Types of Negligence Cases

Georgia Texting While Driving Laws

Overview of the Georgia Personal Injury Claim Process

Basic Steps in a Georgia Personal Injury Claim

Why a Georgia Personal Injury Claim Can Be So Complicated

Phases in a Georgia Personal Injury Claim

Different Types of Accidents and Personal Injury Cases

Having Your Attorney Speak With an Insurance Adjuster

Driver Distraction Is a Significant Cause of Car Accidents

How to Obtain a Georgia Car Accident Report

Fayette County Personal Injury Lawyer Supports Bill Requiring Pickup Truck Drivers to Wear Seat Belts

Peachtree City Personal Injury Lawyer - Increasing Risk of Accidents Posed by Aging Population

Atlanta Hit and Run Pedestrian Lawyer

Atlanta Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer - Woman Charged with DUI and Felony Hit and Run in Bus Accident

Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer - Driver Surrenders in Stone Mountain Fatality

Drunk Driving Accident Results in 10 Year Prison Sentence/ Peachtree City Car Accident Lawyer

Peachtree City Personal Injury Lawyer - Car Accidents and Fatalities Reduced this Thanksgiving Weekend

Motorcycle Accident Prevention No Accident

Teen Driving Safety Website Launched by Georgia DOT

The Georgia Department of Transportation has launched a website relating to teen motorist safety and accident prevention practices for teen drivers.

The website provides teen motorists information on driving laws, and offers safe driving tips. It is meant to provide busy teenagers a single portal that gives them all the driving information they need.  The launch of the website coincided with National Teen Driver Safety Week, which kicked off on October 19^th, and will continue through this weekend.

National Teen Driver Safety Week was created by an act of Congress in 2007. Across Georgia, communities have been marking the week with special programs and activities for high school students. The Governor's Office of Highway Safety has announced special programs for the duration of National Teen Driver Safety Week and thereafter.

Across the country, the theme for National Teen Driver Safety Week is distractions from teen passengers in the car. Statistics show that teens driving with other passengers are more likely to be involved in a car accident, and the crash risk increasing with the number of passengers in the car.

While passengers are a huge crash risk, they are not the only ones that teen drivers face. Teen motorists face several other challenges, including low risk perception (which leads to foolish driving practices), failure to wear seatbelts (higher risk of serious injuries or death), lack of experience needed to make the right driving choices, and they are generally unskilled at tuning out distractions, both inside and outside the car.

Jason Schultz is an Atlanta personal injury lawyer, representing injured victims of automobile and trucking accidents in Atlanta and across Georgia.

Motorcycle Accident Fatality involving a Braselton Woman

A 44-year-old woman was killed last week in a motorcycle accident near Braselton in Jackson County, Georgia.  The victim, Gena Scott, was riding her motorcycle on highway 53 when a Toyota RAV  made a left turn in front of the motorcycle. Scott's bike crashed into the passenger side of the Toyota, and she was thrown several feet and later died at the scene. Charges have not been filed yet. Accident reconstruction experts are retracing the seconds leading up to the crash.

It is a sad fact that even when a motorcyclist follows all the traffic rules, driving within the speed limit, and wearing a helmet, they are still seriously injured or killed when other motorists fail to see them.  As an attorney who has represented numerous motorcycle accident victims, it has been my experience that most car and truck drivers tend to notice only other cars and trucks around them.

Motorcycle accidents tend to result in serious injuries or fatalities because riders have very little protection in the event of an accident. While a helmet may protect from head injuries to some extent, it does not protect against the kind of body trauma injuries that can kill a rider. Impact with another vehicle, even at normal speeds, can throw a motorcyclist dozens of feet away, increasing the risk of severe or fatal injuries.

Unfortunately, most jurors seem to want to blame, at least partially, the motorcyclist for simply riding on a motorcycle.  Jurors also tend to be fixated on the speed of the motorcycle as well.  As Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers know, it is very difficult to judge the speed and distance of any approaching motorcycle and this increases the dangers associated with riding a motorcycle.

Distracted Driving Leads to More Accidents, Injuries and Death on our Highways

Last week's two-day Distracted Driving Summit in Washington DC has wound down to a close. During the summit, Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood revealed new findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to these, in 2008: 

• 5,870 people were killed in accidents involving a distracted driver.
• 515,000 people sustained injuries in accidents involving distracted drivers.
• Approximately 16 percent of all fatal accidents last year involved distracted drivers.
• 22 percent of accidents that involved injuries, were caused by a distracted driver.
• The highest risk group for distracted driving comprised, not surprisingly, of those aged below 20.

 Distracted driving here refers to

• Use of car phones and cell phones
• Text messaging while driving
• Use of GPS systems
• Distractions from DVD players
• Distractions from children
• Distractions from the driver lighting a cigarette
• Distractions from adjusting the radio
• Distractions from reading
• Talking with passengers
• Snacking while driving
• Distractions from automated highway signs
• Shaving
• Applying makeup
• Use of handheld and hands-free cell phones
• Use of laptops, PDA's, fax machines and printers
• Adjusting the air conditioner and heating
• Adjusting windows, seat, seatbelt etc

The summit also included an announcement read out by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in which President Obama declared a ban on federal employees text messaging while driving. Federal employees are now prohibited from using cell phones while driving government owned, issued or owned vehicles, as well as privately owned vehicles if they use government-issued phones. The summit ended with a call for more states to impose bans on texting and the use of handheld and hands-free cell phones. Are Georgia's lawmakers listening?

Jason Schultz is a Fulton County personal injury lawyer representing injured victims of automobile accidents in Fulton County, and across Georgia.

Georgia Motorcycle Accident Victim's Family Continues Fight for Justice

For the family of Gregory Cline, the nearly two years since his death in a motorcycle accident have been filled with anguish.  Cline was killed in 2007 as he was riding his motorcycle home on US 19 in Georgia. His motorcycle collided with a van, when the latter turned into his path. Cline was killed on impact. The driver of the van, who was an allegedly drunk driver, later told police that he never saw the motorcyclist.

Blanco was charged in the accident, but Cline's family alleges that the case has been dragging on for two years now. Charges against Blanco were filed a few weeks after the accident, but a trial is nowhere in sight.  According to Cline's sister, Margie Cunliffe, the family's hopes for a trial are dashed every time the defense asks for a continuance.  Cunliffe says that the family's struggle for justice has left them emotionally battered. They want closure and justice to be served.

For the survivors of those who are killed in motorcycle accidents and other accidents in Georgia, moving on after the death can be a very difficult process. Closure is difficult when a loved one is killed due to another's negligence that cold have been easily avoided.  Holding the persons responsible for the death accountable in a civil and criminal court is a huge part of the process of attaining closure. For many families, it's not as much about seeking revenge or even a financial settlement for the wrongful death as it is about holding the negligent party accountable, hopefully ensuring that such negligence is not repeated.

Motorcycle Accident Fatality Rates Are Alarming

Motorcyclists are some of the most at-risk people on our roads. In fact, motorcycle accident fatality rates have been on the rise over the past decade.  Contrary to what many believe, most motorcyclists are conscientious riders, who follow all the safety rules and avoid dangerous stunts that may cause a collision.

As a Peachtree City Motorcyle Accident Lawyer, who often finds himself fighting for the rights of injured victims  or survivors of motorcycle crash victims, I believe that our roads were meant to be used by all, and that motorcyclists have as much right as anyone else to be riding on our streets.

Boy Critically Injured in Polk County School Bus Accident

A 12-year-old boy has sustained serious injuries in an accident involving a Polk County school bus this week.

The child Wyatt Pilgrim was apparently waiting for a school bus in Cedartown, when he was stuck by another school bus. Wyatt is reported to be in a critical condition at a hospital in Atlanta. He is currently on life support, but doctors have given the family reason to hope for the best.

There are no details about the accident, but it apparently occurred at about 7:30 in the morning when Wyatt was waiting for the bus. However, both Cedartown police and school officials agree that Wyatt was in the middle of the street when he was struck. Representatives for the Polk County School System say that the area where the accident occurred is a busy one.  There are a number of apartment complexes with neighboring schools, and consequently, plenty of child traffic.

My thoughts and prayers are with Wyatt and his family, and I hope that he makes it through this ordeal as quickly as possible. As an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer, I often see that pedestrian accidents are caused by a poor road layout that places a pedestrian at a disadvantage. Many of our cities have street plans that were designed keeping automobiles in mind, with the result that pedestrians and bicyclists are exposed to unnecessary dangers. Areas where there is heavy vehicular as well as pedestrian traffic are likely to see a higher rate of accidents. In most collisions involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, it's the pedestrian who has the highest risk of being injured severely or fatally.

Even something as simple as traffic lights or a stop sign can help slow down speeds, prevent accidents and reduce the risk of accidents.  Polk County authorities must look at the design and layout of the area where Wyatt was so seriously injured, and see if enhancements can be made to the design to protect other pedestrians.

Fayette County Hit and Run Pedestrian Accident Victim Continues to Struggle to Survive

The victim of a pedestrian accident in Fayette County is struggling to survive after the serious injuries she sustained in the crash.  What makes it worse for Jonnie Moorer is that she is from out of state, and was visiting the Atlanta area when she was injured.

The 41-year-old single mother of two had arrived from California for a job interview with a Peachtree City television station. On the day of the accident, she was headed to a nearby restaurant to get food for herself and her two daughters when she was struck by a car. Moore sustained serious injuries. The driver who struck her didn't stay around to survey the damage.

That was back in April. Witnesses were able to report to police that the suspect was a white male driving a beige sedan.  The hit and run driver is still unknown and at large.  For Moorer, the past few months have been a nightmare. She suffered fractures in her right wrist and left ankle. Because she has suffered bone fractures on both sides of her body, she finds it hard to perform even routine tasks. Her two teenage daughters are being looked after by Moorer's mother, who has taken the girls back with her to Ohio. Moorer continues to stay in a hotel, unable to pay for rent, her medical bills piling up with little hope of returning to work anytime soon.  Doctors believe that she will likely need more surgery and therapy before she can properly recover. Until she does, Moorer is dependent on any help that comes her way.

It's been a difficult situation for this mother.  Unfortunately, as a Fayette County and Peachtree City car accident lawyer, I see this all the time when there is no insurance or the case involves a hit and run driver.  That is one of the primary reasons I stress to my clients that they get the maximum amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage available to them.  Victims of accidents find that their lives have been turned upside down in just a matter of seconds. When injuries are serious, they may need to spend weeks and months in the hospital. Even when injuries are not life threatening, victims still have substantial medical expenses. They are unable to return to work and the bills don't stop coming in after an accident.  Victims of serious injury usually are in need of intensive support and therapy in an attempt to put their life back together.

Unfortunately, it often takes personal experience in an accident to understand what these victims and families go through.

Child Pedestrian Injured in Marietta Georgia

A child suffered serious injuries in a pedestrian accident in Marietta last week. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the 5-year-old boy was crossing the street with his mother and two other children, when they were struck by a Honda Accord. He suffered serious head injuries, and a broken leg.

Marietta police are investigating the accident. There is no information yet on whether the family was on a crosswalk at the time of the accident.

As a Coweta County pedestrian accident lawyer, I see that pedestrian accidents are often the result of negligent motorists who fail to pay enough attention to notice a pedestrian crossing the street right in front of them. Motorists who are speeding may not be able to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian. Frequently, drivers do not even notice a pedestrian until after striking them.  In most of these cases, the driver failed to spot the pedestrian because of cell phone use or other distractions. Text messaging requires a motorist's eyes to be taken off the road for more than 4 seconds. That's more than enough time for an accident. Motorists who are speeding, or driving under the influence of alcohol may also be unable to stop in time to avoid an accident. Alcohol slows down response times, making it harder for a motorist to avoid a pedestrian.

Pedestrians too can take steps to improve their chances of getting home safe.

Always cross on a marked and designated crosswalk.

Avoid distractions while walking. Talking on your cell phone or listening to the i-Pod while walking can prevent you from hearing motorist signals.

Wear brightly colored or reflective clothing while walking in the dark.

Walk in a group as much as possible. Pedestrians walking in groups tend to be spotted more readily.