Carolina Accident Attorney Blog

Wrong-Way Driver Kills Camp Luejuene, North Carolina Marine in Head On Crash

Driver Charged With DUI in Fatal Wrong Way Car Accident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

A Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (SC) woman, who struck and killed another driver while driving drunk, is now facing charges for a DUI involving death.

The woman, Lynne Slay, was driving the wrong way on US-17 Bypass when she collided with another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle, Barrianne Deas of Georgetown, died at the scene of the car accident after sustaining multiple traumas. The South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested Lynne Slay and took her to the J. Reuben Long Detention Center where she now faces DUI charges.

Drinking and driving is a serious, and often fatal, problem in the U.S. In South Carolina (SC), 46% of all fatal car accidents involved alcohol. Nationwide, over 11,000 people, like Barrianne Deas, die in drunk driving car accidents every year.

Drunk drivers are dangerous. Alcohol impairs the driver’s ability to reason and respond quickly. Slay traveling the wrong way on the US-17 Bypass is a perfect example of what can go wrong when a driver chooses to drink and drive. Often, drivers will miss key road signs. They can end up running red lights, speeding, or driving the wrong way.

The lawyers at Shaprio, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton compiled a list of ways you can spot a drunk driver and stay safe on South Carolina Roadways. This list includes; drivers who are driving far below or far above the posted speed limit, drivers who come close to hitting objects or other vehicles without noticing, and drivers who are driving erratically. Read through the list carefully, it might save your life.

Crashes over Thanksgiving Holiday Killed Five in Central North Carolina

Fatal Fayetteville, NC Crash Leaves One Dead and Another in Critical Condition

Verizon Wireless Supports the Ban on Texting and Driving in North Carolina

Texting and driving has been discussed a lot lately with the new North Carolina (NC) law coming in to effect on December 1^st  that prohibits any driver from texting or emailing while they are driving. Several advocacy groups have spoken out about the dangers of distracted driving, the North Carolina Highway Patrol started the Don’t Text and Drive campaign geared at North Carolina (NC) high school students, and now even Verizon Wireless is on board.

According to Verizon Wireless vice president and general counsel, Steven E. Zipperstein, “We support federal legislation to ban texting and e-mailing while driving.  This approach is a logical extension of our previous breaks with other wireless companies to support state-wide legislation banning texting and e-mailing while driving.” This is why the wireless giant created the “Don’t Text and Drive” ad campaign. The campaign includes television commercials, billboards, and radio ads all geared towards the importance of distracted driving. The ads are set to run through the holiday season, a time when the importance of keeping family safe is on everyone’s mind.

We at Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton agree with Verizon’s simple message, don’t text and drive. If you are texting you are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident. My colleague, Jim Lewis, wrote an article about a man who lost both of his legs after being hit by a driver who was texting. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of fatal car accidents and one of the easiest to prevent. Pay attention behind the wheel, no text message is worth your life.

You can obtain our free report on the dangerous of distracted driving and the steps you can take to avoid being in a car accident on our website.

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.

AC

Teenager Killed While Riding Bicycle in Dunn, North Carolina

Two teens were involved in a bicycle accident that tragically claimed the life of a young man in Dunn, North Carolina (NC).

The teenager was traveling south on his bicycle on Bud Hawkins Road shortly after nightfall when another teen driving a truck struck him from behind. The bicyclist was taken to Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the accident and does not feel drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash.

Any car or bicycle accident that claims a life is devastating, especially when that life is a young teenager. Sadly, teenagers often do not have enough experience driving around bicycles. When you factor in road systems inadequately designed for bicycle travel accidents can happen.

If you have a young driver on the road urge them to use caution around bicycles. Teenagers have not been driving long enough to always be able to accurately gauge a safe distance from bicycles, pedestrians, or even other vehicles. Practice driving around bicycles with your teenager and show them exactly what a safe distance would be. Practice goes a long way in preventing future car accidents.

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.

AC

Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter Charges after Car Accident

Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, Martray Proctor, pled not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges in response to a car accident he was involved in earlier this year.

