Another Near Terrifying North Carolina Auto Accident – A Tractor-Trailer Blasts through Guardrail and Smashes a Car

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While most of the internet this week has been lighting up with stories about the 2x4 North Carolina car accident (this blog covered that story in a separate post), another tremendously scary crash occurred Wednesday morning in Forsyth County on Highway 52.

A tractor-trailer going northbound flew through a guardrail and collided with a Honda Civic zipping the opposite direction. Police reported that the tractor-trailer crash occurred around the Bethania Rural Hall exit at around 9 in the morning. Amazingly, no injuries were reported from the wreck: a crash that brutal -- involving a truck and a car slamming head-to-head on the freeway -- could easily lead to multiple fatalities. By noon, the North Carolina Department of Transportation had reopened Highway 52 to traffic.

This week, most bloggers, reporters, and other people who follow North Carolina car accident news spilled a lot of ink analyzing Wendy Cobb’s

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Horrifying Video of Near-Fatal North Carolina Car Accident Becomes YouTube Super Hit

and that was before the driver involved in the crash, Wendy Cobb, appeared on Today with Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer.

Wendy Cobb had been cruising on the highway in Cleveland County, going approximately 45 miles per hour, when a nearby truck drove over a 2x4 lying in the road, sending the board rocketing towards her car. The 2x4 pierced the windshield, nearly killing Cobb, who just happened to be recording traffic on her cell phone.

After the ordeal, Cobb's son suggested that his mom post the footage of her North Carolina car accident on YouTube. He thought maybe it would reach 1,000 hits. Thanks to a hat tip from Jalopnik, an auto blogger, however, the story gained heat quickly and drove the YouTube video viral. Cobb had been filming because she believed that the trucks ahead of her were

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NC House Debates Radical Measure to Limit North Carolina Car Accidents

Home Posted On: April 5, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

In 2008, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute released a study that the nearly gave North Carolina car accident experts whiplash: VTTI found that four out of every five crashes involves driver inattention

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Rider Killed in Mint Hill, North Carolina Motorcycle Accident

Next » Posted On: January 22, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

Motorcyclist Richard Cullinan was killed in a Mint Hill, North Carolina traffic accident on Thursday. Police say that the 41-year-old motorcyclist was approaching the Evans Road intersection on NC 51 when a Ford Windstar van pulled into his path in an attempt to turn left. Cullinan, who lost control of his bike, was thrown into the air before crashing into a Jeep Cherokee. He was pronounced dead at the Mint Hill motorcycle crash site.

Speed doesn’t appear to be a cause of the crash, but the authorities are continuing to investigate what happened. Depending on the evidence, criminal charges may be filed against at least one of the drivers. That said, regardless of whether a criminal case is pursued, Cullinan’s loved ones may have grounds for filing a Mecklenburg County wrongful death case against any responsible parties.

North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
Although North Carolina traffic laws mandate that motorists and motorcyclists share the road safely with each other, this is not always the case, and it is usually the rider who sustains the more devastating injuries. Granted, the state requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, but sometimes the impact of landing on the road or into a concrete wall or colliding with a tractor-trailer or another vehicle can be too much for any protective gear to withstand.

To prove liability, an intensive investigation will have to be conducted and questions such as who was at fault in causing the crash, what were the road and traffic conditions at the time, who had the right of way, was anyone driving under the influence, were traffic rules disobeyed, and were their any vehicle defects involved may need to be asked and answered.

Mint Hill man dies in motorcycle wreck, WBTV, January 21, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Motorcycle Accidents, Nolo

State Motorcycle Riding Laws

Working with an experienced Mint Hill motorcycle accident law firm can increase the chances of obtaining the maximum recovery possible.

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo

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Charlotte, North Carolina Driver Charged in Monroe Bicycle Accident that Killed Rider

Next » Posted On: January 28, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

A Charlotte man is charged in the deadly hit-and-run Monroe bicycle accident that killed Roy Dean Mittelsteadt last night. A passing motorist saw the 46-year-old cyclist on the side of Rocky River Road and notified police.

