Georgia Injury Law Blog

Published on: November 24, 2009

Woman Killed in Wrong Way Driving Accident in Atlanta

Woman Killed in Wrong Way Driving Accident in Atlanta

A young mother has been tragically killed in a drunk driving accident involving a wrong way driver in Atlanta. The accident occurred on Saturday.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, Robert Ayiteyfio drove his Toyota Camry west on an eastbound lane of interstate 20 and crashed into a Ford Taurus. In the Taurus were a mother and her two children, aged 2 years and 10 months, and her boyfriend. The woman died of her injuries at the hospital while her friend sustained injuries. The children had to be taken to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Published on: November 23, 2009

Multi Vehicle Auto Accident in Atlanta Kills One, Injures Five

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Multi Vehicle Auto Accident in Atlanta Kills One, Injures Five

A multi vehicle accident on Holcomb Bridge Road has left one man dead and five people, including a mother and four children, injured. The accident occurred on Thursday morning.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a pickup truck crossed a centerline, and struck a mini van and another car. The woman driving the minivan suffered serious injuries.The children in the van, aged between 10 months and 7 months, also suffered injuries although these were not serious. It’s not confirmed if the woman was the mother of the four children.

Published on: November 19, 2009

Georgia Kicks Off Holiday Seatbelt Enforcement Campaign

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Thanksgiving season is upon us, and it’s time for the Turkey, the family get together, and the need for greater care while driving around Georgia.

The year’s biggest holiday is also its deadliest. Accident rates spike during the 102-hour period, killing and injuring several motorists and passengers. Anticipating massive holiday travel, Georgia officials have kicked off the “Click it or Ticket” campaign. The seatbelt enforcement campaign began on Monday, and will last through the holiday weekend. There will be severe patrols, and officers will stop vehicles to check for seatbelt usage.Enforcement will go on during the day and night.

Last year, 19 people died in Georgia during the Thanksgiving weekend, and 1,457 people were injured in a total of 3,815 accidents. According to the Governor‘s Office of Highway Safety, 136 lives could have been saved last year only if the victims had remembered to wear seatbelts.

Published on: November 18, 2009

Study Reveals Teen Texting While Driving is Dangerously High

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Study Reveals Teen Texting While Driving is Dangerously High

A new study that included teens from Atlanta, has revealed some frightening statistics that should cause great concern to Georgia personal injury lawyers. The study included 800 teens between 12 and 17, and 74 more in 9 focus groups in Atlanta, New York, Denver and Ann Arbor. According to the study, about a quarter of teens aged between 16 to 17 years admit to having texted while at the wheel.

However, it’s not that fact – scary as it is – that worries us the most. Almost half of the respondents between 12 and 17 years old in the Pew survey, admitted that they frequently see their parents texting while driving.

Published on: November 17, 2009

Student Injured in DeKalb County School Bus Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Student Injured in DeKalb County School Bus Accident

News of a school bus accident is enough to cause concern to any Georgian. These vehicles carry some of the most precious cargo, and children may be at serious risk of injuries in these accidents. At least one student has been hospitalized with injuries after an accident involving two DeKalb County school buses this week.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the accident occurred on Monday, when bus number 1794 of the McClendon Elementary School struck bus number 1282 at the Lawrenceville Highway and Interstate 285 intersection. One of the children suffered cuts, and was taken to a hospital. Fortunately, there were no other injuries in the accident. The accident seems to have been caused when bus number 1794 backed up into the other bus.

Published on: November 16, 2009

Helmet Usage Can Minimize Brain Injury Risk In Motorcycle Accident Victims

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Helmet Usage can Minimize Brain Injury Risk in Motorcycle Accident Victims

Efforts by law enforcement authorities and transportation authorities in Georgia and nationwide, have helped lower accident fatality rates over the past few years. However, the rates of motorcycle accident fatalities have increased dramatically during the same period.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as of 2008, motorcycle accident fatalities had actually increased for the 11th year running.

Published on: November 13, 2009

New Studies Evaluate Fall Accidents of the Elderly

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

New Studies Look at Ways to Prevent Fall Accidents in Elderly

Elderly persons aged 65 or above have a much higher risk of suffering slip and fall accidents. They are also more likely to suffer debilitating long term injuries from these falls that can severely impact their quality of life. In fact, about 20 percent of elderly persons who suffer a hip fracture after a fall accident, die within 12 months of the fracture.

With alarming statistics like these, it has always been a source of concern to Atlanta slip and fall accident lawyers that little research is done to find out why these people are at risk for such falls. However, as the New York Times says, new research involving the use of wireless sensors placed in elderly persons’ homes, are providing experts clues to understand what kind of conditions can increase the risk of falls, helping develop preventative measures that can minimize the risk of falls.

Published on: November 12, 2009

Atlanta Ranks Among Top Ten Most Dangerous Metro Areas for Pedestrians

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

As Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyers, we haven’t been blind to the lack of proper infrastructure that makes Atlanta such a dangerous place for pedestrians. Now comes a new study that confirms the Atlanta metropolitan area as one of the most treacherous places for pedestrians in the US.

The rankings have been developed by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, which recently released a report on the state of pedestrian safety in the country. The picture is bleak. According to the report, approximately 5,000 pedestrians die every year in traffic accidents.

The list of 10 most dangerous metropolitan areas has Florida occupying the first four spots making it a nightmare destination for pedestrians. Memphis is at number 5, followed by Raleigh –Cary, North Carolina, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN, Houston-Sugarland- Bay Town, TX, Birmingham-Hoover, AL, with Atlanta- Sandy Springs- Marietta occupying the 10^th spot. To generate accurate rankings, the researchers developed a Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) to clearly and correctly compare metropolitan areas based on actual danger to pedestrians.

Published on: November 10, 2009

Defective Buses Could Expose Georgia Passengers to Accident Risks

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

I came across this interesting report by the Chicago Tribune which elaborated on how one bus manufacturer neglected to inform customers about its defective vehicles for 8 years, while the NHTSA failed to speed up this process.

The bus manufacturer in question is New York-based Transportation Collaborative Inc (TCI). The company recently agreed to inform its customers there are defective parts in its buses that have been recalled. These parts include

· Unstable seatbacks that could collapse in the event of a crash causing serious injuries

Published on: November 9, 2009

Ford Inflatable Seatbelt Systems Promise to Reduce Risk of Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Ford Inflatable Seatbelt Systems Promise to Reduce Risk of Injuries

As Georgia car accident lawyers, we are constantly monitoring new auto safety technologies that promise to keep drivers and passengers safe in an accident. Ford Motor Company has now announced the development of new inflatable seatbelt systems that we believe could be the next big thing in auto safety.

According to Ford, it will equip new Ford Explorers that are due to go into production next year, with the inflatable seatbelts in the rear seats. During a crash, the belt inflates and fills up with cold compressed gas. The gas is released after several seconds through tiny pores in the belt.