Last Sunday January 30, 2012 there was a horrific accident on interstate 75 near Gainesville, Florida. The FHP had closed Interstate 75 earlier because of poor visibility due to fog and smoke from a nearby wildfire, but had reopened the interstate just 15 minutes before the terrible chain reaction accident occurred.

As drivers drove into the area at interstate speeds, they were suddenly driving blind because of the fog and smoke, and began to brake. When it was all over at least 12 cars, 6 semi-tractor trailers, and a motorhome were involved resulting in 10 deaths and 18 serious injuries. Accident injury attorneys will be helping the victims and their families recover from this terrible accident and help them rebuild their lives.

South Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys

A similar accident occurred on Interstate 4 in Florida in 2008 when a combination of fog and smoke from a wildfire caused a chain reaction pileup that involved 70 vehicles and caused 4 deaths and 38 serious injuries. Every state, including South Carolina, has had instances of multiple car crashes on their roadways. A South Carolina car accident attorney should be consulted if you have been injured in a vehicle accident that was not your fault. They can inform you of your rights and options and help you get justice and compensation for your injury.

Who is to blame for these accidents? That is something that personal injury attorneys will be spending many hours studying and investigating. Lawsuits coming out of these types of accidents can be complex because they may find more than one person or party liable. Did FHP do the right thing by reopening the interstate for traffic, considering the bad visibility problems they had already been experiencing? Some believe they could have reduced the speed in the affected area and posted warnings about poor visibility.

These large scale chain reaction accidents receive a lot of press, but people suffer injuries on our roadways every day because of the negligence and/or carelessness of others. If you or a loved one has been injured in a South Carolina car accident, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer to find out your rights and options.

Call South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Goldstein & Hayes To Receive Help For Your Accident

South Carolina accident injury attorney, Goldstein & Hayes can help you if you have been injured in a car accident, or any type of accident caused by another. Call us today and one of our experienced accident injury attorneys can begin building a strong case to help you get the most compensation you are entitled to and deserve.

Americans spend $33 billion dollars yearly on weight loss products and services. Many obese Americans are choosing bariatric surgery as one of the most popular weight loss choices. There are several types of bariatric surgery, including lap-band surgery.

If you or a family member has been injured by a medical procedure like a lap-band surgery, or any type of surgery about which you were not fully informed and you believe negligence was involved, a South Carolina personal injury attorney may be able to help you get justice and compensation for your injuries

The risk of health problems from being overweight should be carefully weighed against the risk of complications from bariatric surgery. Not disclosing the risks of surgery and possible complications to prospective patients is of serious concern within the weight loss industry. A South Carolina medical malpractice attorney has the knowledge and experience to look at your specific case to see what legal options may be available to you if you believe your surgery or medical procedure has resulted in an injury or disability.

Major surgery is serious and many things can go wrong from surgical errors to anesthesia mistakes. There is always the possibility that the medical product itself, such as a lap-band, may have a design flaw or defect. If you are planning on having any type of surgery you should be fully informed about every aspect of your surgery and know that your surgeon is qualified and experienced in his field.

One Weight Loss Group Accused Of Putting Profit Before Patient Safety – Get Help From A South Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyer

The Food and Drug Administration recently accused the 1-800-Get-Thin marketing company of misleading advertising of its lap-band weight loss surgery and not disclosing to their clients the serious risks they will face. In addition, 2 former employees accused 1-800-Get-Thin and its surgery centers of operating in unsanitary conditions, improper billing procedures, persuading patients to have additional surgeries they did not need, and putting profit before patient safety.

At least 5 patients have died after lap-band surgery in the last two years at clinics affiliated with 1-800-Get-Thin and family members are depending on personal injury attorneys to pursue compensation for their loss. This is just one story presently in the news. Every year there are many deaths which occur during or after bariatric surgeries. It you or a family member is considering bariatric surgery you should go to a reputable bariatric surgeon who will carefully evaluate your case and advise you about the possibility of complications and risks of surgery.

