Atlanta Driver Charged in Fatal Crash That Caused the Death of a 12-Year-Old Girl
Motor vehicle collisions in which someone is injured or passes away are tragic events, but these sad incidents can be ever more disheartening when the injury victim is a child. Despite the special traffic safety laws designed to protect children that address issues like transporting kids while under the influence and mandatory use of child safety restraints, there are still many children who suffer permanent or even fatal injuries annually.
Car accidents actually constitute the leading cause of death of children in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA) reports that motor vehicle accidents cause injury to over 170,000 kids under the age of 14 annually and cause the death of 1,200 more. These disquieting statistics reflect the decision by many parents not to secure their kids in an age and size appropriate child safety seat. A CDC report concluded that the proper use of child safety seats and booster seats save the lives of more than 618,000 children each year who are age 12 and lower.
A sad story reported by WSB-TV 2 Atlanta serves as a reminder of the heartbreaking consequences for parents when children die in fatal crashes. According to the police, a passenger car was sent spinning into a parking lot when it was hit by a pickup making a left hand turn in a controlled intersection. Both the driver of the vehicle and a twelve-year-old girl were taken to a local hospital, but the girl did not survive her injuries.
Although police officers investigate many car crash sites, they are not immune to the emotional impact of seeing children severely injured or killed in car accidents. An officer for the Atlanta police commented, "It is difficult. I mean, I worked in that unit for 17 years, and it is difficult. I'm getting emotional right now. It is difficult when it involves a child of any age."
The collision also demonstrates the importance of careful analysis of the evidence and legal advice before drivers decide who was responsible for causing a car accident. The preliminary reports indicated that the driver of the pickup was turning with a green light. While some motorists might presume that this would mean that the driver of the pickup would not be liable for the accident-related fatality, Atlanta police spokesman Kim Jones indicated that the driver of the pickup was being charged with 2nd degree vehicular manslaughter because he failed to allow the passenger car to travel through the entire intersection before entering the intersection when his light turned green.
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We urge all parents to buckle up their most precious cargo in an appropriate safety restraint during every trip to reduce the risk to child passengers. If your child is injured or dies in a fatal Atlanta auto accident, our Georgia wrongful death lawyers at Montlick and Associates have been representing injury victims for over thirty years throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.
Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.