Carolina Accident Attorney Blog

Calypso, North Carolina Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash Kills One Injures Five

John Cooper recently blogged about a fatal tractor trailer wreck in Calypso, NC that killed one man and injured five others. The crash involved a mini van along US 117 that has been known for unsafe road hazards and numerous prior wrecks. If you want a no-cost call with a real lawyer specializing in auto accident cases against insurance companies, please contact our law firm toll free at 800-752-0042.

Triton Senior Dead another Injured as SUV Crashes into Dunn, North Carolina Walmart

John Cooper recently blogged about a tragic and senseless car wreck in NC that killed a Triton High school junior in the town of Dunn. The SUV that she was a passenger in crashed at full sped into the Walmart there. If you want a no-cost call with a real lawyer that is sensitive to your needs in a wrongful death accident and will fight for justice, please contact our law firm toll free at 800-752-0042.

Wake County, North Carolina Woman Crushed as Oak Tree Falls on Home

John Cooper, injury attorney, recently blogged about the tragic death of a young Wake County mother from a freak accident involving an oak tree that crashed through the top of her house. She leaves behind a 6 year old daughter and plenty of family and friend that were not prepared for her untimely death from being crushed by the massive tree.

Construction Worker Found Dead after Falling Off Manns Harbor, North Carolina Bridge

Injury attorney John Cooper blogged about the recent death of a construction worker doing some routine maintenance on Mann Harbor bridge in Dare County, North Carolina. Evidently, the construction worker fell into the Croatan Sound only to be discovered several days later by local fishermen. Fatal construction accidents are not too common in this coastal region of North Carolina near the Outer Banks and the incident is under investigation.

Pee Dee Woman in Florence County Killed in Intersection Accident

A pickup truck failed to yield the right of way at an intersection in Florence County, South Carolina (SC), which resulted in this tragic wreck. Nine percent of all intersection accidents result in a loss of life. To learn more, check out this article.

Lane Change Leads to Loss of Life

Improper lane changes account for roughly 9 percent of all car wrecks in the United States every year. A recent accident on I-95 illustrates how dangerous an improper lane change can be. This accident involved a woman getting killed after the car she was in made a bad lane change, veered off the road, and crashed into the woods. To learn more, check out this article.

Truck Driver Involved in Tragic Cherokee County Wreck Charged with Two Counts of Misdemeanor Death

Two young children were killed in this terrible truck/van accident. The children were on vacation with their parents in Cherokee County, NC when the crash occurred. To learn more about what happened, check out this article.

Woman Dies from Two Vehicle Wreck in Benson, North Carolina

Injury attorney Emily Brannon recently blogged about a two vehicle wreck that took the life of a Selma, North Carolina woman. She was killed while riding along with her husband before being struck by another car.The collision happened in Benson, North Carolina. If you have been injured in a car crash you are probably entitled to compensation from the wreck. Call our results-oriented injury law firm for an easy, free, new client talk about your accident case. Our number is 1-800-752-0042. You will save a lot of hassle with the insurance claims department by getting our proven experience on your side to get you the money you deserve

Log Truck Accident on Highway 17 in Craven County, North Carolina Kills Man

Injury attorney John Cooper blogs about a recent log truck accident that killed a Craven County, North Carolina man on Highway 17. Locals argue that the road may have been the cause as it was overdue for much need repair.Call our results-oriented injury law firm for an easy, free, new client talk about your accident case. Our number is 1-800-752-0042. You will save a lot of hassle with the insurance claims department by getting our proven experience on your side to get you the money you deserve.

Two Children Killed, another Seriously Injured in Cherokee County Chain Reaction Wreck

This tragic wreck involved a delivery truck, a van, and a car. Two children were killed and one is seriously injured. The investigation continues as to what caused the truck to hit the van (which subsequently hit the car). If you’ve been involved in a similar chain reaction wreck and suffered serious injuries, please consider contacting our firm for a free, new client consultation. Our number is 1-800-752-0042.

Raleigh Woman Fatally Strikes Stopped Car at Red Light Killing Man

A rear-end collision occurred on Six Forks Road in Raleigh, North Carolina where a young man at a stopped light was struck and killed by a drunk driving woman. The man had no idea what hit him and died almost instantly. Rear end collisions usually cause serious injuries. If you are here, you may be looking for a lawyer who is a specialist in accident cases. We specialize in helping you if you are injured as a result of a car crash. Call us to see what we mean at 1-800-752-0042 and take a moment to review our website filled with free consumer guides, articles, and videos.

