Car Wreck

Accident Report Blames Actor’s Death On Speeding

March 25, 2014 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “If I am injured in a car accident or at work what should I do?”

In a very sad case, accident investigators in California are saying that Paul Walker, star of the “Fast & Furious” movies, died in a car accident last year due to speeding. Police initially wondered whether drugs or mechanical failure could have been responsible for the actor’s death, but recently confirmed that it was simply speed, a common though deadly mistake made by drivers across the country.

According to an official announcement by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, investigators say they determined the cause of the deadly single-car accident was that the vehicle was traveling at unsafe speeds for the road conditions. Walker died while a friend was driving between 80 and 93 miles per hour on a stretch of road that had a listed speed limit of only 45 miles per hour.

This isn’t the first time officials have noted the potentially deadly role played by speeding in the actor’s death. Last year the coroner’s report noted the kinds of injuries seen on the bodies of those involved in the accident typically occur when vehicles crash after going more than 100 miles per hour.

The case highlights just how dangerous speeding can be, even in cases where drivers appear to do everything else right. The final accident report showed that neither Walker nor his friend had drugs or alcohol in their systems. In addition, both were wearing their seat belts and their airbags deployed exactly as they should have. Nothing mechanically went wrong to cause the accident. It was simply speeding.

Charlotte Driver Killed After Being Thrown From Vehicle

February 25, 2014 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “Can I wait a few months to pursue a personal injury claim?”

A terrible accident in Charlotte left one man dead and another person severely injured. According to officials with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the accident happened around three in the afternoon last Monday. The wreck occurred on the 5600 block of West Boulevard near the intersection with Arff Road.

Authorities say that the driver of a ’79 Pontiac Grand Prix was traveling towards town along West Boulevard when he lost control of his car. The Pontiac then crossed out of its lane and into the path of an oncoming Nissan Xterra driven by Marco Cesped. Given the position of both vehicles, Cesped’s Xterra ended up T-boning the Pontiac.

Tragically, the driver of the Pontiac was ejected from the car, causing extensive and traumatic injuries. The force of the crash was so severe that the Pontiac’s gas tank ruptured and caught on fire, eventually burning some nearby brush as well as the driver of the Pontiac.

Emergency responders say they arrived on the scene quickly and rushed the driver of the Pontiac to a local hospital by helicopter, but it was too late and the man succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. Police have not yet released the victim’s name.

Early Morning North Carolina Accident Proves Fatal

February 20, 2014 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

A terrible early morning accident in Huntersville, North Carolina left one person dead and two others seriously injured. Emergency responders say that the accident happened a little after 5:45 a.m. on Eastfield Road, south of Prosperity Church Road.

According to police officers, the road had to be closed for several hours while detectives and other investigators examined the accident scene. Police say the accident was a head-on collision and that the force of the accident killed the driver of one vehicle and sent two other passengers to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for treatment.

Though police officers are still attempting to uncover the cause of the accident, the reality is that the early morning is a notoriously dangerous time to be on the road. Though the hours between 4 and 6 a.m. account for a relatively small number of fatal accidents, that is mainly due to the dramatically lower traffic out at those hours. When you examine the percentage of fatal accidents, the early morning becomes far more deadly by comparison.

Experts say there are several reasons for danger. First, poor visibility is to blame for some fatal early morning accidents. Very early it might still be dark out, making it harder to see the lines of the pavement or objects in the roadway. As it begins to get lighter, the early morning sun can blind drivers, making it difficult to safely focus on the road in front of them. Additionally, things like fog are also more common in the early morning and can contribute to accidents.

Snow Responsible For Several Deadly North Carolina Accidents

February 13, 2014 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “If I am injured in a car accident or at work what should I do?”

North Carolina Highway Patrol says that a young woman in Aberdeen died after an accident that officials say was likely caused by slick and snowy roads. The fatal wreck happened in Moore County earlier this week on Sand Pit Road.

Emergency responders say that the 23-year-old woman, Breanna Tile, was a passenger in the car driven by 24-year-old Viacente Gonzalez. According to the police report, the vehicle driven by Gonzalez drifted off the snow-covered road and slammed into a pine tree. Tile died at the scene of the accident while Gonzalez was taken to a regional hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Though police investigators say that the snow likely played a role in the accident, there’s a chance that the driver will face criminal charges. In another similar accident, police say that the driver of a 1996 Ford will face misdemeanor charges after a Chatham County accident left a passenger dead. Police say that the driver is facing charges related to exceeding a safe speed.

