Icy Walkways & Trip and Falls

Icy Walkways Cause Slip and Falls in Premises Liability Personal Injury Cases in Georgia

It has been a cold winter this year. Even in many areas throughout in the South, snow and ice have been very present this historically cold winter. Due to snow and frigid temperatures, Georgia Governor issued a state of emergency on Monday, January 15. “To ensure people’s safety and to allow GDOT to do its job, I urge people to remain home and off the roads,” Governor Deal stated.

Wherever snow and ice are present, not only are roadways more dangerous, but there is also an increased risk of falling. It is important for everyone venturing outside in wintry weather to take steps to stay safe. When falls do occur, it is important for fall victims to be aware of their legal rights and options.

Injury Liability for Falls on Icy Surfaces

Under Georgia’s premises liability law, property owners that invite others onto their property have a duty to “exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.” Walkways in front of or alongside businesses would be considered approaches of those businesses. Therefore, businesses that are inviting people to come inside have a duty to ensure that the walkway leading to their business is safe to use.

When icy conditions are present, this means that business owners need to take reasonable steps to remove the ice and to warn people about the danger. However, a business is not necessarily liable for every trip and fall that occurs on an icy walkway leading into the business. Businesses do not actually need to remove all ice or ensure that walkways are completely safe. They only need to exercise “ordinary care.” Whether ordinary care has been exercised is a question of fact that depends on the circumstances.

Fall victims should understand that they may not be able to win a claim if a court determines that they assumed the risk. In premises liability cases, this principle is expressed by something known as the “superior knowledge” doctrine. This doctrine holds that a landowner must have had superior knowledge of the dangerous condition in order to be liable. Therefore, if icy conditions were obviously apparent, superior knowledge would not exist, and a business owner may not be liable.

Compensation in Icy Walkway Fall Cases

Plaintiffs that win slip and fall cases can expect to receive compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, additional damages may also be possible.

What to Do if You Fall

If you slip and fall on an icy walkway and suffer an injury, it is important to take steps to protect your potential right to compensation. Document the conditions at the time of the accident. Take photos of the walkway with your cell phone if you can. Most importantly, contact an experienced premises liability attorney as soon as possible to investigate your case.

Safety Tips

If you do need to go outside during wintry weather, there are steps you can take to avoid falling. You should take your time, wear shoes with good traction, and if at all possible avoid walkways that look icy. If you can’t avoid walking on an icy walkway, take shorter steps. And if you do fall, try to relax your body and make contact with the ground with your hip and shoulder together to spread out the impact. When people reach out with their arms to break their fall on an icy surface, they often only exacerbate their injury.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is dedicated to helping injury victim get the compensation they deserve. If you have suffered a fall on an icy walkway and think you might be entitled to compensation, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help you understand your case. They work hard to maximize compensation for every client they accept.

Located in Kennesaw, Georgia, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, serves clients throughout the state. The attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, offer free case evaluations and accept cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients don’t pay a dime in attorney fees unless and until they’ve won their case. If you would like to discuss your case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, today at 833-LEGALGA.

GA DNR Urges Safety During Firearms Deer Hunting Season

Georgia safety hunting season

It is estimated that nearly 630,000 Georgia residents hunt every year. With firearm hunting season now underway, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is busy reminding hunters to prioritize safety every time they go out to hunt. All hunters in Georgia owe a duty to act with reasonable care to avoid accidentally shooting someone. They also have an obligation to take certain precautions to make sure that they stay safe as well. Below are a few deer hunting safety tips that every hunter should follow.

Hunting Safety Tips

• Wear orange. Hunting without wearing classic hunter orange colored clothing is a risk nobody should take. This clothing is easy to notice, hunters are conditioned to look for it before firing, and it is also required by law for all hunters to wear this color.

• Confirm your target. The most tragic hunting accident occurs when a hunter thinks they are firing at a deer and instead shoot a person. Most hunters assume it would never happen to them, but every year Georgia hunters are shot by fellow hunters. Be absolutely sure before pulling the trigger.

