Blog - Dan Pruitt | Injury Lawyer Greenville SC, Nursing Home Injury Attorney

June 13, 2018

The Reasons Why Intersections Deserve Your Attention

Intersections are a dangerous place on South Carolina roadways, where more than one in ten roadway fatalities occur. What makes them so perilous? The truth is, a number of factors impact safety in intersections, ranging from driver error to confusing signage & road markings. Whatever the reasons, when accidents occur in intersections, they can be particularly hazardous. If you are involved in such a collision, an aggressive car accident lawyer can help.

greenville sc intersection accident attorney

Knowing how to navigate busy intersections is key to your safety in a car driving around Greenville, SC.

What Makes These Accidents More Serious?

When collisions occur in intersections, they are often linked to more serious injuries, and even fatalities, for a number of reasons:

Accidents frequently involve T-boning, when one vehicle is struck in the side, where structural supports tend to be weakest;
Vehicles that are hit broadside are more likely to be shoved into other vehicles or obstacles;
Many broadside hits result in rollovers; and
High speeds in intersections lead to greater velocity at the moment of impact.

Driver Distraction Impacts Crash Rates

The number-one issue associated with all types of collisions is driver distraction. Motorists who engage in eating, texting, and other distractions while behind the wheel put everyone at risk. Intersections, in particular, require a driver’s attention.

Roadway Improvements Have Made Intersections Safer

In South Carolina, the Department of Transportation is working to ease the confusion associated with the most dangerous intersections in the state by making sweeping changes,among them the following:

Adding signs on both the left and right to alert drivers to upcoming intersections;
Providing larger signs with fluorescent lettering;
Identifying upcoming street names well in advance of the intersection;
Marking stop bars clearly;
Adding more crosswalks;
Creating more painted arrows and worded messages on lanes;
Adding one signal per lane in high accident areas; and
Creating more pedestrian countdown signals.

Driver Responsibility helps reduce crash rates in Intersections

Even with improvements to the design and signage at intersections, ultimately drivers must make smart decisions while behind the wheel:

Don’t speed up in order to make it through a light. You just might wind up colliding with someone who jumped the light going in a perpendicular direction;
Proceed slowly through a light when it turns from red to green. There may still be traffic in the intersection going the other way;
When mechanical failures with signal lights occur, remain patient and alert. Take turns advancing through the intersection.
Drive appropriately for road conditions. When visibility is low or roadways are wet, drop your speed accordingly;
Be particularly cautious with regard to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Keep your focus on the road. It could save a life.

What To Do Following a Collision in an Intersection

If you are the victim of an accident that is a result of another driver’s negligence, distraction, or recklessness, you may be dealing with serious injuries in addition to property damage. The tough team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm knows how to fight back against this kind of injustice. Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation to discuss the ways in which we can help.

June 13, 2018

Choosing a Nursing Home in Greenville, South Carolina

Watching those we love grow older can be difficult when it becomes clear that their safety is at risk when unsupervised. At that point, it may become necessary for many to consider nursing home care. But how does the average person decide on just the right place for their elderly loved one? Experts offer several tips.

Checking simple things like dining options, employee attitudes and common room attendance can help differentiate good nursing homes from bad ones.

The Basics

One consideration many must consider is whether or not the nursing home has Medicaid or Medicare certification. Nursing homes can be quite expensive, and getting some help with the monthly payment is critical for many Americans.

Consider the Food

Nursing homes generally work to provide nutritious meals, while some sacrifice palatability and/or visual appeal. This can be particularly problematic for our loved ones who are reluctant eaters. When checking out nursing home options, be sure to visit the dining room a few times to get a sense of the meals that will be provided.

Are Residents Treated with Dignity?

When visiting a home, listen up. Are residents addressed by name? Do you hear residents who seem to be in distress, or who are calling out for help? If so, how is the staff responding? Impatient or sharp-tongued staff members are a big warning sign! And by the way—staff who are rude to one another are likely more so with residents when no one’s looking!

Take a Sniff

Yes, funky scents will be present in even very good nursing homes. That’s because many residents have issues with bladders and/or bowels, while others take medications that create a gassy stomach. But a reeking odor of urine may be an indication that there is neglect, whether in caring for patient needs or in cleaning the premises.

