North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Blog

North Carolina Ranks #2 in Teenage Deaths From Car Accidents

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:30:03 -0500

Our Charlotte North Carolina car accident attorneys have confirmed what we had already suspected for years. According to a recent report by the Governor's Highway Safety Association, the state of North Carolina ranks second in the entire United States for the number of deaths of 16 and 17 year olds as a result of car accidents. As a result of these frightening statistics, there are various programs developing across the country to try and help reduce the number of teenage fatalities through education and awareness.

One of these is a local non-profit program called StreetSafe, which was started by a retired police officer to make the learning experience as much fun as possible in hands-on situations with certified law enforcement and fire department personnel. In a recent SafeStreet program, some 130 teenagers participated along with their parents on a Saturday at Apex High School in Apex, Wake County, North Carolina. For those interested, there will be programs in Johnston County and other schools in the near future. Some of the topics covered are safe driving practices and the non-use of cell phones, texting devices and GPS devices, which cause driver inattention, in addition to the dangers of attempting to operate a vehicle while being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. To emphasize the dangers of trying to operate a vehicle in an impaired state, students were asked to drive a golf cart while using goggles simulating intoxication. Quickly the teens realized how difficult it was to operate the golf cart and how easy it would be to turn it over or have an accident under those circumstances.

The experience made some parents recall tragedies when they were young. One father of a student, Martin Burke, said it reminded him of a car accident that claimed the life of his best friend when he was 17 years old. He felt like the program was helpful to teenagers to make them recognize the dangers and responsibilities that come with driving a car. From the standpoint of a student, Ryan Rackliff said "I try to drive safe but I'm just inexperienced, so it's good to learn some stuff out here."

The Governor's Highway Safety Association findings confirm that teen auto accidents are one of the leading causes of teenage deaths in North Carolina and across the country. Inexperience coupled with various distractions that teenagers face such as talking to friends, texting, talking on their cell phones, following a GPS device offering directions or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, all create the perfect storm for an accident involving horrific injuries and even death. Drivers who are drunk or on their cell phones quadruple their likelihood of their having an accident and those who text while driving are eight more times likely to be involved in a collision.

Five Car Accident in North Carolina Claims Life of Cameron Man

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:32:37 -0500

Our North Carolina car accident lawyers hate to hear the news of a multiple vehicle crash on one of our state highways because they nearly always result in serious injuries or death.

Recently a five-vehicle crash occurred on N.C. 211 west of Taylortown and near the rear entrance to Pinewild Country Club. The North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated and Trooper J.C. Burroughs said that Stevie Lee Holder, 47, from Cameron, was going east on N.C. 211 in a 2000 Ford pickup when hit rear-ended a 2003 Toyota knocking it off the road and down an embankment. The driver of the Toyota claimed she was slowing down because of the construction on N.C. 211 causing vehicles in front to come to a stop. Holder's pickup rolled over and hit a 2004 Ford Explorer causing a chain reaction involving two other vehicles. The Toyota received heavy rear damage and was driven by Jane Ellison Austgen, 65 years of age, who was not seriously injured. Holder, who was alone at the time, was taken to First Health Moore Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The area where the accident occurred has been under construction since November 2011, when the $29.4 million project began to widen the roadway to a four lane highway with a grassy median. The N.C. Department warned drivers to be cautious when driving through the construction zone and to pay particular attention to flagmen directing traffic for trucks entering and exiting the area. They said traffic congestion will continue during times when there are lane closures in the project area. However, in order to accommodate traffic during peak hours, no closures will be made from 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. There will also be no closures between Gun Club Drive and the Pinehurst traffic circle between 6 AM and 8 PM, Monday through Friday. Construction is said to continue until June 2014.

North Carolina Man Convicted of Murder in DWI Case is Released After 15 Years in Prison

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:07:14 -0500

Our North Carolina Car Accident Attorneys have seen all types of accidents in the nearly 40 years of combined experience that they have. The story below reminds us that our lives can change forever in a split second while driving a car or operating any kind of motor vehicle.

