Atlanta Injury Lawyers Blog

Atlanta car accident attorney, Mark Murray, has recovered millions upon millions of dollars in compensation for Clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia who have suffered a personal injury or who's loved one has been the victim of a wrongful death. The Murray Law firm handles a wide variety cases, and our experienced legal team is devoted to providing our clients with the finest legal services available. Whether you have suffered an injury in a car accident or a truck accident, in a work accident and need to file a Georgia workers' compensation claim or to fight for your rights of compensation, our lawyers are here help you navigate the legal process and recover for your injuries. We have helped clients that were injured through the negligent security of an apartment complex, in a slip and fall accident, or through the medical malpractice of a physician or other medical professional. The Murray Law Firm offers first-rate representation through all phases of the legal process. Regardless of the nature or size of the case, The Murray Law Firm is the choice for those seeking a seeking a top dollar recovery for their personal injuries in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia.

A string of car accidents have been reported in Cartersville, Georgia this weekend. The most serious of these occurred Friday morning, May 28, 2010 at mile marker 298 on I-75 in Bartow County. According to reports, the driver of a Harley Davidson motorcycle was airlifted to Cartersville Medical Center following a two-vehicle collision. The motorcyclist was reported to have suffered severe head trauma, but there has been no indication as to who has been assigned fault in causing the accident. Our law firm represents victims of motorcycle accidents, and based upon our experience it is rarely the motorcyclist who is at fault. It is important that the motorcyclist and his family retain a law firm without delay so that an accident reconstructionist can investigate the scene of the accident and the vehicles involved before any evidence is destroyed.

In addition to this motorcycle accident, the Cartersville Police Department has reported 7 additional car accidents this weekend. Among these, a collision at the intersection of Highways 61 and 113 in Cartersville was reported on Saturday morning May 29, 2010. Heavy rains apparently contributed to this accident. On Thursday May 27, 2010, a 2004 Ford Expedition struck the rear of a 2005 Kia near Target at Ga. 3 in Cartersville. The driver of the Ford was cited for following too closely, and the driver of the Kia was transported to Cartersville Medical Center with complaints of neck and back pain. Finally, on Friday May 28, 2010, the driver of a 1999 Ford F-150 fell asleep while traveling north on I-75 and left his lane striking an innocent driver.

Our personal injury and wrongful death law firm handles cases in Cartersville and throughout North Georgia, and we have recovered millions of dollars for victims of car and motorcycle accidents. We extend our best wishes to the victims of these incidents, and offer our legal assistance if needed.
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Our law firm has been notified of a fatal motorcycle accident occurring on the Downtown Connector in Atlanta in the early morning hours of May 28, 2010. According to reports, an innocent motorcyclist, George A. Thompson II, was struck from the rear by a sport utility vehicle near the 17th street bridge. Mr. Thompson, we were saddened to learn, lost his life in this incident. The Atlanta Police Department has indicated that the driver of the SUV , whose name has yet to be released, has been charged with vehicular homicide in the first-degree and driving while under the influence.

The Downtown Connector is one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway in the city of Atlanta. Our law firm has represented many Clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents occurring on the Connector, and we have recently undertaken representation in a similar wrongful death case which occurred just weeks ago at almost the very same location. Innocent drivers, particularly motorcyclists, are at a heightened risk while driving on this corridor, and we hope that federal and state authorities will pursue measures to make the roadway safer.

We extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Thompson, and, if needed, we offer our legal support to his family.

A recent study by GMAC Insurance confirms what our personal injury law firm has long known...Georgia's roadways are among the most unsafe in the nation. The following article was posted Atlanta Journal Constitution, detailing the results of the GMAC study:

Peach State motorists ranked 32nd in the sixth annual GMAC Insurance survey with a 76.7 score (out of 100) -- below the national average but a significant improvement from a year ago, when Georgia drivers ranked 47th out of the 50 states. Overall the study showed that nearly one in five licensed motorists - roughly 38 million Americans - would fail a written driver's test if taken today.

The survey polled 5,202 licensed Americans from 50 states and the District of Columbia. They were administered 20 questions from state Department of Motor Vehicles exams, with additional questions exploring distracting habits, such as texting behind the wheel.

