Blog Archive - March, 2012

A fatal SUV accident at the end of last year, involving a man who was reported missing after he left home provides a sad reminder that while SUVs have improved greatly in terms of safety, they continue to pose a substantial risk of causing serious, life-altering injuries and even fatalities. The Gainesville man was missing for several days before he was discovered by utility crews.

The link between motorcycle helmet use and mandatory helmet laws has been firmly established. Prior to widespread enactment of helmet laws, helmet use was far from universal. Helmet use rates rose to an all time high when most states enacted mandatory helmet laws for motorcyclists.

While much has been reported by the media and public health organizations regarding the major health risk posed by the growing number of Americans with Type II diabetes, only recently has the public been alerted of the potential risk associated with the diabetes drug Actos.

A fatal accident during the hours preceding the Chik-Fil-A Bowl involved a patrol car that collided with another vehicle in an intersection collision. The fatal collision resulted in the tragic death of the wife of a trainer for the Atlanta Braves. The accident occurred when the officer’s squad car allegedly ran a red light when entering an intersection while on the way to a traffic stop to assist another officer. Media reports regarding the fatal intersection collision indicate that the patrol car had its lights on, but not its siren. The family of the accident victim may file a wrongful death lawsuit based on the fatal intersection accident.

Construction projects are often chaotic worksites with many different types of equipment, business entities and dangerous hazards. There are dozens of dangerous hazards that can result in serious injury or even wrongful death on a construction site. One of the most dangerous and diverse types of construction accident hazards are confined spaces.

The federal government recovered a record 2.8 billion dollars in false claim cases during the 2011 year brought by whistleblowers. Over 640 qui tam lawsuits were filed in 2011, which is nearly double the number of whistleblower actions filed annually in preceeding years.

Although it can be upsetting when one's child is the victim of bullying, the problem is far more serious when the bully is one's teacher. The parents of a 14-year-old special-needs student in Ohio were recently awarded a judgment in a civil lawsuit of $300,000 because their daughter was bullied by her teacher in the classroom.

While most people are well aware that motor vehicle accidents involving serious injuries can result in enormous financial challenges, a new study quantifies the staggering amount of this financial burden. According to a new study released by AAA, the average cost of a motor vehicle accident that results in a fatality is $6 million while the average cost of an accident resulting in injury is $126,000.

Few would deny that drunken driving is one of the greatest hazards that may result in a serious Atlanta DUI car accident. It is surprising that despite increased enforcement, more severe penalties and harsher laws designed to curtail DUI, many throughout Georgia continue to engage in this unsafe driving practice.

Serious car accidents can rapidly change an injury victim’s life by causing injuries resulting in permanent mental and physical impairment that may impact a car accident victim’s ability to fully participate in normal life activities and engage in one's chosen occupation.

It seems tragic that we must constantly relive fatal drunk driving accidents because they are so avoidable. A fatal head-on collision in Barrow County several months ago serves as another grim reminder that drivers impaired by alcohol continue to kill innocent victims despite attempts to keep drunk drivers off Georgia roadways.

Firearms when not safely manufactured, used or stored can result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Thousands of people are killed annually in firearm accidents according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these victims are children who are involved in accidental shootings where the firearm was not properly secured.

The elderly are particularly susceptible to serious accidents that result in personal injury, including slip and fall accidents and motor vehicle collisions. Seniors are disproportionately involved in serious accidents whether they be car accidents or slip and fall accidents.

If you are a parent with small children, it is likely that you consider your child's car seat an invaluable piece of safety equipment. Parents across Georgia buckle up their children in a car safety seat everyday presuming the child restraint system will protect their child in the event of a serious car accident.

As an increasing number of baby boomers become grandparents, some parents worry about whether an aging grandparent’s driving skills have declined, making them less safe when transporting grandchildren. The results of a study that was published recently will surprise many.