South Carolina Lawyer Blog

The U.S. Senate recently held hearings to consider the legal implications of the automated robot-driven cars being tested in three states -- Nevada, California and Florida.

Wonder why they’re spending time and money on unlikely scenarios right out of Back to the Future and The Jetsons? The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers predicts that 75 percent of cars on the road in 2040 will be self-driving. InsuranceQuotes.com put together this infographic pointing to other statistics that may surprise you about the car of the future. http://www.insurancequotes.com/self-driving-cars/

One of the models being tested is a modified Toyota Prius which includes these features to allow it to navigate public roads without a driver:

• A high-definition video camera mounted near the rearview mirror detects traffic lights and vehicles approaching from the sides.
• A LIDAR rotating sensor on the roof (like radar but using pulses of light rather than sound) scans a radius of 200 feet to create a dynamic 3D map of the environment, showing road edges, signs, guardrails and overpasses.
• Three radar sensors in the front bumper and one in the rear bumper measure distances to various obstacles and allow the system to reduce the car’s speed.
• A sensor mounted on the left rear wheel measures lateral movements and pinpoints the car’s position on the map.

The idea of roads filled with robocars sounds pretty far out, doesn’t it? But the fact is, automakers have been gradually adding active safety features for several years, including:

• Electronic stability control to help keep cars from skidding
• Active cruise control, which slows the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance
• Autonomous steering, which recognizes lane drift and guides the car back to the center of the lane
• Parallel parking assist systems
• Adaptive headlights.

Considering that more than 34,000 people were killed in car accidents last year, with human error the cause of more than 90 percent of them, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, it is clear that cars equipped with advanced technologies could save many lives. However, the cars of the future are creating thorny questions for policymakers today.

If a robotic car is involved in an accident, who’s at fault, man or machine?
Will a driver be responsible for infractions, such as running a red light, caused by a malfunction of the car’s sensors?

Are drowsy driving, texting and drinking behind the wheel likely to increase if drivers no longer need to be situationally aware?

And what about computer security and privacy concerns? According to a May 15 article in Columbia’s The State newspaper (http://www.thestate.com/2013/05/15/2773030/senate-considers-if-no-ones-behind.html), NHTSA has created a new division to focus on cybersecurity. NHTSA head, David Strickland, said the agency’s aim will be to “ensure that the driver cannot lose control and that the overall system cannot be corrupted to send faulty data.”

Last year’s Santa Clara Law Review annual symposium drew legal scholars from around the country to discuss regulations and questions of insurance coverage and civil and criminal liability. “Technology is way ahead of the law,” said law professor Dorothy Glancy, who focuses on public transportation and privacy issues. “It’s going to be with us whether we think about these issues or not,” she said. “To think about the legal issues in advance – that’s a really good thing.”

Yes, to plan for the future is a good thing, because the future really is now.

The number of South Carolinians who died in auto accidents involving a drunk driver dropped in 2011.

Drunk driving deaths in South Carolina fell from 353 in 2010 to 315 in 2011. Ours was one of only four states where fatalities involving drunk driving accidents decreased by 30 or more. The others were Texas (-57), New York (-45) and Tennessee (-31).

But even one alcohol-related death is one too many. And innocent people will continue to die as long as impaired motorists continue to climb behind the wheel.

A case in point: a 30-year-old North Charleston man was arrested and charged with felony DUI after a car wreck on I-26 that killed a female passenger. The accident occurred March 9 when the driver ran off the interstate and crashed, according to news reports. Two young children who were also in the car were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Nationwide, 32,367 people lost their lives on America’s roadways in motor vehicle crashes in 2011. About one-third (31 percent) of those deaths – or close to 9,900 – were alcohol-related. This was a decline of 2.5 percent from the preceding year.

Three states had increases of 30 or more deaths: Colorado (+41), Florida (+38) and New Jersey (+33).

An alcohol-impaired-driving fatality is defined as a person killed in a crash involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

Sources:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811699.pdf
• WBTW-TV 13 News http://www.wbtw.com/story/21635299/sc-mom-dies-son-hurt-in-crash-with-drunk-driver-police-say

A winter storm that dropped freezing rain and a glaze of ice on South Carolina is being blamed for dozens of car crashes and at least one death.

Seventy automobile accidents were reported in Greenville County as a result of the January 25 storm.

And a driver in Easley was killed when his car skidded on deadly highway ice.

Bad weather is the cause of 11 percent of all auto accident fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This is from The State:

Authorities blamed at least one death on Friday’s icy conditions. A man died in a wreck in Pickens County after his car hit a patch of ice on U.S. 123 in Easley.

Schools and government offices in the Upstate shut down early as sleet and freezing rain moved across the area. The Highway Patrol reported at least 70 wrecks in Greenville County in two hours as the first batch came through.

Sheriffs in York, Lancaster and Chesterfield counties reported a number of wrecks as the second round of freezing rain came through after sundown Friday.

Trees and power lines had a light glaze of ice, but only scattered power outages were reported.

You can reduce your chances of being injured or killed in a car wreck by observing these AAA winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving when tired.
• Make sure your tires are in good shape and properly inflated.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• Avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface.
• Slow down and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt.

Source:

• The State http://www.thestate.com/2013/01/25/2604713/freezing-rain-expected-in-northern.html

• Statistic Brain http://www.statisticbrain.com/car-crash-fatality-statistics-2/
• American Automobile Association http://exchange.aaa.com/safety/roadway-safety/winter-driving-tips/

A rear-end crash near Woodruff has resulted in a felony DUI charge and six people injured.

The wreck happened January 11 when a driver ran into the back of another car on Highway 221, causing it to flip over and then drifted into oncoming traffic and hit another car head-on.

Three passengers in the flipped car – along with all three drivers – were taken to the hospital.

There were 357 drunk driving deaths in South Carolina in 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This represents almost 8 deaths per 100,000 population.

Thirty-eight people under the age of 21 were killed in South Carolina alcohol-related crashes in 2010.

Here is a news report of the Woodruff wreck:

One man has been charged with felony DUI after a wreck sent several people to the hospital Friday morning.

Investigators say it happened around 10:45 AM on Highway 221 just outside of Woodruff.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Michael Dean Staggs, 40, hit a small car from behind, causing it to overturn. Stagg’s car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head-on.

Three people in the small car were ejected. Authorities say they were not wearing their seatbelts at the time. Those three people, along with the drivers of all three cars involved were taken to the hospital for their injuries.

Staggs has been charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury.

The highway was blocked for several hours after the crash.

In 2008, South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation in motor vehicle deaths, and first in the percentage of automobile deaths that were accident-related.

The consequences of a South Carolina car crash caused by a drunk driver can be devastating, including staggering medical bills, permanent injuries, disability and even death.

Source: WSPA-TV 7 http://www2.wspa.com/news/2013/jan/11/2/wreck-blocks-highway-221-spartanburg-co-friday-ar-5346548/

Here’s a hopeful start to the new year: only half as many people were killed in South Carolina car wrecks in the first days of 2013 as compared with 2012.

Seven people have died on South Carolina highways through January 6. That is down from the 13 highway deaths for this same time period in 2012.

These numbers are from the latest highway fatality report by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Three of the 2013 roadway fatalities in South Carolina occurred in Beaufort County. None happened in the counties of Richland, Charleston or Greenville.

Of the four motor vehicle occupants who have died so far in 2013, three were not wearing seat belts.

Two pedestrians and one motorcyclist have also died on state roads and highways.

There have not been any 2013 bicyclist deaths.

Car crashes are the leading killer of kids and young adults throughout the country. They are among the top cause of death in all age groups.

In South Carolina, there were 625 fatal automobile collisions in 2011, resulting in 677 deaths.

Source: South Carolina Department of Public Safety http://www.scdps.gov/oea/nr2013/010712.htm

Every person convicted of DUI in South Carolina – even first-time offenders – would have to pass a breathalyzer test before being able to start their cars if one state legislator gets his way.

Currently, a so-called ignition interlock device is required only for those who have at least two DUI convictions in the Palmetto State.

But state Senator Joel Lourie, a Democrat from Columbia, said he intends to file a bill in the upcoming General Assembly session requiring ignition interlock even for DUI first-offenders.

More than a quarter million people in the U.S. are injured in alcohol-related crashes each year. Every 31 minutes someone is killed in a car accident involving alcohol – and every two minutes someone is injured.

Mandatory ignition interlock for all DUI offenders is recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Presently, 17 states have such a law. If Senator Lourie’s law passes, South Carolina would become number 18.

This is from the Charleston Post and Courier:

Ignition interlock for second-offense DUI went into effect in South Carolina in January of 2010. There were 1,024 drivers in the program as of Nov. 30, according to the state Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon.

Completion of a required license suspension period and an alcohol and drug safety program is required before the ignition interlock device is an option for people convicted of second-offense DUI. As of Nov. 30, 6,158 DUI offenders were eligible for the program.

“The first step to address the number one killer on our roadways is to do what has proven to be effective — use interlocks for all DUI offenders,” said NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman.

The American Beverage Institute, a trade association representing 8,000 restaurants, urged lawmakers to reject the NTSB recommendation for first-time DUI offenders.

The NTSB is looking at other ways to combat drunk driving, such as promoting research into an alcohol detection device that could be installed in cars.

Law enforcement agencies in South Carolina are taking steps this holiday season to curb drunk driving:

• Public safety checkpoints;
• Beefed-up DUI enforcement;
• A “Sober or Slammer!” campaign that runs through New Year’s Day.

Almost half of highway deaths in South Carolina are due to impaired drivers. Many of these motorists are driving to and from holiday parties and festivities.

Source: Charleston Post and Courier http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121218/PC16/121219366/1006/alcohol-breath-test-for-car-ignition-proposed-for-first-offenders-in-south-carolina

Drunk driving has claimed another life in South Carolina.

The driver of a car that killed a state Department of Transportation worker on I-20 in Lexington County has been charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.

There were 357 motor vehicle fatalities in South Carolina linked to alcohol impairment in 2010, the most recent year for which statistics are available. More than 19,000 arrests for driving under the influence were made.

Following is from The State newspaper:

Thomas Lee Stafford, 39, is accused of driving drunk when his 2003 Nissan SUV fatally wounded Nicholas Johnson, who was walking along the road’s emergency lane near mile marker 62, according to Highway Patrol spokesman Brent Kelly.

Stafford continued to drive for another half-mile or so after hitting Johnson, Kelly said, before eventually pulling off the road. Stafford is charged with driving under the influence involving death, a felony, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Stafford’s vehicle swerved to the right and hit Johnson from behind, killing the man, but Highway Patrol investigators aren’t sure as to why.

The victim, who was only 21, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Victims and their families whose lives are disrupted by the recklessness of a drunk motorist may have a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit in South Carolina.

Sources:

• The State http://www.thestate.com/2012/12/03/2542921/worker-killed-in-i-20-collision.html

• Century Council http://www.centurycouncil.org/state-facts

The No. 1 safety fear of drivers age 50 and older is not being able to see clearly at night.
That’s according to the study “Enhancing Safety and Comfort For Mature Drivers” by The Hartford and the MIT Age Lab.

Twenty-four percent of those surveyed said night vision was their top concern. Other fears: distractions such as music and phones (13 percent), changing lanes in traffic (12 percent), and merging on the highway (12 percent).

The findings are important. In South Carolina, as in most states, more than half of all new cars are bought by people aged 50 and older.

And here’s good news: Auto makers are equipping new models with safety features designed especially for older drivers:

• Smart headlights. These change the intensity and angle of direction of headlights to reduce glare and make driving easier at night or in bad weather.

• Emergency response systems. Quick-response systems are being enhanced and improved each year.

• Blind spot warning systems. These warn of objects or other vehicles that are in your car’s blind spot, making merging and changing lanes easier.

• Assistive parking systems. These cars essentially park themselves, without needing a driver, by letting you know distances to spots and warning you of obstructions.

• Drowsy driver alerts. This technology lets you know when your inattention or tiredness is a problem.

Free Consultation With A South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer

Have you or a loved one been in an automobile accident? Do you have a question about insurance liability or coverage? The Columbia car crash attorneys of the Louthian Law Firm are here to discuss your legal options. Call us today at 888-616-4339 or use this online form. We will give you a free and confidential case evaluation.

