Greensboro Personal Injury Lawyer

Low-Speed Car Wrecks, Falls Put Pregnant Women at Risk

Pierce Egerton — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:18:27 GMT

Fender-benders can be deadly for a fetus, according to several studies discussed in an article by Sherry Boschert. Even minor trauma, including low-speed car accidents and falls, can lead to placental abruption. The condition causes the placental lining to separate from the uterus and can cause maternal and fetal death.

Crash testing using “pregnant” dummies and computer modeling shows that “a frontal impact first throws the uterus forward against the abdominal wall,” and then the torso flexes forward and crushes the uterus between the torso and the knees. “All this creates a high degree of negative pressure in the back of the uterus that can pull the placenta off the uterine wall,” according to Dr. William G. Barson in Boschert’s article.

Symptoms of placental abruption vary and may include vaginal bleeding, contractions, abdominal tenderness, and decreased fetal movement. Though vaginal bleeding is typical in most cases, 20% of abruptions are associated with a concealed bleeding because the blood collects behind the placenta and is undetectable without internal observation. In the absence of vaginal bleeding—especially after the patient has experienced some minor trauma—contractions and uterine tenderness are revealing signs of placental abruption.

Abdominal trauma is a major risk for placental abruption, and commonly occurs during even gentle motor vehicle accidents. Lower seat belts should always be worn across the pelvis, never over the abdomen. Pregnant women involved in auto crashes should seek prompt medical care even if they have no symptoms.

Early detection of placental abruption is essential because even a relatively stable patient may rapidly progress to a state of hypovolemic shock. Electronic fetal monitoring should be performed for four hours on any pregnant woman who suffers an impact to the torso. In a study by the Jichi Medical School, cardiotocogram and echogram performed immediately after minor maternal trouble can reveal placental abruption and prevent further complications in women who are asymptomatic.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

RULE OF THE ROAD: Following Too Close Can Cause Trouble under Any Condition

Lawrence Egerton — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:51:29 GMT

A tractor-trailer overturned last Monday after blowing two tires in Davidson County, North Carolina. Five cars were “caught off guard” and crashed into each other as a result. In an article from digtriad.com, state troopers said that “the wreck had nothing to do with the weather,” in reference to the snowy conditions drivers faced.

The truck driver and five other people involved in the pile up were injured and traffic was backed up on I-85 for several hours.

These accidents did not occur because of the truck’s blown tires or the adverse weather conditions. Injuries and property damage could have been avoided had the drivers not been following too close to one another on the road.

Three car lengths, or even ten, may not be enough distance between cars!

RULE OF THE ROAD:

“A driver should keep her car far enough behind the vehicle in front of her so that if that vehicle suddenly turned into a BRICK WALL, she could stop her car before colliding with the other vehicle.”

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Lawrence Egerton

Rumble Strips: Not a Solution to Texting while Driving

Pierce Egerton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:53:45 GMT

Cell phones should—literally—take a back seat while you’re driving.

Cell phone use causes “as many as 28 percent of all traffic crashes” according to an article from the News & Observer of Raleigh on news-record.com. Drivers are too distracted to slow down, stop and avoid accidents. Drivers are especially disadvantaged if objects appear suddenly while they’re looking at a text message. If someone texts or uses other devices—like GPS and iPod—when they should be focused on the road, the disturbance compares to the effects of drinking and driving.

Buckley Strandberg, an insurance executive of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, admits that he manages business using his cell phone—including email—while driving long stretches of U.S. 64.

Quoted in the News & Observer of Raleigh, Strandberg stated, “If I run off the road, there are rumble strips that divert me back onto the road. That has happened occasionally. They seem to work, those rumble strips.”

Unfortunately, Strandberg’s daughter follows his poor example. Tyler Strandberg, 23, wrecked two different automobiles within five weeks because of cell phone distractions. The first wreck occurred when she was arguing on the phone with her father while driving under wintery conditions. Next, she wrecked her grandfather’s car while texting her sister.

