Sep 2, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A settlement between the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Estate of a man killed in a collision with a Deputy in June 2011 was approved by a judge on Wednesday.
Phillip Hawkins, 67, was killed when Deputy George Mickens, traveling at approximately 79 miles per hour, lost control of his cruiser when he ran a red light and collided with Hawkin’s car. Both the investigations of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Richland Sheriff’s Department concluded that a medical condition, likely a seizure caused Mickens to lose the ability to drive. The State Solicitor further concluded that the evidence was insufficient to find that the accident was the result of any wrongdoing.
Hawkins’ family, however, disagreed with those conclusions and filed a wrongful death suit, citing Mickens’ driving record. Mickens’ prior record reveals six crashes in the last ten years, four of which were caused by Mickens. Since 1993 Mickens has been stopped 12 times for offenses ranging from running a stop sign to speeding.
The Estate of Phillip Hawkins will receive $193,933.79 after legal fees. Mickens is no longer employed with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The settlement protects the Department from further suits.
Columbia Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in any type of car accident in the Columbia area, you need an experienced accident attorney like those at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower to help you get the justice you deserve. Call us at 877-374-5999, or
use this form, to speak with an attorney who can help you evaluate your claim and get you the best possible recovery.
Aug 30, 2012 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A 19-year-old Rock Hill man was arrested Saturday around 9:30 p.m. after a hit and run, when his truck collided with another car on Dave Lyle Boulevard injuring a 17-year-old driver of a Lexus. The other driver status was reported as incoherent from head trauma with additional minor injuries.
The police were able to locate the truck that had hit the Lexus by following gouge marks that lead to a home on Roy Street. The truck, missing its driver’s side front tire, had managed to drive away from the scene to the driver’s nearby residence. The truck owner has since admitted to authorities that he had been driving the truck.
According to the police report, the man was charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident. The Driver was additionally charged with driving under suspension once authorities discovered that his license had been suspended after his previous December 2010 conviction.
The seasoned trial attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP have over 75 years combined legal experience and have represented victims of drunk driver accidents in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, Clover, and Columbia. These are complex injury cases with both civil and criminal considerations. Our team of lawyers include former insurance defense attorneys, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and a former York County DUI prosecutor. Together, they will use their talents and backgrounds to hold those responsible accountable and make sure you and your family are protected. Compare our lawyers’ credentials to any other law firm. Then hire the best drunk driver accident lawyer who you trust to fight for your case. Call us today at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll free for a private consultation.
Aug 29, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
Sadly, a woman was killed in Charlotte on Tuesday morning around 11:10 a.m. when her car stalled out, only to be struck by a passing tractor-trailer that was headed northbound on Interstate 85.
According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, the tractor-trailor first collided with the median, spun out of control, and then struck the victim’s vehicle, killing the victim upon impact.
The tractor-trailer then caught fire until Charlotte firefighters, traveling from the southbound direction of I-85, could reach the scene of the crash.
The Charlotte, North Carolina Trucking Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower
If you or a loved one have been involved in a tractor-trailer accident during bad weather or road conditions, contact the experienced commercial truck accident attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. With over 75 years combined legal experience, former insurance defense backgrounds, and a former Registered Nurse (RN), our team is standing by to help get you and your family through this difficult time. For more information, please visit our website at www.rjrlaw.com. Compare our attorneys’ credentials. Then, call us for a private consultation about your particular situation.
Aug 28, 2012 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A single vehicle car crash took place in Charlotte on Sunday, which ended the life of one individual when they were ejected from their car upon impact.
The car crash occurred in the 6900 block of Old Mount Holly Road, a little after 3:00 a.m near the greater Charlotte area.
According to the report, the driver Elvin Ortez was driving as 2001 Honda Civic when he ran it off the road, casing the vehicle to overturn and ejecting the driver from the vehicle upon impact. The Medics pronounced Ortez dead at the scene. The other passenger in the vehicle was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
It is believed by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department that both speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the crash; however this investigation is still in progress.
The seasoned trial attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP have over 75 years combined legal experience and have represented victims of numerous types of car accidents, whether alcohol was involved or not in the greater Charlotte area. These are complex injury cases with both civil and criminal considerations and at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, we will fight to get you the justice you deserve. Compare our lawyers’ credentials to any other law firm. Then hire the best drunk driver accident lawyer who you trust to fight for your case. Call us today at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll free for a private consultation.
Aug 26, 2012 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A recent research study found that about one person is killed each day in a DUI-related crash in South Carolina. The most current statistics showed that more than 350 people were killed in the Palmetto State in 2010. This is a disturbing trend as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released new data which showed that, nationally, traffic fatalities actually dropped 14 percent from 2006 to 2010 to 1,080. From this total figure, more than 340 of those deaths were caused by at least one driver with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 or more. In South Carolina, however, more than 70 percent of the state’s drunk driving fatalities were caused by at least one driver with an alcohol level of 0.15 or more, or approximately twice the “legal limit.”
York County Drunk Driver Accident Attorneys
The seasoned trial attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP have over 75 years combined legal experience and have represented victims of drunk driver accidents in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, Clover, and Columbia. These are complex injury cases with both civil and criminal considerations. Our team of lawyers include former insurance defense attorneys, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and a former York County DUI prosecutor. Together, they will use their talents and backgrounds to hold those responsible accountable and make sure you and your family are protected. Compare our lawyers’ credentials to any other law firm. Then hire the best drunk driver accident lawyer who you trust to fight for your case. Call us today at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll free for a private consultation.
Aug 25, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
Police have charged a local doctor after a crash killed one person in south Charlotte on May 31, 2012. Dr. Barry Davis, 35, was held and charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Dr. Davis is completing his residency at Carolinas Medical Center. The accident happened around 5:15 p.m. on Rea Road just north of Pineville-Matthews Road. According to police records, Dr. Davis was heading south on Rea when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane, striking a Blue Max dump truck driven by 58-year-old Richard Gaddy. The impact of that collision caused the dump truck to cross the center line and crash head on with 47-year-old Edward Miller. Mr. Miller remained trapped in his car until paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Police also indicated that neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the accident.
Dr. Davis worked a 12 to 13 hour shift on the day of the crash. Officials said it’s unclear whether he fell asleep or not, but fatigue is probably a factor. “It would not be uncommon at all for a general surgery resident to work a 12 to 13 hour shift. That clearly would be within the guidelines,” said Dr. Mark Malangoni with the American Board of Surgery. How sad and ironic that a physician training to save lives has now ended one because of the demands of that very same training.
Charlotte Serious Accident and Wrongful Death Attorneys
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced wrongful death attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
