Georgia Injury Law Blog

Published on: May 13, 2010

Dog Bite Prevention

The week from May 16 to May 22 is being commemorated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is drawing attention to the fact that more than 1.4 million Americans suffer dog bites every year, a majority of them children.

One particular fact that the CDC wants to draw extra attention to this year, is that most people bitten by a dog have a pet dog in the household. That means your chances of being bitten are higher if you have a pet dog at home. In fact, according to the CDC, your chances of being involved in a dog bite increases with the number of dogs in your home.

It makes sense that people with little children at home should preferably have fewer numbers of dogs. It also makes sense that certain dog breeds are not suited to households with little children. If you’re looking to buy a puppy, make sure that you talk to a professional about this decision. If you can find an animal behaviorist in your area, then consult one about the breed of dog that’s suited your household.

Published on: May 12, 2010

Speeding by Female Teen Motorists is a Dangerous Trend

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Speeding by Female Teen Motorists Is a Dangerous Trend

A recent survey by insurer Allstate reveals some disturbing trends. A majority of female teen motorists in the survey admitted to driving at excessive speeds, texting while driving, driving aggressively and other dangerous behaviors.

According to the survey, approximately 46% of the girls admitted that they were likely to drive at excessive speeds. In comparison, just 36% of boys admitted to doing so. When it came to distracted driving, girls stole a march over boys again. More than half of the girls said that they frequently texted or talked on the phone while driving. In comparison, only about 38% of the boys in the survey admitted to doing so.

Published on: May 11, 2010

Top Five Most Common Bicycle Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlantans will have to get used to more numbers of bicyclists over the next few months as cycling season hits us in earnest. For those bikers who are new to Atlanta streets, it’s very important that you get familiar with the challenges before you.

You’re in luck, however. May is Bicycle Safety Month, not just in Atlanta, but across the country. That means plenty of bicycle promotion and safety awareness programs going on near you.

The risk of accidents is not something that bicyclists want to think about, but the fact is that these occur very frequently on Atlanta streets. Bicycling Magazine has brought out a list of some of the most frequent bicycle accident situations. The list features five of the most common bicycle collisions, and also recommends steps cyclists can take to avoid accidents like these.

Published on: May 7, 2010

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is promoting motorcycle safety in the month of May. The agency has declared May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and is encouraging local communities and motorcycling organizations to spearhead safety campaigns and other efforts.

To help these efforts, the agency has prepared a Share the Road planner which contains vital resources you can use to conduct your own motorcycle safety campaign in your community.The agency’s key message for the month of May is to “Share the Road.” The message is targeted at motorists who are urged to look out for motorcyclists as they drive. The NHTSA wants motorists to understand that:

· Motorcycles are vehicles too, and riders enjoy just as many privileges as motorists do.

Published on: May 6, 2010

Tips for Buying Your Teen’s First Car

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

For highschoolers across America, graduation time is also when they receive their first car. It is a momentous occasion in the life of your child, and marks a major step towards adulthood. The decision of what car to buy for your teen, can be nerve-racking. As Atlanta car accident attorneys and parents, we know that this is not a decision that taken carelessly. It’s also not a decision taken under pressure from your teen.

Here is some advice for you as you decide to buy your teen a first car.

Don’t assume that the car your child wants, is the right car. Typically, boys prefer fast, high-performance sports cars. However, these vehicles may not be the best choice. Experts suggest that you buy a larger car for teen motorists. A larger midsize SUV or pickup truck is an ideal choice, because bigger vehicles have traditionally been found to protect their passengers better in an accident. There are technical reasons for this. You’re definitely safer if you’re sitting at a level higher from other fenders on the freeway.

Published on: May 5, 2010

May is Bike Safety Month

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Education and exposure to bicyclists and safety programs makes for a safer environment for both bikers and motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is promoting the month of May as Bike Safety Month. The League of American Bicyclists is the official sponsor of this campaign, which will run through this month.

Any program that aims to spread the message of safe bicycling and increases awareness among motorists and bicyclists alike, will have the support of Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers. There is a series of events and programs lined up across the month, in the city of Atlanta. Here’s a look at just some of the events lined up for longtime bikers, as well as new bicyclists.

