Georgia Legal Report

A motor vehicle occurring last Saturday evening on Hamilton Mill Parkway, near the intersection with Town Manor Court, in Gwinnett County has claimed the life of a Dacula teenager, and caused critical injury to another Dacula teenager. According to news reports, "18-year-old [Jason Polo of] Dacula..was speeding when his [1992 Honda Civic] left Hamilton Mill Parkway and hit a tree on the raised median Saturday evening, killing [18-year-old Emmanuel Marrero] and critically injuring [18-year-old Carlos Bonilla]." Mr. Polo has been "charged with vehicular homicide, serious injury by motor vehicle and reckless driving." Mr. Bonilla remains in critical condition at Gwinnett Medical Center.

Our law firm has been retained in many car accident cases such as this one to protect the interests of the injured parties. Given Mr. Polo's apparent criminal fault in causing this incident, he may also be held liable in a civil action for the wrongful death of Mr. Marrero and the injuries sustained by Mr. Bonilla. Mr. Marrero's family and Mr. Bonilla may be entitled to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. Any recovery, however, may ultimately depend upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Polo. Because this coverage may be limited, and because of the fact intensive nature of this incident, it is critical that Mr. Bonilla, and the family of Mr. Marrero, act quickly to ensure that insurance coverage is not exhausted. Lawyers for victims will want to conduct an independent investigation into the cause of the accident, and this would need to be done before the scene is altered in any way.

Our personal injury and wrongful death law firm has recovered millions of dollars in Georgia for injured victims and families who have lost a loved one in car accidents such as this one. As such, we know firsthand how difficult and traumatic this experience may be for Mr. Bonilla and the family of Mr. Marrero. We extend our condolences, and offer our legal assistance if needed.

A jury has awarded the parents of a 16-year old girl killed in a one-car motor vehicle accident $6,000,000.00 for the loss of their child. The accident occurred in November 2003 when the driver of the vehicle, a 16-year-old boy, lost control of the car after reaching speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. After leaving the roadway, the vehicle crashed into a tree causing fatal injuries to the girl who was travelling as a front seat passenger. The Florida jury returned the wrongful death verdict following a one-day trial.

Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars for individuals who have been seriously injured, or families who have lost a loved one, in a motor vehicle accident such as this one. We represent Clients throughout the State of Georgia, and offer no charge on-site consultations and case evalautions anywhere in the state.

A June 24, 2010 accident on Lanier Valley Drive in Gainesville, Georgia has left 4 people injured. The following was reported on gainesvilletimes.com:

Four people were injured Thursday when their southbound vehicle went off Lanier Valley Drive, struck a tree and overturned down an embankment, Gainesville Police reported.

Police said when they arrived at the accident scene, the vehicle was resting on its top down the embankment.

If the driver of the vehicle is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the passengers may elect to pursue a personal injury claim for the injuries that they have suffered. While these claims could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, any recovery is likely dependent upon the insurance coverage held by the driver of the vehicle. Because there are multiple injured parties, the insurance coverage will be limited. Thus, it is critical that the injured passengers quickly retain a law firm to protect their individual interests.

Our law firm has represented many victims and their families in these types of auto accidents. We have recovered millions of dollars for injured victims throughout Georgia and, given our experience, we realize the importance of having an attorney immediately involved in such a matter. When our firm is retained to represent victims injured in accidents such as this one, we immediately seek to preserve any evidence related to the incident and we place all insurance carriers on immediate notice of the claim. These quick actions on the part of our firm serve to ensure that our Clients claims are not jeopardized.

We extend our best wishes to the victims of this accident, and we offer our legal support if needed.

Our law firm was saddened learn of a motor vehicle accident occurring last Thursday night which has claimed the lives of three Gwinnett County residents. According to news reports and police statements, Terry Hammock, 36, William Lewis, 27, and Chad Litton, 31, were killed when a 2007 Chevrolet pick-up driven by Mr. Hammock veered off of a roadway and struck a fence and guardrail before coming to rest in a nearby embankment. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on Doc Hughes Road near its intersetion with Beyers Landing Drive when it left the street for unknown reasons. The accident remains under investigation.

If Mr. Hammock is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the families of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Litton may elect to pursue a civil action for the wrongful deaths of their family member. The victims and their families could potentially recover a substantial sum, but the ultimate recovery is dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Hammock. Because this insurance coverage may be limited, it is critical that the families of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Litton act quickly to ensure that such coverage is not exhausted.

Our firm has, unfortunately, represented many victims and their families in these types of accidents. We have, too often, seen victims of victims of car accidents such as these go uncompensated simply for a failure to not quickly pursue a civil action against the at fault driver. We hope that the victims and families in this matter do not face similar circumstances. We extend our sympathies to the families of Mr. Hammock, Mr. Lewis, and Litton, and we offer our legal support if needed.

