May 19, 2019 | Boating Accidents, Personal Injury
Memorial Day is a time of year to celebrate the people in our country who have made the ultimate sacrifice in helping keeping this nation safe. For many, Memorial Day weekend provides an opportunity to host parties, cookouts, boat days, and gatherings for those we hold close. However, one thing to keep in mind during your annual celebration, are Memorial Day injuries. Memorial Day injuries can occur for a number of reasons, and in a number of ways. Of course, injuries can occur at any time— and we should always practice caution in our daily lives. However, there are certain issues we are more susceptible to this holiday season.
Memorial Day Injuries: Avoiding Holiday Misshaps
Car accidents
You might not realize, but car accidents are increasingly common over Memorial Day weekend. There is an influx of drunk drivers, many people not paying attention, and others who are rushing to the party. So, if you plan to head out this coming holiday weekend: assign a DD or get-home plan, don’t let them drive drowsy, and avoid roads late at night. Taking steps to avoid accidents might just keep you out of harm’s way.
Water-related Incidents
It happens every year during Memorial Day weekend: people head out in the masses towards their nearest body of water. For some of us, that might mean a dip in the pool, tubing on the lake, or maybe a little deep sea fishing. Whatever method you use to cool off, it’s important that you take measures for safety.
You’ll likely be drinking and having fun. Therefore, it can be easy to lose sight of proper protocol when it comes to water safety. When in a body of water such as a lake or the ocean, wear a lifejacket. Sure, you know how to swim. But, there are certain factors outside of your control that might make that lifejacket a, well, lifesaver. Furthermore, pool safety is extremely important all Summer long. Not just on Memorial Day.
Alcohol Poisoning
As we’ve mentioned, Memorial Day is a time of celebration and annual parties for many. Therefore, many tend to drink a bit too much. While this can often be innocent enough— sometimes, it can lead to further complications. Drinking heavily, in the sun, and without the right amount of water— you are at risk for alcohol poisoning.
Dehydration
Drinking water, even if you don’t plan to drink alcohol, is key to ensuring that you have a solid Memorial Day. Dehydration can certainly throw a wrench into your plans, and cut your day short; It can lead to dizziness, fainting, a lack of energy, and rapid heartbeat among other symptoms.
Apr 5, 2018 | Boating Accidents
As the summer months hit, more and more people are hitting the roadways— and the waterways. In turn, boating accidents and injuries become much more prevalent. Ultimately, accidents do happen. But, many boating accidents are easily preventable if you follow a few rules. Most of them are quite obvious, but for the sake of safety, we’ll throw them out there one more time.
Rules to Avoid Boating Accidents and Stay Safe
Don’t Drink and Drive
Yes, I mean drive a boat. The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that Boating accidents are more fatal 34% of the time when you’re under the influence. You’re senses are dulled, and many people feel that being on the water rather than the road is less risky. However, there are still plenty of factors that can play into a crash— drinking while doing so just increases that.
Pay attention to that emergency radio
Every boat should have one, and it’s important not to mute it or turn it down. There are plenty of instances where that radio could have saved a life, or did save one because people were listening. One prevalent case came from Philly, where one duck boat company was on the wrong end of a wrongful death suit because they could not hear the crash warnings. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that laws are set in place for a reason— and so are your emergency radios.
Do proper maintenance on your boat
Keeping your boat in proper working condition can save a life if it comes down to it. Change the oil, check the propellor, clean it up. You want to make sure you’ve done your part before hitting the roadway, that way, in case of an accident— there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. Negligence can come with a pretty hefty charge if you’re facing a suit.
Mind the weather
If you’re out on a boat when a bad storm hits, it can be potentially deadly. Lightning could strike, your boat could overturn, someone could fall off, you could lose your sense of direction… There are plenty of potential downsides when it comes to boating during a storm. Not to mention, a ton of ways doing so could lead to boating accident or a fatality. Which brings us to our last point…
Always, Always, Always wear a lifejacket
Doing so is important for innumerous reasons. For instance, if you’re the one who is falling off the boat in that storm scenario— wearing a bright lifejacket could help them locate you, and wearing one at all could be a lifesaver if you end up on your own. Also, if you’re intoxicated and fall off the boat, are swimming, or just floating along. Or, say you jump off the boat and bump your head— the lifejacket will keep you floating.
We could discuss instances all day as to what could happen. It’s important to consider what could go wrong so that you have a plan of attack if it comes down to it. The summer months are a great time to get out and enjoy the weather in many different ways. But, practicing safe driving of every kind will ensure that you can continue to do so. We wish you luck and hope you enjoy this beautiful weather that’s coming our way!
Oct 7, 2013 | Bicycling Accidents, Boating Accidents, Bus Accidents, Car Accidents, Uncategorized
The central idea behind the theory of negligence is that people must exercise reasonable care when they act (any activity from driving your car to laying asphalt). This takes into account the fact that
any act may cause the harm of another person. If an injured person proves that another person acted negligently, the action of which caused injury, the plaintiff may claim monetary damages.
