10 Common Mistakes Cyclists Make

A boy wearing a bright red shirt and blue helmet riding a bike with a woman and boy blurred in the background, wearing blue and neon green shirts respectively, also riding bikes on a bike path.

Everyone makes mistakes on the road; however, when you make a mistake on your motorcycle or bicycle, the consequences and injuries can be deadly. Whether you’re riding around your neighborhood or going to work in Cobb County, we’ve put together ten common mistakes cyclists make, and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Knowing Georgia Laws

Just like motorists are required to know the law when driving, you need to know what is and isn’t acceptable when cycling in Georgia. While we did a recent blog post on what your rights are as a bicyclist, it would benefit you to brush up on Georgia bicycle laws and Georgia motorcycle laws, as well.

2. Riding When Fatigued

Riding for 60 miles straight without stops or a snack break is a wonderful accomplishment, but it also affects your ability to react on your bike. Riding a bike, unlike riding in a car where you can relax, involves sitting upright and engaging your core for long periods of time. Make sure you take breaks and refuel your body as necessary when you’re out on long rides. The more alert you are, the safer you’ll be.

3. Failing to Yield

If you’re traveling on a public roadway, you’re going to have to yield to pedestrians or cars at some point. Slow down on curves and make sure you come to a complete stop or yield as necessary at stop signs or traffic lights. Be safe and look before merging. Even if the other drivers don’t see you, you can see them and avoid possible collisions.

4. Cycling on Sidewalks

Don’t do it. If you’re on a bicycle, it may seem safer than the road since there are no cars, but it can be more hazardous. You have a small space to maneuver and have to dodge pedestrians, strollers, and cars backing out of driveways. Stay on the roads or in designated bike lanes when possible.

5. Failing to Signal

Cars have to signal (or they should) when turning and that means you do too. Familiarize yourself with hand signals to let motorists know when you are stopping, turning, or braking. If you’re a motorcyclist, this can still help you even if you have blinkers; the blinkers are small, and some motorists may not be paying attention. If you have a hand up, they may spot you easier, keeping you safe from avoidable collisions.

6. Not Wearing Proper Safety Equipment

Staying visible is crucial for cyclists in Kennesaw. Put a white headlight on your bicycle, as well as a red blinking light on the back of your seat for night riding. Ensure your headlights are bright and in working order if you are on a motorcycle. Regardless of your bike, wear a reflective vest at all times for increased visibility. Always make sure to wear a helmet to help prevent traumatic brain injuries and concussions if you fall.

7. Riding More Than Two Abreast

When you are riding with your friends, make sure that you ride no more than two across the roadway. This is the law, and it ensures that drivers can safely pass with at least three feet between you and their vehicles.

8. Wearing Headphones

Listening to your jam may get you across town in a good mood, but it can seriously affect your cognitive functions and reaction times when in traffic and around cars. Ditch the tunes and pay attention to what is around you to ensure you get to your destination without any accidents.

9. Hugging the Curb

While it may seem like staying close to a curb is a good thing, it causes more wrecks than it prevents. Why? The closer you are to a curb, the less room you have to maneuver if a driver pulls out in front of you, stops suddenly, or opens his door without warning.

10. Swerving Through Lanes

Just because you are on a bike and can zip through traffic doesn’t mean you should. Continuously switching lanes increases the probability of an accident because it puts you in a driver’s blind spot more often than not. Only switch lanes when necessary, such as when turning, for your safety.

Contact Us

Stay visible and alert on your bicycle or motorcycle to avoid cycling accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle or motorcycle accident, then please call Joel Williams at 833-LEGALGA to set up your free consultation today.

Protect Your Child at Daycare

A close-up of four youg children, two boys and two girls laying in the grass on there stomachs, proped up on their elbows.

Protect Your Child at Daycare

We hope you never have to deal with your child becoming injured at daycare; however, if you or a loved one suspect something is wrong at a daycare facility, there are measures you can take to protect them. By following these preventative tips and suggestions, you can lessen the chances of your loved one getting injured on the premises (“slip and fall“) or through an intentional or negligent act of a staff member.

Research the Facility and Staff

Any good Georgia Dawg fan knows “the best defense is a good offense.” The same rings true when you pick a daycare for your family. If you can research and vet the facility before paying your down payment, then you’ve already won half the battle in protecting your child against a facility’s negligence.

Ask the facility and research these questions to make sure your child is in the best hands possible:

  • Is the facility licensed and bonded?
  • Does the daycare have insurance?
  • Are the staff members accredited?
  • What is the hiring process like for staff members (child providers, cafeteria, janitorial, transportation)?
  • If your child has special needs, can they accommodate them? Do they have experience working with similarly situated children?
  • What is the staff member-to-child ratio?
  • Has the facility or its staff been sued for negligence or intentional torts?
  • Can they provide referrals or testimonials from other parents?
  • What kind of sanitation protocols are in place?
  • If a child does not show up for daycare, are there procedures in place to notify the parent or guardian?
  • Is the daycare up to code and in compliance with federal and state regulations?
  • Are there security cameras? Where are they? How many are there?
  • If there are cameras, can staff access them throughout the day?

