Deputies find marijuana in child’s diaper bag

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A Mooresville couple was arrested in Rowan County after deputies found marijuana in their 3-year-old’s diaper bag. Pedro Jaramillo-Garcia and his wife, Tiffany, are charged with felony drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Rowan County deputies made the arrest after a tip about a drug delivery. Full Story;

Fighting Fat | Groundbreaking procedure tested in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A device is being tested in Charlotte that some doctors say could be a life changer when it comes to treating obesity. Charlotte was the first city in the country to test it and the first patient to ever try it in the United States was a mother and a wife from Clover, S.C. Barbie McMackin and her family are trying to eat healthier. When it comes to diets, she’s tried fancy … Full Story;

Court gets possession of John Edwards sex tape

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (AP) — A video cassette purportedly showing two-time presidential candidate John Edwards and his former mistress in a sexual encounter is now in the hands of a North Carolina judge. Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones took possession of the tape Wednesday, a week after ordering that former Edwards aide Andrew Young hand over the recording. Young has penned a tell-all book … Full Story;

First-grader collects teddy bears for Haitian children

CONCORD, N.C. — The devastation in Haiti has sparked a widespread outpouring of support, including some very special care packages from a local child. When 7-year-old Alivia Burris — a first grader at W.R. Odell Elementary School — saw the children in Haiti after the earthquake, she wanted to do something different to help. She wanted to collect teddy bears for the children there. “People … Full Story;

Charlotte gets new hockey franchise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes are getting their wish’ their top minor-league affiliate is coming to North Carolina. The owner of Charlotte’s ECHL team announced Wednesday that he’s purchased the Albany River Rats and will move the money-losing American Hockey League club from New York to Charlotte for next season. They’ll be called the Charlotte Checkers — the same name the … Full Story;

Strong winds topple trees, damage homes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday’s strong winds brought several trees down, damaging homes and cars in Charlotte. “It’s just scary, really scary,” said homeowner Ernesto Maldonado. A large tree fell on Maldonado’s home Wednesday morning, leaving tree branches sticking through the wall of his children’s bedroom. The children were at school at the time and Maldonado was in a different room. “I’m glad … Full Story;

Winds create blizzard-like conditions in mountains

BOONE, N.C. — The North Carolina mountains are under a blizzard warning because of strong winds and heavy snow. Wind chills were below zero degrees in Boone Wednesday. Winds were between 20 and 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Visibility in the area was reduced to about 1/4-mile because of blowing snow. Road crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation were plowing primary roads … Full Story;

Man arrested in middle school teacher’s murder

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of a Charlotte middle school teacher. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police charged 22-year-old Ashanti Bess with murder, robbery and larceny of vehicle. Bess was taken into custody Wednesday morning when police raided a townhome at Brookshire Townhomes in northeast Charlotte. Police say someone saw 38-year … Full Story;

S&P cuts outlook on Citigroup, Bank of America

NEW YORK (AP) — Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Tuesday cut its outlook on Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp. to “negative” from “stable,” saying bond holders could take a hit if the government steps in again to support banks. The negative outlook signals the possibility of a future downgrade. However, S&P affirmed the banks’ investment-grade counterparty credit and debt ratings. S … Full Story;

NC Realtors object to disclosing compensation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The heads of Realtor associations in North Carolina’s three largest metropolitan areas want to change a rule requiring a firm to disclose its compensation when its agents work for both the buyer and seller in a home sale. The groups in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh were asking the North Carolina Real Estate Commission on Wednesday to drop the disclosure rule, The … Full Story;

Packaging machinery company moving from NC to SC

ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — A company that makes food packaging machines is moving from North Carolina to South Carolina. Bradman Lake will move from Charlotte to Rock Hill, bringing 50 jobs. Bradman Lake makes machines that do shrink wrapping as well as cartons and other products for the food industry. Both Rock Hill City Council and York County Council have offered tax breaks to encourage the move … Full Story;

11 students, 1 adult injured in school bus accident

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Eleven students and a bus driver were treated by Medic Wednesday morning after a school bus accident. It happened around 8′45 a.m. on Freedom Drive at the intersection of Toddville Road.  The accident involved the school bus and a tractor-trailer. Sixty students were on the bus at the time of the accident, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools spokesperson.  Bus number … Full Story;

Mecklenburg Mugs | Snapshot of arrests Tuesday

Remember Please be respectful of others when posting comments. Play nice. IP addresses are logged and can be banned. Full Story;

Brooklyn Decker says mom cried after learning of SI swimsuit cover

UNDATED — Matthews native Brooklyn Decker attended the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Party in New York Tuesday night after landing on the cover of this year’s magazine. “My mom cried,” the 22-year-old Butler High School grad told People.com of her mother’s reaction to the photos. “We’re all on pins and needles before the issue comes out, because the cover is something all the girls want so … Full Story;

Traffic Alert | Reports of black ice across Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There have been a few reports of black ice on Charlotte streets this morning after yesterday’s rain. Rain pooled in low lying areas and with the freezing temperatures overnight, black ice has formed. City DOT trucks are treating areas that have been called-in with salt.  Motorists are advised to be cautious, slow down and leave extra distance between vehicles.  To report icy … Full Story;

Valentine’s Day | What are your plans?

UNDATED — What are you going to do for that special person on Valentine’s Day?  Click here to tell Larry Sprinkle.  We’ll keep your name secret, so we don’t spoil the surprise, and share it on the air.   Full Story;

Businesses targeted with child pornography

MONROE, N.C. — Walt Gibson started his weekend like any other at his downtown Monroe store, Jam Pac Records. He opened his mail. “I started opening a certain letter. Once I opened the letter, my hands started shaking,” he said. He calls the flier inside “unbelievable.” Unbelievable because it was covered with child porn. “I said OK, this can’t be true. Once I opened the letter and seen all the … Full Story;

Judge: Deathbed confession can be used in 1966 murder trial

SHELBY, N.C. — A deathbed confession can be used as evidence in the murder of 11-year-old Brenda Sue Brown more than 40 years ago. A judge ruled Tuesday that the confession is material to a possible murder trial against Thurman Price. Judge Timothy Kincaid said the person who made the confession, Earl Parker, and the person who heard it, his granddaughter Lori Lail, are trustworthy. Kincaid … Full Story;

CMS studies new services for growth in foreign students

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three-year-old Carina Gonzalez is part of a growing population of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools children who speak English as a second language. “We bought a program from the TV of Pre-K English, and so far that’s how she’s been learning English,” said mother Jenny Gonzalez. CMS says their international student population is spiking. From 2006 to 2008, it grew by nearly 8,000 … Full Story;

Man walking from Hickory to Orlando to raise money for Haiti

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina man will head out on a life-changing journey Wednesday. Randy Farmer plans to walk 530 miles to raise money for Haiti. “My family was initially just kind of speechless,” Farmer said. Like many people, Farmer was riveted by the horrific images from Haiti after an earthquake devastated the country. “There’s a lot of children down there that don’t have any family … Full Story;

Family asks for help finding pawn shop owner’s killer

GRANITE FALLS, N.C. — The family of a pawn shop owner who was killed during a robbery six weeks ago is asking for the public’s help finding the killer. Tony Lee Myers was killed Dec. 28, 2009, at Granite Gun and Pawn along Highway 321 in Granite Falls. His sons told reporters Tuesday that the store has been closed since the killing and they plan to sell it. Police released a sketch of the … Full Story;

Residents struggle to pay high heating bills during winter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An unusually cold winter and the recession are making it tough for many people to pay their heating bills. Alysha Hancock is one of those people. “It was low, maybe $30 or $40. Now it is hundreds — up to $200 and my gas bill is extremely high,” she said. Hancock, like so many others, has been hit hard by the recession and now an extended cold snap. In the South, customers are … Full Story;

