Statistics and Statutes Relevant to South Carolina Motorcycle Accidents

The vast majority of motorcycle owners are defensive drivers who recognize the dangers of using this type of vehicle. Unfortunately, other negligent drivers on the road can easily turn a Sunday ride into a life-changing experience.

As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to perish in a traffic accident than riders in a traditional passenger vehicle. Cleary, motorcycles do not offer the same level of protection as cars and because of this, motorcyclists face real dangers when out on the road.

Your Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorney at [firm-name] would like to remind South Carolina motorcyclists about the importance of safety as well as inform them about statutes relevant to motorcycle accidents.

Motorcycle Collisions Statistics in South Carolina & the U.S.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety-Quick Facts

  • In South Carolina, there is one motorcyclist killed every 3.1 days.
  • There were 116 motorcyclist fatalities in 2017.
  • There were 2,278 motorcycle collisions statewide in 2017.
  • Of the 2,278 crashes, nearly 2,000 individuals were injured.

In terms of national motorcycle collision accident rates, the Insurance Information Institute reveals some startling facts that all motorcyclists should be aware of, including:

  • In 2016, there were 5,286 motorcyclist fatalities.
  • In 2015, there were 88,000 motorcyclist injuries.

The importance of defensive driving techniques and the use of proper safety gear cannot be overstated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that:

  • Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%.
  • Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.
  • Helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016.

Safety tips that all motorcyclists should follow as they travel throughout the beautiful state of South Carolina include:

  • Riders should always wear a helmet with a face shield and protective eyewear.
  • Motorcyclists – like any other drivers – should never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking.
  • Protective gear and clothing such as boots, gloves, reflective tape, and leather apparel should be used to help protect the body in case of an accident.
  • Motorcyclists should avoid riding in bad weather including in heavy rain, snow, or sleet.
  • Always follow all traffic safety rules including following the speed limit.
  • Motorcyclists should drive defensively by following right-of-way rules, avoiding constant lane switching, signaling well in advance, and watching out for turning vehicles – especially left turning vehicles.
  • Drivers should be licensed and take safety riding courses to develop their driving skills.

If you or a loved one have suffered a motorcycle accident, seek the Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorney of The Law Office of William J. Luse to begin the process of securing your recovery.

South Carolina Laws Regarding the Safe Operation of Motorcycles

Keep the following laws in mind to lawfully operate your motorcycles safely on South Carolina roads. These statues can also be used for reference when determining liability in a fatal motorcycle collision.

As per South Carolina Motorcycle Statues:

  • SECTION 56-5-3610. Rights and duties of the operator of a motorcycle generally.
    • Every person operating a motorcycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the drivers of motor vehicles, except as to special regulations or other provisions of law which by their nature would not apply.
  • SECTION 56-5-3630. The manner in which motorcycles must be operated.
    • Passengers are limited by the number of firmly attached seats belonging to the vehicle. If the motorcycle has two firmly-attached seats then two riders are permitted.
    • Proper sitting etiquette on a motorcycle is faced forward, legs on each side of the vehicle.
    • No individual can carry any package, object, or article that inhibits the use of two hands on the handlebars at all times.
    • No person can operate or give a ride to another if interrupting operation or control of the motorcycle or view of the operator.
    • No person can attach themselves or the motorcycle to another vehicle on the roadway.
  • SECTION 56-5-3640.Motorcycle entitled to full use of lane; riding two or more abreast; overtaking and passing; operation in other instances.
    • No motorcycle should be deprived of the use of a full lane but does not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast on a single lane.
    • If a vehicle has overtaken a lane, a motorcycle cannot overtake and pass on that same lane.
    • Motorcycles should not be operated between or adjacent to traffic in lanes.
    • No more than two motorcycles may ride abreast per lane.

South Carolina Personal Injury Laws and Statutory Rules

In the state of South Carolina, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident at hand. Personal injuries include motorcycle accident-related damages.

Under the Modified Comparative Negligence Rule, you are entitled to damages after they have been reduced according to the percentage of liability you held, except for when you are more than 50 percent at fault.

Trust in the Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorney of  The Law Office of William J. Luse to help you secure the compensation you need to begin healing.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory  Publish articles here as other bloggers are doing.

