Killed In Car Accident

Five Greenbrier H.S. girls hospitalized after golf cart accident | Augusta Injury Attorney

marklink — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:50:44 +0000

Injury Report

From: News 12 at 11 o’clock — Wednesday, March 3, 2011

EVANS, GA. — Five Greenbrier High School girls are recovering after a golf cart accident sends them to the hospital. “You scared me don’t do it again,” a friend told ailing Leesa Guarnotta Wednesday. Guarnotta laid bruised and battered on her couch all day Wednesday. She was one of five soccer teammates who crashed when a golf cart lost control coming down a hill on Newland Circle. It threw three of the girls including Leesa off the back of the cart.

Reports say all five ended up at the hospital. The most serious injuries parents say are a broken pelvis and a fractured skull. “The one that’s still in ICU…I’m extremely worried for her,” Leesa said while lying with a neck brace on her couch. “I really would love to have a camera on her so I could see what’s going on with her like 24/7.” Leesa suffered a broken thumb and lies in pain, but doctors originally thought she had a broken neck, which terrified her mother Sharon.

Golf cart accidents are no laughing matter. Last year we reported on a woman injured in a golf cart accident that died. If they are driving on a public road they are considered a “motor vehicle” and as such, must obey the same laws that apply to every other motorist on the roads of Georgia. Golf carts can be dangerous because of the false sense of security. Perhaps lulled into complacency by the association with the leisure sport golf. Case in point

Serious injuries to 2 boys driving cart at golf club leave some town leaders wary of proposal to allow carts on town roads. Read more on this golf cart accident.

Wichita girl, 13, dies from injuries in golf cart accident. Read more on this fatal golf cart accident.

Even other injury attorneys have commented on the seriousness of golf cart related accidents. The Babiarz lawfirm discussed the importance of gold cart liability insurance to protect occupants under such circumstances.

The News 12 story went on to report:

When the speed limit is less than 35 mph the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says it is legal to drive a golf cart on the road. To do that though, you have to have a drivers license or a learners permit with someone 21 or older in the cart. In this case, they say that didn’t happen which could mean charges for the 15-year-old driver. “I don’t think these girls were taking chances or doing anything wrong,” Sharon said. “They were just going for a little golf cart ride before the game.”

Charges have yet to be determined by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The 15-year-old driver could be faceing driving without a license charges.

Those charges will strongly affect the liability associated with this accident.

As injuries were sustained in this accident, it would be prudent for all injured parties to review their legal rights. Injuries affecting adolescent children can have long term repercussions and understanding those legal rights can help minimize long term effects.

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Troup woman killed on I-85 | Lawrenceville Injury Attorney | Auto Fatality

marklink — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 18:32:03 +0000

Lawrenceville Injury Attorney

Times-Herald: The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a fatal wreck that happened in Coweta County Monday evening on Interstate 85 northbound at mile marker 37. Four people were in the at-fault vehicle, and one person died as the result of her injuries. The deceased has been identified as 27-year-old Amanda Johnson of Troup County, according to Coweta County Deputy Coroner Bart Henson. Johnson, an adult male and Johnson’s two children were traveling on the interstate in a white Jeep Liberty around 7 p.m., according to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Derek Jackson of the GSP post in Newnan. Jackson said that exactly who was driving the vehicle remains under investigation. Witnesses say they saw the Liberty traveling “recklessly and at a high rate of speed” leading up to the three-vehicle crash, according to Jackson. The Liberty rear-ended a Volkswagen Jetta that had a single occupant. The driver of the Liberty lost control and struck a second vehicle, a Kia sedan, causing both the Liberty and the Kia to travel onto the east shoulder of the interstate. The Liberty continued and struck a tree head-on, according to Jackson. Authorities arrived at the scene to find Johnson lying at the rear of the Liberty. She was later pronounced dead as the result of internal injuries suffered in the crash, according to Henson. Her body was taken for autopsy. The Kia contained a female driver and three small children. All of them were transported to Piedmont Newnan Hospital for evaluation. None had serious injuries, Henson said. The driver of the Jetta also did not appear to be injured seriously. The adult male and two children in the Liberty were all transported to area hospitals. One of the children was flown by helicopter ambulance to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. The remaining two were taken by ground to Grady Memorial Hospital. They were all last listed in stable condition, according to authorities. The GSP’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT) is investigating the cause of Monday’s crash, and charges are pending.