Jury rules city liable in murder of public housing resident

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A jury has ruled that the city of Charlotte is liable in the murder of a woman who lived in public housing when she was killed. The jury said Tuesday afternoon that the city failed Eva Dunlap Green by letting her killer, Kenneth Cyrus, live in their public housing complex.   Cyrus pleaded guilty to strangling 63-year-old Green in 2007. Both of them lived in the Charlottetown … Full Story;

Caught on tape | Charlotte fisherman attacked by goose

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man fishing on a Florida lake says he was attacked by a goose, and the attack was caught on camera.   Drew Gregory says he loves the quiet of the river. “Fishing is really pretty good. Most people don’t access the rivers,” he said. He loves the animals he meets as a professional fisherman. “I saw this goose for over an hour, hung out with it. It was friendly … Full Story;

Court halts Edwards tape retrieval

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina court on Tuesday temporarily stopped the security rules that a judge wanted during the retrieval of the John Edwards sex tape. The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a stay in the matter without giving a reason. The court, however, did not halt an initial order that requires former Edwards aide Andrew Young to turn over the tape by Wednesday afternoon … Full Story;

Photo Highlight Slideshow

A telescope operated by the European
Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern
Hemisphere is seen in Chile. REUTERS/Victor Ruiz
Caballero

Opinions & Editorials: Diverse views on news from the right, left, and center.

Yahoo! News

Adventurous Silicon Valley software guru killed in Brazil

Summary for story goes here and here’s some morej summary to go with the story Full Story;

Kamei quits race for Santa Clara County supervisor

Unable to gain much traction, the Santa Clara Valley Water District boad member endorses ex-San Jose councilman Forrest Williams. Full Story;

Los Gatos bans panhandling on traffic islands

Los Gatos, one of Silicon Valley’s wealthiest towns, says roadside begging could cause accidents, but panhandlers beg to differ Full Story;

Fisher: Making every day Valentine’s Day

Love in the post-marital age Full Story;

Rain falls, but Santa Clara County can’t catch it all

Earthquake safety concerns on aging dams spark state restrictions that limit filling of Santa Clara Valley Water District’s 10 reservoirs. Repairs could take five years and cost tens of millions of dollars. Full Story;

Commissioner says Gascón is talking out of turn

San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón should be barred from floating major policy initiatives in the media or with the Board of Supervisors without Police Commission approval, an irate member of the panel says. During a tense meeting Wednesday night,… Full Story;

Jaycee Dugard’s anguished journal entries

Jaycee Dugard kept a journal during her years in captivity in which she depicted her isolation, darkest fears and her longing to be free from her alleged kidnappers, prosecutors revealed Thursday. “Why don’t I have control of my life! I feel I can’t even be… Full Story;

Schwarzenegger loses fight on felon caregivers

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had no legal authority to disqualify everyone with a felony record from working in the program that provides in-home care to 430,000 low-income elderly and disabled Californians, a judge ruled Thursday. State law bars workers from… Full Story;

Army discharges single mom who wouldn’t deploy

A single mother from Oakland has been discharged from the Army for refusing to leave her infant son behind to go to Afghanistan, but she will not be court-martialed, her attorney said Thursday. Alexis Hutchinson, 21, had faced criminal charges at a court-… Full Story;

New campaign aims to keep people off the tracks

Shawn Potter, 15, and two friends were playing a game of chicken with a freight train in Fresno two years ago. His friends jumped off the tracks and made it. Potter was clipped by the BNSF locomotive and did not. On Thursday, his heartbroken mother, Robin… Presented By: Comcast Business Class Look at your bill and find out how much your business can save with Comcast Business Class. Internet … Full Story;

Sunnyvale councilman ready to return to panel after serving in Iraq

After serving in Iraq for nearly 365 days, Sunnyvale Councilman Otto Lee arrived back home recently and is set to reclaim his seat on the city council Feb. Full Story;

Sunnyvale students among those to skip rope for a record

Students at Ponderosa elementary school joined 83,000 other students worldwide on Feb. 1 in an effort to break the Guinness world record for most people jumping/skipping rope at the same time. Full Story;

High school girls soccer races get tighter

The Santa Clara Valley Athletic League girls soccer races grew even tighter last week.Fremont became the first team in either division to earn its seventh win in league play by edging Lynbrook 2-1 on Feb. Full Story;

Anything can happen when Homestead takes on Fremont High in basketball

Whenever teams from Homestead and Fremont compete in anything, disregard the records, because anything can happen. Full Story;

Sunnyvale shorts: Curling parties planned

The name belies the sport, but it’s going to catch the attention of the nation in the coming weeks. It’s curling, and it has nothing to do with hair styling and everything to do with the upcoming Winter Olympics. Full Story;

Dugard Diary Shows Conflicted Emotion On Captivity

Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped as a child and held prisoner for 18 years, kept a diary in which she wrote of longing for freedom and feeling both emotionally trapped and protective of the man charged with raping her, court documents filed Thursday show. Full Story;

Proposed Golden Gate Carpool Toll Moves Forward

The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District’s Finance-Auditing Committee recommended Thursday morning that the full board of directors proceed with a plan to charge carpool vehicles $3 to cross the Golden Gate Bridge during commute hours. Carpoolers currently pay no toll during rush hour. The full board will consider the item Friday. The board will hold a public hearing May 14 … Full Story;

Atherton Home In Running For Nation’s Greenest

Atherton is known more for excess than conservation. Yet, the city is home to one house that may soon be crowned America’s most energy-efficient home. Full Story;

South Bay Crash Victim Completes Long Road Home

A young woman in the South Bay is finally home from the hospital after a car crash put her in a coma last summer. Full Story;

Mavericks Surf Contest Set For Saturday

Organizers of the Mavericks Surf Contest have decided conditions are right for the big wave competition to be held this Saturday. The contest regularly features waves measuring 40- feet or higher. The event will be streamed live on CBS5.com. Full Story;

Thorny Times for Bay Area Flower Growers

Valentine’s Day doesn’t bring much cheer for some in the flower business. Full Story;

The Color of Real Estate

What’s to blame for a local drop in African Americans owning homes? Full Story;

Sports Injury Remedies Can Get Stranger Than Cheese

If cheese can keep Lindsey Vonn in the Olympics, what other bizarre injury treatments are we missing out on? Full Story;

San Francisco’s Favorite Deli Coming to a Vending Machine Near You

Some of the best sandwiches in the Bay Area may be as easy to get as a Redbox video. Full Story;

San Francisco Police Chief Wants Citizen Cops

Ideas to shake up department also include more part-timers. Full Story;

Martinez schools may need to cut $2.6 million

n First infusion of parcel tax cash already had been allotted, and officials scrambling to find solutions Full Story;

Governor insists Maldonado is the next lieutenant governor

Despite not getting enough votes for confirmation in Assembly, legal team says he wasn’t rejected. Full Story;

Dog owner fends off raccoon with Samurai sword

A Fairfield man used a Samurai sword Wednesday afternoon to defend his dog from an attack by what appears to have been a large raccoon. Marquel Dawson, 19, was walking with Stunna, a 2-year-old pit bull-German shepherd mix, near his home on Fairview Place when the dog, which was unleashed, noticed Full Story;

Teen in ice cream truck shooting to be charged as adult, police say

Vallejo police arrest 15-year-old Peter Montenegro on Wednesday night in Oakland. Full Story;

Man suspected of robbing Antioch pharmacies arrested

ANTIOCH — Police arrested an Antioch man Thursday who they believe robbed a pharmacy of narcotics twice in 30 days.George Lee Smith, 46, was arrested at his home, where police said they found evidence of the two robberies. Full Story;

Former Sonoma teacher suspected of molesting students

By JULIE JOHNSON THE PRESS DEMOCRAT A former fourth-grade teacher at Sonoma’s Woodland Star Charter School was arrested Thursday morning in Monterey on suspicion of molesting two pre-teen students about two years ago. Full Story;

