In The News

Published on: July 19, 2010

Sandy Springs Man Involved in Fatal Truck Accident Arrested

A truck driver from Texas, believed to have been involved in a fatal tractor-trailer accident that killed a woman from Sandy Springs two weeks ago, has now been arrested.The driver, Joseph Leon Golden drove his truck into the emergency lane, where Rosario Velez had stopped her minivan to make a call.The truck crashed into Velez’s vehicle, leaving her seriously injured.She was rushed to the Grady Memorial Hospital and died a while later.Golden has now been arrested and charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and a lane violation.Sandy Springs police have been investigating the accident.

The catastrophic damage and loss of life and property that can result from truck accidents is why trucking companies and their drivers are held to such high standards of operations and safety.Traffic violations by any motorist can have serious consequences, but when it is the driver of a tractor-trailer guilty of such violations, the results can be horrific for those unfortunate enough to be at the receiving end.

Pursuing a truck accident claim in Georgia can be complicated and daunting. In any auto accident, you’re up against the driver of the other car and /or his insurance company.In a truck accident claim, you’re up against not just the driver, but also the trucking company, the insurers, their legal team, and other experts.The entire process of filing a claim can leave an Atlanta resident intimidated and frustrated.

Published on: July 7, 2010

Pit Bulls Attack Douglas County Woman

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Douglas County Woman Has Surgery after Dog Bite Injuries

A woman, who sustained serious injuries after she was attacked by a trio of pit bulls in Douglas County had to undergo surgery this week. The 56-year-old woman was on a morning walk on Monday when she was attacked by the three pit bulls.

The three dogs were on the porch, and when the woman passed by, they jumped on her. It was a ferocious attack by all accounts, and the woman was knocked to the ground and mauled on her face and arms. Passersby used sticks and stones to try and beat the dogs off of her, but the woman suffered serious injuries. She was rushed to the hospital where she has now undergone surgery. However, she could be looking at a long recovery period ahead.

Published on: May 21, 2010

New System to Protect Fraud on Commercial Drivers’ Licences

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

New FMCSA System Promises to Eradicate CDL Fraud

In 2002, an inspector general’s report informed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration of widespread Commercial Driver’s License fraud in the industry. Drivers who obtained fraudulent CDL’s were linked to a large number of accidents that resulted in fatalities and serious injuries. The fact that there is little FMCSA control over the issuance of Commercial Driver’s Licenses is one that has worried Atlanta truck accident lawyers. But not for long now. The FMCSA is in the process of rolling out a web-based system that will streamline the process of issuing CDLs to truck drivers, and limit the amount of fraud.

Once the new system is in effect, testing for CDLs will be scheduled through the system. The system will contain information of all examiners, the test site, date of the test, as well as the results.Testing that is done outside of the system will result in no CDL being issued.

Published on: May 18, 2010

Woman in Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Had Prior Hit and Run Conviction

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

It wasn’t the first time that Cynthia Parham had knocked over a person and fled the scene of the accident. She had a prior hit-and-run conviction back in 1983, and is now accused of another hit-and-run in Atlanta, that seriously injured an eight-year-old boy.

The most recent accident occurred on 10 May, when the victim was walking with his mother on a crosswalk at an intersection near interstate 285. Parham’s car struck the boy, and dragged him approximately 150 feet. He sustained serious life threatening injuries. Parham left the scene of the accident. Fortunately, witnesses at the scene were able to testify to police, and officers located the car at her home a short while later.

It now turns out that Parham has had several brushes with the law. She was convicted for hit-and-run back in 1983. She also served six months in prison on charges of burglary in 1982. She has also been involved in a whole bunch of other cases involving criminal trespass, forgery and simple assault. In 1995, she faced misdemeanor charges of being party to a crime, but that charge was later dismissed.

Published on: April 23, 2010

Macon Police Investigating Series of Dog Bites

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Macon Police Investigating Series of Dog Bites

Macon police have been investigating two separate dog bite incidents this week.

Both incidents occurred in South Macon. The first incident involved a man who was attacked by a pack of pit bulls. According to the man, he was walking along when the group of dogs attacked him with no provocation. Residents in the area were able to hear his cries for help, and respond. There is no information about the owner of the dog. By the time officers arrived at the scene, the dogs had disappeared, and officers were unable to trace them.