Our law firm was saddened learn of a motor vehicle accident occurring last Thursday night which has claimed the lives of three Gwinnett County residents. According to news reports and police statements, Terry Hammock, 36, William Lewis, 27, and Chad Litton, 31, were killed when a 2007 Chevrolet pick-up driven by Mr. Hammock veered off of a roadway and struck a fence and guardrail before coming to rest in a nearby embankment. The vehicle was traveling eastbound on Doc Hughes Road near its intersetion with Beyers Landing Drive when it left the street for unknown reasons. Although the accident remains under investigation, according to news reports, "it appears speed and alcohol contributed to the deaths."

If Mr. Hammock is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the families of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Litton may elect to pursue a civil action for the wrongful deaths of their family member. The victims and their families could potentially recover a substantial sum, but the ultimate recovery is dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Hammock. Because this insurance coverage may be limited, it is critical that the families of Mr. Lewis and Mr. Litton act quickly to ensure that such coverage is not exhausted.

Our firm has, unfortunately, represented many victims and their families in these types of accidents. We have, too often, seen victims of victims of car accidents such as these go uncompensated simply for a failure to not quickly pursue a civil action against the at fault driver. We hope that the victims and families in this matter do not face similar circumstances. We extend our sympathies to the families of Mr. Hammock, Mr. Lewis, and Litton, and we offer our legal support if needed.

Our law firm has learned of a tragic accident occurring on Peachtree Road this past Saturday which has claimed the life of an innocent motorcyclist. According to reports, Lynn Martin, 55, was operating her motor scooter on northbound Peachtree Road when she attempted to make a turn into her residence. Per police statements, Karen Voynich, 24, was operating a Toyota 4Runner and failed to stop for Ms. Martin, striking her from behind. Ms. Martin died of injuries sustained in the crash, and, according to police statements, Ms. Voynich has been charged with second-degree homicide and following too closely,

In addition to the criminal charges that will be pursued against Ms. Voynich, Ms. Martin's family may seek to pursue a civil lawsuit against Ms. Voynich for the wrongful death of their family member. Given our firm's experience in these types of cases, we understand that the pursuit of a civil claim against the at-fault driver is certainly of little priority at this difficult time. It is important, however, that a competent law firm be retained quickly to ensure that any evidence relating to the incident remains preserved and that the family's interests are protected. We have too often seen evidence critical to a civil claim destroyed by adverse parties who take advantage of a grieving family, and we hope that such a circumstance does not occur in this matter.

We extend our sympathies to the family of Ms. Martin, and offer our legal experience if needed.

The State of Georgia has enacted a new law which aims at increasing highway safety by criminalizing the use of cell phones, under certain circumstances, while driving. The following was taken from an Atlanta Journal Contisution article:

On July 1, texting while driving will be illegal for all Georgia drivers, and young drivers with provisional licenses will be banned from any cellphone use behind the wheel. A violation can cost the driver $150.

Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon), who fought for the legislation, said lawmakers had heard objections like Perdue's in committee meetings, but they were "legitimate" concerns and "we look forward to working on it."

Our law firm is saddened to report yet another tragic accident occurring on Georgia's roadways. According to reports, Thomas Haugh, 53, of Suwanee lost his life in an accident occurring on Suwanee Dam Road near North Gwinnett High School on Thursday morning, June 3, 2010. According to police statements, Mr. Haugh was riding a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on Suwanee Dam Road when the operator of a southbound 2009 Honda Civic entered his path in an effort to turn into the high school. The Gwinnett police suggest that an initial investigation has determined that the operator of the Honda driver was at-fault, but criminal charges are pending until a more thorough investigation is completed.

If the operator of the Honda Civic is found to be criminally at fault in causing this incident, the driver may also be held liable in a civil action for the wrongful death of Mr. Haugh. Mr. Haugh's family is entitled to damages for their loss, and any recovery may ultimately depend upon the insurance coverage held by operator of the Honda Civic. Based upon our firm's experience in these types of cases, we understand that it is critical that the lawyers for Mr. Haugh's family immediately conduct an independent investigation and ensure that any and all evidence, including the vehicles involved, is preserved.

Our personal injury and wrongful death law firm represents families who have lost a loved one at the fault of another. As such, we know firsthand how difficult and traumatic this experience may be for Mr. Haugh's family. We extend our condolences to Mr. Haugh's family and offer our legal assistance if needed.

A helicopter rotor blade manufacturer has agreed to a $5.6 million settlement with the family of a flight nurse who was killed in a helicopter crash in August 2008 near Indianapolis. Sandra Pearson and two others were killed in the crash that was caused by a flawed main rotor blade had broken apart just after take-off, the lawsuit claimed. The settlement money will go into trust accounts for Pearson's young children until they turn 18. Indianapolis Star, 5/27/2010

Read Article: Indianapolis Star

CovNews.com is reporting the occurrence of a fatal accident on Wednesday June 2, 2010 on Conley Ditch Road in Covington, Newton County, Georgia. According to the report, Endri Lipo, 17, was "killed instantly [in the car accident] when his [blue compact car] and a truck hit head-on. The passenger in the car was air-lifted to an area hospital where he remains with non life-threatening injuries. The driver of the truck was treated and released from the scene."