Sheriff: Suspect in Willits casino arson under influence of solvent

An incoherent Willits man was under the influence of a common solvent when he lit a napkin on fire and dropped it on the floor of the Black Bart Casino in Willits on Wednesday, Sheriff’s authorities said. Full Story;

Ukiah teen arrested for striking mom, police officer

An intoxicated 16-year-old Ukiah girl was booked into Juvenile Hall Wednesday night after allegedly assaulting her mother and a police officer. Ukiah Police were called to the girl’s Yosemite Drive home at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, reported Capt. Justin Wyatt. Full Story;

Juror intimidation charged in Toste murder case

By PAUL PAYNE THE PRESS DEMOCRAT The uncle of a Santa Rosa man on trial for murder pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of felony juror intimidation. George Lopez, 36, the uncle of Joseph Lopez Jr. — charged in the 2006 slaying of Matthew Toste — is free on $60,000 bail for the incident that prosecutors said happened Feb.1. Full Story;

Blaze destroys unoccupied Mendocino County trailer

By MARY CALLAHAN THE PRESS DEMOCRAT A travel trailer that was destroyed by fire in a commercial storage lot north of Ukiah early Thursday was unoccupied at the time of the blaze, fire officials said. Full Story;

Muni delays caused by overhead wires

Problems with overhead wires caused peak hour Muni light-rail service disruptions Thursday afternoon. All Muni Metro lines – the J, K, T, L, M and N services – experienced rolling delays and some gaps in service, according to Muni spokesman Judson True. Overhead wire problems near Taraval… Full Story;

555 Washington Street ruling delayed

A decision on whether a 425-foot corkscrew condo tower will be allowed to be built next to the 850-foot Transamerica Pyramid was delayed by more than a month. The majority of San Francisco planning commissioners ruled Thursday that an environmental impact report associated with the 248-unit project was… Full Story;

Man’s body found floating in water at Oyster Point

A man’s body was found floating in the water near his sailboat at the Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco on Thursday, a police sergeant said. Another boat owner spotted the body and called authorities at about 11:30 a.m., South San Francisco police Sgt. Joni Lee said. Police are investigating… Full Story;

Mavericks set for Saturday

Massive waves are headed for the West Coast, making conditions ripe for the legendary Mavericks Surf Contest this weekend. Twenty-four of the world’s best big wave surfers have been summoned to California’s Central Coast to compete Saturday. The contest will take place off the coast of Half Moon Bay at… Full Story;

Tenderloin murder suspect pleads not guilty

A San Francisco man accused of fatally stabbing an acquaintance during a dispute at his apartment early Saturday pleaded not guilty to murder Thursday. Phuc Van Le, 42, was arrested after he called 911 at 1:12 a.m. and led officers to his apartment in the 600 block of Ellis Street in The City’s… Full Story;

Proposed building causes controversy in SF

There could be a new addition to the San Francisco skyline – but some rules will have to be broken, in order for it to get built. Full Story;

T. Boone Pickens pushes for natural gas

Texas tycoon and energy guru T. Boone Pickens was in the Bay Area pitching natural gas for auto fuel. Full Story;

Cute alert: Valentines for Academy penguins

Love was for the birds Thursday at the California Academy of Sciences. Full Story;

Local airmen from Travis Air Force return from Haiti

Sixteen members of a Travis Air Force Based Emergency Response Wing are back home after being one of the first responders to the Haitian relief effort. Full Story;

Army discharges mom who refused deployment

The Army discharged a single mom who refused deployment because she had no one to care for her young child. Full Story;

Inventor of Frisbee dies at 90

Walter Fredrick Morrison, the man credited with inventing the Frisbee, has died. He was 90. Morrison’s son, Walt, told The Associated Press on Thursday that “old age caught up” with his father and that he also had cancer. Full Story;

Governor insists Maldonado is the next lieutenant governor

Despite not getting enough votes for confirmation in Assembly, legal team says he wasn’t rejected. Full Story;

Police arrest 17-year-old wanted in connection to Fairview shooting in Hayward

HAYWARD — Police this afternoon arrested a 17-year-old boy they said shot at his neighbor’s house Tuesday in Fairview, and the fled the scene.David Borden, who was considered armed and dangerous, was spotted by police in front of a Lucky’s store at A Street and Mission Boulevard downtown at Full Story;

Dog owner fends off raccoon with Samurai sword

A Fairfield man used a Samurai sword Wednesday afternoon to defend his dog from an attack by what appears to have been a large raccoon. Marquel Dawson, 19, was walking with Stunna, a 2-year-old pit bull-German shepherd mix, near his home on Fairview Place when the dog, which was unleashed, noticed Full Story;

Defendant laughed when displaying gun, witness testifies

A preliminary hearing is under way in a Tracy murder case. Full Story;

Photo Highlight Slideshow

Designer Alexander van de Rostyne kisses his toy helicopter during a preview of the 61th International Toy Fair
in Nuremberg.
REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

Opinions & Editorials: Diverse views on news from the right, left, and center.

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

Yahoo! News

The story or page you were trying to access may have expired.

If you are having trouble locating a destination on Yahoo! News, try visiting the Yahoo! News home page
or you may find what you’re looking for if you try searching below.

Deputies find marijuana in child’s diaper bag

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — A Mooresville couple was arrested in Rowan County after deputies found marijuana in their 3-year-old’s diaper bag. Pedro Jaramillo-Garcia and his wife, Tiffany, are charged with felony drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Rowan County deputies made the arrest after a tip about a drug delivery. Full Story;

Fighting Fat | Groundbreaking procedure tested in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A device is being tested in Charlotte that some doctors say could be a life changer when it comes to treating obesity. Charlotte was the first city in the country to test it and the first patient to ever try it in the United States was a mother and a wife from Clover, S.C. Barbie McMackin and her family are trying to eat healthier. When it comes to diets, she’s tried fancy … Full Story;

Court gets possession of John Edwards sex tape

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (AP) — A video cassette purportedly showing two-time presidential candidate John Edwards and his former mistress in a sexual encounter is now in the hands of a North Carolina judge. Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones took possession of the tape Wednesday, a week after ordering that former Edwards aide Andrew Young hand over the recording. Young has penned a tell-all book … Full Story;

First-grader collects teddy bears for Haitian children

CONCORD, N.C. — The devastation in Haiti has sparked a widespread outpouring of support, including some very special care packages from a local child. When 7-year-old Alivia Burris — a first grader at W.R. Odell Elementary School — saw the children in Haiti after the earthquake, she wanted to do something different to help. She wanted to collect teddy bears for the children there. “People … Full Story;

Charlotte gets new hockey franchise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes are getting their wish’ their top minor-league affiliate is coming to North Carolina. The owner of Charlotte’s ECHL team announced Wednesday that he’s purchased the Albany River Rats and will move the money-losing American Hockey League club from New York to Charlotte for next season. They’ll be called the Charlotte Checkers — the same name the … Full Story;

Strong winds topple trees, damage homes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday’s strong winds brought several trees down, damaging homes and cars in Charlotte. “It’s just scary, really scary,” said homeowner Ernesto Maldonado. A large tree fell on Maldonado’s home Wednesday morning, leaving tree branches sticking through the wall of his children’s bedroom. The children were at school at the time and Maldonado was in a different room. “I’m glad … Full Story;

Winds create blizzard-like conditions in mountains

BOONE, N.C. — The North Carolina mountains are under a blizzard warning because of strong winds and heavy snow. Wind chills were below zero degrees in Boone Wednesday. Winds were between 20 and 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Visibility in the area was reduced to about 1/4-mile because of blowing snow. Road crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation were plowing primary roads … Full Story;

Man arrested in middle school teacher’s murder

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of a Charlotte middle school teacher. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police charged 22-year-old Ashanti Bess with murder, robbery and larceny of vehicle. Bess was taken into custody Wednesday morning when police raided a townhome at Brookshire Townhomes in northeast Charlotte. Police say someone saw 38-year … Full Story;

