In this case, the accident left a Georgia man dead and his wife with injuries that required hospitalization. This accident was allegedly caused by a drunk driver.
]]> A 20-year-old man driving a 2005 Ford pickup truck was heading west on U.S. Highway 84 when he rammed into the back of a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. That collision propelled the pickup truck into the eastbound lane, where it stuck a 2006 Buick Lucerne.Driving the Buick was a 54-year-old woman, who suffered serious injuries. Her husband, 69, died from the injuries he received in the accident. The driver of the Grand Marquis escaped serious injury.
The younger man then allegedly abandoned his truck, running through a downpour and into a nearby industrial park. Police nabbed him in the industrial park after a foot chase.
Now, he faces a variety of charges in connection to the fatal accident, including hit and run, DUI, homicide by vehicle and serious injury by vehicle.
If the young man driving the truck is indeed found to have caused the fatal accident, the widow and the driver of the Grand Marquis likely would be able to seek damages. It's also important to ask where the young man obtained the alcohol that he consumed. Did an adult provide him with alcohol, even though he isn't of legal drinking age?
Source: The Blackshear Times, "One dead, another hurt in crash," May 8, 2012
]]>On what should have been remembered as a memorable night among classmates, a 16-year-old girl was killed and three others injured when the car in which she was riding crossed into oncoming traffic. The driver had swerved out of his line to avoid rear-ending the car it was quickly approaching when it collided with an oncoming vehicle, police said. The accident occurred as the girl and her friends headed to a party following the high school prom.
]]> According to the police report, the 19-year-old man was driving his Chevrolet Trailblazer in the early morning hours. When he maneuvered into the opposite lane to avoid the car ahead of him, the Trailblazer clipped the end of a minivan, flipping the Trailblazer and ejecting two passengers, including the girl who died. The two other passengers in the car sustained injuries, as did the driver of the minivan.Police in Gwinnett County, Georgia, said their initial investigation showed that speed and reckless driving by the teen contributed to the accident. They also said they would investigate reports that the SUV and another car were racing.
The man faces charges that include vehicular homicide, three counts of causing serious injuries by vehicle, reckless driving and making an improper lane change.
The day after the fatal accident, members of the school community gathered for a vigil to remember the girl's life. Survivors of the girl who lost her life and of the injured will want to monitor the investigation.
Police said they don't think alcohol played a role in the crash, but that does not excuse dangerous driving. Speeding, even when other cars aren't around, is dangerous.
Source: Norcross Patch, "Update: Meadowcreek High Student Dies in Car Crash, Driver Arrested," May 1, 2012
]]>Recently in the Atlanta area, it appeared that one drunk driver received preferential treatment by law enforcement. The 39-year-old man posed just as much of a threat as anyone else who is driving drunk. Furthermore, he was seen speeding at 91 mph on Georgia Route 400.
]]> Police pulled the man over and initially treated him like everyone else. Law enforcement administered a field sobriety test that proved the man had trouble keeping his balance. The man was also forced to take an alcohol breath test, which revealed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.126, higher than the legal limit of 0.08.However, the thing that set this man apart from all other Atlanta motorists was the fact that he was a diplomat for Mexico, who was serving at the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta. For this reason, the man was not arrested and would avoid time behind bars.
The diplomat could not be detained on orders from the Diplomatic Security Service, even if his actions were potentially harmful to innocent men and women on the roads.
The director for Georgia's chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving voiced concern in the matter, saying that when it comes to putting lives at risk by driving under the influence of alcohol, justice should be blind to an individual's status.
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Diplomatic immunity keeps Mexican official out of jail," Christian Boone, April 24, 2012
]]>But recent breakthroughs in laser treatments could help those who suffer from their burn injury scars to remove them completely. This technology was put on display at a recent conference, where doctors and scientists alike examined ways that this cutting edge treatment can work on scar tissue.
]]> Doctors at the conference continue to refine their craft in order to develop the most effective means possible to treat burn victims. One said that when laser treatment is used, it can both downplay the disfiguring characteristics of burn injury scars and make that tissue more functional.This technology would be more than helpful considering that victims are surviving from burn injuries at a much greater rate than they used to in the United States. In fact, about 1 million individuals survive serious burn injuries throughout the country each year.
Scarring does not become a factor until long after the injury. A doctor said that scarring gets the worse anywhere between three and seven months after the initial injury. In a personal injury lawsuit when someone sustained burn injuries from someone else's actions, damages to pay for this new treatment could become a factor.
