 If you haven't already heard: Operation Southern Shield is back in South Carolina. The operation started yesterday and runs through Sunday, July 22nd in South Carolina and several other Southern States.
Operation Southern Shield highlights speeding as a traffic violation in an effort to cut down on the amount of driving accidents and deaths related to speeding. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there were approximately 10,000 driving deaths related to speeding throughout the United States in 2016, approximately 380 of those being in South Carolina. Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee have joined the Palmetto State in Operation Southern Shield. This week during Operation Southern Shield and always, please be mindful of your speed while driving.
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 Many of us South Carolina residents frequently jump across the border to Georgia in order to go shopping, work, grab some dinner, or visit family & friends. Although it may seem an easy drive for some and of no consequence, it's important to know what you may encounter when you cross the State line while driving coming July 1st. Georgia has recently enacted a "Hands Free" Law which will take effect on July 1, 2018 and impact all drivers in Georgia.
Below we have compiled some of the most helpful explanations and tips we've found to help any South Carolina resident that may be traveling to Georgia in the near future: Everything You Need to Know About Georgia's Hands Free Law: 11 Alive What you need to know before "Hands Free" Law goes into effect in Georgia: WJBF News Channel 6 Everything to know about Georgia's new Hands Free Driving Law: WRDW News Channel 12 Outfitting your car for the Hands Free law doesn't have to be expensive: WSB-TV Please keep in mind that the Georgia Hands Free Law takes effect strictly on July 1, 2018 and there is no 90-day grace period. Please be advised that this blog does not constitute nor is it intended to be legal advice. Attorney Wil Alexander is licensed to practice solely in South Carolina. This blog post is meant as information to South Carolina Residents to be aware of the new Georgia Law when traveling into Georgia. The Law Office of William H. Alexander, LLC is located at 222 Main Street in Barnwell, South Carolina.  In short, yes, you can afford to hire a lawyer for your car wreck – no matter how much money you may or may not have to spend on a lawyer.
Most of the time when individuals think about hiring a lawyer they automatically expect expensive fees to be paid upfront or by the hour throughout representation. However, this is not how you pay for a lawyer to handle a car wreck case. Our firm (and almost all personal injury lawyers) handles car wreck claims on what’s called a contingency fee basis. This means a lawyer does not charge up front fees for representing you and rather works for a percentage (typically 33.3% - 40%) of the recovery of your case. (Click here for more detailed information on contingency fees.) Here at the Law Office of William H. Alexander, LLC car wreck attorney Wil Alexander always handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis -- so there is no need to worry that you may not be able to afford our services. We're happy to take time and talk with you about how we can help you navigate your potential car wreck claim and get you the recovery that you deserve. We hope this answers your question about whether you can afford a lawyer for your car accident claim. Remember, there's no risk to you in asking about how we might can help and we're always glad to talk through your potential claim with you. Feel free to contact us today to talk through how we can help you navigate your potential car wreck claim. Attorney Wil Alexander spoke at the Charleston School of Law Advanced Torts Summer Class on Thursday, June 14th. Fellow personal injury attorney Everett Stubbs of Gaston, Marion, and Stubbs P.A. spoke to the class as well. Topics included handling a typical car wreck case, handling personal injury cases, starting a law firm and managing/running a law firm.
 You may have heard of the "100 Deadliest Days", the period of time which spans from Memorial Day to Labor Day -- a time when there is a noticeable increase in car accidents and car accident related deaths, especially those involving teen drivers.
According to AAA.com in 2016 there was a 14% increase in individuals killed in car accidents involving teen drivers throughout the "100 deadliest days". Driving at night, distracted driving, and speed of driving are highlighted as three major contributing factors to the dangers of teen driving during this span. According to the National Safety Council half of all teens will be involved in a car wreck before they graduate high school. We encourage you to check out the AAA's and many other resources below for educating teen drivers before they hit the road this summer: 100 Deadliest Days AAA Article AAA's Guide to Teen Driving Safety TeenDrivingSource.org Practice Driving Lesson National Safety Council Teen Driving National Safety Council Safe Driving Kit By: Attorney Wil Alexander, Law Office of William H. Alexander LLC.  South Carolina is the 2nd most dangerous State to drive in the United States according to a study released today by wallethub.com.
The study ranked all 50 states in their level of safety overall for citizens, with Road Safety being one of the main categories. The Road Safety ranking compared states using 6 different metrics: -Traffic Indiscipline (a metric which uses poor driving behavior such as: phone use, speeding, aggressive acceleration, harsh braking, and poor turning.) -Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles of Travel -DUIs per Capita -Pedestrian & Pedalcyclist Fatality Rate per Capita -Road Quality, and -Driving Laws Rating Importantly, South Carolina was ranked #1 in the most fatalities per 100 million miles of travel making it the worst State for roadway fatalities. Personal Injury Attorney Wil Alexander represents individuals who have been involved in car wrecks, truck accidents, and other motor vehicle accidents throughout South Carolina. If you have questions about a potential injury claim, contact us today. Click here to learn more about 2018's Safest States in America.  Truck accidents are very common on our interstates and rural highways. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration there were 4,440 fatal crashes involving 18-wheelers and buses in 2016.
