Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm - 300 Pettigru St., Suite 100, Greenville, SC 29601

How to Stay Safe When Riding Motorcycles

January 29, 2016 By

Thousands of people love riding motorcycles stating that there is nothing better than riding in the open air on two wheels. But however enjoyable and romantic motorcycle riding is, it is undeniably one of the more dangerous ways to travel. The lack of protection for the rider and passenger means that most accidents result in fatalities or serious injuries. In fact, according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than those in cars and trucks.

So how can you ensure you are safe on a motorcycle?

First, only get onto a motorcycle when you are in the right frame of mind. Those who ride when they are feeling angry or depressed may not make sensible decisions, and with motorcycles there is little room for error. In addition, do not drive too fast as around a third of the accidents which result in fatalities is due to the motorcyclist exceeding the speed limit. Driving around a curve at speed can often lead to a bike leaving the roadway and the driver being seriously injured or killed.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious car or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Please contact us today at (864) 280-7660 or contact us online, so we can schedule your free initial consultation and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Greenville driver safety

Driving In Wet Weather

November 28, 2015 By

Driving in wet weather can be difficult and far more stressful than driving when it is not raining.

It is important to follow several safety measures to avoid the risk of an accident, the most important of which is to slow down as visibility will be more limited and it also takes longer to brake.

If you are on a highway stay in the middle lane as the water is often deeper in the outside lanes and make sure you are well back from the vehicle in front. This will give you a longer stopping distance and improve visibility as there will be less spray on your windshield. You should pay extra attention to trucks and buses as they produce far more spray and only pass them if you really must.

Given that the visibility is worse keep a careful eye out for brake lights ahead of you and try not to brake too hard. You need to be more alert when driving if it is wet especially if the rain is very heavy.

Ensure your windshield demister is on as it is much easier for the windshield to mist over when it is raining outside.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious car or motorcycle accident in South Carolina, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Please contact us today at (864) 280-7660 or contact us online, so we can schedule your free initial consultation and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Greenville driver safety

Car Seat Inspection for Children

April 30, 2015 By

There will be a car seat inspection day on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at the Belmont Fire Department run by Fox Carolina, Safe Kids Upstate and Belmont Fire Department to help keep children safe while traveling in cars.

The idea is the ensure that parents are aware of the type of car seat their children should be using and also to check that they are installed properly and free checks will be offered.

Those children who are either unrestrained or not in the right type of car seat, or in one which has not been fitted properly have a much greater risk of being killed or seriously injured in an accident. In fact, according to Safe Kids Worldwide, of those children who died in car accidents in the U.S. in 2011, around a third were unrestrained.

When the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Division of Injury and Violence Prevention carried out an audit at some elementary schools in South Caroline they found a third of children were not restrained at all and just under half of the children were not properly restrained.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious car accident in South Carolina, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Please contact us today at (864) 280-7660 or contact us online, so we can schedule your free initial consultation and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Greenville driver safety

K9 Dies in Overheated Car

September 21, 2014 By

Emma, a 7 year old black Labrador and K9, died on Monday having been left in an airport security vehicle, equipped to transport a K9.

Her handler, Cpl. Chris Richau, had left her inside the vehicle with the air conditioning running to investigate an incident inside the terminal where she was not required.

Leaving an animal in a vehicle is standard procedure, and vehicles which transport K9 animals are usually equipped with a system called K9 Cold Guard, which monitors the interior temperature of the vehicle. Once the temperature becomes too warm, the horn sounds and the windows roll down. The dog cannot escape due to the mesh screen in place.

Unfortunately Richau’s cruiser was not equipped with such a device and although the temperature was only in the mid 70’s, when he came back to the vehicle, Emma was dead.

Richau is said to be devastated and whilst all K-9 cars owned by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and Greenville Police Department have been outfitted with the devices, those at the airport are not.

Rosylin Weston, airport spokeswoman, said she did not know why the car did not have the device and that before getting a replacement for Emma, she would check with the police chief to see if the department would install the device.

If you, or someone you know, have been injured in a serious car accident in South Carolina, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Please contact us today at (864) 280-7660 or contact us online, so we can schedule your free initial consultation and get you on you the financial compensation you deserve.

Filed Under: Greenville driver safety

How to Handle Driving in Wet and Rainy Conditions in Greenville

June 15, 2014 By

Among the most hazardous driving conditions Greenville motorists are likely to face, rain is probably the most dangerous. Rainy conditions present Greenville drivers with many dangers including:

  • Slippery and wet conditions
  • Reduced traction
  • Reduced visibility
  • Water pools and puddles
  • Erratic behavior by other drivers
  • Risk of hydroplaning

One of the hazards presented by driving in the rain, which is not found under any other driving condition, is the risk of hydroplaning. This occurs when the car skids across the top of a body of water, causing the driver to temporarily lose control of the vehicle.

In the following video you will see instructions on how to safely operate your automobile in wet and rainy conditions, as well as how to handle hydroplaning situations.

Ideally, area drivers would simply avoid taking to the roads when conditions were not optimal. But, as this is not practical, it is best at Greenville area drivers invest in learning how to best operate their vehicles in adverse weather conditions.

Filed Under: Greenville driver safety

Handling Tire Blowouts and Defective Tires in Greenville -video-

May 25, 2014 By

If you have ever been in a car which has suffered from a tire blowout, you know the sense of fear and helplessness which can result. But, despite the immediate shock of the situation, there are steps Greenville drivers can take to safely bring a car to a stop after a tire has blown out. In the following video, you will be presented with expert advice on how to handle a tire blowout.

Some of the most common reasons for tire blowouts include:

  • Potholes
  • Low tire pressure
  • Objects in the road
  • Defective tires

Many people would be surprised to learn that major tire manufacturers have produced upwards of five million defective tires over the past 15 years, which have been recalled from service. But, despite the recalls, it is estimated that several million of these tires continue to be used on the nation’s roads. Sadly, major tire retailers also continue to sell these defective tires.

If you are ever in an auto accident stemming from a blown out tire, be sure to keep the tire and call our office immediately. We will help you investigate to determine if the tire which caused the accident was defective. Dozens of Americans have been killed, and hundreds have been injured, in accidents involving defective tires. If you believe that you are among these victims, please contact us today at (864) 280-7660 or contact us online, so we can schedule your free initial consultation and get you on your way to financial recovery.

 

Filed Under: Greenville driver safety