Blog Archive - April, 2016

The decision to place a loved one in a nursing home is never an easy one. Most individuals elect to put their loved one in a nursing home because their relative is unable to care for him or herself. Often, the loved one has already experienced problems or dangers living on their own, including falls, medication non-compliance, or inadequate self-care. Nursing homes are thought to provide a safer environment for the elderly, but statistics show that falls in nursing homes continue to kill and seriously injure thousands annually.

People within Georgia who work in the mining, textile, shipbuilding, and other industries are potentially at risk for asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is a natural product that is resistant to heat and corrosion. Years ago, asbestos was commonly used for insulation, flooring, and more. Slowly, it was discovered that exposure to asbestos fibers causes illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer, and asbestosis. Although asbestos exposure has since been reduced, there are many people that continue to be exposed at work to this dangerous substance.

Anoxic brain damage is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. The brain needs oxygen for its cells to stay alive. When oxygen levels significantly drop for four minutes or more, brain cells within the brain start to die. Permanent brain damage can occur within five minutes. An anoxic brain injury is serious and life threatening, sometimes resulting in significant cognitive problems and disability.

A tragic bicycle accident claimed the life of a well-respected local doctor and cycling enthusiast. The Hampton, Georgia doctor, was riding his bicycle on a Wednesday night on Lower Woolsey Road with three other cyclists. He was suddenly struck from behind by the driver of a 2002 Infinity, who was trying to negotiate a curve. Police report that the driver was distracted at the time of the accident.

Distracted driving is a problem of epic proportions across the United States. Researchers at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute published a report that shows Americans are distracted more than 50 percent of the time they are behind the wheel. In 70 percent of all crashes studied, the authors detected an observable distraction, such as texting or talking on the phone. This suggests the actual number of distracted drivers is likely even higher because drivers can be distracted by unobservable things, such as simple daydreaming.

Recently, a man from Mexico was paralyzed while skydiving in Zephyrhills, Florida, according to a local news report. The experienced skydiver was on his 402nd jump when, just seconds in, he hit another skydiver. This 23-year-old skydiver is now paralyzed from the waist down and receiving treatment at Atlanta's Shepherd Center, which focuses on spinal cord and brain injuries.

A California mother is speaking out about the death of her daughter in the hopes of raising awareness of distracted driving dangers. Her daughter was involved in a texting while driving accident in 2006 where she was broadsided by another driver after running a stop sign, causing her car to roll three times before landing on its roof. Thankfully, she survived with minimal injuries. Despite vowing to put her phone away, one year later, the young woman was texting when she lost control of her car and crashed on the interstate. Tragically, she did not survive the accident.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most serious injuries that can be sustained in an accident. A TBI can range in severity from mild to severe. At times, TBIs will leave the victim with permanent disabilities, but a TBI victim's prognosis can depend on how quickly they seek medical attention. Thus, it is imperative to recognize the signs and symptoms of a TBI.

The month of April is devoted to distracted driving awareness. Distracted driving is defined as any activity that pulls a person's attention away from driving. According to distraction.org, the United States government's website for distracted driving, over 3,000 people are killed in distracted driving related accidents each year. Ten percent of all drivers between the ages of fifteen and nineteen who were killed in fatal car accidents were distracted at the time. These figures could be far higher, because many researchers believe distracted driving accidents are underreported.

New technology is making our roadways safer. Adaptive cruise control is one such innovation that can prevent accidents by maintaining speed as well as following distance. This feature will allow drivers to make long treks with the help of an automatic guide.

Cranes are an integral part of the construction industry. These large, tall machines move heavy objects by suspending them in the air with a projecting beam. While cranes are vital pieces of industrial machinery, they can also be dangerous. When construction companies or workers fail to follow proper safety protocols, Personal Injuries or even accidental death can result.

This year, commercial truckers will now, unfortunately, be subjected to fewer drug tests. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in December of 2015 that beginning in January of 2016, it would require half the annual percentage rate of random controlled substances testing for commercial vehicle drivers. Previously, the FMCSA required trucking companies to perform random drug tests for 50 percent of their workforce. Now, trucking companies will only need to test 25 percent of the carrier's average number of driver positions each year.

New technologies within the automotive industry aim to prevent accidents and save lives. One important technological innovation that has quickly gained popularity is automatic emergency braking (AEB). AEB uses sensors to track cars ahead and will automatically brake to prevent an impending accident if the driver fails to respond to warnings. This innovative brake system is saving lives every day, and the automotive industry feels it is so important that soon all major automakers will offer AEB as a standard feature.

A tragic train accident recently claimed the lives of two construction workers. The accident happened near Philadelphia when an Amtrak train ran into a backhoe and derailed. Two construction workers for the railroad service died in the accident, and at least 35 others were injured. It is unclear why the backhoe was positioned on the track near Chester, Pennsylvania. Many unanswered questions still remain.