That accident took place a little after 1 p.m. on Silk Road Wednesday afternoon. Miguel Caseres was driving the Ford down a snowy road when it crossed over the centerline and collided head-on with a 1999 Chevrolet. A passenger in the Chevy was killed in the accident, though the passenger’s name has not yet been released.

Charlotte Road Rage Episode Leaves Two Innocent Pedestrians With Broken Bones

January 21, 2014 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “Can I wait a few months to pursue a personal injury claim?”

Police in Charlotte say a woman is now facing criminal charges after a scary road rage incident that left two other people seriously injured. The episode took place on LaSalle Street where authorities say the woman ran over two people while pursuing the driver of another car.

Law enforcement officials say the incident began with two cars that were speeding and swerving in and out of traffic. Jessica Ekwuruibe, who was driving a black Toyota Camry at the time, drove down LaSalle Street while chasing another car, hitting two innocent bystanders in the process. Police say the two pedestrians who were injured in the road rage incident were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, out to help a friend put gas in his stalled car.

Despite running into two people, Jessica and the driver of the other car continued on down LaSalle Street, ultimately pulling into a nearby gas station. When both arrived, Jessica got out of her car and continued a verbal and physical altercation with the woman driving the other vehicle. Witnesses say that even when the police arrived the women still refused to quit fighting with one another, both ultimately had to be restrained.

Texting May Be Responsible For Recent North Carolina Teen’s Serious Accident :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

August 29, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “If I am injured in a car accident or at work what should I do?”

A teenager from Union County, North Carolina is currently recovering after a serious car accident earlier this week that authorities now believe may have been caused by distracted driving. Officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol say that they have reason to believe the teenager’s collision with a dump truck may have been caused by the teen’s decision to text and drive.

According to authorities, the wreck happened a little before 7:30 in the morning when 16-year-old Paul Glaser was on his way to pick up his girlfriend for school. Police say that Glaser failed to yield to a dump truck that was passing through an intersection and was then hit by the truck. Police say they have gotten word that Glaser was late for school and may have been in a rush to pick up his girlfriend. Police also say that they have heard reports that Glaser was either texting before leaving his house that morning or that he may have been texting during his car ride to school.

Investigators say that a quick search of Glazer’s phone turned up a message that simply read “OMW” (on my way) though it is unclear if the timestamp on the text message corresponds with the time of the accident. Police say they still need to speak to Glaser about the accident once he has recuperated from what emergency officials say were serious injuries.

After being hit by the dump truck Glaser was rushed by ambulance to Carolinas Medical Center where he underwent surgery to have his spleen removed. Glaser also suffered several broken ribs, but is thankfully in stable condition.

Wrong Way Driver On I-26 In North Carolina Causes Deadly Wreck :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

August 27, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What if the accident was my fault?”

According to North Carolina law enforcement officials, a retired minister was likely suffering from health problems and was confused at the time of his recent deadly interstate crash outside of Asheville, NC. Officials say that 63-year-old Dennis Tornquist died when his car collided head-on with the car driven by 61-year-old Fred King on I-26 late last month.

The terrible accident took place at 3:25 a.m. and occurred near the Brevard Road exit. Police say that Tornquist, in his Honda Civic, was heading west in the eastbound lanes of I-26 when he collided with King’s eastbound Chevy Tahoe. The force of the head-on collision was intense and it left both men dead at the scene of the accident. Before coming to a stop after hitting King’s vehicle, police say Tornquist grazed a tractor-trailer driven by a Tennessee trucker, causing relatively minor damage.

Tornquist’s family says the man had suffered a series of heart attacks and strokes that caused brain damage and frequently resulted in confusion. Police say they are continuing to investigate the crash and that they are looking into reports of Tornquist’s previous health problems as a potential cause.

The crash stands as a tragic reminder of the dangers of wrong-way driving, a problem that impacts drivers across the country far more often than many people might imagine. As most people would expect, such wrong-way accidents are incredibly deadly; in fact, more than 20 percent of wrong-way crashes are fatal while 50 percent result in serious or debilitating injuries. This is vastly higher than other categories of accidents, especially when compared to .3 percent fatality rate for other highway accidents.

AAA Names Deadliest Counties In North Carolina For Traffic Accidents :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

August 15, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “If I am injured in a car accident or at work what should I do?”

AAA of the Carolinas recently released its annual list of the most dangerous counties in the state for drivers. They list the counties according to various categories of accidents, including a general category for all accidents, one for motorcycles and another for tractor-trailer collisions.