Thomas Richard Jones, 54, is leaving prison on April 10, 2012, after serving roughly 15 years in a case that led to the North Carolina Supreme Court case which ruled that impaired drivers cannot face first-degree murder charges. The news opened old wounds and painful memories of the two Wake Forest University sophomores who were killed on September 4, 1996 shortly after 10:30 PM in a car accident when their vehicle was struck at an intersection by Jones, who had been drinking, taking prescription medications and had been convicted of 20 prior traffic violations, including driving while intoxicated. The girls had all piled into Fiona Penney's Mazda to go to a party. Maia Witzi and Julie Hanson were both 19 year old college students known for their community involvement and members of Chi Omega sorority. Jones struck their vehicle broadside after already hitting another car only a few blocks earlier and fleeing. Aline Iodice, Paige Warren and Fiona Penney all suffered serious injuries. Witzi and Hanson were killed.

In 1997, Jones became the first person in North Carolina convicted of first-degree murder in an impaired-driving case. The North Carolina Supreme Court overturned the conviction saying prosecutors were wrong to pursue 1st degree murder in a DWI case. A new trial was ordered and the case was retried in 2003, during which Jones entered a guilty plea to 2nd degree murder and was sentenced to 15 to 18 years and 9 months, with credit for time served. The case made headlines as well as impacting DWI laws across the country.

Cause Of Many Teenage Car Accidents Attributed To Electronic Devices

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:55:10 -0500

Use of electronic devices by North Carolina teenagers has been proven to be the cause of most teen car accidents. North Carolina teens were recently the focus of a study conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Results were released in an article entitled Distracted Driving Among Newly Licensed Teen Drivers. The study concluded that the use of electronic devices was overwhelmingly the number one distraction for teen drivers.

North Carolina teens were the focus of the sample group. Video recordings of 52 North Carolina teenagers between the age of 16 and 18 were observed. Sixty-three percent were 16 years old, seventeen percent were 17 years old and 19 percent were 18 years old. The video recordings captured teens drinking, eating, reading, turning around to talk to people inside the car or outside. The top factor serving as a distraction for teenagers was the use of electronic devices.

The study also concluded that females were twice as likely to use their phones while driving and males were twice as likely to turn around in their seat to talk to passengers or someone outside the vehicle. The findings also revealed that the use of electronic devices increased proportionately with their age, as older and more experienced high school drivers were observed using them. Interestingly, traffic conditions being light, moderate or heavy had no real bearing on the teenage drivers' inattentiveness, but poor or challenging weather conditions such as rain did result in less driver distraction.

Clearly, this study just released in March 2012 confirms that the use of electronic devices is the primary cause of teenage driver distraction and one of the reasons that auto accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths.

There isn't a day that goes by without seeing someone driving in the traffic lane next to you reading the paper, putting on makeup, combing their hair, shaving, eating, drinking, not watching the cars around them, talking on the phone, texting or looking at their Blackberry or iPhone. All of this plus, of all things, driving an automobile in heavy traffic and perhaps even at high speeds. Each and every one of us has at some time been distracted while driving and talking on the phone. Studies have shown that drivers talking on their cell phones or while drunk are four times more likely to cause an accident. Texting drivers are even worse. They are eight times more likely to cause an accident.

Dangerous School Crossings in North Carolina Result in 3 Major Accidents

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:56:16 -0500

A Charlotte pedestrian was recently hit by a car and killed. Brittany Palmer, 18, was killed when she was attempting to cross Eastway Drive near Garinger High School. Another pedestrian from West Charlotte High School received serious injuries outside that school. Matthews Police Department then reported that a David Butler High School student was hit by a driver on Matthews-Mint Hill at Swain north of Interstate 485 and East Independence Boulevard. The police investigation revealed that the young man was walking along the side of the road when he accidentally stepped onto the roadway in front of oncoming traffic. Reportedly no charges will be filed against the driver of the vehicle. The boy was treated at the scene by MEDIC and it was confirmed that his injuries were not critical although he was taken to the hospital for observation.

