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Deadly Motorcycle Crashes On The Rise In South Carolina

There are plenty of motorcycle Enthusiasts in South Carolina, Particularly here in the Greenville area. We have beautiful sights to see and plenty of good riding weather. Unfortunately, motorcyclists face more risks on the roadway then those traveling in regular passenger vehicles. A recent article in the state newspaper said that 2019 has seen a rise in motorcycle rider deaths on South Carolina roadways. 

What we know about the rise of motorcycle fatalities

The article mentioned above states that there were 104 motorcyclist fatalities on SC roadways in 2018. By mid-November of this year, the number of motorcyclist fatalities had already reached 113. At that pace, the state Department of Public Safety estimates that there will be approximately 140 motorcycle fatalities this year. 

When we look at statistics provided by the DPS, we can see that this number would mean a return to the record high for motorcycle fatalities set in 2016. State officials claim that distracted driving by other motorists is a leading factor in the increase in motorcycle fatalities. 

Motorcyclists often sustain serious injuries

Total fatalities only show part of the overall picture. Those who survive a motorcycle accident often sustain serious injuries. Even when a cyclist is wearing a helmet, there is a high probability that they will sustain the following injuries:

  • Spinal cord trauma (possible paralysis)
  • Head injuries/traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations or road rash

Motorcycle accident victims who suffer from these injuries often need extensive medical care. They will incur tremendous medical expenses as well as other “hidden expenses” associated with these incidents such as lost income, home and vehicle modifications, and pain and suffering damages. 

We are ready to help you through this

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person’s careless or negligent actions, seek legal assistance immediately. You can count on the Dan Pruitt Law Firm to help you secure the compensation you are entitled to. You can contact the Greenville motorcycle accident attorneys at our firm for a free consultation of your case today.

Recent Accident Shows How Dangerous Construction Work Is

Most people understand that workers in some industries face more day-to-day risks than others. Construction is one of those industries. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction worker fatalities accounted for approximately 20.7% of all worker deaths in the United States during the latest reporting year.

A recent construction worker fatality in Greenville County highlights that our construction workers also face increased risks on-the-job. 

A tragic incident 

On November 30, 2019, a man was part of a construction crew installing the corrugated metal roof panels at a warehouse at 315 Tanner Price Way when he fell from the roof onto the ground below. The 22-year-old died at the scene. An autopsy showed that he suffered from Blunt force trauma to the torso and head.   

The accident remains under investigation by the coroner’s office as well as the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. There will undoubtedly be an investigation by state labor regulators and by OSHA. 

Reducing construction worker deaths 

Construction work is inherently more dangerous the most other jobs. Workers in this industry operate around dangerous materials and in high-risk conditions every day. OSHA says that most Construction worker fatalities occur in four ways, which they call the “Fatal Four.”

  • Falls
  • Struck by object
  • Electrocutions
  • Caught in between objects

These fatality numbers only show us part of the overall picture. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported during the latest year. 

Those who survive work injuries often incur major expenses. Workers’ compensation insurance is necessary for those injured on-the-job. There should never be a situation in which a person injured at work has to fight to receive workers’ compensation. Unfortunately, there are times when an injured worker’s claim is delayed or denied by their employer or the insurance carrier. 

If you are injured at work in Greenville 

If you or a loved one are injured at work, you may need to talk to a Greenville workers’ compensation attorney. At the Dan Pruitt Law Firm, we will offer a free consultation of your case and determine the best path forward to ensure you are treated fairly throughout this process.

The Holidays Are More Dangerous On The Roadways

Driving during the holidays is more dangerous in most other times of the year. While Thanksgiving has already passed, Christmas and New Years are approaching. Unfortunately, this is a time when there are more alcohol-impaired drivers on the roadway. 

Looking at statistics from the state Department of Public Safety, we can look at which Holidays in South Carolina see the most roadway fatalities. 

