Tweeting and Driving Just as Dangerous as Texting and Driving

Tweeting and driving is not safer than texting while driving. If you tweet while you’re driving, you are distracted and could get into a serious car accident. To learn more, check out this blog.

Bike Accidents on the Rise in North Carolina

Over 1,000 bike riders were injured in bicycle-car accidents in 2007 in North Carolina (NC). The number of bike-car wrecks has been steadily increasing in NC and something needs to be done to reduce the number of accidents. To learn more, check out this blog.

6-Year-Old Girl Killed By Crushed Roof in SUV Rollover Accident

An SUV rollover accident in Hillsborough, North Carolina (NC) led to the tragic death of a 6-year-old girl. A part of the roof was crushed when the SUV flipped. To learn more about car/SUV rollover dangers as well as seat belt and window glass/glazing defects, read this blog.

What To Do When a Traffic Light Malfunctions

A broken traffic light at Skinner’s Bypass in North Carolina (NC) led to a car wreck and multiple injuries. The light had been malfunctioning for about five minutes prior to the accident. Many people have trouble determining what to do when they encounter a malfunctioning traffic signal. Learn what to do in this situation by reading this blog.

North and South Carolina Roads Called “Silent Killers”

Both U.S. 129 and Interstate 26 in the Carolinas were described as “silent killers” and some of the deadliest roads in the country. In fact, over 300 people have been killed on I-26 in the past decade. To learn more, check out this article.

Road Safety and Weather Conditions in North Carolina

Weather conditions don’t just affect road safety in the winter. Spring, summer, and fall all present their own unique traffic safety risks. Read on to learn what can, and should be done, to improve traffic safety in North Carolina (NC).

Texting Motor Bike Rider Seriously Injured in Accident on N.C. 10

A motor bike rider and a passenger were seriously injured after they slammed into a pickup truck on N.C. 10 near Claremont, North Carolina (NC). The motorcycle operator was texting just prior to the wreck. Check out this article to learn more.

Red Light Runner Causes Accident in Charlotte, Two Pedestrians Seriously Injured

Four people suffered serious injuries after a driver ran a red light, hit a car, and wound up propelling that car onto a sidewalk and hitting two pedestrians. This accident is a prime example of why red light runners are so dangerous in North Carolina (NC) and across the country. To learn more, check out this article.

Accident Involving Red Light Runner Leaves Three People Seriously Injured

Three people suffered serious injuries in a car crash where one of the drivers ran a red light. Unfortunately, red light runner accidents are far too common on our roads and highways. To learn more, check out this article.

NC Highway Patrol Involved in Seven Car Wrecks per Week

Over $1 million in taxpayer funds has been spent to settle lawsuits and repair damaged cruisers stemming from accidents that were caused by a North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper. To learn more, check out this article.

Motorcycle Crash in North Carolina Takes Life of Woman, Four Dead in Past Two Weeks

The risk of injury or loss of life in a motor bike accident is dramatically higher than if you’re involved in a car accident. In fact, a motor bike rider is 9 times more likely to be injured in an accident than someone driving a car. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident that was due to someone else’s carelessness, please contact our firm for a free, new client consultation. Our number is 1-800-752-0042.

Motorcycle Rider Killed in Bluffton, South Carolina

The motorcycle rider was hit by a Volvo on U.S. 278 near the University of South Carolina’s Bluffton campus. This fatal motor bike accident remains under investigation. If you’re a motor bike rider who has been hurt in an accident due to the carelessness of another person, please give our firm a call for a free consultation. Our number is 1-800-752-0042

Blue Ridge High School Student Killed in Car Crash

We don't know what caused the car wreck on Ridge Road, but we do know the ramifications - the passenger (a Blue Ridge High student) was killed and the driver was seriously injured. Any loss of life is terrible, but it's especially tragic when someone so young is taken from us. If you've lost a loved one in a car wreck and feel it was due to the carelessness of another person or company, please contact our firm so we can talk about what happened. Our number is 1-800-752-0042.

Distracted Driving Second Most Common Cause of Car Crashes in North Carolina

Texting while driving is one of the least safe things you can do while behind the wheel. In fact, studies indicate it's 23 times more dangerous than not texting. This may be what's led distracted driving to become the second most common cause of car crashes in North Carolina (NC). Check it this blog to learn more.