Call Goldstein & Hayes, South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Today!

If you or a family member has suffered serious injury or died because of a medical procedure or surgery of any kind in which you think the doctor or other professionals involved in your care were negligent, you should consult with a South Carolina medical malpractice attorney to protect your rights and help you get the compensation you are entitled to.

The Federal Drug Administration has warned Johnson & Johnson that it could face fines and sanctions for knowingly delaying disclosure about faulty insulin pumps while continuing to sell them. The faulty pumps may have contributed to several cases of serious injury and death. South Carolina personal injury attorneys work with victims and their families, who have suffered injury because of bad products to recover compensation for their injuries in cases like this.

Our experienced South Carolina bad product lawyers at Goldstein & Hayes understand the law concerning liability on the part of a manufacturer and their responsibility to protect their consumers. We can help if you or a loved one has been injured or died because of a bad product.

Since 2009 J & J Has Had Almost 30 Product Recalls – South Carollina Product Liability Attorneys

J & J has had a string of almost 30 product recalls since September of 2009 for bad drugs and medical devices. The recalls have involved bottles of Tylenol, Motrin, other prescription medication, hip implants, and contact lenses. This latest recall involves One Touch Ping and 2020 pumps which are programed to automatically inject insulin under the skin in small amounts throughout the day to keep a diabetics blood sugar at a safe level. If you or a loved one has ever been injured by a bad drug or bad product, you should contact a product liability attorney for advice and guidance. South Carolina personal injury attorneys handle injury cases of all types including South Carolina product liability.

Manufacturers are responsible for producing products that are safe to use. Every year we hear about bad products that have seriously injured people, sometimes children. Personal injury attorneys emphasize that whatever the product, if you or a loved one was injured by a bad product because it was poorly designed or defective, you may have a good case for product liability.

Call South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Goldstein & Hayes For Help Today!

Call Goldstein & Hayes, South Carolina personal injury attorneys for help if you or a loved one has been injured by a bad drug or bad product. Our product liability lawyers can help protect your rights and advise you on what legal options are best for your specific case.

Beginning in January 2012, Ford Motor Company will begin recalling more than 128,000 cars which have a potential problem that could cause the wheels to fall off. The cars involved in the recall are 2010 & 2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models equipped with 17-inch steel wheels. Also affected in the recall are vehicles with service steel wheels sold between mid-April 2010 and mid-November 2010.

It is frightening to think of the danger posed by a wheel falling off a car traveling at highway speeds. If you were injured in a South Carolina car accident because of a design flaw or safety issue with a vehicle, a South Carolina product liability attorney can help protect your rights and recover compensation for your injuries.

Questionable Wheel & Brake Parts Built At Mexico Plant – South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys

Ford company officials believe the wheel mounting pads or rear disc brakes were incorrectly built and cannot support the wheel causing the wheel bolts to fracture allowing the wheels to separate from the car. All of the cars in question were built at the Ford stamping and assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. Dealers will replace the lug nuts, and check the brake surface to check that it was correctly assembled.

At present, Ford has reported it is aware of 6 vehicles in which a wheel has fallen off. Ford is not alone in recalling vehicles due to design or safety concerns. Every year many vehicles are recalled by different car companies as accident reports and potential safety problems surface. Car accidents in South Carolina are sometimes caused by defective car parts and when someone is injured in an accident of this type, a personal injury attorney should be consulted about the possibility of a South Carolina product liability case.

Every year many serious injuries and sometimes fatalities are reported across the nation due to defective products and unsafe designs, not just on cars, but in many types of manufactured products. If you have been injured by any kind of defective product, a South Carolina personal injury attorney can help you get compensation for your injury, and possibly prevent injury to others by bringing the problem to light and forcing the manufacturer to remove the product from sale and/or make corrections.

