Georgia car accidents

Published on: August 22, 2025

Safety First After Interstate Vehicle Accidents

We’ve all heard the common-sense advice: after an accident, exchange information with the other driver. However, when it comes to accidents on busy roadways such as interstates, the common sense answer could get you killed.

On August 13, 36-year-old truck driver Terrell Lowdermilk of Chattanooga was hit by a vehicle while trying to do the right thing. While driving a tractor trailer on I-75 in Marietta, he had a minor sideswipe accident with another tractor trailer. Both drivers stopped after the accident to exchange information, one on the interstate and one on the nearby exit ramp. While Lowdermilk stood in the left lane of the entrance ramp, he was hit and killed by the driver of a Chevrolet Silverado. Unfortunately, this driver fled the scene without stopping to help.

After investigation, on August 15 police charged Milton police lieutenant Christopher Bradshaw with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run. He was described as a top investigator with 14 years’ experience, but he failed to protect and serve Terrell Lowdermilk. He has been fired from the Milton police department and is being held in Cobb County jail without bond.

Published on: March 19, 2024

Federal Funds to Boost Car Accident Prevention Efforts in Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In 2022, an average of 5 people died in car accidents in Georgia every single day. The state is now making strong efforts to help reduce those numbers and keep people safe on the roads. There is not one solution to the issue, which requires a multifaceted approach.

The Georgia Department of Public Health recently received funding of approximately $2.5 million specifically to be used in road safety initiatives. The grant by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be used to fund initiatives like the distribution of child car safety seats to motorists in Georgia. The funds will also be used to study and research factors involved in car accidents, specifically speeding and other common factors. More than $200,000 has also been earmarked for education and awareness campaigns across Georgia, as well as risk assessments of senior drivers above the age of 55. The child car seat distribution initiative has already kicked off, and hundreds of parents across Georgia have received their safety seats.

The metro Atlanta region is a specific area of concern for Georgia transportation safety authorities. Out of the last nine car accident deaths recorded in the state, 5 occurred in the metro Atlanta region alone. These wrongful deaths have included fatalities in car accidents caused by drunk drivers and fatal auto accidents involving pedestrians. Law enforcement officers in Georgia say that the biggest causes of car accident fatalities in the state remains drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving and rash driving. Road rage is on the increase, and that has meant a spike in aggressive driving.

Published on: December 15, 2018

Georgia’s Trucking Accident Statistics Continue to Rise

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Thousands of trucks travel on Georgia’s highways and interstates every year, moving freight and working as indispensable components in the state’s trade and commerce system. However, there are also countless accidents every year involving these massive vehicles on Georgia’s roads that result in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Large trucks and tractor trailers, by their very nature and design, are more likely to cause serious injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle when they are involved in an accident. These trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and their bulk can make any collision with them especially dangerous.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s statistics from 2006 to 2016 portray an interesting picture of Georgia’s truck safety record. A look at the data indicates that the state was able to make significant progress in reducing the number of people killed in truck accidents between 2006 and 2010. During this 5-year period, there was a continuous decline in truck accidents beginning with 232 fatalities in 2006 to ending at 153 in 2010.

Published on: December 17, 2012

Georgia Officials Warn of Increase in Car Accident Fatality Numbers in 2012

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia state officials are warning about a possible increase in the number of auto accident-related fatalities for this calendar year.The numbers are expected to rise in 2012, which will be the first time the state has seen an increase in more than 5 years.

The Commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Public Safety recently announced that there has been a spike in traffic accident fatalities in the state this year.According to statistics, the state has already surpassed the accident fatality toll during the same period of time last year.

What is even more concerning to our car accident attorneys is that we are still in mid-December, and have not yet started the busiest travel season of the year.As we approach Christmas and New Year’s, there will certainly be more motorists on the road.And unfortunately, too large a percentage of these motorists will be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.Others will be speeding to get to their destination or party on time, and texting while driving remains a big problem in Georgia and across the country.

Published on: November 28, 2011

Atlanta Ranks at Number Four in Auto Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

According to data from 2009, the city of Atlanta ranks at number four in the number of auto accidents.It also ranks at number six in the number of accident-related wrongful deaths that same year.

The data which comes from the American Auto Association has no surprises for Atlanta car accident lawyers who are familiar with the auto safety culture in the city.In 2009, 498 people died in accidents in Atlanta.More than 62,000 people suffered a personal injury in car accidents in the city.

These accidents took not only a devastating personal toll, but also wreaked substantial economic damage.The metro Atlanta region suffered losses to the tune of more than $11 million in 2009 because of auto accident-related costs.Only Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York fared worse than Atlanta.The overall accident-related costs in the US totaled $299.5 billion.That’s more than three times the $97.7 billion cost of congestion.

