Automobile Accident

How Truck Accidents Differ From Other Vehicle Accidents

August 12, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

In North Carolina, we have quite a few large commercial trucks traveling through. While large trucks are a necessary part of life, they can also be dangerous. If a smaller vehicle, such as a passenger car, SUV, or pickup truck, is involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler, the results can be devastating. If you were hurt in an accident with a big rig, you want to make sure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to for your injuries and damages. A knowledgeable attorney will help guide you through the claim process.

Trucks Are Larger and Heavier Than Passenger Vehicles

Commercial trucks are extremely large and heavy. While a typical passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 pounds (two tons), a semi tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds (40 tons) when fully loaded with cargo. This weight makes them unique because they are more difficult to drive, steer, and stop. When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the damage can be severe.

Accidents Where the Jaws of Life are Needed

August 5, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Accidents are very common. While most accidents are minor, some are very serious, resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, NCDOT, there are an average of more than 750 accidents per day in our state. About 300 people a day are injured in crashes in North Carolina, and there are about seven fatalities. Often, serious accidents result in entrapment. First responders may need the help of the jaws of life to remove victims from vehicles after a crash.

What are the Jaws of Life?

The jaws of life are specialty tools that are used to remove a person who is trapped inside a vehicle. There are several different tools that could be utilized. The most common tool that people think of when they hear the term “jaws of life” is the hydraulic spreader. This tool is used to pry open metal through the use of strong pressure. This type of tool can be used, for example, to pry open a jammed door that may have been damaged in the crash.

Five Most Common Types of Vehicle Accidents

July 29, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Traffic accidents are very common. While many are minor, some result in injuries or fatalities. Last year, there were more than 114,000 injuries and 1,700 deaths caused by vehicle accidents in North Carolina. There are various types of accidents, including these five, which are the most common.

1) Rear-End Collision

A rear-end collision happens when one vehicle hits the back of another. These are likely the most common types of accidents. Rear-end collisions can happen anywhere and at any speed. However, they occur most often at intersections, where one vehicle is stopped or moving slowly, and a vehicle behind fails to stop quickly enough. Rear-end collisions may cause neck and back injuries, including whiplash.

Airport Shuttle Bus Accident Leaves Two People Dead

July 15, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

An accident involving a passenger vehicle and an airport shuttle left two people injured and two dead. The crash happened near Glenwood Ave at I-540 in Raleigh, near Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The driver of the bus was not hurt in the crash. The accident happened at an intersection where the shuttle bus reportedly had the green light. The Raleigh Police Department arrived at the scene and began an investigation.

Investigation is Ongoing

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Preliminary reports state that the 70-year-old driver of a Nissan Altima allegedly ran a red light, slamming into a Fast Pak airport shuttle bus. Fast Park is a free shuttle service that operates between long-term airport parking lots and the airport terminals. The impact caused the shuttle bus to roll onto its side. Four passengers were injured and transported to the hospital. Two of the passengers, a husband and wife, later died from their injuries. Their juvenile child was among those injured and is recovering.

Understanding Pain and Suffering Claims in North Carolina

July 1, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

When someone sustains an injury due to an accident or incident that was another’s fault, that person may be owed money to cover their damages. Damages are costs that you incurred because of someone else’s negligence. There are three general types of damages, including economic, non-economic, and punitive. Economic damages are those that have a quantifiable dollar amount. Non-economic damages are more subjective in nature and include compensation for pain and suffering.

What is Pain and Suffering?

You have probably heard the term “pain and suffering” but may wonder what it means. In a personal injury case, pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that you may suffer as the direct result of someone’s negligence. It refers to physical pain and emotional suffering due to an injury as part of a personal injury claim. There are many types of issues that you may experience that are classified as pain and suffering. Some of these include pain, stiffness, or soreness, headaches, mood changes, sleep disruptions, anxiety, depression, disfigurement, scarring, and long-term physical limits or disabilities, among others.

Safety When Driving Near Large Trucks

June 10, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Safety When Driving Near Large Trucks

Large trucks are a necessary part of the supply chain and an integral industry in North Carolina. Semi-trucks are also called 18-wheelers, big rigs, and tractor-trailers. Regardless of their name, these commercial trucks are required for the delivery of all types of products. North Carolina has many highways and roads, most of which we share with big rigs. It is helpful to know some useful driving tips to stay safe while driving near commercial trucks.

Semi-Truck Statistics

ATV Crashes: What You Need to Know

June 5, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

ATV Crashes: What You Need to Know

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) are becoming increasingly popular. It is estimated that ATV and UTV purchases will reach $16 billion in 2033, up from about $8 billion in 2024. With increased use comes an increase in accidents. North Carolina is ranked twelfth in the country for deaths associated with ATVs and UTVs in 2024, according to a report issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What are ATVs and UTVs?

Safety Tips for Summer Driving

May 27, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Safety Tips for Summer Driving

Summer is one of the most dangerous times on the road. More people are driving for vacations, teen drivers are practicing, and motorcycles are abundant. Picnics and family get-togethers are common, making the roads and highways more crowded than usual. Holidays like the Fourth of July and Labor Day are frequent high-travel times. With increased travel comes an increase in traffic accidents. It is estimated that 90% or more of all accidents are due to human error. There are some things you can do to prevent crashes while behind the wheel.

Vehicle Maintenance

What Does the Major Crash Investigation Unit Do After a Crash?

April 8, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

What Does the Major Crash Investigation Unit Do After a Crash?

Minor fender benders happen every day. These accidents often result in negligible damage and insignificant injuries. However, some accidents are much more serious and result in severe injuries or fatalities. These major accidents are often complex and require some evaluation to determine the circumstances that caused the crash. When an accident results in a fatality, the police must take special steps to evaluate and investigate the crash. Many police departments, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, have an internal department called a major crash investigation unit.

What is a Major Crash Investigation Unit?

Tanker Truck Crash Results in Fatality in Johnston County

March 18, 2026 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Tanker Truck Crash Results in Fatality in Johnston County

A tanker truck accident happened on I-42 (US 70) in Johnston County, near Clayton, closing the eastbound lanes for several hours. The crash occurred in the early evening hours. First responders rushed to the scene, including the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, firefighters from nearby Clayton, and EMS from Johnston County. The driver of the tanker died at the scene in a rollover accident.

What are Tanker Trucks?