Apr 16, 2013 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A man was killed in a single-car accident on Saturday, March, 2; and, another early-morning car accident resulted in power outages and a
gas leak. The first man who was killed died after a wreck on Farrow Road at about 4:00 a.m. His vehicle flew from the road at an excessive speed, broke through a utility pole, and ran into a tree. He died at the scene.
The second accident, which occurred on the other side of town, resulted in a 47-year-old man striking a power line cable and a gas line causing power outages in the area, according to the Columbia Police Department. The roads were closed while the repairs were made, and the man was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license, and operating an uninsured vehicle.
Generally drivers who occupy the roads in the very late evening, or early morning are either working the night shift, visiting someone in the hospital, or unfortunately oftentimes are driving under the influence. It is generally good policy to stay away from the roads, if possible, in the extremely early morning hours. If you happen to be intoxicated, there is an increased likelihood that you will be stopped by the police, and if you are not intoxicated, you may be more susceptible to become a victim of a drunken driving accident.
At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, we recommend that you never get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated; also, we recommend to never get in a car where the driver has been drinking. The likelihood of something terrible happening as a result is vastly increased, and you do not want to become part of the increased DUI, and DUI related accident statistics in South Carolina.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, or Felony DUI, we can help you. Call our Baxter Village law office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at toll-free 877-374-5999. However, in the meantime, be careful on the roads!
Apr 12, 2013 | Car Accidents, Child Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A family wants the world to see the last words their son was about to send while he was texting a driving on that grim night that he crashed his vehicle and lost his life.
Apparently, the victim was a young and vibrant student on the University of Northern Colorado who loved to snowboard and hike, while still managing to maintain a high G.P.A.
He had a clean driving record- not even one speeding ticket to his name. He was killed in a single-car rollover accident earlier this month. Amongst the wreckage and the victim’s belongings, the police found the victim’s cell phone, in which it appears he was in the process of texting at the time of the tragedy.
The text message read as follows: “Sounds good my man, seeya soon, ill tw.” It is obvious that the victim was unable to finish he thought before the accident occurred.
Witnesses have provided a little more detail to the incident and report that the victim appeared to be drifting into oncoming traffic with his head int he downward position, when he suddenly looked up, jerked the steering wheel and over corrected. His car ended up leaving the roadway and doing a complete flip before ending up head down.
The victim’s mother has decided to be extremely proactive in educating others on the dangers of texting and driving. She wants her son’s death to not be in vain, but rather to hopefully save the lives of others who continue to text and drive.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more then 9 people that are killed every day in crashes by distracted drivers. Not to mention, there are around 1,060 people injured a day by distracted drivers.
There are 39 states that have taken the initiative to outlaw texting while driving. Whether you live in those states or not, please think about the distraction and choose to put the phone down. Studies reveal that traffic accident rates for people ages 16 to 22-years-old are the highest out of any other age group of drivers.
It’s clear that youths, through no fault of their own, are the least experienced on the road. That’s why it’s important that parents and mentors take the time to warn youths of the dangers of risky driving and the importance of practicing safe driving techniques. If your teen has been involved in a serious accident, you need an accomplished and trusted attorney on your side. Call the law officers of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP at our SC office at 803-548-4444, our NC office at 704-499-9000 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Apr 12, 2013 | Car Accidents, Uncategorized
A 43-year-old Fort Mill mother lost her life last week in a tragic car accident near mile marker 89 on Interstate 77.
According to the reports, the victim was driving her vehicle around 11:30 p.m., when she suddenly lost control of the vehicle and travelled up an embankment, smashing into a tree.
She was in the northbound lane and is reported to of not been wearing her seat belt. Thus, upon impact, the poor victim was ejected from the vehicle at the time of the accident with nothing to protect her and keep her stable.
There was little suffering, however, as the victim died on scene.
Prior to her move to York County, the victim grew up in Cary, NC, where she attended East Carolina University and last University of West Virginia for her Master’s degree in Sociology.
She was survived by her husband and two beautiful daughters. Moreover, she had a family in the York County School system, where she had been an active teacher there since 1996.
The family has released a statement saying that “Becoming a mother was a gift from God to [the victim] and was her greatest joy. Her love for them will be carried in their hearts throughout their lives.” The victim has touched the hearts of many people, and will be remembered always for her caring spirit and good deeds.
