Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Attorney Matthew R. Arnold answering the question: “The insurance adjuster is saying I am partially negligent what does that mean?”
North Carolina has had its fair share of winter weather so far this season. Several bouts of snow and ice have not only led to canceled classes for students across the state, but also to hundreds of accidents as roads and interstates became too slick to safely pass.
The latest example of how dangerous frozen roads can be occurred recently when two tractor-trailers collided with one another on an icy stretch of I-77 near Statesville, NC. The accident happened around 2 in the morning near exit 42 of I-77 north.
Officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol say that the accident left all lanes of I-77 north blocked as crews had to treat the injured truckers, clean up the wreckage and investigate the cause of the crash. The accident scene was even more of a mess than normal given that one of the tractor-trailers was hauling cars, several of which ended up scattered across the interstate.
Emergency responders say that both drivers suffered injuries in the crash, but that it could have been much worse given the size and weight of the tractor-trailers. Investigators say that ice is to blame for the accident and that the crash is yet another indication of how important it is for motorists, whether behind the wheel of semis or passenger vehicles, to take precautions when out driving in wintry conditions.
Though snow can certainly be dangerous given the right road conditions, ice is by far the most dangerous and deadly of all winter weather precipitation. The reality is that drivers, regardless of their age or experience, are simply no match for roads coated in thick layers of ice.
The problem with ice is that it blocks a car’s tires from gripping the surface of the road. This lack of traction makes it difficult if not downright impossible to control the speed and direction of the vehicle, leading to a slip and slide situation that can quickly turn deadly.
Experts say that drivers should avoid driving on ice if at all possible. If driving is absolutely required, then the most important thing motorists can do to improve their odds of arriving safely is to slow down. The slower you move the more likely you are to maintain control of your vehicle. It is also critical that drivers avoid sudden turns or braking. Any quick movements will increase the chance that your car loses its tenuous grip with the pavement and can result in an injury-producing spin out.
If you, or someone you know, have any questions regarding personal injury claims, please feel free to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys and lawyers in Charlotte, North Carolina at Arnold & Smith, PLLC for a free consultation. Call at 704-370-2828 or click here for additional resources.
About the Author:
Matthew Arnold is a Managing Member with Arnold & Smith, PLLC where he focuses his practice on Personal Injury, Family Law and Business Litigation. Mr. Arnold began his career handling insurance defense litigation for several major insurance companies. He also went on to handle business litigation cases and high value mortgage fraud cases, primarily in Superior Court.
Mr. Arnold grew up in Charlotte, graduating from Providence Senior High School and continued his education at Belmont Abbey College on a basketball scholarship. After graduating cum laude he attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full academic scholarship. In his spare time, Mr. Arnold enjoys golfing and spending time on the North Carolina Coast with his wife and three young children: two daughters and one son.
Source:
“Ice plays factor in overnight accident on I-77,” published at WCNC.com.
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