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With the back-to-school season in full swing, drivers who are in high school and college need to remember that driving when they are too tired is incredibly dangerous. These students have to be able to balance the need to study with their other activities, but this can’t come at the expense of safety. Fatigue has many impacts on a person’s ability to drive. One of the most serious hazards of fatigued driving is that the driver is at risk of getting into a crash. This can lead to injuries or even deaths. You also face the risk of getting a ticket or facing criminal charges because of fatigued driving. What factors can lead to fatigue? Lack of sleep is the most common factor that can lead to fatigued driving. However, others like driving on roads that are familiar, can also lead to it. Drivers who travel long distances in one trip are also at risk of fatigue, especially if they are on the road during a time that they would normally sleep. Students who are traveling back home should be careful of this if they live several hours from school. How does fatigue impact driving abilities? Drivers who are fatigued will have a slower reaction time to things on the road that require them to take evasive action like changing lanes or braking. They might not be able to make sound decisions and may not be as attentive to what is going on around them. They are at risk of nodding off, which increases the risk of being in an accident. Around 4% of respondents of a survey reported that they had dozed off at the wheel at least once within the previous 30 days, which shows this is a serious problem on the roads. Are there options for reducing fatigue? The only long-term solution to address fatigue is getting sleep. Some drivers can get a short-term boost from drinking caffeine or opening the windows, but those methods can’t be used for very long. If a driver feels they are getting fatigued, they should pull over and get rest or have someone else finish the drive. Because of the risk of crashing when a driver is fatigued, other people on the roads should remember — should a crash take place — that they should treat these wrecks like any other. Seek medical care for injuries and contact the police to come out to write an accident report. Filing a claim for compensation is also possible since driving fatigued is negligence.

Speeding is a huge issue that some drivers don’t see as a problem. Unfortunately, the decision not to abide by speed limits is one that can kill innocent people. More than a quarter of traffic fatalities are caused by speeding. This shows just how important it is for drivers to obey speed limits. Some individuals think that they aren’t harming anyone else when they speed. This attitude can change lives in horrible ways and can even put an end to them. One of the most important things for drivers to remember is that they can contact the police to report speeding drivers. This might save the driver’s life, your life, or someone else’s life. One thing that makes speeding so unsafe is that high-speed crashes can lead to more serious injuries. Drivers who are going too fast can’t react in an appropriate manner when there is a hazard. There is a chance that they will lose control of the vehicle, and they need a longer stopping distance. All of these increase the chance of an accident occurring. Even when people are running late, they should ensure that they are driving in a safe manner. If you are struck by a driver who is speeding, evaluate yourself and any occupants of your vehicle for injuries. If there are any, you need to get medical care right away. You might also decide that you are going to seek compensation from the speeding driver. This can help you to recover some of the financial losses that you’re facing because of the accident. An experienced attorney can help you do this.

Safety in the car is a top priority for anyone who rides in one. From newborns to senior citizens, everyone who is in a vehicle while it is in motion should have on a seat belt. It is imperative that these are used properly because incorrect usage can mean that there are extensive injuries during a crash. Car seats and seat belts help to prevent occupants of a vehicle from being thrown around the car or out of the car when there is a wreck. There is a slight risk that the seat belt or harness will cause injuries in a crash. Even when they do cause a problem, it is usually a much less serious injury than what would happen without it. Seat belt and harness designs These items are carefully designed to distribute the force of the crash to areas of the body that can handle it. In the case of the seat belt for adults and older children, the stronger areas are the hips and the shoulders, which is where the seat belt will focus the force. In babies and toddlers, by evenly distributing the force between both hips and shoulders, as well as some force on the chest, the baby faces a lesser chance of injury. Car seat harnesses and seat belts also help to protect the spinal cord, neck and head from injury. If a person’s body was flung around the vehicle, they can hit their head on something or harm the spinal cord or neck. This is why having babies in rear facing car seats is important. The entire back, neck and head area is stabilized and protected. Only effective when used as intended It is imperative that a child is strapped into the car seat properly and that seat belts are used correctly. For the babies in car seats, the harness must be tight with only a finger width of space between the harness and the baby. The clip to hold the straps together must be placed at chest level to reduce the chance of internal injuries. The shoulder belt should be directly across the shoulder. It should cross the chest diagonally. It is never appropriate to place it beneath an arm or behind the back. The lap belt must be across the hips instead of up over the abdomen. The seat belt should be snug and without slack so it can keep the occupant secured in a crash. There is a chance that victims will suffer an injury in a crash even if they are wearing a seat belt or placed in a car seat correctly. These individuals might opt to pursue a claim for compensation that holds the liable party accountable for the damages suffered in the wreck.

