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

Tractor Trailer Driver Killed in Crash

On Monday night, February 2, a tractor trailer driver was killed in Davidson County.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident happened on the U.S. 52 South when 40 year old Chauncey Bratcher was operating a Southeastern Freight Lines tractor trailer. For reasons as yet unknown, Bratcher did not reduce speed when ahead of him another tractor trailer also belonging to Southeastern Freight Lines had been stopped for Department of Transportation work. Bratcher drove straight into the rear of the stopped tractor trailer.

Bratcher was killed but the driver of the stopped tractor trailer was not injured.

Following the crash a hazmat crew had to attend the scene as a corrosive material had spilled on the roadway and this meant that U.S. 52 was closed in both directions for several hours.

According to the Highway Patrol no charges have been filed.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

What are the Issues with Driving After Drinking?

Driving after drinking is not a good idea as alcohol actually depresses the activity in your brain. It is also against the law.

Alcohol affects your driving in a whole variety of ways including impairing vision and reduced concentration and reaction times. It also makes you feel more relaxed and drowsy and can even lead to you falling asleep at the wheel. Multi tasking becomes more difficult as does driving within the lane without veering to one side or the other. Finally it can lead to over confidence which results in risky decisions which could lead to an accident.

Unfortunately, if you have been drinking alcohol, your perception of reality may have been altered and many people feel that they can drive safely and will be unaware of how much their ability to drive has actually been affected.

The safest thing to do, for yourself, your passengers and other road users is not to drink and drive.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

Man Died in Single Vehicle Traffic Accident in Davidson County

On Wednesday night, December 2, a man died in a single vehicle traffic accident in Davidson County.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident happened at around 9.30 p.m. in the 12000 block Old U.S. Highway 52 in Midway, just inside of Davidson County and about a mile from Forsyth County.

Andrew Newton Fitzgerald, aged 36 and of Lexington, was driving a Ford F 250 southbound and took a curve at too high a speed. He then crossed the median, ran off the road to the left, up an embankment and struck a tree. When first responders arrived he was already dead.

Troopers are still investigating but at this time they have cited speed as a factor and will carry out toxicology analysis to discover whether alcohol was also a factor in the accident.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

How to Drive in a Blizzard

Before you set off to drive and you anticipate blizzard conditions ensure that you have all of the blizzard survival items. These include extra engine coolant and no freeze windshield solvent, a shovel, some sort of traction assistance such as sand or kitty litter, warm clothes including gloves, boots and a blanket, non perishable food, candles and matches, a torch and flares, jumper cables and a cell phone.

Only make a journey in a blizzard if it is really essential and let someone know when you leave, where you are traveling and when you expect to arrive.

Drive slowly and avoid sudden stops as these might cause a skid. At the same time ensure your headlights and windows are all free of snow and check the rear window as many cars shut the defroster off after a few minutes so you will need to activate it again.

Make sure that everyone is wearing seat belts and be prepared to take extra time to reach your destination so that everyone arrives safely.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

Young Woman Killed in Two Vehicle Collision

On Tuesday evening, October 13, a young woman was killed in a two vehicle collision on the Interstate 85 South near Thomasville.

According to the Highway Patrol, the accident happened near Exit 103 to Thomasville just before 8.30 at night. Twenty one year old Taylor Chafatelli, of Elon, was driving back to Catawba College in Salisbury and began to pass a tractor trailer. However as she was passing it she appeared to lose control and drifted into the tractor trailer’s lane and the wheel of the semi hit her passenger side. Her car then slid under the tractor trailer and hit the guardrail several times, and spun out onto the highway. The car then hit the guardrail once again, and Chafatelli, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, was ejected. She died at the scene.

Officers are still investigating what caused her to drift out of her lane.