Source: Laser Focus World, "Laser treatment of burn scars helps military and civilian patients," John Wallace, April 20, 2012
]]>A 47-year-old Kennesaw, Georgia, man is waiting to see if the intoxicated driver who struck his motorcycle, causing serious injury, will eventually be punished. It's been two years since the accident occurred, and one wrinkle in the case has slowed it down significantly. Rather than driving under the influence of alcohol, the intoxicated driver was behind the wheel with marijuana in his system.
]]> Under Georgia law, proving that a driver's ability behind the wheel was affected by marijuana is more difficult than if the driver was under the influence of alcohol or other illegal drugs. Traces of marijuana can stay in a person's system for a month, deeming urine and blood tests useless. That's why drivers with marijuana in their system during the event of a crash are treated differently.The accident victim is questioning why, especially because alcohol is a legal substance and marijuana is illegal.
The accident played out on April 2, 2010. The man who struck the motorcycle was 18 years old at the time. The man on the motorcycle lost one of his legs because of the incident and was in such rough shape that first responders initially thought he was dead at the scene. He also broke bones in his arm and suffered damage to his right eye. The man would like to see the other driver held accountable.
That wish may be closer to coming true, as the alleged intoxicated driver is expected to be arraigned soon. Before the injured motorcyclist lobbied for stricter charges, the driver was set to face only misdemeanors, but the prosecutor tacked on felony driving under the influence, reckless driving and serious injury by vehicle charges. The man may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit, which if successful will help him achieve some measure of justice.
Source: Cherokee Tribune, "Seeking justice: Man who lost leg wants equalized DUI laws," Megan Thornton, April 11, 2012
]]>A recent head-on collision played out in Coweta County, Georgia, leaving one individual dead and two others recovering from serious injuries. The crash took place along U.S. Highway 27 south of Moreland, Georgia. The accident claimed the life of a 72-year-old man. According to police, he was the one to cross the centerline.
]]> As the man headed north at around 3:30 p.m., police believe he was spooked by a car approaching from a residential drive. Possibly fearing that the car would pull out in front of him, the man swerved his Buick LeSabre into the opposite lane of traffic, where the car collided with a Toyota Corolla that was carrying a 47-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter.The elderly man initially survived the crash, but passed away due to his injuries while en route to the hospital.
The impact of the collision hurled the Corolla into a ditch. Emergency responders had to extricate the woman and her daughter from the mangled mess.
All victims involved were airlifted to their respective hospitals. The woman and her daughter are still recovering from their injuries and are expected to return home soon, according to an individual close to the family.
It's important to consider as the investigation progresses the role played by the car exiting the driveway. If that driver was in the wrong, occupants of both cars involved in the accident may have a claim to make in civil court.
Source: Times-Herald.com, "One driver dies following crash near Moreland," John A. Winters, April 6, 2012
]]>A 28-year-old high school teacher, who hailed from Evans, Georgia, was recently killed in an accident. The woman, a Spanish teacher at Jefferson High School, was observed abiding by the rules of the road right before the accident.
]]> The woman was heading north on Campground Road near Wrens. A Georgia State Patrol Trooper said that the woman approached a spot where the road intersects with U.S. Highway 80. This trooper determined the woman came to a complete stop at the intersection.Still, the woman must not have spotted an oncoming car on the road, the officer speculated. She turned onto the road and entered the path of a 2002 Chevy Impala. The Impala could not stop and slammed into the driver's side of the vehicle. The authorities said that the woman died on impact.
She was carrying with her one other passenger, a 34-year-old man from Martinez. He was brought to the hospital and listed in fair condition. The 37-year-old driver of the Impala taken to a hospital and eventually released.
Normally, as with any car accident involving a death, police would administer a drug and alcohol test. They did not do this with the deceased victim. Instead, the Jefferson County Coroner explained to the crime lab and family of the victims that it was simply a case of failure-to-yield.
Despite the woman reportedly being a safe driver, it still appears that the accident could be her fault. Her passenger and the driver of the Impala may have claims to make against her estate.
Source: The Columbia County News-Times, "Evans woman killed in Jefferson County crash," Carol McLeod, March 28, 2012
]]>When a small fire breaks out in the home, many residents will try to combat the flames themselves, which is not an easy duty. Fires in modern homes can grow out of control in a mere three minutes. In 1975, this time was approximately 17 minutes, meaning that today's families need to be prepared and have an escape plan in place for the potential event.