The deadliest holidays nationally coincide with our state

Collectively, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years make up the time when there are the most DUI arrests in this country. This coincides with information from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that there is two to three times the number of alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other point throughout the year. According to the South Carolina DPS, the latest reporting year of data showed the following number of deaths for these holidays:

  • Thanksgiving: 12 fatalities 
  • Christmas: 7 fatalities
  • New Years: 5 fatalities (which was a dramatic decrease from the previous year)

These are not the only dangerous holidays when it comes to drunk driving incidents in the state and across the country. These holidays saw the following traffic fatality numbers in SC during the latest reporting year:

  • Memorial Day: 13 fatalities
  • Fourth of July: 14 fatalities
  • Labor Day: 6 fatalities

Drunk driving is a major concern in South Carolina 

Each year in SC, drunk driving incidents are the cause of approximately 30% of all traffic crash deaths. The total number of fatalities is just one facet of concern. Many thousands are injured in drunk driving crashes and are left dealing with the consequences. It is not uncommon for our Greenville car accident attorneys to help clients suffering from the following:

  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Whiplash injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions

Each of these incidents can lead to major medical expenses, along with other costs, for victims. 

Seek help after a DUI crash

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you should seek legal assistance immediately. The Dan Pruitt Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims recover the compensation they deserve. You can contact our Greenville car accident attorneys for a free consultation of your case today.

Tragic Pedestrian Crash Claims a Young Life

On November 1, 2019, five people were struck by a vehicle on Piedmont highway near 7th Inning Splash Park. One of the pedestrians struck was 13-year-old Azyria Martin, who died from her injuries a week later. 

The South Carolina Highway Patrol said that a Nissan Versa struck Azyria and the four other pedestrians at around 8:30 that evening. The seventh grader’s official cause of death was a traumatic brain injury. This incident is currently being investigated by the SC Highway Patrol and the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. No charges have been filed yet in this case. 

Azyria was attending a birthday party evening of the incident. She was a member of the JL Mann High School track & field team. 

Pedestrian accidents are often devastating

Pedestrians are vulnerable to severe injuries anytime they are in or around the roadway. The average passenger vehicle weighs 4,000 pounds and can inflict serious damage in a collision. The SC Department of Public Safety says that there were 828 pedestrian crashes in the state during the latest reporting year. Out of those incidents, there were:

  • 132 fatalities
  • 748 injuries

Those statistics show us that nearly every pedestrian accident reported in SC resulted in an injury or a fatality. It is not uncommon for our Greenville pedestrian accident lawyers to help clients suffering from the following:

  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Whiplash injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions

We do not know the exact cause of the incident that killed young Azyria. All too often, these incidents are the result of drivers who:

  • Are distracted by their phones or other devices
  • Are impaired by alcohol or drugs
  • Fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians

Seek help from an experienced South Carolina pedestrian accident attorney

If you or a loved one have been injured, you can contact the Greenville pedestrian accident attorneys at the Dan Pruitt Law Firm for a free consultation today to find out what your next steps should be. We will help you secure the compensation you need for your injury-related expenses.

Watch out for Defective Toys this Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, many people are buying toys, clothing, and other items for the children in their lives. However, one thing that most shoppers do not think about is whether or not what they are buying could end up causing injuries. Defective products are a regular occurrence in the US marketplace, and there have been many toys recalled this year alone. 

Popular toy recalls in 2019

USA Today reports that many recalls have been conducted this year, and one of them was associated with infant deaths. 

  • Target’s Bullseye Playground
    • Nearly 500,000 wooden toys sold by Target were recalled due to their wheels detaching and posing choking hazards. 
  • Go Couture children’s loungewear
    • Go Couture children’s sleepwear was recalled because it failed the federal flammability standard and posed a risk of burn injuries.
  • Fisher-Price Rock ‘n Play sleepers
    • These sleepers were recalled after there were reports of more than 30 infant deaths caused by babies rolling over. 4.7 million units were recalled, and consumers were asked to immediately stop using the products. 
  • Power Wheels Barbie Campers
    • The camper was recalled because some of the units would continue to move after the foot pedal had been released. 

Toys were not the only items that were recalled. Many children’s medications and food items also faced scrutiny and recalls throughout the year. Parents and guardians must ensure that the items they let their children use and consume are safe. 

What makes products faulty?

