pedestrian wrongful death

Published on: September 23, 2011

Atlanta’s Pedestrian Accident Issues Spotlighted Again by Baby Stroller Death

The metro Atlanta area is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians. However, other, more sprawling parts of the state are just as susceptible. Police report that a driver was backing a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica through the parking lot at Lenora Park on Lenora Church Road when her vehicle suddenly struck a stroller being pushed by a pedestrian. The infant in the stroller died of her injuries at Children’s Healthcare at Egleston in Atlanta and the police are left with analyzing how this pedestrian accident occurred. As police attempt to determine the answer, they are on the search for witnesses who may be able to confirm that the mother was crossing in a crosswalk when the car accident occurred near Snellville, Georgia.

For personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia, this incident is eerily similar to another high-profile jaywalking case that garnered national media attention this summer. Raquel Nelson is an Atlanta mother who was charged and convicted with vehicular homicide when her son was killed while crossing a street with her – out of the crosswalk. The case galvanized the country, and finally resulted in Nelson being awarded the option for a new trial. The trial is slated to begin October 25, 2011.

In Nelson’s case, the driver had a previous record, was blind in one eye and had questionable blood alcohol content. In this most recent incident, the incident report indicates that while the driver’s vehicle held six occupants, alcohol was not a contributing factor. The website for WBS radio indicates that one witness told authorities the mother pushed the stroller from between two legally parked vehicles and into the path of the SUV. The story of other witnesses may differ.

Published on: February 2, 2011

Cobb County Bus Driver Charged after Pedestrian Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The driver of a Cobb CountyTransit bus, which was involved in a serious pedestrian accident last week that left a pedestrian with an amputated leg, has now been charged. Atlanta police have charged the driver, Jean Lewis with failure to yield to a pedestrian on a crosswalk and failure to exercise due care. Of course, pedestrian accidents are more often involve the most serious injuries.

Lewis was driving a Cobb County transit bus when it struck a 54-year-old pedestrian. The bus struck the woman as it was turning left at a light. According to witnesses, the woman apparently saw the bus pulling out of the Hamilton Holmes Marta Station, and tried to walk faster, but she was struck by the rear of the bus, and fell to the ground. She suffered a severe leg and a broken ankle. According to Cobb County Representatives, the driver will be removed from service, pending completion of the investigation.

This pedestrian accident comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports on an increase in pedestrian wrongful deaths around the country. The increase is minimal, just .4%, but it comes after four continuous years of declining pedestrian accident deaths.

Published on: January 26, 2010

Teenager Killed in Stone Mountain Pedestrian Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Teenager Killed in Stone Mountain Pedestrian Accident

A Stone Mountain teenager was killed last week in an accident involving a teen motorist. Tanesha Williams was walking to her mother’s home after school when she was struck by the car.According to DeKalb County Police, the 17-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle and drove on to the sidewalk. The other two students with Tanesha suffered moderate injuries. Tanesha died later of her injuries. She was all of 14 years old.

Meanwhile, detectives believe that the teen motorist was likely trying to pass a second car at a high rate of speed. This likely caused the driver to lose control of the car, and driving up on the sidewalk and hitting the three pedestrians. Police still don’t know whether the second car was involved in the accident or if the two cars were racing.

Published on: August 17, 2009

Covington Driver Released after Fatal Pedestrian Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Covington Driver Released after Fatal Pedestrian Accident

Even as the family of 6-year-old Suk Maya Monger was holding a memorial service for the refugee girl who was struck and killed in a pedestrian accident, the motorist who struck her has been released from the DeKalb County Jail.

Suk Maya was killed last week. She and her mother had just got off a MARTA bus, and had walked round in front of the bus to cross the street. As they stepped into an open lane, motorist Gregory Armwood stuck the mother and daughter pair. According to police, he had just passed a stopped car and a MARTA bus. Suk Maya suffered serious head and internal injuries. She died on Wednesday. That day, tragically enough, was to have been her first day at a local Atlanta elementary school.