Kentucky Personal Injury Laws and the Significance of Evidence When Making a Claim

A personal injury claim is a dispute that arises when an individual suffers an injury as the result of another party’s negligence.

If you have sustained an injury as the result of a traffic accident, workplace accident, amusement park accident, sexual assault, or any other type of traumatic accident, contact the Lexington personal injury lawyer at [law-firm] today for the personalized attention your case deserves.

In the state of Kentucky, you may pursue damages against a liable party.

Kentucky Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Claim

As stated in Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140, individuals have one year from the date of the accident to pursue legal action under Kentucky’s Statute of Limitations.

Any claim made after the one-year time limit will likely be dismissed by a civil court. Personal injury claims are extremely time sensitive in the state of Kentucky, therefore, if you or a loved one have suffered a serious personal injury, it is imperative that you act fast.

What You Should Know About Comparative Negligence Law

If the defendant claims – and is able to prove – that a plaintiff holds partial liability in the accident which caused the personal injury, then the plaintiff may have a portion of their compensation reduced by the percentage for which they are at fault.

For example, if the plaintiff suffered $100,000 in damages but were deemed 20 percent at fault, they could only recover $80,000 of those damages.

The Importance of Evidence in Personal Injury

The trustworthy and committed Lexington personal injury lawyers at [law-firm] understand how to help you recover fair compensation for your personal injury claim. One of the most important steps to developing a strong claim is securing evidence.

The more (official) evidence you are able to obtain, the higher the likelihood of procuring the recovery you need to begin the process of healing. Key pieces of evidence you will want to collect include:

  • Physical EvidenceDepending on your specific case, you may be able to obtain a number of tangible objects such as clothing, tools, vehicles, equipment, and the likes, which can prove to be vital pieces physical evidence.

 

  • Evidence from the Scene of the AccidentWhether you have suffered a slip-and-fall at work or a car accident, there is likely to be evidence that an incident took place. You may be able to photograph or record video of this type of evidence to help build your case.

 

  • Documentation Documentation is just as important as physical evidence and can include a number of forms and reports such as but not limited to:
    • Your personal written recollection of the events that led to the accident.
    • Police report (in car accidents).
    • Medical paperwork and reports.
    • Medical bills and treatment expenses.
    • Insurance forms.
    • Eye-witness statements.
  • Expert WitnessExpert witnesses are individuals who may not have been at the scene of the accident but who have special knowledge in a particular field relevant to your case. Expert witnesses can provide important pieces of evidence through facts and experience, providing testimony on your behalf.

 

  • Submit a Letter of Spoliation – In certain scenarios, such as a truck accident or workplace injury, the party responsible for your injury may have access to evidence. In an effort to keep the truth from coming out, they may attempt to get rid (i.e. destroy) the evidence to hurt your claim. Your lawyer can help you to put together a letter of spoliation which requires them to preserve certain evidence pending litigation.

Not only will collecting these forms of evidence help to strengthen your claim, but they can also be used as a defense against the negligent party and any insurance company that attempts to place blame on you.

It’s important to remember, however, that if you are partially responsible for the personal injury, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of liability you hold. Quality evidence should be able to successfully limit your liability, however.

Consult the personal injury lawyers in Lexington at [law-firm] to secure your claim. Our law firm has been providing meaningful legal care for over a century and we have developed the most effective strategies to successfully obtain compensation for those who need it most.  

Kentucky has many complex laws and sets of rules pertaining to different types of personal injuries, so it is pertinent you work with a legal team who has the experience necessary to handle your unique case.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory  Publish articles here as other bloggers are doing.

Auto Accidents: Steps You Should Take After a Collision

As of 2010, there were 1.015 billion motor vehicles on the road, making it 10 times likelier for someone to end up in a car crash than in previous years. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in 2016 alone, there was an average of 102 auto accident-related deaths per day. That’s about 37,461 deaths for the entire year.

To make matters worse, the number of car crash fatalities was higher than the total amount of motor vehicle crashes in 2016. Not only are you at more risk of an auto accident in the year 2019, but your fellow passengers are as well.

