North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog

In Hillsborough, North Carolina, town members are trying to raise funds for Khari Clark-Hester, a 6-year-old girl who is paralyzed from the waist down after she suffered spinal cord and brain injuries during an auto crash on April 10.

Khari sustained these catastrophic injuries when the passenger side of the car she was riding in was hit by a pickup truck. Khari spent several weeks in intensive care at NC Children’s Hospital and was later moved to a rehabilitation center. Her mother and 2-year-old sister were also involved in the crash but are now both fine. Khari needs money to pay for a medical car seat, a wheelchair ramp outside their house, and other medical costs.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our catastrophic injury lawyers can help you or your injured family member recover personal injury compensation from the negligent party to cover your losses and damages. Catastrophic injuries are often life changing accidents, and living with a TBI or an SCI can be very expensive.

Traumatic Brain Injury
A sudden trauma to the brain can cause a traumatic brain injury. While a mild TBI can result in temporary unconsciousness, headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision, a more person with a serious TBI may experience convulsions, seizures, permanent brain damage, or fall into a coma or brain death.

Spinal Cord Injuries
A severe blow that dislocates or fractures the spine can lead to a spinal cord injury. An SCI patient may experience loss of sensation, sexual dysfunction, respiratory problems, loss of movement, including paralysis, and other serious health problems.

Our North Carolina auto accident lawyers know how to prove that a negligent motorist or another liable party caused your catastrophic injuries. We will zealously pursue your recovery. Our personal injury lawyers have successfully obtained compensation for the families of minors seriously injured in auto crashes.

Community unites to help accident victim, The Daily Tar Heel, June 12, 2008

Town rallies for injured girl, The Chapel Hill News

Related Web Resources:

Spinal cord injury, MayoClinic

Traumatic Brain Injury

Continue reading "6-Year-Old North Carolina Girl Paralyzed in Car Crash Is Center of Local Fundraising Efforts" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Catastrophic Injuries , Injuries to Minors

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In North Carolina, the Granville County family of 18-year-old Linsey Lunsford and her 9-year-old sister Maggie are suing the town of Franklinton, Police Officer Michael Dunlap, Police Chief Ray Gilliam and Police Lt. John Green for their wrongful deaths.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the two sisters died after suspect Guy Christopher Ayscue crashed head-on into their vehicle while fleeing from Dunlap on December 1. Ayscue also died in the deadly auto collision.

Officer Dunlap says the chase began because he tried to apprehend Ayscue, who was driving erratically. Ayscue also reportedly had a criminal record, which included convictions for driving violations, drug and alcohol infractions, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.

Investigators say the police chase was going as fast as 90 mph in a 50 mph zone. The 15-mile police chase began on NC Highway 56 and ended on US Highway 15. The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that Dunlap may have been driving as fast as 103 mph at one point.

Franklinton police policy states that police officers engaged in suspect pursuits can at no time drive faster than 20 miles above the posted speed limit. Officer Dunlap was placed on administrative leave after the crash but returned to patrolling the streets in February.

If someone you love has died in a motor vehicle collision caused by another party’s negligence, contact our North Carolina personal injury law firm right away to schedule you free consultation.

In 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that over the past decade, over 3,000 people died because of police car chases. Of the 365 police car chase fatalities in 2001, 140 of the victims were not even directly involved in the actual pursuit. Federal statistics reveal that 40% of police car chases result in motor vehicle accidents.

Our North Carolina wrongful death law firm has the experience and resources to handle even the most complex wrongful death cases. We can help you recover compensation for your losses.

Family Sues Cop, Suspect's Estate in Chase Crash that Killed Sisters, WRAL.com, May 21, 2008

Sisters, Suspect Die in High-Speed Police Chase, NC Wanted, December 1, 2007

Police pressured to call off chase, USA Today, January 1, 2008

Related Web Resources:

The Lawsuit (PDF)

Franklinton Police Pursuit Policy (PDF)

Continue reading "North Carolina Family Sues Franklinton Police Officer For Wrongful Death of Two Daughters in Car Accident Involving Police Car Chase" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Wrongful Death

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In Pitt County, North Carolina, a grand jury this week indicted two men involved in separate deadly motor vehicle accidents that took place earlier this year.