Sources:
• The Hartford study http://www.thehartford.com/sites/thehartford/files/TopCarTechnologiesInfographic.pdf
• AARP http://blog.aarp.org/2012/09/19/top-five-new-car-technologies-older-drivers/

One tragedy can lead to another, as shown by a car crash on I-20 that took the life of a 21-year-old Winthrop University student.
The fatal collision was part of a chain reaction that occurred as vehicles backed up on the interstate while authorities pulled another car from the Wateree River.
The accident victim, who died, was riding with her two roommates in a car struck by a Mercedes SUV. Both cars were approaching traffic that was stopped due to the recovery of a car submerged in the river containing the bodies of two missing North Carolina teens.
Following is from WIS-TV:
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 8:00 PM in the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 near mile marker 98.
[The victim] and her roommates … were headed back to campus when the collision sent their vehicle careening into the median.
The SUV that slammed into the students was being driven by an 18-year-old man from New Jersey. He was transported to the hospital.
The Mercedes also hit another vehicle driven by a 16-year-old from Leesville. The driver and passenger in that vehicle were uninjured.
Both of the other students in the car were injured. One suffered fractures to her back and the other sustained serious head injuries.
The Louthian Law Firm has pursued wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits in South Carolina since 1959. Its experienced wrongful death attorneys provide professional and caring service to victims and their families.
Compensation in wrongful death cases can include funeral costs, medical bills, lost wages, and damages for loss of companionship, mental anguish and pain and suffering.
Free Consultation With A South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer
Have you or a loved one been in an automobile accident? Do you have a question about insurance coverage? The Columbia car crash attorneys of the Louthian Law Firm are here to discuss your legal options. Call us today at 888-616-4339 or use this online form. We will give you a free and confidential case evaluation.
Source: WIS-TV http://www.wistv.com/story/19959345/winthrop-students-recover-as-friends-mourn-death-from-crash

One out of every 126 cars in South Carolina will crash into a deer this year, according to State Farm Insurance, which has issued a “deer alert” to Palmetto State motorists.
South Carolina ranks 18th in the country for overall likelihood of striking a deer.
A recent case in point: A female motorcycle passenger was killed in a collision with a deer in Lexington County on October 24. Here is the WIS-TV report:
According to the coroner, 48-year-old Lynne M. Wilke was taken to Palmetto Health Richland for her injuries. She died at the hospital.
Troopers say Wilke was the passenger on a 2003 Harley Davidson traveling south when a group of deer ran into the road. The woman was thrown from the motorcycle when it hit one of the deer.
The driver and Wilke, who were not wearing helmets, were transported to Palmetto Health Richland Hospital. The driver, from Columbia, had minor injuries.
Deer are most active during evening, dusk and dawn. They tend to travel in groups. When you see one crossing the road or on the shoulder, chances are there are others nearby.
Following are some additional deer safe driving tips:
• Scan both sides of the road. Watch for deer eyes reflecting light.
• Most accidents occur when drivers try to swerve out of the way of deer.
• Brake firmly and maintain control of your vehicle.
• Using high beams and sounding the horn may repel the deer, but won’t necessarily prevent a collision.
• Reduce speed at the first sign of deer. Keep your eyes peeled.
• Buckle up at all times.
• Try to avoid driving at night.
Free Consultation With A South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer
Have you or a loved one been in an automobile accident? Do you have a question about insurance coverage? The Columbia car crash attorneys of the Louthian Law Firm are here to discuss your legal options. Call us today at 888-616-4339 or use this online form. We will give you a free and confidential case evaluation.
Sources:
• WIS-TV http://www.wistv.com/story/19913789/woman-dies-in-motorcycle-vs-deer-collision
• WSPA Channel 7, Spartanburg

Not all automobile crashes involve one vehicle running into another.
Sometimes a vehicle crashes into someone’s home or store – and in South Carolina it is happening more frequently.
In the past year, at least 14 vehicles have smashed into residences or businesses in the greater Charleston area alone. A half-dozen of those wrecks occurred within the past month.
According to the Charleston Post and Courier:
The most recent incident involved a Buick that plowed through the wall of a North Charleston home on Tuesday. A pet store, a pain management center and a barbecue joint also have been unwitting targets in recent weeks.
But why does it happen?
If you ask College of Charleston psychology professor Lisa Ross, driver distraction plays a large role in such collisions.
On her daily commute, Ross said she often sees people with their heads down and eyes looking everywhere but on the road as they fiddle with their phones, adjust their radios or attempt to balance some other multitasking maneuver.
“The number of tops of people’s heads I see as I am driving to and from work seems to be increasing,” she said. “Everyone seems to be looking down and at something else.”
Sometimes – as in a February incident where a Goose Creek man deliberately rammed his car into a home he shared with his fiancée – the collision is intentional.
Other times the driver has a medical condition. According to state records, medical conditions contributed to 1,804 drivers colliding into fixed objects along public roadways from 2008 to 2010. Thirty-three of those wrecks were fatal
Following are summaries of some of the reported incidents of cars colliding with fixed objects:
• An elderly man is hospitalized after his car jumps a curb and crashes into a home in North Charleston (October).
• A taxi driver crashes through a plate glass window at a Petco store on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, coming to rest against the back wall. No people or animals are injured (October).
• A Chevrolet Impala crashes into the Trident Pain Center on Medical Plaza Drive in North Charleston after the driver accidently hit the gas instead of the brakes. One person inside the facility sustains a minor injury (October).
• A car crashes into a Family Dollar store on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard in West Ashley (October).
• A man in a pickup truck crashes into a barn wall at Bessinger’s Barbeque on Savannah Highway. The man, who has minor injuries, is charged with drunken driving (September).
• A sport utility vehicle crashes into a Londonderry Road home in North Charleston, taking out a living room wall (September).
• A Cadillac Escalade crashes through a wall of Anthony’s Seafood on Redbank Road in Goose Creek near closing time, taking out the front counter where the owner normally stands (August).
• A car crashes into Buck’s Pizza on Central Avenue in Summerville (August).
• A sport utility vehicle crashes into Medical University of South Carolina’s STAR Children’s Treatment Center on Iron Horse Road near Ladson. The facility’s receptionist receives injuries from flying debris (June).
• An 18-year-old James Island man is arrested after crashing his Buick into a Quail Drive home, causing $50,000 in damage to the house and $10,000 to the car. Nobody, including two children inside the sedan, is seriously hurt (May).
• A driver who thought the gas was the brake crashes his Dodge wagon through a brick wall at Pine Lakes Apartments on Cranford Road in Goose Creek (December 2011).
• A car careens across a lawn and crashes into a home on Resinwood Road near Moncks Corner. Two people are injured (December 2011).
• A man faces drunken driving charges after crashing his pickup truck into a home with three people inside on Columbia Drive in Ladson. No one is injured (October 2011).
Free Consultation With A South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, get a free case evaluation from an experienced South Carolina auto accident lawyer at the Louthian Law Firm. Call 888-616-4339 or use this online form. The call is confidential and toll-free.

Source: Charleston Post and Courier

South Carolina military veterans can now get a special “VETERAN” designation on their driver licenses and permits.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles launched the new program in September.

According to a department press release:

“The Governor and the Legislature joined forces to acknowledge the service of our veterans,” said [DMV] Executive Director Kevin Shwedo. “Our veterans have done their part serving our country and it’s only right that we should honor them. I’m proud that we can offer this service and I hope they will take advantage of it.”

The VETERAN designation applies only to individuals who served honorably as members of the United States Armed Forces. To apply, veterans must present their Form DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which indicates an honorable discharge. No other proof of service will be accepted. Military dependents, spouses or civilian employees on military bases are not eligible.

The cost to add the VETERAN designation to a driver license, identification card or beginner permit is $1.00.

Veterans applying for the designation can visit any DMV office statewide.

The Louthian Law Firm is pleased to support the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces.
Free Consultation With A Columbia Personal Injury Lawyer

Are you a veteran who has been in an automobile accident? Do you have a question about your legal rights? Get a free case evaluation from an experienced South Carolina motor vehicle lawyer. Call 888-616-4339 or use this online form. The call is confidential and toll free.

Source: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

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The sheriff of Lexington County recently asked bar owners to help deter drunken driving by not serving intoxicated customers. “I’m letting them know they have a part to play in this,” Sheriff James Metts was quoted in The State as saying. Metts said officers will increase patrols in areas around nearly a dozen bars.

According to The State and S.C. crash statistics, Lexington County is one of the most at-risk places in the state when it comes to drunk drivers. The idea to stop intoxicated drivers before they get behind the wheel came from a citizens group formed through the Lexington-Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council. According to the group, drivers in the area may think there is little risk in getting behind the wheel while under the influence. The group also called for stronger efforts to prevent people from drinking too much and to stop people from driving after they have been drinking.

Not all bar owners are thrilled by the initiative. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council says that it can be a struggle to get some bar owners to cooperate with the group’s efforts to schedule training for bar employees so they can identify and handle intoxicated customers.

At least 40 people have died on Lexington County roads this year, more than at the same time in 2011 or 2010.

Lexington County’s efforts come on the heels of a new study finding that more than half of all drivers in fatal crashes had alcohol or drugs in their systems. Researchers looked at crash data for 14 states between 2005 and 2009. According to the MedlinePlus coverage of the study, about 57 percent of more than 20,000 drivers killed in accidents over the five-year study period tested positive for at least one substance.

The study’s authors point out that there are no consistent, nationwide standards for testing drivers for drugs and alcohol at the time of a crash, which may mean that important evidence of drunken or drugged driving may be slipping through the cracks. According to MedlinePlus, federal regulators estimate that drunken drivers account for about one-third of all fatal accidents in the United States each year, or about 10,000 deaths in 2010.

Contact a South Carolina Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation. The South Carolina drunk driving accident lawyers of the Louthian Law Firm can work to get you the settlement you need to get your life back on track. Call Louthian Law Firm today toll free at 888-662-9821 or locally at 803-454-1200 or contact us online for a free evaluation of your case.

In a new test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety mimicking a common crash condition overlooked by many car makers and safety experts less than 30 percent of the tested cars earned good or acceptable ratings. The new test is called the “small overlap frontal crash test.” It is different from older frontal crash tests, because only part of a car’s front end hits an obstruction in the new tests. Objects collide with the outside edges of the car, which are often not directly protected by a vehicle’s safety cage — a structure that safeguards the essential “survival space” in a vehicle, or the area that resists collapsing in a crash.

The IIHS says that these front-end overlap crash safety tests aren’t carried out elsewhere in the United States or Europe except in a handful of automaker tests. The fact that this kind of test isn’t more common is alarming, especially when small overlap front-end accidents make up almost 25 percent of all frontal crashes that result in a death or serious injury, says the IIHS. Front-end crashes account for more than 10,000 deaths each year, the IIHS says.

The IIHS says the new test is designed to follow what happens when an auto strikes another object like a tree, pole or even another auto at around 40 mph. In these types of crashes, experts say, crash energy isn’t sent to a vehicle’s safety cage or “crush zone,” which is designed to keep a vehicle from collapsing on passengers in a crash. In these overlap crashes, energy is instead sent directly to a vehicle’s front wheel, suspension system or firewall. Alarmingly, testers say they saw examples of serious “intrusions” by wheels and other parts of the car into vehicle cabins. They also saw cases where a test dummy was knocked around so much that it missed the airbag and struck other parts of the vehicle, which would cause serious injury or possibly death in a real-world crash.

Importantly, the new IIHS test has looked only at mid-size luxury or “near” luxury cars. Testers say they’ll be looking next at moderately priced cars like popular Ford, Honda and Toyota models.

South Carolina drivers should be aware of this dangerous front-end crash safety gap, and drivers may want to take steps to find out whether their automaker has tested for this sort of accident. Unfortunately, many South Carolina drivers may find out the hard way whether their vehicle can protect them and their passengers in an overlap front-end crashe.

Contact Our Auto Injury and Defect Lawyers

When a product is put on the market, we expect it to comply with safety standards. We certainly expect the manufacturer or seller to take precautions to protect us from any unnecessary harm. Our expectations are even higher when the product is a vehicle that weighs a ton or more and is capable of high speeds..

Unfortunately, the cars we rely on in our daily lives are sometimes released into the marketplace with faulty parts or defective designs. Those defects can lead to catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents on South Carolina's roads and highways.

If you have been injured due to a defective automobile, please contact the South Carolina product liability attorneys at Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656 or fill out the free online case evaluation form. It is your legal right to ask the manufacturer and other responsible parties for money to cover your medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering and any permanent disability or loss. If a case is warranted, we will seek to hold the negligent parties liable for the injuries they have caused.

When a person is in a traumatic car accident, every minute counts. The sooner they can be put into the hands of a trained medical team, the higher their chance is of survival. This time after the traumatic event is referred to in the medical community as the “golden hour”, the time in which life and death hang in a delicate balance.

John Hopkins Study On Emergency Response Time

There have been many studies on the effect of emergency response time to the survival rate of victims. Unfortunately, many of these studies have not taken into account the seriousness of the injuries, comparing broken legs with cardiac arrests. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in April 2012 actually took the level of injury into account, making it a true study of how response times affect survival.

The study looked at the difference between helicopter versus ground emergency response in patients requiring a level 1 or a level 2 trauma center. Since the air response is much quicker, both to the scene and to transport back to the medical center, the idea was to see the difference that time made in survival. The study analyzed over 700,000 patients 15-years or older and their survival rates after being ground transported or airlifted to a trauma center.

• Survival for the level 1 trauma centers was 16% with air transport


• Survival for the level 2 trauma centers was 15% with air transport

The “Golden Hour”

When a person is in a serious car accident, the response time by emergency services can be a matter of life and death. That precious hour after sustaining life threatening injuries is when they hang in the balance, waiting for the medical treatment that will medical treatment that will ultimately decide their fate.

For instance, in the case of cardiac arrest, every second counts in an emergency situation. If the heart is shocked with a defibrillator within the first 5 ½ minutes, their chance of survival increases. Since most response times are much higher than that by medical emergency crews, many people die in those few precious minutes.

An example of how local authorities can make a difference is apparent in the case of Rochester, MN, home of the Mayo Clinic. They realized the need to save cardiac arrest victims and decided to give police officers, often the first response people on the scene, defibrillators. In 12 years, 37 of 73 cardiac arrest victims were first shocked by police officers. By doing this, they raised their cardiac arrest survival rate from 30% to 44%, one of the highest in the nation.

The importance of emergency medical care is crucial to every town and city. Increased response times can make all the difference, whether it is by using helicopters or thinking outside the box like Rochester city officials did. Each second counts and many lives are in the hands of these services.

The above blog was prepared by Chicago car accident attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/news/johns-hopkins-study-survival-rate-higher-for-traum/nN3yS/

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/ems-day2-cover.htm

According to information gathered by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in recent years South Carolina has proved itself to be the deadliest state for accidents involving drunk drivers in the United States.