• Avoid hunting alone. Many hunting accidents occur when hunters go out alone. Something as simple as a twisted ankle or fall from a tree stand can create a major problem if a hunter is out all alone. If you do go hunting alone, always communicate your whereabouts to others in case something goes wrong.

• Safely use and properly maintain your tree stand. Hunters often take it for granted that a tree stand will be safe, but this isn’t always the case. Remember to maintain your tree stand, especially if your land is open for others to use. And if you are using a tree stand that isn’t yours or that you aren’t too familiar with, exercise caution. Make sure it is sturdy before you climb up.

Georgia Hunting Laws

Most Georgia deer hunters are aware that they need to follow Georgia’s deer hunting regulations. These include attaining a license, only hunting during deer season, adhering to the season kill limits, and completing a harvest record that notifies the DNR of kills made.

However, there are also several safety laws that deer hunters must adhere to. Youth hunters (those under age 16) may only hunt under adult supervision, and all hunters are required to wear at least 500 square inches of hunter orange colored clothing above the waist.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, Today

Everyone has a duty to act with reasonable care towards others, and this duty is especially important for hunters. When accidents occur because of negligence, victims are entitled to compensation for their harm. The experienced legal team at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, works hard to get personal injury victims the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a hunting accident, it is important to be aware of your legal rights and options. Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule a free consultation today at 833-LEGALGA.

States Push to Keep Highway Inner Lanes Clear for Passing

Georgia slow poke passing

Few things are more aggravating to drivers than slow-moving vehicles clogging up the left lane on a highway. Multiple states have taken steps to prevent drivers from going slow in the left lane, including Georgia. And they’ve done so for good reason. Many studies have shown that driving too slowly is at least as dangerous as speeding, with one finding that slow left-lane drivers are the cause of about 10 percent of all highway accidents.

Georgia “Slow Poke” Law

Georgia passed its version of a “slow poke” law in 2014. Under the Official Code of Georgia Title 40 Chapter 6 Section 184 (1), “No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation.”

Section 184 (2) additionally states that on all four-lane roadways, “no person shall continue to operate a motor vehicle in the most left-hand lane at less than the maximum lawful speed limit once such person knows or should reasonably know that he is being overtaken in such lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed, except when such motor vehicle is preparing for a left turn.”
This law was passed with two big objectives in mind: to reduce traffic and to reduce accidents. While it is unclear exactly how effective the law has been in accomplishing those goals, many believe the law has helped make the roadways safer. A spokeswoman for the National Motorists Association told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “There’s a natural flow to traffic, which is the safest speed to drive, even if it’s a little faster than the speed limit. Congestion causes road rage and bad driving.”

It is important for drivers to be cognizant of the dangers that driving slower than traffic can have, especially when they are taking up space in the left lane. Drivers ticketed for violating the slow poke law face a fine of up to $1,000 and could gain 3 points on their license. If a driver causes an accident because they are driving too slow in the left-lane, they can also be considered at-fault and be liable for the damage they cause.

If You’ve Been Injured in an Auto Accident, Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

If you or a loved one has been in an accident in Georgia, you need qualified and experienced legal representation. It is crucial for injury victims to understand their legal rights and options. The attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to getting personal injury auto accident victims the compensation they deserve in Georgia.

Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and serves clients throughout the State of Georgia. Our attorneys offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis – that means our clients don’t pay any fees to us unless we obtain a recovery. If you would like to discuss your case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, today at 833-LEGALGA.

MARTA Police Officer Seriously Injured In Car Accident

police officer injured motorcycle accident

On November 17, 2017, a MARTA police officer Emanuel Sabir was seriously injured when he was struck by a van while riding his motorcycle. The officer was off-duty and leading a funeral procession at the time of the accident. The accident occurred on Fairburn Road in northwest Atlanta. The officer was reportedly seriously injured but conscious and alert at the time of the accident. Sabir was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and was last reported to be in stable condition.

