Georgia fatalities

Published on: January 7, 2021

Increase in Traffic Accident Deaths in Georgia in 2020

Preliminary figures show that there was a significant increase in traffic accident facilities in Georgia in 2020, despite the pandemic and stay-at-home orders. In fact, according to the study, the numbers may be the highest on record since 2007.

The preliminary figures released by the Georgia Governor’s office of Highway Safety showed that there were 1,615 traffic accident deaths in the state of Georgia in 2020. That was the highest total on record since 2007, when there were 1,641 facilities recorded. It was also a significant increase from the figures in 2019 when the state recorded a total of 1,491 deaths in traffic accidents.

It’s important to remember that these are preliminary figures, and the total numbers are very likely to increase as the agency continues to confirm the number of traffic accident deaths across the state last year. The majority of accident deaths in 2020 occurred on state roads and highways.

Published on: May 27, 2014

Pedestrian Fatality Study Underscores Georgia’s Poor Record

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia ranks at the bottom of the heap when it comes to protecting pedestrians from serious or fatal injuries in accidents.

According to a new study, a small group of states accounts for some of the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the country.The study was conducted by the National Complete Streets Coalition, where researchers analyzed numbers involving more than 47,025 pedestrian fatalities that occurred over a 10 year period. When analysis of the data was complete, some states were found to have an abysmal record in keeping pedestrians safe and preventing accidents.

The study established a Pedestrian Danger Index, which measured the number of fatalities relative to the number of pedestrians on the street, and found that some states had managed to keep fatalities very low. These included New York and Washington DC.

Published on: February 3, 2012

Decline in Georgia Car Accident Deaths in 2010

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Car accident death rates in Georgia seem to have mirrored the nationwide drop in traffic accident deaths in the year 2010.Highway safety officials in Georgia recorded a substantial drop in accident fatalities in the state for the 5th successive year. Most personal injury lawyers have not really seen that significant level of a drop in their wrongful death cases. That is likely due to the fact the decrease has come through improvement of roadways. Very few wrongful death cases caused by roadway defects are actually litigated.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation, a total of 1,244 people died in car accidents in Georgia last year.That was a drop of 3.7% from the previous year, or 48 fewer fatalities.In 2009, the number of people killed in auto accidents was 1,292.The number has been dropping steadily since 2006.

To understand the kind of progress that has been made in keeping motorists safe on Georgia roads, consider this – in 2005, there were 1,744 deaths in traffic accidents in Georgia, compared to 1,244 in 2010.In just 5 years, transportation safety agencies and law enforcement in Georgia have been able to reduce the number of people being killed in preventable traffic accidents.

Published on: October 14, 2011

Woman Killed in Henry County Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A woman was killed and her five-year-old son suffered a personal injury in a car accident in Henry County last week.The accident occurred on Georgia Highway 20 near McDonough.According to police, a Chrysler station wagon crossed the centerline, and crashed into a Chevrolet Silverado being driven by the victim.The woman sustained massive injuries, and was rushed to the hospital, but succumbed to injuries later.Her five-year-old child was in the backseat, and also suffered injuries in the auto accident. Given how the accident unfolded, a wrongful death and personal injury claim appear likely.

The driver of the station wagon suffered injuries, and was taken to the Atlanta Medical Center.Police are still trying to determine whether to press charges against her. Georgia’s laws allow survivors of victims of a car accident to file a claim for wrongful deathdamages.Under Georgia’s laws, only certain individuals can file a wrongful death claim for monetary damages.For instance, in the case of an adult victim, his spouse and children have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, but the spouse controls the any lawsuit.However, when the deceased is a child, the parents have the right to file a claim.When a person dies in a car accident and does not leave behind parents, spouse or children, then his estate has the right to file a wrongful death claim against the motorist responsible for the accident.

In addition to a wrongful death claim, the heirs may also pursue a separate “estate claim.” A wrongful death claim allows a person to recover for the full value of someone’s life, while an estate claim permits the estate to recover for economic losses such as medical expenses and funeral bills as well as for pain and suffering.In some cases, an “estate claim” may also include a claim for punitive damages.Punitive damages are awarded in rare circumstances where the defendant has been found to have acted intentionally, willfully or with a conscious disregard for the consequences of their conduct. Most punitive damage claims fall in this last category.

Published on: October 10, 2011

Investigations into Fatal Georgia Tractor-Trailer Accident Continue

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Law enforcement officials are still continuing their investigation into a fatal truck accident near Interstate 85 that left a woman dead.The truck accident occurred over the weekend and involved a blue Kenworth tractor.The tractor struck the woman outside a restaurant.She suffered fatal injuries and died.Of course, the results of the investigation could result in a wrongful death lawsuit if the truck driver is located and found to be responsible for the accident.

A bulletin by the Hart County Sheriff’s Office has a description of the driver of the 18-wheeler, who left the scene of the accident.There’s nothing to indicate that the driver of the tractor-trailer was aware of the accident, or that it resulted in a fatality.Local Hart County officials are asking any witnesses who saw the tractor to contact them immediately.Police are asking people to look out for a damaged trailer.

