Georgia Child Booster Seat Laws

booster seat car children law

In 2002, John Creeks resident Jenny Harty was traveling with her husband and two small children when their car was struck by an SUV in rural Georgia. She told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “a logging truck ran the stop sign, ignored the rumble strips and hit the tail end of [an oncoming] SUV. And the SUV lost control, hit us and literally shaved off the left side of our van.” Nobody was killed in the accident, but six-year-old Abby Harty was injured and five-year-old Madison Harty needed five surgeries to repair her arm. According to reports, the children’s booster seats “absolutely” saved their lives.

Since that the accident, Jenny Hart has been a staunch advocate for tougher child passenger safety laws in Georgia. She became a car seat technician and has worked with Georgia legislators to get new safety measures passed. Her efforts – and the efforts of like-minded safety advocates – have largely been successful. Georgia used to have somewhat lax child passenger safety laws, but now has laws requiring the use of child seats that are in-line with federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards.

Just like the Georgia law requiring drivers and front seat passengers to wear a seat belt, the law requiring children to be secured in car seats or booster seats is intended to save lives in the event of an auto accident.

Georgia Child Passenger Safety Law

Under Title 40 Chapter 8 Section 76 of the Official Code of Georgia, children under the age of 8 years old are required to sit in a car seat or booster seat. These car or booster seats must be secured in the rear seat, but appropriate for the child’s height and weight, and meet all U.S. federal standards. However, there is an exemption for children under 8 that have a height of over 4’9”.

The precise requirements of the Georgia car seat laws are as follows:

• Children under the age of 4 and under 20 lbs must be in a rear-facing car seat.

• Once a child is over the age of 1 and weighs over 20 lbs, they must be placed in a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat.

• Children aged 4-7 must be placed in a rear or forward facing car seat if they weigh less than 40 lbs.

• Children aged 4-7 that weigh more than 40 lbs must be placed in a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat plus lap and shoulder belt.

The Georgia Office of Highway Safety also recommends that children remain in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly in a seat belt.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and serves clients throughout the State of Georgia. If you would like more information about Georgia’s child safety passenger laws or if you have been in an accident and would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA to schedule a free personal injury consultation today.

Local Lawmaker Wants to Alter Distracted Driving Law in Wake of Police Stings

distracted driving accident law attorney

In an effort to reduce traffic accidents, Georgia legislators passed a law cracking down on distracted driving in 2010. Under the law, it is illegal to “write, send, or read any text based communication, including but not limited to a text message, instant message, e-mail, or Internet data” while operating a motor vehicle on a public Georgia roadway. Officers have already given thousands of citations to drivers that were on their cell phones in various sting operations across the state.

While the law can no doubt help make Georgia roadways safer, some feel it goes too far. In particular, the prohibition on texting applies to anyone operating a motor vehicle rather than to anyone driving a motor vehicle. This distinction becomes significant when a person is in the driver’s seat of a running car that is stopped or parked. As written, the law permits officers to cite drivers that text when they are stopped at traffic lights, and possibly even while they are completely parked on the side of the road, because the drivers would still be “operating” the vehicle.

Proposed Legislation Could Limit the Prohibition Against Texting to Only Apply When Vehicles are Moving

It has been reported that lawmaker John Pezold (R) has a plan to introduce legislation that would limit the anti-texting law to apply only when a vehicle is moving. After all, if a vehicle is not moving, what does it matter if a driver is distracted? They could fail to accelerate right away when a light turns green, which could be a traffic annoyance, but that isn’t likely to be a major safety concern.

But there are some staunch opponents to Pezold’s proposal. They argue that even when a vehicle is stopped, it is important for drivers to maintain awareness of their surroundings. Moreover, that the distraction presented by texting or emailing lasts far longer than the mere moment that a person spends reading or typing out their message. There are some studies that back this idea up, with one 2015 study concluding that “texting at the light may decrease so-called ‘situational awareness’ and lead to driving errors even after the device is put down.”

Lawmakers will have to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of permitting drivers to text, email, and use the Internet while they are stopped at lights or in traffic. While it is a convenient freedom to have – and while it is certainly a safer practice than doing those things while on the move – there are still risks that need to be considered.

Regardless of how the law evolves, Georgia drivers should always try to pay attention when behind the wheel and avoid distractions whenever possible. And, unless and until the law changes, Georgia drivers should remember that it is illegal to text, email, or use the Internet on their phones even when they are stopped at a light.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

The Williams Elleby Howard & Easter personal injury legal team encourages all Georgia drivers to be cautious and attentive when behind the wheel. When accidents do occur, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, helps traffic accident victims throughout the State of Georgia get the compensation they deserve. If you would like more information about this issue or would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA today.

Two Dead in Meadview Crash

safe driving tips crash

On August 30th, 2017, a Georgia couple was tragically killed in an afternoon crash when they were on a trip in Arizona. The couple was Karen and Charles Foxworth of Conyers, Georgia. According to a spokesperson from the local Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the couple was traveling in the eastbound lane when the driver, Karen Foxworth, lost control going around a curve and entered the westbound lane, colliding head-on with a semi-tractor.

