Category Archives for "News"

April 7, 2016

Disturbing Distracted Driving Trends that Kill

Distracted driving kills 8 people and injures another 1,161 per day in the United States. April is distracted driving awareness month. The Brian R. Murphy Law Firm wants you to be aware of the dangerous risks associated with distracted driving.

"Distracted driving kills 8 people and injures another 1,161 per day

Distraction.gov estimates that 660,000 people are using their phones or electronic devices while driving at any daylight moment in the United States. Texting while driving is like driving blind for the distance of a football field. That’s enough time to cause all kinds of mayhem.

"Texting while driving is like driving blind for the distance of a football field

An estimated 25% of all car crashes involved distracted drivers. In 2014, distracted driving killed 3,179 and injured 431,000.00 , up 10% from 2013. The worst part is that drivers under 20 years old are the most at risk for distraction-related fatalities.

"drivers are posting pictures from their cell phone while driving

Now a more disturbing practice is trending: drivers are posting pictures from their cell phone while driving. You can check it out for yourself by searching for the hashtag #whiledriving on social media. Check out this news report below.

Talk with your family this month about distracted driving. Start the conversation and share these statistics. Also, stay tuned during the month as we share additional stories, solutions, and resources. Sign up for our newsletter below to get these delivered to your inbox or like our page on Facebook.

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If you have been injured by a distracted driver and would like to tell us your story, please contact us below.

Injured? Get Help!

February 4, 2016

Cam Newton’s Success Secret: From Car Accident to Super Bowl

“Somebody is supposed to be dead,” Cam Newton said after the accident. He shouldn’t be alive.

In 2014 Newton’s truck overturned after a driver clipped the rear of his Dodge Ram. The images are horrible. We all wondered how anyone survived. Cam Newton fractured two bones in his lower back.

However, the most lasting impact of the crash seems to be Newton’s on-field performance and not his injured body. The Carolina Panther’s haven’t lost a regular season home game since his crash.

Newton’s teammates praise his leadership. His happiness and joy overflow. He is dominant on the football field.

These successes are a glaring contrast from the previous season. Before the crash, the Charlotte Observer published a column claiming that he wasn’t worth his $100 million contract. His performance was faltering. His passer rating was 47.2, Newton’s career low.

How did Cam Newton turn around his performance so quickly? I believe the answer is his attitude. Cam Newton did these three things right after the crash.

First, he gave thanks.

After the crash Cam Newton said, “I’m just blessed, man. Sometimes you get asked questions and you're speechless. You're just here in this moment, because I'm so happy to one, walk away from it, but also see so much blessings be rained upon me."

Next, he got back to work.

Cam was back at Bank of America stadium the day after he was released from the hospital. No, he wasn’t 100%. He was getting treatment on his back, but he was also at quarterback meetings, according to press accounts.

Finally, he had fun.

Teammate, Jerricho Cotchery explains Can Newton’s success, saying he “ just [had] a great mindset about life and keep pushing. Next thing you know he’s dabbin.’”

Cam Newton didn’t credit new supplements, updated playbooks, or even increased strength. He gave thanks, got back to work, and had fun. The main reason that Cam Newton has gone from his worst season to MVP contender the next season is his mental attitude.

Experiencing an injury after a car accident can be life changing. People can have the best treatment, the best doctors, and a complete physical recovery. However, the biggest contributor to your comeback success is your mental attitude. Remember, give thanks, get back to work, and have fun.

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May 26, 2015

Help Reduce Teen Crashes, Traffic Tip Tuesday

Car Crashes are the #1 killer of teens. Remember that Safety is not an accident; it is a process of good decisions.

With the privilege of driving comes the responsibility to make safe choices. Safe choices include paying attention to the road. 58% of teens involved in traffic collisions are distracted. Summer is the most deadly season for teens.

Good driving decisions for teenagers include putting their mobile phones down, limiting the number of passengers, and keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Talk with your teen about safe driving decisions. Make the above rules mandatory for them to keep the privilege of driving.