Call Goldstein & Hayes South Carolina Personal Injury Attorneys

Contact South Carolina personal injury attorney, Goldstein & Hayes for a consultation if you or a family member was injured or killed by a bad product, design flaw, or safety issue of any kind. Our South Carolina product liability attorneys are experienced at handling these types of cases and getting you compensation and justice.

Personal Injury Attorneys In South Carolina Agree: No Call, No Text, No Update Is Worth A Life

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s chairman, Deborah Hersman, “more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction related traffic accidents. It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving. No call, no text, no update is worth a human life.” South Carolina distracted driving lawyers have seen the number of people using cell phones and other portable electronic devices skyrocket in the last 20 years. You can be sure there are many South Carolina car accidents which have been the direct result of a distracted driver.

The NTSB has investigated numerous cases of distracted driving over the years involving not only motor vehicles, but also airplanes, trains and boats, which resulted in a deadly loss of life and serious injury. For example, in 2008 a commuter train collided with a freight train in Chatsworth, California killing 25 and injuring dozens more. The engineer ran a red signal because he was distracted while texting on his personal cell phone.

Protect Your Legal Rights – Consult With A SC Distracted Driver Attorney

If you have been injured in a South Carolina car accident, or an accident while traveling by bus, air, train or boat, you can get help protecting your legal rights and recovering compensation for your injuries by consulting with a personal injury attorney.

The NTSB safety recommendation calls for all 50 states and the District of Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers. Car accident attorneys in South Carolina think this would help to reduce the number of needless tragic accidents every year.

SC Car Accident Attorney Goldstein & Hayes Protect Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member has been injured or died due to a South Carolina texting accident that was the fault of another driver, contact South Carolina car accident attorney Goldstein & Hayes to get the legal help you will need to protect your rights and recover compensation for your injuries.

South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Encourage You To “Be A Santa”

“Be A Santa” places emphasis on the importance of planning ahead to remain alcohol free all night long, or having a member of your party agree to remain alcohol free and do the driving. South Carolina DUI accident lawyers have seen the tragedy that can result when people decide to drink and drive. This month long initiative will include a TV commercial and collaboration with the SCHA (South Carolina Hospitality Association). Through SCHA and its Columbia-area members, patrons of Columbia area restaurants and bars who agree to be a designated driver will receive a fun sticker with the “Be A Santa” message and some establishments will also offer a free non-alcoholic drink.

DUI Leading Cause Of Traffic Deaths In South Carolina – SC DUI Accident Attorneys

DUI has become a problem in South Carolina and remains one of the top causes of traffic deaths keeping South Carolina Attorneys busy. During the Christmas season and through New Year’s Day, many more people drink, even those who don’t drink on a regular basis and they risk serious injury and death to themselves and others when they drive after a holiday celebration. SCDPS director Leroy Smith said designated drivers, “Give the gift of a safe ride home.”

Our South Carolina accident injury attorneys at Goldstein & Hayes, want to see that you have a happy and accident free holiday season and encourage you to drink and drive responsibly. You can have fun, drink, and party as long as you plan ahead for your ride home. Our highway patrol and local law enforcement work throughout the year to help keep our roads safe from impaired drivers and hopefully the “Be A Santa” campaign will assist them in their work.

Although the TV ads and sticker give away are part of a pilot program in the Columbia area, it is hoped that it will influence adults across the state. Said Leroy Smith, “Anybody, anywhere can be a Santa.” You could keep yourself or someone you love safe from injury or even death by planning ahead to be a designated driver.

Be informed about other options you have if you have been drinking at a party. Other options you could plan on implementing that could potentially help you avoid needing the services of a South Carolina attorney:

• Safe-ride services offered by taxi companies
• Spending the night at your host’s home
• Calling a family member or friend for a ride home

Contact South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Goldstein & Hayes

Despite doing all the right things, you or a family member may be injured due to the negligence or carelessness of another person. If this happens to you, protect your rights by calling South Carolina DUI accident attorney Goldstein & Hayes. Their DUI accident attorneys are experienced at getting justice and compensation for their clients throughout the southeast including Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama.