What are the Routines for Residents

Have residents been tucked away in their rooms most of the time, or left in front of a television in a common room? Or are there opportunities for games, activities, and entertainment? A nursing home should be providing a variety of quality activities on a regular basis. Otherwise, it’s not going to be a good, healthy environment.

Consider Medical Issues

While bruising is common as we age, some bruises may seem suspicious. Handprint shaped marks could be a sign of an abusive interaction. Another issue to consider is bedsores. While these, too, may be unavoidable for the sickest and frail residents, those who are capable of getting up and about should be doing so. For those who are confined to bed, you should expect them to be rotated on a regular basis, and those rotations should be charted.

If Something Goes Wrong

Once you’ve made a selection, it is important to make regular, unscheduled visits to check on your loved one. Listen to concerns and pay attention to changes in behavior. If there are problems, go to the administration with your concerns. If you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect, you may need the assistance of aggressive attorneys who are familiar with the industry. At Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm, we are experienced in detecting these issues and will fight for justice. Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation today.

June 8, 2018

How to Stay Awake while Driving Long Distances: Truck Driver

Truck drivers are a vulnerable population for fatigue – “the result of physical or mental exertion that impairs performance” – while they are driving. This can become dangerous for both the truck driver and the other cars on the road because when a driver becomes fatigued, he or she is not able to respond to unexpected events as quickly. It is hard to avoid feeling sleepy while driving a truck for many hours because of the demands of the job, but six tips about fatigue for truck drivers can be found below. If you or your loved one have been involved in a trucking accident and you need help, the Dan Pruitt Law Firm has the knowledge and expertise to come alongside you and make sure you get the help you deserve. Please call us today at (864) 232-4273 for a free consultation.

trucking accident attorney greenville sc

Use these tips to stay awake on the roads and keep everyone safe.

Tip 1: Get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel.

Due to your body’s circadian rhythm, which is the cycle of waking and sleeping that our body is on (internal clock), our bodies are programmed to be tired at specific times throughout the day. These times for most people are between midnight and 6am, as well as between 2pm and 4pm. If it is possible to avoid driving during these times when your body is naturally tired, it can help fight driver drowsiness. A study done by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that the alertness of drivers had more to do with what time of day they were driving than how long they had been driving. Another study was completed with results showing that accidents are highest in the first hour of driving. This points to our bodies needing time to fully wake up before we are alert enough and ready to drive.

Tip 2: Maintain a healthy diet.

It is difficult to keep a healthy diet when you are driving for days at a time, but it is important to keep you from being drowsy. When you skip meals or you eat your meals at irregular times, this lack of fuel can lead to sleepiness and food cravings. It is important to have restful sleep at night so that when you wake up, you are able to safely drive, and food can impact your sleep. If you go to bed with an empty stomach, or right after eating a full meal, you are less likely to get as much restful sleep as when you have a light snack before sleeping.

Tip 3: Take a nap.

If at all possible, the best way to combat sleepiness while driving is to pull over and take a nap when you start to feel drowsy. Naps should be short, with the length of 10-45 minutes to help you get the most benefits from it. After napping, it is important to give yourself at least 15 minutes to fully wake up before getting on the road again.

Tip 4: Avoid medication that may induce drowsiness.

There are many different kinds of medicines that you may take that could cause drowsiness, including tranquilizers, sleeping pills, allergy medicines, and cold medicines. It is very important to read the warning labels on medicine bottles before you take them if you are about to drive to make sure that the medication that you are taking won’t make you fall asleep at the wheel. It is better to deal with the symptoms of a cold than to fall asleep while driving.

Tip 5: Recognize the signals and dangers of drowsiness.

When you are focused on driving for long periods of time, it is easy to become out of tune with your body and not know when you are starting to feel tired, but it is important to try and pay attention to the first warning signs. Some signs of drowsiness are blurred vision, frequent yawning, and heavy eyes (hard to keep them open).

Tip 6: Do not rely on “alertness tricks” to keep you awake.