Auto accidents can be traumatic, especially because they can happen at any time, without warning. People can be seriously injured and find themselves saddled with extensive medical bills, vehicle repair o replacement costs, and other expenses. That’s why it’s important to learn the precautions you can take before an auto accident and know what steps you should take if you’re hurt in a crash.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

There are multiple, necessary steps to take after a car accident:

Check for Injuries and Get Medical Help if Necessary – Though this step is obviously a given, it’s still worth mentioning. After a collision, pull over immediately and render assistance to anyone who may be hurt. Be cautious, and don’t hesitate to contact emergency assistance before trying to move someone who seems badly hurt. If you need to head to the emergency room, do not worry about skipping the following steps; your health is most important.

Exchange Contact Information – If you’re involved in a car crash, it’s in your best interest to stay level-headed and simply exchange the necessary information, without becoming apologetic or argumentative. Drivers should ask each other for their full name and contact information, driver’s license and phone number, insurance company and policy number, and any other information you think your insurance might want. You might also want to record the exact location of the accident and the make, model, and color of the other driver’s vehicle. The more information you can collect about the accident (eye-witness accounts, police statements, pictures) the better off you will be. Be careful during this process that you do not apologize for the accident or make any kind of statement about your injuries, including saying you are “fine.”

Document the Accident – Acquiring the above information is only the first step in documenting the accident. Once the police arrive at the scene of the crash, you will want to write down their name and badge numbers so that you can identify them later if necessary. Afterward, you will also want to ask for a copy of the accident report for insurance purposes. Then, take pictures of anything and everything at the accident scene, including any injuries, vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, weather, and more. This step is essential, especially if you decide to pursue a lawsuit or file a claim later on.

Notify Your Insurance Provider – You may call your insurance agent while you are at the accident, or you may wait until you have received medical attention and contacted a lawyer. Most insurance policies require that you report an accident within a certain timeframe, so be sure not to skip this step.

If you were so badly hurt in your accident that you were immediately transported to the emergency room, don’t panic. If possible, ask a friend or family member to travel to the accident site to take these measures for you. You can also contact a lawyer and have them take these steps on your behalf.

How Do I File a Personal Injury Auto Accident Claim?

There is no reason that you should have to pay for all your medical expenses or vehicle damage if you are not responsible for the crash. Plenty of people pursue personal injury claims so that they do not end up in unnecessary debt and so that they can recover any damages they incurred because of another driver’s carelessness.

The first step for filing a personal injury claim is to prove the negligence of another driver. There are four components of negligence. You must first demonstrate that the driver had a duty to care for your safety on the road. This step is easy, as all drivers have an inherent responsibility to keep all other drivers safe on the road. Then, you must provide sufficient evidence that the driver failed to uphold this duty. Careless or reckless behaviors such as texting while driving, drinking, and disobeying traffic laws can all demonstrate a violation of the duty of care. Next, you must prove that the driver’s violation directly caused your injuries. You can usually prove this step with medical records and evidence from the accident scene. Finally, you must show that your injuries resulted in significant damages. Your bills from the hospital, vehicle repair, and more can demonstrate this aspect.

A lawyer will be able to help you gather all the necessary evidence to prove all four components of negligence. From there, they can help you file a successful claim with the other driver’s insurance.

What Damages Might I Receive?

You can receive compensation, or damages, for any losses you incurred as a result of your accident. These may include:

  • Medical expenses, past and future
  • Lost wages from missing work
  • Property damage to your vehicle and other belongings
  • Rehabilitative costs
  • Disfigurement and disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • In cases of wrongful death, funeral expenses and loss of consortium

An experienced attorney can help guide you through the appropriate steps to make sure that you are not stuck paying out of pocket for anything after an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory  Publish articles here as other bloggers are doing.

Truck Accidents: The Major Causes and How to Deal with a Crash

Accidents involving commercial trucks are some of the most devastating collisions on the road. Because trucks weigh more and are larger than your standard automotive vehicle, they are harder to control and can deal much more damage in an accident.

Research from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shows that in the year 2016, there were 4,440 large trucks involved in fatal crashes. The number of total truck fatality crashes had also increased 39 percent since 2009.

Despite government regulations concerning truck and car safety, more and more people are involved in truck accidents every year. That is why it’s important to understand the major causes of truck crashes and precautions to avoid them. It also is beneficial to become familiar with the steps and measures you can take if you are involved in a truck accident, so you aren’t caught off guard if one occurs.

