Personal Injury

Published on: March 26, 2013

Research Recommends Drastic Measures to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents

The distracted driving problem in Georgia and across the country has resulted in federal and state transportation agencies, safety advocates, and Atlanta car accident lawyers pooling in their efforts to come up with ways to reduce the numbers of distracted motorists on the roads.A number of strategies are currently being used to reduce the effect of distracted driving on highway safety.However, a new report released by researchers at West Virginia University recommends some dramatic new ways to reduce the impact of distracted driving.

The report was released by scientists at West Virginia University, and is titled Keeping an Eye on Distracted Driving.The report has been published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

According to the report, there is no doubt that distracted driving is one of the key threats to motorist safety in the United States.Every year, distracted driving causes more than 300,000 injuries on our roads, and as many as 2,600 fatalities.According to the report, the numbers of injuries and fatalities linked to distracted driving increased significantly between 2005 and 2009.

Published on: February 27, 2013

Comparison Study Finds High US Traffic Fatality Rates

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Americans seem to spend more on road transportation, but don’t necessarily drive on the safest roads in the world.According to a new report by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, the United States has a per capita accident fatality rate that is approximately 3 times greater than the rates in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Sweden.

Researchers analyzed fatality statistics, and tried to determine why there was such a huge disparity between the numbers in the United States as compared those in Europe.They found that there are a number of factors that contribute to a higher U.S. accident fatality rate.

These include much more relaxed laws regarding seatbelt use, speeding, and drunk driving enforcement.When researchers analyzed road safety laws in both the United States and European countries, they found that the U.S. was definitely behind in the types of laws most likely to help prevent accidents.

Published on: February 11, 2013

Increase in Georgia Car Accidents Linked to Icy Conditions

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Transportation officials across Georgia have been busy over the past few weeks as winter weather continues to create additional dangers for motorists.Over the past few weeks, icy weather conditions have been reported across several counties in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and its 1,500+ employees have been closely monitoring the weather as temperatures dip, and roads freeze.Our Atlanta vehicle accident attorneys have also been reminding people to stay safe on the slippery roads.

Transportation officials have already blamed icy weather for some accidents on Georgia highways this winter.None of these accidents resulted in fatalities, but they did lead to injuries and roads being shut down.Most of the accidents are being blamed on automobiles that hit a patch of ice, or vehicles that went out of control on roads made slippery by melting ice.

GDOT has increased travel warnings for Georgia motorists.Drivers are being asked to be very cautious while on the road, and to watch out for ice patches on interstate ramps and before and after bridges.

Published on: January 31, 2013

Investigations Rule Out Brake Failure in Newton School Bus Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Investigations into the recent school bus accident in Newton County are continuing.However, as of now, it does not appear that brake failure was a reason for the accident that injured more than 40 children.

The accident involved 2 school buses. According to the Georgia State Patrol, one of the school buses rear-ended the other, which had stopped to drop off children on Georgia Highway 162.Both of the buses were carrying students from Rocky Plains Elementary School.

Thirty four injured students and one of the bus drivers had to be rushed to the Newton Medical Center.Six other students were injured and taken to another hospital. Although the children had to be hospitalized, none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

Published on: January 22, 2013

National Safety Organization Ranks Georgia Highways

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

National safety organization, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, recently released its 2013 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws, which rates states on how they performed on the enactment of 15 basic traffic safety laws.The laws include everything from text messaging bans, to graduated driver’s licensing programs for teen drivers.While these types of reports don’t do much to help accident victims, our Atlanta car accident attorneys believe there is value in reviewing the results and how our state’s legislature is performing.

AHAS ranked all 50 states and the District of Colombia.The bad news seems to be that many states have regressed as far as passing important and effective highway safety laws are concerned.In 2011, 16 safety laws were passed by states, while 22 laws were passed in 2010.However, in 2012, states passed just 10 highway safety laws.

The report was based on whether states had enacted important traffic safety laws, including those related to seatbelts, booster seats, motorcycle helmets, driving requirements for teenage drivers, driving while impaired, and laws that ban texting while driving for all motorists.States were given 3 color-based ratings – green, yellow or red.Green denoted the best performance, and indicated that the state has significantly advanced towards adoption of all recommended highway safety laws.Yellow indicates a state that is working towards enacting many of these laws, but still has a lot of work to do.However, a classification of red indicates that a state is dangerously behind in the adoption of key traffic safety laws that can keep motorists safe.