]]> This flammable quality is not attributed to just housing materials. Many things that go inside a house are much more flammable these days, such as furniture. Because old furniture was comprised of natural products, it would take longer to ignite. Some furniture today features synthetic materials, like polyurethane foam, that can catch fire quickly.But many homes also use thinner building materials. This allows for fire to burn through them quickly. Many modern homes also feature open and spacious floor plans, which allow both smoke and fire to spread quickly.
With this knowledge, it's more important than ever to have an escape plan in the event of a fire. It's also important to have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on site. If a guest is injured in someone's home because of a fire, the owner could be held liable.
Source: Observer & Eccentric, "Today's homes burn faster than ever," Tom Klurski, March 22, 2012
]]>Of the two deaths that recently took place on the same weekend on the same road in Glynn County, one of the victims was struck while riding a motorcycle and another was a pedestrian struck by a car.
]]> To make matters worse, police are still on the lookout for the driver who struck the 22-year-old motorcyclist. The biker was operating his 2001 Suzuki at around 10 p.m. on a Sunday night. He was wearing a helmet as a precaution, but it was not enough to save his life when a 2001 Saturn unexpectedly struck him.The driver of that vehicle drove off following the collision. The victim was rushed to a Savannah hospital where he later died. Police were able to recover footage of the accident from a security camera. Law enforcement was able to confirm the unnamed driver was a man.
Eerily enough, a 21-year-old man was also killed just a few miles south on the same road as the motorcycle accident while he was crossing the street at around 11:30 p.m. two days prior. A 73-year-old woman driving a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina hit the man. Rescue crews airlifted the victim to a hospital to be treated, but he died en route.
Police continue to investigate the accident but have not filed charges. While both drivers who caused the fatalities could probably be held responsible in wrongful death lawsuits, citizens should also wonder whether the local government is doing enough to ensure that road is safe enough for people to travel at night.
Source: The Florida Times-Union, "3 die in separate weekend traffic accidents in Glynn County," Terry Dickson, March 13, 2012
]]>That is why groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other outspoken opponents of drunk driving feel their work is so valuable in Georgia and throughout the rest of the United States.
]]> Individuals like one Georgia woman, who lost her son and saw her parents permanently disabled in two separate accidents involving drunk drivers, are working to raise awareness of this dangerous act.Some people shrug off drunk driving as simply a mistake made by someone who is young and stupid. Data compiled by MADD shows that one in every four individuals killed while driving drunk was between the age of 15 and 25. Just about 50 percent of them were younger than 35.
So what is Georgia doing to curb this deadly trend? The state has a number of fairly strict laws in place. Any driver older than 21 found with a blood alcohol content of at least 0.08 or any traces of controlled substance in their bodies while driving will receive a misdemeanor DUI. But the number of DUIs in parts of Georgia that are either growing or remaining steady suggest these measures are not enough.
Unfortunately for police, it comes down to accountability on behalf of the driver. Sometimes even the strictest punishments cannot force a person to make the right decision. But people injured by drunk drivers should know that there are other legal remedies to send a message, such as filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.
Source: Times-Georgia.com, "Residents, officials lament effects of DUI," Kelly Quimby, March 7, 2012
]]>On April 18, 2009, the woman was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by another man. That car collided with a Stephens County, Georgia, sheriff's department squad car at the intersection of Toccoa Bypass and North Currahee Lane. A Georgia State Patrol investigation determined that the man was heading south on Currahee Lane and pulled out in front of the officer, prompting the collision.
]]> The lawsuit claims that both the male driver, who is named as a defendant, and the police officer, who both survived the crash, were negligent. The children argue that neither driver operated their respective vehicle in a safe manner.The children of the victim also alleged in the lawsuit that grass and vegetation had grown up to five feet at the intersection, which hindered the sight of both drivers. The lawsuit targeted the Georgia Department of Transportation and Thrift Development Corp., saying the two entities were responsible for these dangerous conditions. The lawsuit also lists Stephens County and the sheriff as defendants.
The case is set to go to trial on March 19. The victim's children are asking that the defendants pay damages to cover funeral and burial expenses. The requested damages also would cover compensation for pain and suffering.
It does not appear as if any criminal charges were ever filed. But a wrongful death lawsuit can help to hold negligent parties accountable.
Source: Independent Mail, "Wrongful-death lawsuit filed in 2009 Toccoa Bypass accident," Charlie Bauder, March 2, 2012
]]>Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of the driver, who was originally treated for injuries and released following the Feb. 18 one-car crash. The incident claimed the life of one passenger and injured the other two. When apprehended, the man faces charges of first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI, serious injury by vehicle and several driving violations.