Several neighbors in the vicinity of the accident indicated that the area is very dangerous because the roadway is heavily traveled and they see drivers speeding, making illegal U-turns and breaking the law there all the time. Some parents of Butler students say that the danger is created where Matthews Township Parkway turns into Matthews-Mint Hill Road. At that point there is no warning signs, traffic signals or designated crosswalks for children leaving the school and needing to cross at Swain and Brandywine. Parents have been up in arms about the situation and traffic engineers with the North Carolina Department of Transportation are considering the intersection for potential improvements, as reported by FOX Charlotte. Parents of children at Garinger High School have also been petitioning for more and better safety measures outside that school.

Are You Really Covered?

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:02:17 -0500

Often times, people who think they have adequate insurance learn otherwise after being involved in an accident. Some will purchase auto insurance based on price alone, and following an accident, may find they still have significant out of pocket expenses. Unfortunately, insurance agents don't take the time to explain different coverage options or the drastic effect that selecting the wrong coverage could have on you or a family member. Below, we discuss the different types of coverage that are available to you and guide you to making the right choice when buying insurance.

Bodily Injury
If you cause an accident, this coverage will pay the medical expenses of the injured person(s). In North Carolina, the mandatory minimum bodily injury limits are $30,000 per person, not to exceed $60,000 per accident (30/60), regardless of how many people are injured. Most people carrying these low limits do so because they think they have little or no assets to lose if they are sued, the think it will cost too much to buy more coverage, or they are not aware that higher limits are available.

Most consumers would be surprised to learn that the cost to increase their bodily injury liability limits does not cost that much in comparison to the premium they are already paying, which may explain why insurance agents do not make an effort to sell these higher limits. We recommend bodily injury limits of at least 100/300. Of course, if you have significant assets, you should consider limits in accordance with the value of your assets. Call your agent today. You may be surprised to find out how little it costs to increase your coverage.

Unbelted Teen Dies In Crash

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:38:55 -0500

A 14 year old student athlete is dead following a Charlotte car accident involving a hit and run driver, and a driver who did not ensure that her passengers were properly restrained before getting on the road. Fourteen year old David Bell was killed when he was ejected from a vehicle operated by Ginna Stamps. Stamps was driving Bell and other teens home from a basketball game Saturday night when her vehicle was sideswiped by a vehicle that fled the scene. Stamps then lost control of her vehicle, skid across all lanes of I485, and hit the median, which caused her vehicle to flip, ejecting Bell and 2 other unrestrained teens. North Carolina Highway Patrol says it is following several leads to determine the identity of the hit and run driver.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the leading cause of death in the 3 to 14 year old age group is car accidents. A recent study has found that 46% of the nearly 5,600 children aged 14 and under that were killed in car accidents in 2008 were not properly restrained. It seems that almost every day, we read about young people who die in car accidents, and then we learn that their deaths likely could have been prevented had they buckled their seatbelts. Stamps, the parent of one of the teens ejected, and the person responsible for the safety of her passengers, was responsible to make sure all of her passengers were properly restrained before ever putting her car in drive. Even though Stamps was the victim of a hit and run, she is not without blame in the wrongful death of David Bell, and the serious injuries of the other teens that were ejected from her vehicle. At the moment, Stamps has only been charged with seatbelt violations, a mere 2 points on her license and a $25 fine, while Bell and his family are paying the ultimate price.

Our sympathies go out to David Bell's family. It is difficult to understand the unnecessary loss of such a young life, and also difficult to determine who should be held responsible. An experienced North Carolina car accident attorney can sort through the details and obtain appropriate compensation.

Wilmington Car Accident Claims Three Lives

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:17:59 -0500

A Wilmington car accident has taken the lives of three people, and a fourth is expected to survive. The single car accident occurred on Forest Hills Drive. An SUV being driven by 22 year old Raphael Samuel was caught on surveillance video traveling at a very high rate of speed through the Forest Hills neighborhood in Wilmington, just seconds before it crashed into a tree.

Samuel was not wearing a seatbelt, nor were his passengers, 21 year old Yashica White, and 25 year old Shatia Hankins, who were also killed in this violent crash. A fourth passenger, Demond Jones, is expected to survive.

