Blog Archive - March, 2016

A car accident is a traumatic event that can leave you shaken up and frightened. In the aftermath of an accident, it can be easy to overlook seemingly minor physical symptoms. Some car accident victims will experience headaches after their accident. While a headache might be nothing more than an inconvenience, it is not something you should ignore when it appears following a car accident.

Soft tissue injuries are considered the most common medical conditions sustained in a car accident. These injuries can occur in even minor car accidents. Sprains and strains are not life-threatening, but can severely disrupt your life and ability to perform work tasks. It is important that car accident victims seek treatment for their soft tissue injuries and consult with a car accident attorney about their potential rights to compensation.

With summer soon approaching, Georgia will see more rain. Rainy days can be relaxing and provide much-needed water for plant life. However, rainy conditions also contribute to millions of traffic crashes each year. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Georgia car accident attorneys understand the hazard posed by heavy rain. We regularly meet clients injured in accidents involving inclement weather, including rain. Below, we offer some helpful tips for wet weather driving, intended to keep you safe through the rainy season. For the complete list of rainy driving tips as recommended by the American Automobile Association (AAA), check out the list here.

At one point or another, we have all likely experienced trouble with our vehicles. Millions of Americans will encounter car troubles each year. However, how you deal with your vehicle trouble can have an important impact on your personal safety. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we know that serious accidents can result from cars that are in desperate need of repair. In fact, drivers stopped by the side of the road who address their car problems could be hit by approaching vehicles while inside or outside of their car. As such, we offer tips below to avoid car troubles and stay safe in the event your car does experience problems while driving on a road in Georgia.

Recently, an Atlanta man sadly died in a horrific single vehicle accident. The incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m. on March 12 in the vicinity of Interstate 75 and Mt. Paran Road, according to 11 Alive News. Witnesses at the scene report that the driver was traveling north on I-75 at a high rate of speed. He suddenly left the center lane of the road and veered onto the right shoulder. In an attempt to get back to the roadway, the driver over-corrected and his SUV rolled across the highway, hitting the median wall. The driver was partially ejected from the vehicle and tragically died as a result of his injuries. It is not clear whether he was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

The SUV rollover accident that caused serious injury to a Pickens County Sheriff's deputy in February provides a reminder of the important role of seat belts during a rollover crash involving these large family vehicles. Although the exact sequence of events that caused the SUV to roll three times has not been reported in the media to this point, the Sheriff's deputy suffered serious injury after being ejected from the vehicle during the crash. A passenger in the vehicle also was treated for head injuries after transport to Kennestone Hospital. While the accident is still under investigation, the ejection of the deputy suggests he was likely not strapped in with a seat belt.

Prudent motorists recognize the importance of exercising vigilance while driving, obeying traffic laws, and focusing their attention on potential roadway hazards. The obstacles and risks that can confront drivers include drivers drifting into an adjacent lane, cargo falling into the roadway, disabled vehicles disrupting the flow of traffic, and many other roadway emergencies. While attentive driving can provide a way for motorists to compensate for errors committed by other drivers and unanticipated road hazards, negligent driving can stem from actions before a driver even engages the ignition of a vehicle. This is because the failure of vehicle owners to perform tire maintenance can cause serious collisions and result in liability.

Parents throughout the Atlanta area routinely take their children to playgrounds in public parks, so they can exercise and play. As children enjoy playgrounds, parents might not consider the potential danger posed by defective playground equipment that is poorly designed or that lacks appropriate safety features. Children frequently suffer injuries from unsafe playground equipment whether in Atlanta school playgrounds, a neighbor's backyards, or public parks. Many times these are minor injuries that do not result in serious injury, but sometimes children are involved in life-changing accidents that cause severe brain trauma, spinal cord damage, broken limbs and other significant injuries.

It has officially been a year since auto parts maker Takata acknowledged that some of its inflators were defective, prompting one of the largest recalls of all time. Since that time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has worked to organize the recall and appropriate repairs. Currently, millions of vehicles are included in the recall, spanning 14 vehicle manufacturers.

The United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, recently announced that 20 automakers have now pledged to make automatic emergency braking (AEB) a standard feature on all new cars by the year 2022. These automakers represent more than 99 percent of the United States auto market. Previously, 10 automakers had made this historic commitment. Now, with further support from the industry, automobile safety has taken a significant step forward.

