North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog

A Union County, North Carolina truck accident has claimed the lives of Fayetteville teen Mishawn Miller and Greensboro teen Arielle Parker, both age 18.The two incoming Wingate University freshmen were heading to a ropes challenge course on Saturday morning when, according to police, Miller failed to halt at a stop sign on Old Pageland Monroe Road. His vehicle was hit on the driver’s side by a grain truck.

Miller and Parker, who was sitting in the backseat, were killed instantly. Seriously injured in the North Carolina car accident was 18-year-old Charlotte resident Marcelle Louba, who was sitting behind Miller. 19-year-old Kendric Reid, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, sustained minor injuries. The teenagers were traveling in a caravan of other students who were taking part in an academic enrichment program for students about to begin their freshman year at the university.

The grain truck driver, 52-year-old Elberbe resident Carlon Watkins, also sustained minor injuries. The grain truck that he was driving had a similar dimension and weight as a dump truck.

According to neighbors in the area, although a flashing red light has been installed at the intersection where the Union County, North Carolina car accident happened, more needs to be done to prevent future traffic accidents. Visibility can be poor there, which can make it hard for motorists to see approaching vehicles. Some have even called for the installation of a traffic light. Although the Department of Transportation received a petition for a light that was signed by hundreds, it denied the request saying that not enough traffic traveled through the intersection.

There are steps that you can take to protecting your right to financial recovery for injuries sustained during a Wingate car accident.

Wingate To Hold Memorial For Students Killed In Crash, WSOCTV, August 16, 2010

2 incoming Wingate University freshmen killed in wreck, Charlotte Observer, August 15, 2010

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Transportation

Wingate University

Continue reading "Union County, North Carolina Car Accident Involving Grain Truck Kills Two Incoming Wingate University Students " »

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 " »

Each year, our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident law firm awards a number of high school seniors $2,500 college scholarships through the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. For the 2009 – 2010 academic school year,15 graduating seniors each received this award for their grades, SAT scores, involvement with their school and communities, and winning presentations aimed at educating fellow students about the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving.

The scholarship program was open to applicants in the North Carolina and South Carolina counties where the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo represents clients, including Mecklenburg, Cleveland, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Catawba, Lincoln, Caldwell, Rowan, Anson, Iredell, Stanly, Robeson, Burke, Richmond, Scotland, Alexander, Cumberland, York, Chesterfield, Lancaster, Dillon, and Marlboro.

Whereas in years past, applicants had to answer an essay question by offering a suggestion or solution to how we can stop underage drinking and teen drunk driving, this year applicants were asked to choose among the latest technology and different genres to create presentations that provided ideas and solutions to the same topics. Three public service announcements, seven PowerPoint presentations, two speeches, two dedicated Web sites, and one brochure were included among the winning presentations.

Our Hickory, North Carolina car accident lawyers are very impressed with the presentations we received from all of our applicants. It is clear to us that there are many students who understand that driving while drunk can prove deadly. Our applicants offered unique suggestions for how this message can be better communicated to other teenagers.

Our Monroe, North Carolina motor vehicle accident law firm would like to congratulate the winners of the 2010 Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship program. We would like to invite you to visit our Web site so that you can meet this year’s recipients and watch their amazing presentations.

Scholarship Program, The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo

Related Web Resources:
Underage Drinking

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Teen Drivers, CDC

Continue reading "Winners of the 2010 Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Join the Fight to Stop North Carolina Car Accidents Caused by Underage Drinking " »

The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, LLP and former WXII-TV morning anchor Tolly Carr are proud to present “Arrive Alive! Don’t Drink and Drive.” Our Charlotte, North Carolina motor vehicle crash law firm is bringing this community outreach program to area high schools next week as part of our ongoing efforts to prevent drunk driving among teenagers.

Since its inception by our Charlotte, North Carolina personal injury law firm in 2003, the Arrive Alive program has focused on high school juniors and seniors who are old enough to drive while still young enough to succumb to the pressures of underage drinking and driving—especially during prom, spring break, and graduation.