Sometimes when driving, there are things you can do to make yourself feel more awake, like turning up the music, rolling down the window, or drinking a cup of coffee. It is important to remember that these are temporary fixes and may work for a little while, but they are not going to keep you awake to continue driving safely in the long-term.

June 4, 2018

CDL Truck Driving Safety Tips in South Carolina

Driving a truck is much more complicated than driving a car, and there are things truck drivers are responsible for doing because of this. If the rules and regulations of the trucking industry aren’t followed by truckers, there could be disastrous consequences. Below are tips for a trucker to follow to help make the road as safe as possible for everyone:

Tip 1: Be alert

CDL Drivers need to follow these best practices to keep everyone on the road safe.

Be aware of everything that is going on around you and make sure you have thought of some way to avoid an accident if it happens. Watch for cars who are changing lanes.

Tip 2: Check weather reports

Know the weather conditions that you might encounter on a trip. Plan for any bad weather and drive accordingly.

Tip 3: Avoid traffic

Trucks are more impacted by traffic than cars, so it is important to try and avoid it so that no accidents occur

Tip 4: Leave room in front of your truck

It is more important for a truck to have room in front of it than to be going the speed that everyone else on the road is.
It takes longer to slow a truck down than a car, so it is important to do this to avoid causing accidents

Tip 5: Change lanes as little as possible

A truck has many blind spots, and changing lanes can greatly increase the possibility of an accident

Tip 6: Slow down

Trucks can’t maneuver ramps and corners like cars can, and it is important for the safety of everyone on the road that truckers slow down and take their time to avoid flipping or causing an accident

[Read more…]

June 1, 2018

Laundry Pod Challenge: What are the Legal Implications?

Laundry Pod Disasters

It’s bad enough that many teens are intentionally ingesting packets of laundry detergent in what’s called the Tide Pod Challenge. When they, and younger children, and even adults with dementia wind up with serious health effects due to the toxic chemicals in these laundry pods, it leads to questions as to who is liable for the medical bills? A local injury attorney can help you to understand your options.

Defining the Problem

Pass the information along to your children to make sure they aren’t participating in this dangerous challenge.

Laundry pods contain very concentrated laundry detergent, which, when bitten into, are rapidly ingested. The toxic chemicals can have horrendous consequences:

Permanent burns in the mouth and throat;
Damage to the digestive tract and lung tissue; and
Death.

The fact of the matter is, over 10,000 injuries occur every year related to these laundry pods, despite manufacturer’s attempts to reduce injuries. So far, companies have tried a number of strategies to address the problems with the pods:

There are strong warning labels and outreach to educate about the danger of eating laundry pods;
The industry has improved methods of addressing consumer complaints;
Pods have been treated with a bitter flavor;
The pod film has been thickened, making punctures more difficult; and
Pod containers are more difficult to access.

Despite these attempts to address the issue, the number of incidents involving laundry pods is not diminishing, and thousands of individuals face miserable consequences after biting into the pods on a regular basis.

Who is at Risk?

There are three key population groups who are at peril of poisoning due to the ingestion of laundry pods: the very young, the elderly, and teens.

Young children are consistently attracted to the bright, candy-like colors of the pods; over 85 percent of incidents involve children younger than age five;
Adults with mental disabilities such as dementia view the pods as a fragrant and potentially satisfying snack, as well. Over 150 cases of older individuals eating the pods occurred in 2017; and
Teens are more interested in bragging rights than in avoiding dangerous behaviors. To date, nothing manufacturers have done has deterred their fascination with the pods.

Have Manufacturers Really Done All They Can?

Clearly, these products are inherently unsafe. The bitter coating has not dissuaded pod-eating contests, and the thicker plastic sheath has not prevented toddlers from biting into the pods. Sure, no manufacturer can prevent all misuse of its product. But when we see the same kinds of incidents recurring again and again, doesn’t the manufacturer have a responsibility to make critical changes to the product? And if they choose not to put out a safe product, aren’t they liable for the damage they cause?

Fighting for Justice

If a loved one has suffered serious injuries due to the ingestion of a laundry pod, you may be entitled to damages to address the medical bills and more. To find out more, contact Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm in Greenville. The initial consultation is free and confidential.