Two Teenagers Critically Injured in Car Accident in Knightdale, North Carolina

According to North Carolina State Trooper, Beckley Vaughn, “Statistics show that teenagers are in some of the highest fatality groups and certainly some of the highest accident groups.” The car accident that occurred on Puryear Road in Knightdale, North Carolina (NC) recently proves Beckley Vaughn is right in his assessment.  

Two teenagers, students at East Wake High School, were traveling back to East Wake from lunch when their car went off the road, hit an embankment, and flipped over several times. The driver and the passenger in the car accident where sent to a local North Carolina hospital. The driver was released later in the day, but the other teenager is still in the hospital suffering from critical injuries.

The car accident was investigated by North Carolina State Troopers who feel speed was a major factor in the crash.

 

If you have a teenage driver at home, discuss the seriousness of speeding and reckless driving as often as you can. By using real life examples, highlighting statistics like the one given by North Carolina State Trooper, Beckly Vaughn, and keeping an open line of communication between you and your young driver, you may be able to prevent another teen car accident from occurring in North Carolina. (NC)

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Man Dies in Three-Vehicle Car Accident in Dunn, North Carolina

One man is dead and three others, including a child, are in the hospital recovering from serious injuries after a car accident in Dunn, North Carolina (NC).

 

Roy English, a 78-year-old man from Wallace, was traveling through the intersection of North Carolina Highway 55 and Highway 242 when a Dodge truck, driven by Joseph Bayfden, ran a stop sign and struck Roy English’s car. Shortly after the initial collision, another vehicle crashed in to English’s car and the Dodge truck caught fire.

 

Tragically, Roy English and his wife Robbie English were transported to WakeMed hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina (NC) where Roy English died as a result of injuries sustained in the car accident. Robbie English is still at WakeMed hospital recovering from serious injuries. Joseph Bayfden and his child were also taken to WakeMed hospital where they are recovering. Two other passengers in English’s car and the passengers in the third vehicle involved in the accident were not injured.

 

Sadly, there is nothing Roy English could have done to avoid the car accident and it is unlikely that the driver of the third vehicle involved could have avoided hitting the accident scene.

 

Stop signs are far easier to miss then red traffic lights. It is also more difficult for law enforcement officers to catch violators at stop signs. Several traffic lights have had red camera lights installed that catch violators in the act even if a police officer is not looking; however, no policy exists yet for stop signs. As a driver the best thing you can do to avoid being in a car accident with someone who has run a stop sign is to use extreme caution when crossing any intersection. Remember that stop signs are not always visible to other drivers, or the driver may simply be distracted, causing them to miss the sign.

 

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys have handled thousands of automobile negligence cases involving cars, trucks, trains, and motorcycles. We would be pleased to send you one of our FREE reports about car accident cases, including our special report on distracted driving or our Best Guide to Car Accident Injuries in North Carolina. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

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Electric Motorcycle Company Zero Issues Recall After Reported Injuries

Zero Motorcycles, a California (CA) based company that makes electric motorcycles, has issued a recall for their 2009 Zero X and MX brand motorcycles after three injuries were reported.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the electric motorcycles have a throttle that can become stuck in the open position or disconnect entirely. The defect can cause unexpected acceleration which may lead to serious injury or even death if a motorcycle accident occurs.

Zero Motorcycles is offering to send a new dashboard to any owner. The new dashboard has a mechanism which prevents a motorcycle to turn on if the bike's throttle is engaged which will prevent the bike from unexpected acceleration. Zero Motorcycles says the installation of the dashboard can be easily completed by any owner.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission urges anyone who owns a Zero X or MX brand motorcycle made between December 2008 and 2009 to discontinue use immediately until the faulty part can be corrected.

So far the three injuries reported have been non-life threatening, however, that may change if owners continue to drive the motorcycle. Thousands of motorcycle wrecks occur each year in the United States and the majority of these are single vehicle wrecks. This means that the driver either lost control or had engine problems with their motorcycle that led to an accident. Faulty parts like these which cause rapid acceleration could easily turn in to a deadly situation for drivers.

 

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law with experience handling motorcycle accident cases. Check out this case result involving a motorcycle and a pick-up truck. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Involved in Fatal Car Accident Resigns

My colleague, Richard Shapiro, recently wrote an article following  up on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer that resigned after being involved in a fatal car accident.
 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Involved in Fatal Car Accident Resigns

One person dead and others injured after a car accident in Raleigh, North Carolina

My colleague, Richard Shapiro, recently wrote of a fatal car accident in Raleigh, North Carolina. One woman was found dead and several were injured. Read more about what led up to this car accident here;

One person dead and others injured after a car accident in Raleigh, North Carolina

Car Crushed in Accident on I-77 in South Carolina

A major car-truck wreck on Interstate 77 (I-77) near the border of North Carolina and South Carolina totaled a Ford Thunderbird. Did the people inside survive? Read this article to find out.

