Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog

North Carolina Teacher Fired After Having Students Share Used Needles :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

November 7, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

In a recent and troubling episode in Spring Lake, North Carolina, one high school biology teacher is now without a job after she allowed students to share needles as part of an in-class experiment. The teacher, Miyoshi McMillian, was fired after officials learned that she had her students prick their fingers with lancing needles and then leave them on their lab trays for other students to use later in the day.

The horrible incident occurred because McMillian was teaching the student’s about blood types and the finger pricks were meant to allow the students to identify their own blood types. The problem was that rather than properly disposing of the used lancets, McMillian simply had the students wipe the used lancets off with rubbing alcohol before students in a subsequent class reused them. The problem with this approach is that alcohol is not always enough to kill certain blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis or HIV.

A spokesperson for the Harnett County School District said that the incident was troubling for all those who were informed about it. The district not only does not want children sharing needles, but also said that any type of human blood should be kept out of high school classrooms.

The incident only came to light because McMillian offered students who did not want to participate in the experiment a chance to leave the room and write a five-page paper. One girl, who said she was concerned about the exercise, then left them room and called her parents. The girl’s parents then called the school’s principal who later fired McMillian.

Criminal Charges Follow North Carolina Fair Accident :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

November 5, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

According to police officials in Raleigh, NC, the operator of the Vortex ride that injured five riders last week is now facing criminal charges after it was discovered that he cut crucial corners regarding the safety of the ride. Police say that Timothy Dwayne Tutterrow has been charged with assault after it was revealed that he intentionally tampered with the ride to bypass several safety features, an act that may have been directly responsible for the serious injuries suffered by the five fairgoers.

Wake County law enforcement officials say police investigators uncovered evidence that clearly showed that Tutterrow had tampered with the ride. This may have led to the accident last week at the North Carolina State Fair where five people suffered serious injuries. According to a spokesperson for the fair, the Vortex started moving last Thursday while people were exiting the ride. The riders were then dropped from heights of up to 30 feet. Three of the riders remain hospitalized recovering from serious injuries.

Investigators say that Tutterrow has a criminal history including several previous busts for cocaine possession. Beyond Tutterrow’s actions, it has also been revealed that the Vortex ride in question suffered another technical problem four days before the accident. Just before the State Fair officially opened for business a safety switch that keeps the ride from operating unless seat restraints are engaged malfunctioned. The ride was temporarily suspended while workers repaired the problem.

Amazingly, as the fair was being dismantled on Monday another version of the Vortex ride injured a 35-year-old worker who was dismantling it. His leg became trapped and he had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment according to officials with the North Carolina Agriculture Department.

Five Seriously Injured Following Accident At North Carolina State Fair :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 31, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

A recent news report revealed that several people in Raleigh, North Carolina were transported to WakeMed hospital for treatment following an accident Thursday evening involving a popular ride at the North Carolina State Fair.

Officials say that given how recently the accident occurred they are not yet sure of precisely how many people were injured. However, witnesses told local reporters that five people, maybe more, were seriously injured when they were thrown from a spinning ride. A WakeMed spokesperson confirmed that five people from the fair were under evaluation by doctors in the emergency room, but could not say how serious their injuries were.

Though details are sketchy, fair officials say that the accident took place on the Vortex ride which is located near the old midway between Gates 4 and 5. Witnesses say that accident took place on the newer of two Vortex machines and that it appears as if the victims fell out of the pendulum-swing ride. One person told a local NBC station that he heard a crashing sound soon after getting off the ride. When he turned around he saw several people lying face down on the ground and the ride’s operator then fell to his knees crying. The entire area surrounding the ride has since been shut down as emergency crews work at the scene of the accident.

Though most people understand that some amount of risk is associated with amusement park rides, many would be surprised to learn just how often serious injuries occur on seemingly safe rides. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 7,000 people seek emergency room treatment for amusement park injuries in the United States each and every year.

School Bus Camera Catches Dozens Of Drivers Breaking The Law :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 29, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What if a loved one dies from the injuries sustained in a serious accident while the case is pending?”

In a troubling revelation, officials with the Rowan-Salisbury School District say they have video showing 45 impatient drivers speeding past stopped school buses. Not only is the video incriminating, it reveals how drivers seemingly uninterested in obeying the rules of the road endanger children on a regular basis.

The videos come from several school buses that district officials chose to outfit with special cameras. The cameras were placed to be able to spot vehicles near the bus and capture license plate information to then turn over to authorities. Officials say that since the videos were turned over to law enforcement officials, 43 of the drivers have either been found guilty or pleaded guilty illegally passing a stopped bus with flashing lights.

The issue received increased attention after a 17-year-old student at West Rowan High School was hit and killed last week by a passing driver. Police say that Makinzy Smith died after she was hit by a vehicle driven by Barbara Smith who refused to stop for the school bus.

