Apr 11, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A Florence man was killed on Wednesday when he was driving his three-wheeled Cam Am motorcycle westbound and abruptly slammed into the back of a halted tractor-trailer.
According to the SC Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around sunset at 6:48 p.m. The location of the accident was in the westbound lanes of US 76 at Francis Marion University.
Apparently, the tractor-trailer had slowed down to stop at the stoplight right outside the University, when the driver of the motorcycle smashed into the back of the truck.
The 32-year-old motorcyclist was travelling to close and did not realize that the tractor-trailer has come to a complete stop at that point.
Moreover, the motorcyclist had not been wearing his helmet at the time of incident; a reoccurring theme is most deaths due to motorcycle accidents.
No charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the tractor-trailer, who was luckily unscathed by the accident.
Studies from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reveal that 3,675 people were killed and 80,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks or tractor-trailers in 2010. During that same year, 276,00 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes.
However, it is uncommon to hear of an accident occurring between a motorcyclist and a driver of a tractor-trailer. There is always an increased risk in driving a motorcycle, as there is not nearly as much metal around you for protection To make matters worse, often times people driving motorcycles are not wearing their helmets which can ultimately serve as a death sentence.
If you or a family member is involved in any serious motorcycle accident or tractor-, you will need an attorney to protect your rights and get you on a successful path to recovery. Call the experienced attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Apr 11, 2013 | DUI & DWI, License Revocation, Uncategorized
A Gastonia motorcyclist is being accused of weaving through traffic on Interstate 77 throughout the morning traffic rush. Troopers chased the motorcyclist, as the helicopter followed over the man. The driver was eventually stopped from dodging traffic, and placed in cuffs by Mooresville Police officers.
The questioning began with the 27-year-old man playing coy. He stated that he didn’t understand why he was being pulled over. However, it was later discovered that the chopper had been behind him the entire time. The man then stated that he was driving with a revoked license, and he now faces several charges including eluding arrest.
The Highway Patrol allegedly seized the man’s bike, and it appears as though it is not likely he is going to get it back. Further, the man was allegedly
heading to work when the chase was over. Officers report that this is new for them.
This particular situation is very strange. First, the man stated that he was not aware that he was in a high speed chase, and second, he attempted to show up to work and act as though nothing happened.
Everyone makes mistakes. In this particular situation, the man should have simply pulled his bike over, and accepted the minimal charge he was given. It is a lot easier to deal with a charge that is simply a driving while license is revoked than to deal with an eluding arrest charge on top of that. However, bad decisions happen, and at the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP we can help you with you DUI, Felony DUI, or traffic violation, and help you to the best of our abilities.
For a consultation, call our Charlotte, North Carolina office at 704-499-9000, and we will be pleased to assist you in any way possible.
Apr 11, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A 79-year-old man passed away Friday after a horrific motorcycle accident that occurred on March 17th of this year.
According to the Chief Investigator of the Greenwood County Coroner’s Office, the man died strictly as result to his cra
sh last month.
The man was in somewhat stable condition for a few days prior to his death. According to reports however,man’s recovery took a turn for the worst when there was hemorrhaging in his brain that was uncontrollable by the doctor’s on staff. It was this serious brain injury that was the ultimate result of the man’s death.
The details of the collision on St. Patrick’s day are clear however. The 79-year-old was riding his motorcycle south on S.C. 225 Bypass, when he collided with a 2002 Pontiac on the driver’s right hand side.
The driver of the Pontiac was also travelling southbound on S.C. 225 Bypass when he attempted to make
a left turn onto Front Line Road.It was at this time that the victim’s motorcycle hit the driver’s Pontiac.
Officials have stated that the 79-year-old was travelling on his motorcycle at a rapid speed under the conditions and tried to swerve to miss the Pontiac, but was unable to avoid the collision.
The accident occurred on a sunny afternoon, around 4:25 p.m. It was also reported that the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Had he of been wearing one, the result may not have been as grim as it ultimately turned out to be.
The Highway Patrol states that the driver of the Pontiac was transported to Self Regional Medical Center for treatment to her serious injuries. The motorcycle driver had to be airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he eventually passed away after a terrible struggle.
Motorcycle accidents are exponentially more dangerous then that of a regular car. The rationale is that when you are driving a car, you have more metal and protection between you and the collision. However, unlike a typical car, the only thing protecting a person driving a motorcycle from impact due to a collision is their own bodies.
That being said, it is pertinent that one driving a motorcycle exercises extra precautions when operating their vehicle. Wearing a helmet is key. If there is no protection between you and the possible impact, the best thing to do is use your brain and protect it. Thousands of people die every year from serious head or brain injuries due to motorcycle accidents whereas the result may have been different if their head had been protected.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident in the Lancaster, York, or Indian Land regions/counties of South Carolina, contact the experienced motorcycle attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP. We understand that accidents happen, and are here to help. Contact us today at 803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Apr 11, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Gastonia, North Carolina man has been charged with DUI while driving a moped, according to Gastonia Police. The man allegedly ran a red light, while driving in the wrong lane. When the man stepped off his moped to speak with the officer, it is reported that he had difficulty standing and the officer could detect a strong odor of alcohol. The man would not submit to the breath-test; however, he was forced to give a blood sample by the police.
The man is being charged with DWI which is his eighth DWI charge. His charges occurred more than ten years ago, which is a plus for him; however, the prosecutor m
ay still attempt to use these charges against him. Further, one who is suspected of driving while intoxicated cannot be forced to take a breathalyzer test. The problem is that if the person refuses to give such a test, this will result in an automatic license suspension for 30 days, and the DMV may up to as much as one year.
Therefore, if you or a loved one has been charged with a DWI in North Carolina under such circumstances, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation. Our 75 years of combined experience will allow us to lend you the best representation possible. For a North Carolina DWI, call us at our Charlotte office at 704-499-9000. For South Carolina, call us at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
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 11, 2013 | Criminal Defense, Homicide Defense, Uncategorized
A woman, who Gastonia officials say set a fire to a home that killed her mother and stepfather, has still not been located by police officials. The fire was initially ruled an accident; however, this idea has changed due to the suspicious activity of the 37-year-old suspect.
As the fire burst into a full-blown conflagration, the suspect ran out of the house, and banged on the door of the couple’s neighbors stating that her mother and stepfather were in the engulfed house. The neighbor attempted to help, but his rescue efforts were futile, as were the efforts of the Gastonia fire department. It is reported that it took 20 firefighters to get the flames under control.
The investigators have not been able to locate the daughter, who is sus
pected of causing the fire. When the woman is located, she will be charged with first-degree homicide by the Gastonia Police Department.
If you or someone close to you has committed a felony in North Carolina, and the felony is inherently dangerous (such as rape, robbery, arson, burglary, and kidnapping), and a person is killed during the commission of such felony, that felon can still be charged with first-degree murder.
In North Carolina, the felony murder rule has been implemented; so, in this case for example, the woman set a house on fire. Even if she didn’t know people were in the house, she could still be charged with first-degree homicide. The fact that she was committing an inherently dangerous felony (Arson), and people died as a result, she will likely be implicated under the felony murder rule.
So, if you have been charged with homicide, or any other criminal charge, call the law offices o Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation of your rights. You can reach our Charlotte, North Carolina office at 704-499-9000, and we will be pleased to assist you.
