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Lancaster Man Dies in Richburg Accident – Lancaster Accident Attorney

Jul 26, 2012 | Personal Injury, Uncategorized

In late June, a Lancaster man died in the Richburg ATI Allvac plant.  The Chester County coroner’s office said the man died of asphyxiation at the ATI Allvac plant just after 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The area of the plant that the man died in was filled with super-cooled liquid nitrogen where temperatures can fall to 200 degrees below zero.  ATI Allvac hasn’t released any details of the accident, which is under investigation.  ATI Allvac mill produces alloys for the aerospace and medical industries.

Lancaster and Richburg are in Lancaster and Chester Counties respectively.

The Lancaster Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in any accident, you need the help of a serious accident attorney like those at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower.  Call us at 877-374-5999, or contact us at this link, to schedule a free, private consultation.  We can help you evaluate your claim and get you the recovery you deserve.

Traffic Deaths Increase Dramatically in 2012 – What can I do to protect myself while driving?

Jul 24, 2012 | Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death

The news article below shows a shockingly high increase in the number of vehicle deaths this year, and it is only July. Vehicle accidents include those involving automobiles, large trucks or tractor trailers, and motorcycles. While the “experts” may speculate on the potential explanations for this increase in accidents and deaths, we already know that drivers are at risk everytime they are behind the wheel. With more distractions than ever, drivers can easily lose their focus on the road and end up crossing the center line. In the past, it was just stereos and talking with passengers that resulted in accidents. Today, drivers have sophisticated “computers” in their cars, cell phones, texting issues, GPS navigation, and increased traffic on the road to manage. And, of course, there is always the danger of drinking and driving. Given the inherent risks associated with driving, what can you do to protect yourself and your family? Here’s what I taught my children.  Always engage and fully utilize every safety system in your vehicle. Regularly maintain your car. Make certain all safety devices are working. Always be on the defensive. Watch for other cars and motorcycles. Always assume the worst. Always have an “escape plan.” Do not drink and then drive. Do not get into a car where the driver has been drinking. And lastly, ALWAYS…ALWAYS wear your safety belt.

The trial attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP want everyone to be aware and vigilant when it comes to driving safety. We want what you want – to get home safe and sound. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured in a vehicle accident, we are here to help. With over 75 years combined legal experience in handling serious accident and wrongful death cases, we know how to get you and family through the ordeal of your life. Compare our credentials and then call us for a private consultation with one of our attorneys. You can visit our website at www.rjrlaw.com and/or call us toll-free at 877-374-5999, even after hours or on weekends. Get your questions answered. Sleep better tonight.

U.S. traffic deaths jump 13.5 percent in 2012

  • By David Shepardson
  • Detroit News Washington Bureau

Traffic deaths in the first three months of 2012 jumped 13.5 percent to the highest number since 2008.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported Friday that its estimate of traffic deaths for the first quarter of 2012 show a 13.5 percent increase.

The estimated increase is the second largest quarterly jump in traffic deaths since NHTSA began tracking deaths on a quarterly basis in 1975 — and the biggest since 1979.

NHTSA said the rate of traffic deaths per 100 million miles of vehicle travel increased substantially. For the first three months of 2012, the rate increased significantly to 1.10 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, up from 0.98 fatalities per 100 million miles in the same period last year.

NHTSA said it estimates 7,630 people died in vehicle crashes in the first three months, up from 6,720 in the first quarter of 2011.

The increase would end a steady decline in U.S. road deaths over the last seven years.

One reason may be the very warm winter across the country meant people drove more.

First-quarter road deaths are typically much lower than the last nine months of the year largely because people drive less in the winter.

“However, the winter of 2012 was also unseasonably warmer than usual in most areas of the country,” NHTSA said in a statement. “Consequently, the fatality rate for the first quarter should not be used to make inferences for the fatality rate for the whole of 2012.”

Traffic deaths in 2011 fell 1.7 percent — their lowest number since 1949.

