Georgia Legal Report

Our law firm was saddened learn of a one-car accident occurring Sunday, February 20, 2011, which has claimed the life of 24-year-old Courtney Shipp. According to news reports, Joshua Allen Garrison, 25, of Villa Rica was driving on Berea Road in Douglas County when he "drove off the road, over corrected, crossed the center line and hit a tree". Mr. Garrison was transported to Atlanta Medical Center where he was listed in serious condition. Charges are pending upon Mr. Garrison's recovery per Georgia State Patrol.

If Mr. Garrison is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the family of Ms. Shipp may elect to pursue a civil action for the wrongful death of their loves one. Ms. Shipp's family could potentially recover a substantial sum, but the ultimate recovery is dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Garrison. Because this insurance coverage may be limited, it is critical that Ms. Shopp's 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 family in this matter does not face similar circumstances. We extend our sympathy to Ms. Shipp's family and we offer our legal support if needed.

A 6-month-old infant was critically injured during a February 12, 2011 accident on Interstate 75 south, near the Windy Hill Exit in Cobb County, Georgia. News reports indicate that Donald Morgan, 25, Candice Morgan, 24, and their 6-month old baby were at a full stop due to construction and lane closures when a tractor trailer driven by Henry Lipps of Indiana struck their vehicle from behind. The tractor trailer also struck two other vehicles. Some of the victims had to be extricated from their vehicles, according to Joseph Hernandez of the Cobb County Police. Mr. and Ms. Morgan were transported to Atlanta Medical Center, while their 6-month-old infant was taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite with critical injuries. The passengers of the other vehicles, including Ramon Mcelrathbey, 24, and Cornelius Mcelrathbey, 21, were transported to Grady Hospital. While the police investigation remains open, Cobb County Police have suggested that Mr. Lipps may be charged upon completion of the investigation.

These tractor trailer accidents occur all too often on Georgia's highways, and it is important to hold negligent truck drivers accountable in order to both compensate injured victims for their trauma and to protect our roadways against similar incidents in the future. Our law firm has represented the injured victims of many tractor trailer accidents such as this one, and we have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients in the process. Based upon our initial review of this case, given Mr. Lipps' apparent fault in causing this car accident, he may be held civilly liable for the injuries that he caused to the Mr. and Mrs. Morgan and their child, as well as Ramon and Cornelius Mcelrathbey. Any other victims of this incident are also eligible to recover for the injuries, pain, and suffering that they have incurred. These victims may elect to pursue a civil claim against Mr. Lipps, his employer, and his insurance carrier for the damages that they have suffered, but any recovery to which they are entitled may be limited by the insurance coverage available. Given this circumstance, and because of the multiple parties involved, it is important for the injured victims to immediately pursue their civil claims to ensure that this insurance coverage is not exhausted. It is also important that any evidence related to the accident, such as the damaged vehicles, be immediately inspected so as to ensure that it is preserved for later use. All too frequently evidence is destroyed by failure of the parties to seek immediate representation, and this, ultimately, can effect the value of these types of cases. Given this common scenario, when representing injured victims in these types of cases, our law firm will immediately notify the driver, his employer, and his insurance company of our representation and demand that any and all evidence be preserved until we have the opportunity to conduct an examination.

As we frequently represent victims of these tragic motor vehicle accidents, our law firm understands the physical and emotional trauma that is presently being experienced by the victims of this accident. We extend our best wishes to them and their families, and we offer our legal support and services if desired.

A three-car collision on Hammond Drive outside Perimeter Mall on February 7, 2011 has resulted in multiple injuries. News reports indicate that Hari Prasad Lamichhane, 44, failed to obey a stop sign as he was exiting Perimeter Mall in his red Scion XD. Mr. Lamichhane was attempting to make a left turn when he negligently got in front of a Blue Chevrolet Aveo that hit the passenger side of his vehicle, pushing it to the median where it "rolled over a knee high berm and overturned". The driver of the Aveo also hit a third vehicle that was traveling on her right side. She was transported to Northside Hospital for medical treatment. Mr. Lamichhane has been cited for failure to yield.

Given Mr. Lamichhane's apparent fault in causing this car accident, he may be held civilly liable for the injuries that he caused to the drivers or passengers involved in the collision. The victims may elect to pursue a claim against Mr. Lamichhane and his insurance carrier for the medical expenses that they have incurred, as well as the pain and suffering that they have experienced.

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

A car accident occurring on Saturday, February 5, 2011 has left 4 people injured according to reports reviewed by our personal injury law firm. Lavella Mayfield was driving her minivan west on Campbellton road when she negligently crossed the median and hit a vehicle that was traveling in the opposite direction head-on. Atlanta fire rescue had to extract the victims from the wreckage using the "jaws of life" said Kimberly Maggart, spokesman for the Atlanta Police. Atlanta Police has indicated that Ms. Mayfield would be charged with DUI.