What Are the Major Causes of Truck Accidents?

Accidents involving trucks tend to be very complicated, because they involve many more factors than regular two-vehicle car accidents. Some common causes of truck accidents include:

Truck Defects Sometimes a truck accident occurs not because of the negligence of the driver, but because the truck was poorly maintained, or a part was defective. The most common type of truck defect is failing brakes. Other mechanical errors such as engine or transmission problems, defective steering wheels, and problems with tires and wheels have also resulted in truck accidents. If a truck is not up to code or has not been regularly inspected, the truck manufacturer, mechanic, or trucking company may be at fault for an accident.

Driver Fatigue Truck drivers often work long, grueling hours and must drive for extended periods of time with little to no break. Anyone driving that long would be exhausted and, unfortunately, many truck accidents occur because of truck driver fatigue. There are government regulations about how long drivers can drive before taking a break, but due to truck driver shortages, many drivers and trucking companies violate these laws. If an accident occurs because a driver fell asleep at the wheel, the driver or their employer may be at fault.

Employer Negligence Trucking companies have a responsibility to hire responsible, capable drivers, train them properly, maintain their fleet of vehicles, load their trucks properly, and comply with any and all government regulations. Many truck accidents can be traced back to employer negligence, if they failed in these responsibilities in any way.

Driver Error – Commercial trucks are difficult to control, so drivers should be very cautious while operating them. If a driver fails to monitor their no-zones (blind spots), drives while drunk or drugged, or drives recklessly, aggressively, or carelessly, they can cause serious accidents.

You may not be able to tell why an accident occurred or who was responsible in the immediate aftermath. For this reason, it’s smart to hire a lawyer to investigate your crash on your behalf. By looking at truck company records and the black box on the truck, they will be able to determine why your crash occurred and who was responsible.

What Should I Do After My Truck Accident?

Immediately following a truck accident, you should immediately call emergency services and check for injuries. After ensuring your safety and the safety of any passengers in the vehicle, you will need to contact the authorities. When they arrive, be sure to take down their names and badge numbers. When speaking to authorities, stick to the facts. Do not speculate about the cause of the accident, apologize in any way, or make any kind of statement about your injuries.

Next, you will want to document the accident as much as possible. Take plenty of pictures, collect eye-witness statements, and note the location and time of the accident. The more proof and documentation you can provide about the specific details of the crash, the better.

Be sure to seek medical attention even if you do not think you were hurt. Some injuries involve delayed symptoms and waiting to seek treatment can damage your ability to recover compensation later.

Finally, be sure to contact a lawyer. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, they will be able to investigate your crash, gather the necessary evidence, and negotiate with the trucking company’s insurance to get you the compensation you deserve.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory  Publish articles here as other bloggers are doing.

Cell Phones and Distracted Driving

Distracted driving causes thousands of car crashes each year. While in-vehicle phone-sync systems assist with hands-free use, many people think these technological advancements are indicative of safety improvements as well. Unfortunately, hands-free technology is more about convenience than safety. Studies examining the distracted brain call into question how effectively drivers can actually multitask. Ultimately, when it comes to safe driving, avoiding all distractions and focusing on the road is the best way to ensure the safety of all people.

Pledge Programs

Since smartphones have become such an integral part in managing daily lives, drivers have been using them behind the wheel. Telecommunications companies and non-profits have invested in programs to raise awareness about the devastating consequences that texting while driving can have. In addition to providing practical information and victims’ accounts of the dangers, these programs often invite participants to pledge to abstain from texting while behind the wheel. Despite the popularity and engagement of these awareness campaigns, the problem persists.

Hands-Free Regulations

In attempts to curb texting while driving, many legislators have begun to implement hands-free laws. These laws, as the name suggests, requires drivers to use headphones, Bluetooth, or the audio system built into their car, to use phones while driving. Unfortunately, this solution is limited and misses the point of promoting truly focused driving.

According to a report by the National Safety Council, multitasking is more of a myth when it comes to the human brain. The study suggests that the brain really can’t perform two tasks at once. Though it can quickly switch from one task to another, it can’t process multiple activities concurrently. While hands-free cell phone use may be an improvement from dialing and texting, drivers who use their phones are still splitting mental energy between safe driving and communicating on their phone.

