadly North Carolina car accident happened.

At least 11 other people died in North Carolina car crashes last week. Among the fatalities:

• A three-vehicle Wake Forest auto wreck on Highway 1 claimed the life of Robert Ernesto Harris.

• Two people, Bryan William Meyer and Justin Christopher Thomas Dufur, were killed in a single-vehicle Raleigh auto accident. According to police, Dufur was driving 15 mph above the 45 mph speed limit.

• Melinda Grossman was fatally struck while trying to pick up a cat that had been struck by another auto. The Carrboro traffic crash victim was 60.

• 16-year-old passenger Gavin Boyd Westover died from injuries he sustained in a Knightdale auto crash.

• Two young siblings, 6-year-old Hassan Bingham and 9-year-old Calvin Brandon, died in a Durham train crash when a train hit their mom’s SUV.

Week of wrecks leaves 15 people dead, WRAL, December 14, 2009

Father: Seizure may have led to fatal Hope Mills wreck, WRAL, December 14, 2009

Fourth person dies of injuries from Hope Mills crash, FayObserver, December 13, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Car Accidents, Justia

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

National Safety Commission

Continue reading "Hope Mills, North Carolina Car Accident Claims Fourth Fatality " »

On December 4, the Governor's Highway Safety Program presented the “Tree of Life,” which is dedicated to the people that were killed in North Carolina car accidents in 2008. The tree stands on the State Capitol lawn in Raleigh and is decorated with 1,453 lights. 440 of the lights are red to note the people that were killed by drunk drivers.

Friday also marked the beginning of North Carolina's “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, which runs until January 3, 2010 and targets drunk drivers. Throughout the US this holiday season, federal and local safety and enforcement officials will be participating in similar initiatives to prevent drunk driving accidents.

On Monday, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reminded drivers that there is nothing wrong with having fun as long as you don’t drive when you are drunk. While the national drunken driving rate dropped 7% between 2007 and 2008, too many people are still getting killed in drunk driving accidents.

Drunk driving accidents are preventable.

Nationwide, the drunk driving campaign "Over the Limit. Under Arrest” began yesterday and runs through the holiday season. Some $7 million in national radio and TV ads will air from December 16, 2009 – January 7, 2010 to remind people not to drive while impaired.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were:

• Out of the 1,231 North Carolina motor vehicle deaths in 2008, 423 of the North Carolina car accident victims died in collisions involving alcohol-impaired motorists.
• 1,676 North Carolina traffic deaths in 2007.
• 497 2007 North Carolina car accidents deaths involving drunk drivers.
• 403 South Carolina drunk driving fatalities in 2008.
• 920 2008 South Carolina car accident deaths.
• 403 South Carolina drunk driving fatalities in 2008.
• 464 South Carolina drunk driving fatalities in 2007.
• 1,077 2007 South Carolina car accident deaths.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Intensive Holiday Drunk & Impaired Driving Crackdown & Advertising Blitz, NHTSA, December 7, 2009

Drunken driving fatalities down 7% in USA, USA Today, December 7, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Fatalities and Fatality Rates in Alcohol- Impaired-Driving Crashes by State, 2007-2008, NHTSA (PDF)

Governor's Highway Safety Program

Continue reading "“Tree of Life” Remembers 1,453 North Carolina Car Accident Victims that Died in 2008 as State Troopers Get Ready for "Booze It & Lose It” Campaign" »

America, Raleigh, North Carolina is the 66h most dangerous city in the US for pedestrians. The two groups, Transportation for America and Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, say that over 76,000 US pedestrian fatalities have occurred over the last 15 years—that’s 11.8% of all traffic deaths. They want more federal funds spent on better sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian/pedalcyclist safety programs.

Federal data report approximately 4,500 pedestrian deaths a year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 4,378 pedestrian fatalities for 2008 and 69,000 pedestrian injuries. There were 160 North Carolina pedestrian deaths and 100 pedestrian fatalities in 2009.

In the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan region, there were 43 North Carolina pedestrian deaths in 2007 and 2008. Efforts are being made to improve pedestrian safety, including additional sidewalks, wider sidewalks, roundabouts for slower traffic, and wider lanes so that cars and bicycles can travel next to each other.

While local officials are responsible for making sure that roads and sidewalks and walkways are designed in a manner that minimizes the chances of a North Carolina pedestrian accident or auto collision from happening, pedestrians and motorists are also responsible for making sure that they don’t cause a Raleigh traffic crash.

Some Common Causes of North Carolina Pedestrian Accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Driving fast for present road conditions
• Failing to stop at a traffic light or stop sign
• Failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian
• Auto products liability
• Driver inexperience
• Texting or talking on the cell phone while driving

Raleigh And Cary Rank Among Most Dangerous Cities For Pedestrians, Wake.MyNc.com, November 9, 2009

Raleigh-Cary ranks No. 6 in pedestrian danger, NewsObserver, November 10, 2009

Related Web Resources:
University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center

Transportation for America

Surface Transportation Policy Partnership

Continue reading "Raleigh, North Carolina Ranked As #6 Most Dangerous US City for Pedestrians, Say Transportation for America and Surface Transportation Policy Partnership" »