For more information, please visit the National Organization for Youth Safety at www.noys.org. If you have been injured in a crash, please visit my website at www.brianmurphylawyer.com.

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May 19, 2015

Tell Your Teen to Buckle Up, Traffic Tip Tuesday

Car Crashes are the #1 killer of teens. Remember that Safety is not an accident; it is a process of good decisions. One of those good decisions is using your seat belt.

Did you know that 53% of teenage drivers who died in crashes were not wearing seat belts? Additionally, a recent survey found that 25% of teens said they don’t wear their seat belts.

Explain these statistics to your teenage drivers. Tell them that seat belts are an important piece of the vehicle’s safety systems. Tell them you expect them to wear them along with any passengers. After all, it’s the law in South Carolina.

For more information, please visit the National Organization for Youth Safety at www.noys.org. If you have been injured in a crash, please visit my website at www.brianmurphylawyer.com.

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April 21, 2015

Don’t Drive Too Slowly, Traffic Tip Tuesday

I know you have heard me say that speed kills, and it does. However, driving too slowly causes car accidents also. The South Carolina Driver’s License Manual reminds us that driving too slowly can also be dangerous.

The reason is this: When you drive to slowly, traffic backs up behind you. When traffic backs up behind you, some motorists may make dangerous moves to get around you. South Carolina has minimum speed laws in addition to maximum speed limits.

Remember to maintain the speed of the traffic around you No, that doesn’t give you a license to speed. You should go with the flow of traffic as long as you are not speeding.

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February 3, 2015

Inmate Files $88 Billion Suit

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After watching a fantastic Super Bowl, most of us are mourning the end of football season this week. However, one inmate is attempting to change the course of the 2014 football season in Federal Court. His lawsuit claims the National Football League committed a fraud on Mr. Bryant, all Cowboys’ fans, and the citizens of Texas and asked for $88 Billion Dollars in Damages.

Mr. Hendrix is an inmate in a Colorado jail. He filed the suit out of a play where Dez Bryant appeared to make a spectacular catch near the goal line toward the end of the game. After a video review, the officials ruled that Mr. Bryant failed to maintain possession throughout the entire process of catching the ball.

Mr. Hendrix filed suit “on behalf of Dez Bryant #88, All Dallas Cowboys Fans, and All People In Or And From The Sovereign Republic of Texas.” Specifically, Mr. Hendrix claims the incomplete pass call by the officials was “negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and also wreckless disregard.” Going further, Mr. Hendrix called the video reversal a fraud.

Some may wonder why our system of justice allows suits like this to be filed in the first place. There is no doubt that this lawsuit will be tossed by a judge at the earliest possible moment. Mr. Hendrix is attempting to abuse our system of justice and clog up our courts.

Our civil justice system is like no other in the world. There is a reason why our Founding Fathers insisted on having a jury of our peers to limit wrongdoing. Our justice system should remain open to all, but closely monitored for frivolous cases.

My firm does not accept frivolous cases. We do prosecute wrongdoers for injuring people. If you would like to discuss your meritorious case, please call me at 888-510-9359 or visit my website at www.brianmurphylawyer.com

December 19, 2014

Practice Safe Holidays:

drunk.driving.pngDid you know that thousands of Americans will be injured and hundreds will die in the next two weeks? USA Today reports that the end of the year holidays will bring bloodshed and carnage to our streets and highways. As most of us celebrate with office parties, family gatherings, and spirited shopping, some Americans won’t see the New Year. The National Safety Council estimates that over 40% of the traffic fatalities during the New Year’s period were caused from drinking and driving. How can you help? The only foolproof way to avoid causing an alcohol related fatality is to avoid alcohol before driving. Make a commitment today to stop the bloodshed by abstaining from alcohol before driving. If you would like to talk to me about your car accident, please call me at 888-510-9359 or visit my website at www.brianmurphylawyer.com. Also read, 3 Things to Know Before Talking to Anyone About Your Car Accident Case or request my free South Carolina Car Accident Claims Guide in Plain English.

