Police say that the driver somehow lost control of his Ford Mustang on King Road, a residential street. The vehicle then crashed into a stone mailbox with enough force to kill both the driver and his passenger, who was ejected from the car upon impact.
There are a number of common reasons why a single-vehicle accident may happen, including the following:
For more information and advice on what you should do after being involved in a car accident of any kind, speak with a skilled personal injury attorney at [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"] in Atlanta, Georgia.
]]>An auto accident on Interstate 95 in Chatham County on Sunday, November 27 resulted in at least nine injuries, according to Georgia State Patrol officials.
Police say a 26-year-old man was traveling north on the interstate when his pickup truck hit a small vehicle in front of him. This car, which had slowed down due to traffic congestion, then struck a number of other vehicles. In total, four automobiles were involved and two people had to be transported via helicopter to a local hospital. Another six people required transport via ambulance.
Officers cited the driver of the pickup truck for texting while driving and following too closely.
Mobile devices and other distractions are a common cause of car accidents today. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting while driving is on the rise throughout the country. This is a highly dangerous practice that takes motorists’ eyes off the road for seconds at a time — enough to cause a serious crash.
In fact, experts have determined that it takes an average of five seconds to respond to a text message. That’s enough time for a motor vehicle travel about 100 yards at 55 miles per hour. And in 2014, more than 3,100 people died and 431,000 were injured in auto accidents involving a distracted driver.
Recognizing these trends, law enforcement agencies in Georgia and across the country have ramped up efforts to reduce distracted driving through both education and enforcement.
If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured due to someone else’s irresponsible behavior, meet with a dedicated Atlanta car accident attorney at [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"].
]]>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workplace accidents and injuries have been decreasing for most of the past 13 years — and that incident rates continue to decline.
According to the agency’s most recent report, there were about 2.9 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses that private employers reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2015. That equals about three reported cases for every 100 full-time workers in the United States, making the lowest rate seen since 2002.
OSHA officials believe that this positive trend is due partially to better safety procedures and training on the part of employers. However, contributing factors might also include a declining oil and gas industry, which has historically been associated with higher rates of workplace accidents and injuries.
Additionally, workers who are less rushed at their jobs are more likely to take proper safety precautions when completing tasks, and are also less likely to be fatigued. And, service jobs —which make up an increasing portion of the labor force — tend to be less hazardous than construction and manufacturing jobs. In all, six industry segments saw a notable decrease in occupational injuries compared to 2014, including mining, oil and gas production, quarrying, manufacturing, warehousing and transportation.
Despite these improved numbers, OSHA officials say they believe 2.9 million injuries nationwide to be too many, and that businesses and organizations should continue to emphasize workplace safety for their employees.
If you or someone close to you has been seriously injured on the job, speak with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney at [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"].
]]>According to the story, which comes from reporter Sally Sears, Gwinnett County is the worst in the metro area in terms of the most fatal accidents per 100,000 people. There, the most dangerous spot is at Highway 316 and Buford Drive, an intersection that has seen four deaths over the past three years alone.
Also on the list were the following:
In researching the report, Sears looked at data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and spoke with a number of state officials. The report offers an interesting glimpse into the areas where car accidents are most likely to occur in the Atlanta area. However, it was also sure to point out that these crashes may not necessarily be the result of poor engineering, as human error is a more common factor leading to accidents.
After a serious car accident, you may need to seek compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering and property damage. Learn more by consulting an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer with [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"].
]]>After a car accident occurs, it may not be 100 percent clear who or what was at fault. In these situations, you may need to work with an attorney to build a case demonstrating that another party was responsible for your accident.
One of the best tools at your disposal is a police report, which is why it’s so important to call the police immediately after a crash. If an officer showed up at the scene and created a report, contact your local law enforcement agency to obtain a copy of it. This document, while not legally binding, gives the police officer’s official opinion of what occurred in the accident, which could bolster your claims.
It would also be helpful if an officer issued a citation to another driver for violating a certain rule of the road. A traffic ticket for speeding or running a red light, for example, would provide a pretty clear indication that the driver in question was responsible for the crash. Your attorney can help you determine if any citations were issued immediately after the accident.
Additionally, some types of car accidents are associated with one motorist being responsible in almost all situations. In a rear-end crash, for example, police officers and courts are more likely than not to fault the driver who hit the other from behind. The same goes for left-hand turn collisions — the driver who was turning left is almost always considered at fault.
After a collision, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your best interests. Learn more about your legal options by consulting a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney with [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"].
]]>Two people sustained serious injuries in a Thanksgiving auto accident in southeast Atlanta, near the intersection of Maynard Terrace and Memorial Drive.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, the accident occurred after police attempted to pull over a gold vehicle because it did not have a license plate. The driver of that car reportedly sped off instead of pulling over, moving towards the Interstate 20 East ramp to Maynard Terrace.
Officers continued to chase the vehicle, which ran a red light and was struck by a Chevrolet SUV. Both of the occupants of the fleeing vehicle suffered serious injuries and had to be taken to a local hospital. They remained in serious condition in the days that followed.
In this particular case, it seems clear that reckless driving was a primary factor leading up to the crash. By definition, leading police officers on a chase and running a red light would be considered “reckless.” Furthermore, the driver has been charged with several offenses, including reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and failure to obey a traffic signal.
These criminal charges are separate from any civil actions the at-fault party may be subject to, particularly from the SUV’s driver — who suffered minor injuries and needed to seek medical care.
If you or someone close to you has been injured in an auto accident that was the result of reckless driving or another form of negligence, reach out to an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer at [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"].
]]>A woman in the northwest Georgia community of Silver Creek died from injuries she sustained when she lost control of the motorcycle she was riding.
According to the county coroner, the 30-year-old woman was thrown from her Kawasaki Ninja bike, and it was not yet clear what caused her to lose control. Law enforcement authorities do not believe speed was a factor, as there was little damage to the motorcycle. The woman’s injuries included severe brain trauma.
Two of the most common factors in motorcycle accidents are collisions between bikes and other objects and hazards in the roadway, such as loose gravel, slippery pavement, debris and potholes. In fact, about 25 percent of all motorcycle accident deaths are due to a bike crashing into a fixed object.
Sport motorcycles, like the one the woman in this recent accident was riding, are involved in a disproportionately high number of crashes. These bikes tend to have a low power-to-weight balance, making it easier for riders to lose control — especially when traveling at high speeds. Most sport bike riders are under the age of 34, according to a recent study.
Regardless of the type of bike they are riding, it’s important for motorcyclists to exercise caution before heading out on Georgia’s roads and highways. They should always wear helmets and protective gear, and should try to wear clothing that is reflective and easy for other drivers to see.
To learn more about your legal options if you or a loved one have been involved in a serious Georgia motorcycle accident, contact a skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyer with [nap_names id="FIRM-NAME-1"].
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