S&P cuts outlook on Citigroup, Bank of America

NEW YORK (AP) — Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services on Tuesday cut its outlook on Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp. to “negative” from “stable,” saying bond holders could take a hit if the government steps in again to support banks. The negative outlook signals the possibility of a future downgrade. However, S&P affirmed the banks’ investment-grade counterparty credit and debt ratings. S … Full Story;

NC Realtors object to disclosing compensation

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The heads of Realtor associations in North Carolina’s three largest metropolitan areas want to change a rule requiring a firm to disclose its compensation when its agents work for both the buyer and seller in a home sale. The groups in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh were asking the North Carolina Real Estate Commission on Wednesday to drop the disclosure rule, The … Full Story;

Packaging machinery company moving from NC to SC

ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — A company that makes food packaging machines is moving from North Carolina to South Carolina. Bradman Lake will move from Charlotte to Rock Hill, bringing 50 jobs. Bradman Lake makes machines that do shrink wrapping as well as cartons and other products for the food industry. Both Rock Hill City Council and York County Council have offered tax breaks to encourage the move … Full Story;

11 students, 1 adult injured in school bus accident

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Eleven students and a bus driver were treated by Medic Wednesday morning after a school bus accident. It happened around 8’45 a.m. on Freedom Drive at the intersection of Toddville Road.  The accident involved the school bus and a tractor-trailer. Sixty students were on the bus at the time of the accident, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools spokesperson.  Bus number … Full Story;

Mecklenburg Mugs | Snapshot of arrests Tuesday

Remember Please be respectful of others when posting comments. Play nice. IP addresses are logged and can be banned. Full Story;

Brooklyn Decker says mom cried after learning of SI swimsuit cover

UNDATED — Matthews native Brooklyn Decker attended the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Party in New York Tuesday night after landing on the cover of this year’s magazine. “My mom cried,” the 22-year-old Butler High School grad told People.com of her mother’s reaction to the photos. “We’re all on pins and needles before the issue comes out, because the cover is something all the girls want so … Full Story;

Traffic Alert | Reports of black ice across Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There have been a few reports of black ice on Charlotte streets this morning after yesterday’s rain. Rain pooled in low lying areas and with the freezing temperatures overnight, black ice has formed. City DOT trucks are treating areas that have been called-in with salt.  Motorists are advised to be cautious, slow down and leave extra distance between vehicles.  To report icy … Full Story;

Valentine’s Day | What are your plans?

UNDATED — What are you going to do for that special person on Valentine’s Day?  Click here to tell Larry Sprinkle.  We’ll keep your name secret, so we don’t spoil the surprise, and share it on the air.   Full Story;

Businesses targeted with child pornography

MONROE, N.C. — Walt Gibson started his weekend like any other at his downtown Monroe store, Jam Pac Records. He opened his mail. “I started opening a certain letter. Once I opened the letter, my hands started shaking,” he said. He calls the flier inside “unbelievable.” Unbelievable because it was covered with child porn. “I said OK, this can’t be true. Once I opened the letter and seen all the … Full Story;

Judge: Deathbed confession can be used in 1966 murder trial

SHELBY, N.C. — A deathbed confession can be used as evidence in the murder of 11-year-old Brenda Sue Brown more than 40 years ago. A judge ruled Tuesday that the confession is material to a possible murder trial against Thurman Price. Judge Timothy Kincaid said the person who made the confession, Earl Parker, and the person who heard it, his granddaughter Lori Lail, are trustworthy. Kincaid … Full Story;

CMS studies new services for growth in foreign students

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Three-year-old Carina Gonzalez is part of a growing population of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools children who speak English as a second language. “We bought a program from the TV of Pre-K English, and so far that’s how she’s been learning English,” said mother Jenny Gonzalez. CMS says their international student population is spiking. From 2006 to 2008, it grew by nearly 8,000 … Full Story;

Man walking from Hickory to Orlando to raise money for Haiti

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina man will head out on a life-changing journey Wednesday. Randy Farmer plans to walk 530 miles to raise money for Haiti. “My family was initially just kind of speechless,” Farmer said. Like many people, Farmer was riveted by the horrific images from Haiti after an earthquake devastated the country. “There’s a lot of children down there that don’t have any family … Full Story;

Family asks for help finding pawn shop owner’s killer

GRANITE FALLS, N.C. — The family of a pawn shop owner who was killed during a robbery six weeks ago is asking for the public’s help finding the killer. Tony Lee Myers was killed Dec. 28, 2009, at Granite Gun and Pawn along Highway 321 in Granite Falls. His sons told reporters Tuesday that the store has been closed since the killing and they plan to sell it. Police released a sketch of the … Full Story;

Residents struggle to pay high heating bills during winter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An unusually cold winter and the recession are making it tough for many people to pay their heating bills. Alysha Hancock is one of those people. “It was low, maybe $30 or $40. Now it is hundreds — up to $200 and my gas bill is extremely high,” she said. Hancock, like so many others, has been hit hard by the recession and now an extended cold snap. In the South, customers are … Full Story;

Jury rules city liable in murder of public housing resident

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A jury has ruled that the city of Charlotte is liable in the murder of a woman who lived in public housing when she was killed. The jury said Tuesday afternoon that the city failed Eva Dunlap Green by letting her killer, Kenneth Cyrus, live in their public housing complex.   Cyrus pleaded guilty to strangling 63-year-old Green in 2007. Both of them lived in the Charlottetown … Full Story;

Caught on tape | Charlotte fisherman attacked by goose

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte man fishing on a Florida lake says he was attacked by a goose, and the attack was caught on camera.   Drew Gregory says he loves the quiet of the river. “Fishing is really pretty good. Most people don’t access the rivers,” he said. He loves the animals he meets as a professional fisherman. “I saw this goose for over an hour, hung out with it. It was friendly … Full Story;

Court halts Edwards tape retrieval

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina court on Tuesday temporarily stopped the security rules that a judge wanted during the retrieval of the John Edwards sex tape. The North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a stay in the matter without giving a reason. The court, however, did not halt an initial order that requires former Edwards aide Andrew Young to turn over the tape by Wednesday afternoon … Full Story;

Photo Highlight Slideshow

A telescope operated by the European
Organization for Astronomical Research in the Southern
Hemisphere is seen in Chile. REUTERS/Victor Ruiz
Caballero

Opinions & Editorials: Diverse views on news from the right, left, and center.

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

The top local news headlines from Yahoo! News – Yahoo! News

CTA service cuts begin today as talks continue

Service cuts and layoffs start for the CTA today, as transit agency officials and union leaders continue to talk about ways to cut $95 million from the 2010 budget. Speaking at a community event Saturday, Mayor Daley said he’s “not mad” at the CTA unions, but that everyone will have to sacrifice if union jobs are to be saved. Full Story;

Check out a book, file a police report

A police station in a library? Yes. Residents of the Southwest Side’s Clearing neighborhood will now beable to go to the library to fill out police reports, under a pilotcity program launched Saturday. The Chicago Police Department has added a satellite office to the Chicago Public Library’s Clearing Branch at 6423 W. 63rd Pl. Full Story;

Ex-girlfriend at center of Scott Lee Cohen scandal: Lt. gov. nominee not fit to hold office

The prostitute ex-girlfriend who accused Democratic Lt. Governor nomineeScott Lee Cohen of threatening her with a knife told the ChicagoSun-Times today she “does not believe he is fit to hold any publicoffice.” Full Story;

Durbin takes the reins of Giannoulias’ Senate bid

Democratic Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias kicks off his general election contest today at the Springfield home of Sen. Dick Durbin, who will be the chairman of Giannoulias’ campaign. The selection of Springfield is strategic, since central and southern Illinois will be battlegrounds in the race between Giannoulias, the state treasurer, and the GOP Senate nominee, Rep. Mark Steven Kirk. Full Story;