Our law firm has learned of a fatal car accident occurring southeast of Winder, Georgia in Barrow County this past Sunday, May 23, 2010. According to reports, Larry Brian Townsend, 30, was operating a 2000 Dodge Avenger on Hog Mountain Road shortly after 7:00 a.m. when he was struck by a Volvo driven by Shakena Daniel, 20. Mr. Townsend was apparently attempting to make a left hand turn onto GA 316 when his vehicle was "t-boned" by the vehicle driven by Ms. Daniel. We are saddened to report that Mr. Townsend lost his life as a consequence of injuries sustained in this incident. According to OnlineAthens.com, charges are pending against Ms. Daniel. Other news organizations have reported, however, that the Georgia State Patrol has yet to assign fault in the accident.

If Ms. Daniel is found to be criminally at fault in causing this incident, she may also be held liable in a civil action for the wrongful death of Mr. Townsend. Mr. Townsend's family is entitled to damages for their loss, and any recovery may ultimately depend upon the insurance coverage held by Ms. Daniel if she is found to be at fault. Because the coverage may be limited, and because of the fact intensive nature of this incident, it is critical that the family of Mr. Townsend act quickly to ensure that insurance coverage is not exhausted. Lawyers for the family of Mr. Townsend may also want to conduct an independent investigation into the cause of the accident, and this would need to be done before the scene is altered in any way.

Our personal injury and wrongful death law firm has recovered millions of dollars in Georgia for injured victims and families who have lost a loved one at the fault of another. As such, we know firsthand how difficult and traumatic this experience may be for Mr. Townsend's family. We extend our condolences to Mr. Townsend's family and offer our assistance if needed.

A Columbus, Georgia woman has reported to police that she was raped on Sunday night, May 23, 2010 while in her apartment on Flat Rock Road. According to reports, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a man hooded with a plastic grocery bag entered her apartment against her will. The assailant threatened the victim with a kitchen knife, and forced her into her bedroom where he proceeded to rape her.

Although little is known about the facts of this incident, the victim may be entitled to pursue a civil action against her landlord for failure to properly secure the apartment complex. Our law firm represents victims of rape throughout the State of Georgia. Under Georgia law, an apartment owner has a duty to keep the apartment complex safe. Where an apartment owner has reason to anticipate criminal activity on its property through prior crime at the apartment or in the surrounding area, the apartment owner must take reasonable steps to provide adequate security. If the apartment owner fails to undertake these steps, he or she is liable for any injuries that occur to its invitees as a consequence.

Once retained by a Client who has been the victim of a violent crime at a Georgia apartment complex, we immediately conduct an investigation to determine what level of criminal activity occurred at the property and in the surrounding area, and what measures could have been undertaken to prevent the crime from occurring. We regularly interview current and former residents of the apartment complex, as well as current and former employees of the management company. We will also request from the local police department a criminal activity report to identify what crimes took place on the property and in the surrounding area in the preceding 5 years. In many instances, we learn that the owners of the apartment complex and its management company were aware of violent criminal activity, but did little if nothing to protect its residents.

We express our sympathy to the victim of this horrific incident, and we offer our legal assistance if desired.

A pedestrian injured in a parking lot when he was struck by a drunk driver was awarded $650,000.00 by a Bibb County jury. The drunk driver had a blood alcohol level of .259, well above state limit, and the jury was informed by the Plaintiff's lawyers that the Defendant had previously been cited for driving while under the influence. This is a significant victory for injured victims in Georgia.

Our law firm represents Clients throughout the State of Georgia, and we have recovered millions upon millions of dollars for individuals who have suffered an injury as a consequence of the fault of another. Please contact us if we can be of assistance.

A Macon County jury has awarded the victim of a motorcycle accident $650,000.00 for injuries caused by an errant motor vehicle operator. This is yet another significant result for victims of motorcycle accidents in the State of Georgia.

CORRECTION: YESTERDAY WE POSTED A BLOG ENTRY REPORTING ON AN UNFORTUNATE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OCCURRING IN COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA. AN INITIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM COBB COUNTY POLICE, SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED BY THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION, INDICATED THAT REVA LEVIN SCHUSTER WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THIS ACCIDENT. WE HAVE SINCE BEEN CONTACTED BY COBB COUNTY POLICE AND INFORMED THAT IRENE EARLS, NOT REVA LEVIN SCHUSTER, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE AT FAULT DRIVER IN THIS INCIDENT. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY COBB COUNTY POLICE THAT IT WAS IRENE EARLS WHO ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO SEWELL MILL ROAD AND ENTERED THE PATH OF MS. SCHUSTER'S VEHICLE. WE SINCERELY APOLOGIZE TO MS. LEVIN AND HER FAMILY FOR THIS CIRCUMSTANCE, AND WE HAVE REMOVED THE BLOG ENTRY IN ITS ENTIRETY FROM OUR WEBSITE.