Additional Atlanta Injury Lawyer resources:
Choosing your Atlanta auto accident Injury lawyer: Your Quick Guide
Driving to distraction: How far would you go?
Hit and Run Accidents
Teens identity mix up misleads families regarding who died
10 Worst Georgia Vehicle Accidents
Brain Injuries Verdict
3 deadly U.S. truck accidents
Crashes Involving 20 Cars Close Highway
Fatal crash on I-75 in Tift County
2 dead, dozens hurt in school bus crash in Mo.
2 seriously injured in Marietta wreck

Decalb Police Officer in Fatal Wreck | Dekalb Injury Attorney

marklink — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:22:02 +0000

DECATUR, Ga. (AP) – An on-duty DeKalb County police officer collided with another vehicle while driving her patrol car in a wreck that officials say left two people dead. DeKalb County Public Safety Director William Miller told WGCL-TV that the wreck took place Saturday night at a busy intersection in Avondale Estates. He said the officer was taken to a hospital for observation but was all right. He said the two passengers in the other car “sustained injuries that resulted in their death.” Miller said authorities are investigating the cause of the wreck. The medical examiner has not yet released the names of the two victims.

Information from: WGCL-TV, http://www.cbsatlanta.com/index.html

Additional News Sources:

DeKalb County Officer in Fatal Wreck

Dekalb County Officer in Fatal Wreck

DeKalb Officer Involved in Double Fatal Car Accident

Child struck by bus improving by the hour | Birmingham Injury Lawyers

marklink — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:02:57 +0000

(WSFA) – A child critically injured after being hit by a school bus in Macon County was transferred to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham Friday. The 5-year-old D.C. Wolfe Elementary School kindergartner is surrounded by family members and, according to Macon Co. Superintendent Dr. Jacqueline Brooks, his condition is improving. “He’s getting optimal care, and the situation is looking more positive each hour that we speak with his mother,” Brooks said. Brooks added that it looks like the child will make a full recovery. The accident happened as the boy was exiting the bus around 3:30pm Thursday on Macon Co. Rd. 13 – a stretch of road approximately half way between Tuskegee and Shorter. Investigators took the bus driver, also unidentified, to Montgomery for questioning and a drug test. No drugs were found in the driver’s system. The driver is said to be a six year veteran within the school system and has a clean record. She is currently on administrative leave, with pay, pending the results of the investigation. A councilor at D.C. Wolfe Elementary is busy answering questions from the boy’s classmates.

PREVIOUS BUS ISSUES
Macon County Schools were under a state investigation in 2010 that found more than half the system’s buses had mechanical problems. The system met the state’s deadline in October 2010 to bring the buses up to standards. Brooks said the buses were fixed and she doubts there’s any connection between that and this incident. “This was an unfortunate accident, but we want people to know our buses are safe and the transportation program is in good shape. The accident is unfortunate but it does not inhibit progress made in any matter,” Brooks said.

What were the worst motorcycle accidents in Georgia for January 2011? | Atlanta Injury Attorney

marklink — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:50:39 +0000

Atlanta injury attorney’s Mark Link and Houston Smith Motorcycle accident reports

Motorcycle accident reports, in the news for Georgia, from December 31, 2010- February 1, 2011

Lizella man dies after motorcycle accident Sunday night

Bibb County motorcycle accident: On Tuesday February 1, 2011 39-year-old Thomas Christopher Carmichael of Lizella, GA died after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle accident. The Bibb County Sheriff’s office initially reported the Sunday evening accident. Mr. Carmichael was headed west on Hartley Bridge Road. It was reported he abruptly stopped his motorcycle. The 1981 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was hit from behind by a 1993 Honda Accord driven by a 16-year-old whose name was not released. The accident took place near the intersection of Fulton Mill Road.

