The Personal Injury & Litigation Team of McIntosh Law Firm - 209 Delburg Street, Suite 203, Davidson, NC, 28036

Driving with Pets

February 28, 2016 By

Driving with pets means there are safety issues both for the pets and the drivers.

If there is an accident and the pets are not secured they can easily be injured as they are thrown around the car. In addition, they can escape and often owners of pets are distraught if their animal disappears in an area they do not know, hundreds of miles from home. So you owe it to your pet to ensure they are well secured or kept in a carrier which is secured inside the vehicle.

An unsecured pet can also cause injury to the driver or passengers who could be struck by an unrestrained animal in the event of an accident which can lead to injury.

Even if there is no accident, a pet which is loose in a vehicle can cause the driver to become distracted and that can also lead to an accident. They can also block the driver’s vision from the side or rear mirrors. Distraction is especially prevalent if the animal is in the front seat of the vehicle and that should never be allowed. Not only due to the danger of distraction, but also because they can be seriously injured by the air bag if it inflates in the event of a collision, in the same way that young children can be.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Driver safety

Girl Killed in Hit and Run

January 25, 2016 By

On Friday night, January 1, a young girl was killed by an alleged drunk driver in a hit and run.

According to authorities, the accident happened outside the home of 7 year old Jzabel Guadalupe on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Sharpe Street in Lexington She was found lying in the street with serious injuries and taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where she died on Sunday morning.

The van which hit her was being driven by Jose Villicana who fled the scene immediately after the accident. Police officers found him still in his van around a mile from the scene and he was arrested on several charges including DWI and felony hit and run. He is currently being held in the Davidson County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

According to the Lexington Police Department, Villicana was a repeat offender and he was also driving with a suspended license.

Lexington Police are still investigating the case and detectives are working with the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office for further charges.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

How to Carry out a Hill Start in an Automatic Vehicle

December 29, 2015 By

Many people are nervous about hill starts when using an automatic car however it is really quite simple.

On a small incline an automatic car will not roll backwards, but if it is a little steeper this is the only time you should use two feet on the pedals with an automatic vehicle. After you have stopped on the hill, move your left foot onto the brake pedal. Then, move your right foot onto the gas and gently apply pressure. Slowly ease off the brake while applying a bit more gas and pull away. Never use two feet on the pedals in other circumstances as it can lead to confusion, panic and an accident.

Another option, rather than using two feet on the pedals is to use the emergency brake. Stop on the hill, and then put the emergency brake on. Then take your foot off the brake pedal and move it to the gas pedal. Slowly apply the gas and at the same time release the emergency brake gently.

Remember do not be so involved in moving forward that you forget the normal safety measures such as checking the mirror for vehicles behind and looking carefully to both sides.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Driver safety

Two Vehicle Crash Kills Hendersonville Man

November 28, 2015 By

On Friday evening, November 6, a two vehicle crash killed a man from Hendersonville.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident happened just before 6 p.m. at U.S. Highway 64 East and Interstate 85 in Davidson County. A 2002 Buick Park Avenue was going east on U.S. Highway 64 and being driven by 50 year old Misty Pierce of Thomasville. According to witnesses there were no headlights illuminated on the vehicle. At the same time a 2014 Ford Fusion, being driven by 20 year old Nikole Sullivan, of Greensboro and the niece to Jerome Sullivan, was crossing over U.S. 64 and merging onto the I-85 ramp when the two vehicles collided.

Jerome Sullivan, aged 44 of Hendersonville was the uncle of Nikole and he was not wearing a seatbelt. He was not ejected but suffered critical injuries and was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Health – Lexington Medical Center where he died.

Nikole Sullivan and one of the other passengers in her vehicle, 60 year old Carmen Rodriguez, also of Hendersonville, were taken to local hospitals and treated and released. Pierce went to Lexington Medical Center with non life threatening injuries.

The accident is still under investigation and so far no charges have been issued.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

Why Should You Wear a Seat Belt

October 29, 2015 By

Quite simply wearing a seat belt can save your life and reduce the risk of serious injury. It is estimated that more than 15,000 lives a year are saved in the United States because drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts. People thrown from a vehicle are four times more likely to be killed than those that remain inside the vehicle.

Lap and shoulder seat belts are created to spread the force of any impact over a wide area of the body thus reducing the stress on any one area. They are designed to have contact with your body at the strongest parts and for adults and older children this is the hips and shoulders. In the event of a crash the shoulder part of the seat belt will help to keep your head and upper body away from all the hard parts of the vehicle, such as the dashboard and steering wheel. Children, however, need specialized protection, depending upon their age, and should always travel in a child safety seat or booster seat until they are old enough and tall enough to use the normal car seat belts.