Solutions

Reaction time, focus, and general awareness suffer when drivers use their phones. While hands-free laws can be a deterrent, they are not the ultimate solution in safety. For many drivers the impulse to respond to text messages while driving is powerful. Despite knowing the dangers, many drivers can’t help it. An effective way to eliminate this impulse is to prevent drivers from seeing incoming texts and calls while behind the wheel.

Cell blocking technology prevents incoming calls and texts from pinging drivers while they are behind the wheel. Large telecommunications companies like Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T all have developed apps for this purpose. When downloaded, the applications detect when the car is in motion, and intercept incoming texts and calls. Through the app, users can customize automatic responses to incoming calls and texts that they receive while driving. While cell blocking apps have proven to be a useful way to prevent accidents, drivers still must make a concerted effort to dedicate themselves to focused driving.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory  Publish articles here as other bloggers are doing.

What to Do if You’re in an Uber Car Accident: A Checklist

Any time you’re in a moving vehicle, there’s a chance you could be in an accident. This is true even when you’re riding in an Uber or a Lyft. Should you ever become injured through a rideshare accident, it’s important that you take a few essential steps to keep yourself safe—and to maintain a strong insurance claim.

Here’s a quick Uber car accident checklist, as compiled by a Uber accident lawyer.

Uber Car Accident Checklist

  • Make sure everyone is safe. First things first: Stop to see if you or anyone else in the car is visibly injured. (For instance, look for major blood loss, visibly broken bones, or anyone who’s unable to be ambulatory.) If you need medical attention, call 911 and have them send an EMT.
  • File a police report. Whether or not anyone is injured, you’ll always want to make sure there is a police officer on the scene. Offer your testimony, as the official police report will provide a good baseline of fact should you ever end up litigating.
  • Report the accident to Uber. You can go into your Uber app and report that the ride ended in an accident—and you’ll likely get a quick reimbursement for your rideshare fees.
  • Seek medical attention. Regardless of whether you think you “need” medical attention, it’s best to head to the doctor or to a nearby urgent care. This ensures that a medical professional has a chance to check you out for hidden injuries. It also strengthens your insurance claim.
  • Follow the doctor’s orders. Do whatever the clinical professional recommends—whether that means follow-up appointments, medication, or physical therapy. This is an important way for you to make sure you recover properly—and again, it strengthens your insurance claim.
  • File an insurance claim. Who you file with depends on who the at-fault driver is; it may be with Uber or with the motorist who caused the accident. Your Uber accident attorney can advise on this. Speaking of which…
  • Work with a seasoned lawyer. Insurance adjustors will try to trip you up or to avoid paying their fair share—and frankly, dealing with them can be a hassle. One way you can eliminate the headaches is to enlist the expertise of an Uber accident lawyer.
  • Don’t talk to the insurance company without your lawyer present.Avoid making any statements to the insurance adjustor—or accepting any payments—without having your Uber accident attorney present.
  • Focus on getting well. Once you have a lawyer working for you, you can put all your attention on what matters most—making a full and speedy recovery.

Been in an Uber Accident? Here’s what you need to know By following these Uber car accident checklist and tips, you can promote a fast recovery following an Uber accident—and you can also maximize your odds of getting just compensation. Keep these tips in mind, because you never know when a rideshare experience could take an unexpected turn.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

The Auto Accident Glove Compartment Checklist

No one wants to think about getting injured in a car crash, but those who are prepared will be better off in an emergency if it comes up. From the first few minutes after an accident to weeks and months afterward, there are certain steps you should take to protect your own physical and financial well-being. Keep this auto accident glove compartment checklist handy in case of an auto accident. Read more

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

5 Kinds of Attorneys You Need at Some time in Your Life

Are you looking for an attorney that can be of great help in solving your legal issues? However, what type of attorney you are searching for. Now, there are several kinds of attorneys. The legal field is really very complex as well as large. You will discover that different attorneys specialize in different areas. That’s the reason why there are different attorneys, and whatever may be your legal issue, there’s an attorney who is an expert in dealing with a particular issue. Read more

John Barret is a blogger with the Elder Law Center of Wisconsin from the past four years. He is a law graduate in the US and enjoys writing about different legal processes, aspects of the laws, and the significance of having an attorney.