Sadly, Mr. and Mrs. Foxworth both died at the scene of the accident. The couple’s two adult children were also in the car at the time. They survived thanks to assistance from off-duty medical personnel and were taken to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

SAFE DRIVING TIPS

Driving can be a dangerous dangerous activity, even when drivers do everything right. But tragedies like this recent accident are often preventable. Here are some things to always keep in mind when you get behind the wheel:

• Practice patience. Traffic and poor drivers 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 auto accidents.

• Don’t speed. Most of us go a couple miles-per-hour 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.

• Avoid driving when fatigued. 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.

• Always pay attention. Because driving is part of our daily lives, it can be easy to forget that it is a life-and-death activity. 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.

• Watch blind spots. Always check and double-check your blind spots before changing lanes.

• Wear a seat belt. According to the CDC, Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. Seat belt use is also required by law for adults in the front seat in Georgia.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

The Kennesaw, GA Car Accident Attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been in an accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can investigate the facts of your case, help you understand your legal rights and options, negotiate with any opposing party, and work to maximize your recovery. To discuss your case, call today to schedule a free consultation at 833-LEGALGA.

Georgia Assumption of Risk Doctrine

fault assumption risk liable Georgia

Under the classic assumption of risk doctrine, a defendant is not liable for harm caused if the plaintiff voluntarily and knowingly assumed the risk. Georgia courts have long accepted the doctrine of assumption of risk. Assumption of risk is an affirmative defense to liability, although Georgia courts will sometimes integrate assumption of risk into a comparative fault analysis.

The Court of Appeals of Georgia has held that a defendant may successfully assert assumption of risk as a defense when defendant shows that the plaintiff:

1. Had actual knowledge of the danger in question;
2. Understood and appreciated the risks associated with such danger; and
3. Voluntarily exposed himself or herself to those risks.

Examples of Assumption of Risk Being Applied in Georgia Courts

Georgia courts have accepted assumption of risk defenses in many types of personal injury cases, including premises liability and product liability cases. The cases highlighted below show how Georgia courts apply doctrine in different types of cases.

Teems v. Bates, 684 S.E.2d 662 (2009)

In this case, teenager Janna Teems was injured after falling off of the top of a car driven by her friend, Matthew Bates. Teems wanted to ride on top of the car for fun as Bates drove around in a parking lot, but Bates drove faster than Teems expected (10-15 mph) and fell from the car. She was seriously injured and required weeks of hospitalization.

Teems sued Bates for negligence, but the trial court found that Teems assumed the risk of harm and ruled in favor of Bates. The appeals court affirmed this decision, finding that:

“When a person knowingly and voluntarily takes a risk of physical injury the danger of which is so obvious that the act of taking such risk in and of itself amounts to a failure to exercise ordinary care for one’s own safety, that person cannot hold another liable for injuries proximately caused by such action even though the injuries may be in part attributable to the negligence of the other person.”

This case shows that when a plaintiff assumes a major risk, the assumption of risk doctrine will apply even when the defendant’s conduct was clearly negligent.

Landings Association, Inc. v. Williams, 728 S.E.2d 577 (2012)

This case shows how assumption of risk is applied in premises liability cases. In this case, 83-year-old Gwyneth Williams was killed by an alligator as she walked on a pathway along a man-made lagoon. Her family brought suit against the property owners. However, it was well-known in that area that alligators lived in the waters of the property. Moreover, the property owners warned residents in the area about the presence of the alligators. The Georgia Supreme Court found that although the property owners had a duty to keep the premise reasonably safe, that in this case Williams assumed the risk that an alligator could harm her.

Wilson v. Bicycle South, 915 F.2d 1503 (1990)

This product liability case was decided in the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which is located in Atlanta. Although the case was decided in a federal court, Georgia state law was applied. The court determined that if a plaintiff voluntarily decides to use a product, despite knowing about a product’s defect and being aware of the danger the defect presents, they cannot recover in a product liability claim if the product harms them because they assumed the risk.

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

The attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to helping personal injury victims with all types of personal injury claims, including auto accidents, “slip and fall,” premises liability, and product liability claims. If you would like more information or would like to discuss your case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, today to schedule a free consultation at 833-LEGALGA.

Georgia Construction Site Accidents

construction accident injured safe

Accidents happen every day at construction sites in Georgia. Approximately 3 million workers are injured on the job each year, and more than 4,500 are killed. Construction sites can be dangerous when proper safety rules are not followed. Heavy machinery, scaffolding, electrical wiring, and hazardous materials are just some of the dangers present at construction sites. There are also often multiple contractors doing work at the same time, which can create perilous communication issues.

Those in charge of a construction site have a duty to keep things reasonably safe for workers and others that are expected to come onto the premises. If a contractor in charge of construction fails to keep things safe and a person venturing onto the construction site is injured, the victim may be entitled to compensation. Most workers, meanwhile, are entitled to compensation through the Georgia Workers’ Compensation insurance program regardless of the cause of the accident. However, some employees, including many independent contractors, are not covered by workers’ compensation.

