Atlanta Injury Lawyers Blog

As a personal injury law firm that regularly represents Clients who have been injured, or who have lost a loved one, at the fault of an intoxicated driver, we are excited by early reports detailing the development of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS). The following is an article on the technology that was recently posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Waltham, Mass. -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland today took a first look at new Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) technology being developed to prevent alcohol-impaired drivers from operating their vehicles while under the influence.

In 2009, 10,839 people died nationwide in crashes involving a drunk driver. These deaths make up 32 percent of all fatal crashes.

With the recent string of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents occurring on Georgia's highways, our firm would like to remind anyone who has suffered a loss as a consequence of such an accident that there are valuable resources available to assist them. Perhaps the organization most well-suited to offer assistance is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
MADD is an invaluable resource for families who have lost a loved one as a consequence of a drunk driver, and we always urge our Clients who suffered such a loss to contact the organization for assistance. The contact information for the Georgia chapter of MADD is as follows:

MADD
1000 CIRCLE 75 PKWY SE #45
ATLANTA, GA 30339
Phone: 7706153737
Fax: 7706153738
Email: ga.state@madd.org

For additional information on resocurces available to assist families coping with the loss of a loved one, please feel free to contact our firm at any time.

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 lawyer will respond quickly with a tentative case value and answer any all questions without cost. For those who wish to speak with our Georgia personal injury and workers compensation law firm 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.

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.

As an Atlanta car accident law firm, we were saddened to learn of last week's single-car motor vehicle accident involving 5 Reinhardt University students. According to news reports, on Sunday, December 5, 2010, at approximately 12:44 a.m., the students were traveling in a 2007 GMC Sierra that left the roadway and before striking an embankment in north Cherokee County. One of the students, Mr. Steven Gregory Excell, unfortunately, perished as a consequence of the injuries he sustained. Reports indicate that the four other students were transported to Atlanta Medical Center where, all but one, were treated for their injuries and released. According to statements from the Georgia State Patrol, cras investigators believe that the driver of the vehicle lost control of the automobile before it left the roadway. The investigation remains open, however, and any charges against the driver remain pending.

If the driver of the GMC Sierra is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, Mr. Excell's family may elect to pursue a civil action for the wrongful death of their family member. His family could potentially recover a substantial sum for the loss of their family member, though, the ultimate recovery is dependent upon the insurance coverage held by the driver of the vehicle. In addition to the claim held by Mr. Excell's family, the other passengers of the vehicle may elect to bring independent personal injury actions. Because the insurance coverage may be limited, however, it is critical that the family of Mr. Excell, as well as the other victims, act quickly to ensure that insurance coverage is not exhausted.

It has been a difficult year across college campuses, as car accidents involving students have occurred at an alarming rate. Our firm, in fact, recently successfully represented the family of a Kennesaw State student whose life was lost in a similar incident. We, thus, understand the pain and anguish that Mr. Excell's family and friends are presently experiencing. We extend our condolences his loved ones, and we wish a speedy recovery to the other injured students.

A jury has awarded the parents of a 16-year old girl killed in a one-car motor vehicle accident $6,000,000.00 for the loss of their child. The accident occurred in November 2003 when the driver of the vehicle, a 16-year-old boy, lost control of the car after reaching speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. After leaving the roadway, the vehicle crashed into a tree causing fatal injuries to the girl who was travelling as a front seat passenger. The Florida jury returned the wrongful death verdict following a one-day trial.

Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars for individuals who have been seriously injured, or families who have lost a loved one, in a motor vehicle accident such as this one. We represent Clients throughout the State of Georgia, and offer no charge on-site consultations and case evalautions anywhere in the state.

A helicopter rotor blade manufacturer has agreed to a $5.6 million settlement with the family of a flight nurse who was killed in a helicopter crash in August 2008 near Indianapolis. Sandra Pearson and two others were killed in the crash that was caused by a flawed main rotor blade had broken apart just after take-off, the lawsuit claimed. The settlement money will go into trust accounts for Pearson's young children until they turn 18. Indianapolis Star, 5/27/2010

Read Article: Indianapolis Star

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.

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.

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.

Atlanta personal injury attorneys obtained a $5.47 million dollar verdict in a wrongful death case last week in DeKalb County, Georgia. The case involved a man who was killed while working at Atlanta-Hartsfield airport in June of 2007. The decedent was working on an expansion project at the airport, and his job was to direct dump trucks entering the work site. The man was killed when a dump truck driver ingnored stop signals and ran over him.

A wrongful death and pain and suffering claim was filed by Atlanta lawyers retained by the family of the decedent. The case was presented to a jury last week and, after only three days, the verdict was returned. Because the decedent was killed while at work, the family of the decedent is also entitled to a recovery under Georgia workers compensation laws.

As an Atlanta personal injury attorney and workers compensation lawyer, I am grateful that our Georgia juries are willing to issue large awards to the victims of tragic incidents such as this one. We have recovered millions of dollars for our injured Clients, and we continue to be inspired when verdicts like this are issued. Many of Georgia's best lawyers are in located in Atlanta, and it these types of vedicts are a testament to this.

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" »

Injuries and wrongful deaths occur from time to time at amusement parks such as Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Whitewater. Atlanta premise liability lawyers and attorneys are the most capable of handling such cases, and it is best that these lawyers get involved as quickly as possible to prevent the destruction of any evidence. Surveillance tapes may be destroyed after 30 days, for example, and these tapes could prove to be the most valuable evidence in pursuing a case against the amusement park.

In a recent case, a teenager was seriously injured when she was chased by costumed characters at Six Flags Over Georgia. While trying to escape the chase of the character, the teenager ran into a railing and fractured her hip. Extensive surgery was required to repair the injury, and the teenage will have permanent scarring and discomfort as a result.

While Six Flags denied liability for the teenager's injuries, the case eventually settled for $125,000.00. As a premise liability law firm, we understand that sometime's it is better to settle a case that to take it to trial. In this circumstance, the Plaintiff was willing to accept the offer of settlement made by the amusement park.