Visit the Facility Unannounced

After you’ve asked these questions and done some online research, it is critical that you step foot in the facility. Nothing is more telling of a facility’s performance than actually taking a visit. That may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many people rely on Internet photos, phone calls, or emails in deciding on daycare. Body language, staff interactions with children, and sanitation issues cannot be assessed over the phone or online.

Show up to the daycare unannounced to see how the staff interacts with the children. If your child is already enrolled, or you have suspicions about the quality of your child’s care, drop in unannounced periodically. If a daycare provider rebukes you, then it is time to find another facility.

Educate Yourself and Your Child

As a parent, it’s critical to educate yourself about current federal laws, sexual abuse warning signs, and appropriate sexual development for a child of your son or daughter’s age. Below are a few things for you to be aware of that could alert you to problems at the daycare:

  • Changes in your child’s toilet habits (excessive bed-wetting or soiling himself)
  • Extreme mood swings or behavioral problems
  • Regression to infant behavior (“clinging”)
  • Fear of attending daycare or of a certain staff member or child
  • Sleep pattern changes (nightmares, avoidance)
  • Mimicking inappropriate sexual acts
  • Physical abuse warning signs (bruising, cuts, limping)

If your child is old enough, make sure he knows a few things that are or are not appropriate at daycare:

  • No one should touch you in a spot your bathing suit covers
  • You do not have to be in a room by yourself with another adult if you feel uncomfortable
  • No one should ask you to keep a secret
  • Hitting of any kind is not allowed
  • If you see something that doesn’t look right, tell an adult
  • Other kids should not do any of these things either

Contact Us

If you or a loved one suspect something is wrong at a daycare facility, then contact the police and the Georgia organization in charge of daycare regulations, Bright from the Start, immediately. Our law office has helped families with sexual abuse, slip and fall, and negligence cases and recovered multi-million dollar settlements. If you need help through that process, or if your child was injured in a Georgia daycare, then please call Joel Williams at 833-LEGALGA for your free consultation.

Recalled IKEA Dressers are a Danger to Children

A small child in a white t-shirt with short dark hair laying face down on a white floor.
There is a hidden danger in many American homes. When pieces of furniture, such as dressers and bookcases, are not built with proper counter-balancing measures or not properly secured, they can tip over unexpectedly. Last June, IKEA recalled 29 million dressers and chests after six children were confirmed to have been killed when the furniture tipped over on top of them. Elliot F. Kay, chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), said, “If you have or think you have one of these products, act immediately . . . It is simply too dangerous to have the recalled furniture in your home unanchored, especially if you have young children.” A link to the official IKEA recall notice can be found here. The danger of falling furniture extends far beyond IKEA products, however. According to the CPSC, there are an estimated 33,000 furniture tip-overs that require emergency medical care, and on average one child dies from such accidents every two weeks in the United States. When furniture makers fail to build safe products, or fail to adequately warn consumers about the need to secure furniture to walls, consumers are entitled to sue for compensation from harm by filing a products liability claim. These cases can often become lengthy legal battles, pitting regular consumers against multi-billion dollar corporations. IKEA is currently facing two such claims.

The IKEA Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Two wrongful death suits were filed in 2016 by the parents of victims of the now-recalled IKEA dressers. The lawsuits allege that IKEA knew the dressers were both top-heavy and front-heavy, and thus prone to tipping over. IKEA has made efforts to educate consumers about the need to anchor these dressers to walls for safety, but the plaintiffs—and many consumer safety groups—feel IKEA did not do enough considering the potential danger. Product liability cases can raise complex issues of law and fact. There are three types of product liability claims:
  1. Manufacturing defect claims;
  2. Design defect claims; and
  3. Failure to warn claims.
Manufacturing defects occur when a product is not made according to the proper design specifications. These are essentially quality-control failures of the manufacturer. Design defects, meanwhile, occur when a product is manufactured according to plan, but is still defective because the design itself is flawed. A failure to warn occurs anytime a manufacturer or supplier is aware that their product presents a foreseeable danger, but fails to warn consumers about that danger. The IKEA lawsuits are claiming that the dressers in question were designed improperly. They are also claiming that even after IKEA knew of the risk of tip-overs, they failed to adequately warn consumers about the danger.

Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter for More Information

At Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, we are dedicated to seeking justice for our clients by providing exceptional representation. Joel Williams has experience representing clients in cases throughout Georgia, including products liability cases. These types of cases are complex, so if you have been injured by a defective product, it is imperative that you have experienced legal representation. If you would like more information about this issue, feel free to contact us as 833-LEGALGA.

Tips for A Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

tips safe happy thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the Leading Day for Home Cooking Fires:

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), home cooking fires peak on major U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving and unattended cooking is the leading factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.