April 24, 2018

Vehicle Airbag Hazards

We expect airbags to provide an additional layer of safety when auto collisions occur. But that is not always the case. If faulty airbag design led to significant injuries or death for you or a loved one, a local personal injury attorney may be able to help.

Takata Airbag Problems

Many recall the news stories discussing the Takata airbag problems. Ammonium nitrate-based propellants have been used in many Takata airbags. When exposed to intense heat or associated moisture, this propellant may become unstable, particularly if the airbags have aged. This, in turn, can lead to a rupture in the propellant container during even a minor collision. The ultimate result could be bits of shrapnel being thrust into the vehicle’s cabin, with a potential for serious harm to people there.

A History of Tragedy

A number of serious incidents involving these airbags have occurred in recent years. Just a few stories include:

One teen driver who was involved in a rear-end crash had her carotid artery slashed by a piece of shrapnel that was ejected from the airbag of her Honda Civic, causing her untimely death; and
When a driver-side airbag inflator was burst during a collision, he was killed.

Recalled Airbags

Airbag disasters have alarmed safety advocates so much that the NHTSA initiated what they called the “largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history.” 70 million vehicles from 2001-2015 have now been subject to airbag recalls. The recall impacts dozens of manufacturers and models, from Honda and Saturn to Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. At highest jeopardy are Acuras and Hondas manufactured between 2001-2003, as they have a 50 percent risk of experiencing breaches to airbag inflators. Unfortunately, many drivers are completely unaware that they are driving vehicles with dangerous airbags, and they are at serious risk of harm in the event of a collision that leads to deployment of these devices. As a matter of fact, some regulators fear that as many as 85 million of these malfunctioning airbags are in vehicles out on the road, completely unbeknownst by their owners.

Obtaining Safer Airbags

Some consumers who are aware of the issue have taken the steps to replace the faulty airbags in their vehicles, only to discover that it can take months to receive the replacement airbags and have them installed. Because the recall was so huge, manufacturers have had difficulties responding to the demand for replacement bags. Despite other airbag manufacturers taking advantage of the mandate for safer bags by upping production, many customers sill find themselves in an uncomfortable waiting period.

Legal Repercussions

If you or a family member has suffered the consequences of a faulty airbag, whether manufactured by Takata or another company, you may be entitled to damages to assist with injuries incurred as a result of airbag deficiencies. Contact the experienced team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm in Greenville for a free consultation today.

April 17, 2018

Distracted Driving

Taking your eyes off the road while driving can have disastrous results. In just one year, nearly 3,500 Americans were killed due to documented distracted driving incidents. Nearly 400,000 people were injured in such accidents. What constitutes distracted driving, and why is it such a huge problem?

Examples of Distracted Driving

The list of things people do while driving is astonishing, One-third of those surveyed confessed to changing shoes or clothing while driving, and many admitted to completing homework while behind the wheel. Other issues include:

Eating;
Smoking;
Petting animals;
Typing into a GPS;
Talking to people in the back seat;
Talking on cell phones;
Texting;
Spilling drinks;
Changing CD’s.

More Distracted Driving than Ever

The number of distractions that interfere with driving is greater than ever. Eating, talking on the phone, texting, and interactions with passengers are all commonplace these days. Anyone who spends time on the road sees examples of distracted driving every single day.

Seconds Count

Distracted driving can include egregious acts like applying makeup or texting while driving, or can be minor activities like changing the radio station. Any activity that takes your concentration off of the road can be the culprit behind a distracted driving accident. Recent research indicates that if you take your eyes off the road for just two seconds, your eyes do not re-adjust to the road immediately, missing hazards that would otherwise be easily seen. At any rate, a car traveling at freeway speeds covers half the distance of a football field in just two seconds. Imagine the disaster that could occur in that brief time span. One study indicates that a two-second distraction increases the possibility accidents by 24 times.