Being injured or attacked in your home is terrifying. Your home is intended to be your safe place, your place of refuge. When someone enters your home with ill intents, it can feel like a violation and even result in considerable personal or financial damage. While your first call after any sort of criminal activity occurs in your home should be to the police, you will next want to notify your landlord. At times, landlords can be held accountable for criminal activity occurring on their rented premises if they acted in a negligent manner. Premises Liability is the area of law in which these types of cases are classified.

Tragedy recently struck the Atlanta community when a city employee was killed due to a falling tree. The employee, a 29 year veteran with the Department of Parks and Recreation, was in a bucket truck cutting a tree when the tree apparently fell on top of him and knocked him to the ground. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the employee sadly did not survive. The cause of this accident remains under investigation. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued statement expressing his condolences to the deceased employee's family and expressing his gratitude for the much respected employee's three decades of work for the City.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you are likely dealing with pain, stress and confusion. Preparing to file your potential personal injury action might not be the first thing on your mind. However, the steps you take in the aftermath of the accident to get ready for your claim is critical. You will need to follow several steps to prepare for your action, many of which can be time consuming.

Recently, a $72 million judgment (comprising of $10 million in actual damages and $62 million in punitive damages) was rendered against Johnson & Johnson for the company's alleged failure to warn consumers of the cancer risks associated with its talcum powder feminine hygiene products. The case was brought by the family of an Alabama woman who died of ovarian cancer which they claim was caused by Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products. The verdict, rendered in St. Louis, represents a major victory for the plaintiffs and others who feel that their cancer was caused by the use of talcum powder.

Recently, two people were tragically killed as they waited at a MARTA bus stop in Roswell. The accident occurred when a driver headed along Alpharetta Street attempted to pass a MARTA bus, but lost control and veered into a bus stop. One pedestrian was sadly killed instantly in the accident and another two were rushed to the hospital. Later, a second victim perished due to injuries sustained in the crash. Now, the local community is mourning the loss of two of its members.

Recently, a McDuffie County boy tragically passed away in a tragic truck accident, according to a local news source. Georgia State Troopers report that the six-year-old boy was riding in a Chevrolet pickup truck. The truck was heading westbound on 1-20 when it crossed over the white line and hit the rear of a tractor trailer that was parked on the shoulder of the road. The driver of the pickup truck sustained non-life threatening injuries, while her six-year-old great grandson sadly died in the accident. Her infant great-granddaughter was also injured in the crash, but is expected to recover.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that is generated by the burning of fuel, including wood, coal, charcoal, natural gas and the like. CO can also be deadly. This hard-to-detect gas can quickly kill unsuspecting victims that inhale it. While some CO poisonings are the result of pure accident, others arise from negligence on the part of landlords, business owners, product manufacturers and more.

Recently, video was released depicting a Google self-driving car hitting a public bus last month in Mountain View, California. The film is a compilation of traffic footage and video from inside the bus. The accident made headline news because it was the first autonomous car accident that was at least partially the fault of the car. This minor accident occurred when the Google self-driving car attempted to maneuver into the center lane in front of a transit bus. When the bus failed to yield, the car collided with the side of it. No injuries were reported, but the accident and the recently released video have both served as evidence for anti-self-driving car advocates to urge the dangerousness of these vehicles.

Traumatic brain injuries can result from car, truck and motorcycle accidents, as well as workplace falls, slip and falls and other types of accidents. Any injury involving the brain can be severe and lead to potentially devastating injuries. While some traumatic brain injury sufferers will recover from their injury within a short period of time, others will experience serious complications that can leave them permanently disabled.

Car accidents can result in a wide array of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Skull fractures are one such injury that can result in a TBI. These fractures are not always easy to detect and you must receive appropriate treatment right away to ensure the condition does not become more severe. Skull fracture injury victims should also be eligible to receive compensation from the at-fault person or party responsible.