Victim identified after fatal motorcycle accident in Buford

Buford’s Walter Hedges died after collision with pickup truck:

Authorities named the man killed in a South Hall County accident Friday as Walter Hedges, 62, of Buford. The accident happened around 2:40 p.m. December 31, 2011 and was reported on January 1, 2011. The accident happened on McEver Road. Hedges’ motorcycle struck a pickup truck, head-on. The pickup truck was driven by Matthew Millwood, 22, of Flowery Branch. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the details surrounding the cause of this tragic accident.

Woman injured in motorcycle accident dies from injuries

According to WTOC Savannah 11 news: A Savannah women was involved in a motorcycle accident on January 13, 2011. The women died due to her injuries as reported by the Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Major Accident Investigations team, who said

30-year-old Jaymie Allison died at Memorial University Medical Center on Saturday, Jan. 15. Allison and 37-year-old Todd Long were riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles on East Gateway Boulevard when Allison lost control of her motorcycle and slid across the roadway just after midnight.

Allison was struck from behind and was unable to maintain control of her Harley Davidson motorcycle. Mr. Long lost control of his motorcycle, wrecked and was also taken to the hospital, treated and released. They were both taken to Memorial University Medical Center. Allison was listed in critical condition, but later succumbed to her injuries. Long was hospitalized and released on Jan. 16. Both were charged with DUI the night of the accident. Savannah-Chatam Metro Police Department are continuing to investigate this accident.

Motorcyclist dies in Warner Robins accident

On January 31,2011, a Byron man died after crashing his motorcycle on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parkway in Warner Robins. Identified as Jeffery Dwayne Melton, 46; he was headed south near Watson Boulevard when he lost control of his motorcycle. Melton was thrown from the bike and died at the scene shortly before 7 p.m. His passenger, 38-year-old Ellen Geneva Melton, was injured after she was thrown from the bike. The extent of her injuries have not been reported by police. The motorcycle drove off the road and into a ditch. This report is according to a news release from the Warner Robins Police Department. Anyone with information in the crash is urged to call Officer Tim Pippio at 293-1038.

Additional stories:

4 Motorcyclists Killed in Collision In Sumter County

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Update

Forsyth County man dies in motorcycle accident

Georgia Motorcycle Lawyers: 1 Dead, 1 Injured In Motorcycle Wreck

New Treatment for Spinal cord Injuries | Atlanta Injury Attorney

marklink — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:47:29 +0000

The cancer treatment drug paclitaxel has shown promise in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

As Atlanta injury attorneys we see the tragedy and life changing events surrounding severe accidents. Common causes for spinal cord injuries include motor vehicle accidents, trucking accidents, work related accidents, or even texting related accidents.

Researchers are investigating new uses for paclitaxel, also know as Taxol. The drug is currently used to treat patients suffering with cancer. New testing for this drug was performed using lab rats. Researchers indicated the drug is a far way off from being tested on humans, but it does hold some promise because the drug is already approved for use with people in cancer treatment.

By treating an injury with taxol, “you basically manipulate the two major impediments to axon regeneration,” Bradke said. The researchers used a low concentration of Taxol to treat rats with spinal cord injuries. At low concentrations, the drug does not kill cells or reduce their ability to divide, Bradke said…

The study was published in the Science Express on January 27, 2011, the advance online publication of the journal Science. We will continue to follow this story and share any additional news offered.

If an accident involves injury to the spinal cord or brain, certain medical as well as legal considerations should be made. During the time of our law practice, we represented a client who was severely injured after being struck by a tractor-trailer and we were able to help the client acquire an $11 million verdict. People often ask us:

How does the legal system value a personal injury claim?

