Charlotte North Carolina Legal Blog

How can pedestrians be safer when they walk?

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in personal injury on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

No one denies that walking represents one of the best ways you can keep fit. But it also puts you at risk when you walk along your neighborhood’s sidewalks or cross its streets. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cautions that in 2017 alone, 5,977 pedestrians died nationwide, amounting to one fatality every 88 minutes.

Walking safely takes thought and effort on your part. For instance, as tempting as it may be to talk or text on your cellphone while walking, this is dangerous because it takes your mind off the things that surround you. Even in a quiet neighborhood, a car can come out of nowhere and slam into you as you cross the street. Unfortunately, people also often back out of their driveways without really looking at what is behind them.

Why do construction workers suffer so many back injuries?

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.

If you work construction, no one need tell you that your back takes a beating virtually every day. Your job requires you to lift, carry and move heavy tools and equipment almost constantly. This, in turn, puts constant stress and strain on your back that can lead to chronic painful back conditions or even actual back injury.

All construction jobs carry with them the potential for back injuries, but you face an especially high risk for sustaining one if you work as one of the following:

Roofer
Jackhammer operator
Drywall installer
Stonemason
Bricklayer
Tile installer (either wall or floor)

Hidden brain injuries are common in car accidents

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

When car accidents occur, they often cause brain injuries that victims cannot feel immediately. In the confusion of a car collision, a victim may easily strike their head without realizing it, leaving them with minor brain injuries that may cause massive complications. In fact, if a car accident victim chooses to not seek a medical examination after the collision, they may have significant injuries they cannot feel for several days.

If you are a recent car accident victim, you may have a minor brain injury that needs proper diagnosis and treatment. Without medical treatment, a brain injury can complicate life and strain or break many of your relationships with behavior changes you cannot control. A proper diagnosis helps ensure that you receive the treatment that you need and gives you the tools to explain the injury to others around you.

More cyclists and pedestrians dying on U.S. roads

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in personal injury on Friday, January 24, 2020.

All across the nation, people look for ways to stay healthy and be active. Riding a bike, walking and running are common forms of exercise that continue to grow in popularity. Unfortunately, it seems that the choice to engage in these activities meant to improve a person's health may actually put people in harm's way. Data recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that the number of cyclists and pedestrians being killed by vehicles is on the rise.

According to The Verge, the number of bike riders killed in vehicle accidents in 2018 jumped by 6.3% over the previous year. Pedestrian deaths rose by 3.4% in the same time period. While deaths among people on bikes or on foot increased in 2018, the number of overall traffic fatalities decreased, highlighting the serious problem faced by bicyclists and pedestrians.

Do you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome?

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

If you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, it's important that you quickly receive a medical diagnosis. While you may be able to reduce your pain temporarily through rest, this common ailment isn't going to heal itself.

There are many symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, including:

Tingling and burning in your thumb and palm
The feeling of small electric shocks in your fingers
Hand weakness, especially when trying to hold something
Tingling that starts in your hand and spreads to your arm

How can hazard assessment prevent accidents at work?

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in Workers' Compensation on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

While it certainly should not take an accident at your work for company leaders to initiate an assessment into safety protocols, sometimes these situations can provide encouragement and motivation for your superiors to take action. If you have been the victim of a workplace accident in North Carolina, it is imperative that you be forthright in expressing your concerns about the incident you were involved in to help your employer prevent similar accidents in the future.

The accident investigation that will be conducted by your employer will span various steps, but one that is critical to identifying which hazards ultimately led to the incident is an assessment. This process will require professionals to analyze your version of events in conjunction with on-sight observation to identify what the root cause was that created an imminent danger. Your willingness to share your experience could be the persuasion needed for your employer to proactively address what needs to be done to better protect you and others in the future.

Bicycle-car accident kills child, driver arrested

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in personal injury on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.

In Charlotte and across North Carolina, drivers need to be aware of children on the road. They could be pedestrians, on skateboards, bicycles or scooters. Failing to be vigilant behind the wheel, speeding, driving recklessly, being distracted or driving under the influence can all spark a collision. Children are among the most vulnerable members of society. If a child is hit, it can have severe and even deadly consequences. After an auto accident with a child has occurred, it is important to have legal assistance to consider a wrongful death lawsuit.

A car accident claimed the life of an 11-year-old child as he rode his bicycle. A 19-year-old was arrested on multiple charges. The accident occurred at around 6 p.m. According to the investigation, the child was hit and the driver kept going despite the child hitting the hood and the windshield. He was then thrown off when the driver hit the brake. The bicycle remained under the car as the driver fled the scene. Later that evening, the driver's mother had contacted law enforcement to tell them that her son wanted to surrender. When he did, drug paraphernalia was discovered. It was also found that the vehicle was reported stolen. He is charged with hit-and-run, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving a stolen vehicle.

How a lawyer can help with a personal injury claim

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler on Sunday, January 12, 2020.

Imagine a situation in which you've suffered an injury as a result of another person's negligence. Common examples include motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents and slip-and-fall accidents.

While you're focusing most of your time on your recovery, you also need to learn more about your legal rights. The information you collect will help you determine if it makes sense to file a personal injury claim. And if it does, you'll want to consider the benefits of consulting with an experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

Legal help for victims of trucking industry negligence

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in personal injury on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Truck accidents can be devastating and may result in catastrophic injuries and harm for victims. It is important for truck accident victims to know how to protect themselves when they have been injured in a truck accident.

A personal injury claim for damages can provide important protections that injured truck accident victims and their families need to help with their inevitable physical, financial and emotional damages following a truck accident. A claim for damages against a negligent truck driver or negligent trucking company may help injured victims with their medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages. Negligent truck drivers and trucking companies should be accountable to victims for the harm they cause.

Construction accident injuries can be common for workers

On behalf of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler posted in Workers' Compensation on Monday, December 30, 2019.

The construction industry can be dangerous for workers who may suffer serious injuries on the job that impede their ability to work and earn a living. It is essential for injured construction workers to be familiar with workers' compensation benefits and other options that can help them when they were injured on a construction site.

During 2009, there were greater than 3.3. million nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported and greater than nine percent were suffered by construction workers according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the construction injuries, 22 percent of the injuries and illnesses reported by construction workers were falls. Falls are a serious type of injury construction workers can suffer in a construction site accident. Falls can occur from all kinds of heights on a construction site including ladders, scaffolding, cranes, roofs and other heights.