If you find yourself driving in heavy traffic, such as during rush hour, it’s critical to adjust your style with an eye toward safety. Rush hour driving is unique in many ways, including the fact that you’re among a sea of vehicles that are moving at a slow rate of speed. To make things even more challenging, many drivers are in a hurry to reach their destination, thus leading them to take risks on the road. Here are some rush hour driving tips you can follow to enhance your safety: Take your time: Don’t be one of those people who is in a hurry. Instead, give yourself extra time to reach your destination, as it will take a lot of pressure off of you when behind the wheel. Choose another route: If your usual route is full of traffic and danger, choose another way to reach your destination. Even if it takes longer, it may be a more calm and comfortable ride. Stay in your lane: There are times when you need to change lanes, such as to make your way to an exit. However, you should break the habit of changing lanes in search of the one that’s moving fastest. Increase your following distance: Just because you’re driving slowly doesn’t mean you should follow the vehicle in front of yours too closely. Leaving a couple extra car lengths gives you room to spare should you have to brake in a hurry. Avoid distractions: Rush hour traffic has a way of leading to distractions, such as texting or talking on the phone, drinking or eating. If you’re not paying full attention to the road, you’re increasing the risk of an accident. If rush hour driving is a part of your day, follow these tips for avoiding trouble on the road. In the event of an accident, such as one in which another vehicle strikes you from behind, move to safety and call 911. Wait for police and an ambulance to arrive before you do anything else. As your health allows, file an insurance claim, review the police report and decide on the steps you can take to obtain compensation from the negligent driver. Visit our website and read our blog for additional information pertaining to motor vehicle accidents in North Carolina.

Distracted driving is a serious issue, taking many lives every year. All accidents caused by distraction are preventable, just like drunk driving accidents. That, in many ways, is the most tragic part of this whole situation. None of these accidents needed to happen. None of those lives needed to be lost. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you avoid distraction in the car: 1. Don’t leave loose items in the car A lot of distracted driving accidents happen when people reach to pick up items on the floor. It could be a cellphone charger, a water bottle, an old coffee cup or anything else. The key is to put everything away before you drive. Stash all loose items in pockets and compartments. Throw away garbage and other things you don’t need. If you drop something while driving, do not pick it up until you stop. 2. Turn off your phone The real key is simply not to use your phone while you drive. Don’t make calls, send text messages, check for notifications or go on social media. However, many people have a lot of trouble breaking their phone addiction, and they can’t resist picking it up. Simply turning it off until you arrive can help tremendously. 3. Set up your car before driving You should never have to make adjustments while you drive. Do them in advance. For instance, you may want to: Adjust the side mirrors Adjust the rearview mirror Buckle your seatbelt Program your GPS Turn on the AC or the heat Pick a radio station Once you start driving, you do not want to look away from the road at all. 4. Clear your mind Many distractions are simply mental distractions. You think about what you need to do at work. You worry about problems in a relationship. You brood over some slight or insult. Never drive while you feel overly emotional. Clear your mind, calm down and then get on the road. 5. Care for your children If you have kids in the car, make sure they’re ready to go before driving. Buckle them in. Give them drinks and snacks. Hand them their toys. Turn on a movie on the phone or tablet. Whatever you choose to do with the kids in the car, do not try to turn around and do it while you drive. Children are one of the biggest distractions drivers have to deal with. Car accidents These tips can help you avoid distraction, but that doesn’t mean it’s no longer a problem. If you get hit and injured by a distracted driver, you may need to seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other costs.

Victims of a car crash often suffer head injuries — sometimes very serious ones. There are a few points that you need to know if you have a brain injury from a car crash. An important point to remember is that you don’t necessarily have to hit your head to suffer a brain injury. It is possible that the violent force of the crash could lead to your brain suffering damage as it hits against the skull due to the impact of the wreck. While it might seem as though these won’t be as serious as incidents that involve a blow to the head, they can be very complex. One thing that makes these injuries difficult to treat is that there is more than one area of impact. The brain will slam against the skull in one place and then bounce back to hit against the skull in the area directly across from the initial area of impact. Healing from a brain injury after a car crash can be a long road, but not everyone will have the same experience. The severity of the injury and the impact it has on you will determine what type of healing process you have to go through. Typically, more severe injuries will require more treatment and healing time than mild injuries. The challenges that you face can sometimes be overcome with hard work. It is possible that some will require you to rethink how you approach what used to be simple tasks. Assistive devices might be necessary. You must be financially prepared to cover the costs of occupational and physical therapy as well as other medical care. You might choose to seek compensation from the driver who was at fault for the crash.