Combine the hazards of distracted driving with adverse weather conditions or following too close, and drivers and passengers are faced with costly risks that can be easily avoided. Let the Strandberg family serve as a warning and lesson if you’re guilty of texting while driving, and leave the cell phone in the back seat from now on.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

“Don’t Drive Recalled Toyotas”

Lawrence Egerton — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:06:53 GMT

This is the advice given today by Department of Transportation Secretary, Roy LaHood, as he testified before a House committee, according to an article on cnnmoney.com.

Toyota officials on Monday said they had a fix for the problem that involved reinforcing the pedal assembly with a part that’s being rushed to dealerships. If Toyota couldn’t solve the problem in some five years, do you really believe they’ve found a good solution in just two weeks?

January sales were down for Toyota by 16% while GM and Ford had an increase of 15% and 25%, respectively. It’ll surely follow that used Toyotas will be hard to sell and more expensive to finance. You can also be certain that liability and collision insurance rates will also rise for Toyotas

Can there be any doubt that a class action lawsuit should be started to compensate these owners of defective Toyota vehicles for the diminution of value of their cars?

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Lawrence Egerton

Snow Plow Kills Pedestrian

Lawrence Egerton — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:08:03 GMT

Sadly, a snow plow hit and killed Mr. Mark Walston of Goldsboro, NC over the weekend. According to an article on digtriad.com, the accident is still under investigation. The NC Highway Patrol states that “the weather is responsible” for the accident, although there were at least two persons—the driver of the snow plow and the pedestrian—involved.

To determine who, if anybody, should be held responsible for this accident we need to look at the North Carolina negligence law. North Carolina is one of only four states that still hold to the contributory negligence rule. That is, even if a person is only a little bit guilty of contributory negligence (the courts have held 1% is enough), that person can’t recover. Other states apply some version of the comparative negligence doctrine, allowing the victim to recover, but only after reducing the award to reflect his percentage of negligence.

There is, however, one important exception in North Carolina law. A negligent victim can still collect damages if the offender had the last clear chance to avoid the accident. Thus, even if Mr. Walston was crossing the street without looking, it is possible that the driver of the snow plow could and should have seen and avoided him.

At this point, there isn’t enough information to conclude as to liability in this incident. Perhaps witnesses can be located. Our firm often employs an investigator or accident reconstruction expert in hard cases. In any event, a jury may ultimately make the determination.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Lawrence Egerton

Watch Out for Horseback Riders on the Road

Lawrence Egerton — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:28:53 GMT

A truck hit two horseback riders in Davidson County, NC on January 10^th.

Fox 8 reports that Eric Turner, 27, and Sebastian Swanson, 9, of Thomasville were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The pair had been riding their horses at dusk when the truck hit them.

We anticipate that the case will be defended on the grounds of contributory negligence because the riders were not wearing reflective gear.

However, we contend the driver had the last clear chance to avoid the accident and is responsible for the accident. If he couldn’t see the horses in time to stop, he must have been outrunning his headlights.

Horses are like bicycles; they both have a right to the road, and drivers need to look out for them.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Lawrence Egerton

Pedestrian Killed in Attempt to Help Out on I-40

Pierce Egerton — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:21:21 GMT

Though Travis Lydell Summers had the best intentions when he stopped and got out of his vehicle on I-40 near Business 85 early Monday morning, he lost his life due to the recklessness of an unknown driver. According to Summers’ sister in a Greensboro News & Record article, Summers assumed a car parked on the side of the road belonged to his friend. He rushed to help, and was killed by a hit-and-run assailant.

The accident occurred around 2:40 a.m. Is it possible that the driver of the vehicle that killed Summers was under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Perhaps the driver was exhausted from a long day or strenuous hours on the road. Or was the accident simply the unfortunate result of someone not paying attention behind the wheel?