Pablo Delacruz, was speeding in his Chevrolet Camaro on March 22 when he hit Harold Mills, a 75-year-old man on a bicycle. Mills was declared dead soon after he arrived at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. Delacruz had fled the accident scene but was tracked down by police after a witness wrote down his car’s license plate number.

DelaCruz was indicted for felony hit and run that caused personal injury and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

In the second fatal car accident, Danny Ellis Vick was driving his BMW headed north on NC 43 in Falkland Township on January 23 when he hit a car driven by 33-year-old Frankie Peaden after crossing the center line and hitting Peaden’s 1995 Toyota in a head-on collision. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says that Vick was driving under the influence of drugs.

At the time of the car accident, Vick was on parole after serving time in prison for robbery-related convictions. He was indicted this week on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and felony death by motor vehicle.

If someone you love was killed in a motor vehicle accident caused by another party’s negligence, not only can the responsible party be charged and convicted for committing a crime, but the driver may also be held liable in civil court.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our North Carolina wrongful death law firm has helped many families recover damages from the responsible party for their loved ones’ deaths. We have successfully represented the surviving family members of people killed in truck accidents, train accidents, car accidents, bus crashes, and motorcycle collisions. We also have represented mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives of people that died because of a defective product, a work-related accident, a premises liability-related crime, or any other injury accident caused by the negligence of someone else.

Two drivers from fatal wrecks indicted, The Daily Reflector, April 17, 2008

Hearing set for man in fatal wreck, The Daily Southerner, January 30, 2008

Greenville Police Investigating Hit and Run, WNCT.com, March 22, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Head-On Collisions

Things You May Not Know About Hit and Run Accidents, Deadly Roads

Continue reading "Pitt County Grand Jury Indicts North Carolina Two Drivers Involved in Separate Deadly Car Accidents" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Wrongful Death

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Annie McLeod, a University of North Carolina Wilmington Student, died on Sunday following a deadly car accident on North College Road in Wilmington over the weekend.

McLeod, 22, and two of her UNCW schoolmates, 19-year-old Tyler Roberts of Raleigh and 18-year-old Sarah Brown of Colerain, were on the road at around 2am on Sunday when they were struck by a Blue Lincoln that crossed the median. The Lincoln was driven by Wilmington resident Kelvin Cardwell, 22.

McLeod died on the way from the accident scene to the hospital. The other three injury victims were taken to New Hanover Regional Medical Center for medical treatment of their injuries.

The Wilmington Police say that alcohol was a factor in the crash.

If someone you love was seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash in North Carolina or South Carolina because another person was negligent or careless, please contact our auto accident law firm right away to explore your legal options. Our law firm handles personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Drunk Driving
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 1 person dies every 31 minutes in an alcohol-related auto accident, while 2 people are injured every two minutes.

• The CDC says that 16,885 people died in the US in 2005 in motor vehicle crashes where alcohol was involved.

• Driving with a BAC of .08% or more is illegal in all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

• Every year, alcohol-related accidents incur some $51 billion in costs in the U.S.

• Approximately 18% of auto accident driver deaths involved drugs other than alcohol.

UNCW student killed in crash, WWAYTV3.com, March 31, 2008

UNCW student killed in 2-car crash; 3 injured, StarNewsOnline.com, March 31, 2008

Impaired Driving, CDC.gov

Related Web Resource:

Drunk Driving, NSC.org

Continue reading "University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Dies and Three Others Are Injured In Car Accident Involving Alcohol" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents

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The North Carolina Highway Patrol says it will be on the lookout over the Easter weekend for drunk drivers, speeding drivers, aggressive drivers, erratic drivers, and drivers without seatbelts. The crackdown is intended to keep auto accident injuries and wrongful death incidents low.

The Easter weekend in North Carolina is a busy time on the roads, with motorists visiting relatives, going to church, heading to the beach, and spending time with friends. Over the 2007 Easter weekend, there were 1,153 auto accidents that left 8 people dead over the 3 ½ day period. This Easter weekend began yesterday at 6pm and ends on Sunday at midnight.

The NC Highway Patrol will also be taking part in the national CARE program—the Combined Accident Reduction Effort—that has State police officers and highway patrol officers making themselves more visible during busy holiday seasons in an effort to save lives and keep the motor vehicle accident toll low.