Teen Killed while Crossing the Road in Pendleton, South Carolina

Pedestrian crossing accidents usually lead to serious injuries, or even a loss of life. Two teenage girls were the victims of this type of accident in Pendleton and one of the teens did not survive. If you've been involved in a similar accident, please consider contacting our firm so you can speak with a real attorney for free. Our number is 1-800-752-0042.

Drunk Driver Kills Pedestrian in Columbus County

Drunk driving is reckless and irresponsible. Unfortunately, drunk drivers are still taking the lives of pedestrians. A recent example was in Columbus County where a pedestrian was killed by a drunk driver who had a blood alcohol level three times higher than the legal limit. If you've been seriously injured by a drunk driver, please call our law firm so you can speak to a real attorney for free. Our number is 1-800-752-0042.

Fatal Accident on U.S. 17 in South Carolina due to Wrong-Way Driver

Wrong-way driving is reckless and highly irresponsible, especially if it's determined you were drinking and driving. This blog discusses a recent wrong-way driver accident which caused a loss of life on U.S. 17 in South Carolina.

Wayne County Pedestrian Killed after Being Struck by NCDOT Snowplow

NC DOT snowplow runs over Goldsboro, North Carolina (NC) pedestrian causing the pedestrian's death. Investigation is underway in regards to this snowplow accident that caused the loss of life of a pedestrian. Read our injury law firm articles and blogs on the laws applying to pedestrians and how they are vulnerable when walking or crossing highways and roads, and call us for a free initial consultation.

4 Yr Old Dies in Fatal Catawba County, North Carolina Crash

Emily Mapp Brannon recently blogged about a tragic car crash that resulted in the death of a young boy in Catawba County, North Carolina. The speed related car crash has left the mother in critical condition. If you have been injured in a similar type of accident, then we may be able to help. We promise to treat you like family, not like a number. Call us to see what we mean at 1-800-752-0042 and take a moment to review our website filled with free consumer guides, articles, and videos.

Passenger in Vehicle Killed by Speeding Driver on Murrayville Road

If you were a passenger in a vehicle and were injured, or a loved one was injured, due to the recklessness of a driver, please give our firm a call. You may have grounds for an injury claim, but do not worry. You will not be required to file a claim against the driver (who may be a personal friend or relative). You'll only be required to file a claim against the insurance company.

Teen Dies In Siler City, North Carolina Car Crash

Emily Brannon recently blogged about a tragic teen death in Siler City, North Carolina (N.C.) where he lost control of the car he was driving. Although the fatal accident has been under investigation, she writes in her post that in many traffic accidents, road conditions and highway design is often overlooked as a possible cause of a vehicular crash.

Fatal Head-On Collision Kills Raleigh Nurse

A recent two car accident in Raleigh, NC took the life of Teresa Bagley Weintraub, 57.  Weintraub was on her way to work, where she was employed as a nurse for Duke Raleigh Hospital . She was struck head-on by an oncoming car driven by Aleksey Glazunov, 24.  Weintraub was pronounced dead at the scene. 

According to the Raleigh police, Aleksey Glazunov was passing another vehicle on Skycrest Drive when he lost control and slammed into Weintraub's oncoming car. Originally, Raleigh police had filed misdemeanor charges of death by motor vehicle; they have since upgraded the charge to involuntary manslaughter. It is possible that they reconsidered after examining Glazunov's criminal record laced with speeding violations. After hearing of Glazunov's release after posting a $2,000 bail, Weintraub's family was rightfully outraged considering his past history.

It is hard to imagine how often someone is killed in a car crash through no fault of their own. Reality hits hardest when a tragic event such as this happens to someone we know or love. I did not know the victim, but my prayers go out to the Weintraub family and all those that had the good fortune to know her. We should all be grateful for each day we have to share with those we love.  

 

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ATV Crash Kills North Carolina Man on Christmas Morning

In many ways the headline above could be written every week in almost every state of America. Not to detract attention to the tragedy that surrounds the Christmas morning death of this young man, but unfortunately, this type of ATV accident is an all too common occurrence. Authorities say that the man died after his all-terrain vehicle overturned on him along a road in Mars Hill, NC near  Asheville.

