Greenville Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Blog

Pedestrians and the danger of quiet hybrid cars

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

A new study shows an alarmingly large number of pedestrians lose their lives each year as a result of motor vehicle accidents. In 2017, approximately 6,000 pedestrians died as a result of a car striking them. This indicates an increasing trend in the number of cars that hit people each year.

While there are many potential reasons for this trend, there is one source of pedestrian accidents that has increased in recent years. More people than ever drive electric hybrid vehicles, which are extremely quiet. With most vehicles, someone walking or riding a bike could hear a car approaching and have some time to react accordingly. However, if a pedestrian attempts to cross a street at night, then he or she may not hear a hybrid vehicle approaching. The quietness of the vehicles can also make the driver laxer while behind the wheel. Vehicles with standard combustion engines tend to be noisier when the car travels fast, so motorists have a sense the car is well over the speed limit. With quieter vehicles, the motorist may be completely unaware of the speed of the car, which can drastically increase the severity of injuries if involved in a collision.

What is placental abruption?

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC on Monday, July 16, 2018.

As a mother-to-be in South Carolina, you likely spend a good deal of time thinking about the health, safety and welfare of your developing baby. You also likely do everything possible to ensure that both (s)he and you have everything needed for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. No matter how careful you are, however, once you reach your third trimester, be on the lookout for placental abruption.

Placental abruption is a reasonably rare but serious pregnancy complication wherein the placenta detaches from your uterine wall prematurely, thereby depriving your baby of the oxygen and nutrients (s)he needs. At this point both you and (s)he face grave danger.

When a car crash traumatically injures your brain

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC on Friday, June 1, 2018.

As we head into South Carolina’s vacation and tourist season, the number of vehicle accidents likely will increase due to the increased traffic. Sadly, many of these accidents will result in serious, possibly catastrophic, injuries to the vehicle occupants. One of the most disastrous of these is a traumatic brain injury.

A TBI is an injury to your head or neck that causes your brain to move violently back and forth in your skull. Depending on the seriousness of this injury, your brain could become dysfunctional in some manner.

3 things to do if you know about nursing home abuse

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC posted in blog on Monday, April 23, 2018.

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, you expect the facility to provide excellent care. Unfortunately, this is not always what happens. Sometimes, your worst nightmare comes true–someone you know and love becomes a victim of nursing home neglect or abuse.

When you hear about or personally witness abuse in an adult care facility, you may wonder what you should do. Here are some important steps you should take if you want to report nursing home abuse.

3 signs of possible nursing home abuse and neglect

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC posted in blog on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Nursing homes are often an important resource and immense help for adult children with one or both parents who need specialized medical care and attention. However, sometimes nursing homes commit abuses such as neglect, and in those cases, legal intervention is necessary.

Many people do not understand what constitutes nursing home abuse and neglect. It is important to understand the definition of nursing home neglect, especially if your elderly parent or loved one is living in a nursing home. Here are three signs of possible nursing home abuse and neglect. If you encounter these signs, you should investigate further to understand whether your elderly parent is a victim.

Most common signs of nursing home abuse

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC posted in blog on Thursday, January 25, 2018.

There are plenty of reputable nursing homes in South Carolina, and many of them have earned a Top Performing rating from U.S. News and World Report. However, regardless of how good a facility may seem, you need to remain vigilant for signs of neglect or abuse.

Loved ones may not outright tell you they experience abuse in a nursing home, so you need to watch out for the warning signs. Do not hesitate to bring an attorney into the mix, even if you only suspect abuse.

How safe are South Carolina freeways?

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC posted in blog on Friday, December 15, 2017.

If you drive on the busy freeways that run through Greenville, South Carolina, then you know they can be quite hazardous. Greenville is a busy hub where interstate freeways I-385, I-85 and I-185 bring motor vehicles and 18-wheeler trucks into close contact 24 hours a day.

Navigating the interstate freeways can be dangerous, especially with long-haul truckers, poor road conditions and distracted drivers. Serious injury can result. Keeping yourself safe is important.

Driving tips for when there is snow

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC on Friday, November 3, 2017.

South Carolina gets a little bit of snow each year. Upstate South Carolina sees quite a lot of snow each year with Caesars Head State Park getting about eight inches of snow each year on average. Other cities typically see less than an inch.

Driving in snow can be tricky, especially if you have never done it before. Even if there is only a little bit of snow on roadways, you still need to be careful. You want to avoid a collision and potential injury, so follow these handy tips.

Tips for driving safely in fog

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC on Thursday, September 21, 2017.

Fog can creep up on you. It settles in quietly and covers everything in its path. It is not like a storm that announces its arrival with thunder. It really does sneak up on you. Whether it is light or thick, fog poses a danger on the road. It prevents you from having a clear line of sight and increases the chances of an accident occurring.

While you may not get a warning there will be fog when you need to drive, you can take control once you are on the road. If you run into fog, it is essential you know how to handle it so you can stay safe.

3 tips for safely driving around trucks on Greenville highways

On behalf of Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC on Wednesday, August 9, 2017.

When you are driving on Interstates 85, 185 and 385, you might be in a rush. Whether you are going to work or going to Atlanta for a night out, you need to be careful on the highway, especially around large trucks. Commercial 18-wheelers can be frustrating to share the road with at times, but it is necessary to keep some safety tips in mind when you are around them.

Driving safely around big rigs is key to avoiding accidents that can cause catastrophic injuries and death. Keep reading for the best ways to stay safe around commercial trucks with information from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.