Police believe Samuel was on drugs when he crashed into a tree, and are continuing their investigation to determine what role, if any, drugs or alcohol played in this accident. According to a Wilmington Police Officer, Samuel's SUV was seen driving without headlights. The officer turned his patrol car around to follow, but did not activate its lights or siren. The officer reported that as he began to follow the SUV, it took off at a high rate of speed and was found moments later, crashed into a tree. Police estimate the SUV was traveling 85 mph on Forest Hills Drive, and was still going 80mph when it hit the tree. Forest Hills Drive has a posted speed limit of 25mph. There has been speculation that Samuel, a convicted felon, was fleeing from police.

Regardless of the reason Samuel was traveling so fast, these lives could have been spared had they only worn their seatbelts. There is no excuse for not being properly belted. Even pregnant women are advised to wear seatbelts. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that people between the ages of 16 and 24 have the lowest percentage of seatbelt use. Even more disturbing is the statistic that people in this age group represent not just the highest number of car accidents, but also the highest number of fatal car accidents.

Charlotte Sweethearts Killed In Davidson County Wreck

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:35:43 -0500

A Davidson County car accident has claimed the lives of Charlotte sweethearts Shavalos Jameson and Simone McDuffie, and has left Jameson's stepbrother Trevor Rutherford with life threatening injuries. According to North Carolina Highway Patrol, a car owned by Jameson was being driven by McDuffy when the vehicle abruptly turned into the guardrail on southbound US52 and careened off the bridge, falling nearly 50 feet and on to US64.

Together in life, together in death. Shavalos and Jameson had reportedly been dating for the 5 years since they met as high school students in Charlotte. Family members describe the pair as inseparable and recall how after McDuffie went off to college at Winston-Salem State University, Jameson would make the drive up to Winston Salem every weekend to pick up his fiancée and bring her home to Charlotte.

North Carolina State Troopers do not think that drugs or alcohol played a role in this tragic accident, and are continuing their investigation. Bobby McCall, next-door neighbor of Shavalos Jameson, told WSOC-TV that he had seen Jameson doing repair work on the car earlier that day and he had warned Jameson to be careful. McCall advised reporters that here had been a problem with the tie rod (part of the steering mechanism of the car).

3 Passengers Ejected, Toddler Dies, Driver Charged

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:48:44 -0500

A Greensboro car accident has left two people hospitalized, and a toddler has died as the result of his injuries following ejection from the vehicle. On Thursday morning, North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to an accident near the Alamance-Guilford line on I40/85. The driver of the vehicle, Sherika Chandler, lost control of her vehicle, left the roadway, and flipped several times before coming to its final stop off of the roadway. Witnesses to the crash believe the front end of Chandler's vehicle was in close proximity to the rear of a tractor trailer truck, but that there was no impact.

Troopers report that three of the vehicles six occupants were ejected from the vehicle. The injured passengers were initially taken to Alamance Regional Hospital, but were ultimately airlifted to other local hospitals, including Moses Cone Hospital. One of the 2 year old passengers has died from his injuries, having been ejected from the vehicle. Chandler, who has prior charges for speeding, driving with license revoked, and multiple charges for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute a schedule III substance, sale and delivery of a schedule III substance, and possession with intent to distribute a schedule IV substance, has been charged with Driving with Revoked License, Failure to Maintain Lane Control, and Failure to Restrain a Child.

Three Teens Ejected From Truck Following Drunk Driving Crash

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:50:52 -0500

A North Carolina drunk driving accident has left 3 teens hospitalized after being ejected from a vehicle Sunday night. North Carolina State Troopers report that 17 year old Keegan Robinson, a junior at East Carteret High School, was under the influence of alcohol when he was driving too fast, ran off the roadway, and over corrected, causing his pickup truck to strike a ditch and flip. Robinson and his two passengers, also high school students, were ejected from the vehicle. Charges against Robinson are pending.

All three teens were initially transported to Carteret General Hospital but were subsequently airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center for treatment of multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and head injuries. As of Wednesday, Robinson was still unconscious and in critical condition.

