Atlanta Injury Lawyers Blog

Our law firm was saddened learn of a motor vehicle accident occurring last Thursday night which has claimed the lives of three Gwinnett County residents. According to news reports and police statements, Terry Hammock, 36, William Lewis, 27, and Chad Litton, 31, were killed when a 2007 Chevrolet pick-up driven by Mr. Hammock veered off of a roadway and struck a fence and guardrail before coming to rest in a nearby embankment. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on Doc Hughes Road near its intersetion with Beyers Landing Drive when it left the street for unknown reasons. The accident remains under investigation.

If Mr. Hammock is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the families of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Litton may elect to pursue a civil action for the wrongful deaths of their family member. The victims and their families could potentially recover a substantial sum, but the ultimate recovery is dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Hammock. Because this insurance coverage may be limited, it is critical that the families of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Litton act quickly to ensure that such 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 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. We extend our sympathies to the families of Mr. Hammock, Mr. Lewis, and Litton, and we offer our legal support if needed.

A June 24, 2010 accident on Lanier Valley Drive in Gainesville, Georgia has left 4 people injured. The following was reported on gainesvilletimes.com:

Four people were injured Thursday when their southbound vehicle went off Lanier Valley Drive, struck a tree and overturned down an embankment, Gainesville Police reported.

Police said when they arrived at the accident scene, the vehicle was resting on its top down the embankment.

If the driver of the vehicle is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the passengers may elect to pursue a personal injury claim for the injuries that they have suffered. While these claims could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, any recovery is likely dependent upon the insurance coverage held by the driver of the vehicle. Because there are multiple injured parties, the insurance coverage will be limited. Thus, it is critical that the injured passengers quickly retain a law firm to protect their individual interests.

Our law firm has represented many victims and their families in these types of auto accidents. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured victims throughout Georgia and, given our experience, we realize the importance of having an attorney immediately involved in such a matter. When our firm is retained to represent victims injured in accidents such as this one, we immediately seek to preserve any evidence related to the incident and we place all insurance carriers on immediate notice of the claim. These quick actions on the part of our firm serve to ensure that our Clients claims are not jeopardized.

We extend our best wishes to the victims of this accident, and we offer our legal support if needed.

A two car accident on June 2, 2010 on I-85 northbound near the I-285 interchange has resulted in multiple injuries. Emergency response units were called to the scene, but the extent of the injuries to the occupants of the vehicles is unknown at this time. There was no immediate indication as to who was at fault in causing the accident, or the number of injured victims.

Our personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims who have been injured in car accidents such as this one. We wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured, and offer our legal support if needed.

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.

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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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.

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" »

Atlanta auto accident attorneys obtained a $20 million dollar verdict for the estate of a 62-year-old man who died when his automobile was hit by a tractor-trailer truck. The verdict was obtained in Clayton County, Georgia, and jurors delivered the verdict after only 3.5 hours of deliberation. This is another big jury award for personal injury lawyers, and the verdict shows that Georgia juries are willing to properly compensate plaintiffs and punish defendants when the circumstances are appropriate.

In the negligence case, the estate's auto accident attorneys informed the jury that the decedent had been stopped at a red light when his vehicle was crushed by a truck driven by the Defendant. The lawyers argued that the Defendant was negligent in not keeping a proper lookout, in neglecting to keep his vehicle under control, and in travelling too fast for roadway conditions. The jury accepted these arguments and found that the Defendant acted reckless and with a complete disregard for the safety of others on the roadway.

Prior to presenting the case to the jury, the Defendant's insurance company was only willing to offer $1.5 million dollars to settle the case. The estate's lawyers rejected this offer, and instead trusted that the jury would dleiver a verdict that was just and fair.

As an Atlanta apartment shooting law firm, we are troubled at the recent slew of apartment complex crimes. Another such shooting occurred this past Tuesday night in Newton County, Georgia. Unfortunately, in addition to the apartment shooting, there was a related car accident which led to the wrongful death of Shirley Akin.

The robbery/shooting happened at approximately 7:30 p.m. on February 23, 2010 at an apartment complex in Newton County. The victim was taken by ambulance to Atlanta Medical Center for treatment of a bullet wound. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a black Nissan Maxima.

Later in the evening, the two men, while apparently on the run from authorities, struck Ms. Akin's vehicle after running a red light. Ms. Akin was taken to Rockdale Medical Center where she perished as a result of her injuries.

An Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia jury awarded $54 million for the wrongful death of a 50 year old woman killed when she was rear ended at full speed by a commercial truck. The woman was stopped in traffic on a highway due to an unrelated car accident. The truck driver failed to recognize that traffic had come to a stop, and collided into and came to a rest on top of the victim's vehicle. It was later revealed that the truck driver who caused the motor vehicle accident had been previously issued numerous traffic citations and had been in violation of drive time regulations.