An alert was put out in the area and a Wingate officer later spotted a Honda Element with

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Tire Defects Can Cause Deadly North Carolina Traffic Crashes

Next » Posted On: January 31, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers also represent clients who were injured in car crashes because of auto defects. Tire failure is a common auto defect that can cause serious injuries.

A tire defect can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with another auto or a single-vehicle crash that can even turn into a deadly rollover accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 8,000 US traffic crashes resulting in catastrophic injuries or deaths are a result of tire failures.

Common Types of Tire Defects:
Tread separation: Commonly associated with steel belted radial tires, tread separation can cause tire blowouts.

Multi-Piece Rim Failure: Safety administrators have tired banning tires with multi-piece rim parts without success.

Bead Failures: Weak bead wiring can cause an explosion if the tire is overfilled.

Sidewall Failures: Also known as zipper failures, this type of failure can cause serious injury to a person inflating the tire or to those around him/her at the time.

Tire defect lawsuits have resulted in huge verdicts against manufacturers. Just recently, the Nevada Supreme Court upheld the $32.2 million blow out verdict against Goodyear over the deaths of three people in Moab, Utah in 2004. Seven others sustained injuries.

Goodyear had argued that it did not get due process because the judge that had presided over the civil case wouldn’t let the tire manufacturer defend itself in the civil case after determining that Goodyear’s attorneys had acted in bad faith. The jury was then instructed to issue a verdict, which the Nevada Supreme Court upheld. It now is refusing to reconsider its ruling.

Your Charlotte, North Carolina auto products liability law firm should know how to gather and present the evidence in your case to prove that a tire defect caused your accident. While some tire failures occur because of wear and tear or poor maintenance, some are a result of design and manufacturing defects.

$32 million judgment against Goodyear in fatal crash upheld, Las Vegas Sun, July 2, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Safety Recalls, NHTSA

The Center for Auto Safety

Our Hickory car crash law firm represents clients injured in all types of North Carolina traffic accidents.

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo

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North Carolina Tractor-Trailer Crash Kills Sparta Man

Next » Posted On: February 4, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

A Sparta man was killed in a recent North Carolina truck crash on NC 88. Police say that the truck driver, Richard Stroud struck a 2003 Chevrolet pickup in a head-on collision after losing control of his 2005 Kenworth tractor-trailer. Richard Dean Fender, who was driving the pickup, ended up pinned to his auto. It took several hours to move the semi-truck. Trucker Richard Stroud is charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

North Carolina Truck Accident Cases
Even if the trucker that caused your North Carolina truck crash is charged over the collision, you will still need an experienced personal injury law firm that handles truck accident cases to prove negligence should you decide to sue the truck driver and his/her company for damages.

Because there may be more than one responsible party involved, the sooner an investigation is conducted on your behalf, the better. There is likely physical evidence at the crash site that can help your case and should be collected immediately. Police reports will have to be studied, forensic tests may be required, and witness accounts must be gathered while they are still fresh.

Truck crash cases are more complex than North Carolina car accident lawsuits. You may think that you are saving money by choosing not to hire a North Carolina injury law firm. In reality, your chances of recovering the maximum compensation goes up when you are represented by experienced legal professionals. Also, you will only have to pay your North Carolina tractor-trailer accident attorneys if you recover and the money will come from your financial compensation.

Truck driver charged in fatal wreck, Jefferson Post, January 31, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Hours of Service Regulations, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Contact our Charlotte, North Carolina truck accident law firm to request your free consultation.

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo

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Fatal Catawba, North Carolina County Car Accident Caused by Allegedly Drunk Driver

Next » Posted On: February 9, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

Sandra Campbell, 50, died on Tuesday in a Catawba County car accident involving her vehicle and a pickup truck accident on Slanting Bridge Road. The impact of the crash was so severe that pieces of the vehicle littered the road. The driver of the pickup truck, Brian Hieb, is charged with DWI. This is the 43-year-old’s second DWI charge in six months.