Published on: April 15, 2010

Dementia Patients Okay to Drive Says Neurology Group

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Elderly motorists in Georgia have restrictions imposed on their driving abilities. These are in place to make sure that senior citizens can continue to drive safely in Georgia, without endangering their own safety, as well as the lives and safety of other drivers. Driving for elderly people is not just a convenient way of getting around, but also a major factor in their mental health. Studies have shown that elderly citizens, who have their car keys taken away from them, can fall into a depression. More senior motorists may soon be able to continue with their driving privileges.

The American Academy of Neurology this week said that it would be revising its guidelines allowing patients with mild dementia to continue driving. As of now, the group does not recommend driving privileges for patients diagnosed with even a mild degree of dementia. However under the new guidelines, patients with mild dementia who have a safe accident record and whose families believe they can drive safely, may be able to continue to do so.

According to the group, studies seem to indicate that most persons who suffer from mild dementia pass driving tests successfully. In fact, studies showed that 77 percent of these persons were able to pass these tests, confirming their driving abilities.

Published on: April 14, 2010

Motorcyclist Killed in Atlanta Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A motorcyclist was killed in a tragic hit-and-run accident in Atlanta over the weekend. The victim was riding his motorcycle, and ran out of gas. He was stopped at the side of Interstate 20 West, when he was struck by a car. He died instantly from his injuries..The motorist continued driving after he struck the motorcyclist. Fortunately, an off-duty Georgia State Trooper was just behind the car, and noticed the accident. He chased the car, and was able to apprehend the motorist.

Last year, there were more than 5,000 people killed in motorcycle accidents across the country. That was a record since motorcycle crash data gathering began more than three decades ago. It’s also a reminder to Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers that we’re still far from even understanding what is causing this spike in fatalities, let alone developing measures to prevent these.

A new motorcycle crash causation study however, provides a glimmer of hope. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is partnering with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to conduct a study that would provide a fresh look into the causes of these accidents.The study is expected to begin in 2012. It is expected to be the first naturalistic study of motorcycle crash causes. It will also be one of the first major studies into motorcycle crash causes in decades.

Published on: April 7, 2010

Georgia House Passes Ban on Texting While Driving

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia House Passes Ban on Texting While Driving

The Georgia House last week passed a bill that will ban texting while driving for all motorists, and cell phone use for motorists below the age of 18. The bill will now go to the Senate, and Atlanta injury lawyers are hoping for the passing of a long-awaited legislation that will reduce the risk of distracted driving on our streets.

Bill 938 was approved by a 134-31 vote. It now goes to the Georgia Senate, and if the Senate does what Atlanta accident lawyers hope it will, then the bill will go to Gov. Sonny Perdue, and finally become law. The sponsor of the bill Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, says the bill is a no-brainer, given the widely recognized risks of texting while driving.

Published on: March 25, 2010

Pickup Truck Drivers to Buckle Up Per Georgia Senate Bill

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia Senate Passes Landmark Bill Requiring Pickup Truck Drivers to Buckle up

On this very blog, we have frequently discussed Georgia’s failures in enacting mandatory seatbelt laws that include pickup truck drivers. The law relegated Georgia to the backwoods of traffic safety, with our state being the very last in the country to hold on to an archaic law allowing pick up occupants to go without bucking up. Not anymore. The Georgia Senate has passed a bill that will make it mandatory for pickup truck drivers to buckle up.

The failure to buckle up contributes to the deaths of approximately 67% of all pickup drivers killed in accidents. Those rates have galvanized Atlanta car accident attorneys, and citizens groups. Buckling up might be pure common sense, but as we have seen, you need laws to get people to do the sensible thing and save their own lives. With this bill, pickup drivers in Georgia will have a much higher chance of surviving an accident.

Published on: March 24, 2010

Georgia Bicycle Safety Bill Gaining Speed

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Support Grows for Georgia Bicycle Safety Bill

More than 1,000 bicyclists converged in Atlanta yesterday in a show of support for a pending piece of legislation that would create a safety zone around bicycles, preventing the risk of injuries and accidents.

The bill is similar to other legislation already in effect in 16 other states around the country. It has been widely supported by bicycle safety groups and Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers. The bill, HB988 will establish a 3-foot safety zone around a bicyclist. Motorists will be required to maintain the 3-foot zone while passing a bicyclist. This will greatly increase safety for these bikers, who often find themselves run off roads and frightened by honking cars that get too close to them.