Speed limits on roadways are set based on what is safe for the road and the conditions of it on a dry day. As the name implies, they are the top speed that should be used on the road. Unfortunately, many people think of them as the lowest speed they should go. This poses a hazard to everyone on the road because a driver who is operating a vehicle at a faster speed than what is safe can cause a serious accident. Typically, speed limits are set lower in the city. This is because there are more hazards, such as pedestrians and other vehicles, that are likely to be on the road. It is also because you are more likely to stop in the city due to traffic signals and stop signs. It takes longer to stop a vehicle that is going highway speeds than one that is going city speeds. When an accident caused by excessive speeds occurs, the victims of the crash are probably going to suffer more serious injuries than what would have occurred at speeds at or below the speed limit. This is a tragic situation for people who are obeying the speed limits. There are many reasons why drivers might go faster than the speed limit. They might be in a rush to make it to work or another obligation. They may be driving aggressively out of anger or irritation. They might feel like they aren’t causing a problem because they think they can handle driving at those speeds. Regardless of the reason for the speeding driver, you might choose to seek compensation if you suffer injuries in an accident caused by speeds faster than what is safe for current conditions. This can help you recover the financial damages that you are dealing with due to the other person’s negligence.

Your goal is to make sure you get to spend your time off doing the things you love. That means spending time on the road, and taking your boat to your local marina and dock in Wilmington. Sometimes, that means heading out of state to new areas to find a launch point. The trouble with bringing your boat in from out of the area is is that others may not be safe around your vehicle. When you’re driving, you’ll need more space and more time to stop. Much like a truck, having a trailer makes it more difficult to maneuver your vehicle when it’s necessary. Another issue is that you may not be familiar with the area. That can mean having to back up and turn around with your boat in tow, which can be extremely difficult. It can also mean that you make mistakes that result in a crash. What can you do to avoid a crash when hauling items? It’s a good idea to try to take a class or course on hauling before you travel with your boat. You want to know how you can back up, safety tips and more about the trailer you intend to haul. Additionally, these classes may give you time to practice backing up, turning and making maneuvers with the boat in tow, so that you can get used to hauling a large item. Another thing you can do is find out about where you’re going ahead of time. Use a GPS or map system to determine where you’re going, so that you don’t end up on dead-end streets or caught up in a cul-de-sac. You may even want to try a service like Google Earth, where you can get a street view of where you’re going and be better prepared once you reach your destination. No two trailers, hitches or drivers are going to be completely the same, so the best advice is to make sure you’re comfortable driving such a large load and have a vehicle with enough power to do so safely. If you’re concerned about the distance you have to drive or your ability to get your vessel there safely, consider hiring someone to get your boat to the destination or renting a boat when you arrive. Some safety precautions can go a long way in keeping you safe. Be cautious any time you travel with a heavy trailer.

One of the most common types of car crashes is the rear-end accident. While it is possible that these might occur at high speeds, they are more likely to happen at low speeds. You might think that this means that the victims won’t have to worry about serious injuries, but that isn’t at all the case. There are many injuries that can impact these innocent people greatly. One of these is whiplash, which can lead to debilitating pain and lack of range of motion. It isn’t always easy to avoid these accidents. Most drivers will watch what is going on in front of them more than they watch behind. This means that if someone comes up behind your vehicle, you might not know it. You might not be able to take any evasive actions to stop the crash. Of course, you could seek compensation if the other driver was at fault when they struck you. In most cases, the driver in the rear is the one who should be held liable. There are times when a driver might be able to get out of the way when a vehicle is barreling toward them from behind. Your mirrors can be your primary safety aid when you are in danger of being rear-ended. Checking these every 5 to 8 seconds is recommended by the National Safety Council (NSC). If you are involved in a rear-end crash, looking into the circumstances of the accident might provide some clues about whether it was preventable or not. The information you garner from this can also provide some valuable points to use if you choose to seek compensation.

