Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog

Experts Argue Smartphones Secret Source of Increased Auto Fatality Rate

October 18, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “If I am injured in a car accident or at work what should I do?”

We recently discussed the issue of the rising death toll in auto accidents across the country. Figures released by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration revealed that more than 37,000 people died in auto accidents in 2016. The stunning figure represents not only an increase over the previous year, but a substantial increase when compared to only two years prior. In fact, traffic fatalities in the U.S. have leaped by an astounding 14.4% in the past two years alone.

Traffic Deaths Jump For A Second Year In Row

October 11, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I represent myself on a traffic ticket?”

Last year was a bad year from a traffic and safety perspective. According to recently released numbers from the Department of Transportation, more than 37,000 people were killed in automobile crashes in 2016. That number represents a 5 percent increase over the figures from 2015. Though this one-year increase is troubling enough, it is made worse when you understand that 2015’s numbers represented a 9 percent increase over figures from 2014.

The Pros and Cons of Dashcams

September 27, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: ” What should I do if I’m injured as a passenger in a car accident?”

Though you may have heard of dashcams (dashboard cameras) before, you may have thought these were only for police officers or other public servants. Though it’s true that police officers in many jurisdictions have and use dashcams, they are not the only ones. Dashcams have become increasingly popular for ordinary drivers, seen by some as a good way of protecting themselves in the event of an accident. Rather than worry about a he-said, she-said dispute, you can simply play the video captured by the dashcam and put the dispute to rest. Though there are important potential benefits of dashcams in a personal injury context, there are also some negatives that should be weighed when deciding whether to invest. To learn more, keep reading.

Illinois Supreme Court Takes Steps To Tighten Rules Regarding Jurisdiction

September 20, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

For those not in the personal injury world, issues involving jurisdiction (which deals with the place where a legal matter will be heard) may seem unimportant. After all, if you’ve been hurt, what would it matter where you bring the claim? An injury is an injury and the result should be the same wherever you go. Though that may be true in a perfect world, the reality is that the forum your case is heard in can matter a great deal to the ultimate result. It’s for this reason that personal injury cases, especially large class-action cases, tend to geographically cluster.

Georgia Injury Case Holds Employer Liable For Contractor’s Actions

September 13, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

A terrible case in Georgia appears to have resulted in a massive penalty for one of the country’s largest rental car companies, Avis. The case shows that though corporations often try and evade liability by labeling contractors as “independent”, this trick is not entirely effective in eliminating legal risk, even for companies as large and wealthy as Avis.

Why Equifax May Soon Find Itself In A World Of Hurt

September 6, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What if I am unable to work following the accident, as a result of my injuries? Will I be able to recover my lost wages?”

Data breaches have, unfortunately, become a far too common occurrence. It seems like every other day the news is reporting some company, big or small, has released sensitive details about its customers. In small breaches, maybe hundreds or thousands of people are impacted. In big ones, millions could find themselves harmed. Recently, the credit-reporting agency Equifax revealed a massive data breach impacting nearly 140 million individuals. The data breach is one of the largest in American history and has already resulted in speculation about the various forms of liability Equifax may soon face. To explore some of the potential causes of action against Equifax, keep reading.

Johnson & Johnson Sustains Major Loss

August 23, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

What started years ago as a single claim against Johnson & Johnson has snowballed into a potentially multi-billion dollar legal mess. A recent jury verdict in California amounts to a major defeat for J&J regarding the potential harm caused by its popular baby powder. Experts say that the recent result is likely to make problems even worse for the company, as more and more injured victims come out of the woodwork. J&J appears to hope that by using some procedural issues it can make the filing of claims more difficult and reduce potential payouts.

Nursing Home Residents Appear Poised To Lose Their Day In Court

August 16, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What information will be helpful for my nursing home negligence claim?”

It’s been bad news recently for those residing in nursing homes or with loved ones in nursing facilities. After a seeming victory last fall, when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that a new rule would go into effect banning the use of arbitration agreements, there was an important setback earlier this summer. Residents and those working to change the broken system were disappointed to learn that CMS would not continue to push for implementation of the new rule banning arbitration agreements, but would instead craft a new measure, one that helps nursing facilities deny residents and their loved ones access to the court system.

What is joint and several liability?

August 9, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “Should I file the property damage claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or with my insurance company?”

When most people are involved in an accident they do not spend time thinking about how liability will be apportioned amongst the defendants. Instead, plaintiffs in personal injury accidents are busy thinking about when they will return to work and how they will pay their mounting medical bills. Though it is understandable that personal injury victims have other more important things on their mind, liability apportionment matters a great deal and is crucial to ensuring the accident victim receives the compensation he or she deserves. To learn more about how financial responsibility for an accident is divided among defendants, in North Carolina and elsewhere, keep reading.

Speeding Continues Killing Thousands Each Year

August 2, 2017 | AS Personal Injury Lawyers

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Can I represent myself on a traffic ticket?”

With the number of auto accident fatalities rising, many have been eager to identify the source of the increase. Some have blamed the increasing prevalence of smartphones and the attraction of text messaging. Others say that the rise can be attributed to a more general increase in the number of people on the roads. Still others blame pedestrians and bicyclists, saying that their distraction as well as increased presence on roadways is leading to higher numbers of deaths.