Allred also represents Tiger’s alleged girlfriends

California attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing the prostitute ex-girlfriend of embattled lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen, has a history of representing high-profile clients involved in some of the nation’s biggest news stories, including some of Tiger Woods’ alleged mistresses.Her client list includes the family of O.J. Simpson ‘s slain wife, Nicole Brown Simpson; Amber Frey … Full Story;

Madigan ‘strongly urged’ Cohen to drop out

SPRINGFIELD — House Speaker Michael Madigan faced a rare public rebuke Sunday for his stewardship of the state Democratic Party from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who questioned why the party failed to properly vet pawnbroker Scott Lee Cohen before his stunning primary win last week.”I think that Chairman Madigan needs to have a much better process in place so that we know the backgrounds of all … Full Story;

Four men wounded in Park Manor shooting

Four men were wounded during an early Sunday shootout in the South Side Park Manor neighborhood. Police responded about 12:50 a.m. to a reported shooting near East 75th Street and South Saint Lawrence Avenue and learned four men were shot outside, police said. An 18-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the calf and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and a 25-year-old man was shot in the foot … Full Story;

East Coast snowstorm halts roughly 60 Chicago flights

A record-setting East Coast blizzard has halted roughly 60 flights at Chicago airports Sunday afternoon. The city’s Department of Aviation reported at 1 p.m. that winter weather conditions on the East Coast have caused airlines at O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport to cancel about 30 flights at each airport. An earlier report indicated that as of 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning, airlines … Full Story;

Four in custody, two injured in South Side roller rink disturbance

Four teenagers were taken into custody and two others were hospitalized following an disturbance at a South Side roller skate rink Saturday night. Police initially responded at about 8:10 p.m. Saturday night after fights were reported at The Rink Fitness Factory when they found the highly overcrowded rink hosting their monthly dance party, police said. Officials did not see any fighting, but had … Full Story;

Two men shot near West Side high school

Two men were wounded during a shooting near a West Side High School early Saturday in the Lawndale neighborhood. About 1:40 a.m., two men were shot near South Sacramento Boulevard and West Roosevelt Road, police said. The shooting happened in the northwest area of Douglass Park, just blocks north of George W. Collins High School, located within the park grounds. Both men were taken to Mount … Full Story;

Female struck by train in West Loop: police

A female was hospitalized after reportedly jumping in front of a CTA elevated rain early Sunday in the West Loop.Police responded at 4:45 a.m. after a witnesses reported a female jumped in front of a CTA Green Line train near North Clinton and West Lake streets, police said. Power was removed from the Green Line near the Clinton station at 4:45 a.m. after an eastbound train made contact with a … Full Story;

Roommate finds man, 50s, dead with stab wounds on West Side

A person found their roommate dead in their Austin neighborhood apartment with multiple stab wounds Saturday night on the West Side.Wayne Johnson, 50s, was found in his apartment on the 5000 block of West Fulton Avenue and was dead on the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. An autopsy Sunday showed Johnson died from strangulation and multiple stab wounds. His death was … Full Story;

Police: One dead, one wounded in South Side drive-by

One man was killed and another injured in an early Sunday drive-by shooting on the South Side, police said. Police responded at 4:27 a.m. to a reported shooting in the 7900 block of South Halsted Street and found two men shot, police said. A man in his 20s or 30s was found dead on the scene with a gunshot wound to the face, police said. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office has not been … Full Story;

Cohen drops out of lieutenant gov. nominee

The Democratic nominee for Illinois’ lieutenant governor dropped outof the race Sunday night, less than a week after winning thenomination, amid a political uproar about his past. Full Story;

Metro briefs

A man identified as James Bannerman, 57, was struck and killed by a CTA Red Line train early Saturday on the Far North Side. At 4:30 a.m., Bannerman, of the 500 block of West Belmont, was struck while he was on the tracks at the Loyola station. STARVED ROCK STATE PARK: Woman’s body found below cliffPolice found a woman’s body in Starved Rock State Park on Saturday while searching the area for an … Full Story;

Metro briefs

Four people were taken into police custody and two others were hospitalized after authorities said an estimated 4,000 people tried to jam into a South Side roller-skating rink with a 900-person capacity. Several fights broke out as a swarm of people were trying to get inside the Rink Fitness Factory, 8700 S. Greenwood, officials said. The two victims were “walked on,” a fire official said. One … Full Story;

‘Green’ experiment at City Hall stinks

There’s been a stench coming from the second floor of City Hall — and it has nothing to do with the steady stream of Chicago aldermen convicted on corruption charges. Waterless urinals installed to promote water conservation in the public men’s room outside the City Council chambers have turned into a stinky mess. The odor got so bad that the “green” urinals are now being ripped out and … Full Story;

Daley defensive when asked of Hoffman’s political future

On more than one occasion during his campaign for the U.S. Senate,voters told David Hoffman he was running for the “wrong office” — the”right” one being mayor of Chicago. The question now is whether Mayor Daley’s former corruption-fightinginspector general will parlay his strong second-place finish behindAlexi Giannoulias into a campaign for mayor next year. Full Story;

CTA-union talks resume, but too late to stop cuts

Although no agreement was reached between CTA officials and unionleaders Friday, a meeting called by Mayor Daley got the two sides tostart talking again. “We were at a stalemate. He did open up the dialogue. That’s a start,”said Robert Kelly, head of Amalgamated Transit Union 308, whichrepresents rail workers. Full Story;

DNA leads to arrest in 26-year-old cold case murder

A 44-year-old parolee has been charged with murder in a Rogers Park slaying that went unsolved for close to 26 years, police said.Melvin Green, 44, was charged with murder about 3:30 p.m. Friday, according to police.Green allegedly admitted to having knowledge and to have allegedly participated in the murder of Sheila Johnson, who was found fatally stabbed inside her apartment March 16 or 17 … Full Story;

Video poker king target of federal investigation

Casey Szaflarski allegedly runs a multimillion-dollar video poker business for the Chicago mob.But he’s the first to tell you he has a fuzzy memory.When lawyers in a civil case tried to figure out how much he was worth, he forgot to bring any financial documents — even though he had been ordered to do so.”An oversight,” Szaflarski said.He also told lawyers he doesn’t own the Bridgeport home he … Full Story;

Man struck, killed by Red Line train

A man was fatally struck by a CTA Red Line early Saturday on the Far North Side. At4:30 a.m., power was removed from the northbound Red Line after the CTAreceived reports of a train making contact with a person already on thetracks, according to CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski. Aperson was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston withunknown injuries but was pronounced dead on … Full Story;

Exposure, cold medications killed Braidwood teen

A 19-year-old Braidwood man whose body was found ina ditch died due to exposure to the cold.Erich Alley left his home on South Francis Street theevening of Dec. 30 and never returned. His frozen body was found Jan. 25 in adeep ditch about two miles from his home.Will County Coroner Patrick O’Neil said a mixture ofover-the-counter cold medications contributed to his death. “The high levels of … Full Story;

Ex-girlfriend at center of Scott Lee Cohen scandal: Lt. Gov. nominee not fit to hold office

A convicted prostitute who accused Democratic Lt. Governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen of threatening her with a knife told the Chicago Sun-Times today she “does not believe he is fit to hold any public office.”The statement, issued through famed celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, is the first public comment from Amanda J. Eneman, Cohen’s former live-in girlfriend. Full Story;

1 injured, 9 displaced in South Side fire

One person was injured and nine were displaced after a residentialfire broke out Friday night in the South Side Gresham neighborhood.Officialswere notified about 10:40 p.m. for fire at a residence at 8038 S.Wolcott Ave., according to police News Affiairs Officer Hector Alfaro.The person injured was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in an unknown condition, Alfaro said.TheAmerican Red Cross provided … Full Story;

Photo Highlight Slideshow

People walk on a snow-covered street on Capitol Hill as residents deal with the aftermath of heavy snowfall. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Opinions & Editorials: Diverse views on news from the right, left, and center.

