Dec 20, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A young man is dead after the SUV he was driving crashed into a tree in a south Charlotte neighborhood Tuesday morning.
It happened around 11:20 a.m. off Lindstrom Drive near Carmel Road just south of Quail Hollow Country Club.
The 20-year-old was driving a white 2000 Toyota 4 Runner when he crashed into a tree near an intersection.
The man was pronounced dead on the scene.
He was apparently a crew member on the popular show ‘Homeland,’ as much of the series was filmed in the Charlotte area this past year.
According to investigators, excessive speed may have contributed to the crash; moreover, police say he was not wearing a seat belt.
Nearly one third of all motor-vehicle accidents can be attributed to speeding. In fact, the chances of being in a potentially serious accident increase exponentially as the rate of speed of an automobile increases. Driving is not a game and safe driving techniques include obeying the speed limit. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident that involves excess speed or otherwise, it’s time to call the Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Dec 19, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sand the U.S. Congress have agreed in unison that ignition interlock in vehicles be made a mandatory requirement for anyone convicted of a DWI, including first time offenders. NTSB and Congress also believe that this power should rest with the states, allowing each state to craft their own mandatory requirements.
Specifically, according to the safety bill adopted by Congress last year, states will be given federal grants in order to aid the ignition interlock, ensuring that each state can comply with the requirement if desired. Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, Pub. L. 112-141. ( U.S.)(2011). The bill was introduced after a special investigation into vehicle crashes, resulting from intoxicated drivers travelling down the wrong way of the roadways. The NTSB ultimately concluded that installing the interlock ignition would greatly reduce the amount of accidents caused by intoxicated drivers.
There are three instances in which the state of North Carolina currently requires ignition interlock as a condition of regaining one’s driver’s license: (1) the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more; (2) the person was convicted of another offense, involving impaired driving within seven years of the offense for which the person’s license is revoked; or (3), the person was sentenced at an “Aggravated Level One,” which is the highest level of punishment one can receive for a misdemeanor DWI. Thus, our state’s system is currently not as rigid as the NTSB requirement. In order to comply with the requirement and be awarded federal money, North Carolina would have to expand the mandatory interlock ignition requirement to all persons charged with a DWI.
In order to jumpstart production of the ignition interlock, the NTSB and the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have united to begin working to develop this “high tech” equipment through a cooperative research program referred to as the DADSS program.
The DADSS system is opposed to the current interlock ignition, believing that it is too burdensome on the use by widespread public. DADDSS thinks the current system, which requires the driver to blow into a breathalyzer every time they start the car, is an extremely intrusive system.
Thus, DADSS has created two less intrusive alternatives for the interlock ignition. The first system would be a touch-based approach, measuring the person’s alcohol concentration by their skin. The second would be similar to the breathalyzer, however rather than “blowing,” sensors would be used to test the driver’s breath on the exhale.
Many in support of the DADSS system believe that this maybe one of the few times in which the government can utilize technology to prevent a crime, without “unduly burdening the individual freedom.” If they are correct, there could be no constitutional violations raised, and serious injury and deaths due to drunk drivers may be greatly reduced, to the benefit of all drivers alike.
If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence, driving under suspension, or any other alcohol related charge, call the law offices of Reeves Aiken & Hightower for a consultation. We know that a DUI can determine the next year or so of a person’s life; therefore, it is important for you to get proper representation. Call us at 704-499-9000, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Dec 17, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
Two men are dead following an early morning crash involving a pick-up truck and a passenger car on Pleasant Garden Road Saturday.
A man was driving his pick-up truck on Pleasant Garden road when he drove off the road, swerved to correct, crossed the center-line and struck a car driving northbound, causing his vehicle to overturn.
The driver and passenger of the second vehicle were both killed in the crash.
Authorities are still determining whether alcohol was a factor in the crash.
The driver who caused the crash was transported to an area hospital with potentially serious injuries.
All too often overcorrecting forces drivers into the path of oncoming vehicles or propels them off the other side of the road. Many times, the overcorrecting is a result of losing control of the vehicle due to distractions like texting while driving. Drivers should always remain vigilant about safety and pay attention while driving. If you or someone you know is involved in a serious accident, you need an attorney. Hire the best attorneys for your cause by calling the Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Dec 17, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A six-car crash caused major traffic delays for evening commuters on N.C. 16 Northbound near Mount Holly Huntersville Road and Interstate 485 Wednesday night.
The accident occurred just after 6 p.m. and sent two people to an area hospital with injuries, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.
Wreckers arrived on the scene around 7 p.m. and cleared the wreckage.
The peak hour motor vehicle crashes occur in Charlotte is between 4 and 5 p.m. Rush hour is the peak hour of the day during which traffic congestion is at its highest. If you or a loved one has been involved in a rush hour collision or otherwise, call the Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Dec 13, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A Charlotte driver died in an early morning crash after his car veered off the roadway and hit some woods Monday.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police were the first to arrive on the scene at the 7800 block of Belhaven Boulevard around 3:30 a.m.
A 29-year-old driver was pronounced dead on the scene.
The man, driving a BMW passenger vehicle veered off the road into a wooded area, coming to a halt on a hill at a 45-degree angle. The car then caught fire.
The two police officers on the scene attempted to free the man from the fiery vehicle as firefighters began to show up.
The passenger was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Police are still working to find the cause of the fatal accident.
In years 2008 & 2009, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death. Whether it’s day or night, safe driving techniques can make the difference of life or death for you and your loved ones. If you find yourself in a serious accident, call the Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Dec 13, 2012 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
The Rock Hill Police Department arrested a drunk man at a locak McDonald’s last Thursday evening.
According to the police report, the 54-year-old Rock Hill resident hit a woman’s car repeatedly while waiting in the drive thru line. The accident occured around 10:15 p.m., on East Main Street near Winthrop University.
When the police arrived on scene, the man stated that he had only had two beers that evening, yet could not walk in a stright line due to ” two knee surgeries and two back surgeries.”
However, the “stright-line test,” was not the only sobriety test the defendant failed that night. Upon arrest, the defendant kicked and screamed as the officers try to place the defendant in the patrol car.
His car was subsequently towed, he license was taken from him, and the man was taken directly to jail.
He was in fact charged with a DUI.
The officers administered a breathalyzer test on the man and found that his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was at 0.09. In the state of South Carolina, if a person is found to have a higher BAC than 0.08, they can be charged with DUI. If you or a loved one has been charged with driving under the influence, driving under suspension, or any other alcohol related charge, call the law offices of Reeves Aiken & Hightower for a consultation. We know that a DUI can determine the next year or so of a person’s life; therefore, it is important for you to get proper representation. Call us at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