There is no word on other injuries.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

Two Teens Injured in Single Vehicle Accident

On Saturday, September 26, two teens were injured in a single vehicle accident in Silver Valley.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the accident happened shortly after 9.30 p.m. on N.C. Highway 47 near Shiptontown Road just over five miles northwest of Denton. Christopher Allen Everhart Jr., aged 18 was driving a 2000 Ford car with one passenger, 17 year old Chance Hammond. They were headed south on N.C. 47 in the direction of Denton when Everhart lost control going round a curve and the car crossed the center line and smashed into a tree on the passenger side.

Both the teens were unable to get out of the vehicle and the extrication took a long time due to the heavy damage sustained to the car. They were both taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem in critical condition.

Police believe Everhart was driving at 70 miles an hour when the accident happened and the speed limit was 55 mph. Neither he nor Hammond was wearing seat belts and it is not known whether drugs or alcohol were factors. Police went on to say that charges are pending.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

Seven Injured in Serious Accident on Interstate

On Monday night, August 10 there was a serious accident on the Interstate 85.

According to Gastonia Fire Department the accident happened at around 7.30 p.m. on the southbound I 85 near exit 17. A car was travelling with seven passengers at high speed and being driven by 24 year old Timothy Medlin. He lost control on a curve, hit a guardrail and the car overturned and eventually came to a stop in the woods.

All of those in the vehicle were injured and some seriously although Carolina Highway Patrol said that the fact that all had been wearing seat belts and the youngest was strapped into a child safety seat had prevented the injuries being more serious.

Medlin had severe leg injuries and went straight into surgery. James Davidson, aged 17 and 16 year old Samantha Meckola, both of Gastonia, had non life threatening injuries and 17 year old Michael Crank, also of Gastonia was released after treatment.

There were three younger children in the car, aged four, six and 14 and there all had non life threatening injuries and were transferred to the Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolina’s Medical Center.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

Settlement Reached in North Carolina State Fair accident

A judge has now approved a settlement in the worst accident ever at North Carolina State Fair.

The Gorham family was among several people seriously injured in October 2013 when the Vortex Ride malfunctioned, and the settlement, the amount of which is not known, has been made between them and Powers Great American Midways who is the company that puts on the fair. The Gorhams had been asking for $150 million, and had previously settled with the ride operator.

The accident happened when the Vortex ride started unexpectedly as people were getting off it at the end of the ride. Several people were injured including Anthony and Kisha Gorham, Justen Hunter and Shykema Dempsey. Anthony suffered the most, with severe injuries to his brain and spine and he is still in hospital unable to work. He has already racked up half a million dollars in medical bills, has lost sight in one eye and may lose the sight in his remaining eye.

Early on in the investigation both Vortex operator Tim Tutterrow and the ride’s owner, Josh Macaroni were arrested for tampering with safety features and assault with a deadly weapon.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina accident, please call the Charlotte 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 how we can help you.

Auto Accidents

Auto accidents destroy take too many lives, in the U.S., every day. Those who survive are often left with devastating injuries and the loss of loved ones who were also involved in the crash. For all the money we pay them, the insurance companies thank injury victims by trying to deny or underpay legitimate claims. Our Charlotte auto accident claims attorneys will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you and your family can get the full compensation that you deserve.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents

A thorough investigation is necessary to determine the true cause of your accident so that we can pursue all avenues of compensation for you. Common causes of auto accidents include:

  • Distracted driving, including texting and other device use
  • Speeding or excessive speed for the weather or traffic conditions
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Failure to yield
  • Failure to use turn signals
  • Unsafe passing
  • Following too closely
  • Intoxication
  • Defective vehicle
  • Defective roadway

Defective Vehicles

Defective vehicles do not always cause accidents. Sometimes they cause injuries to be worse in accidents that have another cause. Defects that make injuries worse are called crashworthiness defects and include:

  • Defective seatbelt
  • Faulty airbag
  • Collapsing seat back
  • Defective window glazing
  • Poor roof crush resistance
  • Fuel system defects
  • Dangerous design

If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident or if someone you love was killed in a North Carolina crash, please call the Charlotte auto 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 how we can help you.