As car accident attorneys in South Carolina, Goldstein & Hayes has seen the terrible consequences, both physical and emotional, caused by DUI accidents. Because of the large number of holiday celebrations at this time of year, it is important to plan ahead if you plan to drink alcohol. You can have a good time, drink, and still keep yourself and others safe. Practice safe drinking tips such as:

• Having a designated driver in your group who will not be drinking
• Plan on using a taxi for your ride
• Phone a friend or family member for a ride home if you make a last minute decision to drink at an event
• As a host, you can plan on having guests who have been drinking spend the night

Drivers are responsible for safely operating their vehicles and following driving laws and regulations. While we can do everything right, we cannot make others do the same. Sometimes people choose to drive without regard for others, ignoring speed limits, and driving impaired.

Be Responsible By Reporting Drunk Drivers – Car Accident Attorneys In SC

As responsible drivers, it is sometimes up to us to report drunk driving to the authorities. Intoxicated drivers cause more accidents than any other drivers on the road and can cost someone their life, or cause serious, life altering injuries including brain injury and spine injury. If you or a family member has been injured or worse because of the negligence of another driver, contact a personal injury attorney who can protect your rights and hold the negligent party responsible.

You can help in the effort to keep drunk drivers off the roads. Know how to spot a DUI driver and how to report them. Things to look for:

• Making an unnecessary wide turn
• Driving down the center lane
• Erratic braking
• Slow reactions to traffic signals
• Tailgating
• Driving 10 mph below the speed limit
• Drifting into oncoming traffic
• Driving at night or in early morning without headlights
• Illegal or last minute turns
• Inappropriate or sudden stopping
• Appearance of being drunk

If you suspect someone is driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, you should first keep a safe distance from them. Stop as soon as possible to call 911, or have a passenger call 911 and tell them you want to report a suspected impaired driver, giving them a description of the vehicle as well as the license plate number and tell them why you suspect the driver is impaired. Accident injury attorneys know that positive action on your part may save a life and/or prevent serious injury to another.

Contact South Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer Goldstein & Hayes Serving Georgia And The Southeast

If you or a family member has been the victim of a drunk driving accident, or any accident caused by the negligence of another, contact SC DUI accident attorney Goldstein & Hayes for help. As experienced personal injury attorneys, they litigate DUI accident cases in Georgia and throughout the southeast.

Every year we experience power outages during summer or winter storms, due to downed power lines, and power company blackouts. As we crank up the generator to keep warm, and power our lights and other electrical items, it is important to be aware of safe generator operation.

Deaths caused by carbon monoxide have increased in recent years as generator sales have risen and consumers are uninformed or negligent about the rules of safe generator use. Because generators use gasoline, there is also the danger of explosion and fire if the proper refueling procedure is not followed. Personal injury attorneys know, all too well, the devastating injuries and deaths which can result when people operate generators and other types of equipment in an unsafe, careless and negligent manner.

Other Common Sources Of CO Poisoning Seen In Homes By SC Product Liability Attorneys

Generators are not the only source of deadly, odorless carbon monoxide. Other common sources include:

• Anything that burns coal, gas, kerosene, oil, propane, or wood
• Automobile engines
• Charcoal grills
• Indoor portable heating systems
• Portable propane heaters
• Stoves (indoor and camp stoves)
• Water heaters that use natural gas

When any product which burns fuel is not properly maintained, vented, or is defective, it can give off dangerous levels of CO. Landlords and neighbors may be negligent in maintaining and/or using these products and put other’s lives and health at risk. Long term, low level carbon monoxide poisoning can cause lifelong brain injury. You should seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer if you or a family member has suffered injury due to the negligence of another.