It goes without saying that driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is reckless and dangerous and dramatically increases the chances of lives being lost. Our Catawba County car crash law firm has worked with many families who have lost loved ones because a motorist was drunk or drugged. The outcome is never pretty for anyone involved

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Distracted Driving Cited As Alleged Cause of Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accident that Killed Father and Daughter

Next » Posted On: February 12, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

18-year-old Clemmons resident Sharai Marie Bauer has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle over her alleged involvement in a Charlotte, North Carolina car accident that killed 67-year-old Ji Sheng Lu and his 37-year-old daughter Jing Lu. Jing’s son, age 1, survived the crash with serious injuries.

According to the Observer, the Lu family was walking in the direction of traffic near a street curb on February 9 when they were allegedly struck by the vehicle that Bauer was driving. Ji Sheng Lu died at the scene, while Jing Lu was pronounced dead several hours later at Carolinas Medical Center.

It is suspected that the teen driver became distracted when an object fell to the floor of her vehicle and she bent down to pick it up. Police are also trying to determine whether Bauer was speeding.

Neighbors in the area where the crash happened have come forward to complain that it is not uncommon for vehicles to speed through and even run the stop sign. They have reportedly asked the city of for speed bumps. In 2009, they request a 4-way-stop sign some 50 yards from where last Wednesday’s Charlotte, North Carolina pedestrian accident took place. CDOT says that it has been waiting for a majority of the neighbors to sign a petition, which it has yet to receive back.

Distracted Driving
If distracted driving did play a role in last week’s collision, then the tragic accident is yet another example of why it is so important to keep one’s attention on the task of driving and eyes on the road. A driver usually never intends to harm anyone when he/she becomes distracted while driving. Unfortunately, deadly Charlotte, North Carolina traffic crashes can happen as a result.

Neighbors push for speed bumps, sign on street where 2 killed, WCNC, February 10, 2011

Distracted driver, 18, allegedly kills 2, UPI.com, February 10, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Charlotte Department of Transportation

Distracted Driving, US Department of Transportation

Related Blog Posts:
Teen Killed in Winston-Salem Pedestrian Accident While Waiting for Bus, North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Blog, December 31, 2010
Distracted Driving?: Unfinished Text Found in Vehicle Involved in North Carolina Car Accident that Injured Two Pedestrians, North Carolina Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 4, 2010

AAA Carolinas Warns Against Distracted Driving in North Carolina and South Carolina, North Carolina Injury Lawyer Blog, October 13, 2008

Do not hesitate to call our Charlotte, North Carolina personal injury law firm to discuss your case.

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo

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Couple Fitted with Prosthetic Legs Following Deadly North Carolina Motorcycle Crash

Next » Posted On: February 28, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

According to the Hickory Daily Record, the couple that survived a 2009 Catawba motorcycle accident must now use prosthetic legs. Roger and Cindi Seibers were injured on September 4, 2009.

The Dodge truck that struck the couple had crossed the center line. The impact of the crash caused the Seibers’ motorcycle to travel 131 feet. While Cindi, 49, was tossed into the underbrush, Roger, 54, ended up pinned under his motorcycle.

In addition to their severe leg injuries, Cindi lost broke her neck. Roger had a compound fracture of his femur and was burned to the bone by his bike's hot tailpipe.

The couple was hospitalized for two months, and they were initially confined to wheelchairs. Cindi also required in-home nursing care for half a year. The Catawba County motorcycle accident has drastically altered the couple's previously active lifestyle.

Police are still investigating the Catawba traffic crash. The Seibers are hoping that the driver comes forward.

North Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
Although riding a motorcycle is generally considered more dangerous than riding a car, truck, or bus, this does not mean that serious injuries have to happen. Contrary to popular belief, most motorcyclists are safe riders that obey the rules of the road and they have every right to be there.

An experienced Catawba motorcycle crash lawyer can help determine who was at fault. For example, a driver may have been distracted or failed to stop in time to avoid causing a North Carolina traffic crash. Speeding, aggressive driving, or drunk driving may have been factors. Vehicle defects and road hazards are also common causes of motorcycle accidents.

Motorcyclists seek answers in life-threatening crash, Hickory Daily Record, February 10, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Insurance Information Institute

Motorcycle Accidents, Nolo

More Blog Posts:
Rider Killed in Mint Hill, North Carolina Motorcycle Accident, North Carolina Accident Lawyer Blog, January 22, 2011

Decrease in Helmet Use Causing More Young Motorcyclists to Suffer Traumatic Brain Injuries, North Carolina Accident Lawyer Blog, November 30, 2010

Charlotte, North Carolina Motorcycle Crash Kills 51-Year-Old Motorcyclist, North Carolina Accident Lawyer Blog, November 4, 2010

Contact our Catawba, North Carolina personal injury law firm today.