Recent studies reveal that in 2012, the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 12,546 lives. It’s the law for a reason—wearing proper restraints while riding or driving in a motor-vehicle saves lives. If you or a loved one is injured in a serious motor-vehicle accident, Call the experienced attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Apr 11, 2013 | Car Accidents, Child Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A mother from Chester, South Carolina is being investigated after she backed her vehicle over her one-year-old daughter last Wednesday.
The Chester County Sheriff’s Office has released a statement concerning the incident that explains that the 23-year-old mother was attempting to work on her vehicle at the time of the accident.
She was apparently washing the vehicle’s engine out, and decided to move the SUV from one side of the house to the other while the hood was still in the upright position, making it nearly impossible to see her surroundings.
The mother states she was moving the car to get closer to the hose on the opposite side of the home, and did not realize that it would be so dangerous to drive a few feet with the hood up.
According to a Sheriff’s report, the officers were called to Chester Regional Wednesday afternoon to investigate and question the mother. She responded that she did strike her daughter accidentally when she was reversing her SUV.
The impact of the SUV caused the child to fall to the ground and somehow she ended up underneath the vehicle. The mother continued to reverse her car until she heard neighbors yelling at her to “STOP.”
The little girl was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital. Her injuries include a broken right arm along with scrapes and burn marks on her abdomen and chest.
Medical personnel determined the best course of action would be to airlift the little girl to Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte for further analysis and treatment.
The case is still under current investigation.
Studies reveal that every week in the United States approximately fifty children will be backed over by vehicles with at least two being injured fatally. Tragically, over 70 percent of these incidents involves a driver that is a parent or close relative. There is always a responsibility for drivers to be aware of what is behind their vehicle before backing up; However, when small children are present, that duty becomes more important than ever. If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident, Call Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Apr 8, 2013 | Car Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Uncategorized
A pedestrian from Richland County was fatally wounded this past weekend when she was struck in her side by a vehicle just north of Columbia.
The accident took place around 9:00 p.m., near the intersection of U.S. 321 and Crane Church Road, as reported by the South Carolina Highway patrol team.
The Richland County Coroner has reported that the victim did not suffer immensely from her injuries for long, as she was pronounced dead at the local hospital upon arrival.
The Coroner was expected to release more information yesterday evening, after he got a chance to fully examine the body. As of right now, the only details being released is that the location and status of the victim.
There has yet to be any details discussed as to the cause of the accident; if there was any alcohol or other substance abuse involved; and if there are any charged being filed at this time.
Lance Cpl. Kelly of the Highway patrol has released the following statement in regards to the fatality: “”We are continuing to investigate and more details will be released when the initial investigation is finished. Until that time, our thoughts are with the vitcim’s family and loved ones.”
Sadly, pedestrian accidents are not as rare as one may hope. In fact, nearly 12 pedestrians are killed in a traffic-related accident every day in the United States. It is the duty of all road users to share the road and be alert to what is happening around them. Be smart when you are selecting your attire for a night jog; the lighter the clothing, the more likely you are to be seen by night drivers.
The trial attorneys of
Reeves Aiken & Hightower LLP, are experienced
pedestrian accident attorneys. They know the intricacies involved in these cases. As a former Registered Nurse (RN) working in intensive care, attorney
Robert J. Reeves understands complex anatomy and physiology and can explain trauma and autopsy findings. As former insurance defense attorneys, both Mr. Reeves and attorney
Tyler Burns know what to look for, and how to prepare for trial. We welcome the opportunity to sit down and personally discuss your case. Call us today for a private consultation. Call our Fort Mill office at
803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.Apr 5, 2013 | Car Accidents, Uncategorized
A man, who was in the process of moving to North Carolina, was killed in a one-vehicle accident. The 38-year-old died at the scene of the accident along Route 17 near River Bend, which is in eastern North Carolina.
The man was a passenger in the vehicle, which was driven by a 43-year, of New Bern, NC, according to police. The woman was allegedly speeding, when she ran from the road into a median and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle overturned several times, and landed on its roof in the southbound lane.
The man was ejected from the vehicle, and thereafter was airlifted to Vidant Medical Center. Charges are pending against the woman.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a vehicle collision, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We can help you with your personal injury claim. For a consultation, you can reach our Charlotte, North Carolina office at 704-499-9000. Further, if you have been injured in South Carolina, you can reach our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
