Man Killed When Unoccupied Tractor-Trailer Runs Him Over At Construction Site

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a man was killed after being hit by an unoccupied tractor-trailer at a residential construction site in Steele Creek Tuesday. 

Police identified the victim as 57-year-old Lynn Patterson. They said Patterson had just finished loading a skid steer onto a trailer, when the attached tractor started rolling backward and hit him.

Police said he died at the scene. 

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over Bessbrook Road around 1:30 p.m. and could see what appeared to be a logging truck blocking the road. 

Officers are still investigating the accident and asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600 or Detective Pressley at (704) 432-2169.

Car Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyer Charlotte North Carolina

Car Accident Article: Car Accidents & Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

American society is plagued by self-induced stress. Should this be something we pop pills for? Retrospectively, society accepts the unhealthiness of prior forms of medicated stress relief. It is generally accepted that smoking, for example, causes more problems than it relieves.

Why does America swallow anti-anxiety medication so freely, without worrying about harmful side effects?

These are powerful drugs that target chemicals in the brain. Medication should be the last resort in any anti-anxiety therapy. First, people who suffer anxiety should be proactive and try to resolve their concerns. One example of a disorder that is suddenly widely prescribed is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD was first recognized as a serious problem among veterans returning from war. These men suffered cold sweats, panic attacks, nightmares, and compulsive behavior as a result of near death experiences and the mental anguish of war.

Some doctors are now claiming that this same level of shock is regularly induced in car accidents, they cite numbers as high as 9% of car accident victims suffer “significant post-traumatic stress symptoms”. A few years ago, I was in a rather serious car accident, and I experienced symptoms like these medical journals described. I would often upset myself by dwelling on the accident.

I displayed obsessive behavior in that I avoided left turns wherever possible, even on deserted streets. I could not manage this out on country roads, but in the city grid I was careful to take three right turns instead of making just one left. Riding in a car that slams on its breaks still causes me to spin around and look behind for the car that always seems to be on the verge of collision.

Was this Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

As annoying as these symptoms were, I find it would take a rather presumptuous hypochondriac to insist that these small neuroses could rival the intense stress of a veteran returning from the horrors of war. Perhaps I was stressed and absorbed by my experience, but I certainly never needed medication. What I did need to do was to be proactive.

I worked with the insurance companies to work out the claims. I spoke with my lawyer and found someone who wanted to buy and rebuild my totaled car so I did not have to consign it to a junkyard. I took responsibility for the situation and did not let it take control of me. It did hurt to think about my car for months, but I don’t obsess about it anymore.

If you feel overwhelmed by a car accident experience and all of your real medical needs are met, you do not need a doctor. Talk to a lawyer about your situation and be proactive about filing papers and taking action. I felt overwhelmed after my car accident, but talking to an experienced car accident attorney helped me to answer my questions, address my doubts, and quell my anxiety. No pills required.

Car Accident Lawyer Legal Advice

Car accidents are currently the number one killer of people between the ages of 1 and 37 in the United States. Car accidents, crashes, and collisions cause about 3 million injuries a year, 2 million of which are permanent and crippling injuries per year. 40,000 people die in car accidents every year in the United States alone.

The Department of Transportation reports that most of these car accident deaths can be avoided. About 40% of car crash fatalities involve drinking alcohol and driving. Many accidents involve some combination of alcohol and speeding. Additionally, seatbelt use is only around 68% despite the proven fact that seatbelts protect drivers and passengers and save lives. In more than half of all car accident fatalities, the deceased were found not to be wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

Reckless and drunk driving is a serious offense and the law treats a car, when it causes injuries, as a dangerous weapon. When victims are injured and killed in drunk driving accidents, the driver can be charged the same as if he or she had attacked their victims with any other weapon, like a gun.

A drunk driver who kills a person can be sent to prison for murder. Such dangerous activities as drunk driving and racing are often treated casually by young people, but they do not understand the inherent risks associated with this behavior. Every twelve minutes somebody in the country dies in a car accident. If you or somebody you love has been involved in a car accident, either as a driver or as a victim, it is important to seek legal council.

Remember, if you are involved in an accident, never to apologize or accept responsibility without consulting a lawyer. Car crashes are scary, but apologizing on the scene can fix the blame on you even if the collision is another driver’s fault.

A lawyer can help you work out the necessary paperwork and protect you from accusations and court proceedings. Insurance companies have lawyers protecting their interests, shouldn’t you?

Finally, do not panic. As drivers become more aware of their responsibilities and car companies develop safer vehicles, the percentage of deaths in car crashes has steadily declined.

Car Accident Compensation

Car Accident Compensation? Compensation for a car accident claim is quite detailed! However by simply learning some basic facts, you will eliminate some of the major obstacles that might come in your way. A car accident compensation claim is even for drivers who are the utmost careful drivers in the world as there are no guarantees that a car accident can occur. As a matter of fact, you could have some sort of accident sooner or later. Possibly the fault of someone else's stupidity.

Therefore you should know how to react in such a situation, how to avoid any problems and how to make a successful compensation claim.

I Had A Car Accident - What Should I Do?

Right after an accident you should have at least done the following - exchanged details with all parties involved: name, address, phone number, policy number and insurance company's name, car and registration plate number. If any of the drivers isn't the owner of the car he was driving, you still need that person's name, as he was driving at the time. If possible, you should write down the names, address and numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened, take any statements if possible.

As soon as possible write down all the circumstances, including the details concerning other cars: model, damage caused and received. If you have a camera, take some pictures. If you don't, it may be useful to draw a schematic picture of the accident scene, including road junctions, any traffic lights and position of all vehicles participating in the accident. If for any reasons you can't stop at the accident scene, you must report it to your insurance company within 24 hours.

Medical Assistance Even though you may feel normal right after the accident, it doesn't mean that you didn't suffer any injuries. Symptoms of car accident injuries may appear even 48 hours later. Seek medical assistance and keep a daily record of your injuries, the medication and treatment of it. Write down all your expenses, keep all bills and - if possible - all receipts as well.

What Can I Include In A Car Accident Claim?

Car accident compensation may cover numerous losses. First of all, you can make an injury claim and get compensation for any personal injuries to you or any passengers, as well as for the costs of any medical treatment.

Pain and suffering - any psychological damage may be compensated, too. Furthermore, you can claim costs for damage to your car and property, including diminution of your vehicle's value and insurance policy excess. Any loss of your income caused by the accident and even reduced job prospects in the future may be the subject of a car accident claim. Use of a replacement car or courtesy car while yours is either being repaired or evaluated, can also be compensated.

As you can see a car accident compensation claim is a very broad subject and it includes not only an accident injury claim, but much more details - important both in your private and working life. Too Many Details? All these details seem complicated when you read about them. But there is no reason why you should take care of everything by yourself. When you suffer from a car injury it's better for you to leave all the procedures to a professional personal injury specialist and let them take care of the paperwork.

You on the other hand just take care of your health, leave the other worries in the hands of a quality accident solicitor. If you were injured in a car accident, you're hurt and tired, so it's easy to forget about some important issues. That is why you should contact an accident solicitor - proficient and experienced - and let them do all the necessary work to grant you good compensation. Thanks to 'no win no fee' you don't risk any money and if you lose your claim, the solicitor pays all the fees and bills.