Georgia Law Blog

Last week, a study performed by the insurance industry stated the addition of anti-lock brakes on motorcycles has reduced the number of fatal crashes by 38% because this type of brake system assists a cyclist in coming to a more secure stop. The study was performed due to an alarming increase in fatalities due to motorcycle accidents: more than 5,100 individuals were killed in motorcycle wrecks in 2007, representing almost double the number of fatalities in the late 1990s.

In fact, many studies have been conducted with regard to motorcycle safety and injuries. In August 2008, a study by a team of researchers aimed to identify the characteristics of lower-extremity injuries due to motorcycle accidents by gathering informational statistics from several studies done between 1997-2006. The study confirmed that the most common injury relating to a wreck of this nature is to the lower-extremity: specifically leg, foot, and ankle injuries with bone fractures and potentially torn ligaments. Surprisingly, head injuries and other upper extremity injuries fall second in the list of common injuries, though naturally head injuries tend to be more severe and have potentially longer-term affects.

There are around 7 million motorcycles registered currently, according to the Federal Highway Administration. This number will only increase; thus, it is necessary for all drivers to be particularly cautious on the roadways with motorcyclists. It is also necessary for cyclists and their representatives to be aware of each state’s motorcycle laws. The American Motorcyclist Association provides these laws per state on their website, found at: http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving a motorcycle, please contact my Douglasville law firm for a free consultation.

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Safety News For Georgians

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On October 15, 2008, the United States Secretary of Transportation announced new rules that will make school buses safer for students. The rules include requiring higher seat backs that will prevent taller children or adults from being thrown out of their seats and risking injuries to themselves and others, mandating seat belts to protect children while in their seats, and setting standards for the seat belts for different types of buses. For example, a bus weighing less than five tons will require three-point seatbelts that consist of a lap and shoulder belt. Statistically, smaller buses are more vulnerable in a crash and more damage and injuries can be caused than for a larger bus. Districts will be allowed access to federal funds to pay for belt installations, according to the report, which can be found at www.dot.gov.

This news should be welcomed by Douglasville and Atlanta residents, as our roads have become busier. As a Douglas County serious injury attorney, I realize that bus accidents are common and that measures to improve bus safety are essential in protecting Douglasville youth.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in an automobile accident or bus accident, please contact my Douglasville law firm for a free consultation

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Safety News For Georgians

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In my experience as a Douglasville injury lawyer, I have handled hundreds of cases where individuals have been injured in car accidents. The cause of an auto accident tells a specific story. With use of a police report, for example, my Douglas County law office is able to better understand how an auto wreck occurred and who may be at fault. There are several ways in which a car wreck can happen. In a small number of cases, it may be the fault of the vehicle itself that causes injuries. For this reason, manufacturers may recall its recently produced vehicles to correct potential safety issues on the vehicle.

For a recent example, Ford Motor Company is investigating a dangerous situation with its Ford Windstar minivan. Some consumers who have purchased the 1995-2003 model year minivans have experienced compartment fires possibly due to a faulty control switch. To date, Ford has recalled 12 million Windstars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA website, found at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov, provides a helpful search engine for other vehicles that have recently been recalled. The list of vehicles being recalled may surprise Atlanta area drivers, but the information is helpful to maintain the safety of Georgia car owners.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident, it is important to consult with an experienced, professional attorney. Feel free to contact my Douglasville serious injury law office for a free consultation.

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Safety News For Georgians

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Injuries sustained in an auto wreck caused by a drunk driver can be permanent, debilitating, and costly. I have seen this happen far too many times. The emotional and physical pain caused by a car accident such as this may never fully go away. Georgia drivers may feel a bit more at ease to know that a new DUI law passed on July 1, 2008 enforcing harsher punishments on drunk drivers. The new law carries heavier fines, strict probation, longer community service commitments, and even jail time. Also, for the first time, new DUI offenders are required to complete a drug and alcohol evaluation. The goal is to make drunk drivers pay for their actions and think twice before driving drunk again as, statistically, drunk drivers drive as many as 87 times before ever getting caught.

Even during the current increasing economic tensions, busier roads, and more stressful times, victims of car accidents must realize they can be helped professionally and courteously through the difficult process. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver, please call my Douglas County law firm for a free consultation. For more information regarding the new drunk driving law, visit Georgia’s Operation Zero Tolerance website at www.gahighwaysafety.org.

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Safety News For Georgians

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For several months now, it seems as if those in the Atlanta area have battled at the gas pumps as the price of gas has steadily grown. This battle only increased last week as Hurricane Ike, the most recent in a several storm attack, hit the southern parts of Texas, including many of the refineries found there. Following this untimely event, some Douglas County gas stations were forced to shut down their pumps due to lack of gas and local residents have had to search numerous stations for the precious resource at an affordable price.

I was getting gas a local gas station during this time. There was a long line to get gas. Other drivers were honking at each other. A few were yelling at other drivers. Almost everybody had a look of frustration on their faces. Clearly, there was tension in the air.

Drivers need to realize that the raised tension that results from an unexpected change such as this can have potentially dangerous consequences. At all times, drivers need to exercise caution to avoid an automobile accident or truck wreck while driving amongst those who are also frantically searching for gas. It is always advisable to pay close attention and keep eyes on the road while driving to keep from being injured in a car accident. There are several “gas saving” tips available such as taking fewer trips by merging your family schedule, preserving gas by making only necessary trips, and keeping the proper air pressure in your tires. Hopefully, this will decrease frustrations on the roads and maintain a safe driving area for Douglasville, Georgia and other local cities, such as Carrollton, Hiram, and Lithia Springs.

However, if you or a loved one is injured in an auto wreck caused by someone who was not driving with caution and care, please call my Douglasville law office for a free consultation.

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Safety News For Georgians

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Often, clients ask me about the relevance of OSHA to their workers' compensation case. I must admit that I rarely, if ever, hear other Georgia workers' compensation attorneys discuss OSHA. A client recently talked about filing an OSHA complaint against his employer after being injured. I was surprised to learn that OSHA's Southeast Region headquarters is located here in Atlanta, GA. OSHA's website can be found here: http://www.osha.gov/

What is OSHA? OSHA is a federal agency charged with reducing job injuries, work illnesses, and on the job deaths. It was formed in 1970 by President Richard Nixon and is part of the United States Department of Labor. OSHA conducts routine safety inspections as well as investigations when a worker / employee suffers a catastrophic injury or death.

The relevance of OSHA to Georgia's workers' compensation laws is minimal, at best. However, the results of an OSHA investigation could become relevant in a controverted case if an employer disputes an injured workers' claim for benefits. Workers' compensation law in Georgia does not contain any additional penalties against employers based on OSHA investigations. Likewise, there are no additional benefits for employees based on OSHA violations. However, OSHA investigations and violations could become highly relevant in personal injury cases brought by an injured employee after suffering a job injury. When a worker is injured because of faulty machinery, a factory accident, or a construction accident, the results of an OSHA investigation may become a rich source of evidence.

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Safety News For Georgians

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Today, Ford Motor Co. announced it was recalling millions of Ford cars, trucks, and vans in Georgia and across the United States due to concerns involving the vehicles' cruise control system. Ford announced there has not been a single death, injury, or car accident reported to date.

The problems reported to Ford involve the cruise control deactivation switch malfunctioning. The safety recall covers more than 12 models manufactured between 1992 and 2007. For more information, owners can call Ford at (888) 222-2751. Ford announced that notices will be going out to owners beginning on August 13, 2007.

Posted by Jack E. Clay | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Safety News For Georgians

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