Unfortunately, holiday weekends can turn tragic when auto accidents occur. There may be serious injuries (and even death) for the driver, his or her passengers, and other people on the roads.

Our North Carolina and South Carolina auto accident law firm have helped many victims of car accidents, motorcycle accident, bus accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents recover compensation for their injuries or the deaths of loved ones.

Although you cannot control the behavior of other drivers on the road, you are in control of your own actions.

GMAC Insurance says the leading driving mistakes include:

• Multi-tasking while operating a vehicle.
• Following the vehicle in front of you too closely.
• Not yielding when making a left turn.
• Improper merging.
• Not looking to see what or who is in behind you.

State Highway Patrol Urges Motorists to Drive Safely Over the Easter Holiday Weekend, Lelandtribune.com, March 20, 2008

Top Driving Mistakes that Cause Crashes, GMAC Insurance

Related Web Resources:

C.A.R.E.

Car Accident Injuries - Causes and Preventive Measures, Ezinearticles

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

Continue reading "North Carolina Highway Patrol Goes Into Auto Accident-Prevention Mode for Easter Weekend" »

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A report released by AAA Carolina ranks the most dangerous places to drive in North Carolina. Haywood County was named the place where there is the “Best chance of being in a collision” under the category “Top 5 Dangerous Counties for Tractor-Trailers.”

Haywood’s Interstate 40, which is winding and narrowly built, is one of the reasons for the high motor vehicle crash rate. The I-40 once was once known for having the highest rate of tractor-trailer crashes in the United States.

The large amount of traffic—in particular, tractor-trailers—that pass through the area is another reason that so many accidents occur. The cold weather can cause the roads and tunnels to become icy.

Swain County and Graham County ranked at the top of the “5 Dangerous Counties for Motorcycles” under the categories “Best Chance for Being Injured” and Best Chance of Being in a Collision.”

Graham County was also named the leading North Carolina County where one has the “Best Chance of Being Killed.” A major reason for this high ranking is the 318 curves on its 11-mile stretch of U.S. 129. The fact that the number of people buying and riding motorcycles is increasing is also playing a role.

Also ranking on the AAA Carolinas list is Gaston County, which ranked number 27 out of the 30 most dangerous counties in North Carolinas for auto crashes. On a positive note, it ranked 91 out of 100 counties where deadly accidents will most likely take place.

Mecklenburg County ranked number six under the most dangerous counties list. Also listed among the counties where motor vehicle collisions were most likely to occur were Lincoln County at number 25 and Cleveland County at number 33.

The number one county where auto wrecks were most likely to happen, for the fifth year in a row, is New Hanover County.

The North Carolina county where you are least likely to get into a motor vehicle wreck is Currituck County. Chowan County is the area where you are least likely to die in a car crash.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash or someone you love was killed in an auto collision that was caused by another negligent party in North Carolina or South Carolina, our motor vehicle accident law firm would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your personal injury or wrongful death case.

Gaston County ranks in top half for wrecks, but few end in fatalities, GastonGazette.com, February 5, 2008

Mountain roads cited as among the state’s most dangerous, Smoky Mountain News, February 6, 2008

Related Web Resource:

AAA Carolinas

Continue reading "AAA Carolinas Releases Its List of Most Dangerous Places to Drive in North Carolina" »

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Motorcycle Accidents , Truck Accidents , Wrongful Death

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North Carolina’s State Highway Patrol is reporting four injuries from a multi-car collision that occurred on Monday on N.C. 55. The multi-car crash occurred because New Bern resident Richard Kenneth Walter Jr was headed east in the westbound lane. The accident occurred eight miles east of New Bern.

Walter first struck the back of a Honda, driven by Aurora resident Frederic Cutler, before going on to hit a Hyundai SUV, driven by Pamlico County resident Crystal Baker. Walter’s car then crashed into a 2004 Buick, driven by Greensboro resident., Caroleen Cuthrell.

Caroleen and her husband Ervin, Crystal Baker, and Walter all sustained injuries in the car accident. Three of the cars were totally wrecked in the collision.