N.C. Troopers reported to the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper that the crash happened around 2 a.m. Friday. Although the victim may have not been wearing a helmet, in many instances an overturned ATV accident can kill or seriously injure the rider by way of a crushed chest, a collapsed windpipe, or most likely a broken neck from the impact of the recreational vehicle's weight.

Tragically, hundreds of young people, especially children 16 years or younger, are catastrophically injured or killed in ATV accidents each year. As reported from recent research provided by the Children's Hospital of Ohio, as many as 136,000 victims of ATV accidents end up in the emergency rooms each year. What is particularly disturbing is that close to one-third of these wrecks involve children who are 16 years old or younger. Many hundreds of young people suffer from injuries that are severe enough to include traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries. Accidents that can leave them disabled for duration of their lives.

My prayers go out to the family and friends of this young man. Having to deal with major or catastrophic injuries where it involves younger victims is extremely devastating for their families as well. This young man has had his life snuffed out prematurely all on the account of relying on the safety standards that are claimed by the ATV companies stating it is "safe" recreational fun.

This fatal accident should serve as a reminder to us all that ATVs are unsafe and should not be ridden without realizing you are taking your life in your hands. It requires a great amount of skill to drive an all-terrain vehicle, which can reach speeds of 100 mph and typically weighs many thousand pounds. Please do not believe that what the ATV industry wants you to think: that an ATV is good, clean, safe family fun that anyone can have even if you have no driver's license.

Please follow this list of safety tips whenever you or a family member operates any ATV:Get trained

• Wear a helmet
• No children on adult ATVs
• Don't ride tandem
• Don't ride on pavement
• Don't ride under the influence

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Deadly Fayetteville, North Carolina Head-On Collision Kills Three

As reported by WRAL news, a Ford Mustang, driven by Tristan Hanna, 26, of Webster, N.Y., hit a Ford Explorer driven by Hien Truong, 26, of Parkton, North Carolina.

Two Killed in Orange County, North Carolina as Amtrak Train Hits Car

Two people were killed as an Amtrak train was making its way from Charlotte to New York slammed into a car at an Orange County, North Carolina railroad crossing. According to NC Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeff Gordon, the car was in the process of crossing the railroad tracks in the town of Elfland, North Carolina Tuesday morning when it was struck by the train.

ATV Hazards Analyzed as Wilmington, NC Man Dies in Collision

  
According to Wilmington, North Carolina police department, a driver of an ATV died while colliding into a truck. WECT News Channel 6 reported that Ronny Paul Ballard, 32, was on an ATV when it collided with the truck. The accident occurred on Shipyard Boulevard near the intersection of Carolina Beach Road.  Ballard was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center where he later would die.

It has been nearly 20 years since the federal government declared ATVs an "imminent hazard". By public outcry and political pressure, manufacturers were forced to drop unstable three-wheel models in favor of the four-wheelers in today's ATV market. Regulators were able to make the entire industry to adopt safety warnings as well as offer rider training in an effort to stem off the rising death rates from riding such vehicles.

Federal officials have fallen down on the job since then and have done little more than count the dead as proven by grim body counts in most states. Over the past decade, ATVs have become immensely popular with almost 8 million in use. With this popularity has come record numbers of riders in emergency rooms and morgues. In 2002, ATV crashes resulted in 357 fatalities and 113,900 injured riders with the fatalities up by 67 percent from 1997. The number of injured riders more than doubled in the same time period.  A grim statistic that you won't  hear from ATV manufacturers is that 25% of the dead and nearly a 33% of the injured are children. While the death rates of youth using these vehicles has spiked in the U.S., the industry insists voluntary safety standards that are already in place are working.

It is ironic that as ATV companies have added new features such as four-wheel drive and power steering to allure more buyers, they haven't resolved the primary safety issue: overturns.  They flip over with terrible regularity and in the process smash faces, break necks and crush chests. ATV manufacturers like Honda, Polaris, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Bombardier and Arctic Cat all insist that their machines are stable and safe if operated properly.

