Car Accidents

Published on: February 8, 2011

Four People Injured in Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident

Four people have been reported injured in a drunk driving accident in Atlanta on Saturday morning. According to the Atlanta Police Department, a motorist driving a minivan under the influence, caused the auto accident when she struck another car head-on at about 4.15 am. The accident caused a massive wreckage, leaving four people trapped in the car. Rescuers had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate the four people. The woman driving the minivan has been charged with driving under the influence and other charges.

Accidents like these cause Atlanta car accident attorneys to hope for in-car alcohol detection devices to be available in the market as quickly as possible. Last week saw the demonstration of an alcohol detection device prototype in Massachusetts. The demonstration, which was attended by the chiefs of the US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, was impressive. A woman, who had consumed two alcoholic beverages, was able to demonstrate how the device detected her blood-alcohol levels through the use of breath and touch sensors. These sensors were strategically positioned inside the car, in areas where a person is likely to place his hand, like on the steering wheel.The prototype is designed to shut the engine down, preventing the motorist from driving when his blood alcohol level scores above or at the .08 legally allowed limit.

There are no plans to make such devices mandatory in all vehicles, as we had blogged about earlier. However, if these devices are found to be successful in lowering drunk driving accident rates, insurance companies may offer lowered premiums to motorists who get these devices installed in their cars.

Published on: February 7, 2011

Atlanta’s ADHD Teenage Drivers May Have Higher Risk of Auto Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlanta teenagers, who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, may suffer from concentration difficulties that increase their risk of an auto accident. Greg Fabiano at the University of Buffalo is studying ADHD among teen drivers. The study focused on two separate groups of drivers with learning permits. The first group was given additional driver’s education that included 3.5 hours in a simulator and the use of a monitoring device in the car that recorded driving behavior. The second group of teen drivers was given the additional training, the monitoring device in the car, as well as a signed contract with their parents that rewarded good driving behavior and punished undesirable driving practices.

The study is a work in progress, and final results will not be available for many years. However, preliminary findings seem to indicate that teenagers, who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, have difficulties in concentration that could cause them to be distracted, and increase the risks of an auto accident. Besides, these risks are amplified manifold if these ADHD teens also text or use cell phone calls while driving.

Surprisingly to Atlanta car accident lawyers, the study also finds that teenagers actually like having an in-car monitoring device, because they can show their parents that they are driving safely.

Published on: February 4, 2011

Difference in Perception May Increase Accident Risks among Elderly Drivers in Atlanta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Elderly drivers in Atlanta may be plagued by a variety of health issues, like failing vision that can increase their risk of an auto accident. However, new research suggests that vision problems among the elderly may be much more complicated than simply failing eyesight. The study seems to suggest that the elderly have trouble seeing objects in the foreground, which increases the risk of an accident with pedestrians and bicyclists. Of course, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents generally result in extremely serious injuries.

The study was conducted at the University of Rochester, and found that older people have impaired activity in the medial temporal visual area of the brain. This part of the brain suppresses movement in the background, so that the person can focus clearly on objects in the foreground. In elderly people, this section of the brain may be impaired. They may find it easy to perceive movement in the background, but not so easy to see objects that are in the foreground. That is why Atlanta car accident attorneys so often find elderly motorists involved in accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists.

The researchers used a technique called Transcranial Magnetics Stimulation, which involved attaching a magnetic card to the subject’s head, and measuring the activity of the MT area of the brain. The MT area was stimulated using electrical signals, and the researchers analyzed how well the subjects in the study identified the movement of objects. They found that when the MT area of the brain was impaired, the person could readily and easily identify objects in the background.

Published on: February 2, 2011

Cobb County Bus Driver Charged after Pedestrian Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The driver of a Cobb CountyTransit bus, which was involved in a serious pedestrian accident last week that left a pedestrian with an amputated leg, has now been charged. Atlanta police have charged the driver, Jean Lewis with failure to yield to a pedestrian on a crosswalk and failure to exercise due care. Of course, pedestrian accidents are more often involve the most serious injuries.

Lewis was driving a Cobb County transit bus when it struck a 54-year-old pedestrian. The bus struck the woman as it was turning left at a light. According to witnesses, the woman apparently saw the bus pulling out of the Hamilton Holmes Marta Station, and tried to walk faster, but she was struck by the rear of the bus, and fell to the ground. She suffered a severe leg and a broken ankle. According to Cobb County Representatives, the driver will be removed from service, pending completion of the investigation.

This pedestrian accident comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports on an increase in pedestrian wrongful deaths around the country. The increase is minimal, just .4%, but it comes after four continuous years of declining pedestrian accident deaths.

Published on: February 1, 2011

Georgia Ranks above National Average for Auto Accident Wrongful Deaths

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The state of Georgia ranks at number 32 in a USA Today compilation of states based on auto accident death rate per 100,000 population. In 2009, 1,284 people died in car accidents in Georgia, and the state had a death rate per 100,000 population of 13.1. That is much above the national average of 11 per 100,000 population. Of course, a significant number of deaths generally occur in urban areas such as Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia and other states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Delaware with strong rural neighborhoods seem to have high death rates in car accidents. The reason for this, according to the USA Today report, could be the fact that many of the states with significant numbers of wrongful deaths due to car accidents have large rural communities.