Large trucks weigh more than two and a half times the average vehicle which travels the same roads. This difference in weight affects vehicles’ ability to stop. Cars have the capability of stopping much quicker than large trucks, making it extremely important that truck drivers are aware of what is in the distance. On interstates, highways, & rural roads 18-wheeler accidents often occur because of their inability to stop in a timely manner. There are several other common reasons for 18-wheeler accidents, including:
Some ways you can lower your risk of being involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler include: keeping your distance, reporting roads that need maintenance, & reporting concerns you have about drivers you believe are not following proper protocol. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler or large truck and have questions, Attorney Wil Alexander will be glad to talk with you today. DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIALS ON THIS BLOG DO NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE . USE OF THIS SITE DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO US UNTIL SUCH TIME AS AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. 1.https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/large-truck-and-bus-crash-facts-2016  Nursing home abuse & neglect continues to be a tremendous problem throughout the U.S. and South Carolina. The U.S. is home to approximately 16,000 nursing home facilities and nearly 1.7 million beds. with South Carolina having about 187 nursing homes and 20,000 beds. 1
With the continued growth of the elderly population and expansion of elder care facilities, nursing home abuse & neglect will continue to be a growing trend. Because of difficulty in communication and oversight warning signs are often easily overlooked. Here are 5 Warning Sings of Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect you should be aware of: 1.) Bed Sores 2.) Frequent Falling 3.) Rapid Weight Loss 4.) Bruises and Fractures that are unexplained 5.) Other Forms of Neglect, including: poor hygiene & unattended medical needs Elder abuse is not only an issue at nursing homes but can also take place at assisted living facilities, residential facilities, rehab facilities, and any facility where an elderly individual is housed for a period of time. If a loved one has experienced any of the above warning signs it is important to talk with a lawyer about this potentially abusive scenario. Attorney Wil Alexander would be happy to talk with you about your situation and how our office may assist you and your loved ones.  Generally single vehicle accidents result in a vehicle striking a guardrail, tree, or flipping multiple times.
Typically individuals believe there is nothing that can be done if they (or a loved one) were involved in a single vehicle accident because the cause of the accident was likely driver error - however this not always the case. There are many causes of single vehicle accidents other than driver error & certain conditions that may lead to more severe injuries in single vehicle accidents, including: -Highway/Road Defects -Bad road conditions -Dangerous construction zones -Pools of water -Potholes -Poorly placed or lack of proper signage -Overhanging/Dead Trees -Defective car parts & products -Defective guardrails -And others If you were injured in a single vehicle accident you should take time to talk with a lawyer to help further investigate the nature of the accident. It's important to keep in mind that if you were the passenger in a single vehicle accident where the driver was at-fault you will likely be entitled to compensation for your injuries through the at-fault driver's insurance coverage and other coverage which may be available. Navigating single vehicle accidents and the potential cause of the accident can be complex. If you or a loved one has been injured in a single vehicle accident it's important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to help investigate the nature of the accident. If you have been injured in a single vehicle accident and have questions, contact Attorney Wil Alexander today. DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIALS ON THIS BLOG DO NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE NOR IS IT INTENDED TO BE LEGAL ADVICE . USE OF THIS SITE DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO US UNTIL SUCH TIME AS AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.  About 2 in every 3 people will be somehow affected by drunk driving in their lives.2
In 2014, 329 of the 824 traffic fatalities in South Carolina (about 40%) were alcohol-related.1 About 1 in 4 car wrecks with teenagers involves an underage drunk driver.2 Because of statistics like these, it is important for us all to help prevent drunk driving. 4 Ways to Help Prevent Drunk Driving 1.) If you decide to drink, be sure to assign a designated driver or call an Uber. 2.) Look out for your friends by making sure they have a sober ride home if they have been drinking 3.) Talk to your children & teens about the consequences of underaged drinking and driving 4.) Learn to detect the signs of a drunk driver, and report it when you suspect someone is driving drunk. If you've been involved in an accident with a drunk driver its important to talk with a lawyer as soon as possible about your damages and injuries. There are important circumstances that may come about regarding your potential claim because the at-fault party was a a drunk driver. Dealing with car accidents - especially when the at-fault driver was drinking & driving, is a stressful and complex situation. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck involving a drunk driver and have questions, Attorney Wil Alexander, is happy to talk with you at any time. Sources: 1. (Source: http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics-south-carolina.html) 2. (Source: https://www.madd.org/the-problem/#drunkdriving) |
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