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Fatal Car Accident in Loris South Carolina

Wearing your seat belt is one of the most important things you can do to save your life in the event of a car accident. As a matter of fact, 63% of people who are killed in car accidents were not wearing a seat belt. Lisa Norris Causey of Loris, SC is one of the most recent victims of who chose not to wear a seat belt.Causey, who was only 23-year old, died Monday morning after she was ejected from her vehicle during a single car accident.

Oprah Declares April 30 "No Phone Zone Day"

The National Highway Traffic Administration reports that an estimated 6,000 people die each year in accidents caused by distracted driving. And, testing drivers are 20 times more likely to have a car accident than those who are not distracted. Oprah has teamed up with American transportation officials to launch a public service announcement informing Americans of the fatal consequences of distracted driving. Oprah's has officially declared April 30 as "No Phone Zone Day."

If You Think You're a "Supertasker," You're Not!

A recent study by the University of Utah finds that a small number of people are able to talk on a cell phone while driving a vehicle without being impaired. These people, deemed "supertaskers," make up only 2.5% of the population. The study found that driving distances increased 30% and participants were unable to keep pace with simulated traffic. Furthermore, their brake times were 20% longer, their memory declined by 11%, and their math execution fell 3%. There were also those "supertaskers," who displayed no change in their following distances, braking times, memory, or math execution. Their memory abilities actually improved by 3%.

Speed Limits: 70 Is The New 55

National posted speed limits have risen 15 mph since 1973, when 55mph was the national speed limit. Currently there are 34 states that have posted speed limits of 70 mph or higher. Speed limits continue to rise while insurers argue for slower speed limits and harsher penalties for speeding. Reports from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that highway fatalities in 2009 were the lowest since the government began keeping these statistics in 1954. Recently, Tom Tom Inc., the maker of GPS navigation devices, recently released their findings from a study on drivers' speeds. The company analyzed speed data of customers from 45 states and Washington, D.C. The company found that most drivers abide by the posted speed limits.

Make Your Car a No Phone Zone And Save Lives

Lately, you can’t turn on the news without hearing about the ongoing debate over cell phone use and texting while driving. Cell phone related accidents and deaths are at an all time high. Oprah calls it “America’s New Deadly Obsession.” That’s why Oprah has started a movement to make cars a No Phone Zone. Starting in January of this year, Oprah began her No Texting Campaign. In this campaign, anyone can sign “Oprah’s No Phone Zone Pledge” and start to break their “addiction” to texting while driving. To sign the pledge, go to Oprah.com and click on “No Phone Zone.”

South Carolina 2nd in Nation for DUI Fatalities

A recent study finds South Carolina the 2nd in the Nation for DUI fatalities. State and local police are gearing up to "crackdown" on drinking and driving by placing check points throughout the state to catch violators.

New Software Stops Teens From Texting While Driving

A new software called CellSafety has been developed by WebSafety to allow parents to monitor their children and stop texting while driving. The software is downloaded on to cell phones and gives parents the ability to monitor their children from anywhere around the world 24/7. One of its best features is its ability to disable cell phone texting systems while someone is driving. The software uses the cell phones GPS technology to disable texting once a car is going 10 miles per hour. The software is sure to put power back in parents' hands and save lives.

Machine Operator Has Fingers Amputated After Work Injury

A California Machine Operator has fingers crushed while using an unguarded press. The man filed suit against the employer and another defendant. The parties settled during mediation. The employer settled for $250,000 and the other defendant settled for $137,500, for a total reward of $387,500.

It's Not Just Pit Bulls That Do The Biting!

After Al Hammer was attacked by three pit bulls on Mrach 15, 2010, pit bull owners and breeders are speaking out. Breeders, like Kim Simmons, claim that pit bulls only become vicious when they are raised improperly. Furthermore, all dogs have the potential to be dangerous, not just pit bulls. There are state and local laws in place to protect people from being attacked by dangerous animals.

Texting Plays Role in Fatal Car Accident

With states approving bills banning texting while driving every week, it is not surprising that South Carolina is following in this trend. South Carolina currently has bills banning texting while driving working their way through both the S.C. House and Senate. Although the bills are gaining momentum, the ban may be coming a little late for some S.C. residents, including Troy Eugene Smith. Smith died on March 5th of this year after his 1998 Ford minivan was struck head-on by a texting driver. The driver admitted to texting in the moments before the accident.

Family of Woman Who Died During Radio Contest Gets $16.56 Million

In 2007, Jennifer Strange entered a radio contest called "hold your wee for a Wii" hoping she would win a Wii for her children. During the contest, participants consumed water over a brief period of time. If they urinated or vomited, they were disqualified.Strange, a 28-year old mother of 3, was one of two contestants left by two and half hours in. She had consumed about one and half gallons of water. Suffering from a severe headache, nausea, and lightheadedness, Strange quit the contest and told the station's employees that she was not feeling well enough to drive home. Employees told her to sit in the lobby until she felt better and did not contact any medical personnel. Still vomiting, Strange drove herself home. She died six hours later from water intoxication. The jury awarded the Strange family $16.56 million, which included $15.1 million in noneconomic damages, such as loss of consortium. The jury found the radio station 100% liable for Jennifer Strange's death.

Man Left to Die in Parking Lot, Family Gets $2.6 Million Verdict

Dave Dumencu died after leaving a bar and being knowcked to the ground by the bar's bouncer. Dumencu hit his head on the pavement and later died from injuries. His family sued the bar, the bar's bouncer, and the bar's manager for negligence. They were awarded $2.6 million.

Boating Safety a Must

The temperatures are rising and people are heading out to the oceans, rivers, and lakes in our communities. Boats are a huge pastime for many Charleston residents. The problem is, the more people on the water, the more calls the Coast Guard receives from boats in distress. In the coming months, boating safety is a must!

National Burn Awareness Week: Feb 7th-13th

February 7th-13th is National Burn Awareness Week. Fire and burns cuase 4,000 deaths and injuries, 60,000 people to seek treatment at hospitals, and 25,000 people to be admitted to burn centers each year. By taking steps to burn-proof your home, you can limit or prevent burn injuries to yourself and others.

You Can Make A Teen's Prom Dream Come True!

The Shelly Leeke Law Firm will be a drop cite for the Cinderelle Project. The project was designed to help high school girls who cannot afford prom dresses and accessories to be able to go to their high school dances.

FDA Issues Warning for Four Asthma Drugs

The FDA issued a warning for the asthma drugs Advair, Symbicort, Foradil, and Severent on Thrusday. All of these drugs have a risk that asthma could worsen suddenly. The risk is uncommon, but potentially life-threatening. The drugs are long-acting beta agonists (LABA) and used to lessen daily asthma symptoms. The side effects can lead to hospitalization and sometime death. Children are extremely vulnerable to the side effects.

Cars That Forbid Drinking and Driving

500 DUI offenders in Minnesota have volunteered for a pilot program where ignition interlock devices are installed on their cars to stop them from drinking and driving.