Being involved in a commercial truck or tractor trailer accident is one of the most terrifying experiences imaginable.It’s not just the size of these vehicles that makes them so intimidating.It’s also the bulk that these vehicles pack into their large frames that places smaller vehicles at serious risk when they are involved in accidents.Not surprisingly to Atlanta truck accident lawyers, in any accident involving 18- wheelers and smaller vehicles, it is the occupants of the smaller car who are most at risk for injuries or deaths.Even when motorists survive these accidents, they may suffer from a debilitating personal injury that require extensive hospitalization, surgery and long-term care.

Published on: August 30, 2011

Cobb County Police Looking for Motorcyclist in Fatal Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Police in Cobb County are on the lookout for the driver of a Porsche involved in afatal motorcycle accident fatal motorcycle accident. The motorcyclist was riding a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle when he was struck by two vehicles on Interstate 75.According to police, a Porsche struck the motorcyclist, and then fled the scene of the auto accident.The motorcycle was then struck again by a Mazda that was following behind.

The victim, a thirty-one-year-old man from Norcross sustained serious injuries, and died. The driver of the Mazda has confirmed to police that the Porsche struck the motorcyclist before her car did.Police are now looking for a silver Porsche that is likely to have moderate damage. Unfortunately, as any personal injury attorney will tell you, some of the most devastating accidents occur with hit and run drivers. These drivers are often uninsured, drinking or on drugs.

A motorcycle accident can be a traumatic experience.These are some of the most serious accidents, and can end in fatalities, or serious injuries to motorcycle riders and passengers.Apart from a helmet, a motorcyclist has little protection against injuries.

Published on: June 5, 2011

18 Car Accident Deaths on Georgia Streets over Holiday Weekend

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Georgia police are reporting an increase in auto accident deaths over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.This year, a total of 18 people were killed in car accidents and motorcycle accidents over the holiday weekend, an increase from five deaths in 2010. Of course, there were many more persons injured this past holiday weekend. As an Atlanta personal injury lawyer, I always note a significant increase in accidents over every holiday.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, most of those deaths occurred on Atlanta streets.Out of the 18 deaths, 11 occurred in Atlanta.At least some of those accidents also involved motorcycle deaths and pedestrian accidents resulting in deaths.In Atlanta, a student at Georgia Tech was killed in a motorcycle accident when his motorcycle was struck by a drunk driver.Another motorcycle accident was recorded in Lilburn over the weekend.

Heavy traffic and motorists rushing to get to their destination during the holiday were responsible for many of the fatalities.In one accident, a 19-year-old motorist escaped injuries when his car flipped over.As he was standing outside the car checking out the damage, he was struck by a passing vehicle.He died at the scene.

Published on: February 1, 2011

Georgia Ranks above National Average for Auto Accident Wrongful Deaths

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The state of Georgia ranks at number 32 in a USA Today compilation of states based on auto accident death rate per 100,000 population. In 2009, 1,284 people died in car accidents in Georgia, and the state had a death rate per 100,000 population of 13.1. That is much above the national average of 11 per 100,000 population. Of course, a significant number of deaths generally occur in urban areas such as Atlanta, Georgia.

Georgia and other states like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Delaware with strong rural neighborhoods seem to have high death rates in car accidents. The reason for this, according to the USA Today report, could be the fact that many of the states with significant numbers of wrongful deaths due to car accidents have large rural communities.

Most of the traffic in rural communities plies on two-lane roads. These roads typically tend to be poorly designed, and lack the safety enhancements and engineering that make urban roads safer. It’s no coincidence that the states that have featured at the top of the list (ie: least deaths), like Washington DC and Massachusetts have more urban roads.

Published on: January 26, 2011

NSC Statistics Show Decline in Georgia Auto Accident Fatalities

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

New figures from the National Safety Council show that auto accident deaths in Georgia declined during the first 11 months of 2010. According to the report, there were 1,121 auto accident deaths between January and November 2010, down from 1,165 during the same period time in 2009, and 1,323 deaths during the same period of time in 2008. Overall, statistics for Georgia show a 15% decline in the number of attacks between January-November 2008 and January-November 2010.

Georgia statistics mirrored a nationwide trend. Overall, motor vehicle accidents across the country declined by approximately 4% in the first 11 months of 2010. As of November 2010, there were 31,740 accident fatalities.

This year, the National Safety Council adopted the concept of “medically consulted injuries” to define the injury impact of these accidents. According to the National Safety Council, a medically consulted injury is any injury that is deemed serious enough to require the attention of a medical professional. Between January and November 2010, there were 3, 100,000 medically consulted injuries arising from auto accidents. Further, auto accidents in 2010 lead to total costs of $216.5 billion. These include medical expenses, employer costs, lost hours and lost productivity.

Published on: October 6, 2010

Four People Killed in Georgia 15-Passenger Van Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Four People Killed in Georgia 15-Passenger Van Accident

Four people were killed in an accident caused when a15-passenger van overturned in South Georgia.The accident, which also injured more than 15 other people in the van, occurred on US Highway 27 in southwest Georgia.The occupants were members of a church group on their way to an event in Florida.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the van’s rear right tire blew out, causing the driver to lose control of the van.The van flipped over several times, ejecting all of the passengers.The pastor of the church, the Tabernacle of Prayer and Deliverance in Columbus, and three other occupants of the van, were killed in the crash.Injured persons were airlifted to nearby hospitals.In all, there were 19 people on board ranging in age from 11 months to adults in their 40s.