According to AAA’s regional director, the most dangerous counties for overall collisions in 2012 were Pitt, New Hanover, Person, Watauga and Union. AAA made clear that these lists often feature repeat offenders, with the top four most dangerous counties in 2012 appearing on the list for each the past three years.

Though AAA notes the dangers to drivers in the counties, the organization says it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why some counties are more dangerous than others. AAA says that New Hanover frequently ranks high on lists of deadly counties likely because of the large number of tourists in the area who are unfamiliar with local roads. Pitt, New Hanover and Watauga all contain college towns, a risk factor that is linked with more dangerous accidents.

Mountain communities frequently make up the list of the most dangerous counties for motorcycle accidents due to twisty roads and steep cliffs. According to AAA, the most dangerous county in North Carolina for motorcycle crashes is Graham County, a place that has topped the lists for other categories in years past. Graham County is home to the “Tail of the Dragon,” a scenic road that is 11 miles long with 318 curves and popular with motorcyclists.

North Carolina Accident Leaves Young Newlyweds Dead And Limo Driver Facing Charges :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

August 6, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What exactly is a wrongful death claim?”

A tragic car accident outside of Asheville, North Carolina earlier this week left two newlywed teachers dead. The accident occurred when a hired limousine the couple was riding in lost control and slipped off the road and into a tree.

Police say that 26-year-old Will Reid and 25-year-old Jamie Reid both died in the wreck, with Jamie dying immediately and Will only later succumbing to horrific injuries. Emergency responders say that at the time of the wreck the husband pleaded with paramedics to save his wife who was pregnant with the couple’s first child. Unfortunately, his wife, who was carrying sonogram pictures of their child in her purse, was already dead.

The couple was married at the end of May and was in North Carolina visiting for a friend’s wedding. Police say that they were in a rented limo when the driver, Rodney Koon, somehow left the road and crashed at a high rate of speed into a tree. Police say Koon remains in the hospital following the accident. Though he has not yet been charged with the deadly crash, authorities say he may be depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation. According to a search warrant filled out by police investigators earlier this week, Koon’s actions are believed to have directly contributed to the accident.

Head-on collisions with a stationary object occur when a moving vehicle hits a stationary object such as a tree, light pole, freeway wall or median, or a non-moving vehicle. Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous type of car accidents given the force of the impact being absorbed by the moving vehicle.

In a head-on accident with a stationary object, the moving vehicle often absorbs the full impact of the accident, as many stationary objects, such as freeway walls, medians or trees are large and do not move or crumple to absorb the impact. All the force of the accident is then transferred to the moving vehicle, increasing the chance for serious injury.

Wet Roads Lead To Death Of Teen Driver From North Carolina :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

July 25, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “If I am injured in a car accident or at work what should I do?”

Police officers in Gaston County, NC say that a recent deadly accident earlier this month that left a teenage driver dead highlights the dangers that can happen when driving on wet roads. Police say that the teen died on I-85 northbound when his 1991 Mercury hydroplaned while driving in front of a tractor-trailer.

Authorities say after the car hydroplaned, a little after 9 in the morning, it was hit by the tractor-trailer and pushed nearly 100 feet into the interstate median. At that point the tractor-trailer flipped onto its side, injuring the driver of the truck.

Police investigators say the Mercury was severely damaged which resulted in the death of the 18-year-old driver. The driver of the tractor-trailer was transported by ambulance to Caromont Regional Medical Center, but is expected to be fine. Police have said the driver of the semi will not face any criminal charges related to the accident given that it occurred because of the wet roads and subsequent hydroplaning.

Most everyone has heard the term “hydroplaning,” a word which refers to the sliding of a car’s tires across the wet surface of a roadway. This skidding happens when a tire comes into contact with more water than it is able to safely scatter. The water pressure in front of the tire then forces large amounts of water under the wheel which then causes the tire to separate from the surface of the pavement. This tiny layer of water between the tire and the road is enough to cause a dangerous loss of traction and results in loss of ability to steer or brake.

Given the loss of vehicle control, it’s understandable why hydroplaning can be so dangerous. The dangers of hydroplaning are most severe in the first 10 minutes after a light rain. This is the point when the water has mixed with the oil on the surface of the road which creates the most slippery conditions. Vehicles traveling faster than 35 miles per hour at the greatest risk of hydroplaning. Unfortunately, once the slip has begun there’s little a driver can do to stay in control of the direction of the vehicle.