Rowan County says that other school systems should consider adopting a similar camera system in an attempt to raise awareness over student safety while traveling on buses. According to officials with the NC State Highway Patrol the problem is a widespread one and is certainly not confined to Rowan County.

In fact, figures released by the Highway Patrol show that a pilot program was undertaken last year where bus drivers were asked to keep track of the number of cars they witnessed passing their buses over the course of a single school day. The tally, which was taken in 2011, revealed shocking figures. Bus drivers say that they spotted 3,196 vehicles illegally passing their stopped school buses at over 2,200 school bus stops across the state. This means that thousands of young children were placed in potential danger.

North Carolina Couple Killed In Motorcycle Wreck :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 24, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

A North Carolina husband and wife were killed this past week after being hit from behind by a pickup truck. According to police the accident occurred when their motorcycle was rear-ended along N.C. 87 North.

Highway Patrol officials say that the accident occurred just before 8 p.m. when a truck driven by Michael Ahlgren hit the back of the motorcycle carrying Michael and Shanon Turner. Police say the accident happened after Ahlgren was driving closely behind the couple and failed to see that the Turner’s had put on their turn signal. Authorities say that by the time Ahlgren noticed that the Turner’s were slowing down it was too late. Ahlgren was simply traveling too fast to come to a stop.

Given the speed with which the motorcycle was hit, both Michael and Shanon were ejected from the bike and thrown onto the pavement. Emergency responders pronounced both dead on the scene while Ahlgren was unhurt.

Police say that an investigation revealed alcohol was not a factor in the accident. However, Ahlgren was charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. His bond was set at $2,500.

Risk of being thrown from a motorcycle is one of the reasons that motorcycle riding can be so dangerous. While occupants of a passenger vehicle can also be ejected, the risk is much less serious given that seat belts do such a good job of keeping passengers inside the vehicle. Motorcycles lack these restraints and are easily thrown from their bikes onto hard pavement, or even worse, into other lanes of traffic.

Recent Fatal Accident Highlights Danger To Pedestrians On Roadside :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 22, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

An official with the North Carolina Highway Patrol says that a man from Louisburg, NC has been charged in connection with the death of one person and serious injuries to another. The deadly accident took place last weekend along I-540 in Raleigh.

State Troopers say that Paul Jago was merging onto I-540 from Six Forks Road when he crashed into two people attempting to put gasoline in their stalled vehicle. Lenny Reyes was injured in the accident while 25-year-old Lauren Ann Gervig tragically lost her life.

Gervig’s friends and family were stunned at the news, saying that they count not believe the young mother was gone. Gervig was a hair stylist in Wake Forest and had recently taken medical leave due to issues with epilepsy. Despite these troubles, friends say she was an amazing mother for her six-year-old daughter.

According to Highway Patrol officials, Gervig died in the service of a friend. She had taken a cab and a gas can to come and help Reyes whose Dodge Charger had run out of gas. She and Reyes were standing on the shoulder of the interstate with the gas door open when Jago entered the on-ramp. Witnesses say that Jago was watching for merging traffic and never saw Reyes or Gervig on the side of the road. Gervig was killed when Jago clipped the rear corner of the Charger and Reyes suffered serious injuries. Authorities say Reyes is in good condition at WakeMed.

Tragically, individuals stopped on the side of roads are often victims of similar accidents, resulting in serious injuries or even loss of life. Police say such accidents are often caused due to inattentiveness on the part of passing motorists. As a result, drivers in the area of stopped cars should remain vigilant and alert, making sure to put down any personal electronic devices like cellphones and focus solely on the road in front of you.

Charlotte Motorcyclist Dead After Accident On I-77 :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 17, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

A man was killed while riding his motorcycle along I-77 in Charlotte, NC according to officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Troopers say the man died this past Sunday afternoon after another motorcycle sideswiped him near mile marker 38.

The wreck took place a little after four in the afternoon where I-77 crosses over I-85. Highway Patrol officials say the two motorcycles collided with each other and were both pushed into the concrete median wall. The accident not only pushed the cyclists into the median, but both then swerved back across the interstate before finally colliding with the shoulder wall on the bridge over I-85.

Jennifer Hendrix was thrown from her motorcycle during the accident bike and landed in the middle of the travel lanes of I-77. She was thankfully able to get up and run to safety before any vehicles collided with her. Sadly, Nick Prianos was not so lucky and was thrown from his motorcycle after it collided with the concrete shoulder of I-77. Prianos was thrown clear of the median wall where he then fell to his death onto northbound I-85 below.

Police say both cyclists were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Troopers are working to reconstruct the accident to determine if speed may have been a factor in the deadly accident. So far, no charges have been filed as police continue their investigation.

According to the federal government, per miles traveled, there are 35 times more deaths from motorcycle accidents than from car accidents. Because of these alarmingly high crash rates, it is important for motorcyclists to understand the most frequent causes of such accidents.