Negligence cases are very fact specific, where the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the defendant’s accidental injury not only caused the harm, but was followed through in an unreasonable manner. Further, damages must be proven.
Now, where do we start? In South Carolina, the statute of limitations during which suit may be brought on the theory of negligence is three years. This means that if a period of three years has passed since the negligent act, suit may no longer be brought. Further, South Carolina uses the doctrine of modified comparative negligence to assign fault.
This system has two important aspects: (1) the injured party may recover only if he or she is less than 50 percent at fault; and (2) if the injured party was also negligent, the originally negligent party is only liable for the percentage of damages he or she caused.
Therefore, if the jury finds that a driver is 70 percent negligent and the other driver is 30 percent negligent, the person who is 30 percent negligent will collect 70 percent of his or her damages. Also, if either driver is more than 50 percent negligent, that driver will recover nothing.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident in South Carolina that may have been the result of someone’s negligence, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at 803-548-4444, or 877-374-5999.
Sep 6, 2013 | Boating Accidents, Criminal Defense, General, Uncategorized
According to the Fort Mill Police Department, two men went missing from the radar late Thursday night.
Rescue Crews then told the family members of one, that they found his body on Lake Haigler, off of U.S. 21. Apparently the two men were elderly, both in their late 60’s, and frequently went fishing together at the small Fort Mill Lake. They were known in the community as life-long best friends; after Thursday night, no one heard from either one again.
The rescue crews found the one body when they were called on the scene after an emergency crew spotted the overturned boat earlier this morning, around 2:00 a.m. When the emergency crews arrived, they also stated they found an empty car parked nearby.
The daughter of the one of the duo stated that she and her father ” may not have seen each other too often, but if she needed him, he was always there for her and her family.” Both families are in saddened terribly by this incident, which is still under pending investigation.
All that is currently know is that one body is found, and there was an overturned boat and an empty car nearby. More details will be released as further information is discovered.
What is odd is that the police describe this Haigler Lake as more of a pond near the heavily populated Ann Springs Close Greenway. At this point in time, there is no report of which man’s body was found.
The York County Sheriff’s office has it’s essential dive team assembled in searching for the second man with the assistance of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Stories such as this sadden anyone at the core, whether you are personally involved or not. You should not have to go at this alone. Talk to your local attorney as more information if discovered, and if foul play is, then contact an attorney as soon as possible. If a crime has been committed, such as wrongful death, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower toll-free at 877-374-5999 for a free consultation on your options.
Aug 9, 2013 | Boating Accidents, Uncategorized
A pregnant woman and a child were recently killed after a boat collision on High Rock Lake in Davidson County. Officials report that a speedboat collided with the pontoon boat at around 12:30 p.m. 
Four people were present on each boat, and four of the people on the pontoon boat were all family members. The child who was killed was around 3 years old, and the pregnant woman was tragically ejected from the pontoon boat and had to be recovered by rescue crews.
Another man has suffered critical head injuries, and remains in the hospital. No one on the speed boat was injured. Police are investigating the accident. They report that excess speed of the boat may have been a factor. If speed does happen to be a factor in this case, the driver of the speed boat may be negligent by violating a speeding statute. Negligence per se occurs when (1) the defendant violated a statute; (2) the statute provides for a criminal penalty (not civil penalties) such as fines and imprisonment; (3) the act caused the king of harm the statute was designed to prevent, and (4) the plaintiff was a member of the statute’s protected class.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a automobile, boating, or any other collision, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation. You can reach us at our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Sep 15, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A boat caught fire in the early afternoon of Sept. 1 on Lake Wylie soon after the boat had been put on the water for a Labor Day cruise.Tega Cay Fire Department, one of several agencies responding to the fire, used its fire boat to extinguish the fire. A family was aboard, but luckily, all made it off of the boat safely.
The incident occurred about 30 feet off shore near Lake Club Marina and Ebenezer Park. Often times, boating accidents are due to high levels of intoxication in conjunction with driving a boat. Especially for boaters on Lake Wylie, the reports typically read that there was some sort of collision or disruption due to intoxication. People tend to forget that the same rules apply whether you are driving a boat, car, or any other motor vehicle; you may not be intoxicated as you operate.
However, in the case at hand, the situation is unique, as no one was appears to be at fault for the boat catching aflame.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the authorities are working diligently to investigate.
South Carolina Boating Accident Attorneys
Whatever type of boating accident you or your family may find themselves in, call the Criminal Defense offices of Reeves,Aiken, and Hightower,LLP. If you are stopped at a checkpoint or otherwise charged with a BUI , call us to review your options. Don’t think you are guilty just because you are arrested. We can help. Compare our lawyers’ credentials against any other firm. Then, hire the best Bui lawyer who you trust to fight for your case. Call us today for answers and alternatives to simply pleading guilty. 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll free.