Faulting naïve riders for accidents, Honda's safety slogan is "stupid hurts". Although reckless driving can be blamed in some instances, the federal government has not done any real testing of safety on ATVs since the early 1990's.  It is clear that as casualties continue to spike in ATV related accidents that there is a growing list of concerned  trauma surgeons, pediatricians, public health officials, consumer advocates and bereaved parents who are demanding action for improved safety regulations and changes for these dangerous vehicles.

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Durham, N.C. Amtrak Train Collides with SUV Killing Brothers Inside

Recently, two young brothers tragically lost their lives after an Amtrak Train in Durham, North Carolina hit the SUV their mother was driving. The passenger train operated by Norfolk Southern Railroad hit the trapped SUV near the intersection of Ellis Road and Angier Avenue.

In what appears to be a terrible accident, the boys mother, Deborah Bingham, was driving the SUV when she got stuck between the train track‘s crossing arms while waiting in traffic. What transpired next was a panicked and horrifying moment that ended in the tragedy as the train smashed into the vehicles with its occupants inside. According to authorities, the two children were killed instantly.

Although no charges have been filed, this fatal railroad-crossing incident has remained under investigation. Witnesses of the wreck report that the mother was trying to save her children when the Amtrak passenger train came rolling through at close to 80mph as it struck the right-rear quarter panel of the Ford Exporer.

A released 911 call told the dispatcher that Bingham was trying to get off the track when the crossing arms lowered. An eyewitness said, "She was trying to cut through, and she tried to back up. She could not. She was blocked. She was forced to stay there, and the train hit her."   

According to Norfolk Southern Railroad spokesperson Robin Chapman, "vehicles should normally be able to break through crossing arms when they are down." The railway official when on to say that, "the gate's activation system and lights appeared to be working properly."

Within the Raleigh News and Observer article about the wreck, it mentioned that a surveillance video from nearby New York Mini Mart showed the train approaching the intersection before the crash. It went on to quote the man working the convenience store, Ahmed Naji, who said, "there are often close calls at the crossing, that people are going by the street and the train has the road closed, so they have no choice but to stop in the middle of the road," Naji said.    

There are no words to describe the loss and sorrow being felt by the boy's family. They will be sadly missed by friends from their nearby school they attended. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Bingham family in this time of terrible loss and tragedy. The boys were noted by school officials as "being very bright and hardworking students" and "having been very well-liked by their classmates."

North Carolina State acknowledges that it wants to alter this particular intersection and that 11 such crashes have been reported there since 1975 according to the Federal Railroad Administration. According to official federal statistics, the U.S. has approximately 227,000 highway-rail grade crossings - 140,000 are at publicly owned highways and 87,000 are at privately owned roads. Overall, train-vehicle collisions are the second leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the United States as stated by the FRA data. Nearly one-quarter of all crossing collisions involve the motor vehicle striking the side of a train that is already fully occupying the crossing.

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Two Fatal Crashes in Charlotte, NC Leaving One Dead

Two separate accidents took place in Charlotte, NC which killed one person and sent another one to hospital with serious injuries.  The first accident happened at around 9 p.m. Wednesday in Queen City Drive near Gateway Boulevard.  Jason Havard, 31 was in a motorcycle when it swerved off the center line and off the roadway.  Apparently, Havard was over speeding and was thrown off the motorcycle about 40 feet away.  He died at the scene of the accident.

The second accident took place 30 minutes later at the intersection of South McDowell and 4^th Streets.  A pedestrian was crossing the street when a vehicle hit her from nowhere. She was immediately rushed to Carolinas Medical Center where she was listed to be in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.  The two accidents are still under investigation and no word yet if the driver who hit the pedestrian will be charged.

The first accident was reported to be driver's fault in which he was speeding over the limit which caused the motorcycle to swerve off the road, killing him.  Motorcycle drivers should be careful and moderate their speed, unlike cars; motorcycles do not have the stability having only two wheels.  Among motorcycle accidents, there is a high probability that the driver would most likely sustain a serious, if not fatal, injuries. 

According to pedestrian crash statistics an estimated 70,000 pedestrians were injured or killed in motor vehicle collisions, which represents 2% of the 2.9 million total persons injured in traffic crashes.  It should be noted that pedestrians have a higher chance of avoiding these types of accidents by crossing on designated sidewalks only and anticipating oncoming vehicles.  Likewise, drivers should avoid speeding, especially at pedestrian crossings.

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