Wrongful Death

Published on: February 1, 2011

Georgia Ranks above National Average for Auto Accident Wrongful Deaths

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 27, 2011

Slight Decrease in Pedestrian Accident Deaths in Atlanta and throughout Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

There was a slight drop in the number of pedestrians deaths in auto accidents in Georgia in the first half of 2010. Last year, we had 77 pedestrian deaths in the first six months in auto accidents, compared to 78 pedestrian deaths in 2009. That is a very tiny decrease, but it is still better than the overall national picture, which actually shows an increase in pedestrian deaths in 2010.

Across the country, there was a .4% increase in pedestrian accident fatalities in the first six months of 2010. That increase came after several half-yearly estimates that showed a decline in pedestrian accident deaths over the past four years. The feds are at a loss to explain this increase. . An increase of .4% may not seem like much, but for any Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer, any sudden spike like this should sound alarm bells.

One of the theories that are being thrown about for this increase in pedestrian accident fatalities, is simply more numbers of people taking to the streets. First Lady Michelle Obama has a nationwide anti-obesity campaign in full swing, and part of that includes Americans getting out of their cars and walking to work. Besides, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is pointing to an increasing number of pedestrians plugged to their music systems, smart phones and other gadgets while walking. A distracted pedestrian is at a much higher risk of being injured in an accident.

Published on: January 26, 2011

NSC Statistics Show Decline in Georgia Auto Accident Fatalities

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

New figures from the National Safety Council show that auto accident deaths in Georgia declined during the first 11 months of 2010. According to the report, there were 1,121 auto accident deaths between January and November 2010, down from 1,165 during the same period time in 2009, and 1,323 deaths during the same period of time in 2008. Overall, statistics for Georgia show a 15% decline in the number of attacks between January-November 2008 and January-November 2010.

Georgia statistics mirrored a nationwide trend. Overall, motor vehicle accidents across the country declined by approximately 4% in the first 11 months of 2010. As of November 2010, there were 31,740 accident fatalities.

This year, the National Safety Council adopted the concept of “medically consulted injuries” to define the injury impact of these accidents. According to the National Safety Council, a medically consulted injury is any injury that is deemed serious enough to require the attention of a medical professional. Between January and November 2010, there were 3, 100,000 medically consulted injuries arising from auto accidents. Further, auto accidents in 2010 lead to total costs of $216.5 billion. These include medical expenses, employer costs, lost hours and lost productivity.

Published on: December 4, 2010

ENA Scorecard Shows Georgia Could Do Better at Preventing Accident Deaths

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Preventing deaths from auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents needs to be a top priority in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. A report by the Emergency Nurses Association, which rates states based on how they fare on 14 established criteria, shows that Georgia performs quite well on the parameters, but still has work to do.

The report by the ENA compares all 50 states, and rates them based on how they perform against the following criteria:

1. The existence of primary enforcement seat belt laws

Published on: November 5, 2010

Carrollton Wrongful Death Accident Trial Scheduled for February

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The trial of a Carrollton man, who allegedly caused a fatalauto accident that killed a 16-year-old pedestrian, has been scheduled for February 7.

In October, John David Hickman was indicted in the wrongful death of 16-year-old Lawrence Ray Harrison.In June, Harrison and his friend, Thomas David Smallwood were pedestrians on the street when they were struck by an auto being driven by Hickman.Harrison received the brunt of the impact from the accident, while Smallwood was struck by the car’s rear view mirror.Harrison died of his injuries soon after.

Hickman allegedly fled the scene of the accident, but returned to the accident scene soon after.According to troopers who reported to the scene of the accident, he admitted that he had prescriptions for muscle relaxants and sleeping pills, but he denied driving under the influence of medications.

Published on: November 4, 2010

Is “Zero Accident Deaths” an Attainable Goal?