NHTSA said in May that 32,310 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, down 1.7 percent over the 32,885 road deaths in 2010.

Traffic fatalities had been steadily declining over the last five years since hitting 42,708 in 2005, decreasing by about 26 percent from 2005 to 2011. The decline in road deaths in 2011 is smaller than 2010, when road deaths fell 2.9 percent

Part of the increase is attributable to Americans driving more.

NHTSA noted that vehicle travel increased by about 9.7 billion miles, or about a 1.4 percent, in the first three months.

In 2011, travel on U.S. roads fell to its lowest level since 2003. Last year, U.S. drivers logged 35.7 billion fewer miles over 2010 — down 1.2 percent — to 2.963 trillion miles.

Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said the news was disappointing.

“While it is too early to draw conclusions about the data and the reasons for the increase, the strengthening economy and the warm winter may be factors,” Harsha said. “Any increase in traffic deaths is unacceptable and we remain absolutely committed to working with our partners at NHTSA and across the country to keep the roadways safe.”

SC Automobile Accident – Bar / Homeowner Liability for Drunk Drivers

Feb 5, 2012 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death

The following pending case below is a sad example of what can happen if you drink and drive. Serious injury can happen in an instant. In this case, she is left paralyzed from the waist down. This case is rather unique as it is the impaired driver herself who is suing. Certainly, there are several key defenses which will most probably end her case before it ever reaches a jury. Nevertheless, the facts highlight the need for bar owners and homeowners who serve alcolhol to be certain any customers or guests are of legal age and that they are safe to drive before leaving to get on the road. If these basis safety steps are not followed, then perhaps they should be held accountable. Tonight while enjoying the Super Bowl, please be aware of what can happen. Be Safe. Get Home.

At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, all of our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers with over 70 years combined experience. Whether it is criminal or civil, our litigators are regularly in Court fighting for our clients. Two of our firm’s partners, Art Aiken and Robert Reeves, are lifetime members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Reeves has also been named one of the Top 100 lawyers for South Carolina in 2012 by the National Trial Lawyers Organization. Our attorneys include a former SC prosecutor, a former public defender, a former NC District Attorney intern, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former insurance defense attorneys. As a result of their varied backgrounds, they understand the criminal, insurance defense, and medical aspects of complex cases. We welcome an opportunity to sit down and personally review your case. Call us today for a private consultation. www.rjrlaw.com

A South Carolina woman is suing the bar that served her alcohol as a minor the night she had a car accident that left her paralyzed.

Hess was 20 years old on Aug. 8, 2009 when she went to Jock’s Sports Grill in Beaumont, S.C. for a game of billiards, according to her lawsuit.

She alleged that she ordered an alcoholic drink at the bar and was served without being asked for identification. The legal drinking age in South Carolina is 21.

Hess accused the bar of several forms of negligence, including failure to “request and examine proof of identification,” serving alcohol to minors, and “failing to ascertain whether Plaintiff was impaired by the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the time Plaintiff purchased the alcoholic beverage.”

At about 1:05 a.m., Hess left the bar driving her own car and had a serious accident.

“The wheels of the motor vehicle Plaintiff was operating suddenly dropped off into a large unmaintained area on the shoulder of Alljoy Road, which caused Plaintiff to loose [sic] control of her vehicle and causing her to roll the vehicle over off the side of the road,” the lawsuit said.

As a result, Hess “suffered serious, permanently debilitating injuries causing the plaintiff to be paraplegic.” She blames the accident on the bar.

“The accident that resulted in Plaintiff being a paraplegic was due to and proximately caused by the negligence, recklessness, and willfulness and gross negligence of Defendant Jock’s Sports Grill,” the lawsuit said.

Attorneys representing the defendants deny “each and every allegation,” they each said in responses to the Hess’ lawsuit.

Their response lists eight possible ways Hess may have been negligent including driving while intoxicated, failing to keep her car under proper control, driving too fast for the conditions, and “failing to act in a reasonable and prudent manner.”