If you are like many other drivers in Wilmington, you have probably had a close call or two at Oleander and South College Road. And, if you haven’t actually had a car wreck yet, it is most likely only a matter of time before you become involved in a collision. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a car accident victim. One of the best ways to avoid a car wreck is to understand some of the most common causes. Here are four common types of car accidents and ways you can avoid them. Rear-end collisions Rear-end crashes happen when one vehicle hits another from behind. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, almost 30% of all accidents are rear-end collisions. Most of these crashes happen because the at-fault driver was distracted. By staying alert and paying attention to your surroundings, you might be able to avoid becoming a victim of one of these drivers. Accidents with parked cars If you park your car in a parking lot to go shopping, there is not much you can do to avoid an accident if another driver backs into your car or sideswipes it. However, you can reduce your chances of being at fault for such a wreck by always being aware of your surroundings and the dimensions of your vehicle. One of the best ways to avoid becoming the victim or the perpetrator is to park your car further away, where other vehicles are not parked. Hydroplaning Have you ever driven just after it rains and hit an especially slick spot that made your vehicle slip and slide? Hydroplaning is a very common occurrence when the roads are wet or icy. When road conditions are less than optimal, the best thing you can do is to slow down and take your time. Unfortunately, not everyone sees the need for this which means there could be other drivers on the road that continue to operate their vehicles over the speed limit. By driving more slowly, not only can you avoid hydroplaning, but it will give you more time to get out of the way of people who lose control of their cars due to slick roads. Side impacts Side impacts, or T-bones, also account for a significant amount of vehicle collisions according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This type of wreck also has one of the higher fatality rates. Always look both ways for oncoming traffic even if you have the right of way. Do not trust other drivers to be paying attention or to follow the rules of the road. While the above tips can help you stay safe on the road, it may not be possible to avoid every wreck. If you become the victim of a car accident with a negligent or reckless driver, keep in mind that you have options. You might be able to file a claim for your injuries and other damages, and, subsequently, receive the compensation you deserve.

Have you ever been driving across Wilmington and seen another driver behaving oddly? Maybe he is driving at night without his lights on or perhaps he is drifting a little too close to the edge of the lane. If you are like many other drivers in the area, you have probably seen such a driver and taken evasive action to avoid a potential collision. In some cases, the driver might simply be distracted, which can be extremely dangerous. However, you can also see the same behaviors in a driver who is drunk. For instance, weaving, erratic braking and rapid acceleration are all things that drunk drivers and distracted drivers have in common. If a driver is drunk, you might also see things like driving on the wrong side of the road, near misses or even collisions with objects, tailgating and driving at a very low speed. If you identify a drunk driver on the road, there are a few things you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim of a drunk driving accident. Follow these steps if you spot a drunk driver. Make safety the priority If you see another vehicle that you think is being operated by a drunk driver, then you need to put your safety first. The best thing you can do is to keep your distance. After you have memorized the make and model of the car as well as its license plate, slow down and let the vehicle get far enough in front of you to no longer be a risk. Choose an alternate route If possible, take yourself out of the equation by exiting the highway, turning off the road or simply by pulling over in a safe area. If you are no longer on the road with a drunk driver, your risk of becoming involved in an accident decreases substantially. Call 911 As soon as you are in a safe place, call 911 to report the drunk driver. You will need to provide the make and model of the vehicle and the license plate number that you memorized when you first identified the danger. Also, be prepared to give a description of the driver’s behavior, the location where you last saw the drunk driver and the direction he or she was traveling. Unfortunately, a drunk driver might take you by surprise and you could end up in a car wreck. If this happens, you may be able to file a claim for your injuries and other damages as a result of the actions of the drunk driver.

A Clayton High School student was crossing the road in that town last Thursday when he was fatally struck by a car. The 18-year-old young man was on his way to school at the time of the accident. The student will be dearly missed by the community, as indicated by heartfelt statements left by his coworkers at Venero’s Pizzeria, where he worked six days a week. The restaurant issued a statement in his memory that said, “He always came in ready to work and willing to help anyone who needed it … His big heart and presence will be missed. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.” The accent happened early last Thursday, at 7 a.m., not far from West Clayton Elementary School. The local police chief in Clayton said that it was a tragic accident. He also said that the young man wasn’t wearing headphones or using his cellphone while crossing the road. As a result of the accident, the police chief said that the road needs to be changed to make it safer. He said it needed crosswalks installed. He also felt that the town needs an active school zone sign with a flashing indicator light. “They don’t have anything active right now,” the officer said. Venero’s Pizzeria is planning a night to collect donations for the deceased student’s family. Family members who lose their loved ones in tragic pedestrian versus car accidents may want to investigate the circumstances of the events to determine who was at fault. If another party, such as a negligent driver or negligent city that failed to maintain the roads, is at fault for the accident and death, family members may be able to pursue wrongful death damages in court.