There are three basic ways in which products become faulty:

  1. Design flaws that are not discovered when the product is being tested.
  2. Manufacturing errors that alter a product’s design, rendering the product harmful for consumers.
  3. Labeling issues that mislead consumers, including missing warnings, ingredients, side effects, and hazards as well as incorrect dosages or ingredient lists. 

Contact a personal injury attorney in South Carolina

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a defective product, the Dan Pruitt Law Firm will help. You can contact our Greenville product liability attorney us for a free consultation today to determine your next steps today.

Momentum Building for Tougher Distracted Driving Laws

Distracted driving is a growing concern for drivers in and around Greenville. With a growing population and the rise of mobile technology, car accidents caused by distracted drivers have increased. These incidents can lead to serious injuries for victims. 

How common are distracted driving accidents?

Car accidents are not uncommon. During the latest reporting year in South Carolina, the Department of Public Safety said that there were 141,599 traffic crashes across the state. Out of those, there were:

  • 989 total fatalities
  • 60,566 total injuries

The SCDPS also reported that says that distracted driving contributed to over 10,000 total crashes in the state during that same year. 

What is being done about distracted driving?

Lawmakers at the State House are hearing arguments for and against the “South Carolina Hands-Free Act,” which would make it illegal to use a phone while driving. Texting and driving is already illegal in SC. However, police officers say that the $25 fine for violations is not enough to be a deterrent. They also say the law is nearly unenforceable. When officers pull a car over, drivers can claim that they were using their phone’s navigation system or to make a call. Both of those actions are currently legal. 

The new bill would outlaw the use of a phone for nearly any reason, even while stopped at red lights or stop signs. Drivers would face a fine of $100 for violating the law and $300 fines for each repeat offense. Drivers would also lose two points on their license for each offense. 

Provisions of this bill have died on the House floor in the past. There have been concerns about the bill’s harsh penalties. Other lawmakers want there to be exceptions for drivers using their phones to navigate. 

Contact a South Carolina car accident lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured due to the actions of a distracted driver, you can contact the Greenville car accident attorneys at the Dan Pruitt Law Firm for a free consultation today to find out what your next steps should be.

Nursing Homes to be Assigned Abuse Warning Labels

With the average age of the US population increasing, there is growing concern about abuses that take place in nursing homes. Nobody should ever have to worry about their loved ones being harmed due to careless or negligent nursing home staff members. Recently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began putting warning icons on their Nursing Home Compare website. 

Is this icon fair to nursing homes?

CMS rolled out the new icon warning label recently. It is a red circle with a white hand held up in the middle, essentially saying “stop.” The US government will apply this icon next to facilities that have:

  • received citations for instances of abuse that directly led to resident harm over the previous year.
  • received abuse citations that could have led to resident harm in each of the preceding two years.

Officials with CMS will update the icons monthly and remove them for facilities that have resolved the cited abuse and neglect issues.

South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan expressed concern for this system, saying that uneven monetary penalties and abuses citations could affect facilities in his region. 

Rep. Duncan said, “…I feel CMS needs to fully solve the CMP and abuse reporting issues first before we go negatively labeling facilities online. If facilities in the Southeast region don’t get relief soon, we’re going to be in a tight spot.”

Nursing home abuse is real

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines elder abuse as “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.”

This can take many forms, including:

  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • emotional and psychological abuse
  • neglect
  • financial abuse
  • failing to call emergency services

The new icon system being used by CMS is a new recognition that abuse happens in nursing homes and that the government takes the issue seriously.

Contact a South Carolina nursing home abuse attorney 

If someone you love has been abused, you can contact our Greenville nursing home abuse lawyers for a free consultation today to find out what your next steps should be. Let the Dan Pruitt Law Firm help you today.

What to Do If You Are a Passenger in a Rideshare Accident

As auto accident attorneys here in South Carolina, we receive a number of questions about what rights passengers have when it comes to Uber and Lyft accidents. Specifically, a number of passengers don’t know how, exactly, they should proceed if there is a ridesharing accident.

Below, we discuss some steps you should take if you are involved in one of these accidents to make sure that you preserve the opportunity to seek compensation for any expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering that you experience.