Here are a few tips to avoid burn injuries and fire related deaths this Thanksgiving:

– Make sure all fire alarms are working properly.

– Don’t multitask. Focus on your cooking. Distractions and lack of focus in the kitchen can become disastrous.

– Use a timer when cooking to keep track of your dish.

– Avoid loose clothes – especially long sleeves that can catch fire.

– Avoid food poisoning by properly cooking all foods. Make sure the turkey is cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

– Keep electric cords and sharp knives out of the reach of children.

– If you are planning to fry your turkey, plan ahead and be smart. There are several videos online to guide you in safely frying a delicious turkey. Never put a frozen turkey in the fryer.

Thanksgiving is a Great Time to Make Memories with the Children

During this family time, it is important to include the Kids in the Kitchen as you prepare your Thanksgiving Meal. Kids love to be involved and this is a chance to teach them the importance of kitchen safety and cooking.

Safe Holiday Travel

Thanksgiving is one of the most traveled holidays of the year. Unfortunately, distracted drivers can make Thanksgiving deadly. To address an alarming increase in traffic related deaths in 2015, the Georgia Department of Transportation launched DriveAlert ArriveAlive which recently reported that 1,216 people died in Georgia crashes through November 22, 2015. This number is sure to increase over the holiday season.

Here are a few tips to stay safe on the road this year:

– Wear seat belts.

– Put down your cell phone. Never text and drive. A distracted driver is a dangerous driver.

– Use extreme caution at dusk when pedestrians are more difficult to see. More pedestrians are killed between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. than at any other time.

– Do not drink and drive

– Avoid driving while using pain medication

– Avoid drowsy driving

– Drive the speed limit

Life is precious and is too often lost due to the carelessness of inattentive drivers. Keep those you love safe and set a good example for your children with safe driving practices.
No matter how careful you are, you may still be the victim of another’s negligent driving. If this is the case, do not tackle the insurance companies alone. Whether you are injured or have lost a loved one in a car wreck, you will need a personal injury lawyer like Attorney Joel Williams to protect your legal rights. Joel specializes in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call or email Williams Elleby Howard & Easter today for your free consultation: 833-LEGALGA or joel@gatrialattorney.com

In Case of a House Fire – ARE YOU PREPARED??

are you prepared

In Case of a House Fire – ARE YOU PREPARED??

October is fire prevention month. As temperatures begin to drop, people begin using their heaters and start preparations for using the fireplace for a cold winter. Are you as prepared as you should be? Find out here by taking a Fire Prevention Week Quiz.

This years’ fall back time change begins on November 1, 2015. Use this time as a reminder to prepare your home in case of a fire. Replace batteries in the smoke alarms throughout your home, make sure your fireplace is clean and properly vented, develop a family escape plan, check your fire extinguishers, and service any and all electronic heating devices. These are just a few of the important issues to consider for your fireproof plan.

Please take time to look at the following links for Fire Safety and to be proactive in protecting your family and guests.

“Fast Facts About Fire” – National Fire Protection Association website
Fire Safety – www.healthy children.org
Keeping Kids Safe From Fire – www.usfa.fema.gov

Safety Tips For Having a Spooktacular Halloween

safety tips halloween children

Safety Tips For Having a Spooktacular Halloween

Halloween is near and soon there will be ghost and goblins mixed with Elsa and Olaf making appearances everywhere. Trying to decide what character to be for Halloween is always exciting. As you are helping your children select their costumes, consider finding costumes that are comfortable and the right fit in order to avoid trip and falls. There will be a lot of walking involved as you go door to door in your neighborhoods, so comfortable shoes are a must for both children and parents. For the children who have reached an age that they don’t want their parents tagging along, you can always follow along just a few steps behind. If this is the case, be sure your child has a particular item that glows in the dark so that you can keep a watchful eye from a distance. A glow stick that is a particular color, reflector tape on their costume, or possibly a flashlight that blinks a certain pattern can help you keep up with them from a distance.

Teach your children safety first! Make sure they are using the buddy system or even better require them to travel in a group. As children move around their neighborhoods, it is very important they are careful when crossing the street. Be sure to have a discussion before the night of trick-or-treating about walking on the sidewalks and only crossing the street at the street corners or in crosswalks. Too many children are injured or killed by not paying attention when crossing the street at night, especially on a night filled with excitement of wearing costumes and getting plenty of candy.

When in Doubt –Throw Out! It is very important for all parents to inspect the goodies their children collect. Inspect all candy wrappers, check for any signs of tampering with treats. Only eat homemade snacks made by people you personally know.

If you don’t feel safe carrying your children around neighborhoods, there are always other options to enjoy the Halloween season. Most elementary schools have fall festivals and several churches offer Trunk or Treat events where your children will have a fun and safe Halloween experience.
For more hints and tips for a safe Halloween, click here for suggestions from the FDA.