North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog

There are conflicting reports as to what caused an 80-pound American Bully terrier to attack a 7-year-old boy. While the victim, Malik Albright, claims the Charlotte, North Carolina dog attack occurred because another 7-year-old, Elijah Howzer, told his dog, named “DK,” to attack, Howzer’s family is disputing the allegations.

They contend that Albright jumped over the fence into their yard and that is when DK started pursuing him. Albright sustained injuries to ear, face, and leg from the incident.

In North Carolina, Charlotte, dog bite lawyer Michael A. DeMayo represents children and adults injured in animal attacks. Because the state’s personal injury laws involve contributory negligence, if a victim contributed to his/her injuries, he/she cannot recover any compensation. This is just one of the many reasons why it is important to consult with someone like North Carolina injury attorney DeMayo right away.

Dog bite injuries can be extremely severe, and the physical and emotional injuries can take their toll. Some dog bites can be so vicious that the victim may have to undergo numerous surgeries, including cosmetic surgery, and he/she may still be left disfigured.

Charlotte, NC personal injury lawyer Michael A. DeMayo is familiar with the steps involved in filing your dog bite claim and he knows what you will need to prove that you are owed financial recovery by a negligent dog owner, premise owner, or any other responsible party. Attorney DeMayo has helped North Carolina dog bite victims recover compensation for medical bills, future medical expenses, permanent disability, lost income, permanent disfigurement and scarring, loss of enjoyment of life, and wrongful death.

To give you one recent example of a Charlotte dog bite attack that left a child with injuries so severe that he needed a lot more than a visit to the doctor to heal, 6-year-old Jakob Clark was in the hospital more than 35 days after a pit bull attacked him in December 2010. His legs and arms were so badly damaged that doctors didn’t know whether he would be able to walk again. Jakob was put on a ventilator and had to undergo over a dozen surgeries. He also has needed extensive physical therapy.

Sometimes, a person’s injuries are so severe that future as well as current costs have to be assessed and factored in as part of your financial recovery. By working with someone like Charlotte, North Carolina dog attack attorney Michael A. DeMayo, you have someone who has the legal experience and skills to represent you.

 Dog Bites Happen More Often in the Summer, Says Study

According to some researchers, with summer fast approaching, the risk of young kids being bitten by a dog goes up. Per their study, published in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery in 2009, they think this may be because kids, out of school, are more likely to be outdoors with dogs. It could also be that dogs become more irritable when the weather is hotter.

Your first consultation with Charlotte, North Carolina dog bite lawyer DeMayo is free. Should you decide to retain the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, you will only pay for legal services out of any financial recovery.

Call 1- 877-529-1222. Charlotte, North Carolina injury attorney DeMayo and his law firm have helped over 35,000 across the Carolinas since 1992.

Dog owner disagrees with 7-year-old’s story of attack, WCNC, May 14, 2012

St. Matthew reaches out to boy mauled by dog, South Charlotte Weekly, January 13, 2011

Dog bite risk for kids greatest in summers, ABC News, March 9, 2012

Teens, teachers, and parents are raving about the “Arrive: Alive Don’t Drink and Drive” program that took place at a number of area high schools last week. Led by Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Michael A. DeMayo, students received an education on the dangers of underage drinking and driving.

During the free, hour-long presentation, Mr. DeMayo showed students and faculty photographs from actual drunk driving crash scenes and told them about the catastrophic injuries and deaths that can happen when someone who is intoxicated decides to get in the driver’s seat. Accompanying him to the different schools was Karl Kakadelis, who was just 19 when he caused a drunk driving collision that claimed the life of his best friend. Students were moved as Kakadelis, now 27, talked about how that tragic night irrevocably changed more than one life.

There are no “do-overs” when a drunk driving accident happens and the consequences for everyone involved, including loved ones and friends, are very real. “Our goal is to prevent even one tragic accident from occurring,” said Charlotte, North Carolina Car Crash Lawyer DeMayo.

Our Charlotte, North Carolina Injury law firm is pleased to report that the message we set out to convey, that drunk driving is dangerous and can cause real life, tragic consequences, was acknowledged and received by program attendees and their parents:

“I want to thank (Mr. DeMayo) for trying to change people and turn their hearts before they break them. Like I said, I cannot thank you all enough for coming to my school and talking about this, because it moved me, and that is a life saved. God Bless.” — Jackie Davis

“Your presentation was very powerful. I feel like it really made our students think about making good decisions.  Thank you for what you do for our youth and keep up the good work.” — Dallas Hicks, School Resource Officer, West Iredell High School

“I wanted to tell Mr. DeMayo how much I appreciate his time in coming to North Iredell High School in Olin, NC to speak to the Junior and Seniors about the consequences of drinking on Prom Night. His speech had a huge impact on the students. My daughter is still talking about it. I just wanted to say Thank You!” –Kelly Parks

Schools that the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo’s “Arrive Alive” program visited this year included West Iredell High School, North Iredell High School, Porter Ridge High School, Forest Hills High School, Independence High School, Butler High School, Lake Norman High School, and East Gaston High School.