 

Contact 9-1-1 and Obtain Accident Report

First, always make sure that in any accident where there are injuries and or damage to property such as vehicles you call 9-1-1 to the scene of the accident. This is important so that the scene is secured and the police interview everyone to find out what happened. From there, the police will make a determination that is documented in an accident report. This report is very important for your accident attorney to use in negotiations with the ridesharing company’s insurance firm, especially if their driver was at fault.

 

Choose the Right Auto Accident Attorney & Remaining Silent

Note that companies like Uber have $1 million insurance policies set to apply when a passenger is involved in an accident. Still, the company will likely resist paying any damages you have suffered, which makes speaking with an accident attorney absolutely necessary. As with any other accident, make sure you do not make any statements that could possibly be interpreted as admitting that you are OK and/or at fault for the accident, or offering or accepting a settlement until you speak with your attorney. This same rule also applies to social media: it is important to avoid discussing the accident on your social media post until your potential case is resolved.

 

Document Everything and See a Doctor

Also remember that, just like in any other accident, you want to make sure that you take pictures of everything, including any damage to vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, signs, and other details. Similarly, write down and record any recollections you have of the accident, including every detail, such as whether your driver was distracted or breaking the speed limit when the accident occurred. If you were injured, make sure that you are treated within 24 hours of the accident so that any related injury is treated and documented in your records. Keep in mind that some injuries do not show symptoms until some time has passed after the accident, such as whiplash or certain types of concussions.

 

Contact Our Greenville, South Carolina Auto Accident Lawyers

Major car accidents can lead to a significant amount of suffering, and healing can take a long time. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you want to make sure that you consult with an experienced car accident attorney.

The Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm has an experienced Greenville SC Car Accident Lawyer that can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

One of the Worst Kinds of Auto Accidents: A Child Left in a Hot Car

There is a different type of car accident that often occurs here in South Carolina and that includes a child being injured or killed after being left in a hot car. Accidents like these frequently lead to children dying of hyperthermia; characterized by high body temperature that occurs due to being left inside a hot vehicle.

In early August, this, tragically, happened in Colleton County, leading to two individuals associated with the Colleton County School District being arrested. This particular individual was a 13-year-old special-needs child. However, a total of six children reportedly died in hot cars in South Carolina, and 52 nationwide in 2018, with South Carolina leading the nation with the highest numbers. Five of these deaths were associated with caregivers leaving children behind in vehicles. 

 

Justice & Options for Families

In circumstances like these, in addition to the state charging those responsible with criminal charges such as manslaughter, the families of loved ones who are harmed can sue the individuals and/or facility associated with the accident for negligence/neglect, as well as related claims such as negligent hiring and false imprisonment. Anyone who operates a facility that transports children is responsible for maintaining a driver’s log documenting all children that are in the vehicle so as to ensure that all of them are also taken out upon exiting the vehicle. Even if the temperature outside is around 70 degrees, the temperature inside a vehicle can easily increase 40 to 50 degrees above this. Children heat up five times faster than adults, and a car essentially acts like a greenhouse, where organs begin to shut down when one’s body temperature reaches 104 degrees.

Still, given how many children are now regularly dying due to being left in hot cars, many children’s advocates are calling for more to be done, such as mandatory alarm technology that would alert drivers to children being left in their seats; a requirement that is now the subject of a federal law, the Hot Cars Act of 2019. Still, even in vehicles that have passenger safety alarms, drivers can still exhibit negligence by turning them off without first conducting a visual inspection.

 

Preventing These Tragedies

Experts recommend the following to ensure that you do not forget a child in a hot car:

  • Leave something with the child that you won’t leave behind, such as a cellphone
  • Set a reminder on your cell phone
  • Ensure that your daycare alerts you if your child is not present at certain times
  • Keep a stuffed animal in the front seat with you to remind you that your child is in the back car seat
  • Install car seat technology that alerts you when a child has been left in the car

 

Contact Our South Carolina Accident & Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you live in South Carolina and have been injured or lost a loved one due to negligence in an auto accident, contact our experienced Greenville personal injury and wrongful death attorneys today to find out how we can help.