Published on: November 22, 2011

Marietta Motorist Claims Seizure Caused Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A Marietta motorist, who was involved in a multi-vehicle auto accident, insists that the car accident was the result of a seizure that he suffered while driving.Police have already filed charges against him. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the auto accident occurred when the driver’s Ford F-250 struck another pickup truck on the same street.The motorist drove off after the accident and struck two more vehicles, before finally veering off the road and crashing into a tree.

Fortunately, the car accident did not result in life-threatening injuries for other drivers involved.The motorist has been charged with hit-and-run, driving too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane and driving under a suspended license. Car accident attorneys regularly see cases in which a defendant driver claims a medical condition caused the accident. In order for this defense to be successful in a civil case, they must establish not only that the medical condition caused the accident, but that the medical condition was not known or it was not known that the medical condition would result in the issue which occurred.

Police say that he was fleeing the accident scene when he crashed, but the motorist claims that he has a history of epilepsy.According to him, he suffered a seizure at the time of the accident.The motorist says that he suffered petit mal seizures in his childhood, and was placed on medication.However, he stopped taking the medications after the seizures ended.The last time he had a grand mal seizure was three years ago.He does not know what caused this latest seizure that he suffered during the accident.According to him, he has no recollection of any of the events leading up to the accident.

Published on: April 8, 2011

Motorcyclists in Atlanta and throughout Georgia at Risk from Car Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Most motorcycle accidents occur in the daytime and at intersections, and can usually be linked to motorist failure to see the motorcyclist in time.As an Atlanta injury lawyer, I find that some of the most serious and debilitating injuries arise out of motorcycle accidents. A motorcyclist is far more likely to be injured in an auto accident than a passenger in a car. As the year’s biking season kicks off, Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys would advise motorists to exercise extra caution.

Georgia’s motorcyclists will enjoy the warm spring weather, after what has been at times, a horribly cruel winter.The weather being as pleasant as it is, motorists can expect not just local Georgia motorcyclists, but also motorcyclists from neighboring states on their way to southern destinations.However, with the increase in motorcyclists, comes an increased risk of accidents.Biking season is the right time to remind drivers that most motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists and drivers of other vehicles, and not motorcyclists.

In Georgia at least, we have noticed a trend of blaming motorcyclists every time there’s an accident involving these riders.Most people are quick to assume that it’s motorcyclists who disobey traffic laws, ride too fast, and try stunts on the motorcycle.Nothing could be further from the truth.Most motorcyclists are aware that any foolish behavior can have devastating consequences for them, and not so much for the occupants of the other vehicle involved in the crash.

Published on: December 4, 2010

ENA Scorecard Shows Georgia Could Do Better at Preventing Accident Deaths

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Preventing deaths from auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents needs to be a top priority in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. A report by the Emergency Nurses Association, which rates states based on how they fare on 14 established criteria, shows that Georgia performs quite well on the parameters, but still has work to do.

The report by the ENA compares all 50 states, and rates them based on how they perform against the following criteria:

1. The existence of primary enforcement seat belt laws

Published on: October 8, 2010

Georgia Car Accident Linked to Dog Attack

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia Car Accident Linked to Dog Attack

Police in Henry County are looking for the owner of a pit bull linked to a fatal accident that killed a 14-year-old girl in McDonough.The tragedy unfolded when the girl identified as Miracle Parham, was walking to school earlier this week.She came across a pit bull on the road.The animal began to get aggressive with her, and the young girl backed out into the street.Just then, she was struck by a car, and sustained fatal injuries.

Police will not be pursuing charges against the car driver, but they are actively looking for the owner of the pit bull.They have already spoken with neighbors in the area, and it seems that there are at least two persons in the vicinity who own aggressive pit bulls.In fact, these animals have, in the past, managed to claw their way out from under the fence, and run out onto the street where they intimidated passersby and children.Not surprisingly, both the owners now deny that the dog that chased Miracle belonged to them. The investigation is focusing on these dog owners.

Published on: March 10, 2010

Three Injured in Street-Racing Accident in DeKalb County

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

At least three people have been injured in an accident apparently caused by two cars street racing in DeKalb County.

The two cars set off a chain reaction accident on Interstate 285 that involved several vehicles. At least three people had to be taken to the hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The two persons who were racing fled the scene of the accident.

Accidents involving speeding racing cars can result in serious injuries or fatalities. It’s extremely fortunate that the three people here survived this crash.