On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Wrongful Death on Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Now that summer is upon us, many people are getting outside to enjoy the weather. For many people, this includes a fun and relaxing boat ride on the lake. But much like on the road, there are too many reckless operators who can make the water a dangerous place to be. People who speed, drive drunk and make poor decisions behind the wheel of a boat can end up causing serious and fatal accidents.
Folks in North Carolina may have been saddened recently after a boat accident resulted in the death of a child and his pregnant mother. The man who authorities say is responsible for the crash was arrested and charged last week for his role in the devastating accident.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Thursday, June 6, 2013
Driving after having too much to drink is one of the most reckless and dangerous decisions that a person can make. People who are intoxicated behind the wheel pose a serious threat to other motorists because their reflexes are slowed, their vision can be impaired and their ability to make safe decisions is jeopardized.
The fact is that drunk driving accidents can be prevented if people would not take the risk of driving after drinking. No one may know this more than police officers. The men and women who enforce the laws often have first-hand knowledge of what can happen in a crash with a drunk driver. However, this did not stop one North Carolina officer from taking a chance and driving drunk recently.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, May 30, 2013
There are many drivers on the roads in North Carolina who do not believe that certain rules and laws apply to them. They drive over the speed limit, ignore traffic signs or they decide it is okay for them to text behind the wheel. Any of these behaviors can end up causing a serious accident, which is why there are laws that prohibit drivers from engaging in these actions. There are also laws that dictate what a driver should do after a crash, but too many people ignore these as well.
Causing an accident and then leaving the scene is not only irresponsible, it is extremely negligent as well. When a person is hurt in a car crash, time is of the essence. Getting medical attention as quickly as possible can mean the difference between life and death, so leaving the victim of an accident behind without help is one of the most reckless things a person can do.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Premises Liability on Friday, May 24, 2013
With summer right around the corner, children are likely very excited to get out of school and spend time outside with friends. And when the weather gets hotter, it may be more tempting to jump into a pool to cool off. With the supervision of an adult and proper pool maintenance, this should be no problem. However, hundreds of children drown in swimming pool accidents every year. Many of these drowning accidents have been linked to unsafe premises.
There are many children in North Carolina and elsewhere who do not know how to swim. Sadly, it is many of these children who end up falling into a pool or getting caught in a drain and drowning. However, it is all children in general who are in serious danger when it comes to swimming pool accidents.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Truck Accidents on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Truck drivers and trucking companies have a responsibility to operate and maintain their enormous vehicles in a safe manner. The fact is that any accident involving a large tractor trailer can be devastating. Innocent people in other vehicles are injured or killed, property can be destroyed and lives can be significantly changed in the aftermath of a truck accident.
Figuring out the cause of a trucking accident can be very challenging. In some cases, weather or road conditions play a role but in many accidents between a car and a tractor trailer, the driver of the truck is found to have engaged in dangerous behavior immediately prior to a crash. Proving this can be a challenge, but there are a number of resources available that can help a victim determine what went wrong and who is to blame for a crash.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Wrongful Death on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A fatal accident can happen in the blink of an eye. In a split second, a person can be killed because of the reckless or negligent behavior of someone else. But the devastation that family members and loved ones often suffer after the sudden loss of someone close to them lingers on long after a fatal accident. There is nothing that can replace or bring back a loved one, but some families find comfort in holding the negligent party responsible for his or her actions. Many people can do this by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
Financial compensation can help family members cope with the unexpected and significant damages that can result after a fatality. Funeral expenses, medical bills, loss of consortium and income and other wrongful death benefits can be pursued by a personal representative of a victim's estate.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
One of the things that people in North Carolina hear frequently about drunk drivers is how much damage they can do in an accident. Crashes that involve a driver who is under the influence of alcohol typically involve extensive property damage and serious personal injuries due to the poor judgment and delayed reflexes that are generally exhibited by drunk drivers. This is why so many groups are focused on preventing these crashes by aggressively punishing those who cause a drunk driving accident.
According to reports, there were 413 fatal crashes in North Carolina last year that involved a driver who was at least partially impaired by alcohol at the time. This means that more than 400 people were needlessly killed in an accident that was completely preventable. Not only are drunk drivers costing people their lives, but they also cost the state of North Carolina about $2 billion last year and many groups are looking for ways put a stop to drunk driving crashes.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, April 23, 2013
One of the things that drivers often forget is that they need to adjust driving behaviors in order to account for changes in road conditions. When visibility is poor or road conditions are wet and slippery, drivers should be slowing down and taking extra precautions to stay alert.
Similarly, when a road is under construction, drivers must adjust their speed and pay close attention to lane changes or road crews. Unfortunately, many drivers do not take this responsibility seriously and end up causing a serious or fatal car accident. These are the very motorists that safety advocates are trying to reach by declaring this month Work Zone Safety Awareness Month across North Carolina.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Premises Liability on Wednesday, April 17, 2013
People may not think that the way they maintain their own property has any effect on others. However, property owners who are negligent in the way that the care for their home or business can have a devastating effect on the innocent people who unknowingly enter an unsafe area. In many cases, people who are injured or killed because of the failed maintenance or notice of dangerous conditions have the right to file a premises liability lawsuit.
One area that often requires meticulous maintenance and care in North Carolina is a swimming pool. Pools can be fun and relaxing, but they can also present a serious hazard to others when they are improperly cared for or protected. If an accident happens in a swimming pool, often times the manager or owner of the property can be held responsible, especially if they have failed to appropriately secure the premises.
On behalf of Dawson & Albritton, P.A. posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, April 11, 2013
Having a driver's license means that a person understands the rules of the road and is certified to operate a certain class of vehicle. Drivers who intend to operate other classes of vehicles are required to get the appropriate license to do so. For example, a person in North Carolina who would like to legally operate a commercial sized vehicle, like a semi truck, must obtain a commercial driver's license.
Drivers with a CDL are expected to comply with specific state and federal trucking regulations, in addition to traditional traffic laws. If a trucker violates these rules, he or she runs the risk of getting a ticket or causing a devastating truck accident.