Everything You Need to Know About Brain Injury Laws in South Carolina

brain injury laws

Around 2.5 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries every year, and this number is on the rise. In fact, between 2006 and 2014, the number of TBIs each year rose by an astonishing 53%!

These injuries can occur in a variety of different places – on the road, at home or in the workplace – and their consequences can be devastating. Often they occur as a result of an accident, meaning they might not even be your fault.

If this is the case, then it’s important to know where you stand with brain injury laws. Securing compensation could provide some much-needed financial relief while you recover.

So let’s take a look at how brain injury law and a traumatic brain injury attorney could help you today! Read on to find out more.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries occur when a person receives a sudden head trauma, which results in brain damage. Often something like a jolt or a blow can cause this trauma.

While traumatic brain injury sounds very serious (which it can be) there are several degrees of trauma that a person can sustain.

One of the most common TBIs is a concussion, which is a mild level of injury. When this happens the patient usually remains awake during and after the trauma. Nevertheless, a concussion can result in some very unpleasant side effects including:

  • Dizziness
  • Memory loss
  • Impaired balance
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Vision problems
  • Mood swings
  • Confusion

These can last anything from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the injury.

Moderate TBIs can leave you struggling to remain conscious following the trauma. While they share a lot of symptoms of a concussion, they take a lot longer to recover from.

Severe TBIs can lead to comas. A coma can last anything from six hours to months but some comas last for years and leave the patient in a vegetative state.

The most severe TBIs are fatal. Each year around 50,000 people in the USA die from traumatic brain injuries.

How Do They Happen?

These types of injuries can occur anywhere but some of the most common causes include:

Regardless of the severity of your injury and how it came about, a TBI can have a huge impact on all areas of your life. An injury could leave you with a physical impairment, such as balance problems or difficulty seeing properly. Or it might leave you with emotional impairment, such as difficulty regulating your emotions resulting in mood swings.

All of these can massively impact your ability to work. In this case, compensation could be a huge relief. And it’s something you’re entitled to.

Let’s take a look at how this works.

Can You Sue for a Brain Injury in California?

When it comes to brain injury legal matters, you can seek compensation for your injury. However, the best way to do this depends a lot on the circumstances in which your injury occurred.

In order to start a lawsuit, you need someone to take it against. This means finding someone culpable. In some cases, this will be more straight forward than in others.

For example, let’s say, you were involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and this resulted in you receiving a brain injury. This would mean you could make a case against the driver who caused the accident.

But appointing direct blame for your TBI isn’t the only way to sue someone for it. These injuries can also be a result of a lack of due care in certain environments. If your injury should have been avoidable, then you may still be able to sue for negligence.

This process is all about finding what could have been done to prevent your injury and pinpointing why it didn’t happen. Here’s an example to help you understand the process better.

We can all agree that if someone causes an accident through dangerous driving then they are culpable for what happens as a result of this accident. But let’s say, instead, that the accident occurs because of damage to the road surface which hasn’t been repaired.

In this case, it may be possible to bring a case against the person or persons responsible for road maintenance. By failing to do their job properly – or being negligent – they have inadvertently caused the accident. So it’s possible to bring a case against them.

Product Liability in TBI Cases

In some TBI cases, you may also be able to sue a company for product liability if their product has resulted in the injury.

A manufacturer has a legal responsibility to create products that are safe to use (provided the user follows the instructions.) If a product is poorly made or fails to perform in the way it should, this can result in an injury leaving them open to a product liability claim.

For example, if a car airbag fails to go off properly during an accident then this makes a strong case for product liability. Using unsafe chemicals, such a lead, in certain products can also result in TBIs if the user exposes themselves to them for too long. In this case, it may also be possible to sue a company.

Brain Injury Laws Can Work for You!

To make a strong case, it’s a good idea to have a brain injury lawyer on your side. They know the area inside and out and will be able to advise on the best type of legal action to take.

You should also make sure to collect as much evidence during and after your injury to back up the case. Brain injury laws will support your claim but a case won’t succeed without evidence. For help collecting yours or if you have any questions on making your claim, get in touch with an experienced lawyer today!

Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm
300 Pettigru Street, Suite 100
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 280-7660