Making sure you are wearing your seat belt correctly is critical to your protection. The lap strap should fit snugly over your hips and upper thigh area and not ride up on your stomach, which could cause serious injuries in the event on an accident. The shoulder belt should rest snugly across your chest and shoulders and between the breasts. Never place the strap under your arm, behind your back, or let the strap fall across your neck and face.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Driver safety

Two Brothers Died in Light Aircraft Crash

September 30, 2015 By

On Wednesday afternoon, September 2, two brothers died in a light aircraft crash in Davie County.

According to authorities the accident happened around 2.30 p.m. at 1105 Fork Bixby Road southwest of Advance near the Twin Lakes Airport. The brothers, David and William Stubblefield of Knox Couty in Tennessee were visiting someone in North Carolina who flies out of the Twin Lakes airport.

The aircraft, which was experimental with a single engine, took off and circled at about 500 feet before it began a shallow bank to the left then descended and crashed near the end of the runway, next to a lake with the engine and other parts of the plane actually in the water of the lake.

Both brothers were killed on impact.

The crash is now under investigation by National Transport Safety Board officials and it is thought is will take around nine months.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Aircraft Accident

Thomasville Man Killed in Single Vehicle Crash

August 26, 2015 By

Early on Saturday morning, July 25, a man was killed in a single vehicle crash.

According to Thomasville police, the accident happened shortly before 6 a.m. on Pineywood Road near Sunset Drive in Thomasville. A 2006 Buick Lacrosse being driven by 39 year old Ramon Orienthio Rashaad Banks, of Kroll Lane, Thomasville, was traveling southwest on Pineywood Road at around 80 mph. Banks lost control at the curve on Pineywood Road which is situated just past Sunset Drive. He overcorrected and left the roadway running straight into a utility pole.

The Davidson County Medical Examiner pronounced Banks dead at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and a toxicology report is pending to check if Banks was impaired at the time of impact.

Banks leaves behind his fiancée, Angella Nelson and two sons, Cameron Nelson and Tavarius Banks.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an auto accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

Two People Died Fleeing From North Carolina Police

August 11, 2015 By

On Sunday August 2, two people died fleeing from North Carolina Police.

According to authorities, the accident happened at around 1.30 in the morning when Cornelius police officers stated that a car was speeding in the 19000 block of West Catawba Avenue. Officers tried to pull the car over at the intersection of Bethel Church Road and Jetton Road but it sped off.

The driver of the car was 24 year old Andrew Mark Krolikowski of Huntersville and he nearly hit another police car near the intersection of Jetton Road and West Catawba Avenue. Officers then decided to call off the pursuit, but some minutes later they found the vehicle which had crashed into a tree on Jetton Road near Meta Road.

The car was engulfed in flames and although Cornelius Fire Department worked to put out the flames Krolikowski and his passenger, 24 year old Jason Ray Monroe of Charlotte, were both found to be dead inside.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in an auto accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Auto Accident

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

April 28, 2015 By

In general, truck drivers are among the most experienced and highly skilled drivers on the road. Truck accidents are often the culmination of a number of factors, and in the majority of truck accidents the trucking company can be held responsible, even if truck driver negligence was the cause of the crash. Truck accident cases are very complex. Our Concord truck accident attorneys are here to help you win.

Truck Accident Causes

Common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Truck driver fatigue
  • Unrealistic schedules imposed on truck drivers
  • Speeding
  • Excessive speed for the weather or traffic conditions
  • Distracted truck driver
  • Intoxication with alcohol, prescription medications, or recreational drugs
  • Inexperienced or inadequately trained truck driver
  • Improper loading
  • Inadequately secured load
  • Overweight truck
  • Inadequately maintained truck
  • Defective truck or equipment
  • Defective roadway, such as missing or inaccurate height or weight limit sign
  • Negligence of other drivers who may or may not be involved in the crash itself

Truck accidents require extensive investigation by experienced truck accident attorneys. Police reports and evidence gathered at the scene can only paint a piece of the picture. Crucial evidence is often found in the paperwork and records kept by the truck driver and the trucking company.

If you or someone you love has been have been seriously injured in a truck accident in North Carolina, please call the Concord truck accident attorneys of the McIntosh Law Firm at (704) 892-1699 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about you rights and how we can help.

Filed Under: Personal Injury, Truck Accident