Texting

Perhaps one of the most serious distractions while driving is texting. Research finds that your eyes leave the road for an average of about five seconds while texting. And studies show that nearly one in five teens uses a cell phone while driving. This, despite research that warns that texting behind the wheel is as dangerous as being a drunk driver. The risk is especially dire for young and inexperienced drivers. In particular, drivers who’ve had a license for six months or less are at high risk of having an accident due to distractions in the car.

Stay Safe

While you cannot control other drivers, you can definitely reduce your chances of being in an accident or experiencing serious injuries by following a few common sense rules:

Stay focused on the road;
Drive defensively; and
Stay buckled up.

After an Accident

If you are unfortunate enough to be the victim of a distracted driver accident and suffer severe consequences, a local personal injury attorney can help you recoup costs related to your injuries. Contact Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm in Greenville for a free consultation today.

April 5, 2018

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage

Most drivers experience some annoyance if they try to change lanes, only to find a vehicle blocking the way, totally oblivious the incessant blinker hoping for an opening in time to make the upcoming exit ramp. And who hasn’t been somewhat aggravated when trying to leave a parking lot after a sporting event or concert, only to find other drivers unfamiliar with the concept of taking turns? These are common, understandable emotions that, for most of us, never go anywhere. Unfortunately, that is not the case for every driver on the road.

Road Rage: What is it?

All kinds of behavior constitute road rage, and most of them have the potential to ignite fury in other drivers. While some actions could be classified as merely impolite, others are downright dangerous! What’s behind all the hostility on the road? While some of it is just the result of the normal wear and tear of life, there are definitely more intricate psychological disturbances behind much of the behavior:

Narcissism;
Problems with dominance issues;
Low levels of emotional intelligence;
Anger-management issues;
Control issues; and
The need to punish perceived wrongdoers.

Impolite Driving

We’ve all seen it: drivers who let us know of their displeasure by sharing unfriendly hand gestures, puffy faces and thick-veined comments, and that ever-present driver who lays on the horn to express irritation. (Thank goodness we can’t hear all the things angry drivers scream sometimes!)

Aggressive Driving

More dangerous than the anger confined to the cabin of a distant vehicle are the aggressive moves some drivers execute in order to “get even” with drivers who have earned their contempt:

Rapidly weaving in and out of lanes, usually with no signals;
Passing closely, allowing little room for errors;
Tailgating;
Flashing high beams while following closely in order to intimidate;
Pulling over to duke it out;
Displaying weapons.

Recklessness

Still other drivers tend to be oblivious to other drivers on the road, exhibiting irresponsibility that puts others at risk. Examples include:

Racing;
Inebriated driving; and
Distracted driving.

Results of Reckless Driving or Road Rage

The legal consequences of unsafe driving can include tickets, the revocation of a driver’s license, higher insurance premiums, and even arrests. But the most serious result of this type of behavior on the road can be avoidable injuries and fatalities. Studies indicate that road rage is the number one cause of crashes. Beyond the actual collision, additional issues related to violence are quite stunning:

Firearms are brandished in about 30 percent of road rage incidents;
In a seven-year span, more than 200 murders related to road rage have occurred in this country.

Following Injury

If you have been the victim of a road rage incident that has resulted in severe injury, the experienced legal team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm in Greenville will fight for justice in a court of law on your behalf. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

March 30, 2018

Ghost Bikes Memorialize Bicycle Deaths

‘White bikes chained by the roadside may provoke some to wonder why they are there and what they represent. The ghost bikes celebrate the lost lives of individuals who have been killed while riding their bikes along South Carolina roadsides, while reminding drivers of the importance tuning in to bicyclists. Sadly, the number of these roadside memorials is increasing every week.

Bicycle Statistics

Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation in South Carolina, with 2.5 percent of people commuting to work on a bicycle. Additional data of note:

Only about a quarter of bicycle commuters are female;
South Carolina ranks 46^th in the nation in bicycle/pedestrian fatalities;
South Carolina bicycling fatalities have steadily decreased over the past decade, but still exceeds national averages;
Most bicycle injuries involve cyclists aged 20-30 years old, whereas most fatalities involve cyclists 40-50 years old;
Saturday is the most deadly day of the week for cyclists;
Female riders experience more than double the number of injuries compared to fatalities, whereas males experience nearly the same number of injuries compared to injuries;
Male cycling injuries occur at nearly four times the rate of female injuries;
Male fatalities occur at roughly 13 times the rate of female fatalities;
The peak time of day for injuries and fatalities is 3-9 pm.