Arrive Alive will take place at the following locations during the times listed below:

Monday, 4/26: 9:30 a.m. at Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte
Tuesday, 4/27: 9:30 a.m. at West Caldwell High School in Lenoir
Wednesday, 4/28: 8:25 a.m. & 10:10 a.m. at Porter Ridge High School in Indian Trail
Thursday, 4/29: 9:00 a.m. at West Iredell High School in Statesville
Thursday, 4/29: 2:00 p.m. at Piedmont High School in Monroe
Friday, 4/30: 9:00 a.m. at David Butler High School in Matthews

Former Winston-Salem news anchor Tolly Carr will be the guest speaker. In March 2007, Carr drove drunk and killed a pedestrian. He served four months in county jail before being sentenced to 25 months at the North Carolina Department of Correction for the felony charge of death by motor vehicle. Since being released from prison in May 2009, Carr, who now lives in Greensboro, continues to speak to groups about his experiences in an effort to promote responsible decision making.

Also at each presentation, Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Michael A. DeMayo will share real life stories and images of fatal drunk driving collisions, including those that have claimed the lives of teenagers. Attorney DeMayo and his North Carolina personal injury law firm firmly believe that it is important to educate teenagers about the dangers of underage drinking and driving. Each year, the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship program awards $37,500 in college scholarships to 15 graduating seniors for their academic achievements, community service, and respective presentations about how to educate and stop teenagers from driving drunk.

For more information about Arrive Alive, contact Community Relations Director Kristine Woolley at (704) 343-4644 or send her an email at kwoolley@demayolaw.com.

Related Web Resources:
Law Offices of MIchael A. DeMayo, LLP

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Teen Drivers, CDC

The Toll of Underage Drinking, The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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" »

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" »

According to a poll of 800 teenagers, ages 12 to 17, about half of those who drive and own cell phones have used these communication devices while operate a motor vehicle. About 1/3rd of these teenagers also admitted to text messaging while driving. The poll was conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project.

Considering that distracted driving has proven to be dangerous and new drivers tend to be less experienced at driving than adult drivers, parents should be worried that some of the teens polled wouldn’t acknowledge that texting and talking on the phone talking while driving are dangerous habits. Fortunately, many of the teens did say they are now aware that these distracted driving habits are dangerous and they claim they won’t do them anymore. However, some of these same teens say they can't help but answer a ringing phone or respond to a text sent to them while they are driving.

As our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident attorneys have said in previous blog posts, distracted driving is a common cause of many fatal traffic crashes involving not just cars and pedestrians, but also buses, large trucks, and trains. Many people seem to be having a hard time resisting the impulse to talk on the phone or text message or surf on the Internet while driving, which not only keeps them from paying attention to the road but also prevents them from reacting effectively and driving offensively/defensively while on the road so that they don't become involved in a catastrophic North Carolina car crash.

Fortunately, national and state safety and transportation officials have stepped up efforts to make people more aware of the dangers posted by texting and distracted driving. Yet many people continue to do one or both—despite the evidence that such seemingly harmless acts can kill people.

Scary statistics on teen texting, calling while driving, The Seattle Times, November 17, 2009

Half of teens say they've used cellphone while driving, USA Today, November 16, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Teenagers, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Pew Research Center

Continue reading "Teen Motorists and Distracted Driving: Per Poll, Approximately Half of 16- and 17-Year-Old US Drivers with Cell Phones Have Used Devices while Operating Motor Vehicles" »

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is conducting Operation Drive to Live. Part of this campaign includes the Texting While Driving Initiative, which is designed to teach students about the consequences of distracted driving—especially texting while driving. As part of the program, students are allowed to ride a golf cart through a course set up with traffic cones while they text message.

It takes 10 to 15 second to compose and send a text message. When you consider that a car moving at a speed of 60 mph travels over 80 feet each second, a texting teen driver may have traveled a 10th of a mile with his or her eyes off the road. Couple driver distraction with driver inexperience typical of most drivers who are just starting to drive and the chances of being involved in a North Carolina car accident increases dramatically.

While texting while driving is dangerous when done by anyone including adults, teens are especially at risk because they text so much even when they aren’t driving. According to the Nielsen Co,, US teens sent and received nearly 80 texts a day—that’s about 2,272 texts a month—during the 4th quarter of 2008. This bad habit is not only a distraction, but it may be causing sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and repetitive stress injuries. One doctor, pediatrician Martin Joffe, says that when he surveyed students at two high schools he discovered that a lot of them sent hundreds of texts daily. This breaks down to a text every few minutes.

When you consider how hard it is for adults to resist the impulse to read a text or check an email or compose a message while driving, imagine how much harder it is for teenagers to stop this bad habit.

Yet the evidence is now indisputable. Texting while driving is dangerous and causes catastrophic car crashes. Whether you are a 16-year-old driver or a 75-year-old driver, texting while driving is negligent driving.

