Georgia Injury Law Blog

Published on: November 17, 2010

Reckless Driving Blamed for Fatal Gwinnett County Accident

Gwinnett County police are blaming reckless driving and failure to maintain lanes for a fatal accident over the weekend that killed a 19-year-old. A Valdosta man has been charged in the accident, which occurred on Sunday. According to police, the crash occurred near Lawrenceville. The suspect, James Griffin was driving a Silverado that swerved between lanes as it traveled southward on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, and then became airborne. The pickup truck landed on a Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry was killed instantly in the accident.

The accident continues to remain under investigation, but police have already charged James Griffin with reckless driving and failure to maintain lanes.

Reckless driving is driving without regard for the rules of the road, or for other motorists’ safety. Such driving is much more harmful than merely disobeying traffic rules. Typically, reckless driving may include speeding, weaving between lanes, changing lanes improperly, running through red lights and other such undesirable driving practices.

Published on: November 17, 2010

Fatal Car Accidents Linked to Drowsy Driving

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Study Indicates One in Six Fatal Accidents Linked to Drowsy Driving

It’s time to wake up to the serious dangers posed by motorists who drive when they’re in a sleepy or tired state.A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicates that one in every six fatal auto accidents in the US is caused by a drowsy motorist.In fact, these drivers likely account for approximately 17% of all auto accidents in the country.

No Atlanta car accident attorney would deny that those are sobering statistics.You don’t want to share the road with a motorist who is in serious danger of simply dozing off at the wheel.Yet, more than 41% of the respondents in the AAA study admitted that they had driven while they were very sleepy, at least once in their lifetime.Even worse, 27% of the respondents in the study admitted that over the previous month, they had driven while they were so sleepy they could barely see straight.

Published on: November 16, 2010

Improving Auto Accident Rates Among Elderly Drivers

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

As more and more elderly drivers retain their licenses, lowering traffic traffic accident rates among elderly drivers is a growing concern.A San Francisco-based company is now proposing that video games can improve the driving of the elderly.Posit Science has sponsored studies that show that its driver training software for elderly drivers does help minimize the risk of accidents involving the elderly.

The study divided 908 people into four groups. The average age of the group members was 72 years. One group was given the Posit Science games to play for 10 hours, the second was given training on improving reasoning skills, and the third group was given training on improving memory skills. The fourth group was given no aid at all. After six years, the researchers found that the elderly persons who were given the Posit Science games to play reported a 50% lower rate of accidents, than those who took the memory training and those who had no stimulation at all.

Posit Science claims that it is currently conducting more studies using its video games to help elderly motorists avoid accidents. As Atlanta car accident attorneys, we are not sure how we should take the results of a study that is conducted by the company that markets the products. However, it is good to see that there’s a lot of awareness in the market about the specific concerns relating to elderly motorists and their risks of accidents.

Published on: November 11, 2010

Accident Risks Increase with Daylight Savings Time

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The end of daylight saving time and the setting of clocks an hour back, could mean an increased risk of auto and other accidents in Atlanta, especially those involving pedestrians.That warning comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is cautioning motorists in Georgia and around the country to take special care to avoid pedestrians.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, out of the 4,092 pedestrian fatalities that occurred last year, 25 percent occurred between 4 PM and 8 PM, while 13 percent occurred between 4 AM and 8 AM.These are some of the most dangerous times for motorists and pedestrians.As motorists get used to the new low-light driving conditions, they are much more likely to miss pedestrians walking on the street.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning that adjusting to the new driving conditions can take time, and voters may be disoriented, confused or just plain distracted during these times.

It’s important for motorists to look out especially carefully for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks.Make sure that your windshield, mirrors and windows are clean, so that you can see pedestrians and other motorists.Remember that many pedestrians are wearing earmuffs and hats at this time of the year, and may not be able to hear your vehicle.Slow down speeds.

Published on: November 10, 2010

Motorist in Deadly Georgia Easter Accident Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Motorist in Deadly Georgia Easter Accident Sentenced to 36 Years in Prison

The BMW driver, who was involved in a deadly car accident that killed a total of five people last Easter in Fulton County, has been sentenced to six years in prison.Aimee Michaels also received 14 years of probation, and has been ordered to surrender her driver’s license, and not to operate a motor vehicle.Her mother was sentenced to eight years for tampering with evidence and hindering her daughter’s arrest.

