Georgia Injury Law Blog

Published on: November 5, 2010

Carrollton Wrongful Death Accident Trial Scheduled for February

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.

Published on: October 26, 2010

Pedestrian Child Critically Injured in McDuffie County Bus Accident involving Truck

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia State Patrol investigators are investigating a pedestrian accident involving a third-grade boy, who was critically injured in an accident as he was getting into his school bus. The pedestrian accident occurred last Tuesday.As the school bus pulled over, the boy who was waiting at the stop, walked into the road to get on the bus.At that point, he was struck by a pickup truck. The boy was thrown about 50 feet away from the point of impact.He sustained critical injuries, and is being treated at a local hospital.

The driver of the school bus says that he had stopped the bus, and a stop sign was clearly visible at the time of the accident.However, the driver of the pickup truck insists that the bus had not stopped moving when the accident occurred, and the stop sign was not out when his vehicle hit the boy.Neighbors in the area have their own explanation for the accident.They say there’s a serious problem with speeding motorists on that stretch of road.

This accident came during the same week as another crash involving a school bus in Barrow County.In that accident, several students were injured when their bus was rear-ended by a Jeep.None of the students were seriously injured.

Published on: October 26, 2010

Why Georgia Needs to Pass a No Texting While Driving Bill

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A Lilburn teenager was seriously injured in a single vehicle accident apparently caused because he was text messaging while driving. Nineteen-year-old Soheb Roy was text messaging his friend while driving his car, and crashed the vehicle into a telephone pole. He sustained serious injuries. The impact of the accident was strong enough to break the telephone pole into two. Police are likely to charge Roy with improper use of a cell phone while driving and failure to maintain lanes.

The accident is just one more reason why we need to have a new bill banning text messaging, passed as quickly possible. Last week, state republicans Allen Peake and Amos Amerson introduced bills that will ban text messaging behind the wheel for all motorists. Violations will come with fines and license penalties. The bill proposes fines of $50 and at least two license penalty points for violations.

Last year, one bill that would have banned texting while driving only for teen drivers, failed to pass. Whether this new bill will have better luck, remains to be seen. Georgia has failed to take the kind of serious steps necessary to prevent the 1.4 million crashes every year that are caused by having conversations on cell phones while driving, and 200,000 crashes that occur because of text messaging while driving.

Published on: October 22, 2010

Five Persons Injured in Georgia School Bus Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In the most recent in a string of serious school bus accidents in Georgia, five people have been injured in an accident involving a stopped school bus in Barrow County. The accident occurred on Wednesday. There were 14 students on the bus when the accident occurred.According to witnesses, the bus had its warning lights activated, and was unloading passengers when it was rear-ended by a Jeep.The driver of the Jeep suffered serious injuries, and was rushed to the hospital.Three students on the bus also suffered injuries, and had to taken to the Barrow Regional Medical Center.The students had been standing up at the time of the accident, waiting for their turn to exit the bus.The children reportedly sustained bumps and bruises.The driver also sustained injuries.

According to news reports, the school bus had had its warning lights activated.Moreover, the accident occurred during daylight.Investigators will likely be looking at the reason why the pickup truck driver was unable to stop before he rear-ended the school bus.

Georgia School Bus Accident Claims

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: October 20, 2010

Georgia Teen Driver Week – Preventing Auto Accidents by Teens

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The week from October 17-23 is being marked as National Teen Driver Safety Week.For parents in Georgia, Atlanta car accident attorneys, schools and communities, it’s time to renew efforts towards preventing auto accidentsand truck accidents involving teens.

Automobile accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers aged between 15 and 19 and cause a substantial number of teen injuries.Unfortunately, these facts have not changed in spite of years of efforts to prevent teen accidents.This National Teen Driver Safety Week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is launching a campaign called “Parents Have the Key” aimed at encouraging parental involvement in teen motorist safety. We all have to do more to prevent teen auto accidents, but the best place to start preventing accidents is at home.

There’s a reason why a special week for teen motorist safety is commemorated in the month of October.This is the month that is believed to be the deadliest for teen motorists.Nationally, the highest number of car accident claims involving teen motorists is filed in the month of October.