Just before the 4th of July holidays (one of the deadliest times of year for all drivers), Congress approved changes to Federal transportation policies under a series of programs and laws called the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21 bill. Though MADD and some other safety advocates say the changes are aimed squarely at eliminating drunk driving, others say the law goes too far.

The biggest changes in law involve technologies that may help prevent drunk drivers from being able to operate vehicles in the first place. The MAP-21 bill includes a grant program meant to encourage states to adopt laws allowing the use of ignition interlock devices in the vehicles of those convicted of drunk driving. When a driver has an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle, the unit makes a driver test their blood alcohol content (BAC) before they can start the vehicle—much like a Breathalyzer. If a driver’s BAC is above the .08 legal limit, the vehicle will not start.

Currently, 16 states have laws in place that allow courts to require interlocks in the vehicles of people found guilty of drunk driving, including South Carolina. However, under the MAP-21 bill, the grant programs wouldn’t just encourage states without interlock device laws to adopt them. The MAP-21 bill would also encourage states with existing laws to expand the use of the devices from just the most serious repeat offenders to anyone found guilty of drunk driving.

The most controversial part of the bill, however, is aimed at all autos manufactured after 2015. Under the MAP-21 legislation, all 2015 and newer vehicles will have event data recorders (EDRs) built into them. We’ve already written about the safety concerns that some groups have raised about EDRs, which center around issues of privacy. Some consumer advocates worry that the data in EDRs really isn’t as secure as it should be. However, under MAP-21 legislation, EDRs aren’t the end of the story. As the MADD release about the laws shows, MAP-21 also allows auto makers to begin installing so-called Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, or DADSS technology. This technology, like an interlock device, is able to test the BAC of a driver, and will stop a vehicle from starting if a driver is above the legal limit. Unlike the interlock devices, however, the DADSS technology would target all drivers—not just those found guilty of drunk driving.

Some groups, like MADD, say that DADSS is a huge step forward in the fight against deadly drunk driving across the US. Others say that the technology is a violation of privacy and that drivers should be able to decide whether or not to use a DADSS system. Still others say that DADSS systems should be used like interlock devices, and only become activated after a driver has been found guilty of drunk driving. The only thing that seems certain right now is that drunk driving is a problem that endangers all drivers and families on US roads, and the battle over DADSS, EDRs and interlock devices is far from over.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

We’ve written before about the serious toll that drunk driving takes on SC drivers, families and communities. We’ve also written about how potential flaws in SC drunk driving laws may be keeping dangerous drivers on the road.

Now, a study by doctors in New Mexico may have found medical reasons why early action is the key to stopping drivers who struggle with alcohol from killing or injuring others. According to a recent report about the study, drivers convicted of drunk driving are likely to have a long history of alcohol and drug abuse.

Researchers interviewed 700 adults convicted of drunk driving and found that half of them were either long-term heavy drinkers or had a pattern of falling in and out of heavy drinking. In addition to heavy drinking, as much as one-third of the people interviewed fit the definitions for alcohol or drug dependence, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Study leader Dr. Sandra C. Lapham said that the results show that drunk driving is “a red flag,” and added, “It’s an opportunity to intervene.” Though many courts require people convicted of drunk driving to get screened for conditions like drug addiction or alcoholism, the screening can often fail to catch people who misjudge (or lie about) how much or how often they drink.

As Dr. Lapham noted, it’s often the people facing a drunk driving sentence that pay for the screenings, and because of this they may be motivated to underestimate any risky behavior. Dr. Lapham also said that even drunk drivers who aren’t trying to hide anything aren’t aware of how dangerous their drinking really is. On top of this, even people who may be ready to face their alcohol, drug or mental problems may not be able to afford treatment. Some insurance companies may make the problem worse by limiting the amount of treatment time they cover to a level that doesn’t allow these at-risk drivers to fully recover.

The study’s findings should signal an alarm for SC drivers and communities. As a recent article in The State shows, a combination of drunk drivers and weak drunk driving laws may be responsible for many of the increased deaths on our roads this year. What Dr. Lapham and her team found is that identifying drunk drivers as an “at-risk” population and getting them into treatment early on may be the most important way to stop later deaths and accidents.

Until then, being aware of the dangers of drunk driving and taking strong action when you or a loved one is involved in an accident with a drunk driver may be the only ways to keep you and your family safe.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving South Carolina car, truck and motorcycle accidents and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

An elderly man in a motorized wheelchair who was struck and killed by a dump truck isn’t the first person to die recently at a dangerous intersection in Columbia, officials say. The pedestrian accident, which fatally injured the man, occurred at the intersection of Harden and Greene streets in the Five Points area of the city.

Officials said he was the fourth person to be hit and injured or killed at the intersection since May. As data from the beginning of the year gets released to the public, we might find that even more people have been killed or seriously injured at the intersection since the beginning of the year.

We do know that, before this accident, two people on foot were hit on June 1. At the beginning of May, a pedestrian died after a drunk driver ran into him on Harden Street.

Accidents that seriously injure or even take the lives of people on foot are a growing problem on American roadways. Last year, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) figures showed that auto accidents involving people on foot and otherwise not in cars were on the rise: deaths rose over 4 percent and injuries rose nearly 20 percent.

In 2010, NHTSA data showed that 70,000 people not in cars were injured in auto accidents. Unfortunately, safety experts also admitted that they haven’t figured out why. Some experts point to alcohol use while other experts say that rising numbers of people who choose to walk or bike led to the increases.

Until SC officials and DOT workers decide to take serious action about the dangerous Five Points intersection and others in the state, the risk of injury or death to people near the road continues.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving South Carolina car, truck and motorcycle accidents and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

Though the West Coast still holds nine of the 10 hot spots for auto theft, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), one South Carolina city has jumped into the spotlight.

When the NICB recently released its “Hot Spots 2011” chart, Anderson, SC, appeared in the number 8 slot, up from the number 33 slot it held last year.

The Hot Spots chart tracks auto thefts across the nation, and provides law enforcement and safety officials, as well as the public, with valuable information about which areas pose the highest threats to drivers and their vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a vehicle is stolen every 33 seconds. Also according to the NHTSA, auto thefts cost Americans about $6.4 billion each year. With only 57 percent of all vehicles reported stolen able to be recovered, millions of drivers and families are at risk of auto theft. Unfortunately, many people assume that their communities are safe and free from crimes like auto theft. However, as facts like the 60 percent increase in property thefts in South Carolina since 1975 show, no one is safe from theft.

Aside from the financial costs, auto theft also poses real dangers for the safety and security of all drivers and their loved ones. As countless articles detail, car theft can leave a trail of violence, injuries and lost lives across entire communities. NHTSA statistics show that nearly half of all vehicles stolen get stolen because of some sort of driver error—things like leaving vehicle doors unlocked or keys in the ignition. Both the NHTSA and the NICB offer drivers tips for helping safeguard their vehicles and families from theft. You can check out the NHTSA’s vehicle theft prevention website for information about states with the highest levels of theft, the types of vehicles most commonly stolen, or how to prevent theft. In addition to this, drivers should get to know the NICB’s four ‘Layers of Protection’ to prevent theft, which include:

1.) Common Sense (steps which cover common kinds of driver errors)

1. Remove your keys from the ignition


2. Lock your doors /close your windows


3. Park in a well-lit area

1. Noise-making vehicle alarms


2. Steering column collars


3. Steering wheel/brake pedal lock


4. Brake locks


5. Wheel locks


6. Anti-theft decals


7. Identification markers in or on vehicle


8. VIN (vehicle identification number) etching


9. Micro dot marking

1. Smart keys


2. Fuse cut-offs


3. Kill switches


4. Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers


5. Wireless ignition authentication

1. GPS devices


2. Wireless/remote monitoring (like OnStar and similar services)

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

Most of us are aware of the danger caused by convicted drunk drivers who get behind the wheel again without treatment or before they’ve followed all the necessary legal steps to regain their licenses. We’ve written about this very serious problem before.

However, as a recent article in The State shows, certain kinds of medical histories and conditions can have consequences that are just as deadly. The State article discusses the driving history of an inactive Richland County sheriff’s deputy named George Mickens, who has been involved in several serious accidents—including a June 30, 2011, crash that occurred as Mickens was driving a county-owned vehicle. The crash claimed the life of a 67-year-old retired contractor and community activist named Tommy Hawkins, and put Mickens on inactive deputy status with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

As The State uncovered, Mickens’ troubles didn’t stop there. According to the report, he was involved in another accident in December 2011.

One of the most distressing aspects of the June collision, aside from the loss of Mr. Hawkins’ life, is that Mickens was operating an official Richland County vehicle. During the investigation into the accident that killed Mr. Hawkins, the deputy revealed that he has a history of previous seizures—and that he’d had a seizure at work in the past. Because of this medical history, we believe allowing Mickens to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways was an unacceptable risk that posed a danger to others.

As our own Bert Louthian says in the article, “This is an accident that should never have happened. Instead, Mr. Hawkins lost his life needlessly, leaving behind his wife, Linda, five children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.”

It was only after the December accident that Mickens South Carolina drivers’ license was finally canceled. Every state in the U.S. has requirements about drivers whose abilities may be impaired for medical or biological reasons—such as aging drivers, drivers with disabilities, with diseases that affect their vision, hearing or reflexes, etc. Unfortunately, without alternatives to help with enforcement, or better systems to help medically impaired drivers find other means of transportation, many states have to rely on people to voluntarily comply with decisions by regulators—or to have families who can take on the burdens of assisting or monitoring those who cannot drive themselves. We believe that kind of system isn’t adequately safeguarding South Carolina drivers.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

Recent estimates from automakers may mean that the numbers of electric cars on American roadways may skyrocket in the coming year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), General Motors reported selling almost 3,000 of its new Volt, and Nissan estimates that it will double sales of the Leaf in the coming year.

In addition to these numbers, Honda, BMW, Ford, Mitsubishi, Mercedes, Coda and Tesla all expect to sell new electric models in the U.S. this year. But along with a boom in these new autos, comes a boom in new safety hazards.

Because of the unique risks posed by parts like the lithium-ion batteries found in electric and hybrid vehicles, the NHTSA held a technical workshop to begin hammering out official rules around monitoring, production and safety of new electric vehicle technologies. Prior to the workshop, the NHTSA released so-called “interim guidelines” for various groups—ranging from first responders and fire departments, to tow-truck operators, to owners of electric and hybrid vehicles. These guidelines were the result of investigations into the Chevy Volt by the NHTSA, after some raised concerns that the vehicle’s battery contained a defect that made it especially vulnerable to catching on fire after a crash or accident.

While the investigation did not find any defect specific to the Volt battery, the NHTSA did recognize that electric and hybrid vehicles do raise special safety concerns, if just because of the newness of their technology. The interim guidelines for vehicle owners and the general public released by the NHTSA (available here) says that damaged lithium-ion vehicle batteries as well as damaged electric or hybrid vehicles shouldn’t be stored within a structure or within 50 feet of a structure, because of post-crash fire risks. However, says the NHTSA, post-crash fire risks are common in gasoline powered vehicles as well.

In cases where an electric or hybrid is involved in an accident, drivers and bystanders—as well as law enforcement, safety and emergency workers—should assume that all battery units are fully charged and are dangerous to touch. The NHSTA also wants people to be aware that damaged battery units can leak toxic gases and chemicals, and exposed wires present a serious shock hazard.

For other information about the safety of specific models of electric or hybrid vehicles, owners should check the manuals that came with the auto.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

Thousands of drivers in the U.S. have their actions tracked every time they get behind the wheel—and very few of us are even aware of it. The reason? The event data recorder (EDR) has become an increasingly common device in automobiles. The device records information about a vehicle’s operation and details about driver behaviors in a way that is similar to the “black box” found in many airplanes.

Both safety and consumer rights activists are concerned about use and regulation of the devices. Initially, the EDR was intended to help automakers gather data about performance of their vehicles. However, some consumer rights advocates say, that is a far cry from how the EDR is being used today. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), EDRs are standard in about 85 percent of new vehicles. Yet many drivers are unaware that the devices even exist—and that they are constantly gathering data about what people are doing behind the wheel.

A recent article in Spectrum, a trade magazine for electrical engineers, called EDRs an “open secret,” saying that while many drivers are unaware of their existence, EDRs are used by law enforcement and the insurance industry on an increasingly regular basis. The article also discusses pending legislation, called “Mariah’s Act,”which would make EDRs standard equipment in all vehicles, beginning in 2015. According to the article, Mariah’s Act also has new requirements about the amount and type of data the EDR needs to gather—data that may be aimed at drivers, rather than their vehicles.

Many experts agree that the debate about EDRs focuses around issues of who has access to an auto’s data—and whether drivers can control that access. The National Motorists Association, for example, advocates for drivers to have primary control over EDR information and wants Mariah’s Act amended to prohibit law enforcement, insurers and others from accessing that information without a driver’s consent.

Still others, like California prosecutor Charles G. Gillingham, say that drivers give up any special right to the info on their EDR once they start driving on public lands. So far, only 13 states have weighed in on the EDR debate. South Carolina is not one of those states. The Supreme Court has yet to decide any cases that specifically involve EDRs, but the court recently struck down the use of data gathered from a GPS device which was placed on a suspect’s car without that person’s consent and without a warrant.

The debate over EDRs is far from over, and Mariah’s Act is still under consideration by Congress. In the meantime, it is important for all drivers to be aware of these issues and to be aware of whether their vehicle—or a vehicle they are purchasing—has an EDR. If you aren’t already aware of the status of your vehicle, you can use information on the National Motorists Association website to find out if your vehicle might have an EDR.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. In addition to claims involvingcar, truck and motorcycle accidents, the Louthian Law Firm also handles whistleblower claims, sexual harassment, personal injury cases;; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online contact form.

