Automobile Accident

Children Suffer Injuries in School Bus Crash

May 4, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “I was involved in a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Do I need a lawyer?”

A serious crash sent children to the hospital after a dump truck collided with a school bus in south Charlotte. 14 children who were aboard the school bus were taken to the hospital with various injuries. The bus driver sustained life-threatening injuries in the accident. The bus was carrying students to South Mecklenburg High School, nearby. The crash, which is reported to be caused by the dump truck, involved the school bus as well as another vehicle. The dump truck driver was also taken to the hospital. The children all suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were all released from the hospital the same day.

What Causes Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents?

April 20, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Can I wait a few months to pursue a personal injury claim?”

Bicycling seems to be more popular than ever. Whether you use a bike to get to and from work or for fun or exercise on the weekends, bicycles are a great option. Using a bike allows you to get to and from a nearby location without using any expensive gasoline, so it reduces your carbon footprint. Electric-assisted bicycles are becoming more common and less expensive, making it easier than ever to utilize a bike for quick trips around town. Unfortunately, bicycle safety is a concern. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) each year, on average, about 1,000 bicycles are involved in reported accidents, about 60 people suffer serious injuries, and about 20 bicyclists are killed.

Multiple-Vehicle Accidents

April 6, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “I was involved in a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Do I need a lawyer?”

Multiple-vehicle accidents can happen quickly. Suddenly, a single accident turns into a large crash scene, with numerous serious injuries and/or fatalities. Some of these crashes take place on highways, where vehicles may be traveling at a high rate of speed. Crashes like this happen when drivers have trouble seeing the road ahead or when a driver smashes into vehicles that are slowed or stopped. The result can be devastating. Some of these accidents happen with 10 or more cars and some of the most tragic multi-vehicle accidents may include dozens of cars and trucks.

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

March 30, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What happens if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?”

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Distracted driving is a continuing problem on our roads. Although the safety features in our vehicles continue to improve, injuries and fatalities caused by accidents have not significantly decreased. The NSC reports that about eight people a day are killed and hundreds more are injured on our U.S. roadways due to distracted driving. Distracted driving is negligent driving, which happens when someone does something, or fails to do something, that they knew could be dangerous or cause injuries to another.

What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

March 23, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: ” Is a tractor-trailer accident the same as an automobile accident?”

There are more than 12 million commercial trucks on America’s roads. Most drivers will share the highway with trucks on a daily basis. Truck accidents are often more serious than accidents that involve other types of vehicles. Truck crashes are more likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities, often to the occupants of other vehicles. Trucks are large and carry heavy loads, making them difficult to maneuver and stop. If you were hurt in a truck accident you may want to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon after the crash as possible.

U.S. Approves Use of Adaptive Beam Headlights

March 9, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Can I wait a few months to pursue a personal injury claim?”

Vehicle safety is of utmost importance. Through the years, many changes have been made to the laws and requirements of vehicles in order to improve performance and safety. It is essential to see as well as possible while driving at night or in inclement conditions. Many improvements to headlights have occurred through the years but only now has the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved the use of adaptive beam headlights. These headlights have already been approved for use in other countries but were not allowed in the United States.

What Causes Car Accidents?

February 23, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What if the accident was my fault?”

The number of vehicles on our roadways continues to increase over time. In 2020, there were more than 3,398,000 vehicles registered in North Carolina. With so many cars on the road it is not surprising that accidents happen somewhat frequently. What is concerning is that although there were fewer cars on the road during the pandemic, the number of fatal accidents increased.

Vehicle Accident Investigations

February 9, 2022 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “Should I take photographs of the property damage sustained to my car, of the accident scene, or of my visible injuries following an accident?”

Vehicle accidents are common occurrences. Last year, more than 247,000 accidents were reported in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. While many accidents are minor fender-benders, some crashes result in severe injuries or fatalities. If you get hurt in an accident, the negligent party is responsible for providing you with money to pay for your damages. Vehicle accidents can be complex and it may require some investigation to determine the negligent party and cause of the crash. An experienced personal injury attorney will help guide the process so you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Victim of Serious Pickup Truck Accident to Receive $700K Settlement

December 1, 2021 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

A girl who was seriously hurt as the result of a pickup truck accident will receive a settlement of $700K. The accident occured on November 2017 in Brunswick County between a van and a pickup truck. According to a statement from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when a Chevy pickup truck rear-ended a van. A girl seated in the back seat of the van received life-threatening injuries and was air-lifted to UNC Medical Center. The injuries included a skull fracture and broken leg. The driver of the truck was cited for failure to reduce speed.

Child Struck and Killed in Mt. Pleasant, NC

November 24, 2021 | J. Bradley Smith, Esq.

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What if a loved one dies from the injuries sustained in a serious accident while the case is pending?”

A child was struck and killed by a vehicle when crossing a road in Mt. Pleasant, N.C. The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon at about 3:48 pm on Mt. Pleasant Road. According to news reports of the accident, the child had just been dropped off by a school bus at a driveway. The school bus continued on its way and the child re-crossed the street to go to the mailbox. The child was hit by a Honda passenger vehicle.