In addition to the “Arrive Alive” program, our Charlotte, NC injury law firm has been active in other ways to make sure that teens know about the perils of underage drinking and driving. For the 9^th straight year, The Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program awarded $2,500 college scholarships to high school students. The winners were chosen based on their winning presentations warning their peers against drunk driving, as well as their grades and community service. To find out who the 2012 15 scholarship winners are, go to this blog post for details.

Teens, parents, and guardians can take the “Arrive Alive” pledge by downloading an App, now available via iTunes and Android.  Please visit us on Facebook to LIKE our page and download the App.

Watch this PSA from our Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm: “There are No Extra Lives when You Drink & Drive.”

Learn More About Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Michael A. DeMayo

For the ninth year in a row, the Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program is proud to award $2,500 college scholarships to high seniors in North Carolina and South Carolina. Named after Charlotte, NC Personal Injury Attorney Michael A. DeMayo, the scholarship program seeks to help teenagers further their education while spreading the word that drunk driving is dangerous.

Candidates were evaluated based on their grades, community involvement, letters of recommendation, and original presentations or essays addressing other teens about the dangers of underage drinking and driving. Once again, the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, LLP received a record number of applications and we were pleased by the efforts made by all of our student applicants and the quality of their work.

“Because young adults respond best to advice from their own peers, our scholarship program attempts to capture the ideas and suggestions of teenagers,” said Mr. DeMayo. “Even if our scholarships save just one life, the investment will have been worth it.”

The Winners of the 2012 Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program:

• Bria Soto, Marvin Ridge High School County in Union County, NC
• Taylor Thompson, Mooresville Senior High School in Iredell County, NC
• Kirsten Consing, Fred T. Foard High School in Catawba County, NC
• Cassidy Plyler, Metrolina Christian Academy in Union County, NC
• Megan Gurjar, Lake Norman High School in Iredell County, NC
• Graham Collins, Covenant Day School in Mecklenburg County, NC
• Tanner Hallgren, Cato Middle College High School in Mecklenburg County, NC
• Dakota Palacio, Al Brown High School in Cabarrus County, NC
• Matthew Sciascia, Hickory Ridge High School in Cabarrus County, NC
• Emilia San Miguel, Robert Logan Patton High School in Burke County, NC
• Brianna Gallegher, East Lincoln High School in Lincoln County, NC
• Austin Rhyne, North Iredell High School in Iredell County, NC
• Amare Seltun, South Point High School in Gaston County, NC
• Meredith Avant, Independence High School in Mecklenburg County, NC
• Meredith Morrow, Ardrey Kell High School in Mecklenburg County, NC

A selection committee chose the winners. The 15 winning presentations will be made available through web links in a booklet that will be sent to lawmakers and community leaders who can hopefully use the students’ ideas and suggestions to shape awareness and public policy.

Since 2003, Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Michael A. DeMayo and his law firm have awarded over $200,000 in scholarship money to graduating seniors. Our annual scholarship program is part of our community outreach efforts to spread awareness among local youth about the dangers of drunk driving.

Mr. DeMayo also goes out every year to local schools with the “Arrive Alive! Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign.” The free, hour-long presentation is a wake-up call to students about the real life consequences that can happen when you drive while under the influence. Charlotte, NC Injury Attorney DeMayo brought “Arrive Alive” to eight area schools this week.

The Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program

Arrive Alive: Don’t Drink and Drive

LIKE the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo on Facebook

Download Our Free ” Arrive Alive” Mobile Phone App

More Blog Posts:

North Carolina High School Students Take the “Arrive Alive” Pledge to Join the Fight Against Underage Drinking and Driving, North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog, May 1, 2012

Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm Fights Underage Drinking and Driving with 10th Annual Arrive Alive! Don’t Drink and Drive” Community Outreach Program at Area High Schools, North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog, April 27, 2012

Deadline for North Carolina and South Carolina High School Students to Enter Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program is February 27, 2012, North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog, January 4, 2012

The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, LLP kicked off the first day of its 10^th annual “Arrive Alive! Don’t Drink and Drive” program with two presentations at local high schools. At West Iredell High School and North Iredell High School students made the commitment to not drink and drive.