The Georgia State Patrol is currently investigating this car accident, and charges have yet to be filed. Depending on who is deemed at fault in causing the accident, the injured parties, including the family of Mr. Lipo, may have a civil claim for damages sustained in the incident. Our personal injury and wrongful law firm has represented many clients in accidents such as this, and it is important that a competent law firm be timely retained so that all evidence critical to any civil claim may be preserved.

We extend our sympathies to victims of this tragic accident, and offer our legal support if needed.

An Atlanta area Plaintiff has been awarded $7.25 million for a personal injury sustained in a car accident several years ago. The motor vehicle accident occurred when the at fault Defendant left his lane and entered the path of the Plaintiff's vehicle causing a head on collision. The Plaintiff was left paralyzed from the waist down. A sobriety test performed by police at the scene of the accident revealed that the 23 year old at fault driver had a blood alcohol content of .303%.

In circumstances where an individual causes a car or truck accident while under the influence of alcohol, attorneys and lawyers in Georgia may seek an award of punitive damages. Punitive damages may be awarded where a jury finds that the conduct of the defendant was so egregious that it amounted to a reckless disregard for the safety of others. The concept behind an award of punitive damages in a motor vehicle collision is that the defendant should be punished as his or her conduct amounts to more than mere negligence. The conduct almost borders on an intentional act as the defendant entered his or her vehicle with knowledge that he or she would be unable to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.

In Georgia, a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher validates a criminal charge of driving while under the influence. Under Georgia law, however, there is also an inference of driving under the influence where a driver is measured with a blood alcohol content between .05 and .08. This inference creates a presumption that the driver may have been impaired by alcohol, and attorneys for the driver are forced to rebut this inference in order to prevent a conviction.

A one vehicle car accident occurring on South McDonough Road in Griffin, Georgia on Monday, May 31, 2010 has left 3 people injured according to reports reviewed by our personal injury law firm. According to news reports and Georgia State Patrol statements, Wesley Bell, 18, of Griffin was driving a Chevrolet Corsica when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a bridge just north of 1401 South McDonough Road. The Georgia State Patrol suggests that its investigation has revealed that Mr. Bell had leaned over to talk to his front-seat passenger, a 16 year old female whose name has yet to be released, and took his eyes off the road. The front seat passenger was apparently airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital with injuries including a broken leg and a broken arm. Mr. Bell and a rear seat passenger, Torrey Pope, were reportedly transported to Spalding Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released. The Georgia State Patrol has indicated that Mr. Bell would be charged with failure to maintain lane.

Given Mr. Bell's apparent fault in causing this car accident, he may be held civilly liable for the injuries that he caused to his passengers. The passengers may elect to pursue a claim against Mr. Bell and his insurance carrier for the medical expenses that they have incurred, as well as the pain and suffering that they have experienced. It is important that the passengers consult an experienced law firm as soon as possible so that lawyers may seek to preserve the evidence relating to this accident. Our law firm has represented hundreds upon hundreds of Clients who have been seriously injured in car accidents such as this one, and we have too often seen the value of a case sacrificed for failure of the injured victim to timely secure legal representation. We hope that the victims of this accident do not experience a similar circumstance, and elect to undertake immediate representation.

We wish a speedy recovery to the victims of this accident, and we offer our legal support if needed.

A two car accident on June 2, 2010 on I-85 northbound near the I-285 interchange has resulted in multiple injuries. Emergency response units were called to the scene, but the extent of the injuries to the occupants of the vehicles is unknown at this time. There was no immediate indication as to who was at fault in causing the accident, or the number of injured victims.

Our personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims who have been injured in car accidents such as this one. We wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured, and offer our legal support if needed.

As a Georgia Motorcycle accident law firm, we are always searching for information to provide to the public which increases safety awareness for motorcyclists. Lindsay Jackson of News Channel 9 in Chattanooga posted the following article on the station's website recently:

More than 5,000 people have died in the last ten years victims of motorcycle accidents. In the last week, two separate accidents have cost two area bikers their lives. Last weekend Kim Loveday, 44, of Cleveland was killed when she was sideswiped by an SUV. Charges are pending in this case. Also last week, Jerry Thornton, 48, was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Dilbeck has been riding motorcycles since the mid-70's, he and his wife even drove it to Alaska. But, he's never had a wreck. It's proof, he says, that being careful and aware really can keep you safe.

The Murray Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of accidents throughout Georgia. If you or a loved one has been injured at the fault of another, contact our firm for a free case evaluation.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is reporting that over the Memorial Day Weekend, four people were killed in car accidents and more than 600 others were injured. While there were a total of 2,547 crashes with 637 injuries, the four fatalities is a record low. In 2009, over 1,000 injuries were reported over Memorial Day weekend, and 16 fatalities occurred. While one lost life is too many, our law firm is glad that the roadways proved to be safer this holiday weekend.