Most injured victims of accidents often lose their cases not because they have weak arguments but because they failed to build a strong case against their opponents. When this happens, the poor complainant ends up being victimized twice and his suffering is doubled.

What are the chances that personal injury victims do not end up in double jeopardy and increase their chances at being compensated for injuries and damages?

If an accident occurred in Los Angeles and you happen to be involved in it, there are people whom your personal injury attorney would like you to see or talk to. Aside from the victim and the personal injury attorney as the two principal characters in the case, there are other roles some people play in the success of your claim.

1. The personal injury attorney. If you get involved in an accident, the best thing to do is report it to your lawyer. A lawyer will undoubtedly help you in gathering up information for your case. His experience and knowledge will provide you with all the necessary guidance for future action regarding your case. Personal injury attorneys often arrive at the scene, when notified, to evaluate and determine the other probable cause of the accident.

2. The Doctor or Attending Physician. Injured accident victims should immediately be taken to a hospital for treatment. The medical report of the attending physician is important in supporting your claim and other additional compensation like medical expenses, hospitalization, etc.

3. The Police. The police are often the first to arrive during accidents. They conduct investigation at the scene and gather important pieces of evidence to determine the cause of the accident and the possible perpetrators. All information regarding an accident is contained in the police investigation report including such documents as photos, sketch of scene, and testimonies of people.

4. The Eyewitness. It is also important to take the account of eyewitnesses. Their personal narratives often show a different view of the accident, give a more objective look at events.

5. The Insurance Man. People who work for insurance companies often haggle with accident victims for a lower settlement claim. Victims should negotiate with insurance men only in the company of his personal injury attorney.

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims achieve successful litigation of their claim. They are lawyers who have the experience and the knowledge in pursuing your case.

The success in litigation and claims lie not only in the hands of the accident victim and his personal injury attorney, but also in the proper documentation of evidence supplied by other people involved in the case like the police, the physician, and the eyewitness.

About The Author

Gain more information about conducting personal injury litigation by getting in touch with a competent personal injury attorney in Los Angeles at http://www.personalinjurydefenders.com/

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

Know When To Get An Agreement In Writing
 by: Jody Ehrhardt

Although most people believe that it is always necessary to get any agreement in writing, there are cases where a verbal agreement is legal and valid. However, since there are just as many instances where a written agreement is necessary or, at the very least helpful, it is a good idea to know which situations call for which types of agreements.

The general rule of thumb for deciding if a contract needs to be in writing is determined by the nature of the contract. For example, any agreement that is related to your business, large personal assets such as your home and contract work that will take over a year to complete should be written down in a contract and made binding. However, an agreement that involves a low amount of financial risk, is between family members or is not necessary as part of your daily business can be verbally contracted.

The disadvantage to any verbal agreement, however, is the fact that they can be hard to enforce. For example, if you loan your brother fifty dollars and he verbally agrees to pay you back in three weeks but three weeks come and go without repayment, it could be difficult to get your money back. Without a signed, written agreement, your brother could claim that the said he would repay you in four weeks, or worse, he could claim the money wasn’t a loan but rather a gift. In this type of situation, aside from stopping all communication with your brother, there are really no legal actions you could take. You could attempt to sue your brother, but the lawsuit could end up costing you more than your original fifty dollars, or you could win the lawsuit only to have the judgment dismissed because he cannot afford to pay you back.

Another drawback to a verbal agreement is that many times they do not encompass all of the details necessary to a contract. For example, you may make and agree to sell woodcarvings from your home part-time to a friend. Without a written agreement you may end up facing problems down the road. For instance, he may decide that the items are not selling and refuse to pay you for the items you have already made. On the other hand, you may agree verbally on a price and then find out after delivery that your friend expects to pay a lesser amount. In either case, having a written contract that spells out every conceivable option for the agreement will protect both party’s rights and interests.

Just as some agreements do not call for a written contract, some agreements must be written down to be legally binding and to fully protect you and you assets from harm. These types of agreements usually involve the sell of real estate or other expensive material possessions, the loaning of substantial amounts of money any agreement that outlines the delivery of services.

While individuals can generally write up most contracts it is usually best to hire an attorney to draft any contracts that are related to your business or that concern large money amounts or contracted services. Although you may wish to write the contract up yourself to avoid any legal fees, paying an attorney now could save you hundreds of dollars later. If another party draws up the contract it is best to hire an attorney to look the contract over before you sign it. When searching for a lawyer, it is recommended that you contact one that has experience in business contracts or that specializes in legal business issues.

About The Author

Jody Ehrhardt write for http://www.lawyervista.com, a website where you can find a lawyer in your city or state, including http://www.lawyervista.com/14-boat_accident_lawyers.html Boat accident lawyers and http://www.lawyervista.com/12-city-CA-los_angeles-auto_accident_lawyers.html Los angeles auto accident lawyers

DUI Lawyers

If you recently got into trouble for a DUI and now you want to find an attorney who will help you with the case. If you think that you were wrongly accused, or if you did drink and drive, but just want a good attorney to cut down on what your penalties will be. Finding a DUI lawyer shouldn’t be all that difficult.

There are many different lawyers out there that try all kinds of cases and some of them even specialize in the area of DUI. You’re not going to want to pick a brand new attorney though. Yes they have to start somewhere, but let it be on another person’s case where they sharpen their teeth. You should look for a DUI lawyer who’s been working for years and has some great experience. Make sure that the attorney is up to date on all those DUI laws in your state too.

You should also look for a DUI lawyer who has an outstanding record of getting people less penalties. Plus it really depends on your state too; the different states will have different fines for drinking and driving. But most all states have the same limit of alcohol in your blood. That limit is .08 blood alcohol, the less you weigh the less it will take you to become intoxicated.

A person should never get behind the wheel when they have been drinking. You can easily avoid getting that DUI charge. When you go someplace to drink give your keys to a friend or someone who is out with you. Or just don’t drink much, either way will work. A person who has been drinking can not focus on what they are doing very well; their sense and reactions are greatly impaired.

Most accidents that happen out there are caused by a person who has sat behind the wheel of their car after drinking too much. At times it even seems that the person who was drinking and driving has not even gotten injured in the accident. When you’re looking for a DUI lawyer though you should tell them truth of what happened when and before you were stopped.

If you can’t be honest with your attorney you won’t get much help from them. Being stopped for drinking and driving is never a fun thing. But if you’re honest with the DUI lawyer you pick out they may be able to help those penalties be worse. Instead of getting your license suspended for a year, perhaps they can get that knocked down, or make sure that you can drive back and forth to work.

No matter what when you look for a DUI lawyer you should make sure you can communicate with them well and that they will return your calls within 24 hours. If they don’t return your calls quickly you may feel that your case is not being handled the right way. That will only lead to more frustration on your part. Take time to find the right one for you.

About The Author

This information is not legal advice. Please contact an attorney in your local area for information about your specific case. Special thanks to the Raleigh DWI Lawyer blog for this information.

http://raleighdwilawyer.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

Under the Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, all vehicles that are driven on California roads should have liability insurance that provides financial responsibility for any injury or damage that is brought about by a traffic accident regardless of who is at fault.

This passage of the law is also a means for the California government to remove uninsured vehicles from its highways.

California vehicle owners can choose from four types of financial responsibility options which are:

• Car accident insurance policy with liability coverage

• A cash deposit of $35,000 to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• A DMV issued self-insurance certificate

• A surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California.

All vehicles on California roads must obtain and maintain any of the above forms of financial responsibility whether the car is parked or operated.

An evidence of financial responsibility should always be in the vehicle at all times.

Acceptable proofs of financial responsibility are:

• A document or identification card from the car accident insurance company

• A DMV authorization letter, if the motorist is self-insured or a cash depositor

• A California Proof of Insurance Certificate

Most motorists choose to obtain car accident insurance policies to fulfill the financial responsibility requirements.