Based on reports, the driver of the van that struck officer Sabir was at least negligent and perhaps reckless in causing the accident. Police say that the van driver ran a stop sign before pulling onto Fairburn Road, and that he appeared to be intoxicated. After the accident, responding police officer Stephanie Brown said the van driver “got into fights with residents in the area and responding officers before he was taken into custody.” The driver of the van was arrested and charged with several traffic offenses, including failing to stop at a stop sign and driving with an open container of alcohol.

Motorcycle Accidents and Georgia Law

Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable if they get into an accident on the road. In fact, motorcyclists are nearly 30 times more likely to die in an accident when compared to other motor vehicle drivers. This is, of course, true because a motorcyclist is not protected by the body of an automobile, and is instead exposed to the threat of direct trauma if they get into an accident.

Moreover, motorcyclists deal with certain unique risks that make accidents more likely to occur. For instance, drivers will often fail to see motorcyclists because they are not looking out for them, road hazards such as potholes can have an outsized impact on motorcyclists, and at high speeds it can be difficult for motorcyclists to safely make quick turns.

All drivers have a duty to watch out for motorcyclists, to operate their vehicles with care, and to obey traffic rules. Likewise, motorcyclists have a duty to ride carefully and to follow traffic rules. When a driver or motorcyclist fails to operate their vehicle with reasonable care and causes an accident, they are considered negligent and at-fault. In some cases, a motorcyclist and another driver are each party to blame. In Georgia, when more than one party to an accident is at fault, courts will apply the comparative fault doctrine and the parties will share liability according to their degree of fault.

The Importance of Wearing Helmets

Motorcyclists who do not wear helmets are at a much higher risk of sustaining serious and fatal head injuries. In recognition of this danger, federal and state initiatives during the 1990s mandated the use of helmets for motorcyclists in most states, including in Georgia. Under Official Code of Georgia § 40-6-315(a), “No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the Board of Public Safety.” According to the World Health Organization, these helmet laws have saved thousands of lives in the United States. States that do not have mandatory helmet laws see much higher rates of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

If you would like more information about this issue, or if you or a loved one has been in an auto accident and you would like to discuss your case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, today at 833-LEGALGA.

Georgia Works to Prevent Farm Crashes

Georgia farm accident crash law

It was recently reported the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) will be working together on an initiative to prevent farm related crashes throughout the State of Georgia. The director of the GOHS, Harris Blackwood, told Albany’s WXFL News, “We’ve had too many crashes where people have injured or killed. That’s the problem. We want to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on the roads.” The effort – called “Yield Behind the Wheel” – was motivated by the fact that there are hundreds of farm related crashes each year in Georgia, and roughly 10-15 fatalities. Authorities working on the outreach initiative hope to reduce these numbers.
Farmers routinely must use highways and other roads to get farm equipment from one area of a farm to another, or to travel from one farm to another. In most cases, these types of vehicles can only travel 15-25 miles per hour. They also have very poor mobility, and are often wider than even the largest trucks. As a result, it is important for farmers and other drivers to use caution when using roadways at the same time.

Farm Vehicles and Georgia Law

Farmers in Georgia are permitted to operate slow-moving vehicles, such as tractors or combines, on Georgia roadways because it is a necessary part of their jobs. However, this permitted use is limited by several restrictions. Under Title 40 Chapter 8 Section 4 of the Official Code of Georgia, any vehicle that travels slower than 25 miles per hour must have vehicle reflector triangles. Wide vehicles must also have reflectors that mark the edges of the vehicle. According to the GOHS, farmers should avoid using highways during the daytime, and if traveling longer distances should have marked pilot cars in front and behind the farm vehicle.

All other drivers on the road have a duty to watch out for farmers and drive with caution when they see farm equipment or farm vehicles using a roadway. Drivers should remember that farmers have a right to use roadways and should be patient. Too many accidents when drivers attempt to pass slow moving farm equipment without leaving enough room or without properly yielding to traffic in other lanes.

If You or a Loved One Have Been Injured in an Auto Accident, Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, Today

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to getting accident victims the compensation they deserve. Accident cases involving farm vehicles can be especially complex. If you or a loved one has been injured in a farm related crash, the Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, legal team can help you understand your legal rights and options. Attorney Joel Williams has helped injury victims in Georgia bring personal injury claims for more than 10 years and he works hard to maximize his clients’ compensation in every case. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, offers free personal injury accident consultations. To discuss your case, call 833-LEGALGA today.