Pedestrians in the United States are getting killed because of an increasing number of distracted drivers. A new study released by the Governors Highway Safety Association reveals that pedestrian fatalities due to car accidents were up at least 10 percent in 2015. One of the primary causes of this increase in pedestrian fatalities is distracted drivers. Distracted pedestrians can also play a role in the high rates of pedestrian deaths. The family members of pedestrians who are killed due to distracted drivers should be eligible to receive compensation from the at-fault driver responsible for their loved one's death.

A new report issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association reveals that pedestrian fatalities due to car accidents are on the rise. The study reveals that pedestrian accident deaths surged tremendously last year, representing the highest rise in pedestrian fatalities within the last four decades. This alarming national trend has many questioning why the increase in pedestrian deaths is occurring as well as what we can do about it.

Millions of car accidents occur each and every year across the country. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute, over 32,675 people were killed in car accidents in the year 2014. Car accidents can occur due to a wide variety of circumstances, but some types of accidents occur over and over again. However, knowing the most common types of accidents can help you to avoid them.

While most healthcare professionals are highly competent and capable, some make mistakes that can lead to the injury and even the tragic death of a newborn. When a child is born with a birth injury, parents are often left wondering how they will be able to afford the medical care their child needs and, where to turn next. At Montlick and Associates, our team of Atlanta Birth Injury Lawyers want to help. We have the knowledge and skills necessary to help you fight for the compensation your child deserves to live as normal a life as possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can take the appropriate steps to protect your rights.

Some of the most serious (and often deadly) accidents that occur in Georgia each year involve heavy semi-trucks or tractor trailers. In Georgia, there are also many more commercial trucks traveling along interstates and highways than ever before. The increased number of tractor-trailer trucks on the road, the weight of these trucks and highway speeds create a higher risk for Georgia drivers. However, our truck accident attorneys have often represented many accident victims in Georgia who have been hit by a truck along rural roadways. Our attorneys recommend that all drivers become aware of the common causes of truck accidents, which occur along highways, interstates and even rural roadways.

Georgia has seen its fair share of trucking accidents over the last few years, and unfortunately, many victims involved in such accidents have lost their lives. Even Georgia lawmakers have stepped in to see if there is anything that can be done to help reduce the prevalence of trucking accidents. The great difficulty with 18-wheeler accidents and all other commercial truck accidents is that there are so many different possible causes for such accidents. The most common causes typically involve speeding and/or inattentive driving. Brake failure, and other maintenance problems, have also been known to be causes of serious trucking accidents that have the potential to result in serious injuries or death.

As a mother was taking her daughters to school on an early March morning, she was struck by a dump truck that resulted in life-threatening injuries suffered by the mother's teenage daughter. All other occupants of both the van the mother was driving and the dump truck survived the accident without significant injuries. This tragic accident might have occurred for a variety of reasons that are unknown at this time. When it comes to a trucking accident like this one, it can take a substantial amount of time to get to the root cause of the accident in order to determine if anyone's injuries were the fault of another person or party.

A tragic accident recently claimed the life of a 30-year-old woman in Savannah. Police report that the woman, an aspiring actress, was struck while attempting to deal with car trouble. The accident victim was the front seat passenger in a Hyundai Accent. The driver stopped the vehicle to look for the cause of the check engine light. As the passenger stood outside the vehicle, she was struck by a Chevrolet Camaro driven by a 35-year-old. Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the hospital. The accident victim, who appeared in several films including Hunger Games and Fast and Furious 7, will be mourned by her friends and family.

Losing a loved one in an unexpected accident is heartbreaking. The relatives of those tragically killed in car, truck and related accidents find themselves suddenly coping with their traumatic loss, while also suffering the financial repercussions. The family members of those killed can seek compensation through a wrongful death action filed against the party responsible for the accident. Wrongful death claims are complex and seeking a settlement for these actions can be difficult.

Most Georgia motorists will agree that safer roads will help to reduce the risk that catastrophic Georgia trucking accidents will occur. However, many Georgia truckers are at odds with lawmakers who aim to enhance penalties truck drivers face for speeding. It comes as no surprise that trucking accidents have the potential to result in severe injuries that could result in death. The way in which we can make our highways safer is not always agreed upon.