The minimum liability insurance coverage for private passenger vehicles in California is:

• $15,000 for injury or death to one person

• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person

• $5,000 for property damage

An optional choice is the uninsured motorist coverage, where the policy holder can be compensated by their own insurance company if the liable party has no car accident insurance.

If the motorist chooses to avail of uninsured motorist coverage, he/she is required to purchase an amount equal to at least the minimum liability coverage for bodily injuries.

In addition, if a motorist avails of uninsured motorist coverage, he/she is required to purchase underinsured motorist coverage as well and it should also be at least equal to the minimum liability coverage for bodily injuries.

Driving without car accident insurance or any other forms of financial responsibility can be penalized by the DMV.

Vehicle registrations could be suspended if:

• The DMV is not notified that a car accident insurance policy has been cancelled and a replacement policy has not been submitted after 45 days.

• The car accident insurance information has not been submitted to the DMV within the issuance of a registration card.

• The DMV discovered that the vehicle registration was obtained by giving a false evidence of insurance.

Aside from suspension of registration, a motorist failing to provide proof of financial responsibility may cause a motorist to be punished through:

• Citation with fines that could reach $1,000 or more

• Impounding of vehicle plus fines

• Personal liability for damages if the motorist caused the accident which could lead to a seizure of some personal assets

Uninsured motorists are considered hazards on the road and that is why the government is working hard on cracking down on these irresponsible drivers.

If you were injured in a road accident where the liable party has insufficient or no insurance, consult immediately with a car accident attorney to help with your options.

About The Author

To help you deal with issues on car accident insurance policy, consult with our expert car accident lawyers. Visit our website at http://www.caraccidentlawyerpros.com/ and avail of our free case analysis.

Vehicle crashes and collisions is one of the leading causes of injuries and death in the United States.

It could come in many forms and can hit you on any side of your car.

Here are the different types of vehicle crash and collisions:

Head-On Collision

This type of car accident is usually fatal. Although, it only accounts for about 2 percent of all vehicular accidents, it is responsible for 10% of all related fatalities.

This is because of the relatively high velocities of the two opposing vehicles. It is said that the damage from a head on collision between two cars travelling at 50 mph is comparable to the damage to a car that collided with a stationary object at 100 mph.

Typical injuries include broken bones, spinal and backbone damage, and head and brain injuries.

Rear End Collisions

This refers to accidents where in a vehicle crashes into the vehicle in front of it.

This is one of the most common types of vehicle collision. It usually occurs if the driver of the rear car is not able to stop or has no room to avoid the vehicle in front of it.

This is usually caused when:

• The front car suddenly slams on the brakes

• The front car suddenly decelerates

• The front car is stopped by a collision with another vehicle or object

• The rear car is tailgating

A common injury suffered from rear end auto accidents is whiplash injuries where the body snaps like a whip following the collision.

Rollover

This refers to auto accidents where the vehicle turned over its side or roof.

Sports utility vehicles are notorious for being highly susceptible to rollover accidents.

SUVs in general have higher suspensions to accommodate the vehicle’s four-wheel drive feature. As a result, the center of gravity of SUVs is also higher compared to other passenger cars.

Rollover accidents have a high risk of causing paralysis, brain injuries and even death.

Seventy percent of all who died due to rollovers have been ejected from the vehicle because they were not wearing a seatbelt.

Run-Off Road Collisions

This is a single-vehicle accident that happens when a car leaves the roadway and then crashes to an object or rolls over.

The usual causes of run-off road accidents are:

• Loss of control of vehicle

• Blown out tires

• Misjudging a curve

• Attempting to avoid collision with another vehicle, pedestrians or animals

Statistics show that off-road crashes caused 31% of all fatal crashes even though it only accounts for 16% of all vehicle accidents.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

This refers to accidents where vehicles collide with a pedestrian or a bicycle.

This is usually caused by motorists not respecting the right of way of pedestrians or bicyclists.

Another cause of this type of vehicular accident is low visibility on roads, especially at night.

Getting Help

If you are injured as a result of any of the above mentioned types of collision, you should consult with an expert car accident attorney to help you with your legal options.

About The Author

To help you deal with issues involved in rear end auto accidents, consult with our personal injury lawyers. Log on to our website at http://www.personalinjurydefenders.com/ and avail of our free case analysis.

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

Yahoo! News

The story or page you were trying to access may have expired.

If you are having trouble locating a destination on Yahoo! News, try visiting the Yahoo! News home page
or you may find what you’re looking for if you try searching below.

i need to know my options so i have an idea of what i can be

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

The Ford Bronco and Ford E-series are just two of major SUV brands who received negative publicity for rollover accidents.

The cause of Ford rollover accidents is no different from what causes other brands such as Suzuki Samurai, Jeep CJ, Isuzu Trooper and Mitsubishi Pajero/Montero to rollover. All Sports Utility Vehicles have in common a high center of gravity.

Unlike a regular passenger car, an SUV’s suspension is raised higher to accommodate the vehicle’s four-wheel drive, which in turn raises the vehicle’s center of gravity.

A higher center of gravity makes a vehicle more likely to tip over after impact.

Another factor that contributes to SUV rollover accidents is the track width or the distance between the right and left wheel.

A vehicle with a narrow track width is more likely to rollover during sudden and sharp turns compared to vehicles with a wider track width.

Some SUV manufacturers tried to solve the problem by reducing the steering capacity of some models. However, this also backfired as parking and negotiating a turn on sharp curves became difficult.

The last factor that is usually present in an SUV rollover accident is speed.

As with any other forms of vehicle, the higher the speed, the more difficult it is to control.

Combine that with a high center of gravity and a narrow width length and you may have a rollover accident brewing.

However, an SUV rollover accident does not just happen because of the presence of these factors.

A rollover accident is usually stimulated by any of the three mechanisms. They are:

• Excessive cornering – There are three forces that acts when a vehicle rounds a corner. First, the tire pushes the vehicle towards the center of the curve. Second, the force of inertia or the vehicle’s tendency to resist acceleration pushes the vehicle’s center of mass towards the opposite direction the vehicle is turning. Third, the mass of the vehicle pushes down on the vehicle’s center of gravity to prevent rolling over. When the forces exerted by the tire and inertia are enough to overcome the force exerted by the weight of the vehicle then that is when the vehicle rolls over. This usually happens when a vehicle is negotiating a sharp curve on high speed.

• Tripping – The physics involved is similar to excessive cornering. This occurs when an SUV is sliding sideways and the tires strike a curb, dig into soft ground or other circumstances that causes a sudden lateral force.

• Collision – This occurs when an SUV collides with another vehicle or object, which causes the vehicle to be unstable. An example would be when a narrow object causes one side of the vehicle to move upwards but not the other side, or when a side impact causes a vehicle to accelerate sideways.

SUV rollover accidents can be devastating and usually causes catastrophic injuries like head and spinal injuries.

So if you are involved in an SUV rollover accident, make sure that you get yourself treated and seek assistance from a rollover accident lawyer to know your legal options.

About The Author

Our skilled accident lawyers are experienced in handling vehicle accident cases such as ford rollover accident. For consultation, visit our website at http://www.askaccidentlawyers.com/ and avail of our free case evaluation.

Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help Win The Truck Accident Claims Successfully

Need To Find Tractor Trailer Lawyers

Tractor-trailer lawyers are those who fight the case for their clients if they have been injured in an accident involving a big tractor-trailer and achieve a compensation amount from the opposite party.

A tractor-trailer accident may be devastating and you may not be able to decide what to do now. The professional truck accident lawyers are experienced enough to handle lawsuits of their clients who are suffering from a serious tractor trailer injury involving a rig truck. Every day, people traveling on highways and roads have to encounter numerous big trucks like tractor trailers, 18 wheelers and other large vehicles that weigh more than 10000 pounds.