Georgia Slip and Fall Claims

Georgia Kennesaw slip fall claim attorney

Georgia Slip and fall claims are largely governed by Georgia premises liability law. The basic rule of premises liability law is found in the Official Code of Georgia Section § 51-3-1, which states that when landowners invite others onto their property, they must “exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.”

If you’ve fallen in a store or other business because of an unsafe condition, you may be entitled to compensation. The key to determining whether a property owner is liable for slip and fall harm is whether they failed to “exercise ordinary care” in keeping the premises safe. There are several important factors that must be considered. The basic elements of a slip and fall claim in Georgia are:

1. There must have been a dangerous condition present;
2. The property owner must have negligently failed to remedy the condition and/or failed to warn the victim about it; and
3. The dangerous condition must have caused the harm complained of.

Establishing Property Owner Liability in Slip and Fall Claims

Although the elements of a slip and fall claim are relatively simple, these types of cases can be surprisingly complicated. Businesses will often hotly contest liability, and proving these claims typically involves collecting large amounts of evidence. Eyewitness or video evidence is usually needed to prove that a “dangerous condition” existed. Without proving a dangerous condition existed, a plaintiff cannot successfully win a slip and fall claim.

But it is not enough to simply prove that a dangerous condition existed. Sufficient evidence is also required to prove that the business owner negligently failed to fix or warn about the dangerous condition. This can require collecting evidence showing that the business knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. Georgia courts also follow the “superior knowledge” doctrine, which holds that the business must have had superior knowledge of the dangerous condition compared to the plaintiff. Therefore, even if a business knew or should have known about a dangerous condition, if a plaintiff was actually aware of the danger but ignored the risk, the business may not be liable.

Once a plaintiff can prove that a dangerous condition existed and that a business was negligent, he must then prove that the condition caused his harm. This often requires medical evidence and expert testimony. Finally, it is also a defense against liability if the plaintiff negligently caused their own harm. A plaintiff may not be able to win their claim if they were contributorily negligent.

If You’ve Taken a Fall in a Store, Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, Today

If you’ve been injured in a Kennesaw, GA slip and fall accident because of a hazard or unsafe condition, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. When businesses fail to clean up hazards, fix dangerous conditions, or warn customers about risks, anyone harmed as a result is entitled to compensation. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, have deep knowledge of Georgia premises liability law and are dedicated to maximizing compensation for each of their clients. Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, today to schedule a free consultation by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Bicycle Wrecks

bicycle accident wreck injured

Each year in the United States there are hundreds of thousands of accidents between automobiles and bicycles. Because of their vulnerable position, these accidents often have severe consequences for the cyclists involved. It is crucial for both motorists and cyclists to understand their rights and duties under Georgia law.

If you have been injured in a bicycle wreck and someone else was at fault, you need a qualified and experienced bicycle wreck injury attorney to represent you. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is dedicated to getting accident victims the compensation they deserve. To discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule a free case evaluation today online or by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Duties of Motorists and Cyclists to Each Other

Motorists and cyclists each have a duty to act with reasonable care while on the road. Drivers, as well as cyclists, must follow the “rules of the road” outlined by Title 40, Chapter 6 of the Georgia Code. If either a cyclist or motorist violates a traffic law, they can be considered at-fault in an accident. In some cases both parties are at-fault, and the issue becomes determining to what degree each party was at fault.

Specific Laws Applying to Cyclists

There are a few specific laws that apply to cyclists in Georgia. These are found in Chapter 6 Article 13 Part 1. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-294, “every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling.” This generally means a cyclist must remain in a bike lane or on the shoulder of the road unless they are turning left; however it is important to note that if there is a “hazard to safe cycling” then cyclists are allowed to move into the main lane of traffic temporarily.
Bicycles must only be used by one person at a time, unless it is designed to carry more than one person. When riding at night, bicycles must have a white light in the front and a red light or reflector on the back. Adults are not required to wear helmets when riding a bicycle; however children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet. Cyclists should also remember that riding a bicycle while legally intoxicated is illegal.

