When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is headquartered right here in Georgia, releases a report about a "serious public health issue," most people immediately take notice. That's because our national public health institute is recognized throughout the world as the preeminent authority on epidemiological issues. Interestingly enough, however, the "serious public health issue" identified in the aforementioned report has nothing to do with the spread or control of communicable diseases, but rather the staggering rate of fatal car accidents here in the U.S. What did the CDC report find? The CDC report, published in its monthly online publication Vital Signs, found that the U.S. has the highest number of fatal car accidents per year among 19 first-world nations, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, and Germany. Indeed, it found that in 2013 alone, over 32,000 people lost their lives on roads and highways here in the U.S., which…

It's a dubious distinction but one that anyone driving through the State of Georgia should be aware of. Two of our metropolitan areas recently made the list of America's most dangerous cities, based on national auto insurance claims statistics. Number seven on the list, Atlanta, probably won't surprise too many people. As a southeast regional hub, millions of cars drive on the interstates, highways, and roads through the area every day. The other city, though, might surprise you. That other city Anyone who drives regularly through southeastern Georgia won't be too surprised to learn that Augusta comes in at number 19 on the list of 20 most dangerous cities for drivers. In fact, eight of the top 20 on the list are in cities in the Southeast region of the U.S., making our region the most dangerous. How were the statistics compiled? The statistics were compiled across several different categories:…

Most of us probably do not realize that many automobile recalls are made only after a concern becomes a problem. While recalls likely help save millions of lives every year, they may have started out by costing one. It can be extremely beneficial for individuals and loved ones that have experienced injury or loss due to a defective auto part or vehicle issue to seek the immediate help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Manufacturers have a responsibility to the public to ensure the safe operation of their products while on the road and in use. This is done through a set of federal safety standards that give manufacturers minimum performance requirements they must adhere to. When a defective auto part causes an injury or loss, the victim may be able to sue for damages. While these damages, depending on the loss, maybe substantial, an even greater compensation may be…

There have been so many initiatives, PSAs, highway signs, and news stories put out there that no one should ever pick up a phone or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle. Yet here we sit, mourning the loss of a loved one. The car accident investigation indicates the reason for the tragedy as a person on a phone text messaging, seemingly unappreciative of the fact that they are in sole control of a massive amount of metal traveling at high speeds on a roadway packed with similar hazards. Any text can wait. Whether the next stop is not for an hour or whether the driver pulls over into a safe zone to review and respond. Any text can wait. Almost six years ago, texting while driving became a prohibited act statewide in Georgia. Survey results released in 2008 showed that Georgia was third in the country when it…

Any time a driver leaves the scene of an accident without talking to the police or exchanging insurance and contact information, it is classified as a hit-and-run in Georgia. This blog post will discuss the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident and what you should do if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Penalties for hit and run in Georgia The penalty for getting caught and charged with hit-and-run in Georgia greatly depends upon the severity of the accident. If it is a single-car accident that resulted in property damage to the corner of a building, light post, or fire hydrant, for example, misdemeanor charges are possible, but unlikely. Even if no criminal charge is filed, the traffic ticket and fine will be serious and restitution for damage repairs will likely be included. The driver will likely be punished with license revocation, as well. An accident involving…

Unlike many states across the U.S., Georgia does not subscribe to no-fault insurance coverage. Drivers who are found to be at fault for causing the accident may be sued by any injured party, including passengers in their own car, under most conditions. This blog post will explain how "comparative fault" insurance works in Georgia and the ways to file a personal injury liability insurance claim for compensation. How Georgia's modified comparative fault laws work The first insurance matter to be settled in any motor vehicle accident on a Georgia road will be to determine which driver was at fault and whether both drivers may have shared some percentage of responsibility. If one driver is held 100 percent liable for causing the accident, then his or her insurance will be responsible for covering all liability damages paid to injured parties, including passengers in their own vehicle. However, if the other driver is determined to share some of the fault, 20 percent for example, then…

Immediately after car accidents, many victims are so focused on their injuries and recovery that they give little thought to the financial consequences of the accidents. However, once the initial shock subsides, many start wondering about their post-accident legal options. If you suffered injuries in a Georgia car accident, you, too, maybe wondering how you pursue compensation for those injuries. The first step in pursuing compensation is taking stock of your situation. You will need to gather evidence of all of the expenses associated with your injuries. This evidence should include all related medical bills, prescription costs, and the amount of pay you lost from being out of work. The second step is gathering evidence that shows your accident was caused by another driver's negligence. The documents you should gather include the police report, witness statements, and photographs of the accident scene. The third step is contacting a personal injury attorney.…

Are millennials really to blame for the poor condition of our roads and highways, leading to thousands of motor vehicle accidents, injuries, and deaths across the U.S. every year? It's not that simple, but a recent report by Standard's & Poor's, a national financial services and information company, finds that older teens and young adults are partially at fault...in a round-about way. This blog post will explain how the report comes to that conclusion, from the perspective of financing highway projects. It's all about tax revenue Federal and state gasoline and vehicle registration taxes are the primary sources of funding for road repairs, paid primarily through the Federal Highway Trust fund. But since 1993, there has been no increase above the 18.4 cents/gallon federal gasoline tax, and states like Georgia are often slow to raise state gas taxes or vehicle registration fees needed for state-funded projects. In the eight years of records…

If you have been in an accident with your child in the car, there is a chance that he or she has suffered a traumatic brain injury. Depending upon the injury's lasting effects, you probably feel like you have an unlit road ahead of you and few resources to help shed some light. It is a time full of sorrow and frustration, but hopefully, you will find some joy in the accomplishments your child will make as he or she relearns a new way to do once routine tasks. There are different phases of a child's full or partial recovery from a TBI. The first is the acute phase and is the time when children wake from their comas. This is a great time to have familiar items in the room, like favorite stuffed animals, music from home, and pictures of loved ones. Whether your child emerges from the coma aware…

The act of teenagers borrowing the family car can be considered a rite of passage in many American families. Most of the time this happens, the result is harmless. But on occasion, something can go terribly wrong and an accident ensues that harms others. In such instances, the question can come up whether those who actually owned the car were negligent in allowing another person to drive it. This question comes under the legal theory known as "negligent entrustment." In Georgia, courts have defined negligent entrustment of a motor vehicle to be when an automobile owner lends his or her car to another person (it does not have to be a family member) to someone whom he or she knows (that is, has actual knowledge) is incompetent to drive or is otherwise habitually reckless. The negligence on the part of the vehicle owner in lending it to someone who should…