Mar 31, 2013 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
Sadly, a man who had dedicated his life to the health and well-being of children has lost his life in a tragic All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV or 4-wheeler) accident. He was an Indian Land Elementary physical education teacher, and he died early in October after suffering serious injuries in an ATV accident that occurred a few days prior to the man’s death.
The man was loved and honored by all of his students and colleagues, and was on his 17th year of teaching at the time of the incident. He was also the wrestling coach at the local high school, Indian Land High, where students remembered him as the first teacher in the building, and the last one to leave that afternoon.
The details of the accident are still a bit hazy; however, it was reported that the teacher had been riding his ATV through the back roads of Van Wyck where he lived, when he was thrown from the machine.
EMS workers reported that the teacher suffered a severe head injury at the time of the accident; something that is typical with ATV accidents, as there is no machinery around the body of the driver for extra protection.
By the time EMS arrived on scene after a neighbor phoned the local police department, the teacher had to be immediately taken by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for surgery.
Surgery was performed, but the accident was too severe and the trauma to the brain had already done its damage.
The beloved teacher was pronounced dead that Tuesday afternoon.There are no more details available to give rise to the source or cause of the accident. It is unclear why the teacher was thrown from the ATV, and how he was injured when he was.
When people think of personal injuries and serious accidents, typically, the first thought that crosses their minds is ” someone must of been involved in a car or motorcycle accident.” However, with technology increasing everyday, and new fun “toys” being released into the market, personal injuries due to some sort of unconventional machine seem to be ever increasing.
Specifically, since the release of All Terrain Vehicles ( also called ATVs or commonly “4-wheelers), people are becoming involved in multiple accidents due to this dangerous vehicles. To drive a 4-wheeler, the laws state in both North and South Carolina that one must first obtain a driver’s license. However, because of the ATV departure from a regular vehicle, more and more people are driving this equipment without the proper experience or safety precautions surrounding them for protection.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in any sort of serious accident due to a 4-wheeler, contact the personal injury attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP. With attorneys licensed in both North and South Carolina, those accidents that occur over the border may still warrant representation. Call us today for a free consultation at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 31, 2013 | Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A car accident in Florence County, South Carolina resulted in the death of one person, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The crash involved a head-on collision between two trucks, and occurred four miles to the north of Highway 378.
It was reported that a Dodge pickup truck rounded a curve, crossing into oncoming traffic, colliding with a Penske box truck. The driver of the pick-up truck was pronounced dead on the scene and the Penske driver was taken to a local hospital. It was further reported that both drivers were wearing their safety belts.
The area where the accident occurred has been the scene for multiple accidents in the past few years, and neighbors fear that more accidents are likely to occur. So, if you or a loved one has been involved in a collision resulting in injury, or even death, we can try to alleviate the financial burden that is placed on family members. The injured party, or the family members of a deceased party may file for damages from the negligent driver to compensate for past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and lost wages.
At the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, we want to ensure that you receive the recovery you are entitled to. For a consultation, call our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Mar 30, 2013 | Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A man, who was walking his dog on the intersection of Prosperity Church Road and Loganville Drive, was struck by a vehicle and later died from his injuries. The driver of the vehicle is being charged with driving while impaired (DWI). The dog was taken to Animal Care and is recovering from a broken hind leg.
The 65-year-old driver was arrested at the scene and taken to a local hospital for B.A.C. testing. After his blood tested positive for alcohol, he was taken into the Mecklenburg County Intake Center.
Here, there is a potential North Carolina wrongful death action. In wrongful death cases, there are two potential types of benefits. The first is a “survival action” where the decedent lives for even an instant before death; where witnesses at the scene or autopsy results are vital. If proven, the decedent’s estate is entitled to medical bills, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. The second type of benefit, which does not go through the estate is a loss of support, services, and companionship (loss of consortium) and goes directly to the family members.
If you have lost a loved one, and qualify under the statute for a loss of consortium claim, or think you may, contact the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. For a consultation, contact our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 30, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A car accident in Matthews, North Carolina along Independence Boulevard resulted in the death of a grandmother and her daughter. The accident occurred near the Matthews Festival Shopping Center, according to the police report.
Police report that a Chevy Trailblazer collided with their Honda CRV. Four people were in the car; two of which were grandchildren who are expected to survive. The driver was reported to have been drinking before the accident and is being charged with DWI and reckless driving. Police report that additional charges are expected to be filed.
In North Carolina, there are four aggravating factors when it comes to DWI enforcement. These include: (1) Prior history of DWI – one with a prior history of DWI within the past seven years, may be charged as a habitual offender; (2) driving with a suspended license; (3) causing a car wreck – if you have been arrested for DWI after causing an accident which causes a death or serious injury, this will increase the charge; and (4) driving with a child in the car – if the child is under the age of 16, they are classified as a child. Further, this may result in a felony under North Carolina law.
In the case above, the man who caused a car accident as a result of DWI will face felony charges for allegedly causing the death of two while intoxicated. This is why it is important for him to have an appropriate defense. If you or a loved one has been charged with DWI or Felony DWI, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. For a consultation, call us at 803-548-4444, or toll free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 29, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Kershaw, South Carolina woman is being charged with Felony DUI after her van collided with a motorcycle, killing the driver.
South Carolina Deputies report that the man was driving along Highway 341, and smashed into a van as the woman was pulling out of a driveway.
Thereafter, the man was tossed from the bike which then burst into flames. While the man was not wearing a helmet; it was reported that the head injury was not what killed him. The driver of the van and her four passengers were taken to an area hospital.
The woman is being charged with felony DUI, child endangerment, driving under suspension, a child restraint violation, and an alcohol violation.
If you or someone close to you has received multiple charges as a result of a drinking related incident, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at our Fort Mill, South Carolina office. For a consultation, call us at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Mar 29, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A 24-year-old Columbia, South Carolina man is charged with Felony DUI after a car accident that left one person dead. The man was taken from the hospital to the Lexington County Detention Center. The crash occurred around midnight on Meeting Street and Sunset Boulevard.
A felony DUI charged in South Carolina requires that the state prove that the defendant has (1) operated a vehicle under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both; (2) did something else against the law, such as failed to maintain lane or acted negligently; and (3) proximately causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself, including passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
Great bodily injury for the purpose of felony DUI is an injury that “creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.” Further, pursuant to the statute, if someone dies of complications within 3 years of a “great bodily injury,” that death would meet the proximate cause standard.
Therefore, if you or a loved one is facing a felony DUI charged based on death or great bodily injury, it is important to know how to approach your case. At the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, our attorneys have over 70 years of experience in dealing with people’s legal problems, and understand the DUI process. Call our Baxter Village office, located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