Our Law Firm has represented many victims of car accidents such as this one to protect the interests of the injured parties. Given Ms. Mayfield's apparent fault in causing this car accident, she may be held civilly liable for the harm that she caused to the injured parties. The victims may elect to pursue a claim against Ms. Mayfield and her insurance carrier for the medical expenses that they have incurred, as well as the pain and suffering that they have experienced. While these claims could be worth hundreds thousands of dollars, any recovery is likely dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Ms. Mayfield. Because there are multiple injured parties, the insurance coverage will be limited. It is important that the victims consult an experienced law firm as soon as possible so that lawyers may seek to protect their individual interests.

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.

Our law firm was saddened to learn of a motor vehicle accident occurring Wednesday afternoon which has claimed the life of a former organist of Lloyd Presbyterian Church in LaGrange. According to La Grange Daily News and police statements, Linda Scantlin, 56, and her husband, Mike Scantlin, 61, were traveling on GA 18 attempting enter Interstate 85 in West Point when their vehicle was impacted by a 1992 Buick Roadmaster driven by Ryan Marshall, 28, of Roanoke, Alabama. Their vehicle was hit on the passenger side, crushing Ms. Scantlin. Ms. Scantilin suffered massive trauma as a consequence of this impact, and she was rushed by ambulance to George H. Lanier Memorial hospital. Unfortunately, attempts to save her life were unsuccessful.

If Mr. Marshall is found to have been at fault in causing this accident, the family of Ms. Scantlin may elect to pursue a civil action for the wrongful death of their family member. The family could potentially recover a substantial sum, but the ultimate recovery may dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Marshal. Because this insurance coverage may be limited, it is critical that Ms. Scantlin's family act quickly to ensure that such coverage is not exhausted. It is also important that an indepenent accident reconstructionist visit the scene before any evidence is altered or destroyed.

Our firm has, unfortunately, represented many 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 extend our sympathies to the Ms. Scantlin's family for the loss of their loved one and we offer our legal support if needed.

Our law firm has been notified of a fatal motorcycle accident occurring this past Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Covington, Georgia. News reports indicate that, 65-year-old James "Jim" Burton Eenhuis was struck while riding his Honda motorcycle westbound on GA Highway 81. According to these reports, a 2002 Hyundai Accent driven by Sophia Rene Cook was attempting to make a left hand turn from Carroll Street when the vehicle entered into Mr. Eenhuis' path. Mr. Eenhuis was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center where attempts to save his life were, unfortunately, unsuccessful. Gordy Wright, a Georgia State Patrol spokesman, has suggested that charges against Ms. Cook are pending until the completion of the accident investigation.

Our personal injury and wrongful death law firm has represented and recovered millions upon millions of dollars for victims of automobile and motorcycle accidents such as this one. Given our experience in cases like this, we understand what a traumatic and difficult circumstance this is for Mr. Eenhuis' family. If Ms. Cook is, in fact, determined to be at fault in causing this accident, Mr. Eenhuis' family may be entitled to the recovery of a substantial sum for the loss of their loved one. The retention of an experienced law firm to handle the family's potential case is critical, as it is important to immediately document and preserve any evidence incidental to the accident before the vehicles are destroyed and the scene of the accident is altered.

We extend our condolences to the family of Mr. Eenhuis, and, if needed, we offer our legal support to his family.

Our Atlanta personal injury and workers compensation law firm was saddened to learn that a HERO operator for the Department of Transportation was killed while in the line of duty on Monday, January 31, 2011. News reports suggest that Spencer Pass, 45, of Jonesboro, was killed in the course of assisting a motorist along the I-85 corridor in downtown Atlanta. According to these reports, Mr. Pass had stopped in the emergency lane of the highway to assist a stranded motorist, James T. Davis. As he was rendering aid, a dual-axle Ford F-450 pickup, reportedly driven by Kirk A. Sherwood, collided with his HERO truck and then struck Mr. Pass. The stranded driver was apparently able to jump to safety, but, unfortunately, Mr. Pass was unable to avoid Mr. Sherwood's vehicle. According to reporting authorities, "charges are pending the completion of the investigation." Mr. Pass was reportedly the first HERO operator to be killed in the line of duty since the program began in 1995, and we extend our condolences to his family.

If Mr. Sherwood is, in fact, found to be at fault in causing this tragic accident, the family Mr. Pass may elect to pursue a civil action for the death of their loved one. Mr. Pass' case could be worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, but the ultimate recovery may dependent upon the insurance coverage held by Mr. Sherwood. The HERO operator's family will also be eligible to pursue a workers' compensation claim which could also be worth a substantial sum.

Our law office represents Clients in both personal injury and workers compensation cases, and given the facts of this accident, it is important that Mr. Pass' family retain a similarly structured law firm. His family will want to ensure that the law firm that they retain to assist them has the capacity and expertise to pursue and obtain a recovery in both the personal injury case and the workers' compensation claim. We have recovered millions upon millions of dollars for families who have faced similar circumstances, and we offer our legal support if needed.