A recent article in The State mentions two separate accidents along I-20 during the first weekend in May, which claimed the lives of three people. As the article mentions, none of the three who died were wearing seatbelts. What the article doesn’t mention is that a total of 10 people died on South Carolina roads that weekend—and none of them were wearing seatbelts.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), which keeps records of the numbers and kinds of accidents and deaths that occur on SC roadways, three of the 10 deaths were in a category where seatbelts are “not applicable,” a classification which includes pedestrians, cyclists and those on motorcycles.

However, the other seven people who died were motorists and passengers who were not buckled up at the time of the crash, investigators say. Also according to the most recent SCDPS figures, 271 people have died so far in 2012 on South Carolina roads. Among those, 121 were people who should have been wearing seatbelts. This figure becomes even more startling when you just focus on the number of people, with access to seatbelts in their vehicles, who have died in accidents this year. Out of the total deaths this year, 188 have been people in autos equipped with seatbelts. And, among this group, those without seatbelts account for 64 percent of all deaths.

South Carolina’s seatbelt law has long made it mandatory for every driver and passenger to buckle up (if in a vehicle with access to seatbelts) while on State and public roadways. For a number of years, however, the seatbelt law didn’t have what is called ‘primary enforcement,’ which meant that police officers couldn’t pull over anyone older than 17 just because they were not wearing a seatbelt. Officers could issue seatbelt tickets only if they stopped a vehicle for another reason first. However, SC’s seatbelt policies got tougher in December of 2005, giving officers the ability to use primary enforcement for seatbelt use. The tougher, current version of the state’s seatbelt policy now allows officers to pull over any vehicle if any person in that vehicle seems not buckled up.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm handles personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online contact form.

Anyone who has had to sit through rush-hour traffic knows that it can be one of the most exhausting, dangerous, and expensive times to drive. The evening commute, between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., is one of the most hazardous times of the day to drive—as this article in Forbes points out. However, South Carolina commuters are better off during this time than many of their counterparts across the nation, with an average drive time of just 23 minutes.

S.C. drivers may also have another reason to feel better about their commutes—in addition to a better trip time, the price of gasoline is lower today than one year ago, according to a recent article in The State. Some experts predict that prices at the pump may not rise for a while, which could be music to the ears (and wallets) of the nearly 2 million drivers who hit the road to commute in South Carolina.

However, there could be even better news for approximately 81,000 of those commuters, with the announcement of a $1.5 million Lexington plan to ease traffic along U.S. 1, U.S. 378 and S.C. 6. According to the article, traffic jams of over a mile are common along those road corridors during commute times. Such heavy traffic can lead some drivers to aggressive behavior, such as running red lights or tailgating—which can then mean more accidents. The latest plan is an effort by Lexington officials to improve traffic, and it focuses on installing a computerized signal system to control traffic flow—in contrast to an earlier, $80 million plan which focused on road construction.

The federal government favors computerized signal systems as a way to improve commutes and reduce accidents. According to an article in Public Roads, the magazine of the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), the computerized systems may help reduce the danger during the commute by helping to reduce the number of accidents. The FHA says that automatic signal systems can lead to improvements for drivers and cities, including:

• Fewer serious or deadly accidents.


• Less aggressive driver behavior, like red-light running or tailgating.


• Better air quality and less gas use.


• Less heavy traffic and better flow for commercial and emergency vehicles, buses, and the public.


• Delayed or no need for road expansion or construction.

There are a few different ways to modify signal systems, each with different levels of computer control. A city can pick the kinds of controls that fit its traffic and commute needs, according to FHA information. The systems aren’t a complete fix for traffic problems and accidents, however. Many deadly accidents still occur in rural areas, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, where such traffic control systems aren’t operating. Additionally, the FHA recommends updating and adjusting systems every 2-3 years, and the cost can swing from as little as $300 per year to almost $3,000 per signal.

The Lexington system is expected to be up and running by the fall of 2013, and will cover about two dozen intersections in the downtown area—where the busiest routes intersect. Whether the systems will help make commute times safer and reduce the number of deadly or serious traffic accidents remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see if the numberof rear-ending or red-light running accidents is affected by the new signals. Until then, area drivers will have to find other ways to stay aware of and avoid aggressive drivers (and the accidents they cause) during commute times.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

The answer to ending repeat drunk driving offenses and creating more safe drivers may be a device that’s been around for more than 20 years, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The study, which focused on drivers in Washington State, found that installation of a so-called “interlock” device on the vehicles of those convicted of drunk driving might be able to lower the rate of repeat DUI offenses by about half.

An interlock, also called an alcohol interlock, is a machine that acts like a breathalyzer. The device requires a vehicle’s driver to blow into it in order to start the vehicle. If the driver has a blood alcohol content higher than a pre-set level, the vehicle won’t start. The authors of the IIHS study say that their findings aren’t unusual, and that other studies have found that interlock devices lead to fewer repeat drunk drivers.

Nationwide, the number of impaired driving accidents and deaths fell in the 1980s and 1990s, but has remained fairly steady since those earlier drops. In 2010, nearly 450 South Carolina drivers died in drunk driving accidents. This number becomes even more disturbing when you consider that number along with the total number of people killed in accidents in S.C. that year. According to IIHS figures, 810 people died in accidents during 2010—which means that drunk drivers accounted for well over half of the deaths on South Carolina roads.

South Carolina has required some drivers to install interlock devices—which the state calls an Ignition Interlock Device (or IID)—since 2008. According to the SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (which oversees the program), IID devices may be installed in the cars of drivers who have been convicted of at least a second DUI offense, who have completed the license suspension period and who have also finished an alcohol education program.

According to the IIHS, Congress is debating legislation that would tie each state’s highway funds to an interlock requirement for all DUI convictions. Not everyone is in favor of using the devices in all drunk driving cases. Some opponents want the devices limited to those with convictions that show an alcohol content of .15 percent or more. The study authors disagree with this proposal, however, since that threshold would leave out about one-third of people convicted of drunk driving.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has deemed April to be National Distracted Driving Month, and new information may help efforts to target drivers most likely to be driving while distracted. Most experts agree that better driver education is one of the most important ways to decrease dangerous habits and behaviors behind the wheel.

The phrase ‘distracted driving’ itself is one example of awareness efforts—putting a name to a variety of behaviors that reduce a driver’s ability to stay aware of his or her surroundings and drive responsibly. Eating, personal grooming, reading a map, adjusting dials, using a cell phone or other electronic device can all create distractions for a driver and lead to a crash. With such a wide variety of distractions, matching the message to the right audience could be a challenge. New efforts by both researchers and government groups to understand driver distractions may help make safety campaigns more effective.

According to the most recent statistics released by the government and research groups, teen drivers are the age group most likely to be involved in a deadly crash as the result of distracted driving. Experts say 16 percent of all fatal crashes among teen drivers involve a distracted driver. Many of the materials prepared by the DOT for the April campaigns are designed to be used in schools and speak directly to teen drivers. Additionally, distraction.gov, the official distracted driving website maintained by the DOT, has resources for teens, parents and educators.

However, teen drivers aren’t the only ones putting themselves and others at risk. New information shows that distracted drivers between the ages of 30 and 39 are the most likely to be involved in fatal crashes while using a cell phone. According to a study by the University of Utah, cell phone use impairs a driver as much as a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent. Another study linked cell phone usage with a 37 percent drop in brain activity in areas associated with driving. But reaching drivers in their thirties can pose challenges.

Research by consumer information groups shows that young adults and teens are often harder to reach with traditional methods of advertising, like television and print ads. Often, these age groups are far more involved with digital media and online content. Efforts this April will show how the government thinks it can best reach vulnerable drivers—and how they can best reduce the amount of deadly crashes and injuries caused by distracted driving.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A. has been helping South Carolina car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina caused by a distracted driver, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (888) 926-0056 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

What began as an attempt to relieve the backlog of drunk driving cases in South Carolina’s state summary courts may have exposed a major flaw in the state’s ability to build cases against drunk driving suspects and eventually convict them.

Last year, Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal of the South Carolina Supreme Court issued orders to judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and courts around the state to eliminate or seriously decrease the backlog of drunk driving cases. In the four months that followed, state courts eliminated over 11,000 cases, but fewer than half resulted in convictions.

Recent news coverage of South Carolina’s potential drunk driving loopholes not only revealed the low conviction rate, but also highlighted a pattern of case dismissals that some prosecutors say was caused by recent legislation that was intended to make the punishments for drunk driving tougher.

The “loophole” problems all center on videotaped evidence. Officers use cameras mounted in the front of police cars to collect video footage of drunk driving suspects during traffic stops. These cameras cannot swivel and, in most cases, there is no second officer there to adjust the camera to keep the suspect in the frame.

In drunk driving cases, officers are also required to videotape the 20-minute interval between the arrest and the time when the suspect undergoes a breathalyzer test. Under the new laws, a judge frequently must dismiss an otherwise open-and-shut drunk driving case if any part of a suspect’s field sobriety test occurred out of view of the police car’s camera or if the wait period for the breathalyzer test wasn’t recorded for the precise amount of time required.

South Carolina is one of the most dangerous states for drunk driving, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Forty-four percent of all traffic accidents in the state involve drunk or impaired drivers, MADD says. Over 300 people in South Carolina died from drunk-driving-related accidents last year.

South Carolina also has one of the highest rates of repeat offenders when it comes to driving while intoxicated. According to MADD, over 15,000 drunk driving offenders in the state have at least three previous convictions or citations. Drunk driving costs South Carolina taxpayers approximately $1.74 billion each year. This is especially troubling when those costs include arrests, investigations and trials that result in over half of the drunk driving suspects leaving the courtroom with little or no punishment due to a videotape loophole.

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina.

In addition to drunk driving accident claims, the Louthian Law Firm handles personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina.

For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online contact form.

Traffic accidents are the number one killer of teens in South Carolina. In an effort to reach teen drivers, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and Subway restaurants have partnered for a new safety campaign. The campaign, W8 2 TXT, encourages teens to text after they are done driving.

“We care deeply about the community. The distracted driving issue hit home for us when a tragic texting collision impacted our Subway restaurant family in 2010,” said Ali Saifi, president and chief executive officer of Subway Development Corporation of South Carolina Inc. “We want everyone to understand the dangers of distracted driving and realize there isn’t a call, text or status update that can’t wait.”

In 2011, 165 drivers between 15 to 24 years old died in traffic accidents. No statistics currently exist for the number of young people who were distracted or texting during their fatal collisions. However, the SC Department of Public Safety points to a Virginia Tech study that found that texting drivers were 23 times more likely to crash.

The W8 2 TXT campaign included five kick-off events across different state high schools during the week of January 30th. Highway Patrol officers gave presentations to students and had them voluntarily sign a pledge to not text while driving. The pledge is also available online at http://www.w82txtpledge.com/locations.php. Subway has promised that the high school with the highest number of pledge signers will receive Subway subs for the whole school. Participating locations include Charleston, Columbia, Florence-Myrtle Beach, and Greenville in addition to two locations in North Carolina and one in Georgia.

Subway has also provided free elastic bracelets printed with "W8 2 TXT" as reminders of their pledge.

Col. Michael R. Oliver, commander of the SC Highway Patrol said in a press release, “The dangers of distracted driving are made worse when coupled with young, inexperienced drivers. We hope every time teens look at that bracelet on their arm, they will be reminded of the deadly consequences of texting and driving.”

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

In a grim start to the new year, the number of fatal highway accidents in South Carolina has increased. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported a 49% increase in fatal traffic deaths in January 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. Sixty-one people died in highway accidents in January 2012 compared to 41 in 2011.

Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with SC Highway Patrol had no explanation for the increase in deaths. He said the numbers shouldn't be alarming, suggesting that January 2011's numbers were unusually low and any increase is to be expected. In a response to the increase in deaths to 7 On Your Side, his colleague, Lance Cpl. Bill Rhyne said, "It would really be taking a shot in the dark to say why there are so many people being involved in these collisions at this point in time." Of the 61 SC road fatalities in 2012, 14 people were pedestrians or cyclists.

Of the 47 that died in vehicles, 27 or about 57% of people were not wearing seat belts. Nearly half (47%) of all fatal traffic accident victims in motor vehicles were not wearing seat belts in 2011, according to state government statistics.

According to AAA Carolinas, traffic safety is a major public health issue for South Carolina and the top killer of teens in the state.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

South Carolina was the second most deadly state in 2011 for pedestrians and cyclists according to a new government-funded report by the Alliance for Biking and Walking. While South Carolina has one of the lowest numbers of bicyclists and pedestrians (ranked 44 of 50 states), pedestrian and cyclist deaths account for a disproportionate 11.9 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state.

The full report, published bi-annually since 2003, examines each state's publicly reported traffic fatality rates. It also examines key indicators that promote a culture of pedestrian and bicyclist safety. South Carolina is also among the bottom third in the country in safety policy and 46th in safety funding. SC, paradoxically, is also among the top third in the per capita number of pedestrian/bike safety advocacy organizations.

Seniors are the most vulnerable population. According to the most recent data available, 2007-2009, those 65 and over account for a higher share of pedestrian and cyclist deaths nationally than any other age group. Seniors make up 19% of all pedestrian fatalities and 10% of bicyclist fatalities.

The only state to score lower than South Carolina in pedestrian and cyclist deaths was Florida. The top five states in pedestrian/cyclist safety were Vermont, Nebraska, Alaska, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

About The Louthian Law Firm
The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been representing personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. In addition to whistleblower claims, the Louthian Law Firm handles personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online contact form.