]]> The accident happened at about 1:05 a.m., when the driver's 1994 Ford Probe went off the road and flipped, ejecting the driver and one passenger. A 27-year-old man from Temple, who was seated in the front passenger seat, died in the accident, while the others were treated at a hospital. One of those passengers, a 26-year-old male from Villa Rica, has been released, but a 24-year-old Temple man, who was thrown from the car, has yet to regain consciousness.Police spoke to the driver following the accident because he was the only one who could speak at the time. The driver claimed that he was not even in the car during the crash, and that he encountered the wreck after it happened. A further investigation by police determined he was the driver and that alcohol played a role in the crash.
An investigator determined that the man was speeding before the accident and passed another vehicle in a no-passing zone, leading to the crash. While some say that passengers who get in a car with a drunk driver know the risks involved, no one should have their safety jeopardized by a negligent driver who can't follow the rules of the road.
Source: Times-Georgian.com, "Driver in fatal wreck sought," Kelly Quimby, Feb. 23, 2012
]]>The man took all necessary precautions to operate his motorcycle at optimal safety, but not even those measures could save him in the head-on collision with a car.
]]> A minute before midnight, the motorcyclist was traveling north on Georgia 119 in the vicinity of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy facility on the military base. A number of vehicles were traveling south. One of the vehicles went to pass both a car and pickup truck at the same time and collided with the motorcycle. The impact of the collision threw the man and his motorcycle underneath the pickup truck and both vehicles caught on fire.Police are continuing to investigate the incident and there was no word on whether or not charges would be filed.
Now, a grief-stricken family is left to remember the young man that is no longer with them. Loved ones remembered the victim as one heavily involved with church. A youth director at one church remembered that the victim always had a smile on his face and was seemingly always happy and upbeat.
The victim enlisted in the Army in January of last year. After completing boot camp at Fort Knox in Kentucky, he was stationed in Georgia at Fort Stewart, where he was a tank crewman serving with the Third Infantry Division. He was also engaged to be married.
Source: The Record Herald, "Hagerstown soldier Christiaan Bush killed in motorcycle crash in Georgia," Feb. 10, 2012
]]>Data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2007 revealed that 145 Georgia residents died as a result of fires or burns. Of the fatalities, children under the age of 4 suffered five of them and another 15 individuals were younger than 19 years. Even though the number might not be overly alarming, additional data proves that children are especially at risk.
]]> Burns are a huge cause for hospitalization of children. For children younger than 1 year, burns are the fourth-leading cause, while they are the eighth-leading cause for children 4 and under. Many of these burns are caused by seemingly harmless sources. One of the main culprits is hot water. Scalding water injures 75 percent of children who are hospitalized with burns. Children are more sensitive to hot water because their skin is so thin, and water that might not seem too hot to adults could cause major burn injuries to a child.Doctors who work in burn units have urged parents to adjust their water heaters so that a child cannot accidentally access scalding hot water. It's recommended that a water heater be set at no higher than 120 degrees.
According to doctors, parents also need to keep tabs on any lighters in the home and anything that might be cooking on a stove so a child doesn't inadvertently touch or spill it on themselves.
Source: The Augusta Chronicle, "Burns occur often for children," Tom Corwin, Feb. 6, 2012
]]>After a jury found him guilty of setting his girlfriend on fire during a dispute, a judge in Clayton County recently sentenced the 30-year-old man to 205 years in jail. The victim, and everyone on her side, was happy to hear that the man received such a stiff penalty for the heinous crime.
]]> The incident took place a year ago at an apartment the man and his girlfriend were sharing. During an argument, the victim explained that the man pushed her into a bathtub and doused her with gasoline. Begging the man for mercy, he lit a match and tossed it at her, setting the woman on fire.The woman was covered with third-degree burns on 40 percent of her body. Burn injuries are unique because the recovery process can often be longer, more painful and expensive. The woman had to be put on life support for three months.
The man never denied pouring the gasoline on the woman, but he contended that he simply flicked a lighter in order to scare the woman and had no intention of truly burning her. The woman did not remember a lot from the incident, only being drenched in gasoline and pleading for her life.
The man was charged and convicted on a number of charges, including criminal intent to murder and false imprisonment. He also will likely be held liable if the woman sued him for personal injury and pain and suffering.
Source: FOXNews.com, "Georgia man sentenced to more than 200 years in jail for setting girlfriend on fire," Jan. 27, 2012
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