Each year, millions of burn injuries occur that will require emergency room treatment. Burn injuries can range from minor, or first degree, to severe, or third degree. There are numerous causes of burn injuries and many are the result of negligent behavior. Burns can be extremely painful, require long recovery times, require surgical repair and more. The Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, have helped several clients suffering from burn injuries. We understand that burn injuries can be among the most serious of all injuries. Depending upon the severity of the burn, burn victims might never fully recover from their injuries and will be left with permanent scarring or loss of feeling. If you suffered from burn injuries because of the negligence of another person or party, you will need the assistance of an experienced attorney who cantake the necessary steps to protect your rights.

Witnesses can be vital to the success of any personal injury claim and can be some of the best sources of evidence when it comes to filing a personal injury action. In many car accidents, the only witnesses to the crash are the drivers of each vehicle. However, these witnesses will likely automatically believe the other to be at fault for the accident, limiting their helpfulness. This makes it imperative to attempt to gather third party witnesses who viewed the accident and are not biased to provide testimony to one driver over another.

Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious injuries you can sustain in an accident. The spine is comprised of the vertebral column, which houses 33 vertebrae, several ligaments, and the spinal cord. If the spinal cord is damaged, injured accident victims can experience an array of severe symptoms, including varying degrees of paralysis. The costs of a spinal cord injury are numerous and substantial. Our experienced personal injury lawyers have found spinal cord injuries can have considerable financial, emotional, and mental costs.

If you have sustained a herniated disc in a car accident in Georgia, the goal is to obtain fair compensation for your serious injury. It is not always easy, however, to estimate what your herniated disc injury might be worth. The car accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, offer a look below at the factors that are involved in settlements of claims involving herniated discs. For personalized assistance with your specific claim, contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible.

When a child is born with Cerebral Palsy ("CP"), it is important that you seek legal help immediately to determine what caused him or her to develop this condition. While CP can have a genetic origin or be associated with an unavoidable delivery complication, some cases are caused by medical errors that occur during the delivery process. When this happens, a family should consider filing a claim against the doctor and/or hospital so that they can afford the medical care that their child will need both now and in the future. At Montlick and Associates, we want to help you to fight for the compensation your child deserves so that he or she can live as normal a life as possible. Contact us today to learn more about how we can make a difference for you.

At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our firm is proud to be a part of the greater Atlanta community and we give back to our community through a variety of programs. Montlick and Associates has assisted accident victims and injured employees in the region for over 30 years. We focus our outreach efforts on two areas: helping families to prevent injuries and supporting our brave troops and their families. The following is a look at some of our outstanding community service programs, designed to give you a better idea of our goals and interests as a law firm.

Catastrophic injuries can change the lives of car accident victims forever. These injuries are inflicted in an instant, but alter the course of the car accident victim's life permanently. Catastrophic injuries include a wide array of long term or permanent injuries, including amputation, brain injuries, eye injuries, spinal cord injuries and more. These injuries can prevent the car accident victim from returning to work or performing everyday living tasks. Anyone who has suffered a catastrophic injury will need the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney who will fight for their right to obtain compensation from the party responsible for their injury.

In a car accident, the neck is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. The abrupt back and forth motion of the accident, caused by the car traveling quickly then coming to a sudden stop, can jolt the neck. Our necks move during car accidents in ways they were not intended, whipping quickly back and forth. The result can be severe neck trauma and lasting injuries.

Recently, the United States Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that there was, unfortunately, a sharp increase in traffic deaths during the first nine month of 2015. The news came as the agency started its series of summits to examine the unsafe behaviors that lead to car accidents. Human error, the agency reports, is the cause of approximately 94 percent of all car accidents, making human behavior the most important factor to examine in the event of a fatal accident.

Knee injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained in slip, trip, and falls. According to the American Academy Of Orthopaedic Surgeons, about 10.4 million people visit the doctor's office for treatment of knee related injuries each year. The knee is a vulnerable part of the body in the event of a slip and fall, as it will often bear the brunt of the fall. Moreover, it is a complex joint with several components that are susceptible to damage in the event of a fall. If you have sustained a knee injury in the event of a fall, you could find yourself needing surgery, in considerable pain and unable to meet work obligations.

We have all likely heard the term "negligence", a term used many times by our personal injury attorneys and one that car accident victims will hear early on in their case. Despite how often the term negligence is used, many people lack a full understanding of the concept of negligence.