Personal Injury and Property Damage
If you or someone you love was injured in a motor vehicle accident in North Carolina or South Carolina, you should contact a car accident law firm immediately. While the liable party may be insured, this does not mean that you are guaranteed to receive the compensation that you are entitled to for your injuries and related expenses.

An experienced North Carolina and South Carolina personal injury lawyer will know how to deal with the liable party and their insurer to maximize your chances for financial recovery.

Not only will you need help covering your medical costs, pain and suffering, and related damages, but you may also need help recovering compensation for the property damage that your car sustained. A good car crash lawyer can make sure that the insurance company gives you the right amount of recovery.

Causes of Car Accidents
Although sometimes motor vehicle collisions cannot be avoided, there are precautions that all drivers can take to be safe on the roads. Careless or negligence can lead to car accidents that can injure not only the driver but innocent bystanders whose lives can be altered forever—possibly even cut short—because of a moment’s recklessness.

In addition to driving the wrong way up a road, here is a list of other negligent behavior that can lead to catastrophic collisions, personal injuries, and wrongful death.

• Speeding
• Not paying proper attention
• Talking on the cell phone or text messaging while driving
• Not paying attention to the traffic lights and street signs
• Not driving defensively
• Drunk driving
• Driving while under heavy medication
• Tailgating
• Driving while exhausted or emotionally upset
• Not checking mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes

Driver going wrong way triggers N.C. 55 crash, Newbernsj.com, January 9, 2008

10 Common Driving Mistakes, AAA Public Affairs

Related Web Resources:

2006 Crash Data Files, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

What to Do After an Auto Accident, State Farm Insurance

Continue reading "Four People Injured On North Carolina Highway When Driver Going the Wrong Way Causes Multi-Car Collision Near New Bern" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents

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The holiday season in Raleigh, Charlotte, and the other cities of North Carolina are a time for family and friends to gather together to celebrate the season and each other. This time of the year, however, can easily turn tragic if you are seriously injured or if someone you love is killed in a motor vehicle accident caused by a careless, reckless, or drunk driver.

This year, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol wants to work with North Carolina motorists to make sure that people stay safe while riding on state roads and freeways during the holiday season.

Already, with 1257 traffic related-deaths, the motor vehicle death toll for 2007 in North Carolina is 109 fatalities more than what it was at this time of the year in 2006. Last year, from November 30, 2006 to January 2, 2007, 127 North Carolina drivers were involved in deadly traffic accidents that killed 27 people.

In an effort to keep the number of auto crash related-deaths from rising further this year, North Carolina troopers plan to set up DWI checkpoints and make sure that car drivers, motorcyclists, truck drivers, and bus drivers comply with state DWI laws through North Carolina’s “Booze It and Lose It” campaign and the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort program through the holiday season.

Although we can’t control what other drivers do, each of us can take the proper safety measures to do our best to keep others and ourselves safe.

A Few Holiday Safety Tips from Precision Tune Auto Care:

• Don’t drink and drive
• Avoid driving if you are very tired or taking prescription medication
• Obey the speed limit
• Drive defensively
• Follow your car’s maintenance schedule
• Don’t talk on the phone/text message while driving
• Follow at a safe distance from the driver in front of you

In the event that you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, truck crash, or motorcycle collision anywhere in North Carolina or South Carolina, an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you file your personal injury claim or auto accident lawsuit to obtain your financial recovery from the negligent party.

Troopers encourage motorists to slow down and enjoy the holidays, The Leland Tribune, December 17, 2007

Gov. Easley Announces Holiday Booze It and Lose It" Campaign, State of North Carolina Office of the Governor, November 30, 2007

Safe driving tips for the holidays, Seacoast Online, December 26, 2003

Related Web Resources:

North Carolina Highway Patrol

Continue reading "North Carolina State Highway Patrol Urges Motor Vehicle Drivers to Avoid Injury Accidents During the Holidays" »

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Troopers in North Carolina issued over 50,000 traffic violation tickets during the November Operation Slow Down/No Need 2 Speed program, which is designed to apprehend drivers speeding on highways in North Carolina. From November 13 until November 25, 2007, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and local troopers worked together to apprehend anyone driving over the speed limit.

Speeding is considered a major cause of motor vehicle accidents. Last year, 554 people in North Carolina died in a motor vehicle accident where speeding was a factor. The NHTSA says that 13,713 people died in the United States in 2002 because of accidents involving speeding.