Drowsy driving is a tremendous problem for car and truck drivers. The National Sleep Foundation, which monitors drowsy driving, estimates that over 100,000 reported accidents involve driver fatigue each year. Further, an astonishing 60 percent of drivers reported having driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy, with approximately a third falling asleep behind the wheel.

Ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft are taking over the taxi cab industry. Chances are you have already ridden in or at least heard of Uber and Lyft. With these services becoming more common, you are at an increased risk of an accident involving a ridesharing vehicle. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys understand the potential issues involved in ridesharing accidents. There are several parties that could face problems in the event of a ridesharing accident, including the passengers in the other vehicle, the ridesharing passenger, the ridesharing driver and others.

Recently, a 14-year-old girl was sadly killed in a hit and run accident in Columbus, Georgia, according to a local news report. The teenager was hit by a pickup truck at about 9:20 p.m. as she walked along Flat Rock Road. Witnesses report that the driver swerved the truck onto the sidewalk and hit the teen, then fled. The young girl was rushed to the hospital but tragically died some time later due to her extensive injuries. Now, the victim's mother is seeking justice for the loss of her beloved daughter. Police are actively searching for the hit and run driver and hope the public can help.

Summertime is right around the corner, and as many of us rejoice in the warmer weather, it is important to be aware of some of the dangers lurking during summer. Some summer activities bring a risk of injuries or even death. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we meet clients each summer who have experienced a wide array of injuries, so we will discuss a list of some common dangers that contribute to the majority of summertime accidents. Being aware of the dangers and preparing for hazards can help to protect you and your loved ones.

Hearing loss is a catastrophic injury that can occur as a result of a car accident. It can vary from mild tinnitus (ringing in the ears) to severe deafness. This injury is typically irreversible and will impact the accident victim for the remainder of his or her life. Hearing loss can significantly affect your work life or ability to perform daily tasks. As such, car accident victims with hearing loss from the accident will need the assistance of an experienced automobile accident attorney to champion their rights.

Most medical professionals treat their patients with the utmost care.  However, medical negligence is thought to be the third leading cause of death in the United States, as reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). A medical malpractice claim arises from the negligent care of a health professional. Not all medical mistakes will amount to malpractice. Rather, medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to perform to reasonable standards of the profession. The victims of medical malpractice should have the right to pursue a cause of action against the doctor or other health care provider for their damages.

Concussions can result from any activity that involves a blow to the head. Sports, car accidents, and other types of accidents all commonly result in head trauma. While head injuries should always be addressed by a medical professional, mild concussions are usually treated with just rest. Now, however, a group of researchers has discovered that current imaging methods used to diagnose concussions do not fully reveal the lasting damages that even minor concussions could have. Their findings could change the way doctors diagnose and treat concussions in the future.

A toxic tort is a legal claim for harm resulting from exposure to a hazardous substance. Potential dangerous substances include pesticides, chemicals, or pharmaceutical drugs. If you are injured by a harmful substance, you might be able to bring a toxic tort lawsuit. At times, an entire group of people harmed by the dangerous substance will bring a mass toxic tort claim.

In an instant, your life can change forever after a car accident. Car accidents can result in catastrophic injuries that have permanent consequences. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, offer the following look at what constitutes a catastrophic injury and what you can do if you sustain such an injury in a car accident.

Recently, an Atlanta police officer was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash in Cobb County. Investigations reveal the officer fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed into a box truck. The officer was listed in critical condition hours after the crash but is thankfully expected to survive. The auto accident occurred when the police sedan swerved and crashed head-on into the truck, damaging both vehicles and inflicting minor injuries on the truck driver.

Automaker Toyota announced that it will open its third research lab in the United States for the study of artificial intelligence towards the development of self-driving cars. Currently, the Japanese car manufacturer has a research lab in Palo Alto, California as well as Cambridge, Massachusetts. The new facility will open in Ann Arbor, Michigan, near the University of Michigan. Toyota states that the facility will focus primarily on self-driving cars, which it hopes could be available to the masses in time.

Falls are a serious hazard for employees in the construction and related industries. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports that over 4,251 workers died on the job in the year 2014. Of these deaths, 20.5 percent were in construction. Moreover, falls were the leading cause of construction accident deaths, accounting for 40 percent of all construction site fatalities. Fall protection is federally mandated to protect workers who will be working from heights that could result in injury. All employers must provide fall protection as needed, but sometimes employers do not meet federal guidelines and accidents can result.

If you work the late night shift, you should use caution when driving home as you are at an increased risk for getting into a car accident, according to a new report. Researchers in Boston found that tired drivers coming off the graveyard shift have a significantly higher risk of getting into an auto accident. Accordingly, night shift workers are encouraged to be aware of the risks and take steps to keep themselves and others safe while driving home.

