North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog

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" »