Alcohol, Speed, and Lack of Seatbelts Lead to Fatal Accident in Mount Olive, North Carolina

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, P.A., our Charlotte car accident attorneys know that vehicle collisions involving college-aged kids happen frequently throughout North Carolina. North Carolina’s higher education system is composed of 149 colleges and universities, including 75 public institutions, 50 nonprofit private schools, and 24 for-profit private institutions, so there is no shortage of student drivers on our roadways.

Unfortunately, some of the crashes involving college kids this year were preventable but ended in tragedy.

That was the case Friday, September 16, 2022, when a University of Mount Olive (UMO) senior died, and three other UMO students were injured in a car crash that morning.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the four students were in a car that crashed on Cricket Ridge Road in Wayne County.

The report stated a 2019 Honda was traveling north on Cricket Ridge Road when it crossed the center line, ran off the left side of the road, and collided with a mailbox and three driveway brick barriers, eventually flipping and landing on its roof.

The State Highway Patrol told WRAL News that alcohol and speed were both factors in the crash, and that none of the passengers were wearing seatbelts.

The driver of the car was charged with DWI, careless and reckless driving, speeding, and several other charges.

Can Injured Passengers & Family Members of Those Killed Hold Negligent Drivers Liable for Their Damages?

All too often, a negligent driver’s reckless behavior can lead to a crash that causes significant injuries and fatalities to the vehicle’s occupants.

When this is the case, as it was in the Mount Olive crash, the injured passengers may pursue the driver’s insurance coverage for their complete damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and permanent injuries.

When someone is killed in a crash caused by a negligent driver, the qualifying family members may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.

Either approach will require partnering with a skilled personal injury attorney in Charlotte,  North Carolina because the driver’s insurance company is not simply going to write a check for the injured person or the grieving family’s damages.

In the case listed above, the insurance company may argue that none of the occupants were wearing seatbelts, which could have changed the severity of the physical injuries or even mitigated the loss of life.

The insurance company will also do all it can to hold the damages to the insurance policy’s limits, which could be as low as the minimum legal requirement of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.

If you have been injured as a passenger or lost a loved one who was a vehicle occupant, we can help you understand your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome for your unique claim.

Contact Our Knowledgeable Auto Accident Attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our leading auto accident lawyers in Charlotte provide free consultations by calling 704-377-3737 or contacting us online.

We provide unique legal services tailored to fit each client’s needs and do not get paid unless you do.

Because every case is different, the description of awards and cases previously handled by our law firm does not guarantee a similar outcome in current or future cases.