Collision avoidance systems are designed to prevent and reduce the severity of a car accident. These newer systems have revolutionized the car industry and technology continues to advance in this area. Collision avoidance systems include several different features, such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, brake assist, blind spot monitor, and much more. Already, collision avoidance technologies are preventing accidents and saving lives. In the future, these systems will hopefully advance to eliminate car accidents entirely.

For over 35 years, Americans have known that drinking and driving kills. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), drunk driving continues to result in one-third of highway deaths each year. In recent years, drugs have rivaled alcohol as a cause of intoxicated driving accidents. Illegal, prescription, and over-the-counter drugs can all have impairing side effects and will affect each person differently. To decrease the number of intoxicated driving deaths in the year 2016, the NTSB has called for the elimination of impairment-related deaths as one of its top goals in its most-wanted list.

A tragic gun accident in Dekalb County left a two-year-old in critical condition. The shooting happened around 2:15 a.m. at a Knight's Inn in Georgia. According to police, a two-year-old boy pulled a revolver out of his mother's purse while she was sleeping. The gun accidently discharged, gravely wounding the child. He was transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition. The family is from North Carolina and had just checked into the motel for the night.

Construction site accidents occur far too often in Georgia and the rest of the country. In fact, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) reports that over 4,251 workers were tragically killed in the year 2014, 20.5 percent of which were in construction. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, our compassionate attorney team has represented thousands of injured construction workers. We offer the following list of frequently asked questions, intended to provide you with a brief overview of construction site accidents. For assistance with your individual needs, contact our office for your free consultation.

Recently, a chiropractic student and two other bystanders worked to save the life of a car accident victim trapped in a dangerous situation. The accident occurred in Cobb County at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Roswell roads. One of the witnesses was in a nearby Sprint store and heard a deafening crash and saw a flash of light. Running to the street, he saw a car that had rammed into a massive power pole. Two other people were attempting to open the passenger door to assist the driver within, who had apparently suffered a stroke. The trapped driver was in a dire situation as fuel leaked from the vehicle and threatened to start a fire.

From the moment you hold your child in your arms, you know you would do anything to keep him or her safe. Unfortunately, however, accidents involving children occur all too often, and children are susceptible to serious injuries. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that unintentional injuries, such as those caused by falls, drowning, poisoning, and more, are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. Annually, more than 12,000 children between the ages of 0 and 19 tragically die from unintentional injuries, and millions more are treated in emergency departments across the country.

Imagine the following scenario: you are driving to work on your usual route, carefully observing cars and pedestrians, when suddenly you are broadsided by a large SUV. You hit the steering wheel, but feel alright following the impact of the crash. You might feel relieved that you dodged an injury, and often that will be the case. Sometimes, however, all is not okay. You or a passenger may have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is not immediately obvious and swift treatment could make a difference.

Each year, millions of people visit the emergency room (downloads a .PDF) for the evaluation and treatment of a traumatic brain injuries. Over 50,000 tragically die from these injuries, and another 275,000 are hospitalized. Head injury victims are often ordered to rest. Now, a new study conducted by Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists and published in the American Journal of Pathology demonstrates why this is sound advice.

Georgia Commute Options was created in 1996 to promote ridesharing and incentivize drivers to consider travel options other than driving alone. The program is partnered and funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation, using proceeds from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program that seek to improve air quality in the region. Georgia Commute Options offers a wide array of free programs that give local people and businesses incentives to share rides.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 32,719 traffic fatalities in 2013 involved children under the age of 14. On average, three children a day tragically die in automobile accidents, and another 470 are injured. The best way parents can protect their children in the event of a crash is securing them properly within the vehicle. While most parents know they must place their young children in a car seat, many do not recognize that their older children may need to be in a booster seat up to the age of 12.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) recently released some alarming data that should caution all drivers as to the dangers of texting and driving. The state found that last year, 1,414 people died in car accidents across Georgia. That represents 244 more fatalities than in 2014, which is a significant 21 percent increase. Even further, this is the first annual increase in fatal car accidents after a decade of consistent declines in fatalities.

Summertime is fast approaching, and as many families look forward to the sun, water, and relaxation, it is easy to forget the potential safety hazards that lurk around us. In fact, summer presents some unique potential safety issues.

A truck accident in Georgia is quite different from your average car accident. Truck accidents are often far more serious due to the immense size of the tractor trailers involved as compared to the average passenger motor vehicle. These accidents are also far more legally complex. Not only can the truck driver be held accountable for the accident, but his or her employer can also be named as a defendant as well. Truck drivers and trucking companies must follow stringent federal and state guidelines. If the truck driver or trucking company violated these rules, you should be entitled to recover for your damages and potentially even more.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Arthritis can be genetic, but it can also develop due to severe trauma. Car accidents are a significant cause of arthritis and can result in inflammation of the joints in several areas of the body. Those who develop arthritis because of a car accident should be eligible to seek compensation from the at-fault party responsible for their injuries.