01 September

Sticky

I’ve been pulled over: Do I have to do Field Sobriety Tests?

It’s been long day and a longer night. You’re heading home from a work party – you only had a couple of drinks – and while you are tired, you feel okay to drive. A squirrel darts in front of you and you swerve to the left to avoid it. Almost immediately, you hear sirens behind you. You crossed the center line and that is reason enough for law enforcement to stop you. You aren’t too concerned, you’re fatigued, but not drunk. You pull lover, comply politely with the officer when he asks for your license and insurance. And now what? The officer...

17 August

0 Comments

Sticky

Is your teenager’s car safe?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

If your son or daughter is like most American tee When examining accidents, researchers discovered that 63% of teens killed in fatal wrecks were in either a small (compact or subcompact) or midsize car. By comparison, only 50.2% of drivers between the ages of 35 and 50 who died in fatal accidents were in smaller vehicles. Size isn’t the only factor that’s driving these stats, however. A vehicle’s age is another factor. Among the teens who were in fatal accidents, 38% were driving a vehicle that was older than a decade. By comparison, teens who were driving cars that were three-years-old or newer only...

03 August

0 Comments

Sticky

What are the signs of PTSD following a car accident?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

A serious car accident can have a wide range of effects on those involved. Physical injuries can cause chronic pain issues or immobility for months or even years after an accident. There are also possible emotional effects in accidents that were particularly serious or that cause severe injuries or loss of life. In this case, many accident victims experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While PTSD is often associated with combat veterans or people who have been involved in violent crimes and attacks, it can also result from motor vehicle accidents. Being able to recognize the following common signs of PTSD...

24 July

0 Comments

Sticky

4 dangers of unsecured or improperly secured loads

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

The Asheville area has plenty of lumber yards where homeowners can pick up supplies. If a driver transports large or unsecured loads, though, he or she may be a hazard to other motorists. North Carolina has strict requirements for load sizes and securement. If a motorist does not adhere to these rules, your life may be in danger in one or more of the following four ways. 1. Flying objects Before any driver carries objects, he or she should be certain to secure loads properly. When you are moving down the highway at a fast speed, dislodged objects may fly into your vehicle....

22 July

0 Comments

Sticky

Asheville resident dies after being struck by fire truck

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

North Carolina pedestrians are often at a higher risk for death when they are involved in motor vehicle accidents. The chance of death is usually extreme when the vehicle involved is a large truck or emergency vehicle, as it was during one accident recently in Asheville that left one woman dead. Cause of accident unclear The Asheville Citizen Times reports that a fire truck struck the female victim when she stepped out into traffic for unknown reasons. A witness claims the female, who was on foot and walking with traffic, seemed to accidentally leave the side of the road and walk into the path...

30 June

0 Comments

Sticky

Talking about a motorcycle collision with your loved ones

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

If you were recently involved in a motorcycle crash, our law firm recognizes the multiple stressors you are likely experiencing. Many people are seriously hurt in these collisions, which alters the course of their lives in different ways. For example, working becomes impossible for some of those who are immobilized in a motorcycle wreck, while others require a lot of care and attention because of physical or mental challenges resulting from a crash. It is important to discuss the hardships you are facing with your loved ones. Whether you have a spouse and children, live with your parents or simply need...

22 June

0 Comments

Sticky

Protect the spine after a car wreck

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents, personal injury

The injuries that come from car wrecks can vary from bruises up to catastrophic conditions like spinal cord injuries. Many people don’t think about something like a wreck altering the course of their life, but it is very possible when the spinal cord is damaged. The completeness of the spinal cord injury plays a direct role in how a victim is able to recover. When the injury is complete, the chance of recovery is reduced because the connections in the spinal cord are completely severed. When it is incomplete, there is more of a chance of recovery because some of those connections remain. Spinal...

02 June

0 Comments

Sticky

How does contributory negligence affect wrongful death recovery?

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

If you are initiating a wrongful death lawsuit against another party, you must prove negligence caused your loved one’s death. The court may then hold a company or an individual liable for a wrongful action that led to the fatality. North Carolina’s civil law follows the pure contributory negligence rule. In order for your suit to end in your favor, a jury must find that the deceased individual did not contribute to the accident in any way. Barring a plaintiff’s recovery Under North Carolina law, your lawsuit may not move forward without showing how the other party contributed 100% to causing the accident....

02 June

0 Comments

Sticky

Negligent entrustment in North Carolina

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

You likely understand that you assume some level of risk every time you take to Asheville’s roads in your own vehicle. Like most, however, you probably assume that the others on the road around care as much about staying safe as you do. Yet what happens when that is not the case? Such has been the discovery of many of our past clients here at Nielsen Legal. What might be even more shocking than encountering a blatantly reckless driver on the road, though, is learning that another actually trusted such a person with their car. Defining “negligent entrustment” After you learn this...

01 June

0 Comments

Sticky

Less traffic, safer roads? It depends on how you look at it.

Posted by Chris Proffitt

in car accidents

With more people working from home and limiting their trips, there has been a noticeable drop in traffic across North Carolina in recent months. It would seem that with fewer vehicles on the road, there would be fewer car accidents. Technically, this has proven to be the case. However, this doesn’t mean that roadways are necessarily safer. Fatal crash rates are holding steady According to a report in The News & Observer, highway traffic has dropped by 40% to 50% since March. However, through May 8th the state has seen 408 fatal vehicle crashes. That’s less than a 2% drop from last year....