Georgia Injury Law Blog

Published on: February 1, 2010

Thirty-Five Truck Drivers from Georgia Honored for Safe Driving by UPS

Thirty five truck drivers from Georgia have been honored by UPS for their impeccable driving. The 35 have been admitted to the company’s “Circle of Honor.” The Georgia drivers are among 928 UPS drivers who have been admitted into the elite group this year.

The honor is given to those drivers who have completed 25 years of driving without accidents. Georgia’s safest UPS driver is Robert Millican Jr. of Flintstone, who has accumulated 40 years of driving without a single accident. Milliken Jr. is placed at 9^th position among 102,000 UPS drivers.

The Circle of Honor is a UPS tradition that celebrates drivers who have completed a quarter century or more without accidents on their record. Out of a total of 2,436 UPS drivers in Georgia, there are now 197 drivers who are members of the Circle of Honor. These drivers have among them a total of 5,693 years of driving without an accident.

Published on: January 26, 2010

Teenager Killed in Stone Mountain Pedestrian Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Teenager Killed in Stone Mountain Pedestrian Accident

A Stone Mountain teenager was killed last week in an accident involving a teen motorist. Tanesha Williams was walking to her mother’s home after school when she was struck by the car.According to DeKalb County Police, the 17-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and drove on to the sidewalk. The other two students with Tanesha suffered moderate injuries. Tanesha died later of her injuries. She was all of 14 years old.

Meanwhile, detectives believe that the teen motorist was likely trying to pass a second car at a high rate of speed. This likely caused the driver to lose control of the car, and driving up on the sidewalk and hitting the three pedestrians. Police still don’t know whether the second car was involved in the accident or if the two cars were racing.

Published on: January 24, 2010

DUI Accident Rates May Be Affected by Higher Pricing

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Could Making Alcohol Pricier Help Lower DUI Accident Rates?

A new study provides some evidence that increasing taxes on alcohol and making it more expensive, could help minimize the incidence of dangerous alcohol-related leaders, including drunk driving. In fact, the study found that not only did such dangerous behaviors decrease when alcohol became more expensive, but it also reduced drunk driving accident, injury and fatality rates.

The review was conducted by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, which consists of public-health experts appointed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The review included a total of 72 studies worldwide, and in nearly all of the 72 studies, researchers found an inverse relationship between the cost of alcohol and the indices of dangerous alcohol-related excesses, including binge drinking and drunk driving. The review included studies of underage drinkers, and these studies also showed that when alcohol becomes more expensive, it lowers rates of underage drinking. The results seem to be consistent among all kinds of liquor, from wine to beer, and also across time periods and countries.

Published on: January 23, 2010

How You Can Help Haiti, Safely and Effectively

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

It’s been yet another natural disaster, this time in America’s own neighborhood and, as always, Americans are opening their hearts and pocket books to help those affected by the tragedy. Because the tragedy this time is so immense and the need for aid is so grave, it’s more important than ever that Americans are able to donate safely, and effectively.

The Better Business Bureau has some tips for Georgians who want to help the people of Haiti.

· Make sure that the charity you are giving to, has a presence in Haiti. A charity that does not have a presence on the ground in a disaster area will be in a poor position to help victims.

Published on: January 22, 2010

Boy Escapes Injuries after Fall Down a MARTA Elevator Shaft

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Boy Escapes Injuries after Fall Down MARTA Elevator Shaft

A 5-year-old boy had a miraculous escape after a fall down an elevator shaft at the Kensington MARTA station earlier this week. The boy was apparently on the second floor of the station, and was leaning against the elevator door when it suddenly opened. The child fell about 12 to 15 feet down, and landed on top of an elevator car. Firefighters used a ladder to get down to the elevator car, placed the child in a Stokes basket and brought him up.

The boy suffered minor injuries and underwent a medical evaluation. He was released, but had to be brought back to the hospital after he began to complain of headaches.MARTA is investigating the accident.

Published on: January 15, 2010

Icy Weather Leaves Insurers with $25 Million Bill

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A week of frosty weather in Georgia left a trail of auto accidents, killing several people and injuring more.Now that the worst is over, it’s time to estimate the damage.Insurers are estimating a price tag of $25 million in snow and ice-related insurance claims in Georgia.

Two of the dead were killed in an accident blamed on icy weather in Lumpkin County last week. The two victims were in a Chevy when the driver lost control and crashed the car into a Ford truck. The 18-year-old passenger in the vehicle was declared dead at the scene, while the driver had to be airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center where he later died.

The accident was just one in a series of snow and ice-related auto crashes last week.Georgia troopers were left overworked and overstressed by the sheer volume of accidents. Emergency services officers were stretched to the limit, and often found their route to an emergency blocked by yet another accident. In Atlanta alone, there were 229 accidents between last Thursday night and Friday morning alone, with dozens more accidents occurring as the snow began to melt, leaving a layer of black ice on the road surface.

Published on: January 14, 2010

Highway Safety Group has Traffic Safety Advice for Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Highway Safety Group has Traffic Safety Advice for Georgia

As personal injury lawyers serving auto accident victims in Atlanta and around Georgia, we know how better and stronger laws could prevent accidents and fatalities in our state. That has now been confirmed by a report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

The group has released its Road Map Report, which reviewed states based on 15 basic laws that will contribute to lowered fatalities and injuries on American roads. These laws relate to adult occupant protection, teen driving, child passenger safety, drunk driving and distracted driving. The states were then rated based on their adoption of these recommended laws. The ratings were coded in

Published on: January 14, 2010

Avoiding Slip and Fall Accidents in Icy Weather

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Avoiding Slip and Fall Accidents in Icy Weather

The bad weather may be behind us, but leftover snow and “black ice“ could still present the risk of slip and fall accidents. Many Georgians aren’t used to the kind of snow-covered streets and slippery sidewalks and pathways that we saw for much of last week, and this may increase the risk of falls.Although much of the snow has melted, we would still advise pedestrians and others to exercise caution.

· Pedestrians must be careful while crossing roads. Don’t rush across even when a crosswalk looks completely clear of ice – it may still be covered with black ice, a thin layer of transparent ice which covers the surface.

Published on: January 13, 2010

Rage Against Cyclists Common on Roadways

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

As Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers, we constantly monitor bicycle safety stories from around the country. Often, we find that these issues are mirrored very strongly in our very own Georgia. We have been following closely an incident in California, involving a doctor on trial for causing serious injuries to two bicyclists in a fit of road rage.

Dr Christopher Thompson admitted during his trial that he had been angry at frequent violations of traffic rules by local bicyclists. The good doctor apparently found this frustration reason enough to pull over in front of the two bicyclists, and slam on the brakes. The two bikers were minding their own business cycling along when they crashed into Thompson’s sedan. Both of them suffered serious injuries, and one of them required plastic surgery to correct severe facial damage. Last week, the doctor was sentenced to 5 years in prison. The judge noted that he showed no remorse for his behavior.

In Georgia too, we have noticed increasing public impatience, and even anger, towards bicyclists. Ask any Atlanta bicyclist, and he will tell you of the taunts, the yelling, the glares and the rude gestures that he suffers. Many motorists labor under the assumption that the streets are built solely for them, and all other users are intruders.There’s even a Facebook group that is dedicated solely to beating down bicyclists.

Published on: January 9, 2010

New Accident Risks Emerge as Automakers Amp Up Technologies in Cars

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

New Accident Risks Emerge as Automakers Amp up Technologies in Cars

Getting people to switch off their cell phones while driving has been hard enough, but 2010 promises even more distractions for motorists, and greater risks of accidents. This year, automakers plan to roll out a number of cars with infotainment systems mounted on the dashboard. These systems include 10-inch plus monitors that allow users to access the internet, read restaurant reviews, look at 3-D maps, watch high definition video, and monitor fuel levels, most of this via touch screen technology.

Automakers insist that these systems are safe because the more distracting functions like internet access will not work if the car is moving. However, most of the other functions are available to use through touch screens. It’s part of a wider trend of vehicles coming equipped with all the features that we have come to accept in our smart phones. It also promises a massive headache for the Department of Transportation, and agencies around the country that are struggling to minimize cell-phone related risks. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has already made clear his displeasure at these new high-tech features, and has promised that he will discuss the issue.