Atlanta Injury Lawyers Blog

Our law firm has learned of a tragic accident occurring on Peachtree Road this past Saturday which has claimed the life of an innocent motorcyclist. According to reports, Lynn Martin, 55, was operating her motor scooter on northbound Peachtree Road when she attempted to make a turn into her residence. Per police statements, Karen Voynich, 24, was operating a Toyota 4Runner and failed to stop for Ms. Martin, striking her from behind. Ms. Martin died of injuries sustained in the crash, and, according to police statements, Ms. Voynich has been charged with second-degree homicide and following too closely,

In addition to the criminal charges that will be pursued against Ms. Voynich, Ms. Martin's family may seek to pursue a civil lawsuit against Ms. Voynich for the wrongful death of their family member. Given our firm's experience in these types of cases, we understand that the pursuit of a civil claim against the at-fault driver is certainly of little priority at this difficult time. It is important, however, that a competent law firm be retained quickly to ensure that any evidence relating to the incident remains preserved and that the family's interests are protected. We have too often seen evidence critical to a civil claim destroyed by adverse parties who take advantage of a grieving family, and we hope that such a circumstance does not occur in this matter.

We extend our sympathies to the family of Ms. Martin, and offer our legal experience if needed.

Our law firm is saddened to report yet another tragic accident occurring on Georgia's roadways. According to reports, Thomas Haugh, 53, of Suwanee lost his life in an accident occurring on Suwanee Dam Road near North Gwinnett High School on Thursday morning, June 3, 2010. According to police statements, Mr. Haugh was riding a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on Suwanee Dam Road when the operator of a southbound 2009 Honda Civic entered his path in an effort to turn into the high school. The Gwinnett police suggest that an initial investigation has determined that the operator of the Honda driver was at-fault, but criminal charges are pending until a more thorough investigation is completed.

If the operator of the Honda Civic is found to be criminally at fault in causing this incident, the driver may also be held liable in a civil action for the wrongful death of Mr. Haugh. Mr. Haugh's family is entitled to damages for their loss, and any recovery may ultimately depend upon the insurance coverage held by operator of the Honda Civic. Based upon our firm's experience in these types of cases, we understand that it is critical that the lawyers for Mr. Haugh's family immediately conduct an independent investigation and ensure that any and all evidence, including the vehicles involved, is preserved.

Our personal injury and wrongful death law firm represents 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. Haugh's family. We extend our condolences to Mr. Haugh's family and offer our legal assistance if needed.

As a Georgia Motorcycle accident law firm, we are always searching for information to provide to the public which increases safety awareness for motorcyclists. Lindsay Jackson of News Channel 9 in Chattanooga posted the following article on the station's website recently:

More than 5,000 people have died in the last ten years victims of motorcycle accidents. In the last week, two separate accidents have cost two area bikers their lives. Last weekend Kim Loveday, 44, of Cleveland was killed when she was sideswiped by an SUV. Charges are pending in this case. Also last week, Jerry Thornton, 48, was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Dilbeck has been riding motorcycles since the mid-70's, he and his wife even drove it to Alaska. But, he's never had a wreck. It's proof, he says, that being careful and aware really can keep you safe.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of accidents throughout Georgia. If you or a loved one has been injured at the fault of another, contact our firm for a free case evaluation.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is reporting that over the Memorial Day Weekend, four people were killed in car accidents and more than 600 others were injured. While there were a total of 2,547 crashes with 637 injuries, the four fatalities is a record low. In 2009, over 1,000 injuries were reported over Memorial Day weekend, and 16 fatalities occurred. While one lost life is too many, our law firm is glad that the roadways proved to be safer this holiday weekend.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Cobb County jury, located just outside of Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, recently awarded $1.9 million to a teenager who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident/car accident. The accident occurred when a motor vehicle negligently turned in front of the motorcycle while travelling on a roadway. The driver of the motorcycle could not avoid the collision, and the teenager, who was a passenger, was violently thrown from the bike.

Atlanta motorcycle accidents are common as traffic on the city's highways, combined with reckless motor vehicle operators, creates a perfect storm for such incidents to take place. As a consequence, Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys are in high demand by individuals who have been injured while riding a motorcycle, or by families who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one while riding on a motorcycle. The legal aspects of a Georgia motorcycle accident are not very different from a Georgia car accident, as the same standard of negligence applies. The typical difference between the two cases, however, is the value of a motorcycle injury. Because the injuries suffered by an individual in a motorcycle accident are generally much more severe (brain injury, spinal cord injury, wrongful death) the medical expenses and pain and suffering associated with the injuries are much greater than in a car accident. It is not uncommon for medical expenses to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. As such, Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys will generaly seek larger awards from juries than in a standard motor vehcile accident case.

Continue reading "Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorney Obtains $1.9 Million in Cobb County, Georgia Car Accident/Motorcycle Accident Case" »

Our law firm continues to read through statistics recently released by the Georgia Office of Highway Safety relating to motor vehicle collisions in Georgia. One particularly distressing set of statistics indicate that there were a total of 1,703 traffic related deaths in the state last year. As an Atlanta based car and truck accident law firm representing individuals who have suffered the wrongful death of a family member, these numbers are of interest as they evidence just how dangerous Georgia's roads can be.

The Atlanta metropolitan area far and away accounted for the most car or truck accident fatalities within the state last year. Fulton County had 123 deaths, Gwinnett County 93, DeKalb County 85, and Cobb County 65. Adding these figures together, 1 car or truck accident fatality occurred in one of these counties for every 10 throughout the rest of Georgia. Every county in the state had at least 1 motor vehicle death, with the exception of Clay County, Jenkins County, Lincoln County, Miller County, and Wilcox County.

In reading through the Georgia Office of Highway Safety statistics, our firm was interested to learn about the type of vehicles associated with traffic related deaths in Georgia last year. Of all car or truck related fatalities, 1035 involved a passenger vehicle of some sort, while 511 involved a pickup truck. The most alarming statistic, however, related to the use of seatbelts. Stunningly, 301 the 1703 fatalities involved an occupant who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. This accounted for almost 20% of all deaths on Georgia's roadways last year.