North Carolina’s Highway Patrol says that of the 51,198 citations that it issued, 24,274 of them were for speeding violations. 954 violations involved DWI (driving while impaired).

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a car accident, truck collision, bus accident, pedestrian accident, or motorcycle crash because another driver on the road was speeding, you should contact an experienced South Carolina or North Carolina motor vehicle accident lawyer right away.

Perils of Speeding
Speeding can make it hard for a driver to stop their motor vehicle suddenly and safely. It also decreases a driver’s ability to steer around objects on the street or go around curving roads safely. A driver who is intent on speeding may end up changing lanes unnecessarily in order to keep up the pace. Many deadly car crashes happen because a driver was speeding.

Safedrivingtest.com offers a number of survival strategies that doesn’t involve speeding:

• Drive the speed limit.
• Don’t let the car behind you pressure you to speed.
• Slow down even below the speed limit in rainy, icy or snowy weather or on a road that is under construction.
• Don’t tailgate.
• Generally keep pace with the flow of traffic.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says that it plans to continue keeping a vigilant watch for anyone speeding on the roads.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, 20 peopled were killed on North Carolina’s highways. Although the causes of all the accidents have not yet been determined, officials expect that speeding, not paying proper attention to the roads, carelessness, drunk driving, and not wearing seatbelts will arise as some of the reasons for the deadly crashes.

Troopers issue 50,000 tickets during statewide speeding crackdown, Charlotte.com, November 27, 2007

20 killed on N.C. highways over holiday, Charlotte.com, November 27, 2007
N.C.'s Operation Slow Down to 'Crack Down' on Speeders, Enhance Safety, Insurance Journal, November 13, 2007

More about Speed, Safedrivingtest.com

Related Web Resource:

Gov. Easley Announces Operation Slow Down/No Need 2 Speed, State of North Carolina Office of the Governor

Continue reading "North Carolina State Highway Patrol Issues More Than 50,000 Traffic Violation Citations During Operation Slow Down " »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Personal Injury

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Two young boys were thrown from a van in South Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday when the van collided with a car. Police say that the boys, two brothers ages 7 and 6, were not buckled in properly by the driver of the van that was hired by Charlotte-Mecklenberg School to transport the boys to and from school. The police also think that the driver could have been speeding.

Gavin, 6, had to undergo facial surgery.

Statistics show that seatbelts save many lives and prevent many others from suffering from serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Over 63% of people killed in motor vehicle collisions were not using seatbelts.

In North Carolina, any child younger than 8 years of age and weighing under 80 pounds has to wear a child restraint device that must be properly buckled. The CRD must meet federal standards of safety at the time it was manufactured.

Under the NC Child Passenger Safety Law, the driver of a motor vehicle is responsible for ensuring that a child younger than 16 is properly buckled up. Failure to do so can lead to penalties and personal injury liability if a child is injured or killed because he or she was not properly restrained.

Not only must children be buckled up, but their seatbelts must be secured properly.

• Children under 20 lbs and under age 1 should be placed in a rear-facing CRD.
• Children 1-4 years of age and weighing between 20-40 lbs should be placed in a forward-facing car seat.
• Children should not wear a regular seatbelt until they are the proper weight and age.
• Children 5-8 years of age should use a booster seat.
• Children 9-12 years of age can use a regular seatbelt. It is highly recommended that they sit in the backseat of a car.

Not properly restraining a child could result in the child sustaining serious injuries or dying.

Child Severely Injured After Being Thrown from a Van, WBTV.com, October 30, 2007

Buckling Up Is Not Enough To Protect Children In Auto Accidents; Seat Belts And Child Safety Seats Must Be Used Properly, Science Daily, June 8, 1999

Child Passenger Safety Law, Buckleupnc.org

Related Web Resources:

National Child Passenger Safety Board

Continue reading "6-Year-Old Thrown From Van In Charlotte, North Carolina Sustains Serious Injuries " »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Injuries to Minors

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Operation Buckle Up begins in North Carolina today. The state and local initiative by law enforcement officers is designed to reduced the number of injury accidents and deaths, as well as prevent certain traffic violations. Over the next two weeks, police officers will crack down on motor vehicle drivers and riders that are in violation of North Carolina’s seat belt laws.