Names Behind the Statistics

Every data point refers to a real person who has suffered serious injuries or death while riding a bicycle in South Carolina. It is important to remember that real families suffer when auto-bicycle collisions occur:

Jae Bellamy lost his life just days after turning 46 in a hit and run accident;
William Wilson was killed in Columbia just one year after graduating from the Citadel;
Jeffery Pierce was described as an experienced bicyclists who was killed in Spartanburg when he was struck from behind by a driver who was eventually charged with reckless homicide.

Staying Safe as a Cyclist

Bicyclists can experience greater enjoyment and safety when they pay attention to basic safety rules and rights:

Ride with, not against traffic;
Stay as far to the right as is practical;
Use bicycle lanes when available except for passing;
Ride no more than two abreast;
Wear reflective clothing; and
Equip bicycles with lights and reflectors.

Safe Driving

Motorists are required to keep a safe distance from bicyclists, and may not shout at or throw things at cyclists under penalty of law. In the event an auto-cyclist collision occurs, both parties are required to remain at the scene until police arrive. Particularly when serious injuries occur, drivers should do what they can to assist with medical problems. Law enforcement officers will conduct an investigation at the scene and make a determination as to who was a fault. In the event of serious injuries or a fatality, the motorist may be liable for damages associated with medical costs, property damage, lost wages, or, heaven forbid, funeral costs.

If you or a loved one is the victim of a negligent or reckless driver, the experienced legal team at Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm will fight for justice on your behalf. Contact us in Greenville for a free, confidential consultation.

March 20, 2018

School Bus Accidents: A Real Danger for Our Children

We drop our children at the bus stop, assuming they will arrive safely at school. But school busses, like any other vehicle, are vulnerable to road conditions, mechanical failure, driver error, and other vehicles on the road. If tragedy strikes, parents may wish to seek the counsel of a local personal injury attorney.

Spartanburg Accident

Ten students were hospitalized in Spartanburg following a school bus collision with an industrial van. The bus, en route to Whitlock Flexible Learning Center, was struck by a van, whose driver was charged with driving too fast for road conditions.

Columbia Accident

Two students were sent to the hospital after their school bus was rear ended by a motorist who was travelling too fast for conditions.

Walterboro Accident

When a school bus overturned into a ditch in Walterboro, 30 kids were sent to the hospital. The bus driver was cited with driving too fast for conditions.

Unsafe Busses

South Carolina law requires that school busses be retired after 15 years of service. Nonetheless, lawmakers have not prioritized the replacement of older busses, leaving hundreds on the roads transporting 350,000 South Carolina children to and from school every day. In fact nearly 40 percent of school busses—nearly 2,000 vehicles– are due for replacement based on the legislature’s timeline. One-fourth of busses are over 20 years old, and 60 of them are 30 years old. The problems associated with this failure to replace older busses are serious:

The busses are not as safe as newer models;
Breakdowns are more frequent;
Maintenance and operation costs are excessive.

Real Danger

The problem is real. Over 100 school bus engines have occurred in the past 20 years, resulting in emergency evacuations. Old busses have been disproportionately involved in these incidents. These and other maintenance-related breakdowns occur more often than you might think, with roughly 250 such incidents occurring every single week. Of those breakdowns, three-fourths involved older busses. Imagine the peril if brakes or other important safety mechanisms go out on a school bus. The devastation could be immeasurable.

Teach Children What to Do

When a school bus is involved in an accident or breaks down, children may become alarmed and unsure of what to do. That’s why it is essential for parents to discuss these possibilities before such an event occurs. Remind them to remain calm, pay attention to their surroundings, and follow instructions when it comes to bus evacuations.

Legal Recourse

Our children are the most precious of cargo. When accidents occur due to the negligence or recklessness of others, and serious injuries are the result, there are legal remedies to assist with medical bills and associated costs. At Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm, we can help. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation today.

(864) 280-7660