If You Have Been in a Bicycle Wreck, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to Discuss Your Case Today

Bicycle wreck accidents claims, like other types of personal injury claims, can be complex. It is imperative for victims of harm to have qualified and experienced legal counsel on their side. A Kennesaw, Ga personal injury attorney that understands bicycle wreck cases and is familiar with local courts can ensure that your compensation is maximized.

If you have been involved in a bicycle wreck, the qualified bicycle wreck attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help you understand your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. If you would like more information, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is here to help. Call today to schedule your free consultation at 833-LEGALGA.

Boating Accident Attorneys Kennesaw, GA

boat accident attorney Georgia

When people think of personal injury claims, the first thing that comes to mind is usually auto accidents, however boating accident claims are also frequently filed in Georgia. If you have been injured in a boating accident and someone else is at fault, it is important to have a qualified and experienced boating accident attorney represent you. The attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, have developed a deep knowledge of boating accident claims in Georgia.

Kennesaw, GA Personal Injury Attorney Joel Williams and his team have recovered millions of dollars for clients in personal injury cases. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, offers free case evaluations. If you have been injured in a boating accident because someone else made a mistake, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule your free consultation online or by calling 833-LEGALGA.

COMMON CAUSES OF BOATING ACCIDENTS IN GEORGIA

• Alcohol. Boating and alcohol do not go well together. Unfortunately, accidents involving alcohol pop up in the news all too often. Under the Georgia Boat Safety Act, “operating any boat, sailboat, personal watercraft, water skis, sailboard or similar device while intoxicated” at over the legal limit of .08 BAC is a crime. If you have been injured because someone else irresponsibly consumed too much alcoholbefore boating, you are entitled to compensation for your harm.

• Negligent or reckless operation of a watercraft. Many accidents occur because the boat operator was going too fast, too close to other watercraft, or wasn’t paying attention to where they were going. In some of these cases, the boat operator simply didn’t know what he or she was doing. While it is understandable to make reasonable mistakes, it is unacceptable for a person to attempt to operate a boat or other watercraft when they lack the knowledge to do so safely.

• Overloading or improper loading. Some accidents occur because a boat was overloaded or improperly loaded. A boat that is overloaded is at risk of capsizing. Overloading or improperly loading a boat constitutes negligent operation in Georgia.

• Watercraft defects. Manufacturing or design defects sometimes cause watercraft to be dangerous to use. If you have been injured because of a defective product, you have a right to bring a products liability claim to attain compensation for your harm.

• Life vests were not worn. Failing to wear a life vest may not cause a boating accident, but it can make the consequences much worse. A government study recently found that operators wearing a life jacket were 80 percent less likely to die in the event of a boating accident.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

If you have been in a boating accident and would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule a free consultation at 833-LEGALGA today.

Misdiagnoses and Medical Malpractice

medical malpractice attorney misdiagnosis

A recent health study found that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Another study found that there are more than 12 million instances of medical misdiagnosis each year. While most Georgia doctors care deeply about their patients and skillfully carry out their jobs, medical errors occur in Georgia every day.

When doctors negligently make a misdiagnosis in Georgia, patients that suffer harm have a right to bring a medical malpractice against them. The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, handle these types of cases throughout the State of Georgia. If you would like to discuss your case, call today to schedule a free consultation at 833-LEGALGA.

Georgia Medical Malpractice Claims

Doctors in Georgia have a duty to exercise a “reasonable degree of care and skill.” This standard of care requires doctors to act with a degree of care and skill that is ordinarily employed by other doctors in Georgia under similar conditions and circumstances. If a doctor fails to meet this standard of care and a patient suffers harm as a result, Georgia law provides that a medical malpractice claim can be made.