Whatever the situation, the outcome was tragic, and a man lost his life for trying to help someone he thought was in need. Stopping on the highway poses a great risk, especially during heavy traffic or at night. Pedestrians on the highway jeopardize their safety, not necessarily because they are at fault, but because negligent drivers don’t pay enough attention or operate a vehicle with care.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Beloved Teacher Killed in Head-On Collision

Pierce Egerton — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:31:57 GMT

Aimee Elisabeth Powell was on her way to Southlake Christian Academy where she taught elementary school when she was struck head-on by another vehicle. The collision occurred in Huntersville, NC, around 7 a.m. Thursday morning, less than a quarter mile from the school. Unfortunately, the young and beloved teacher lost her life as a result of the crash.

The driver of the other vehicle, 19-year-old Stephen Todd Richard, sustained serious injuries and remained in the hospital as of Friday morning, January 22. According to police, there is no evidence of drugs, alcohol or texting involved in the moments before Richard crossed the centerline. Is it possible that Richard, a young and inexperienced driver, was not paying close enough attention to driving? Perhaps he was distracted by an undetermined factor.

Whatever the case, Richard’s life has forever been changed. Upon his recovery, it’s conceivable that Richard could face criminal charges.

A number of grieving students, coworkers, friends and family have also had their lives forever changed by the loss of Aimee Powell. According to an article from WIS News 10 in Columbia, SC (where Aimee graduated from Columbia International University), the people who were close to Aimee “are finding comfort in the fact that she was a Christian.” Clearly, the young woman made a positive impact on the lives of those around her, and she will be missed.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Rash of Deaths from DWI Accidents on Monday

Pierce Egerton — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:44:11 GMT

This MLK, Jr. holiday marks a somber occasion for at least two Triad families. Tamika Burns and Coy Clifford White were both killed in separate collisions involving drunk drivers this Monday.

Ms. Burns was killed in a head-on collision on Green Drive around 6:00 am. The other driver, Brandon Black whose vehicle reportedly drifted across the center line, was charged with DWI. Four other passengers were also injured in the accident. Their conditions are unknown at this time.

Mr. White was a 78 year old Surry County resident. Police say he was hit head-on by Jason Clark on Highway 268 the same night. Clark was not injured and was charged with DWI, felony death by motor vehicle, and hit-and-run.

Both of these tragic deaths remind us how important it is to stay off the road when drunk. Time and again, the price paid for this irresponsible and careless behavior is the life an innocent victim rather than the guilty party. The drunk driver lives to drive another day, leaving another family devastated by their callousness.

It almost seems that there is no getting through to people who drive drunk. No law or horror story seems to be able to keep them off the road or, at least, in the back seat of a taxi cab. So, I remind you all that accidents can happen at any time. No matter how attentive you may be, no matter how responsible. Please, take caution whenever you head out on the road.

Holidays are often marred with extra dangers caused by drunk drivers. The police try to have a stronger presence at these times, but you can never be too cautious.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Alcohol Always a Risk

Pierce Egerton — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:20:19 GMT

Legal limits are intended to protect drivers and passengers from automobile accidents. Property damage, personal injury and fatality are among the well-known risks of drinking and driving. But how much is too much?

A gentleman in Randolph County, NC lost his life in a head-on collision Monday night. Around 8 p.m., Caroll Stutts Junior crossed into oncoming traffic. His car flipped a number of times, and the result was fatal. Unfortunately, he also injured the other driver, an acquaintance from the same town.

According to a report from Fox 8 News, alcohol may have been involved in the tragic incident. If investigators are still unsure about Stutts’s BAC, can we assume that it was beyond the legal limit? Even if an autopsy reveals that Stutts was within the legal range, is it possible that his judgment was still impaired as a result of alcohol consumption?

Whatever the case may be in this incident, the outcome remains heartbreaking. We should all think twice before drinking any amount and driving.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton