Georgia Injury Law Blog

News coming in has confirmed a deadly truck accident this morning in Valdosta in Lowndes County. Apparently, four people have died in the accident that involved a car and a rental truck on I-75. The crash happened early this morning at about 2:30.  

It's a tragic start to the four-day long Georgia Highway Patrol crackdown that will last over the Fourth of July weekend. The crackdown begins at 6 pm today. Georgia Highway Patrol is expecting that there will be 22 fatalities in accidents over the weekend, which will end on July fifth. Law enforcement officers are gearing up for special anti drunk driving and speeding crackdowns to keep drunk drivers and dangerous speeders off the road. This will include special checkpoints around the state and additional patrolling.

The Fourth of July holiday sees the largest number of accident-related fatalities for a single day each year, and Georgia Highway Patrol, in spite of the crackdown, will be expecting no different this year. With the holiday traveling set to begin in full earnest on Thursday evening, Georgia car accident lawyers would encourage motorists to be careful out there.

• Avoid drinking and driving
• If you are out on our own and in no condition to drive, call for a cab or ask someone to drop you home
• If you are out with friends, make sure you designate a sober driver for the evening. Some cities have designated driver facilities that allow you to call for a driver to drop you and your fellow revelers home. Use these.
• Drive at posted speed limits or even slower, depending on the congested traffic conditions.
• It helps to keep in mind that more people die in accidents on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year. Keep in mind that there will be several brash motorists who may be intoxicated, on drugs, or may be speeding to get to a party.  

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Truck Accidents | 0 Comments Permalink

A motorcyclist was seriously injured in an accident involving a passenger vehicle and his motorcycle on I-85 north of Coweta County. According to news reports, the motorcyclist collided with a four door sedan leaving the rider with critical injuries.  

The accident occurred on a construction zone on I-85 where work to widen the highway is underway. We don’t know yet if that had an effect on the accident, but speed limits along the areas that are under construction have been lowered to 50mph. The highway has also been the scene of several such accidents in the past few months including a fiery tractor trailer accident earlier this year, in which one of the trucks burst into flames leaving the driver with burn injuries. That accident was one among several accidents involving tractor trailers, as well as passenger vehicles on interstate 85.

Construction work along several sections of I-85 are expected to continue for the rest of 2009, which means that driving conditions on the highway will continue to be congested. Authorities have made repeated appeals to motorists, truckers and motorcyclists to keep the ongoing congested conditions on the highway in mind while driving, and to slow down speeds. Unfortunately, according to officials, there are too many motorists and truckers who don’t seem to be heeding those pleas.

It's not just motorcyclists and motorists who are at risk from these accidents. According to statistics, construction workers working on a highway are more likely to be killed than construction workers working elsewhere. When vehicles zip by a construction zone at excessive speeds, it creates dangerous conditions not just for motorists, but also for workers on a highway.

Slowing down during rush hour can seem like an inconvenience, but the more carefully people drive on I-85, the fewer delays and highway closures resulting from accidents like this one, and the quicker work can be completed.

The Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys at the Katz Law Firm represent victims who have been injured in motorcycle accidents across Georgia.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Motorcycles | 0 Comments Permalink

Two days after a fourth level parking deck in Atlanta collapsed, damaging several cars, and resulting in, miraculously enough no injuries, rescue personnel were still not willing to take chances.  Rescue efforts continued through Tuesday as Fire and Rescue personnel used cranes, dogs and thermal cameras to comb through the debris to search for any injured persons who could be trapped inside.

So far, there have been no reports of missing people, and the extent of the damage seems to have been restricted to the at least 38 vehicles that were damaged in the collapse. The deck in Midtown district collapsed at around noon on Monday. What caused the sudden collapse is still largely unclear. However, the company that acted as a general contractor and oversaw the construction of the deck was the same one that has been involved in another high profile, but far more serious accident last year. 

As we have discussed in this blog earlier this year, the company Hardin Construction Company is the same company that was involved in the construction of the pedestrian walkway at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in December last year. Yes, the very same walkway that collapsed while concrete was being poured, leading to at least eight people with injuries and one contractor dead. Earlier this month, in fact, Hardin was fined for its role in that collapse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for failure to see that the towers were properly braced, fining it $6,300.

The company has already released a statement saying that it has sent its investigators to the site, and is joining in efforts to find out the causes for this near-catastrophe.

It's extremely fortunate that all the vehicles were apparently empty at the time of the collapse, and that there were no injuries.  However, it definitely merits attention when the same company has been involved in two structural collapses just a few months apart. Georgia premises liability lawyers will have to wait for weeks before we can find out exactly how this happened, but it's clear that we need to begin asking some serious questions of those involved here.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Premises Liability | 0 Comments Permalink

A recent highway safety agenda unveiled by the American Trucking Associations has 18 points that are sure to make Georgia truck accident attorneys every happy indeed.

The trucking group outlined the points on the agenda at a news conference at Capitol Hill. The program includes a set of comprehensive measures, including steps aimed at enhancing the performance of drivers, safer trucks and safer vehicles to prevent truck accidents.  

The agenda includes:

• Training drivers to minimize driver distractions
• Implementation of stricter licensing testing standards for commercial truck drivers
• Research into behaviors of individuals between 18 and 25 years to be used for a graduated commercial truck driver licensing system
• Maximum speed limit of 65mph for all motor vehicles
• More long term parking, as well as parking spaces in areas where there is a shortage of truck parking space
• Seatbelt use promotion
• Implementation of safety and awareness programs targeting passenger car drivers and truck drivers
• Speed enforcement in high risk zones
• Graduated drivers licensing for teen motorists
• Support for anti drunk driving measures
• Speed limiters on trucks of drivers convicted of driving offences
• Speed limits on class 7 and 8 trucks manufactured after 1992
• Better crashworthiness standards for new class 7 and 8 trucks
• Effective communication between employers and states
• National database of driver drug and alcohol test results
• A national registry of certified medical examiners
• Availability of a Driver Information Resource
• Safety training classes for new motor carrier owners

We are extremely pleased with the points on the agenda, especially those that relate to drunk truck drivers, a national database for employers to access truckers' drug and alcohol test results and awareness programs for both passenger vehicle drivers as well as commercial truckers. There is a definite need for making motorists aware of safe driving around tractor trailers. Too many truckers and motorists are killed in Georgia every year because of negligent driving by a motorist. However, we wish the agenda had made some mention of driver fatigue - which is an important factor in truck accidents - and looked at steps that could help minimize the risk of accidents from truckers who doze off at the wheel.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Truck Accidents | 0 Comments Permalink

A motorcycle rider who was critically injured in an accident in Forsyth County over the weekend has succumbed to his injuries at an Atlanta Hospital.

The victim 49-year-old Terry Hitt was riding a motorcycle which collided with a Suzuki SUV when the motorist tried to make an illegal U turn. The motorcycle collided with the driver’s side door of the car. Hitt sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. He died on Sunday afternoon. Hitt is survived by his two children, mother and brother.

The motorist Marian Anwar was initially charged with making an improper left turn, and now faces second degree vehicular homicide charges in connection with the motorcycle accident. 

It was the fourth fatal accident in Forsyth County this month alone.

• On the 16^th of June, an young man was killed in a truck accident when his car crashed under a tractor trailer that was stopped at a traffic light.

• On June 10^th, an Alpharetta pickup driver died in an accident involving his vehicle and a fuel tanker.

• On the 3^rd of June, an accident involving a car and a box truck killed a 39-year-old man.

Motorcycle accidents can leave the rider with severe or fatal injuries. Impact with a car that’s driving even at normal speed limits can throw a motorcyclist several feet into the air, and have him crash to the ground with tremendous force. A helmet can prevent serious head injuries, but will do nothing to prevent catastrophic body injuries, like spinal fractures.

Motorcycle accident claims in Georgia are usually settled out of court after negotiations between a Georgia motorcycle accident lawyer and legal counsel representing the motorist. However, if the motorist offers to settle for an amount that is not acceptable to the injured motorcyclist, or if he refuses to take responsibility for the accident, the case will go to court.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Motorcycles | 0 Comments Permalink

Nestle SA has announced a recall of its Toll House cookie dough because of fears of E. coli contamination linked to dozens of cases of food poisoning nationwide. About 47 varieties of the cookie dough have been included in the recall.

The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to eat Toll House refrigerated and prepackaged cookie dough because of the risk of E coli contamination. The agency has asked consumers who may have any of the pre packaged cookie dough to throw these away. Consumers have been advised that they could face the risk of food poisoning even if they cook the dough, because the bacteria might be transmitted to their hands and cooking surfaces. According to the FDA notice, the contamination was exposed in a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state and local health departments.

So far, there have been 66 reports of illnesses from 29 states since March this year. 25 persons have been hospitalized and seven of these had suffered a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome [HUS] which can end in kidney damage and even death.  

E coli bacteria are transmitted through feces, and can spread through contaminated food and water. Symptoms include cramping, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. Most case of E coli infection can be treated in about a week. However in other cases, complications can develop. Around 5 to 10 percent of patients may develop a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome [HUS]. Symptoms include decreased frequency of urination, fatigue and paleness. Kidney damage may occur, and there may be other life threatening complications.

Persons who have recently eaten the dough must watch out for symptoms like abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. If any symptoms are seen, Georgia product liability lawyers would advise consumers to consult their physician immediately.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Product Liability | 0 Comments Permalink

Every year, the Georgia State Patrol increases patrolling and enforcement efforts around the Fourth of July to minimize the number of car accidents around the holiday. This year's crackdown on drunk driving begins tonight.

The campaign Operation Zero Tolerance kicks off at 9 pm tonight, and will last through the fifth of July. It will include the participation of more than 500 police agencies in Georgia, all taking part in the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety “100 Days of Summer HEAT” initiative. Enforcement officers will be conducting additional patrols across Georgia highways, and will be cracking down especially hard on intoxicated motorists. The 100 Days of Summer HEAT initiative will run through the Labor Day weekend. The initiative includes crackdowns targeting drunk drivers, speeders, as well as motorists violating seatbelt and child safety seat laws.

Every year, we celebrate the declaration of our independence with great fanfare.  We burst fireworks, and host barbecues. Unfortunately, the Fourth of July is also the single deadliest day of the year, with the maximum number of accidents occurring on this day. Between 1986 and 2002, an average of 161 people died in automobile accidents on Fourth of July. 

You can’t avoid the traveling that goes hand in hand with the holiday, but you can take steps to make sure you're safe on the roads. It’s best to drive keeping in mind that it is the biggest holiday of the year, and there are likely to be hundreds of motorists around you driving under the influence of alcohol. Stay within speed limits, avoid driving while drunk, and wear your seat belts. 

Besides the Fourth of July, New Year's Eve, Christmas, Memorial Day and Saint Patrick's Day are high on the list of alcohol-heavy days that see a sharp spike in drunk driving accidents. These holidays tend to see more numbers of motorists on the road. Add to that the fact that more than a few of them will be in no condition to drive, and it's easy to see why Georgia State Patrol and emergency rescue teams are so busy on these days.

The drunk driving accident attorneys at the Katz Law Firm represent victims of people injured in alcohol-related car crashes and families of those killed in such accidents.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In DUI | 0 Comments Permalink

The father of a boy who was injured when his Crocs shoes got caught in an escalator at an Atlanta Airport has filed a lawsuit against the company. The father Clark Meyer, is claiming $2 million in damages for injuries suffered by his son, identified only as “AM”.

According to the lawsuit, Meyer’s son was "severely and permanently injured" in the accident on July 15^th last year. On that day, the boy’s foot was snagged on an escalator at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. The boy who was four years old at that time suffered at least three broken toes and cuts. In the lawsuit, Meyer alleges that the company was aware of the dangers to children wearing the popular Crocs shoes in 2005, but that didn’t stop the company from marketing the shoes targeting young children.

It is the second such lawsuit filed in Atlanta in 2005 involving children and escalator injuries linked to the popular shoes. Crocs meanwhile has denied that the shoes cause any injuries.  The company blames faulty escalator design and the parents for the injuries suffered by children who wear their shoes.

In 2006, Crocs came under intense scrutiny by product liability attorneys and consumer safety groups after reports of the shoes being caught in escalators began coming in. The reports mostly involved young children, and the foot injuries have been severe. At the Atlanta airport itself, there have been multiple reports of shoe-related injuries, and almost all of them involved Crocs shoes.

The worries were severe enough for retailer American Girl to post signs in at least three of their stores, asking customers wearing crocs not to use escalators. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 10,000 injuries related to escalator accidents in 2006, but only a few of them involved Crocs shoes. In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission began alerting customers that soft sided shoes that were more pliable and malleable were likely to get stuck in escalators. However, the agency has never specifically mentioned Crocs in these injuries.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Product Liability | 0 Comments Permalink

A motorist from Winder in Barrow County has died in a multi vehicle truck accident that involved at least three commercial trucks. Four other people were injured in the accident that took place on the 5^th  of June.

As Robert McIlwain began to slow down for traffic on I-85, his Honda CRV was struck by a tractor trailer. According to state patrol, the driver of the tractor trailer, Thomas Terry failed to notice that traffic was slowing down, and struck the guard rail before crashing into the CRV. The Honda CRV was pushed into the path of a second tractor trailer, and then overturned. McIlwain died from his injuries.

Terry then struck a 2004 Dodge Dakota before it overturned into a median. The Dakota was pushed into a third tractor trailer that had stopped for traffic. In all, four people were injured in the accident, including Terry.

One of the trucks involved in the multi-vehicle crash was apparently carrying potassium hydroxide, which is considered a hazardous chemical. There was no spillage, but Georgia Environmental Protection Division and clean up personnel were called to the scene to ensure that any dangers were contained.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident, and has not yet confirmed, if any charges will be filed in the truck accident

Tractor trailer drivers have a lower speed limit than motorists. Part of the reason for this is that these large trucks take a much longer time to come to a complete stop than smaller vehicles do. In fact, a tractor trailer can travel several dozens of feet after the brakes are applied to come to a complete stop. That’s why a truck driver must take into consideration not just trucking speed limits, but also traffic conditions while driving.  

Operating a tractor trailer comes with special and unique challenges, and drivers must be aware of their responsibilities on the highways. As Georgia truck accident lawyers know all too well, errors by a truck driver can be disastrous for motorists on the highway.     

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Truck Accidents | 0 Comments Permalink

Last month, we reported that Georgia’s drivers ranked poorly in a survey of motorists based on their knowledge of safe driving practices. As it turns out, motorists in the state's capital may not only be lacking in their knowledge of safe driving, but may also be aggressive to boot.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a new survey has placed Atlanta among the five worst cities in the country as far as road rage and aggressive driving are concerned. Drivers in New York are reportedly the worst, with Dallas Fort Worth, Detroit and Minneapolis-St. Paul following. What that means is that motorists in these cities and Atlanta are more likely to tailgate or make rude gestures, weave in and out of traffic lanes and indulge in other forms of aggressive behavior.

Road rage incidents are more common in metropolitan cities that have busy roads. Congested roads mean traffic delays, and consequently, frayed tempers.

Yelling and making rude gestures may not seem dangerous, but when the angry motorist tries to run a vehicle off the road, or cut him off, things can quickly begin to get very serious. Accidents can easily occur when motorists are involved in displays of temper on the street.

Bicyclists and pedestrians are more likely to be victims of road rage. There is lesser awareness about the rights of these people, and it becomes easy for a motorist to vent his anger and frustration on a bicyclist in front of him.  

An aggressive driver may:

• Put high beams on drivers who cut him off
• Not allow drivers to merge
• Run red lights
• Pass slower drivers and cut in front of them
• Make rude gestures
• Not allow drivers to pass

These are a motorist's way of insulting other motorists that can definitely prove dangerous. If you find yourself on the street with another motorist who is behaving aggressively with you:

• Ignore the insults.
• Slow down your vehicle, or take the next exit to avoid the aggressive driver.
• If you find the motorist still following you, try to pull into a safe area where he isn’t able to harm you, like a police station.
• Avoid reacting to the other motorist' angry behavior.
• Avoid eye contact with the motorist.
• Avoid trying to talk with the motorist to diffuse the situation -it only makes things worse.

Our Atlanta car accident lawyers have come across several cases of accidents that were set off by one of the motorists' aggressive driving. The important thing to remember when you are dealing with a driver in the throes of road rage is that he is a total stranger, and could be drunk, on drugs, have a weapon in his car or could simply be itching to pick up a serious fight with you.   None of these situations are safe for you.

So, where do you find the nicest drivers in the country? Head to Portland, followed by Cleveland, Baltimore, Sacramento and Pittsburgh.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Auto Accident Claims | 0 Comments Permalink