With 52 traffic fatalities last year, Lexington County had the second worst highway safety record in South Carolina during 2011, Sheriff James Metts told Columbia-based WIS-TV. Sheriff Metts estimated that 60 percent of those deadly auto accidents involved drivers who were impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“We had more deaths in Lexington County last year by vehicle than we had by any other means,” he said in the recent report. Sheriff Metts called on lawmakers to increase funding for law enforcement, including more State Troopers to crack down on drunk driving in South Carolina. We have reported here before about South Carolina’s trooper shortage and efforts to increase the number of officers patrolling the state’s roads.

Law enforcement and victims’ families also urged state lawmakers to increase the penalties for driving under the influence and to make it easier to get convictions for motorists charged with DUI. In the meantime, Sheriff Metts said deputies will step up their efforts to target impaired drivers in Lexington County.

The Columbia drunk driving auto accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A.,support law enforcement’s efforts to crack down on impaired drivers, and we also ask state government to restore the number of State Troopers on patrol. In addition, we are committed to seeking justice for people who were injured by impaired drivers and for the families of drunk driving victims.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a drunk driving traffic accident in Lexington County or elsewhere in South Carolina, you should speak with an experienced Columbia personal injury attorney such as the ones at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., as soon as possible. We have represented the rights of accident victims since 1959, and we’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively pursuing negligent motorists. Because we understand how financially devastating an accident can be, we charge you nothing until you have recovered compensation for your damages.

For a free consultation, call the South Carolina auto accident lawyers at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., today. Toll free: (866) 454-1200. Locally: (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

The debate over whether all motorcyclists in South Carolina should be required to wear helmets has once again come up in the state legislature. State Sen. Ralph Anderson of Greenville has sponsored a bill that would make helmets mandatory for all riders, instead of only those younger than 21. Gov. Nikki Haley has promised to veto the bill should it reach her desk.

Passing a mandatory motorcycle helmet law would put South Carolina in line with 20 other states, including its neighbors in Georgia and North Carolina, which already require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

The bill’s introduction comes at a time when South Carolina is experiencing a double-digit increase in the number of motorcycle fatalities on its roads. Although it’s true that there are a number of factors that could be responsible for the spike in motorcycle deaths, it is clear that wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the likelihood of being killed or seriously injured in a South Carolina motorcycle crash.

A recent op-ed piece in the Anderson Independent-Mail supporting the helmet bill cited statistics that indicate what a difference wearing a helmet can make for motorcyclists who are involved in crashes. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that wearing a helmet cuts the chance of dying in a motorcycle crash by 37 percent. This is significant considering that studies show that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely than other motorists to be involved in a crash.

The Columbia motorcycle accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., recognize that in many instances the driver of the other motor vehicle is to blame for a crash with a motorcycle. Too many drivers are distracted and not focused on keeping a proper lookout for motorcyclists, ignoring their right to use the road. Our lawyers also understand enthusiasts’ objections to laws that intrude on their freedoms. However, we have seen the tragic results of so many motorcycle accidents that we believe a mandatory motorcycle helmet law merits consideration.

The South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., have been helping motorcycle accident victims in Columbia, Orangeburg, Sumter, Aiken, and throughout South Carolina, obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a South Carolina motorcycle accident, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

Preliminary reports indicate that South Carolina traffic accidents claimed more lives in 2011 than the year before, marking the first increase in highway deaths since 2007. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, 818 people perished in South Carolina auto accidents last year, up 9 over the 2010 toll.

This step backwards is particularly disturbing at a time when the nation as a whole is experiencing a continuing decline in the number of overall traffic deaths. Nationwide, auto accident fatalities hit a 61-year low in 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Preliminary reports from other states show that the overall downward trend continued last year.

Why is South Carolina different? Part of the explanation is that the state is experiencing more pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities, according to an article in Columbia’s The State newspaper. Early numbers revealed that at least 110 pedestrians died in South Carolina during 2011, up 21 over the previous year’s tally. South Carolina motorcycle fatalities followed a similar trend, with at least 20 more deaths in 2011 than in 2010.

As we have reported here before, South Carolina needs to do more to address the safety threats faced by pedestrians and motorcyclists. While it is clear that authorities need to step up enforcement of existing laws and the state’s transportation infrastructure would benefit from improvements, much of the responsibility for highway safety lies with motorists themselves.

The Columbia car crash attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., understand that negligent drivers bear a significant share of the blame for our state’s high fatality rate, and we are committed to holding reckless and careless motorists accountable for the losses they cause.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic accident in Columbia, Orangeburg, Lexington, Aiken, Sumter, or anywhere in South Carolina, you should speak with an experienced traffic accident lawyer such as the ones at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., as soon as possible. We have represented the rights of accident victims since 1959, and we’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively pursuing negligent motorists. Because we understand how financially devastating an accident can be, we charge you nothing until you have recovered compensation for your damages.

For a free consultation, call the South Carolina auto accident lawyers at the Louthian Law Firm, P.A., today. Toll free: (866) 454-1200. Locally: (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

A recent opinion column in the Post and Courier calls on South Carolina's Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to think more about cyclists’ needs and safety on the James Island Connector. SCDOT recently banned pedestrians and cyclists on the popular bridge after a recent cyclist death. No safe and efficient alternate routes currently exist for those seeking to get to James Island by foot or bike.

The op-ed calls for both improvements to the connector and other routes for the sake of cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge was not originally designed to handle anything but cars and trucks, but local officials have long debated ways to make the connector safer. The local mayor, Joe Riley, supported a recent measure to convert one lane on the bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use, but funding issues have stymied the effort.

Charleston Moves, a local advocacy group, is looking for alternatives to a complete ban. Charleston Moves says the SCDOT ban is "running away from what's needed." The group has begun talks with engineers to discuss the viability of foot and bike traffic on the bridge. Possible alternatives may include a cantilevered walkway, retrofitting the bridge, and/or lowering the speed limit. So far, SCDOT has not joined the talks.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt in a South Carolina bicycle accident, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

Our South Carolina car accident attorneys recently reported about the dangers of driving with a cold - considered another form of distracted driving. South Carolinians and all Americans have been bombarded with the hazards of texting while driving, and other dangerous distracted driving behaviors. While some in the general public believe the warnings are excessive, our attorneys have seen the devastating impact of distracted driving.

Using electronic devices such as cell phones and GPS technology while driving are the usual distractions that drivers are warned against that can result in serious accidents and highway traffic fatalities. The list of possible distractions is seemingly endless, and by being aware of some of the most common distractions, drivers can help make our South Carolina highways safer.

Common Driving Distractions

• Texting and cell phone use are the most common driving distractions.While many states have enacted cell phone driving laws, South Carolina is one of the few states that has not yet successfully passed legislation.However, the 2011-2012 South Carolina General Assembly will once again consider distracted driving legislation.Regardless of whether a texting while driving law is in place, drivers should refrain from practicing that dangerous behavior.


• Outside noise and commotion can be just as distracting as activity inside the vehicle. Experts suggest keeping your windows up when driving to avoid the possibility of an insect flying into the car, loose paper from flying around the car and being distracted by loud noises from construction sites and congregating crowds.


• Emotional discussions can upset and distract the driver, quickly turning into a dangerous accident. Resolve differences outside the car at a later time.


• Eating, drinking and applying make-up are common practices for drivers, yet they all have the potential of being extremely distracting. Trying to retrieve dropped food, cleaning up spilled drinks or looking in the mirror to ensure lipstick is properly applied all require taking your eyes off the road and can cause an accident in a split second.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

A report on ABC News this week identified yet one more hazard for drivers – the common cold. According to researchers in Great Britain, a person that gets behind the wheel with a heavy cold is just as dangerous as someone who has just downed four double shots of whiskey.

The research conducted by Young Marmalade, a UK-based car insurance company, and Cardiff University in Wales, found that drivers who were sick drive erratically and have slowed reaction times. In fact, the ABC News Health blog cited data from the study that found that driving skills of sick drivers "dropped by about 50 percent when compared with those who were healthy."

The researchers identified lack of sleep from cold symptoms as the primary culprit affecting sick drivers, and not medication. However, taking cold medication can cause drowsiness and may further impact the dangers of driving with a cold.

A quick calculation by ABC estimated about 1 million Americans will be driving with a cold on any given day.

What should you do if you have a cold?

Before driving you should ask yourself if you can drive safely feeling as ill as you do. If you are determined to drive, you should focus on the task at hand and follow basic safe driving skills. The ABC report suggests that sick drivers should be more attentive, keep both hands on the wheel, buckle up and allow enough distance between themselvesand other cars.

Our car accident attorneys previously reported that South Carolina drivers are among the worst in the country. We believe the best way to help keep South Carolina residents out of harm’s way from unsafe drivers is by continually raising the awareness of distracted driving behaviors. Anytime you get behind the wheel of your car, please stay focused and drive defensively to help arrive safely at your destination.

At the Louthian Law Firm in Columbia, SC, we have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959. We’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. Because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at (866) 454-1200 or (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

Progressive budget cuts over the past three years have reduced the number of South Carolina state troopers by 20 percent. Now interim Highway Patrol Director Lt. Col. Mike Oliver says it’s time to reverse some of the cuts in the name of public safety. He is requesting an additional 40 troopers to increase DUI arrests and improve collision response.

“[Current reduced trooper levels] may mean a longer wait time for us to respond to a collision. We certainly respond as quick as we can to clear the roadway and investigate their collisions, but more troopers certainly gives us the ability to do that quicker,” Oliver said in a report on WSPA-TV in Spartanburg.

Director Leroy Smith of the Department of Public Safety said he believes increased troop levels would also prevent trooper fatigue and help retention rates.

South Carolina currently has 804 troopers, a sharp decrease from the ideal level of 1,000. In 2008, there were 983 troopers. Adding 40 troopers would cost $4.5 million, and about half the cost would be for one-time equipment expenses such as new vehicles.

Opponents of the increased cost point out that the number of highway deaths has decreased significantly between 2008 and 2010 — from 921 to 774. That reduction is despite fewer troopers patrolling the roads. Traffic fatalities have fallen nationally, and experts believe this may be partially due to decreased travel because of the bad economy.

Contact The Louthian Law Firm

If you or someone you love has been injured in a South Carolina traffic accident, you should speak with an experienced Columbia car crash attorney such as the ones at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. We have represented the rights of accident victims since 1959, and we’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively pursuing negligent motorists. Because we understand how financially devastating an accident can be, we charge you nothing until you have recovered compensation for your damages.

For a free consultation, call the South Carolina auto accident lawyers at the Louthian Law Firm today. Toll free: (866) 454-1200. Locally: (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

South Carolina pedestrian deaths have increased sharply this year. At a recent press conference, S.C. Highway Patrol Capt. Brad Hughes highlighted the 24% increase in pedestrian deaths, from 81 this time last year to 101 so far in 2011. Lexington County and Columbia in particular saw large increases in fatal pedestrian accidents.

So far, South Carolina has responded by placing the burden on pedestrians to be more car-conscious. The state implemented a program called SEE, an acronym for "Stop, Educate and Enforce," under which officers stop to warn pedestrians in dangerous situations. Pedestrians with their back to traffic, intoxicated, or wearing dark colors are especially vulnerable. While the program has reached 2,900 pedestrians this year, there has been no measurable improvement in pedestrian safety.

This comes as no surprise to our South Carolina accident attorneys; in any car-pedestrian accident, the pedestrian is the vulnerable party and the person likely to suffer serious, even fatal injuries.

At the press conference, officers conceded that more needs to be done to protect pedestrians.

“Motorists, too, can change their driving habits to help address this issue,” Hughes said. He pointed out that driving slower, avoiding distracted driving, and increased alertness would help avoid accidents.

In our opinion, Columbia is placing too much of the responsibility on pedestrians. In response to the increased pedestrian death rates, city law enforcement officials plan to give out more citations to pedestrians. That strategy is likely to do little to reduce the pedestrian fatality and injury figures in our area.

If you’ve been in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to make sure that you understand your legal rights. South Carolina law on car wrecks is complex, and the statute of limitations for filing a claim can be short. You should consider speaking to the Louthian Law Firm as soon as you think you may need a South Carolina pedestrian accident lawyer.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at (866) 454-1200 or (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

Seven people died in South Carolina traffic accidents over this Thanksgiving weekend compared to three in 2010. Fatal accidents increased despite an amped up police presence designed to catch speeders and drunk drivers. Even troopers normally assigned to administrative duty were required to patrol South Carolina highways. Of the seven victims, one was a motorcyclist, and five others were not wearing a seatbelt.

One of the victims was a 55-year-old man who crashed into a tree in a residential neighborhood and was dead by the time emergency responders arrived. A woman was struck by a drunk driver as she stood beside her daughter's disabled vehicle. A 47-year-old woman died when her car ran off the road and flipped on US 17 in Waccamaw Neck. Another fatal accident claimed the life of a 13-year-old girl in Anderson County.

AAA Carolinas had projected an eight percent increase in travelers on South Carolina's roads this holiday season. The estimated number of travelers, 611,000, represents nearly 49,000 more people compared to 2010. This increase may have contributed to the increase in fatal accidents.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

South Carolina has some of the worst drivers in the country, ranking 10th in bad drivers in a new Car Insurance Comparison report. Though South Carolina was ranked third in careful drivers, this didn't translate to good driving. The state has one of the highest rates of fatalities per million miles, failure to obey traffic signs, ticketing, and drunk driving. The high traffic fatality rates played a significant role in increasing South Carolina's bad ranking.

Car Insurance Comparison used statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the American Motorists Association, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. They found that southern states and states with high rural to metropolitan ratios tended to fare worse in the bad driver ranking. Rural roads have historically been more dangerous than urban ones with as much as 80% of fatal traffic accidents occurring on rural roads. Enforcement on rural roads is more financially and logistically challenging than in condense urban areas.