There will be a bike advocacy team meeting on May 10. This will be followed by a bike rally and bike rodeo on May 15. On May 19, bicyclists across the city will take part in the Ride of Silence to commemorate those bicyclists killed in accidents. On May 21 is the high point of the program, Bike to Work Day. On that day, teams of professional bicyclists will ride to work to demonstrate the conveniences and joys of a bike commute. Finally on the 26^th, there is a special workshop on Bike Maintenance for Dummies. The program will cover basics, like how to fix a flat tire and identifying bike parts.

Published on: May 4, 2010

Legislation Proposed to Prevent NHTSA Staff from Becoming Auto Company Lobbyists

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

It’s the kind of golden nexus that has had federal regulators and Atlanta personal injury lawyers very concerned. The trend of employees at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration leaving their jobs to take up cushy positions at prominent auto makers like Toyota, has been popular for a while now. After leaving their positions, these former NHTSA employees would then enjoy a cozy relationship with their former coworkers at the agency.

It has not been confirmed if this kind of relationship impacts auto safety. According to the Department of Transportation, there is no evidence to show that there was an unhealthy relationship between Toyota lobbyists who were former NHTSA officials, and the agency that they used to work for. However that hasn’t convinced some legislators. Sen. Barbara Boxer is working on an auto safety bill that would prohibit ex-NHTSA employees from working as lobbyists or in any other position that would require them to be in contact with their former employer. This restriction would be in place for a period of at least three years after the person quit his job at the NHTSA.

The Toyota crisis has also led to other lawmakers putting on their thinking caps and devising new legislation to keep American motorists safe. One such bill would require automakers to install anti-runaway technology in their vehicles. These technologies will include the override systems that are currently in place in several vehicles, and stop-start technologies. The bill is being drafted by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Rep Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Published on: May 3, 2010

Police Chase-Related Accidents Cause More Than 350 Fatalities Annually

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

More Than 350 Fatalities Annually in Police Chase-Related Accidents

There’s little attention paid to the hundreds of innocent motorists injured or killed every year in accidents caused by high-speed police chases. A new report by USA Today throws more light on this problem.

According to the report, which is based on NHTSA figures, every year, approximately 350 people are killed in accidents caused when police are chasing a suspect in a high-speed pursuit. In about one third of the cases, these fatalities involve the suspect being chased. The remainder, and the majority of the fatalities, involves innocent motorists.

Published on: April 28, 2010

National No Phone Zone Day for Drivers

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The campaign against distracted driving is coming soon to a chat show near you. On April 30, the Oprah Winfrey show will broadcast a special on distracted driving, called National No Phone Zone Day, and Atlanta will play a part in the proceedings. .

According to the Oprah show website, Oprah’s special guests on that day will be representatives from the Department Of Transportation, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other safety agencies. Oprah will invite families of victims killed in accidents linked to cell phone use while driving. There will be live rallies in several metropolitan cities across the country, including Atlanta. These rallies will include the participation of victims’ families, safety groups, and other advocacy groups.

Viewers will be invited to join a pledge – that they will make their car a “no phone zone,” and will avoid using a cell phone while driving at all costs. Hundreds of thousands of people have already joined the pledge on the Oprah website, and more are expected to join after the show airs on April 30.

Published on: April 27, 2010

Choking Hazards for Children Analyzed

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Choking Is Still a Real Hazard for Children

In spite of concerted efforts by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make children’s toys safer and choking-hazard free, thousands of children suffer a choking injury every year. Many of these choking incidents will be serious enough to require treatment in the hospital. According to a study, death is a very real possibility for those children who are admitted to a hospital for choking on a toy part or food.

The study looked at child hospital discharge data in 2003, and specifically noted 2,800 admissions for choking. Researchers found that approximately one in about every 30 kids hospitalized for choking, actually died in the hospital. The study also had one very interesting fact for Atlanta personal injury lawyers– about 25% of all choking-related hospital admissions were caused by toys or other products that were in compliance with Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations for these products.