Recently, Rebecca Hawk, a 23 year old woman in Florida died from carbon monoxide poisoning when a neighbor left their car running inside the apartment garage overnight. Rebecca’s apartment was adjacent to the garage and fumes seeped into her apartment. In this case the owner of the car is liable for causing another’s death because of their negligence.

Contact Atlanta Product Liability Attorney Goldstein & Hayes For Defective Product Injury Cases in GA. And Throughout The Southeast

If you or a family member has suffered injury or death due to bad product or the negligence of another person or party, you should contact an experienced South Carolina product liability attorney, like Goldstein & Hayes. They take on those responsible for causing injury and death, helping families recover financial compensation for loss and pain and suffering throughout the southeast.

Although South Carolina traffic fatalities overall have gone done slightly this year compared to last year, one area of concern is pedestrian deaths which has shown a marked increase over last year’s statistics. Through Oct. 30 of this year, there have been 92 pedestrian deaths from traffic crashes compared to 70 in 2010.

There are many things that pedestrians can do to help protect themselves like wearing bright clothing, walking facing traffic, carrying a flashlight during dark hours, and more.  Although there are some instances where the pedestrian himself may be at fault, or contribute to an accident, in most cases the fault lies with the driver. A driver who is negligent, careless, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are the most common causes of a pedestrian fatality or injury. When involved in a car or truck accident of any kind, it’s important to consult with a truck accident attorney in South Carolina for advice and counsel about your accident.

Negligent Drivers Cause Serious Injury – Personal Injury Attorney In SC

While some pedestrians are lucky to walk away from a car accident with scratches and bruises, that is not often the case. A person is at a distinct disadvantage put up against the weight and size of a vehicle and serious, life altering injuries and sometimes death is the result. Some of the common injuries to pedestrians struck by a car include:

• Broken Bones
• Spine Injury
• Neck Injury
• Brain Injury & Head Trauma
• Nerve Damage
• Paralysis
• Loss of A Limb

When the driver of the vehicle has been careless, or negligent in causing an accident, they are liable for your injuries. It is important to consult with a personal injury attorney who can protect your rights and help you recover compensation for your injuries, which can include recovery for pain and suffering as well.

Contact Goldstein & Hayes SC Truck Accident Lawyer

Contact an experienced South Carolina car accident attorney like Goldstein & Hayes, for a free consultation if you have been injured in a car accident.  They can protect your rights and fight to win the largest compensation you are entitled to.

On Saturday, October 21, 2011 Kershaw County S.C. police arrested a man they found passed out drunk in his car which was pulled off to the side of Interstate 20. Inside the car with him was his 5-year old daughter. The car was still in drive and the engine was running.

Drivers are irresponsible when they make the decision to drink and drive, putting themselves and the lives of others at risk. Fortunately, this time, this driver and father did not cause an accident or injure anyone. If you suffered injuries from an accident caused by the irresponsible behavior of another you should consult a South Carolina car accident attorney to learn your rights and options.

DUI Drivers Involved In 1 of Every 3 Crash Deaths – S.C. Accident Lawyers Can Help

Every year approximately 600,000 police reported vehicle crashes are alcohol related with 534,000 people suffering injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009 there were 10,839 fatalities in alcohol related accidents. These statistics are alarming. It is estimated that alcohol impaired drivers are involved in 1 of every 3 crash deaths. Personal injury attorneys in South Carolina can help victims of DUI crashes get the compensation they need and deserve for injuries caused by impaired drivers.

The CDC reports that in 2010 alcohol impaired drivers got behind the wheel and drove 112 million times. You may do everything right, be responsible, wear your seat belt, and obey the laws, but just one alcohol impaired driver can take your life, the life of a family member, or cause severe injury. Alcohol impaired drivers put you at risk!

South Carolina Accident Injury Attorneys Protect Your Rights

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a vehicle accident caused by an impaired driver, or any vehicle accident in which the other party was negligent, contact Goldstein & Hayes, South Carolina car accident injury attorneys.