Perversely, though South Carolina ranks high in bad driving, in 2010 Forbes called South Carolina the best state to drive in for its low gas and insurance prices. An emphasis on motorist rights and a sixth-best ranking for infrastructure also make it a good place for driving, though safe driving is another concern.

The nine states with the most dangerous drivers are: Louisiana, Missouri, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona, Kentucky, Montana, and Alabama, respectively.

At the Louthian Law Firm in Columbia, SC, we have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959. We’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. Because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at (866) 454-1200 or (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

Ridgeland Mayor Gary Hodges was ousted from office, a year after he publicly supported the installation of speeding cameras on I-95. The policy drew the ire of the state which promptly banned the cameras. South Carolina has a long history of resisting new traffic safety initiatives under the banner of "motorist rights." The state was one of the last to implement drunk driving laws.

Hodges was mayor for four years. He led the implementation of cameras on 1-95 to catch, as he said, mostly out of town speeders. The cameras were the only ones in effect outside of construction zones along the east coast. The cameras were activated once a car approached speeds of 81 miles per hour. It then took photos of the front and rear of the car in order to send the owner a speeding ticket via mail. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and high-profile safety advocates applauded Hodges' efforts, the state legislature and the general public grew angry with him.

Last December, Hodges told WISTV 10, "This is all about changing driver behavior through our section of responsibility. It's working so we're not trying to put anyone in jail or do anything like that. We're just trying to get your attention and apparently, what we're doing is working cause they are certainly slowing down, the accidents are less, the fatalities are zero, what else can we do to show the thing is working."

Before Ridgeland was forced to take the cameras down, officials saw a significant decrease in the number of speeders. They also increased the number of tickets. This led to criticism that the cameras were a money-making measure and not designed for public safety.

Tom Crosby, a AAA Carolinas spokesperson who has previously criticized South Carolina's traffic safety for laxity, said, "You can't argue with the results [of speed cameras] and the only reason you would be upset is because you are speeding. All it's doing is enforcing the law and even then you have to be doing over 80 to get a ticket."

Hodges, at the time, believed the public and the state would eventually buy into the cameras. He did not discuss other states that have started and stopped camera programs after public disapproval. He dismissed South Carolina's resistance, saying "We went through similar things when breathalyzers came out. We went through similar things when radar guns came out. It's the same type of mentality."

The South Carolina car accident lawyers of Louthian Law Firm have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959. We’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. And because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at (866) 454-1200 or (803) 454-1200, or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

After South Carolina banned the use of traffic cameras to enforce speeding and red light laws this summer, a 13-person commission was supposed to meet to study the ethical and legal issues with camera use. An amendment to the ban required the commission-- to be made up of legal, enforcement, and government representatives-- to report their findings by November 1st. The commission never met. No meeting was ever called. Most of the blame for the commission's failure to meet was placed on the lack of an appointed chairperson.

Traffic cameras are highly contentious in South Carolina. The ban on traffic camera use was enacted after the town of Ridgefield attempted to use the cameras to catch out-of-state speeders traveling down seven miles of Interstate 95. AAA Carolinas, citing South Carolina's poor history with traffic safety, endorsed the cameras. However, the town was told its plan was illegal based on a 2006 general attorney ruling and 2009 law that effectively disallows photo enforcement. After the summer's ban, the town abandoned their efforts to install traffic cameras.

A slim majority of states, 52%, use cameras to enforce speeding and/or red light laws, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Opponents of the cameras in other states have brought suits questioning the legality of the cameras. IIHS, however, supports the cameras, citing the dangers inherent in having a police car stop another vehicle in dense or high-speed areas and the impossibility of having police provide complete around-the-clock surveillance.

South Carolina, per law, plans on reconvening the commission to study traffic cameras. Governor Haley has appointed Glenn McHale, a leading Republican in the state, to oversee the commission.

Representative Bill Herbkersman (R-Bluffton), who voted for the ban, is supportive of a study: "We need to know the whole story, especially when it comes to something this controversial and something this important."

The South Carolina car accident lawyers of Louthian Law Firm have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959. We’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. And because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at (866) 454-1200 or (803) 454-1200, or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

AAA Carolinas has singled out three South Carolina towns for excellence in traffic safety. Hanahan, Mount Pleasant, and Cameron have received the 2011 Traffic Safe Community of the Year award for their respective population size. The awards are given based on innovation in education and social media efforts, crash statistics, number of law enforcement officers per capita, their traffic safety program, and the presence of a special traffic division.

Mount Pleasant won the award for the third year in a row in the largest population category. Because traffic accidents are the number one cause of teen deaths in South Carolina, Mount Pleasant's youth outreach efforts were especially lauded. This year and last year they were applauded for their middle, elementary, and high school education projects on topics like pedestrian, bicycle, and driver safety.

Despite the awards, Tom Crosby, president of AAA Carolinas, points out that South Carolina has a long way to go to improve traffic safety. "South Carolina continues to have a disproportionate number of fatalities at 1.6 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, according to preliminary data for last year. Traditionally, this rate is among the highest in the nation."

A recent study showing that South Carolina has the highest fatality rates on rural roads prompted Crosby to call them "killing grounds."

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

Six of the seven traffic fatalities in South Carolina on the weekend of October 14th were of pedestrians and motorcyclists according to the Department of Public Safety. From six p.m. Friday to midnight Sunday, four motorcyclists and two pedestrians died on non-Interstate roads, and one other person died on the interstate.

South Carolina's traffic fatality rates are higher than this time last year. To date, 658 people have died so far in 2011 while 647 died in 2010. Of the fatalities in 2011, approximately 29% have involved pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. About 94% of those deaths were pedestrians and motorcyclists in near-equal parts. Though South Carolina's pedestrian death rate declined in 2009, as quoted by the NHTSA, the state is ranked as one of the "Top Five" worst states of per capita deaths to pedestrians.

The deadliest county for traffic accidents in South Carolina remains Greenville. From 2008 to 2011, with 186 deaths, Greenville has experienced the most traffic fatalities. It has been the top offender every year except 2009, where it had the second highest number of deaths. Greenville is the most populated county in South Carolina.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers, has been helping car accident victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries since 1959. We provide each of our clients with individual attention.

If you believe you or someone you care about was hurt by a car, truck or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact the Louthian Law Firm today. Call us toll free at (866) 454-1200 or locally at (803) 454-1200. You can also contact our South Carolina personal injury lawyers online for a free evaluation of your case.

After three years of steady decline, the number of people dying in traffic accidents has increased in South Carolina. The Department of Public Safety said that 593 people have died between January and September 2011, a twenty person increase from this time last year.

Most accidents involved the deaths of a person in a vehicle, but nearly 28% or 160 deaths were of pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists involved in vehicle accidents. Greenville County leads the state in the number of traffic fatalities. Agency representatives blamed good weather for leading SC residents to abandon their cars and walk or ride their motorcycles.

Tom Crosby, vice president for AAA of the Carolinas, however, believes the state's approach to traffic safety is at fault. Crosby points to South Carolina's history of easing driving rules and its recent refusal to limit cell phone use and texting for drivers.

“I’m not surprised when fatalities rise in South Carolina. The state has a certain appetite for traffic lawlessness under the false guise of personal liberty,” Cosby said in an interview with The State. He added, “That’s a big reason why South Carolina has some of the highest road deaths per mile in the country.”

The car accident lawyers of Louthian Law Firm have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959. We’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. And because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200. or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

A recent report shows that South Carolina had the highest rate of traffic fatalities on rural roads in the United States, ranking significantly above heavily rural states like Texas or Florida.

TRIP, the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit that produced the report, found that there were 4.7 deaths per 100 million miles of travel in 2009 in South Carolina. During 2009, 791 people died on South Carolina's rural roads.

On why rural roads are particularly dangerous, the report says, "Inadequate roadway safety design, longer emergency vehicle response times and the higher speeds traveled on rural roads compared to urban roads are factors in the higher traffic fatality rate found on rural, non-Interstate routes."

Most rural crashes in the United States involve a vehicle going off-road. Head-on collisions occurred 87% more often on rural than urban roads in the U.S. in 2009. These statistics hold particular importance to South Carolina where, among 64,920 miles of roadways, about 84% are rural.

The report also found that 14% of South Carolina bridges were deficient.

Shortly after the report's release, South Carolina's Department of Transportation released a summary of future and ongoing road projects. The agency stated, "[W]e have experienced a down trend in overall fatalities over the past four years. The Department will continue to move forward with proven safety initiatives to address the issue of traffic fatalities."

On the importance of continuing to invest in infrastructure, Ray LaHood, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, said on his blog, “[C]ontinued federal investments in rural communities will create construction jobs and ensure that farmers and ranchers have the roads, rail lines, and ports they need to move their products to market."

At the Louthian Law Firm in Columbia, SC, we have represented the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959. We’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. Because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won.

For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at (866) 454-1200 or (803) 454-1200. You can also fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

Columbia, S.C. , September 19, 2011 - A recent national report’s findings that South Carolina’s rural roads are the most deadly in the nation should serve as a reminder to transportation officials and motorists about the importance of proper road maintenance and responsible behavior behind the wheel, Columbia injury lawyer Bert Louthian said today.

The nonprofit transportation research group TRIP found that South Carolina had the highest percentage of deaths on rural roads in 2009, according to the most recent statistics. Nearly 900 people were killed on rural routes in the state.

“It’s a disturbing finding,” said Louthian, a personal injury and wrongful death attorney who represents clients throughout South Carolina who have been hurt or killed in car, truck and other motor vehicle accidents.

“South Carolina is home to many small towns accessed by rural roads, and the population is growing,” Louthian said. “Increased congestion coupled with poorly maintained roads is a recipe for disaster.”

The TRIP report found that poor roadway design such as narrow lanes, limited shoulders, sharp curves, pavement drop-offs and steep slopes are common dangers on rural roads. But in a shaky economy, improvements may be limited by what type of state funding is available for repairs, the study acknowledged.

“That’s where driver responsibility becomes crucial,” Louthian said. “Behaving negligently on the roads by speeding, driving while drowsy or impaired, texting, talking on the cell phone or even playing with the radio can kill no matter if you’re on an interstate highway, neighborhood street or rural road.”

With 17,075 deaths, more than half of the nation’s traffic fatalities in 2009 took place on rural roads, according to the TRIP report. Overall, the fatality rate in rural route crashes was more than three times higher than on all other roads.

“The bottom line is that you have to pay attention and respect other motorists when you’re driving in South Carolina or anywhere else across America,” Louthian said.

Catastrophic auto accidents can change families’ lives forever, the Columbia lawyer added.

“Even in accidents where a person doesn’t die, the injuries can be devastating,” Louthian explained. “Victims frequently sustain traumatic brain injuries or become paralyzed in serious crashes, among countless other disabling injuries. Their ability to support their families, financially and emotionally, may be destroyed or limited in an instant.”

One of the most difficult problems that accident victims face in the wake of a motor vehicle crash is dealing with insurance companies, Louthian said.

“Insurance adjusters are working to score the lowest settlement possible for victims, and often try to get at them quickly and while they are at their most vulnerable,” the South Carolina personal injury attorney explained.

“Often, families are too caught up to realize that they could be signing away their rights to valuable compensation. They may not even realize how much a lawyer can help at that initial phase.”

Experienced vehicle accident attorneys work with insurance companies to protect clients from making statements that could jeopardize their claims. Lawyers can also work with law enforcement and hire experts who can reconstruct the accident scene to determine how the collision occurred.

“All of these pieces of information are the building blocks of a solid vehicle accident lawsuit,” said Louthian. “Although you go through life hoping that you’ll never have to hire an attorney for a car accident claim, it’s important to know how the laws protect you.”

About The Louthian Law Firm

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A., of Columbia, S.C., has been obtaining fair compensation for personal injury victims since 1959. The firm was founded by Herbert Louthian, who has more than 50 years of trial experience and is licensed to practice in all courts in South Carolina. The Louthian Law Firm focuses on personal injury cases involving medical malpractice; car, truck and motorcycle accidents; and other serious and catastrophic injuries throughout South Carolina. For a free, confidential case evaluation, contact the firm by phone at (866) 410-5656 or through its online form.

The family of a 14-year-old Bensalem, Pennsylvania girl who was killed in a 2004 hit-and-run crash while she was trying to cross a road has been awarded $2.9 million by a Bucks County judge. The case was decided without a jury.

The 21-year-old driver that struck the girl was driving with a suspended license and was found to be intoxicated at the time of the crash. The police did not charge him with DUI-related hit-and-run saying that road condition and other factors, not his drunkenness, caused the crash. The driver, however, was sentenced to three to six years in a state prison for the accident, and is currently in jail.

The family of the deceased brought a civil trial against the driver and the owner of the vehicle the man was driving. According to PhillyBurbs.com, the judge awarded the plaintiffs $697,749.92 in wrongful death damages against both defendants; $1.5 million in survival action damages against both defendants; $600,000 in punitive damages against the driver; and $150,000 in punitive damages against the car’s owner.

If you've suffered from a serious injury in a South Carolina car accident caused by a drunk driver, you know that the consequences of a driver's intoxication can be life-altering. The attorneys at Louthian Law Firm can help. Call us for a free consultation at 1-866-454-1200.

Two women, who suffered permanent injuries after an automobile accident with an assistant district attorney in Los Angeles who was driving drunk, agreed to a $1.2 million settlement in a civil lawsuit against the woman. The two women had already been awarded more than $1 million in compensatory damages by a jury.

