Apr 5, 2013 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
According to traffic reports from Virgina and North Carolina, Easter weekend turned grim for over 100 people. Accordingly, there was dense fog on Interstate 77 near th
e boarder of Virginia and North Carolina. Many people had been travelling to see their families over the holiday weekend, and got caught up in the traffic.
Subsequently, as the traffic got worse, so did the fog that was consuming visibility for nearly 10 miles. Travellers were forced to slow down below the speed limit, which contributed to the congested traffic.
News reports specifically state that the 95-car pile up began around 1:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday that involved over 125 people. The weather was the ultimate source of the tremendous accident.
Accordingly, a thick fog essentially blanketed the south-bound lanes on Interstate 77, at the base of Fancy Gap Mountain. The location is a mere 6 miles from the North Carolina boarder. It is safe to assume that there were both Virginians and North Carolinians involved in the accident, and likely other state citizens as well.
The initial accident that led to this disaster only involved eight vehicles. Thereafter, 16 other accidents occurred. The cars just continued to pile up, one after another until there were 95 vehicles involved in the accident.
This is one of the three largest accidents that Interstate 77 has seen since it was initially graded.
The News reports that this specific stretch of the Interstate is notorious for it’s dense fog. Thus, it is not ironic that in 2010, this very same stretch of the interstate was bombarded with accidents when a similar incident occurred involving 75 vehicles. In that accident, many were injured but only two people lost their lives.
Similarly, in this exact same location in the year 2000, a 65 car-pileup occurred, resulting in two deaths as well.
Lastly, in the accident at bar, only three people were killed, but over 30 were injured. The injuries are both major and minor, as the EMTs had their hands full checking each and every car and victim. Some were rushed immediately to the nearest hospital, while others were just “checked out” and then sent home.
Interstate 77 was subsequently closed for the rest of the day and well into Monday morning.
It stands to reason that since there is nothing that can be done to prevent fog from clouding up driver’s visibility, drivers should take extra precaution when travelling this particular stretch. Always turn your lights on when visibility is low, and slow down if there is inclement weather. Use your blinkers and be respectful of other drivers on the road. Lastly, take into account that there are more drivers on the roadways during the holidays and thus, a greater chance for an accident to occur. Be smart. Be safe.
Any type of serious injury can bring harm to the victim and his/her loved ones. One may have an action to recover damages for injuries sustained during an accident. Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP to consult with one of our personal injury attorneys. Our personal injury attorneys understand the emotional and financial hardships facing persons injured in an accident and want to help you or someone you might know. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Apr 3, 2013 | Car Accidents, Criminal Defense, Pedestrian Accidents, Uncategorized
A Rock Hill policeman has been hit by a car driven by fleeing felons last Tuesday evening in an attempt to capture the two shoplifters.
According to the reports, the officer was called onto the scene around 5:30 Tuesday evening, where there was a report of two young women trying to steal clothing from the local Kohl’s on Meeting Boulevard.
When the policeman arrived, he was met by the store’s loss prevention manager, who restated the following in regards to the event: ” while watching them on camera, the Kohl’s employee noticed that the two women carried in large, yet empty purses.
The employee continued to watch the 20 and 21 year old women as they loaded their arms up with clothing and took it into the dressing rooms, the report states.
Curious and suspicious of this activity, the Kohl’s employee walked into the adjacent dressing room to investigate. She stated that she heard the two women ripping the price tags off as they were both frantically shoving differnet items into their purses.
The ladies waited about 10 minutes, then walked out of the dressing roomswith their purses filled to the brim. The employee contacted the loss prevention manager, who then went into the dressing room to investigate for herself. There she found price tags on the floor and a room full of empty hangers.
It was at that point the manager made the decision to contact the police officer. The officer was nearby and arrived on the scene before the women had a chance to escape. He walked out of the store, identified himself, and asked the women to stop. They refused and jumped into 2009 Toyota Corolla in an attempt to make off with the stolen merchandise.
The officer then approached the driver’s side door and ordered the driver and her passenger to exit the vehicle. Meanwhile, he was holding onto the door handle, the report states. This physical contact did not hault the driver one bit, and she began to driver away with the officer still holding onto the door handle. In fact, his grasp was so tight that the handle broke off of the vehicle as the friction caused the officer to spin around to where the back of the women’s car struck the officer.
The driver drove through the parking lot with total disregard for safety of other drivers and pedestrains alike. The officer did suffer minor injuries, but has since been released and in fine to continue his duty on the workforce.
The two women were discovered at the Stone Haven Pointe apartment complex when the police found their vehicle parked at the complex. The women were subsequently arrested.
The driver has since been charged with shoplifting, failure to identify [herself] and reckless driving. The co-conspirator/passenger was charged with shoplifting and failure to identify.
Luckily, the officer’s injuires were considered minor, and the stolen merchandise has been returned to the Kohl’s it was taken from.