November 19, 2014

Frivolous: Inmate Sues Jail Over Porn

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In 1998, Scott Rufin was gouged in the heart with a sword—seven times. He was also shot five times in the head. He left behind two children and his remains were found two years later.

In 2003 a Connecticut jury convicted Dwight Pink Jr. for the murder of Scott Rufin. Mr. Pink showed no remorse and was quoted as saying “I shouldn’t have to show remorse,” saying “this trial . . . was a joke.” Judge Richard W. Dyer sentenced Dwight Pink Jr. to 56 years in prison.

Now, Dwight Pink Jr. is back in court fighting for his right to pornography—while in jail. His lawsuit alleges the State of Connecticut is violating his constitutional right to pornography while incarcerated. Mr. Pink claims he wants access to a drawing book that uses nude models to show the human form. The prison’s ban apparently has multiple inmates upset. Connecticut is fighting the suit.

My take is that this case is absolutely frivolous. While I firmly believe that inmates should have access to the civil justice system to address real abuses, suing for a right to pornography is not one of them. When an inmate chooses to break the law, he looses unfettered freedom as a consequence.

My firm does not accept frivolous cases. We do prosecute wrongdoers for hurting people. If you would like to discuss your meritorious case, please call me at 888-510-9359 or visit my website at www.brianmurphylawyer.ocm

November 12, 2014

Hidden Obamacare Tax: Car Insurance

UncleSamTax.jpeg Hidden Obamacare Tax: Car Insurance

Love it or hate it, Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) is changing America’s healthcare. Both supporters and opponents understand that increased use of healthcare services will lead to larger medical bills. Obamacare supporters argue that healthcare costs will decrease by expanding coverage, eliminating abuses, and incentivizing high quality care. Opponents argue that expanding coverage will only lead to increased spending.

Everyone agrees that medical bills are increasing. Forbes notes that “healthcare spending for the first three months of 2014 rose at the fastest rate in 34 years. . . .” Healthcare spending has steadily risen for more than 10 years and is approaching $9,000.00 per person annually for every man, woman, and child in the United States.

Experiencing a significant injury can result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. As a lawyer who helps injured people recover their financial losses, I commonly see medical bills exceed $25,000.00. Even two-day hospital stays can top $50,000.00. I believe that those bills will continue to increase with the implementation of Obamacare.

When a person is injured in a car accident by the negligence of another driver, the wrongdoing driver is held responsible for the medical bills, among other losses. However, South Carolina law only requires drivers to have $25,000.00 of insurance coverage.

Often, drivers with minimum limits of car insurance cannot pay for medical treatment that exceeds those minimum limits ($25,000.00 in South Carolina). That leaves the injured person holding the bill for what’s left over. That’s right, an injured person could be left with thousands of dollars in medical bills for a car collision that someone else caused.

With increasing medical bills, $25,000.00 may barely cover even one day in a hospital. If an injured person needs extensive follow care or surgery, their medical bills may exceed $100,000.00. Most people fear the possibility they could be on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills because someone else crashed into them.

The solution is to purchase optional underinsured coverage on your car insurance. Underinsured coverage steps in and pays the difference between what the other driver paid and what you owe. However, this coverage adds to your car insurance bill.

Healthcare bills are increasing after Obamacare. At the same time, other drivers only have to purchase $25,000.00 of auto insurance. This means you must buy extra car insurance to cover any excess medical bills from automobile collision injuries or face thousands of left over medical bills. Your premiums for that extra coverage are the hidden Obamacare tax. Some of you may have no problem paying extra. Others may protest. Please let me know your thoughts.

Brian R. Murphy is a South Carolina personal injury and car accident lawyer. His law firm helps people who have been hurt by the negligence and recklessness of others. He believes that safety rule violators should take personal responsibility and pay for the harm they cause. Brian’s firm is dedicated to promoting and pursuing justice for the injured. For more information, visit the firm online at www.brianmurphylawyer.com