Been in an Uber Accident? Here’s what you need to know

Whether we know it or not, whether we like it or not, the collaborative consumption that makes up the sharing economy is here to stay. Now you can rent a spare room in your house to weary travelers, rent one of several shared bikes at terminals throughout large cities, or make a little extra cash driving people to and from their destinations. However, this new economic sector raises a whole new set of legal questions about responsibility and liability. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise you can’t seem to turn the corner without seeing an ad for an “Uber Accident Attorney” So, what do you do as a passenger when your rideshare driver finds themselves in a crash? Read more

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory, the best and free online attorney directory. Guest bloggers can also publish their articles here as other bloggers are doing.

The Numbers Behind Workplace Injuries in North Carolina

It can be challenging to get an accurate read on how safe or dangerous it is to work in North Carolina. For most people, all they have to rely on his anecdotes. Do they know people who have been injured in a particular industry in a particular place? Have they heard rumors that this business or manager is particularly safety conscious or tends to put their employees in danger?

When it comes to the safety of the people going to work, this is just inadequate. People need to know the level of danger and the type of danger they can expect when they go to work.

To help educate people on what safety and danger in the workplace look like in North Carolina, we’ve provided some of the facts and statistics found in the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) Occupational Safety and Health Annual Comparison Report from the most recent year of its release (2016) and provided some of the significant findings within.

North Carolina Is Safer Than Much of the Country

The first point to make is good news. North Carolina is significantly safer than many other states. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, North Carolina is among just 13 states that have fewer injuries and illnesses from the workplace than the national average.

The actual numbers, though, are still daunting. 71,000 work-related illnesses and injuries were not fatal in 2016. This translated to 2.5 such incidents in 100 employees. In other words, 2.5% of all workers in North Carolina suffered from workplace injuries or illnesses (although the severity of these incidents varied).

Industries That Are Safer and Less Safe

Everyone knows that some industries are safer to work in than others. No one would assume that an office worker is in as much danger as a firefighter, for instance. However, how do the numbers break down according to NCDOL?

The industries that saw the lowest rates of days away from work, job transfers, and job restrictions included the financial sector (at the lowest rate with 0.5 individuals per 100 workers), information, and professional and business services. Slightly higher rates were found in construction (a surprisingly low 2.2 per 100), mining, state government, and “other services.”

More serious were leisure and hospitality (2.8 per 100), trade, transportation, and utilities (3.1 per 100), and education and health services (3.3 per 100).

This list, however, is somewhat incomplete, since the mining numbers are likely so low because of the lack of mining within the state.

Where Businesses Are Failing Employees Most

The NCDOL also details the most common severe violations found in different types of business.  In construction, for instance, many of the most common severe violations are in the most critical areas. Businesses were consistently failing workers in fall protection, the use of ladders, the use of scaffolds, and providing enough safety training.

For general industries, the violations often had to do with machine guarding, communicating to workers about hazards in training and writing, and maintaining tools.

In the public sector, there were similar violations regarding machine guarding and hazard communications. There was also not enough protective equipment available for workers.

Fatalities at Work

Injuries due to work are always tragic, mainly when they are severe but even worse is when an accident results in death.

North Carolina had 48 deaths in 2016, according to the NCDOL report. The main areas these occurred in were, in order of number: struck by an object (17), falls (14), crushed by object or equipment (6), and electrocution (4). Seven workplace deaths were not categorized but include fires and explosions.

The total number of deaths represents a significant jump from the most recent comparable years (40 in 2014 and 42 in 2015). There were more deaths in each category over the immediately previous year in every category except electrocutions.

Conclusions

While North Carolina is doing better than much of the nation at keeping its workers safe, workers across the state still suffer injuries in workplace accidents every day. All workers must understand their rights when it comes to workplace accidents. Many wrongly believe that to get compensation, their employer must have been careless in some way. This is simply not true. Worker’s compensation coverage exists to help injured employees get back on their feet after an accident. You aren’t suing your employer, you’re claiming benefits from an insurance coverage that is there to help you. If you’ve been hurt on the job, you are well within your rights to inquire about these benefits that may be available to you.

Find top rated attorneys and law firms profiles with Find Attorneys Directory  Publish articles here as other bloggers are doing.