The assistant DA had a BAC of .26, more than three times the legal limit, and admitted that she knew she was drunk. She decided to drive anyway in hopes that she would get home without getting caught. In the April 2010 accident, she rear-ended the two women near Long Beach, CA resulting in one woman suffering back injuries, facial scars and lost teeth, and the other suffering from back injuries.

The women had sought $2 million, but agreed to the settlement to avoid a second trial and to get immediate payment.

If you have suffered a personal injury or lost a loved one in an automobile accident caused by a drunk driver, the attorneys at Louthian Law Firm can help. Call us for a free consultation at 1-866-454-1200.

DUI Settlement

A settlement was reached over a February auto accident in Whiteford Township, Michigan where three people were killed in a head-on crash. The family of one of the deceased, the driver of a Jeep, will be paid $250,000 by the husband of the driver of a Ford F-250 pickup that lost control on an icy road and crashed into the Jeep.

Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Jeep was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The family that filed the lawsuit agreed to settle the suit for the $250,000 limit on the insurance policy. Their attorney subsequently agreed to limit his attorney fees to $20,000, as opposed to a third of the settlement that is standard practice.

The award will be divided among the wife and four children.

If you have suffered a personal injury or lost a loved one in an automobile accident, the attorneys at Louthian Law Firm can help. Call us for a free consultation at 1-866-454-1200.

Car Accident Settlement

The family of two children that died in November 2006 in a head-on collision on Highway 12 near Fairfield, California has been awarded $29.2 million by a Solano County jury. The driver of an SUV crossed the center line and slammed into the oncoming passenger car leaving the two children dead, one child paralyzed from the waist down and the mother, and driver of the car, in the hospital for 2 months recovering from her injuries.

The driver of the SUV was traveling close to 80 MPH and attempted to pass two vehicles in a no-passing zone. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison. He was found 65% liable in the case, but due to his limited insurance coverage the state will pay the majority of the award.

The state was found 35% responsible in the case for unsafe conditions on the roadway. Since 1994 there have been 100 crossover collisions, and more than 40 deaths on the same stretch of road as this accident, according to the victim's attorney. Caltrans had identified the road as hazardous in the late 1990's but did not improve the roadway until 2007.

Due to a California law governing suits against multiple defendants, victims can recover their economic losses from a "deep pocket" defendant like the state, in this case. The state may end up liable for $20 million.

If you have been in an accident, it’s important to make sure you understand your legal rights. You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, as well as compensation for wrongful death or permanent disability. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case at 1-866-410-5656 or fill out our confidential online consultation form.

Auto Accident Lawsuit

A lawsuit has been filed by an East Texas woman against Austin A. McWhorter, Lon McWhorter and Mac’s Carnival and Attractions after a trailer carrying carnival equipment detached from its Ford truck and hit her vehicle on May 14, 2009.

The woman was a passenger in a 2008 Dodge Ram when the incident happened. The lawsuit alleges the defendants were negligent in failing to use safety chains, failing to control the vehicle and for entrusting the truck to an unlicensed, incompetent or reckless driver, among other things.

Damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of earning capacity, interest and court costs are being sought by the plaintiff.

Personal injury deals with injuries caused by the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence of another, the attorneys at Louthian Law Firm can help. Call us for a free consultation at 1-866-454-1200.

Personal Injury

NewsandSentinel.com reports a Parkersburg, West Virginia family has been awarded $1.68 million by a jury for injuries suffered in a 2009 auto accident.

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The family of a 17-year-old who died in a vehicle accident in Enfield, Connecticut last year has filed a lawsuit against the driver, and the driver’s father, Democratic State Rep. Matthew Conway, reports CTnow.com.

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In what court officials say is the largest settlement in Outagamie County, WI court history, The Post Crescent reports the family of a 4½ year old girl will receive a $20 million settlement.

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Georgia’s WTVM reports the family of a 20-year-old who died as the result of a fatal church van crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the maker of the 1986 Dodge van.

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The family of a woman killed four years ago when a tractor-trailer rig hit her car, has been awarded $35.25 million reports the Kansas City Star.

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Considered to be one of the largest in Polk County, Florida, a $65 million verdict for a woman injured in a 2007 traffic crash was upheld by the 2^nd District Court of Appeals, reports The Ledger of Lakeland, Florida.

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According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the estate of a 79-year-old woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver charged with driving while intoxicated in an accident resulting in her death. The accident happened east of Greensburg, a town close to Pittsburgh.

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An 87-year-old mother and her 62-year-old daughter will split a $10.8 million award to cover their past and future medical expenses after being severely injured in a car accident with a Pizza Hut delivery driver. The daughter suffered permanent brain damage and can no longer take care of herself on a daily basis. The mother suffered a broken neck and other injuries.

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$12.2 million was awarded on behalf of a San Mateo, California teenager who suffered traumatic brain injury that has left her in a permanent vegetative state after being struck by a driver while in a crosswalk.

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The Seattle Times reports a jury has awarded a 44 year-old woman $2.7 million for the severe injuries she suffered in 2001 when her car struck a dead horse left on the road by a telephone company truck driver.

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A New Cumberland, Pennsylvania woman who was hit by a pizza delivery driver, while she was crossing the street in a crosswalk, has been awarded $910,000 compensation for her injuries. The 61-year-old who now primarily gets around in a wheelchair, had her right side crushed requiring her to have her head stapled together and to have 3 inches removed from her leg.

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A Parkton, Maryland woman was awarded $650,000 for injuries she sustained when a car struck her as she was crossing a driveway. The driver, who was texting on her cell phone at the time, left the scene of the accident but was later identified and found.

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The family of a 14-year-old girl killed in a car crash more than five years ago has settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the family with whom she was visiting for $1.75 million, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch of Virginia.

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The (NC) Burlington Times News reports a 71-year-old woman will receive $1,975,000 from FedEx and the driver of a FedEx truck for injuries she suffered in a 2008 car accident.

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Tire Review reports an Iowa jury has ruled against Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in a deadly rollover crash in 2007 and awarded seven passengers $33 million.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged a manufacturing flaw in the tires caused the tread separation and the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan carrying the passengers rolled over, killing one passenger, paralyzing another, and injuring the other five.

Cooper denies the tires were at fault and is expected to appeal the verdict.

The Louthian Law Firm, P.A. of South Carolina has years of experience helping accident victims. If you or someone you care about was hurt or killed in a personal injury accident, contact our attorneys today at 1-866-410-5656 or online for a free evaluation of your case.

Car Crash

The parents of a teenage boy have filed suit against Autumn Transportation following a crash that injured their son and caused emotional turmoil when his friend was killed in the crash, reports the Connecticut News. The parents are suing on behalf of their son according to Connecticut law since the boy is a minor.

The bus went off the highway after it collided with a Volvo station wagon. The suit alleges the bus company allowed a driver who did not have proper training and licensing to drive the school bus, and further claims the company does not adequately supervise or train its drivers. The bus driver's license has since been suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Also named in the suit are the bus driver and the teen driver of the Volvo for failing to take necessary precautions to avoid an accident.

If you have been in an accident, it’s important to make sure you understand your legal rights. You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, as well as compensation for wrongful death or permanent disability. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case at 1-866-410-5656 or fill out our confidential online consultation form.

Personal Injury

The Palo Alto Daily News reports the city of Palo Alto will pay $1.5 million to a man injured in a vehicle crash in 2006. The victim alleged a city worker failed to stop for a red light because he was reaching for his cell phone, resulting in a rear-end collision which left the plaintiff with debilitating spinal injuries. The victim had asked for more than $5 million from Palo Alto.

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The Gadsden (Alabama) Times reported that an Etowah County Circuit Court jury has awarded $8.5 million to a woman injured in a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer rollover.

Two people were killed in the accident and two were injured, including Latoya Duckett. Ms. Duckett filed a product liability lawsuit against Ford Motor Company alleging the vehicle was unstable and rolled over too easily.

As a result of the accident, Ms. Duckett's right leg had to be amputated just below the knee and her left arm is paralyzed and suffered brain injury, the paper reported in October.

The case against Ford Motor Company in the deaths of the father and daughter was settled for an undisclosed amount several years ago.

No punitive damages were awarded, but the $8.5 million in compensatory damages was the largest in the county's history, the paper reported.

If you have been in an accident, it’s important to make sure you understand your legal rights. You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, as well as compensation for wrongful death or permanent disability. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case at 1-866-410-5656 or fill out our confidential online contact form.

Ford Rollover Accident

A Tennessee jury has awarded $30 million to a 19-year-old who has permanent brain damage as a result of a traffic accident three years ago, reports The Commercial Appeal of Memphis.

In 2006, a gravel truck ran into the side of the teen's truck, killing his passenger and leaving him in a coma for eight months. The lawsuit alleged the gravel truck was 20,000 pounds overweight and the driver was inexperienced.

The jury found 70 percent of the responsibility for the accident went to the owner of the gravel truck who hired the driver - APAC-Tennessee, a road paving company. The other 30 percent was divided between the gravel truck driver and the company that loaded the gravel.

As a result of his severe traumatic brain injury, the teen is unable to live alone and needs around-the-clock care.

If you have been in an accident, it’s important to make sure you understand your legal rights. You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, as well as compensation for wrongful death or permanent disability. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case at 1-866-410-5656 or fill out our confidential online consultation form.

Tennessee Car Accident

Driving while impaired. Felony hit-and-run. Open container in vehicle. Driving with a revoked license. Felony speeding to elude arrest. Running a stop sign. Any one of these violations could result in a brush with law enforcement.

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A 21-year-old Iraq war veteran will never get the chance to reunite with his young wife, who remained in Iraq at the time of the South Carolina car crash that claimed his life.

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In an alarming statement on the lack of safety on the roads in South Carolina, a group of business leaders released a report on Tuesday, February 12th that details the loss of life and economic toll of accidents on South Carolina roads. The statistics paint a grim picture: Someone dies in a South Carolina auto accident about every eight hours. Economically speaking, the carnage inflicted by the state’s dangerous roads is $3.7 billion a year.

That breaks down to $863 per South Carolinian to cover medical costs, lost economic and household productivity, psychological or emotional trauma, property damage and travel delays. Given these numbers, the report contends that the state is not spending enough to fix the problem.

Of particular concern are South Carolina’s rural roads. The traffic fatality rate on those roads in 2005 was the highest in the nation at 4.61 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, the report says. The most dangerous local road on the list was a mile-long stretch of Harmon and Dreher streets in Lexington County – ranking 15th most dangerous and accounting for two deaths and eight injuries.

Continue reading "South Carolina Rural Roads Ranked Among Nation’s Most Dangerous" »

In a tragic example of the worst kind of South Carolina Bus Accident, ten children and their driver were injured when their bus overturned, according to an AP Report posted January 24th. The church bus overturned in Pickens County on the evening of Wednesday, January 23rd on U.S. 178 near Lakeview Baptist Church, where the children were returning from service. Four children, ranging in age from 9 to 13, were taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital. One child was in critical condition and another was in serious condition the morning after the accident. The driver was listed in fair condition.

South Carolina bus accidents can be some of the most dangerous of all motor vehicle accidents. When any vehicle overturns in an accident the results can be tragic. School buses do not have seatbelts and very often small children can be thrown around in the cabin, resulting in serious injury.

Very often in wrecks like this one, the cause of the accident must be determined. Was the driver negligent in some way? Did the condition of the bus contribute to the accident? Was it properly maintained? What role does the church play in restitution for injuries suffered in the crash? These are all questions best left to a South Carolina auto accident attorney from the Louthian Law Firm.

Continue reading "Children Injured When Church Bus Overturns" »

In the wake of a fatal accident this month, residents are questioning the safety of an intersection in Darlington County. According to a story posted on the website of news station WBTW, the intersection of S.C. 340 and Rogers Road saw 62 crashes in the five years between 2002 and 2007. Two were fatal -- and the Jan. 11 accident made three. In that crash, a 29-year-old driver failed to yield to a tractor-trailer traveling north on the highway. Residents blame the addition of two turn lanes, which they say creates blind spots. They’re asking for a traffic light at the intersection.

Clearly, the longer an unsafe situation at an intersection is allowed to go on, the more likely it is that it will cause multiple avoidable deaths and injuries. That seems to be the case here, judging from the article:

“We’ve had cars sideways in the ditch. We had an accident ... not too long ago, where we had a wreck on Tuesday and then we had a wreck on Thursday,” said Carol Kiker, who lives close to the intersection.

Continue reading "Intersection With Repeated Accidents Called Unsafe" »

Because the Louthian Law Firm has handled South Carolina auto accident cases for nearly 50 years, unfortunately we’ve seen firsthand that younger drivers are more likely to make bad decisions out of inexperience. That’s why we were pleased to see that the South Carolina legislature is considering a bill that would require defensive driving courses for teens. Right now, South Carolina teens can get a conditional license at age 15 and a provisional one at 16, but they must pass a driver education course, pass a test and log at least 40 hours behind the wheel. The new law would require that they pass a defensive driving course as well, after Dec. 31 of this year.

If you’ve ever looked into car and truck accident statistics, you may know that younger drivers almost always have a higher rate of accidents than older ones. That’s why auto insurance rates are more expensive for younger drivers, and may explain why most car rental companies choose not to rent to drivers under age 25. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that tracks traffic deaths and injuries nationwide, drivers ages 15 to 20 were 6.3% of all licensed drivers in 2005, but accounted for 13.2% of fatal crashes in 2006.

Continue reading "Bill Would Be Good for Teen Drivers -- And All of Us" »

A state department of transportation road maintenance foreman died after being hit by a pickup truck while on the job, according to an AP wire report. Standra Jones of Gaston , South Carolina died of multiple injuries at 6:21am at Lexington Medical Center following the truck accident according to authorities. Jones was standing on the side of the road supervising a crew that cleaned concrete safety barriers overnight when he was struck.