Hundreds of people attended a prayer service Tuesday at Cedar Island United Methodist Church. Hopefully, the members of this tight-knit community can identify the person who provided alcohol to these teens so that they can be held accountable.

Car Accident In Union County Leaves 1 Teen Dead, 4 Injured

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:07:41 -0500

In a completely preventable tragedy, a car accident in Union County took the life of Weddington High School student Riley Laymon. Four other students suffered serious injuries in the crash.

According to North Carolina State Troopers, a group of high school students were traveling on Antioch Road when the driver, 17 year old Robert Cooke III, lost control of the vehicle, a pickup truck, causing it to flip two times. Roads were wet Saturday, and Troopers believe Cooke was traveling too fast for conditions when he rounded a curve and went off the roadway, causing the truck to roll.

Cooke, who still had his provisional drivers license, was only lawfully allowed to have one passenger in the vehicle. He has been charged with Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, Failure to Comply with License Restrictions, and Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle.

Four of the five passengers in this Cooke's pickup truck were not wearing seatbelts. Three of the teens were completely ejected from the vehicle, and a fourth teen was partially ejected. Only the belted teen was not ejected, and she only suffered minor injuries and has already been released from the hospital.

One Teen Dead, One Teen In Jail Following Raleigh Drunk Driving Accident

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:26:19 -0500

A Raleigh drunk driving car accident has left one teenager dead and another in jail. The Raleigh Police Department has charged 16 year old Garrett Prince, a student at Millbrook High School, with Felony Death by Motor Vehicle, Driving While Impaired, Open Container of Alcohol, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving After Consuming Alcohol While Underage.

Fellow Millbrook High School student Elizabeth Molloy was killed when Prince rounded a curve at a high rate of speed and struck a tree. Police estimate that Prince was driving at approximately 75 miles per hour when he crashed. It is likely that Molloy would have survived the crash had she been wearing her seatbelt. Prince, who was also not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.

The accident occurred around 2am Friday morning after the teens left a party in the neighborhood where Prince crashed. Police found several empty alcoholic beverage bottles in Prince's vehicle.

This accident is a tragedy that could easily have been prevented. It has been reported that Prince was driving with a provisional drivers license. Holders of a level 2 provisional license are prohibited from driving after 9 pm unless they are driving to or from work.

Newly Licensed Teens At Much Higher Risk For Car Accident In North Carolina

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:15:07 -0500

Newly licensed teens are at a much higher risk for being involved in a car accident in North Carolina. A new study shows that a newly licensed teenage driver in North Carolina is 2 times more likely to crash during their first month of solo driving than they are following 2 years driving experience. The University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center was commissioned on behalf of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety to study the driving behavior of newly licensed drivers.

The study looked at 50 North Carolina families with teenagers applying for a learner's permit. Cameras were installed in their vehicles and recorded activity inside the car, and also activity in front of, and behind the vehicle. Parent interviews were conducted 10 times over the course of a year. The cameras monitored the teens while they were driving with their parents while they had their permits, as well as the first 6 months of solo driving with their provisional license. The study also analyzed the cause of crashes for newly licensed drivers in North Carolina.

In their analysis of the reasons why teens were crashing, they found 3 common behaviors:
-Failure to Reduce Speed
-Not Paying Attention
-Failure to Yield

Child Passenger Safety Week, September 18-24, 2011

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:04:11 -0500

The Charlotte, North Carolina car accident attorneys at Auger & Auger remind you that North Carolina Law requires that drivers and all passengers of a motor vehicle wear seatbelts, and that children under the age of 8 must be properly restrained in an appropriate car seat.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declared the week of September 18-24, 2011 as Child Passenger Safety Week. According to Seatcheck.org, up to 70% of car seats are not properly installed. To find a child car seat inspection station near you, click here.

According to NHTSA, the leading cause of death for children between 3 to 14 years of age is motor vehicle accidents, and on average, 4 children die each day in a car accident. Of the 5,598 children killed in car accidents in 2008, 46% were not wearing seatbelts. NHTSA recommends that all children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat.