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It should not surprise anyone that police in North Carolina are reporting fewer car accidents since the governor's stay-at-home order first went into effect on March 30. With highway traffic down as much as 50%, it makes sense that fewer cars, trucks and SUVs on the roads would mean fewer crashes, including on city streets. For example, since the last few days of March, Raleigh police have received about half as many calls about auto accidents as they did over the same time period last year. But it may shock you to learn that while the overall number of collisions is down, the number of fatalities in car accidents is virtually unchanged year-over-year. Through May 8, the state Department of Transportation reports 443 deaths in motor vehicle accidents. That is just one fewer fatality than over the same period in 2019. And the total number of deadly crashes is only down 2%. Why are fatal auto accidents not going down? What's the explanation? It could be several things. Speeding tickets are down, but citations for driving more than 25 mph over the speed limit are up 13%. Fatal accidents involving "heavy trucks" such as tractor-trailers are up 45.5%, with 60% more deaths in truck accidents this year. However, other common causes of deadly wrecks, like drinking and driving and distracted driving, are not occuring more often than usual. Mark Ezzell of the Governor's Highway Traffic Safety Program believes the stress of the pandemic could be causing more serious crashes. Even if more drivers are not distracted by their phones or other devices, they could be thinking about the effects of the lockdown: layoffs, sickened family members, and so on. A mind occupied with such serious matters may not be able to focus on the road as well as it should. Wrongful death litigation can help families find justice There is never a good excuse for causing a deadly car accident. Everyone on the road is trying to get to their destination safely. All it takes is one bad driver to take an innocent life. When the worst occurs, a personal injury attorney can help a grieving family find a form of closure.

Drivers in Durham and Raleigh likely understand that every time they take to the area’s roads, they run the risk of being involved in a car accident (indeed, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there were 275,067 crashes reported in the state in 2017). Yet most drivers likely believe themselves to be safe from any potential collisions given that they assume that most other motorists take as much care to avoid accidents altogether. That assumption, however, may not always prove to be true. When one is involved in a collision caused by a driver that has a documented history of poor or reckless driving (or whose lack of experience behind the wheel makes them a greater risk to others), they may question whether it is possible to hold the person who entrusted the driver with a vehicle responsible for their accident. The legal principle of negligent entrustment does indeed allow for this, as it is meant to serve as a reminder to vehicle owners that they should exercise care when loaning out their cars to others. However, simply because a driver caused an accident in a vehicle that did not belong to them does not mean that negligent entrustment applies to their case. Rather, per North Carolina state law, accident victims must prove the following: That the driver had a history of driving incompetence, carelessness or frequent intoxication That the owner knew (or had reason to believe) of the driver’s issues The driver’s reckless actions were the proximate cause of the accident Cases where a driver took a vehicle without the owner’s permission would not qualify for third-party liability under this standard.

While you’re behind the wheel or walking through a parking area, it’s important to be just as alert as you would be on a main road. In fact, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 50,000 crashes take place in parking lots and garages each year. These happen because of most people have common misconceptions about parking-related accidents, such as: There wouldn’t be any injuries Even if you aren’t pumping your gas pedal, low-speed fender benders can still cause injuries. Of the 50,000 annual parking lot accidents estimated, NSC projects that nearly 60,000 injuries and 500 deaths result from these incidents. Walking with caution is just as important, as NSC reports that more than 11,000 pedestrians suffered serious injuries in distracted walking incidents between 2001 and 2011. There’s no traffic in a parking lot! Parking lots aren’t as busy as major highways during rush hour, but they still carry their own kind of traffic. An INRIX study found that not only does searching for parking take a lot of time for U.S. drivers – 17 hours per year – but it also leads to road rage many drivers experience in regular traffic. About two-thirds of the surveyed American drivers said finding parking leaves them stressed. A quarter of drivers said they experience road rage during the hunt for parking. In turn, stress and road rage can lead to distracted driving accidents. I don’t need to pay attention here Slow driving still requires your undivided attention, as your cell phone or in-car technology can cause a crash. In an NSC-guided poll, the majority of drivers admitted to using technology while driving through parking lots – 63% of poll takers said they program their GPS and 52% said they use social media while driving through parking lots. Accidents can happen anywhere Car accidents happen every day, especially in common places like parking lots and garages. You should implement taking distracted driving precautions from the moment you start your car until you reach your destination to prevent parking lot and garage accidents.

It had been more than a year since measurable snow amounts fell in North Carolina. However, after a storm last week, some areas reported up to four inches. The snow and freezing temperatures reportedly contributed to multiple motor vehicle accidents across the state. Snowy weather can cause serious accidents One of the most serious accidents involved a law enforcement officer who reportedly sustained an injury when a car hit her. She had apparently exited her vehicle in an attempt to assist other drivers at the time of the crash. She required transportation to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries that may include a broken leg. It was necessary to close down the road where the accident occurred for over an hour thereafter so an investigation could take place. No information as to the results of that investigation is available. A frightening crash occurred Friday morning along U.S. 70 near Durham. A car reportedly landed upside-down after sliding off the road, flipping over a guardrail and sliding down a snowy embankment, hitting some trees along the way. No information on injuries resulting from the crash is available, but news reports indicate that the driver was able to stand up and carry on a conversation with first responders at the scene. The accident is one of several that occurred along that stretch of U.S. 70. Authorities believe that black ice may be to blame. What can you do if you are hurt in an accident? If traveling in hazardous weather conditions is unavoidable, drivers should go slow and observe proper safety precautions. Those injured due to reckless or unsafe driving during inclement weather may wish to consult an attorney to explore available legal options for seeking damages. At , we help injured people across North Carolina get their deserved compensation. Our personal injury attorneys will fight for you and make sure that you can move forward with your life in a positive direction.

A recent study of crash volumes and accident totals across the country shows that total motor vehicle accidents in Raleigh have decreased by 25.5% since 2018. Over the same time period, total crashes for the United States as a whole increased by 6.8%. Nevertheless, the same research ranks Raleigh sixth among the top 10 most dangerous cities in the nation for drivers in 2019. Over the course of the year, the city saw a total of 12,846 car, accidents according to the nationwide study. The facts about Raleigh car accidents Raleigh was one of two cities in North Carolina to make the top 10 list of the most dangerous cities. The other was Charlotte, with a total of 21,818 car accidents in 2019, ranked at number two. With 22,188 total accidents in 2019, the number-one most dangerous city in the United States, according to the study, was Houston, Texas. The results of the study derived from over 1.8 million accident reports from cities around the country. Interestingly, another recent study ranked Raleigh and Charlotte as two of the most driver-friendly cities in the nation. The second study took more information into consideration. In addition to accident statistics, it also ranked cities according to factors such as commute times, gas prices and insurance rates. Regardless of which study paints a more accurate portrait of the driving situation in these two North Carolina cities, the effects of a car accident can stay with a victim for decades. Those injured in a collision with another vehicle may wish to seek the advice of an attorney regarding available options to take legal action. What can you do if you were hurt in a car accident? You need knowledgeable legal help if you have serious injuries that were caused by a motor vehicle accident. One of the knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Frasier & Griffin, PLLC, can help you get your deserved compensation and medical coverage for your injuries. We can answer your questions and help you determine your next steps in a consultation.

Winters in North Carolina typically don't involve much snow, in contrast to other regions of the United States. However, this area is prone to rain during the winter months, which can also be hazardous to drivers. Knowing how to navigate wet, rainy roads is a must to keep yourself and other motorists safe. In this case, Edmunds offers the following safety tips to prevent serious accidents from occurring. Posted speed limits are designed for ideal road conditions. When roads are slick, drivers are encouraged to decrease their speed to accommodate conditions. Wet roads decrease traction between the tires and the pavement, which can lead to skidding. Some estimates say that wet roads reduce traction by about one-third, so drivers are encouraged to reduce their speed by about as much. As an example, if the posted speed limit is 55 mph, it's suggested that motorists travel at about 40 mph in rainy conditions. Even with your best efforts, you might still experience hydroplaning. This is when your vehicle's tires lose contact with the road, which can lead to serious accidents. Consider that hydroplaning can occur at speeds of just 35 mph. Knowing how to deal with this situation is a must to preserve the safety of you and other drivers. When you start sliding, ease your foot off the gas. You can also gently engage the brake, but refrain from slamming it down, as this can increase skidding. Also, be cautious about steering your vehicle until you regain traction, as you may inadvertently steer into oncoming traffic or some other situation when tires gain their grip on the road. While you should always keep about three to four seconds distance between yourself and other vehicles, this distance should be expanded to about five seconds in wet conditions. In the event the vehicle in front of you stops short, this distance will allow enough time for you to stop. You should also keep ample space around the sides of your vehicle whenever possible. What can you do if you are hurt in an accident? If a negligent driver caused you to become injured, a knowledgeable lawyer can help. At , our personal injury attorneys help injured people get their deserved compensation.

Every day, hundreds of people suffer serious and disabling injuries in auto accidents. If a careless driver struck you while walking in downtown Durham or Raleigh, you may be dealing with expensive medical bills on top of lost wages. Losing income is likely detrimental to your family. Knowing what to do after a serious injury to provide for your family may take professional assistance. In the meantime, these tips may help. Keep records of your lost income First, gather proof of your lost income. Keep track of medical records, prognosis reports, paystubs and any letters from your employer. You will need evidence that the car accident put you out of work, and that you lost wages because of your injuries. Calculate your losses Find out exactly how much your injury will cost you in lost wages. Include the wages you missed during doctor’s appointments and recovery time, as well as any benefits or opportunities you might have missed, such as overtime pay. Then, calculate future lost capacity to earn by multiplying your daily wage by the number of days your doctor predicts you will be unable to work. File a claim with the right insurance company File your initial injury claim with the at-fault party’s carrier for the accident. North Carolina is a tort-based state. The at-fault driver will be responsible for repaying your medical expenses, lost wages and property damage repairs. Request disability benefits through Social Security While your insurance claim is pending, seek additional benefits to cover your missing income by applying for Social Security Disability benefits. Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income could cover most or all of your lost income. Initiate a personal injury lawsuit A lawsuit against the at-fault driver, an auto part manufacturer, the city or another defendant could result in greater compensation for your losses than an insurance claim alone. You may have grounds to bring a lawsuit if you suffered serious or catastrophic injuries, and if the driver was negligent or careless.