Sometimes people make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are accidental. In the event you, or someone you know is being charged with a crime, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to speak to an expirenced criminal defense attorney today. With our former prosecutor, J. Tyler Burns on your side, he will use his knowledge and skill learned from the other side to diligently argue your case for you. We can be reached at 803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 22, 2013 | Car Accidents, Uncategorized
A car accident, involving three vehicles, has resulted in criminal charges for a South Carolina man, according to police. The accident occurred on U.S. 701 near Conway, South Carolina. A 24-year-old man, swerved his car into incoming traffic lanes leading to his striking an incoming vehicle head-on, thereafter he swerved back into the original lane. When the driver re-entered his lane, he struck a van. Nine people were injured including the driver.
The driver is being charged with driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license. However, in addition to these criminal charges, the driver may be liable in civil court for personal injuries and property damage. Under South Carolina personal injury law, the victims of a car accident caused by negligence of another party may look to reimbursement for an injury by pursuing a negligence action.
Negligence Elements Generally in South Carolina:
(1) A duty of care owed by the defendant to the plaintiff
(2) A breach of that duty by a negligent act or omission
(3) Damages proximately resulting from the breach
Elements Defined:
(1) A duty of care is the standard of conduct the law requires of an actor in order to protect others against the risk of harm from his actions. It adheres to the principle that the plaintiff should not be called to suffer harm to his person or property which is foreseeable and which can be avoided by the defendant’s exercise of reasonable care. The duty to act may arise from statute, contract, relationship, status, property interest, or some other special circumstance.
(2) The plaintiff must also show that the defendant did not use the amount of care one ordinarily would have under the circumstances. If the plaintiff shows a duty arising from a statute and the defendant violated a statute, the element is met by proof of negligence per se. In a medical malpractice action, the plaintiff must show that the defendant departed from the recognized and generally accepted standards, practices and procedures.
(3) Next, the plaintiff must show the breach of duty was the proximate cause of the injury. The South Carolina Supreme Court has said that causation requires proof of (a) causation in fact, and (b) legal cause. Causation in fact is proved by establishing the injury would not have occurred but for the defendants negligence. Legal cause is proven by establishing foreseeability.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident of any kind, schedule a consultation with Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We understand that an accident can turn one’s life upside down, and we are here to make your life easier. Contact our Baxter Village office in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 12, 2013 | Car Accidents, Child Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A Charlotte woman has been arrested and charged with a misdemeanor death by vehicle after she was involved in a fatal car accident Sunday morning. Accordingly, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested the woman after she crashed her SUV into a Saturn and the driver subsequently died.
The police have not released what they believe to be the cause of the accident, however, the report does state that the 38 year old Charlotte resident crossed over the center line on Mallard Creek Road near the intersection of Sawgrass Ridge Place and struck a Saturn Ion head-on.
According to a nearby witness, the SUV flew up in the air, flipped twice while still air-born, and then landed on its hood. The witness stated that apparently the Saturn flipped as well, causing firefighters to have a tough time getting the driver out. It took the Fire Department 27 minutes to free the now deceased passenger of the Saturn.
The driver of the Saturn was pronounced dead upon arrival to Carolinas Medical Center. Two other passengers were airlifted to CMC-Main with Life threatening injuries.
Another witness played her role in supporting her community, when she ran to the SUV to help the four children inside. The witness states that the children all crawled out of the SUV and into her arms, where they stayed until the ambulance arrived. The children only had minor injuries and lacerations.
The Police arrested the driver of the SUV and charged her with “misdemeanor death by vehicle and driving with no liability insurance.”
She was released late Sunday night from the Mecklenburg County Jail under $10,500 bond.
The police have stated they do not believe alcohol was a factor in the accident.
Being involved in any sort of accident can be terrible and frightening, whether you were the person at fault or not. At Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, we have been exposed to every type of car accident and are equipped to handle your case. Contact us today for a free consultation at 704-499-9000 or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 4, 2013 | Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
At least three people were injured in a car wreck last Tuesday afternoon on the SouthEast side of Charlotte. The incident happened just before 5 p.m. at the intersection of Ardrey Kell and Providence Road.
One person had to be taken by helicopter from the scene with serious injuries while the other two victims were transported to the Carolina Medical Center in Pineville.
According to the police reports, two SUV’s and a pickup truck were heavily damaged during the accident. Also, A Charlotte Mecklenburg School bus was struck during the crash, but was not involved in the accident with the other cars, according to a report.
Police have not yet said if charges will be filed against any of the drivers.
Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our personal injury attorneys. Our personal injury attorneys understand the emotional and financial hardships facing persons injured in an accident and want to help you or someone you might know. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Mar 4, 2013 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
Last Friday night ended tragicially for four residents of Charlotte, NC, when they were involved in a multiple vehicle crash that left four people seriously injured.
According to medics, the four Charlotte residents were taken immediately to the hospital to mitigate the life-threatening injuries sustained. Although mulitple behicles were invloved, medics were unable to provide details on the cause of the accident and the current status of the victims involved.
The accident occurred on Brookshire Boulevard between Ford Road and Interstate 85.
Any type of serious injury can bring harm to the victim and his/her loved ones. A lawyer may be able to secure compensation for the victim and his/her family.
Contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower to consult with one of our personal injury attorneys. Our personal injury attorneys understand the emotional and financial hardships facing persons injured in an accident. We are licensed in both North and South Carolina, where you can contact us at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
e boarder of Virginia and North Carolina. Many people had been travelling to see their families over the holiday weekend, and got caught up in the traffic.