A patron of a Norcross, Georgia Days Inn Hotel located on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard was attacked while in the parking lot of the hotel this past Saturday night. The 46-year-old victim was approached by two men who demanded that the victim give them his valuables. One man aimed a handgun at the victim, while the other man beat him. The two men subsequently took his money and other personal items before fleeing in a light-colored four door car. The hotel's video surveillance system apparently captured one of the suspects on tape.

Our law firm regularly represents victims of assaults while on the premises of hotels, and the victim in this case would appear to have a claim against Days Inn for failure to adequately secure the hotel's parking lot. Under Georgia law, a property owner's duty extends to protecting visitors from third-party criminal acts under certain circumstances. Doe v. Prudential-Bache/A.G. Spanos Realty Partners, L.P., 268 Ga. 604, 492 S.E.2d 865 (1997). Specifically, a property owner has a duty to exercise ordinary care to prevent foreseeable third-party criminal attacks. Sturbridge Partners v. Walker, 267 Ga. 785, 786 (1997). It would appear that Days Inn failed to carry out this duty in this circumstance, and the victim would be entitled to monetary damages as a result.

We have recovered millions of dollars for victims of crime in premises liability cases. It is imperative that the victim retain a lawyer to assist him to ensure that all evidence is preserved as video tape surveillance is often destroyed. We wish the victim of this unfortunate incident a speedy recovery, and offer our assistance if needed.

The victim of an Atlanta car crash was recently awarded $2,000,000.00 for a spine injury sustained in a horrific motor vehicle accident involving two tractor trailer trucks. A DeKalb County jury issued the verdict after a lengthy trial in which the accident victim testified as to how a lumbar herniated disc injury suffered in the car accident has significantly impacted his life. The victim incurred medical expenses totaling $155,000.00, and the jury awarded an additional $1,845,000.00 for pain and suffering.

Many of our Clients ask about the differences between a car accident and a truck accident in Georgia. While there are distinct differences, the most important difference to an injured plaintiff is the insurance coverage available for injuries sustained in a trucking accident. While car accidents typically involve private individuals who may have insurance coverage as low as $25,000.00, truck accidents involve commercial vehicles that are insured by polices of insurance that are usually a minimum of $1,000,000.00. This means that a person injured in an accident caused by a negligent truck driver will usually have the potential for a greater financial recovery.

In addition to the higher level of insurance coverage available in tractor trailer accidents, there are also legal differences between motor vehicle accidents and truck accidents. Truck drivers may be held to higher standards of care depending on the load that is being hauled, and there are limitations on the time that a driver of a tractor trailer may operate the vehicle each day. There are also limitations as to the roadways that a truck may drive on.

Continue reading "Atlanta Car Accident Victim Awarded $2 Million for Spine Injury" »

How Much is My case Worth? Free 60 Second Case Evaluation

As an Atlanta, Georgia based car accident and workers compensation law firm, we receive hundreds upon hundreds of telephone calls per year from potential Clients who simply ask "how much is my motor vehicle injury or work injury case worth?" In order to better assist our callers, we have created a Free 60 Second Case Evaluation. The process is simple: fill out our quick fill form (click this link) which takes less that 60 seconds to complete, and we'll get back to you within 10 minutes with a preliminary value for your case.

Although we have only recently started offering our Free 60 Second Personal Injury and Workers Compensation Case Evaluations, it has quickly become so popular and useful to potential Clients that we are now on call 24 hours per day. A Georgia personal injury, wrongful death, or workers compensation attorney will respond quickly with a tentative case value and answer any all questions without cost. For those who wish to speak with a Georgia personal injury and workers compensation lawyer immediately, please call 888.842.1616.

Although our firm is based in Atlanta, we have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients throughout Georgia. We handle cases from Dalton to Savannah and Augusta to Columbus. For those potential Clients outside of Georgia, we also offer nationwide attorney referrals for personal injury and workers compensation cases.

Our Atlanta wrongful death law firm has learned of a motor vehicle accident in Cobb County Friday afternoon which claimed the life of Pennie Ann Cearfoss of Dallas, Georgia. According to police reports and witness statements, Ms. Cearfoss was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer on Midway Road in the Powder Springs area when Jeffrey L. House turned his Jeep Comanche in front of the Blazer while making a left hand turn onto Lost Mountain Road. The Blazer collided with Mr. House's vehicle, and then struck a Honda Odyssey driven by Annabelle Cordova, 61, of Powder Springs. After striking the Odyssey, the Blazer overturned. A passenger in Ms. Cearfoss' vehicle, Joshua Cearfoss, 17, was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition. Two other passengers in Ms. Cearfoss' vehicle, Justin Cearfoss, 17, and Jeffrey Cearfoss, 25, were taken by ambulance to Atlanta Medical Center, and they are listed in stable condition. Ms. Cordova was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital where her injuries were described as of non-life threatening injuries.