Published on: January 7, 2013

Winter Weather Increases Slip and Fall Accident Hazards

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Over the next few months, Atlantans will find themselves at an increased risk of suffering a fall accident.Icy roads, sidewalks, and parking lots pose a serious walking challenge for people.

Our Atlanta slip and fall accident attorneys see many injuries that are the result of business owners failing to maintain a safe environment for visitors.However, in the winter months, we tend to see an increase in slip and fall accidents that may have been prevented with a bit more attention to the dangers that exist when ice is present.Below are some friendly reminders of how to stay safe this winter season.

The most important thing to do is wear smart and appropriate winter footwear while walking outside.Wear flat shoes or boots that have non-slip or high traction soles.Avoid wearing footwear that has smooth slippery soles.Also avoid stylish stiletto heels or other footwear that is impractical for walking on slick surfaces.

Published on: December 29, 2012

National Seat Belt Usage Rates at Record Highs in 2012

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Across the country, approximately 86% of all motorists buckled up before driving in 2012.That was a record high for seat belt usage in the U.S., and marks a significant improvement over the past decades.

The data came from a new study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which found that national seat belt usage rates are at an all-time high of 86%.The National Occupant Protection Use Survey finds that the use of seat belts here has increased steadily since 1994.That has coincided with the fact that many states across the country, including Georgia, have enacted stricter seatbelt laws that require all motorists to buckle up.

In many states like Georgia, seat belt laws are primary enforcement laws, which means that a police officer who sees a motorist driving without wearing a seatbelt, can simply pull him over, without finding any other infraction.Primary enforcement laws are much more stringent, because they lead to stronger enforcement of the laws.Not surprisingly, the study found that states like Georgia that have primary enforcement laws have much higher seatbelt usage rates compared to states that have secondary enforcement laws.

Published on: October 1, 2012

GHSA Takes Tough Positions on Distracted and Drugged Driving

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently adopted expansions of its policies related to distracted driving and drugged driving.These are 2 factors that are cited in thousands of fatal and injury-causing car accidents that occur in the metro Atlanta region every year. We have continued to see an increase in drunk driving accidents in our office, and believe a tougher stand on this problem is necessary to protect Atlanta drivers and passengers.

The GHSA is calling for a complete ban on the use of handheld cell phones while driving across all states.Just a few states have complete bans on hand-held cell phones while driving, while more than 35 states, including Georgia, have banned texting while driving.

The Governors Highway Safety Association earlier supported only bans on text messaging while driving, and bans on the use of electronic devices by both novice drivers as well as school bus drivers.This is the first time that the GHSA has voiced its complete support for bans on handheld cell phone.

Published on: September 25, 2012

Georgia DOT’s Plans to Raise Speed Limits Could Increase Accident Risks

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A number of states around the country have experimented with an increase in speed limits on some of their freeways and highways.Earlier this month, Texas had the dubious distinction of becoming home to the road with the highest speed limit in the country, with one stretch now having a speed limit of 85 mph limit.In Georgia, similar plans are being discussed that would raise our speed limit.

However, Atlanta car accident lawyers would warn against any rush to increase speed limits on roadways, without carefully analyzing the possible effects on motorist safety and the increased risk of accidents.

In Georgia, the Department Of Transportation is currently experimenting with increasing the speed limit on I-285 from 55 mph to 65 mph.Those 65 mph speed limits are fairly reasonable, when considering that the current highest speed limit in Georgia is 70 mph.While motorists in Georgia may complain that the speed limits in the state are far too low, the fact is that very often, motorists decide to drive at least 10 mph above the posted speed limit.So when you have a speed limit of 70 mph, you’re likely to have many motorists traveling at 80 mph.

Published on: August 23, 2012

Seatbelt Reminders for Back Seats Could Help Reduce Injuries, Fatalities

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

If a proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate seatbelt alerts for rear seat passengers is approved and goes into effect, it could mean a much lower risk of injuries to passengers in the back seat.

Rear seat passengers have much lower rates of seatbelt usage compared to drivers and front seat passengers.Nationally, only 74% of backseat passengers buckle up all the time, compared to seat belt usage rates of 83% for front seat passengers. Our Atlanta car accident attorneys agree that higher rear seatbelt usage would help prevent some of the most serious injuries.

The proposal would require that alerts and warnings that are currently in place for motorists and front seat passengers who have not yet buckled up after the car has been put into operation, are also included for rear seat belt passengers.The typically include a chime or beep that continues to sound until the seatbelt it engaged.