Most of the traffic in rural communities plies on two-lane roads. These roads typically tend to be poorly designed, and lack the safety enhancements and engineering that make urban roads safer. It’s no coincidence that the states that have featured at the top of the list (ie: least deaths), like Washington DC and Massachusetts have more urban roads.

Published on: January 17, 2011

Low Seatbelt Use Leads to Increase In Auto Accident Police Fatalities

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In many of the serious auto accidents that Atlanta car accident lawyers come across, seatbelt use was the only thing preventing devastating injuries or death. However, there is one category of drivers that is most aware of the importance of wearing seatbelts to avoid accidents, but neglect to wear seatbelts anyway. According to a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least 42% of police officers, who were killed in auto accidents over the past 28 years, were not wearing seat belts at the time.

The NHTSA study analyzed 733 fatal police auto accidents from 1980 through 2008, and found that more than 42% of the officers during these auto accidents were not wearing seat belts. Across the country, there have been concerns about low seatbelt usage rates among police officers. In Georgia too, we have a similar situation, and to a lay person, it can be quite perplexing. After all, officers don’t neglect to pull a motorist over when they find seatbelt violations, and it seems odd that they don’t obey laws they help enforce.

Many police departments are aware of this low seatbelt usage rate, and condone it because wearing seat belts can interfere with certain aspects of a police officer’s responsibilities. While officers are expected to wear seat belts during a patrol or when they are responding to a scene of a crime, they may begin unbuckling when the pursuit is winding down, or when there is a need for them to get out of the car and pursue a suspect.

Published on: January 15, 2011

Automakers Face New Rollover Auto Accident Rule

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been focusing extra hard on rollover safety recently. A new rule that the agency announced this week is also aimed at preventing serious and devastating injuries in rollover auto accidents. The agency this week announced new regulations that would require passenger vehicles to keep occupants inside the vehicle during a rollover.

Under the new regulations, automakers would be required to design safety systems that would prevent passengers from being ejected from the side windows during a rollover.Automakers are likely to use technologies like rollover sensing side airbag systems to prevent passengers from being ejected through the side window during a rollover accident. Some sport utility vehicles already come with these side airbag systems. These airbags deploy immediately during rollover, and then remain open for a period of time, thereby preventing passengers from being ejected outside the window.

The new rule will be phased in during the beginning of 2013. All new vehicles will be required to have the systems by the year 2018.

Published on: January 13, 2011

Winter Driving Conditions Pose Treacherous Auto Accident Risks

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

It’s now the turn of Georgia, especially the metropolitan Atlanta area, to bear the force of a harsh winter that has amplified auto accident risks for motorists. The week began with a heavy snowstorm that left much of Atlanta covered with snow. Earlier this week, hoping to decrease the number of auto accidents, the Department Of Transportation urged all Atlanta motorists to stay at home. The warning also included large commercial truckers, who are likely to find these driving conditions even more hazardous. Of course, truck accidents pose a significant risk of injury and death. None of the major school districts took any chances, with classes called off in all the major school districts.

By Tuesday, transportation crews had been able to clear large interstates and highways, but the next morning, much of the snow was refrozen. Besides, even when the snow melts, it’s quite likely that the streets will continue to be treacherous. Thin ice will remain on the surface streets, especially on those roads that don’t see much traffic. In fact, you can expect the ice to remain until temperatures began to climb again. Meteorologists don’t expect temperatures to rise until this weekend.

The thin layer of ice on surface streets is a serious accident hazard. This layer is barely visible, and creates a super-slippery surface that can have everything from a passenger vehicle to a tractor-trailer careening out of control.

Published on: January 8, 2011

Driver Killed in McDuffie County, Georgia Bus Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

There’s been yet another tragic school bus accident in McDuffie County, Georgia. This accident resulted in the death of the driver of the school bus. The accident occurred when the bus went out of control and ran into a ditch. The driver was ejected from the bus. She was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, but died soon after.

The bus had about 10 students.Two of the children suffered serious injuries, and were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, one of the children who was injured was the driver’s own son. The accident apparently occurred on a dirt road just outside of Dearing. The driver seems to have lost control of the bus as it slid off the road. School drivers of the McDuffie County School System are mourning the loss of one of their own.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident. Some questions are being raised about the condition of the road at the time of the crash.

Published on: December 21, 2010

Two Gwinnett County Accidents Linked to Drunk Driving

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

More than a week to go for Christmas, and already Atlanta car accident lawyers have noticed a rise in the number of car accidents linked to intoxicated driving. Two people have been killed in two separate suspected drunk driving accidents in Gwinnett County this week. Auto accidents involving drunk drivers are some of the most serious accidents which occur.

The first accident occurred on Monday morning on northbound Interstate 85 in Norcross. A Cadillac DeVille that had stopped after an earlier auto accident, was struck by a Mitsubishi Montero. A passenger in the Cadillac sustained fatal injuries.

A few minutes later, a second accident involving three separate vehicles in Duluth, left one person dead. This was a head-on accident that also killed a passenger. Besides these two fatalities, both of the accidents resulted in several injuries. Charges are pending in both accidents. Police believe alcohol intoxication was a factor in both of these crashes.