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo

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Lawmakers Deliberate Whether to Step Up the Fight Against North Carolina Distracted Driving Crashes with a Ban on Handheld Cell Devices

Next » Posted On: March 26, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

State lawmakers have been debating whether to only allow the use of hands-free cell phones while driving. The government leaders are trying to decide whether enforcement and safety is more important than personal freedoms. The chief bill calling for this ban is Rep. Garland Pierce of Scotland County. Hopefully, if the measure passes, the prohibition would save some more lives while decreasing the number of North Carolina car crashes that occur each year.

Currently, there is a statewide ban on texting while driving. While school bus drivers and drivers under the age 18 are not allowed to talk on a cell phone at all, other adult drivers can use any type of cell phone while driving.

Our Charlotte, North Carolina car accident lawyers are familiar with the catastrophic results that can occur on the road because someone was distracted while driving.
Although word is now getting out that distracted driving is dangerous enough to kill people on the road, many people still are unable to resist the urge to talk on the phone, text, surf the Internet, or email while driving.

Cell Phone Use and Brain Distraction
The National Safety Council put out a white paper today on how cell phone use distracts the brain when the user is driving a car. It doesn’t matter whether a driver is using a handheld or a hands-free device. Either way, the brain has to multitask, which makes it harder for the motorist to drive safely.

The NSC says that not only does talking on the phone while driving impair a motorist’s performance, but also, it makes it harder for the brain to pick up on cues. For example, a driver talking on the phone may experience a type of

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20-Year-Old Motorist Accused of Causing Deadly North Carolina Wrong-Way Driving Accident is Charged with Underage Drinking While Driving

Home Posted On: March 31, 2011 by Michael A. DeMayo

Police have charged Ian Michael Smith in the North Carolina car accident that killed two people on Friday with Driving After Consuming Alcohol while under the age of 21and Driving While Impaired. Other criminal charges are likely. The names of the two people that died are Marcial Aragon Colmillo and Juan Carlos Cortes.

According to Greensboro Police, a little after 2am, a police officer saw a Mitsubishi Eclipse driving the wrong way up a road. The cop tried to stop the vehicle, which was driven by Smith, but it sped away. The police officer later spotted the car at a North Carolina traffic crash site where it had been involved in a collision with a 1995 Chevrolet truck that was carrying the two victims and another person.

Drunk Driving
Our Charlotte, North Carolina car crash lawyers work hard every year to not only represent the victims of drunk driving accidents with civil claims, but also, we do our best to educate young people about the dangers of driving drunk with our Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program. Each year, we award college scholarships to a group of high school seniors based on their grades, community and school involvement, SAT results, and original presentation geared towards encouraging other teens to not drive while under the influence.

That said, too much alcohol will impair any driver regardless of age, and this can lead to catastrophic consequences for those unfortunate enough to be on the road with at the same time. If you or someone you love was injured in a North Carolina car accident and you believe that person was drunk, you should start exploring your legal options with an experienced Monroe, North Carolina traffic crash law firm right away.

Update: Driver Charged In Wrong-Way Crash, Digtriad, March 25, 2011

20-year-old man faces driving while impaired charges in crash that left 2 dead in Greensboro, The Republic, March 27, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Michael A. DeMayo Scholarship Program

Alcohol and Driving, North Carolina Department of Transportation

More Blog Posts:
Fatal Catawba, North Carolina County Car Accident Caused by Allegedly Drunk Driver, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog, February 9, 2011

Charlotte North Carolina Car Accident Law Firm Invites Local High School Students to Join the Fight Against Underage Drunk Driving and Possibly Win a College Scholarship, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog, January 13, 2011

North Carolina Car Crash Involving Alleged Drunk Driver Kills 24-year-Old Chester Woman, North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Blog, December 28, 2010

Posted by Michael A. DeMayo

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