The accident occurred on April 12 last year.Michaels apparently lost control of the BMW she was driving, and struck a Mercedes.The impact of the accident sent the Mercedes crashing into a Volkswagen.The Mercedes burst into flames.All four occupants, including a couple, a nine-year-old girl and an infant boy were killed instantly in the crash.In the Volkswagen were a woman and her nine-year-old daughter.The daughter was killed in the crash.It was one of the deadliest crashes that Atlanta car accident lawyers had seen in recent times.

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 29, 2010

Halloween Safety Tips to Prevent Georgia Pedestrian Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Children in Georgia, who are out trick-or-treating on Halloween, have an increased risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident.According to the NHTSA, more than 4,000 children between 5 and 14 are injured every year in pedestrian accidents on Halloween.

Both parents and motorists have a big role to play in keeping children safe over Halloween by preventing pedestrian accidents.If your child is trick-or-treating on Halloween, make sure that there’s an escort with the children at all times.Explain all traffic safety rules to your child.Avoid dressing up a child in large and cumbersome costumes that can pose a potential slip and fall hazard.The costumes must be simple, but as colorful as possible.Bright colors can help a driver see your child in the dark.If that’s not possible, stick some reflective tape on the costume.Try and avoid masks and large hats as much as possible.These may obstruct your child’s vision, and he may fail to notice an approaching car.Facial makeup can easily substitute for a mask. Children must also avoid trick-or-treating in unlit or busy areas.

Motorists can do their bit by being aware that there are hundreds of children out there for whom safety might be a low priority. Unless it is it absolutely essential, avoid driving on Halloween night.If you have to drive, make sure that you are extra focused and alert.Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and switch off all distractions while driving.That includes your music system, your GPS navigation system and your cell phones and Blackberry/iPhones.Look out especially hard for children at crowded intersections or near crosswalks.Watch out for children who may suddenly dart into the road.

Published on: October 28, 2010

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Henry County Motorcycle Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The family of a motorcyclist, who was critically injured in a motorcyle accident in Henry County over the weekend, has issued a plea for help in finding the hit-and-run driver responsible for the accident.

34-year-old Justin Hayes was riding his motorcycle on Saturday evening, when he was struck by a Toyota Highlander.The accident resulted in Hayes being thrown off his motorcycle, which resulted in critical injuries.He is currently being treated in the intensive care unit at Grady Memorial Hospital.He suffered multiple fractures, as well as internal injuries in the motorcycle accident.

His wife, Cheryl has issued a plea for help to anyone who can provide information that can lead to the hit-and-run motorist here.The Highlander was apparently being driven by a black female, between 20 and 30 years of age.According to police, the woman simply drove off after the vehicle struck Hayes.Anyone who may have witnessed the motorcycle accident, or may have some information about the crash, including repair shop workers or mechanics, are being encouraged to inform Henry County police.

Published on: October 27, 2010

Georgia Worker Killed in Trench Collapse – Workers Compensation Claim Watch

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Trench collapses are some of the most preventable workplace accidents and result in numerous workers compensation claims. Most of these collapses can simply be prevented by shoring up the walls of the trench, and determining whether the trench is safe to be used before workers are allowed inside.Failure to take these basic steps can be lethal.Workers’ compensation insurance carriers would be wise to perform workplace inspections more frequently and more thoroughly to prevent these accidents.

A worker was killed earlier this week in a trench collapse in Augusta, Georgia.The 37 -year-old worker and another man were in the trench, working on pipes.The trench was about 6-feet deep.According to news reports, water began to seep into the trench, and one wall collapsed.The two men were quickly buried under the sand.Firefighters were able to pull one worker out of the sand, digging frantically with their shovels and hands.However, they could do nothing to reach Augusta-resident Jimmy Roubles, who likely asphyxiated just a few minutes after being buried by the sand.He was declared dead just after noon.The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified about his death.

Recovering Roubles’ body proved to be a challenge to the firefighters, with only one firefighter being allowed into the trench at a time to avoid another collapse.The body was recovered at about 3 PM.That delay in recovering the worker’s body should give Atlanta construction accident lawyers a sense of the instability of the trench.