Car accidents can result in scarring or disfigurement to nearly any part of the body. Some scarring and disfigurement injuries are considered catastrophic because they are often permanent or long term. For car accident victims, living with permanent scarring or disfigurement can greatly impact their quality of life and future.

Recently, a Gwinnett County car crash tragically killed an 11-month old toddler and his father. Police report that alcohol and speed were a factor in the crash. The crash occurred when another vehicle skidded across the roadway and collided head-on with the vehicle carrying the toddler and his parents. Now, the mother of the deceased toddler is fighting for her life following the deadly accident.

Your back is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body, comprised of delicate discs, nerves, and other body parts. In the event of a car accident, your back is often one of the most readily injured parts of the body, and bulging discs are incredibly common. Bulging discs can cause the accident victim to experience pain and potentially even paralysis. Accident victims with these injuries might continue to suffer long term effects that could prevent them from returning to work and daily living activities.

The first thing people notice is your face, making injuries to this area of the body particularly devastating. To make matters worse, facial injuries stemming from a car accident can lead to permanent scarring. Such injuries can have a psychological as well as physical impact, affecting your entire life and even your livelihood.

Injuries of the spinal cord can occur due to several different reasons, but car accidents are among the most common cause of paralysis and other spinal cord injuries. Car accidents can cause the spine to flex in such a manner that it should not move. This can result in severe damage to your spinal cord. In addition, if the car accident victim's head hits an object within the vehicle, it can compress the spinal cord and tragically result in paralysis.

Car accidents do not just result in physical injuries; all too often, catastrophic car accidents will inflict lasting emotional injuries. Those seriously injured in a crash or anyone who has witnessed a horrible crash can suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those with PTSD might experience debilitating anxiety and flashbacks from the accident. PTSD can last for months, years, or even a lifetime. Car accident victims with PTSD will incur extensive medical bills, lost wages and mental pain and suffering.  NOTE: This blog article will discuss PTSD as it pertains to personal injury claims.  Anyone who believes they are experiencing PTSD symptoms should immediately consult a medical doctor or psychological health professional.

Recently, a car accident occurred that could impact the future of the self-driving car industry. A Google self-driving vehicle needed to maneuver into the center lane in order to make a right hand turn around some sand bags. The car, and its driver, assumed the bus behind would slow or stop to allow the car to enter. Instead, the Google Lexus collided with the side of the bus. Fortunately, the car was traveling at just two miles per hour and the damage was minimal. Our Atlanta car accident attorneys are pleased to report that no one in the car or bus was injured.

The construction industry is notoriously dangerous. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration reports that worker fatalities are highest in the construction industry. Close to 900 construction employees are killed each year. The majority of these deaths happen due to falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and being stuck in between objects. Construction accidents can occur at any point, but are especially likely to happen if safety in the workplace is compromised. Construction accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, and potentially even death. Some injuries could sadly be long term or permanent, including paralysis or loss of cognitive function.

Most personal injury cases today settle outside of court, but a select few cases will proceed all the way to trial. Each case is unique and personal injury plaintiffs must carefully consider their options when deciding whether to settle their case outside of court. A licensed personal injury attorney will provide the best source of information and advice in assessing whether a case should settle or proceed to trial. The following is a look at some pros and cons of settling your case. Remember that your individual case should be examined by an experienced attorney to determine the best course of action.

Recently, a car and bus collided on Atlanta Highway, sending at least a dozen people to the hospital. The accident occurred when the car failed to yield to the bus as it turned towards the Georgia Square Mall. The accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 12. According to police reports, 12 people were transported to the hospital. This included five passengers from the vehicle and seven from the bus.

Bicycling can be a convenient means of transportation for those who live and work in the Atlanta area. It can also be a great form of exercise or a fun family activity. However, despite the many fantastic reasons to ride a bike, there is a risk of injury and death that comes whenever your hop on a bike. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over 900 bicyclists were killed and another 494,000 seriously injured in the year 2013. Bicycle accidents are even more likely to occur in urban settings, which include the Atlanta region. Adolescents and young adults are considered most at risk of a bicycle accident, while males are more likely to be killed than females.