After hearing testimony as to the truck driver's poor driving record, the Atlanta jury decided that $44 million of the verdict would be assigned as punitive damages to punish the truck driver for his conduct in causing the accident. Unfortunately, however, Georgia law caps the assessment of punitive damages at $250,000.00 in most circumstances. As a consequence, the jury award for the wrongful death of the Atlanta car accident victim was automatically reduced to a little over $10 million.

While punitive damages are primarily recognized as a form of punishment for the at fault party's egregious conduct, punitive damages serve another, and perhaps more important, purpose. Specifically, much as the death penalty is designed to deter the most offensive of criminal acts, punitive damages are designed to deter the most egregious of civil acts. For example, punitive damages serve to better ensure that physicians do not recklessly deter from medical standards of practice. Without the fear of an assessment of punitive damages for medical malpractice in Georgia, it is arguable that some physicians may be more inclined to walk the line between proper and improper conduct.

Continue reading "Atlanta Wrongful Death Truck Accident Case Nets $54 Million Jury Verdict" »

We continue to read through new data released by the U.S. Department of Labor relating to work related deaths in Georgia. As an Atlanta work injury attorney, this information is of critical importance to us as it indicates in which industries our Clients are most at risk. The figures also reveal other statistical information, such as the average age of workers in occupational accidents, which assist Georgia injury attorneys in determining which Clients are more susceptible to work accidents.

Georgia workers compensation attorneys may be interested to learn that, of the 171 workers compensation deaths in Georgia in 2008, almost one-third (52) involved workers between the ages of 45-54. This statistical group was followed by 35 fatalities involving Georgia workers ages 35-44, and 30 deaths involving workers ages 25-34. Interestingly, older workers were just as susceptible to work related deaths in Georgia in 2008, as there were 35 deaths involving workers age 55 and older.

Another interesting data set released by the Department of Labor shows that of the 171 work deaths in Atlanta and throughout Georgia in 2008, 78 occurred in goods producing industries such as mining, construction, and manufacturing. Another 78 deaths occurred in service providing industries such as banking, leisure and hospitality, and the transportation. The remaining fatalities, 15, were related to government work activity, with 5 occurring at the federal level, and 10 at the local level.

A posting on our Atlanta Injury Lawyer blog last week discussed a recent statistical report published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle indicating that the number of Georgia workers compensation deaths declined in 2008. As an Atlanta workers compensation attorney, I had speculated that this drop was likely due to the U.S. economical climate which has led to a slowdown in the construction industry. Much to my surprise, however, further research has revealed that most workers compensation fatalities in Georgia are not related to work site accidents.

In 2008, of the 171 work deaths reported to the State Board of Workers Compensation, more than one-third were caused by car and truck accidents occurring in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Specifically, 62 work accident fatalities were caused by car and truck accidents. As both an Atlanta car accident attorney and an Atlanta workers compensation attorney, this figure was unexpected.

Following car and truck accidents, the most common cause of work related deaths in Georgia was "contact with objects and equipment" and "falls," which each accounted for 28 work fatalities. "Assaults and violent acts" resulted in 26 occupational deaths in Georgia, with "fires or explosions" (16) and "exposure to harmful substances" (11) accounting for the remainder fatalities.

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.

The number of car and truck accidents occurring in the City of Atlanta and in Fulton County continues to rise to new levels. Statistics published by the Georgia Office of Highway Safety indicate that last year the number of motor vehicle collisions in Fulton County totaled 50,494. With a total of 342,156 car and truck accidents occurring throughout Georgia, Atlanta/Fulton County accounted for almost 1 out of every 6 collisions in the state. As an Atlanta based car and truck accident law firm that represents injured Clients throughout the state of Georgia, these statistics are alarming.

After Fulton County, DeKalb County (31,792), Gwinnett County (30,889), and Cobb County (26,526) account for the most car accidents in the state. Combining these four metropolitan counties, the statistics evidence that almost half (139,701) of all car and truck accidents happen in the Atlanta area. Outside of Atlanta, Savannah's Chatham County is the most dangerous with 13,637 motor vehicle accidents last year.

Given our unique position as an Atlanta based car and truck accident law firm, we have long realized that the roads and highways in the Atlanta metropolitan area are very dangerous. We have represented hundreds upon hundreds of individuals who have suffered an injury, or who have suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, as a consequence of a car or truck accident. Nonetheless, we continue to be astonished as new statistics show just how hazardous our roadways are. We are also constantly stunned that, despite increased motor vehicle collision and fatalities, many drivers continue to drive with wanton and reckless abandonment for the safety of others.