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

As Atlanta car accident attorneys, we have been very pleased at the fact that there has been a decline in the number of fatalities caused by auto accidents every year, over the past few years.The year 2009 saw the numbers of such auto accident fatalities drop to their lowest levels in decades, with over 33,000 deaths.The federal administration has, in the past, discussed a nationwide initiative to focus on getting those highway accident deaths to zero.The Federal Highway Administration is finally embarking on this ambitious initiative, and has announced its decision to launch an effort called, quite simply, Towards Zero Deaths: A National Strategy on Highway Safety.

The goal aims to create a nationwide strategic highway safety plan that can be implemented with the aim of minimizing highway accident fatalities to the maximum.Last year, a workshop in our very own Savanna, Georgia had safety participants from around the country discussing ways to develop and implement such a plan.More than 70 agencies took part in that workshop, and the discussion was so fruitful, that the Federal Highway Administration has now decided to launch this nationwide effort.

So, what will a program like this include?The plan is to slowly bring about changes to American safety culture by focusing on stronger leadership and community participation.The program aims to include better highway safety through engineering (better construction design and maintenance) enforcement of laws, education of motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, stronger emergency medical services to prevent deaths after an accident, stronger public health initiatives, enhanced communication services and other measures.The ultimate goal is to save lives every time there is an accident.

Published on: October 21, 2010

Atlanta Motorist Charged in Fatal Auto Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Police have charged the driver of a vehicle involved in a deadly auto accident in Atlanta over the weekend.According to Atlanta police, 21-year-old Mujahid Saleem was driving a car on Interstate 285 when the accident occurred.At some point, the car went through a grassy median, and crashed through a guardrail.It then flipped flip over, and landed on its roof.There were four passengers in the car.Two of them were killed instantly, while another passenger has sustained serious back injuries.

Saleem now faces two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide.Investigations into the accident are going on, but so far, police have no clues about what caused the accident.

Being involved in an auto accident can be one of the most traumatic experiences of a person’s life.Even moderate injuries may require hospitalization, and involve hefty doctor fees, medication costs, costs of diagnostic tests and other medical-related expenses.Once you have received the emergency medical care you need, it is time to begin thinking of meeting the rest of your medical and rehabilitation expenses.You will also need to think about getting back on your feet, and getting back to work.

Published on: September 10, 2010

Auto Accident, Boating Fatalities Mark Labor Day Weekend

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Auto Accident, Boating Fatalities Mark Labor Day Weekend

There were 13 auto accident fatalities and two boating fatalities in Georgia over the Labor Day weekend.The fatality toll was lower than last year’s figures.

There were 4 auto accident fatalities in DeKalb County, Atlanta and Cherokee County, and at least nine deaths that occurred outside the metro Atlanta area.Police believe at least four of these Labor Day fatalities were linked to alcohol-related car crashes.During the Labor Day weekend last year, there were 15 fatalities from 1,917 accidents that also resulted in 867 injuries.

Published on: July 29, 2010

Atlanta Highway Worker Killed in Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Highway workers involved in construction and maintenance activities constitute some of the most at-risk groups on our roads.For most motorists, road construction or maintenance work is an annoyance, but for these workers, the highway is their workplace, and it’s important for motorists to respect that.This morning, a worker involved in highway maintenance activities on Freedom Parkway, east of Boulevard, died, when he was struck by a vehicle.

According to Atlanta police, motorist Glen Johnson was driving, when for unknown reasons, his car left the roadway and struck the worker.The victim had been contracted by the Department of Transportation for some roadside maintenance work.He sustained fatal injuries.He was just 27 years old.

Johnson has been charged with failure to maintain lane and secondary vehicular homicide.

Published on: July 1, 2010

Airline Passengers at Risk for Food Poisoning

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Airline Passengers at Higher Risk of Food Poisoning

All those jokes about bad airline food don’t seem so funny when you read a new report by USA Today. According to the report, Food and Drug Administration inspections have found poor sanitary conditions at some of the biggest airline catering companies in the industry. The conditions are so poor, that inspectors are warning of a higher risk of food poisoning in passengers who eat these meals.

The inspections were conducted at Gate Gourmet, LSG Sky Chefs, and Flying Food Group. Inspectors found a number of unsanitary and unsafe conditions at these facilities.