Criminal charges, including vehicular homicide, are anticipated to be filed against Mr. House. Because of these criminal charges, Mr. House will most certainly be liable in a civil action for the wrongful death of Ms. Cearfoss and the injures he caused to the other victims. The victims and their families could potentially recover millions of dollars. The ultimate recovery is dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. House and, because the coverage may be limited, it is critical that the family of Ms. Cearfoss, as well as the other victims, act quickly to ensure that insurance coverage is not exhausted.

Our firm has, unfortunately, represented many victims and their families in these types of accidents. We have, too often, seen victims of car accidents such as these go uncompensated simply for a failure to not quickly pursue a civil action against the at fault driver. We hope that the victims and families in this matter do not face similar circumstances, and we offer the support of our firm if needed.

Our law firm is saddened to report yet another tragic accident occurring on Atlanta's roadways. A motorcyclist, Ronald Starnieri, 63, was killed yesterday afternoon following a collision with a trailer that became dislodged from a pickup truck. The accident happened near the intersection off Lee Road and Park Avenue in Douglas County, and, according to witnesses, the truck was maneuvering a curved roadway when its trailer came unhitched. Police have charged the driver of the truck, Don Harold Yarbrough, 53, with vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, failure to maintain his lane and failing to secure the trailers load.

In light of the criminal fault of Mr. Harold, Mr. Starnieri's family has the right to pursue a civil lawsuit against Mr. Harold for the wrongful death of their family member. Although it is difficult to assess the value of a lost life, Mr. Starnieri's family family will most definitely be entitled to a significant sum (perhaps millions of dollars). The value of the case will be enhanced by the fact that Mr. Harold was apparently driving while intoxicated, and this circumstance will allow lawyers for the victim's family to pursue a punitive damages award. We hope that Mr. Starnieri's family elects to pursue a case against Mr. Harold, as he deserves the full punishment allowed by the law.

Our law firm has extensive experience in representing families who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one at the fault of another. Given the complexity and the high value associated with these cases, we understand that it is critical that Mr. Starnieri's family retain a capable law firm that has the capacity and knowledge necessary to vigorously pursue the family's interests. We extend our condolences to Mr. Starnieri's family and offer our assistance in any way.

Two women who were shot after they were followed to their car in the parking lot of a night club in Gwinnett County near Atlanta were recently awarded $1,101,589.00 each for their injuries. This premise liability shooting case demonstrates that the public has little tolerance for proprietors of malls, hotels, and apartment complexes who do little or nothing to protect the security of their patrons. As an Atlanta premise liability law firm, we continue to vigorously represent our Clients throughout Georgia against these negligent property owners.

Rapes, sexual assaults, and violent attacks regularly occur in shopping malls, hotels, apartments, and parking lots in Atlanta and other major cities in Georgia. In Georgia, a property owner may be responsible for protecting those legally on his or her property from such criminal acts under certain circumstances. For example, if the owner of a mall, hotel, apartment, or parking lot has reason to anticipate a criminal act based upon the occurrence of prior similar acts, there is then a duty to exercise ordinary care to guard against any further criminal acts. If the owner fails in this duty by failing to control access to his or her premise, by failing to have adequate security, or by failing to have proper lighting on the property, the property owner is liable to anyone suffers injuries as a consequence.

Premise liability cases are difficult and expensive to litigate. Individuals who have been the victim of a rape, shooting, or attack while at a hotel, shopping mall, or apartment complex should be certain that the attorney whom the elect to represent them is qualified and capable of doing so.

The family of a man killed while riding a scooter has settled their claim against the at fault party with the assistance of their Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers. As a personal injury law firm handling wrongful deaths, brain and spinal cord injuries, and other injuries occurring as a consequence of motorcycle accidents, we believe that this was a good result for the family.

The wrongful death decedent was killed whole operating his motor scooter on a Georgia Highway in July of 2007. An individual in an automobile cut the decedent off causing a head on collision. The decedent died at the scene as a consequence of massive head trauma. The at fault party tested positive for cocaine shortly after the collision, as well as THC.

In addition to the personal liability of the at fault party, lawyers for the decedent argued that his employer was also liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Under this theory of the law, an individual's employer can be liable for the negligent acts of the employee if the negligent acts occur while the employee is acting in furtherance of the employers business at the time of the negligent act.