Misdiagnosis as the Basis for a Malpractice Claim

Georgia courts have long recognized that a misdiagnosis can be malpractice. Misdiagnosis claims most commonly arise when a doctor fails to uncover or recognize the symptoms of a serious condition. A failure to diagnose a serious progressive disease, like cancer, can be a life-threatening mistake for a doctor to make.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ATTORNEYS IN KENNESAW, GA

However, although misdiagnoses can have severe consequences for a patient, not all instances of misdiagnoses are considered malpractice. After all, even the best doctors will sometimes fail to make the correct diagnosis. The question is whether the failure to make the correct diagnosis was a direct result of the doctor’s failure to exercise reasonable care and skill. In other words, a plaintiff in these cases must prove that a doctor exercising reasonable care and skill under the circumstances would not have misdiagnosed the patient’s illness or condition.

Every case is different because the particular conditions and circumstances of each case are relevant to determining whether malpractice occurred. For instance, a failure to diagnose cancer could be malpractice in under some circumstances, but would not be malpractice in others. The patient’s symptoms, health history, and age could all be factors. The staff and resources available to the doctor can also be relevant.

In some cases, a misdiagnosis is the result of faulty testing. Laboratory results, radiology films, or x-rays could have inaccuracies that were not the doctor’s fault. As long as the doctor was reasonable in believing that these test results were accurate, he or she cannot likely be found liable for malpractice. However, it may be possible in these cases to bring a claim against a lab technician, some other healthcare provider, or even an equipment manufacturer if they were negligent in producing the erroneous test results.

Medical malpractice cases can be exceedingly complex and difficult to prove. This is especially true when it comes to misdiagnosis cases. Detailed medical evidence and expert testimony are needed in these cases. Despite the fact that these claims can be difficult to win, victims of harm should still understand their legal rights and options. If you or a loved one has been harmed because a doctor failed to properly diagnose an illness, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help you understand your potential case and work to get you the compensation you deserve.

To Discuss Your Case, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is dedicated to helping medical malpractice victims get justice. To schedule a free medical malpractice consultation, call 833-LEGALGA today.

One Dead After 8-Car Accident on I-16 in Twiggs County

victim accident dead attorney

Early on the morning of September 2, 2017, an 8-car accident claimed the life of one person on the eastbound lane of I-16 near exit 18. The Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office reported that six other victims were sent to the hospital. The interstate was shut down for several hours following the crash.

Because driving an automobile is something most of us do every day, it is easy to forget just how dangerous an activity it is. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there are more than 115,000 injuries due to auto accidents each year on Georgia roadways. It is important to remember how dangerous driving can be and remain alert and focused behind the wheel.

As Sergeant Bert Clifton of the Georgia State Patrol stated following the September 2 crash on I-16: “Wear your seat belt, slow down, don’t be distracted, don’t be texting and driving, and give plenty of time to get to where you’re going. Nothing’s worth getting into a crash and not making it to your destination.”

Common Causes of Accidents in Georgia

• Speeding. Traffic can be frustrating, but it is important to be patient when you are driving. Defensive driving is one of the most important thing drivers can do to avoid car accidents. Most of us occasionally go slightly over the speed limit from time to time, but speeding is a terrible habit. Not only does speeding raise the chances of an accident occurring, but if you are speeding it can create a presumption that you were at fault if an accident does occur.

• Fatigued driving. Everyone knows that driving while intoxicated poses a huge risk, but many fail to also understand that driving while fatigued can be dangerous as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that tens of thousands of accidents are caused by drowsy driving each year.

• Distracted driving. Always stay focused. When people use their cell phones to text, check email, or go online while driving they put themselves and everyone else on the road at risk. Moreover, texting or reading messages from the Internet on a phone while driving is against the law in Georgia.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

Even when you do everything right, accidents can still happen because of another person’s negligence. Driving is an inherently dangerous activity. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, it is imperative that you are aware of your legal rights and options. A qualified and experienced auto accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

The experienced personal injury legal team at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is dedicated to helping injury victims and their family members get justice. The Joel Williams car accident legal team has deep knowledge of Georgia auto accident law, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and serves clients throughout the state. Don’t hesitate to call today to discuss your case and schedule a complimentary case assessment. Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA to schedule your consultation today.