Winter Storms Headed to North Carolina

Winter storms moving into the state are likely to bring rain, sleet, and a foot of snow to the mountain areas. Wet, icy roads and low visibility create hazardous road conditions in the winter months. However, if you are involved in an auto accident this winter, weather conditions may not be entirely to blame. Motorists who do not alter their driving to suit the weather conditions are often responsible for causing auto accidents.

To avoid accidents in inclement weather, motorists should employ the following precautions when hazardous road conditions are present:

• Because it takes more space to stop a vehicle on icy roads, drivers should leave extra room between their car and the vehicle in front of them.
• Motorists should drive with their headlights on at all times to increase their vehicle’s visibility to other drivers on the road.
• Drivers should slow down when crossing bridges or overpasses, as these areas will be icy even when other areas of the road are not.
• Motorists should clear snow and ice from their windshield, back window, driver and passenger windows, as well as their headlights and tail lights before operating their vehicle.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent driver, we encourage you to call our Charlotte auto accident lawyers at 800-977-7396 to discuss your case. Our experienced auto accident attorneys represent injury victims in Charlotte, Bakers, Belmont, Brief, Cabarrus, Concord, Cornelius, Cramerton, Croft, Fairview, Forest Lake, Fort Mill, Gastonia, Harrisburg, Hemby Bridge, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Lake Park, Lowell, Lucia, Marvin, Matthews, Midland, Mint Hill, Monroe, Mt. Holly, Paw Creek, Pineville, Roberta Mill, Rock Hill, Rocky River, Shopton, Stallings, Unionville, Weddington, and Wesley Chapel. The Charlotte auto accident law firm of Auger & Auger won’t charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

18-Wheeler Overturns on I-77, Driver Injured

An 18 wheeler overturned at about 9 a.m. this morning on I-77, causing all southbound lanes to close for about an hour while rescue crews worked to remove the driver, who was trapped in the wreckage, from the truck. The driver was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center, where he is said to be in serious condition. Only the right lane remained closed at 11 a.m. this morning. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The majority of truck accidents are caused by negligence, either on the part of the driver or of the trucking company. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver negligence is the critical reason for 87% of truck crashes. In a truck accident causation study involving 120,000 large truck crashes over a two-year period, 87% of the crashes were found to be caused by one of the following types of driver negligence:

• Non-Performance: The driver fell asleep, was disabled by a heart attack or seizure, or was physically impaired for another reason.
• Recognition: The driver was inattentive, was distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle, or failed to observe the situation adequately for some other reason.
• Decision: For example, the driver was driving too fast for conditions, misjudged the speed of other vehicles, or followed other vehicles too closely.
• Performance: For example, the driver panicked, overcompensated, or exercised poor directional control.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call the Charlotte accident law firm of Auger & Auger at 800-977-7396 for a free consultation. Our experienced auto accident attorneys represent injury victims in Charlotte, Bakers, Belmont, Brief, Cabarrus, Concord, Cornelius, Cramerton, Croft, Fairview, Forest Lake, Fort Mill, Gastonia, Harrisburg, Hemby Bridge, Huntersville, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Lake Park, Lowell, Lucia, Marvin, Matthews, Midland, Mint Hill, Monroe, Mt. Holly, Paw Creek, Pineville, Roberta Mill, Rock Hill, Rocky River, Shopton, Stallings, Unionville, Weddington, and Wesley Chapel. The Charlotte accident lawyers at Auger & Auger work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless you receive money for your injuries.