When a person sustains permanent disability related to an accident, the degree and severity of the injuries are often one of the determining factors of settlement compensation. Life after spinal cord injuries can be a strain on not only the victim, but the family of the victim as well. People do not often know where to turn for help.We found the following organization that offers help to people with debilitating spinal cord injuries.

Spinal Cord Central – Support Website and organization to help people recover from spinal cord injuries:

If you or someone you know is involved in an accident or if you have any further questions about how a spinal cord injury can affect your case, please contact our office today.

Additional Resources:

When should I hire a personal injury attorney?

UPDATE: Car Flies Off I-75, Slams Into Car At Nursing Home

marklink — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:06:27 +0000

Via WTVC NewsChannel 9: Chattanooga News UPDATE: Car Flies Off I-75, Slams Into Car At Nursing Home.

A car flies off Interstate 75 and lands on a convertible with a woman inside, police say. The accident happened Thursday afternoon at a nursing home, the Health Center at Standifer Place on Walker Road. Chattanooga police say 33-year-old William Brown, II was driving a car hauler down I-75 north when he somehow lost control of the truck and came flying through the nursing home parking lot. The truck hit a utility pole, three other cars, and landed on a mustang with 45-year-old Gerry Revels inside. Nursing home employees tell us Revels is a nurse there. Lifeforce was at the scene, but police say both Brown and Revels were taken by ambulance to Erlanger. They are both in critical condition. Police don’t know why Brown lost control of his truck, and say charges are pending the results of a blood test.

The Atlanta injury lawyers at Link & Smith, P.C. extend their sympathy to anybody involved or affected by this wreck. Claims involving wrecks like this need to be handled by experienced Georgia accident attorneys familiar with complicated insurance issues and Georgia personal injury law that often arise in such a case.

Traffic Accident Results in Fatality

marklink — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:49:04 +0000

Via WJCL Local News Traffic Accident Results in Fatality.

A cab driver dies after colliding with an SUV. The accident happened at the intersection of East Broad and Seiler when a taxi and an SUV collided. Three people suffered serious injuries in that accident. We now know that the driver of the cab, John Maynor, died of those injuries. Metro police are continuing to investigate this accident, but right now, they’ve determined that the cab failed to stop when it was struck by the SUV.

Cobb County woman dies in wreck

marklink — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:46:26 +0000

Via Metro news Cobb County woman dies in wreck.

Cobb County authorities think a medical issue led to a 77-year-old woman to lose control of her car and strike another vehicle while driving down Powder Springs Road Thursday afternoon. Doris Kearse of Marietta was taken to WellStar Cobb Hospital where she died as a result of the wreck, Cobb County police said. According to investigators, Kearse was driving her gray 2008 Kia Rio northbound on Powder Springs Road around 1:45 p.m. when she crossed the double yellow line and hit a green 2006 Isuzu truck. The driver of the Isuzu, 29-year-old James Barrett of Cumming, was not injured, police said. The passenger in the vehicle, 26-year-old Zachary Deason of Bethlehem, was taken to WellStar Cobb with minor injuries, police said. Investigators do not expect to file charges against Barrett. The Cobb County Medical Examiners Office will conduct on autopsy on Kearse. Investigators say they believe she suffered some sort of a medical issue before the accident.

Berrien County Accident

marklink — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:42:57 +0000

Via WCTV – HomePage – Headlines Berrien County Accident.

Georgia State Patrol responded to an accident at the intersection of Highways 135 and 168 in east Berrien County around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Georgia State Patrol. William Heath, 59, who was traveling west on Highway 168, ran a stop sign and struck a vehicle headed south on Highway 135, said Berrien County Sheriff Anthony Heath. Heath was rushed to South Georgia Medical Center, where he died this morning, said Sheriff Heath. The other driver suffered minor injuries. The two Heaths are not related.