Statistics:

• 1558 people died on North Carolina’s roads in 2006.
• 48% of fatalities involved people that did not wear seat belts.
• 88.6% of people in cars and trucks are believed to be in compliance with North Carolina’s seat belt laws.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol has also been cracking down on drunk drivers. Police cited 2,905 drivers for driving while impaired between August 13 and through the Labor Day weekend ending September 3.

The areas where the largest number of drunk drivers were apprehended in North Carolina during the two-week initiative were Carteret (86), Mecklenburg, (100), and Wake (342). One Highway Patrol officer at the Lexington office says that his agency has arrested 182 people for DWI this year.

The James Madison University Web site offers the following facts and statistics about seat belt safety:

• Out of every five motor vehicle drivers, one driver will be in a traffic accident this year.
• About 35,000 people die in accidents involving a motor vehicle every year. About 50% would not have died if they were wearing seat belts at the time of the fatal crash.
• If just 172 of the 35,000 people did not die, some $100 million a year in personal injury and wrongful death recovery costs would be saved.
• Children have been known to die or be seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash because they were crushed by adults that were not wearing seatbelts.
• 80 out of every 100 children that die in a motor vehicle collision would have been saved if they had been a safety belt or child safety seat.

Many motor vehicle accidents happen because a car driver, truck driver, motorcyclist, or bus driver was negligent. If you were injured in a motor vehicle injury victim because another party was negligent—even if you were not wearing a seat belt—you should speak to a personal injury lawyer right away.

Your personal injury attorney can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit for you so that you can obtain the recovery that you need to cover your medical costs and other related damages.

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident because of a defective seat belt, you could have grounds to file a seat belt injury claim for your injuries.

Highway Patrol focuses on seat-belt usage, The Dispatch Online, September 17, 2007

Safety Belt Statistics, James Madison University

Related Web Resources:

NC Seat Belt Law, NC Crime Control.org

The Disaster Center's Motor Vehicle Accident Death and Injury data Index, Disaster Center.com

Continue reading "North Carolina Highway Patrol Starts "Operation Buckle Up" to Reduce Motor Vehicle Injury Accidents and Deaths " »

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Posted In: Car Accidents , Personal Injury

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One person has died and 10 others were injured during a head-on collision involving a Church van and a pickup truck in Eastern North Carolina on Monday.

The church van was going to a Baptist retreat center in Oak Island when the accident took place. The teenage and adult passengers in the van were members of Boonville’s Charity Baptist Church.

Norma Shore, a 60-year-old Boonville resident, is the woman who was killed in the motor vehicle crash. The injury victims were treated at Hoots Memorial Hospital in Yadkinville and at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Dwaine Dobbins, the driver of the pickup truck, was injured.

Head-on collisions can often lead to serious if not fatal injuries. They are motor vehicle accidents where the impact has occurred at the front of the vehicle. A car, truck, or motorcycle can become involved in a frontal impact collision, if it collides from the front with another motor vehicle or a nonmoving object. The speed that the motor vehicle was moving at, whether or not the passengers and driver were wearing seatbelts, whether the car or truck was equipped with working airbags, and the circumstances and severity of the crash are some of the factors that can affect whether or not any personal injuries sustained by accident victims are severe and/or fatal.

Common causes of head-on crashes include:

• A motor vehicle going the wrong way on a one-way road
• A car, truck, or motorcycle trying to overtake another vehicle when there isn’t enough passing space
• The driver of the motor vehicle has lost control of the car, truck, or motorcycle, and ends up crossing over the dividing line on the road and into oncoming traffic
• Speeding
• Following another vehicle too closely
• Not stopping soon enough before colliding into another automobile
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• A defective motor vehicle
• Careless or negligent driving

Church van wreck kills one, injures at least 10 others, Winston-Salem Journal, August 6, 2007

What factors are associated with head-on crashes?, Austin City Connect

Related Web Resources:

Preventing Head On Collisions

Head-On Collisions, Safety Transportation

Continue reading "10 People are Injured and One Woman is Killed in Eastern North Carolina When Church Van and Pickup Truck Collide in Head-On Crash" »

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Posted In: Car Accidents

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