Highway Patrol teaches the dangers of texting and driving, Apex Herald, October 8, 2009

Texting May Be Taking a Toll, New York Times, May 25, 2009

Related Web Resources:
North Carolina Department of Crime Control & Public Safety

Teenage Driving Tips, NCCrimecontrol.org

National Safety Commission

Continue reading "Teens Taught that Texting While Driving Can Cause North Carolina Car Accidents" »

One teenager is dead and another three sustained injuries in a deadly North Carolina car crash involving a 14-year-old driver. According to police, the boy crashed a 2005 Hyundai into a tree at around 1am on August 19.

Chelsie Lynn Thompson, an 18-year-old Mount Airy resident, died from her injuries. The driver and two other male teenagers, 18-year-old Christopher Jordan and 16-year-old Joshua Ingalls also sustained injuries.

Officials say the boy took his mother’s car without permission. They believe that he was speeding when the deadly crash happened.

The boy could face criminal charges.

Teen Drivers
In the United States, 14-year-olds are not allowed to drive. Even when a teenager becomes of age to obtain their learner’s permit and then their driver’s license, there are still requirements that the teen driver must meet in order to earn the right to drive on North Carolina's roads.

Because of their youth and inexperience, many teen drivers are at risk of becoming involved in a North Carolina car accident unless they exercise the proper safety precautions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the 16-19 year age group is the age demographic at highest risk of becoming involved in a motor vehicle accident because:

• Teenagers are not as skilled as older drivers at assessing whether a situation is dangerous.
• Teens have a tendency to speed more than older motorists.
• Teens are more likely not to wear seat belts.
• Teens riding with each other can prove distracting.
• Teens are at risk of drinking and driving.

When a teen driver is reckless or careless, this increases the chances that a North Carolina motor vehicle crash may happen. If you or someone you love was injured in a traffic accident because any driver—regardless of age—behaved negligently, you may have grounds for filing a North Carolina car accident claim or lawsuit.

Car driven by 14-year-old slams into tree!, JusticeNewsFlash, August 21, 2009

14-Year-Old Driver Could Face Charges In Fatal Crash, WXII12.com, August 19, 2009

Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet, CDC

Related Web Resources:
Applying for a Driver License or Learner Permit?, NCDOT.org

Continue reading "14-Year-Old Driver Could Face Criminal Charges for Surrey County Car Crash that Killed One Teenager and Injured Three " »

Every year, our North Carolina injury law firm awards $25,000 in college scholarships to graduating high school seniors scholarships under the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. This year, 10 students received $2,500 each for their winning essays about ways to prevent underage drinking and driving.

Attorney Michael DeMayo presented the winning students with their scholarship checks at a May 28 dinner at Mama Ricotta’s in Charlotte. This year's winners included Michelle Austin from Hopewell High School in Mecklenburg, Elizabeth Henry from Provide Day School in Mecklenburg, Annalise Farris from North Lincoln High School in Lincoln, India Prather from Monroe High School in Union, Lauren Houston from South Caldwell High School in Caldwell, Kaley Rivera from South Point High School in Gaston, Kaitlin Price from Gray Stone Day School in Stanly, Jennifer Telschow from E. E. Waddell High School in Mecklenburg, Erin Sturgess from Hickory Christian Academy in Catawba, and Jaclyn Wright from Marvin Ridge High School in Union.

Underage Drinking Facts (NHTSA):
• Thousands of teenagers are injured or killed in US traffic accidents because of underage drinking.
• In 2006, 1,377 of the 7,543 15- to 20-year old US drivers and motorcyclists that were involved in deadly auto crashes had a BAC of .08%.
• It is illegal for people under age 21 to drink alcohol.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 16- to 19-years-olds belong to one of the more high risk groups that are likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash. Combine youth, inexperience, and/or a tendency to become easily distracted with the side effects that come from drinking alcohol and you could end up with a deadly combination if a drunk teenager gets behind the steering wheel of a car.

Our North Carolina personal injury law firm applauds our winners’ ideas about how to prevent teen driving accidents from happening. Our Charlotte car accident attorneys witness on a regular basis the tragic repercussions that can result from drunk driving. We know that nothing can assuage the loss felt by our clients that have lost children in tragic motor vehicle crashes. Our scholarship program gives us a way to help teenagers make better decisions, hopefully decreasing the number of North Carolina teen drunk driving accidents.

Related Web Resources:
Teen Drivers - Youth Access To Alcohol

Teen Drivers, CDC

Continue reading "Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accident Law Firm Awards 10 College Scholarships to Students for Underage Drinking and Driving Essays" »