Jones was hit by a vehicle driven by Robert Cunningham of Gaston, state troopers said. Authorities said it was unclear why Cunningham’s 1992 Chevrolet pickup ran off the right side of the highway as it headed west, colliding with a state truck and then Jones. Jones is one of 3 agency workers to die in the last 5 years while engaged in road maintenance.

While this tragic case is an example of the worst type of South Carolina workplace injury, one-time accidents aren’t the only type of on-the-job injuries. Many employees in offices, factories or other indoor workplaces find themselves with repetitive stress injuries, which can be just as devastating as accident injuries. Mental health issues directly caused by work may also qualify as injuries to be compensated under the law. Those who work with or around dangerous chemicals -- whether they know it or not -- are also at risk for diseases caused by occupational exposure to toxins. Employers who are careless about using, storing or disposing of substances that threaten human health can cause serious, even life-threatening, health problems to their employees. They are also breaking federal and state laws. They can and should be taken to court to stop this illegal behavior and compensate the victims of their wrongdoing.

Continue reading "Highway Worker Killed In Accident" »

Owners of rollover-prone Ford Explorers scored a major victory Nov. 28 when Ford Motor Co. agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by consumers. About a million people in Texas, Illinois, Connecticut and California had alleged that their SUVs were prone to roll over, which hurt their value because of the actual or perceived danger. They sued Ford for false advertising, claiming the company knew Explorers had an unsafe tendency to roll over when they advertised them as safe family vehicles.

The settlement allows owners of the millions of suspect Explorers, which are model years 1991 to 2001, to apply for a $500 voucher for a new Explorer, or a $300 voucher toward another Ford or Lincoln Mercury product. Ford must also disclose the Explorer’s safety problems and limit its claims that the vehicle is safe. The settlement resolves all of the false advertising litigation aimed at Ford Explorers and their original defective Bridgestone/Firestone tires. However, many other claims have been filed by people who’ve been seriously injured or lost a loved one in an actual Ford Explorer rollover accident. Those lawsuits continue.

In both types of claim, the trouble stems from design defects in the SUVs and in their tires. By now, it’s well known that some SUVs, including the Ford Explorer, are unreasonably likely to tip over because of their high centers of gravity. That problem was compounded by the Explorer’s using Bridgestone/Firestone tires, which were likely to fall apart in a way that experts call tire tread separation. The tire’s first layer of rubber literally peels off in a tire tread separation, exposing the steel belting underneath. Sudden separations can cause tire blowouts or loss of driver control -- quickly leading to a deadly accident, especially when the blowout happens at high speeds. This combination of defective tires and defective vehicle affected millions of vehicles throughout the 1990s, causing at least 250 deaths and hundreds more injuries, according to the Associated Press.

SUVs are often marketed as safe, family-friendly vehicles, but the statistics show that they’re actually much more likely to roll over than other passenger vehicles. Research from the federal Department of Transportation shows that SUVs were involved in about 13% of all fatal crashes in 2005, whereas cars were involved in 42%. But when you look at those number for fatal rollover accidents only, SUV involvement jumps to 35.4%, while cars drop down to 16.4%. Rollover accidents are so deadly because they throw occupants violently around the inside of the SUV, significantly raising the chances of brain or spinal injuries, contact with jagged metal or glass or being thrown from the vehicle.

Buried in this story is an important fact: Ford knew its vehicles were unsafe long before it took any action to protect its customers. Unfortunately, this is a trend that is repeated throughout the auto industry, which often decides it’s cheaper to settle a few lawsuits than initiate a life-saving recall. If you’re a victim of these unsafe, unethical business practices, you have rights. Call The Louthian Law Firm today to discuss an auto accident lawsuit or product defects claim.

More teens die each year in the U.S. from automobile crashes than any other cause, a group said Tuesday, and the national rate doubles among S.C. teens.

The South Carolina National Safety council said it wants Alive at 25, a defensive driving survival course for young drivers 16 to 24, to become available in all S.C. high schools. The program, which began at Dutch Fork High in April after three students were killed in car accidents, is available in less than a dozen schools. It is a 4.5-hour course taught by off-duty sheriff’s deputies and police officers, designed to help young drivers make better decisions behind the wheel.

Last year 315 young drivers were killed on S.C. roads, according to the safety council.

If you commute for any substantial amount of time on South Carolina roads, you see it on a daily basis; the remnants of dangerous, sometimes deadly, automobile accidents on the shoulders of our highways. Emergency vehicles treating the injured, highway patrol officers directing traffic and clearing the roads of the wrecked automobiles. Whether the accidents involve trucks, motorcycles, or pedestrians the result of these collisions is almost always serious injury and in the worst cases, death. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gathers information regarding traffic accidents for all states, and makes that data available to all citizens through their webpage. The numbers are in for South Carolina, and they paint an unfortunate picture.

Over 1,000 people died on South Carolina roads in 2006 and some of the trends of those fatalities are detailed in the table below:

Alcohol Related Crashes

By far, the single factor that results in most fatal South Carolina automobile accidents is drivers that are impaired by alcohol. Of the 1,037 drivers who died in car accidents in 2006, 523 of them (50%) were considered “alcohol related” crashes. The fact that half the fatal road crashes on South Carolina highways have alcohol to blame as the cause is, for lack of a better term, sobering.

South Carolina has strict laws regarding driving after drinking alcohol and all drivers throughout the State must abide by them. In South Carolina the rights of victims of drunk driving accidents are also taken very seriously. Victims always have the right to financial and criminal legal actions after an accident. All victims of drunk driving accidents and their families should seek legal assistance to aid them in their case. A South Carolina drunk driving accident lawyer can help the family recover significant damages and help ensure that the driver does not harm anyone else.

Speeding Involved Crashes

Another factor in fatal car accidents in South Carolina is speeding. 412 (40%) of the total 1,037 auto accident fatalities in South Carolina involved speeding vehicles. This number is slightly higher then the national average of 32%. Speeding reduces the reaction time drivers need to avoid obstacles, which increases the likelihood of crashing and the severity of accidents. Statistics show that 40% of all high-speed collisions occur at curves, twice the rate of non-speeding fatalities that occur on a curve (20%). Speed also increases the distance needed to stop a vehicle and drivers in speeding autos may not be able to judge distances as well which puts other drivers and pedestrians at greater risk.

If you’ve been in an accident, it’s important to make sure that you understand your legal rights. South Carolina laws on car wrecks are complex, and the statute of limitations for filing a claim can be relatively short. You should consider speaking to the Louthian Law Firm as soon as you think you may need a South Carolina car wreck lawyer. We have protected the rights of accident victims and other injured South Carolinians since 1959, and we’re committed to providing personalized service to you while aggressively going after wrongdoers. And because we know how financially devastating an accident can be, we never charge you a dime until your case is won. For a free evaluation of your case, call us today at 1-866-410-5656.

A bus driver was killed and 30 of his passengers were injured when his tour bus drove off a South Carolina highway into some trees on early Monday morning. The bus accident happened on a rural stretch of highway and no other vehicles were involved. The tour bus was traveling from St. Stephen to Miami for a cruise, according to an Associated Press report.

George William Thomas, 58, veered off Interstate 26 at around 1 a.m. after he suffered a brain aneurysm, according to Dorchester County officials. He died from injuries related to the crash near Ridgeville, about 25 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina. The 30 passengers on the bus mostly suffered minor injuries.

South Carolina Bus accidents can be some of the most serious and often tragic vehicle accidents on our highways. City buses and interstate buses are required to abide by several important safety regulations. Drivers must not drive over a certain amount of hours in a 24 hour period, they must be properly trained and licensed, and they must travel at slower speed limits than other drivers.

Our South Carolina bus accident attorneys have experience fighting for the rights of those who are injured due to the negligence of auto and bus operators. In this instance the driver of the tour bus was charged with careless driving in a separate commercial bus accident eight months prior. No one was injured, but the question remains, was Mr. Thomas fit to operate this bus? Was the medical condition that caused the crash, pre-existing? Did his employer know about it? These are all questions that should be answered when establishing negligence in a South Carolina personal injury matter.

The lawyers at the Louthian Law Firm have experience in handling bus accident cases throughout the entire state. We offer free, no-obligation consultations for any potential case. Contact our offices today.

A pedestrian was struck and killed Wednesday morning off Monticello Road in Richland County.

Michael D. Stevenson, 48, of Margate Street, died on the scene about 6:30 a.m. of multiple trauma, said Richland County Coroner Gary Watts.

The incident happened on Blue Ridge Terrace off Monticello, said S.C. Highway Patrol spokesman Lance Cpl. Josef Robinson. William Austin, 56, was traveling east in a 1989 Dodge van when he hit Stevenson, who also was walking east in the roadway, Robinson said.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a pedestrian accident, you should speak to the knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm as soon as possible. Pedestrian accidents can be contentious, with both sides arguing about fault even as bills pile up. Pedestrians who survive a crash often come away with very serious, potentially disabling injuries like neck and spine injuries, traumatic brain injuries and multiple fractures. Good legal representation can help you secure money to help pay medical bills, funeral costs and lost wages, as well as compensate you for pain and suffering, wrongful death and other emotional injuries. For a free consultation with no obligation on your part, call the Louthian Law Firm today at 1-866-410-5656.

Two men died in Charleston, South Carolina on Friday when their SUV blew a tire and plunged off the Don Holt Bridge, according to an Associated Press Report published October 3rd.

Castillo Izaquirre, 31 and Pineda Cardenas, 21 both died from trauma resulting from the 90 foot fall. A Coast Guard spokesman indicated that the two men of Mexican descent, were driving a Ford Explorer at 11:00am when the accident occurred.

Continue reading "Two die when vehicle plunges off Charleston bridge" »

A recent Louisiana car accident lawsuit can teach personal injury victims an important lesson about the many routes to justice that can be taken by an experienced legal team. In the Turner v. Iafrate case, plaintiff Turner was struck by a car while riding as a passenger. 35-year-old Turner, who is a homemaker, was in the passenger seat when the driver of the vehicle made a left-hand turn across an intersection whose signs had been removed due to construction. The impact of another vehicle caused a fracture in her C4-6 vertebrae, causing quadriplegia and partial paralysis.

Paralysis isn’t the only thing that Turner suffered – she not only accrued medical expenses in excess of $435,000 but will need nearly $4 million in lifelong medical care and has lost potential future earnings of nearly $500,000. Though the vehicle in which Turner was injured was only struck by one driver, Turner’s legal team decided to sue the parish, construction contractor, and project engineers whose negligence caused “no left turn” and “one way” signs to be removed during construction.

Continue reading "Car Accident Tragedy Has Lessons To Teach About Personal Injury Lawsuits" »

A 20-year-old Cayce woman who was a passenger in a car died early Wednesday in a collision in the 1700 block of Two Notch Road, according to a news release from the Lexington County coroner’s office.

Ashley Crumpton, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 6:30 a.m. accident, the release said.

She was in a Nissan Maxima that was traveling west, crossed the center line and struck a van, the release said.

The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating.

The Associated Press reported that a Montgomery, Alabama jury awarded a paralyzed woman $4 million on Friday, April 20, 2007. Carolyn Thorne, was paralyzed as a result of the tires separating on her SUV after visiting a Wal-Mart Service Center. The tires had been recalled in 2002 by Continental Tire Company and she had taken her SUV to Wal-Mart to have the tires replaced. Wal-Mart failed to replace her spare tire which she was using during the crash that paralyzed her.

Ms. Thorne had her car serviced at Wal-mart on 9 separate occasions after the recall and was never told that the 5th tire was also defective.

The jury awarded her $2 million in punitive damages and $2 million in compensatory damages.

If you have been in an automobile accident due to tire tread separation, please contact a South Carolina tire recall lawyer at Louthian Law Firm for a free consultation.

The State Newspaper reported on Thursday, April 12, 2007 that police, schools and businesses in Richland County, South Carolina are working together to make this year’s prom season safer for students.

Since 2001, 6 teenagers from Richland County have died in alcohol related accidents.

On April 19, 2007 Columbia Police will join Columbia High School’s drama class for a “Prom Promise Presentation” for juniors and seniors. The drama class will perform a skit of a party where children are drinking. A couple of the children go to the store and are involved in an automobile collision. A passenger dies in the skit and the driver fails the field sobriety test. Other local schools are conducting similar presentations

The Columbia Police Department is hoping that the presentations will have a significant impact on students and that they will spread the message to their peers concerning the dangers of drunk driving.

Domino’s Pizza is distributing 44,000 fliers on pizza boxes delivered from its 11 stores in the greater Columbia area.

Continue reading "Alcohol Related Teen Deaths Spur Prom Safety Drive" »

For teenagers between the ages of 16 and 20 years old car accidents are the leading cause of death. According to Jane E. Brody of the New York Times, approximately 5,500 teenagers die each year in car accidents. According to Pediatrics, the journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics, 450,000 teenagers are injured in automobile accidents each year with approximately 27,000 requiring hospitalization.

Boys account for two-thirds of the teenagers who die in automobile accidents. Of the teens that are killed, 63% are drivers and 37% are passengers. Even though teenagers only make up 6% of drivers on the road, they are involved in 14% of all fatal accidents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents require their teenage drivers to sign a “driving contract” that covers such things as when a teenager can use the car and who can ride with them. The driving contract can also contain such things as where and how fast the car can be driven, require the teens to wear seatbelts, no cell phone use while driving and other things that can increase teenage driver safety. If any of the provisions of the contract are violated, the teenager’s driving privileges will be revoked.