Proctor was responding to assist another officer in a traffic stop. He was traveling on Old Statesville Road at 90 mph without his sirens or flashing lights on. Shatona Evette Robinson made a left turn on to Old Statesvill Road and Proctor collided with her vehicle. She had three passengers in her car at the time of the car accident; her two cousins Wyatt Morrison and Akeem Robinson, and her friend Topaz White. Morrison, Robinson and White were sent to a local hospital. Proctor was also treated. Tragically, 20-year-old Shatona Evette Robinson died from her injuries.

After the car accident, Martary Proctor resigned from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. My colleague, Richard Shapiro, wrote an article about his resignation in August. In addition to the charges placed against Proctor, he also faces a wrongful death lawsuit.

In all likelihood, this horrific accident may have been avoided if the warning lights or sirens were used. Sadly, that was not the case; a young life ended and several others were injured. The internal training staffs of the North Carolina (NC) police departments tirelessly work to improve road safety among their officers but accidents do happen. If you or someone you know was injured in a car accident involving a police officer you can get help. A personal injury attorney can work with you to help you get compensated for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

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 handle thousands of automobile negligence cases involving cars, trucks, trains, and motorcycles every day. 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. The Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton hold licenses in NC, VA, SC, WV, KY and DC. 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.

Fatal Hit and Run Driver Goes to Court in Raleigh, North Carolina

Underage Driver Causes Fatal Car Accident in Surry County, North Carolina

Crossing Light Added at Site of Fatal Car Accident in Cary, North Carolina

Driver Charged in Fatal Car Accident that Killed a North Carolina Toddler

The driver of the vehicle that caused the fatal car accident, claiming the life of a young North Carolina child, has been charged with a DUI.

Late last week a family from North Carolina (NC) was driving back from Sea World in Florida (FL) when their car was struck by another vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle was sent to a Florida (FL) hospital were he was treated for minor injuries. His nine year old son was sent to this hospital with a fractured skull. Tragically, his two year old daughter was also sent to a local Florida (FL) hospital, where she died three days later from injuries she sustained in the car accident.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the vehicle responsible for the car accident was arrested after the car accident and charged with a DUI and possession after the Florida Highway Patrol found cocaine in the passenger seat of his vehicle.

Per Florida (FL) law, the man’s driver’s license was automatically revoked for six months following the DUI charge. Florida Highway Patrol officers plan to upgrade the charge after the tragic death of the toddler.

The increased sentence is of little comfort to the North Carolina (NC) family following the tragic injuries of their young son and death of their toddler. As a personal injury attorney, I know first hand how easily a car accident can turn your life upside down and car accidents caused by someone driving under the influence only worsen the situation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost three of every ten drivers will be involved in a drunk driving accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also reported that nearly 1/3 of all car related fatalities occurred from drunk driving.

If you plan on drinking, play it safe and work out a designated driver plan before hand. The designated driver program has already saved countless lives and can save countless more if everyone who imbibes would participate.

AC

Beaufort County Woman Gets 14 Years in Prison for Fatal Crash

My law partner Jim Lewis wrote an article on the Northeast North Carolina InjuryBoard blog about a recent verdict handed down to a Beaufort county woman that will cause her to spend the next 14 years in prison.

Read the full article about the woman who killed her passenger in a car crash by her negligence had prior convictions.

Fayetteville Driver Killed When His SUV Slams Into a Tree

My fellow lawyer Emily Mapp Brannon wrote an article on the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard blog about a recent fatal SUV crash in Fayetteville last week.

Read the full article about the fatal SUV crash that killed the Fayetteville driver.

Beaufort County Teen Dies Following Memorial Day Crash

My fellow lawyer Emily Mapp Brannon wrote an article on the Northeast North Carolina InjuryBoard blog about a fatal car crash that killed a Beaufort County, North Carolina (NC) teen over the Memorial Day weekend. 

Read the full article about the nature of the accident that the 18 year old was involved in.

Garner High School Senior Killed in Car Wreck

My law partner Jim Lewis wrote an article on the Northeast North Carolina InjuryBoard blog about a recent death of a Garner High School student in Clayton, North Carolina (NC). 

Read the full article about the fatal teen crash and some alarming facts of teen driving risks.

Kannapolis, North Carolina Train Wreck Kills Two

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

Fatal Head-On Collision Kills Raleigh Nurse

Two Fatal Crashes in Charlotte, NC Leaving One Dead