During the presentations, Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney DeMayo spoke to the teenagers about the dangers of drunk driving. He talked about real incidents involving teenagers that died, sustained serious injuries, or hurt someone else because either they or someone else had been driving under the influence. “If we can just save one of you sitting here today from making the wrong decision, then our efforts will be worth it,” said Mr. DeMayo.

Joining him was Karl Kakadelis, who as a teenager was involved in the drunken driving crash that claimed the life of his best friend. Kakadelis has since become an advocate in the fight against underage drinking and driving. Yesterday, he spoke about that night and how it has impacted his life.

Following the presentation, a faculty member at West Iredell High School called the event “very powerful” and said “I feel like it really made our students think about making good decisions.  Thank you for what you do for our youth.”

Our Charlotte, North Carolina personal injury law firm is very pleased that our message was heard loud and clear by both teenagers and adults. We are inviting the students to take the “Arrive Alive” pledge, which is a promise to never drive under the influence of alcohol and, when necessary, ride with a designated driver or find other means of transportation. We also invited their parents and guardians to take the pledge to talk to them about the dangers of drunk driving and how to make safe decisions.

All of the students who take the pledge will have their names entered in a drawing. A girl and a boy from each participating school will be eligible to win a $100 Visa gift card.

Students can take the “Arrive Alive” pledge by visiting the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo online or going to our Facebook page where you can LIKE us and download our free “Arrive Alive” mobile app.

Our “Arrive Alive” program continues on Wednesday, May 2 at Independence High School at 9am in Charlotte and Butler High School at 1pm in Matthews.

“Arrive Alive” is one of our signature community service programs. Along with the annual Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program, which awards college scholarships to 15 high school seniors in North Carolina and South Carolina, our Charlotte, personal injury law firm is dedicated to educating teens about the dangers of drunk driving.

Related Resources:

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Teen Drivers Fact Sheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Impaired Driving, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

More Blog Posts:

Drunk Driving a Factor in North Carolina Car Accident that Killed 17-Year-Old Raleigh Student, North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog, January 31, 2012

North Carolina Car Accident Disaster: Teens Texting Leads to High School Tragedy, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog, April 6, 2011

North Carolina DUI Nets Man 15 Years in Jail, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog, February 17, 2012

For the 10th year in a row, the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo, LLP is proud to bring its “Arrive Alive! Don’t Drink and Drive” program to local high schools as part of its ongoing efforts to educate minors about the dangers of teen drinking and driving. Charlotte, North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Michael A. DeMayo will be kicking off this year’s community outreach at West Iredell High School in Statesville at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 30. Later that day, he will speak at 2 p.m. at North Iredell High School in Olin. Other presentations will take place throughout the week. Please visit our web site to view our full schedule and a list of the schools where we will be presenting.

During the free, hour-long presentation, Mr. DeMayo will show photos of drunk driving crash scenes and share stories about teenagers that died or sustained catastrophic injuries because someone was driving drunk. Joining him this year as a guest speaker will be Karl Kakadelis, a 27-year-old who knows first hand about the devastating consequences that can happen from driving while under the influence.

Kakadelis was 19 when, after drinking a number of beers at his graduation party, he and his best friend got into his jeep to pick up another friend who was about a mile away. Kakadelis, who drove his vehicle off the road, overcorrected it, causing the jeep to flip. His best friend, who was ejected from the vehicle, died from his catastrophic injuries. Kakadelis will talk about what happened that night and how his life changed forever.

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident law firm is committed to helping teenagers become fully aware of the devastating consequences that can happen from driving drunk. We want them to realize that one bad decision can destroy lives.

Auto accidents continue to be the leading cause of teen deaths and drunk driving is one of the main reasons for these fatalities. Getting more teenagers to stop driving while under the influence inevitably saves lives.

In addition to our “Arrive Alive” program, every year we award 15 high school seniors scholarships of $2,500 each as part of our annual Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. Recipients are selected from North Carolina and South Carolina applicants on the basis of their involvement with the community, SAT scores, grades, and original presentations created using their medium of choice  (essay, web site, PowerPoint, video, or brochure). The presentations are created to educate their fellow teens about why drinking and driving make a dangerous combination.

The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo represents North Carolina personal injury clients in the areas of injury, nursing home abuse and neglect, workers’ compensation, wrongful death, and social security disability. We have law offices located in Charlotte, Monroe, Lumberton, and Hickory.

You can find out more about our “Arrive Alive” program by visiting the Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo on the Internet or watch our TV commercial on YouTube.

Please  LIKE us on Facebook. Also, coming soon:  the “Arrive Alive” app that you will be able to download onto your iPhone or iPad.

DeMayo Law Offices to Present Tenth Annual “Arrive Alive” Program to Local High Schools, PRWeb, April 26. 2012

Teen Drivers, NHTSA