Truck-Bus Crash Injured Six Young Children in Charlotte, NC

The truck slammed into the back of the bus on Nevin Road. Six children were hurt, as was the bus driver and the at-fault truck driver. To learn more about this truck-bus crash, take a look at this article.

Faison, North Carolina Man Critically Injured in Accident with Tractor Trailer

John Thomas Ball Jr. from Faison, North Carolina (NC) was traveling on Interstate 40 near Old Mountain Road when he collided with a tractor trailer. The tractor trailer, driven by Pacquin Fields, had stopped at a construction zone. John Thomas Ball Jr. was not able to stop in time safely behind the truck and slammed in to the back.   

 

Ball’s vehicle broke through the support beam that is supposed to stop underride crashes and went under the tractor trailer. The rear axle of the truck broke, causing extensive damage to Ball’s vehicle.

 

Ball was airlifted to the Carolinas Medical Center, where he is still being treated for serious injuries sustained in the trucking accident.

 

As a personal injury attorney I have seen countless accidents involving tractor trailers. Trucking accidents are often far more dangerous for drivers then typical car accidents. Tractor trailers are several times the weight and size of a vehicle and can do extensive damage in even small accidents.

 

As drivers we have to be extremely cautious around large trucks, especially on the highway. In the case of John Thomas Ball, the truck had come to a complete stop on the highway and even though the truck was equipped with a support beam, the device failed and caused Ball to go under the truck. Ball’s injuries may not have been so serious if this had not happened.

 

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law with experience handling truck accidents. Read our case results to see for yourself. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). . Our attorneys have handled thousands of automobile negligence cases involving trucks, cars, trains, and motorcycles. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service

 

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Steps to Choosing a Nursing Home and How to Spot Nursing Home Abuse

Looking for information about how to best choose a nursing home? If so, check out this article. It also contains information about what to look for so your loved one does not become the victim of nursing home abuse.

Medical Device Safety Act Needs to Become Law

Victims of faulty medical devices are unable to hold the companies which produce these shoddy products liable. This makes no sense, which is why the Medical Device Safety Act needs to become law. It’ll help restore victim’s rights in these situations. To learn more, check out this article.

New Study Shows Workplace Injuries May Go Untreated

Companies are required to log any employee injury that results in time off or medical care. These logs are used by regulators to determine the safety of a company. A safer company means less safety inspections, more contracts, and lower worker’s compensation costs. An ideal situation for a company to be in, however, the way some companies are going about lowering their medical claims is anything but ideal.

 

Recently, the U.S. Government Accountability Office conducted a study of companies medical care practices. The GAO surveyed 504 medical practitioners and company doctors, of these doctors over 1/3 reported they were asked to provide inadequate medical treatment to employees so companies did not have to report the injury on their logs. More then half of the doctors stated they were pressured by company leaders to downplay serious injuries, and more then 2/3 knew of employees who feared reporting injuries at all.

 

 The U.S Government Accountability Office does not feel that safety regulators have done enough to ensure that workplace injuries are accurately reported. The Federal OSHA, an organization which oversees safety regulators, said they would follow the recommendations laid out by the GAO. However, the Federal OSHA only covers about half of the United States, meaning states like North Carolina (NC) do not have to adopt these policies at all.

 

It is uncertain at this time if North Carolina (NC) will adhere to the recommendations laid out by the GAO or if the state will push companies to change their reporting policies at all. If you have already been injured at work and feel your medical treatment was inadequate you do have options. A personal injury attorney can work with you to determine where your company or their doctors failed and get you the compensation you need to get back on your feet.

 

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and we have experience handling medical malpractice cases. Check out our case results to see for yourself. Our law firm has offices in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (NC) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA). Our attorneys have handled thousands of medical malpractice cases including surgical errors, misdiagnosis, and negligence. We would like to send you one of our FREE reports about medical malpractice, including our Top 10 Tips from a Medical Malpractice Insider and our special report on the top 5 surgical errors you need to know about. Our lawyers hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. We are ready to talk to you by phone right now—we provide free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube .  In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as well as the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service.

 

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