Statistics reveal that thousands of fatal or non-fatal accidents around the world occur due to a big rig truck or a tractor trailer. Almost half of them lead to fatalities and others cause serious injuries to the persons involved. A large number of them are rendered jobless as a result of a semi truck accident.

Specialization Of Tractor Trailer Lawyers

Tractor trailer lawyers who specialize in such accidents are generally familiar with the state as well as federal laws and also know the federal rules and regulations that control the large trucking companies. These regulations and laws often play a significant role in successfully prosecuting cases of tractor trailer accidents. In order to come out successfully in an accident case involving a rig truck, proper and prompt investigation is what is required immediately.

The sooner the trailer injury attorneys are appointed, the sooner they can take action in order to secure proofs and evidences in your support while the matter is still afresh. Wind, rain, snow and ice may cause disappearance of possible physical evidences such as, skid marks, impact marks, accident debris and oil, radiator fluid and gas stains on the road. Other critical evidences including the rig truck itself may get destroyed or lost.

Get Compensation Claims

Tractor tr
1000
ailer Lawyers will be able to preserve important data such as driver’s logs, drug and alcohol testing in addition to testimony from eye-witnesses that will be extremely vital in your accident case.

If your loved one has lost the life in a large truck accident or you have got injured due to someone else’s negligence, ignorance or incorrect road manners, you can immediately contact the commercial vehicle attorney who will be able to represent your case convincingly in the court.

Why To Hire A Professional Lawyer?

Experienced and professional accident tractor lawyers have an experienced group of investigators, legal assistants and attorneys who can work with the health care providers and accident reconstruction experts and engineering experts for investigating, developing and prosecuting accident cases involving large tractor trailers.

You can rely on the experienced and professional team of these commercial injury attorneys most of whom are willing to provide free consultation services to their prospective clients. There are others that do not hesitate to work on the basis of contingency fees which mean that they do not ask any fees or charges from their clients unless they have won the case.

This service is generally only provided by those tractor trailer lawyers who have confidence in their abilities and accept the challenge to win the case for their clients. So, do not feel helpless and miserable after being injured in a tractor trailer accident, go find one of the most reputable tractor trailer lawyers and fight for your rights.

By: Gregory1 McEwen1

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Peter Kestner is author of this article on Trucking Negligence Lawyer. We provide truck accident attorney and lawyer to the following areas: Missouri, Illinois, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Colorado, and throughout the United States.
Find more information about Semi Truck Accident Lawyer here.

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

Wife got into car accident and police issued no ticket! Injury! Car totaled! Insurance battle? Attorney?

My wife was involved in a car accident.

The accident happened at a four way stop sign intersection.
My wife was traveling Eastbound.
The other driver was traveling Southbound.
Long story short, they both got to the intersection at the same time and my wife had right of way being on the right. The other person either didn’t yield to right of way or ran the stop sign. It happened real fast.

My wife was hurt and went to the hospital directly from the accident scene and wasn’t able to talk to the police officer before leaving the scene. The other person lied and told the officer that my wife didn’t stop so when the officer came to the hospital he was expecting to give my wife a ticket for not stopping until she straitened him out on what happened. Now he says he won’t issue any tickets because he is unable to make a determination about what happened. That is him basically saying he f’ed up.
The people who hit her already called my insurance agent and yelled at him, blaming my wife 100 percent for the accident.

There were no witnesses other than the two cars involved.

So here we are with a totaled car, injured wife, insurance battle, and no ticked issued.
How do you think things will pan out and where do we go from here?

I spoke to a lawyer who suggested we pay 5-10,000 for an accident reconstruction and that he won’t get paid unless we get any money. But if we lose we are out the$5-10,000.
Now what money does he think we will get? Pain and suffering? Missing work? Daycare?
Our car had full coverage which is only worth $6000 or so and my wife had a $40,000? dollar surgery to fix her arm which the PIP on the vehicle will pay $4500 out immediately and her health insurance(which is really good) will take care of the rest.

I have heard of people who fought in court and won, and basically any extra money they won went to the lawyer. I don’t want to enter contract with him if he is just leading me on for his own benefit.
I am not in a financial position to pay out of pocket for the accident reconstruction and I am afraid if I go the legal route I won’t end up any better off and perhaps worse than we are now.

Would I have any avenue in which to challenge the officers’ decision not to issue a ticket? Can I go over his head? Can they go back and issue a ticket days later?

Has anybody else been here and what happened? I am at a complete loss on which direction to proceed at this point.

For the recent years, our court system has been receiving considerable number of personal injury lawsuits resulting from motor vehicle accidents. This is very much evident on the daily news reports about the accounts of tragic vehicle collisions. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) affirmed that a car accident occur every ten seconds.

In California and in most states in the U.S. wherein “no fault” legislation has not yet been adopted, these occurrences are under the law of negligence. Meaning, any person, who has been proven to operate his vehicle without due care, is required to pay his injured victim for any harm or damages that resulted from his action or inaction.

Because of this, motor vehicle owners and drivers should be considerate enough to exercise “reasonable care” especially when traveling along the busy streets and thoroughfares. That is, if they do not want to face the various penalties and legal obligations that may emerge.

Causes of Vehicular accidents

According to the reported incidents, these dealings have been the major causes of vehicular accidents:

• Speeding beyond the allowable and posted limit set based on the traffic condition

• Inappropriate or too much lane changing

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance

• Tailgating

• Rubbernecking

• Unnecessary operation of stereo systems

• Too much conversation with other passengers

• Improper use of cell phones

• Failure to abide by the road signs and warnings

In some cases, traffic accidents have been caused by other reasons that are not related to the drivers’ actions. These are:

• Motor vehicle defects – in this particular case, the injured victims may sue the automobile manufacturer or supplier under the product liability law

• Poorly maintained roads and traffic control malfunction – this instance may entitle the injured victims to file charges against certain government entities. However, these cases are under special rules and definitely necessitate the assistance of motor vehicle accident lawyers for proper legal advice.

Legal Procedures

In any court arguments, the plaintiffs always carry the “burden of proof.” This means they must substantiate their allegations before they may obtain suitable compensation. In a road collision, the plaintiff has to establish these elements of his case:

• The defendant has been neglectful in operating his vehicle

• Such carelessness has been the proximate cause of the accident

• He has incurred injuries or damages from the accident

• He has not violated any traffic rules when the accident transpired

If he was able to convince the court that these elements are factual, the defendant may then be obliged by the judge to pay him compensatory damages for his:

• Physical pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Hospital and other treatment expenses

• Loss of wages

• Damage to property

• Lawyer’s fees

Seeking the Aid of a Competent Lawyer

The legal procedure in filing personal injury lawsuits can be very complicated since the injured victims may have limited knowledge about the associated law provisions. Thus, it is just proper for them to hire experienced motor vehicle accident lawyers in order to have better chances of winning their legal battle.

With a lawyer’s adequate understanding and skills in managing vehicle accident litigations, the injured victims do not have to worry much on their claims. Rather, they will have more time to spend with their families while waiting for their injuries to completely heal.

About The Author

Rainier Policarpio

Our expert lawyers are well experienced in handling cases resulting from motor vehicle accidents. For further details and inquiries on how to obtain credible legal representation, just log on to our website at http://askaccidentlawyers.com/

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers

Yahoo! News

The story or page you were trying to access may have expired.

If you are having trouble locating a destination on Yahoo! News, try visiting the Yahoo! News home page
or you may find what you’re looking for if you try searching below.

My partner was involved in an accident with a dump truck. This happened a month ago and there still hasn't been anything done. She still has no rental car, no check for a new car (hers was totalled), no compensation what so ever. She doesn't really have any injuries, and that isn't the concern. Should we get a lawyer to help us? The first question they always ask is about injuries. Do they help if there aren't any??? She is calling daily (multiple times a day) and is still getting NO where. We need this situation taken care of. Legally, what can be done?

Technorati Tags: accident lawyers