North Carolina Bus Accident Injures Elementary School Students :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 15, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “Is a tractor-trailer accident the same as an automobile accident?”

Authorities from Morganton, NC say that a number of local Burke County students have been taken to the hospital after their school bus overturned yesterday morning. Officials say that the accident happened on wet roads near a curve about eight miles northwest of Morganton. The accident took place a little after 7:30 in the morning as the children were heading to school. The bus was heading north along Frank Whisnant Road when it dropped off the right shoulder and overturned.

Emergency responders say several children were injured in the accident, though none of the injuries were life-threatening. A total of eight students and the driver were ultimately taken to a Morganton hospital for treatment. Officials with Burke County school system say the bus was loaded with students heading to Oak Hill Elementary School.

So far a specific cause for the accident has not been identified, though police say the rain and wet roads were likely to blame. Officers cited the driver with a lane-control violation and say that the bus driver was partially to blame for allowing the vehicle to drift off the road.

Parents interviewed by local new stations say they aren’t especially upset with the driver, but do think the incident calls into question why school buses lack many basic security features common in passenger vehicles. While the vast majority of parents would never let their young children get into a car without putting on a seatbelt, sadly millions of kids every day hop on board school buses that lack any kind of safety restraint.

Only about 20 percent of the nation’s 480,000 school buses have seat belts available, and only six states — New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Louisiana and Florida — have laws that begin to address seat belts on school buses. Industry groups have lobbied against other laws, arguing that the cost is prohibitive. Depending on the size, a typical new school bus costs in the vicinity of $75,000 to $85,000. Outfitting a single bus with seat belts can cost anywhere from $5,485 to $7,346.

North Carolina Church Family Devastated After Deadly Bus Crash :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 10, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “What exactly is a wrongful death claim?”
A church family in Statesville, NC is grappling with a tragedy this morning after a bus carrying members of the congregation crashed in eastern Tennessee. The terrible accident left eight people dead and 14 other seriously injured.

According to authorities, at least six of the eight people who died in the crash were thought to be members of the Young at Heart program. The group was made up of senior citizens at the Front Street Baptist Church. All of the 14 people who were identified as injured were senior citizens. Officials with UT Hospital say two of those injured were still in critical condition as of Thursday morning.

Emergency responders say that the church bus was carrying 18 people at the time of the horrific crash. The group was heading back home to Statesville from the recent Fall Jubilee Conference in Gatlinburg. Authorities say that the deadly chain of events began when a front tire on the bus blew out as it was heading east on I-40. The bus then crossed the median and slammed into the front of an oncoming tractor-trailer and SUV. The force of the accident caused the bus to flip over and resulted in a fire in the tractor-trailer.

Police say six of those killed were on the church bus while two others were in the vehicles hit by the out of control bus. Jefferson County emergency officials who responded to the wreck said that the incident marked the deadliest crash in the county in decades.

Tire blowouts are a constant danger to motorists, but when they happen on large buses it can be especially dangerous. A large commercial vehicle can easily lose control after a tire blowout, endangering not only passengers in the vehicle, but all those drivers in the vicinity given the size and speed of such commercial vehicles.

Recent Deaths Lead to Carbon Monoxide Regulation For North Carolina Hotels :: Personal Injury Attorneys and Lawyers in Charlotte, NC

October 8, 2013 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

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

All hotels in North Carolina will now have to install carbon monoxide detectors in every room. The law is one of many new measures that officially go into effect on October 1st.

The new legislation is long overdue and sadly only passed after a tragic episode earlier this year at a Boone, NC hotel left several people dead. Investigators say that a carbon monoxide leak from a faulty indoor pool heater spread down a hall and into a room where three people were staying at the Best Western.

Investigators determined that the carbon monoxide leak led to the deaths of a couple from Washington state on April 16th as well as to the June 8th death of an 11-year-old boy from Rock Hill. The latter incident not only resulted in the death of the 11-year-old, but also in severe injuries to the boy’s mother who is still recovering from the carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is often referred to as a silent killer, given that the gas is odorless and colorless and can cause serious illness or death in a matter of minutes. It is emitted from cars and other fuel-burning machines or appliances. A survey by the state revealed that carbon monoxide has killed some 400 people in North Carolina since 2001, 39 of whom were here in Mecklenburg County. The overwhelming majority of these deaths were accidental and were often caused by ordinary appliances such as grills or cars left running inside garages.

Not only do such accidents happen at home, but there have also been several occasions where hotel guests have been injured due to carbon monoxide leaks. Beyond the two incidents in Boone, another case out of Winston-Salem from earlier this year left two Charlotte residents severely ill after carbon monoxide poisoning in their hotel room. Back in 2008, eight guests at the Super 8 Motel in Raleigh were injured due carbon monoxide that came from a leaky water heater.