If you’ve been injured while on a construction site, the experienced Kennesaw, GA personal injury legal team at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help you understand your legal rights and options. To discuss your case, call today at 833-LEGALGA.

OSHA Regulations

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated regulations intended to keep workplaces safe. All public sector and most private sector employers are required to comply with OSHA regulations. Construction workers that feel conditions at their job site are unsafe have a right to request an OSHA safety inspection. Employers are forbidden from retaliating against a worker that makes a safety complaint.

Common Causes of Construction Jobsite Injuries

According to OSHA statistics, accidents are most frequently caused by these types of safety standard violations:

1. Fall protection
2. Hazard communication
3. Scaffolding
4. Respiratory protection
5. Control of hazardous energy
6. Powered industrial trucks
7. Ladders
8. Machinery and Machine Guarding
9. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment
10. Electrical systems design

The so-called “fatal four” leading causes of fatal construction site accidents in 2015 were:

• Falls — 364 (38.8% of all deaths)
• Struck by Object – 90 (9.6%)
• Electrocutions – 81 (8.6%)
• Caught-in/between – 67 (7.2%)

Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter Today to Discuss Your Case

If you have been injured on a construction site, it is important for you to understand your legal rights. Every case is different, but it is likely that you are entitled to compensation. Construction site injury cases often raise complicated legal issues. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help. The attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter can investigate the facts of your case, explain your legal rights and options to you, and work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Kennesaw Personal Injury Attorney Joel Williams, has consistently been recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in Georgia, and the entire legal team at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is dedicated to thoroughly and effectively representing personal injury clients throughout Georgia. If you would like to discuss your case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, for a free consultation today at 833-LEGALGA.

Why You Should Hire an Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Attorney

experienced personal injury attorney

If you have been injured due to the negligent or otherwise wrongful conduct of someone else, you deserve compensation for your harm. It is imperative that you are aware of your legal rights and options. If someone else is at fault, you can likely bring a personal injury lawsuit, which is a type of tort claim. Georgia law is intended to “fully and completely compensate the injured party.”

Proving that another party is liable can be difficult in some cases. Even when another party admits liability, the appropriate damages can be a hotly contested issue. Extensive and often complex evidence must be presented in most personal injury cases, and procedural rules must be followed anytime a lawsuit is filed. For all of these reasons, the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney is crucially important whenever a personal injury victim seeks fair compensation.

The experienced Georgia personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to attaining justice for accident victims and getting them the compensation they deserve. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and serves clients throughout the state.

After a free consultation, if the firm agrees to represent you, the firm’s attorneys and paralegals can handle all aspects of your Georgia personal injury case, including:

1. Explaining Your Legal Options to You
Every case is different. The Kennesaw, GA personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, take time to give each case the individualized attention it deserves and help each client understand what rights and options they have.

2. Developing You Legal Argument
A personal injury claim must make the proper legal allegations and there must be a legal basis for all damages claimed. Unfortunately, many plaintiffs that deserve compensation file improper pleadings or neglect to make an adequate legal argument for compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can make sure your claim is legally proper.

3. Collecting All Necessary Evidence
Gathering and then presenting all necessary evidence in a personal injury case is often a complicated and exhaustive process. There are also special rules for how evidence is to be admitted in Georgia courts. The Williams Elleby Howard & Easter legal team can figure out what evidence you need to prove your claim and damages, and ensure that it is properly admitted in court on your behalf.

4. Negotiating With Opposing Parties
Most personal injury cases settle before going to trial. Therefore, effective negotiating is often the key to getting fair personal injury compensation. Sophisticated defendants will often try to take advantage of plaintiffs that don’t fully understand the law. The attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter can effectively negotiate with the opposing party or their insurance company and make sure you aren’t taken advantage of.

5. Maximizing Your Compensation
Personal injury attorney Joel Williams and the other accident injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter have extensive experience handling personal injury cases. They know the levels of compensation that are fair for different types of injuries and can ensure that you don’t settle for less than you deserve.

To Discuss Your Case, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, Today
If you would like to discuss your case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter to schedule a free consultation today at 833-LEGALGA.

Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law

Georgia good Samaritan law

We all have a duty to act with reasonable care towards others. This is the basic principle underlying all of Georgia tort law. A secondary principle is that generally speaking, none of us have a duty to go out of our way to help each other. We have a duty not to cause harm, but there is no legal requirement that we give aid to others.

Putting these two legal principles together creates a problem when people need emergency medical care. If someone decides to help, they put themselves at risk of legal liability if they make a mistake and cause further harm. But if they decide to do nothing, they have no legal liability for what happens. The recent tragic case of Lorraine Bayless highlights this problem.

Lorraine Bayless was living at Glenwood Gardens, an elderly care facility, when she stopped breathing. Someone at Glenwood Gardens called 911, and the emergency dispatcher on the phone urged them to start CPR. But there was a strict policy at Glenwood Gardens for employees not to provide medical care, and the employee stated that she couldn’t help because her boss told her not to do anything.

The 9-11 dispatcher asked if, even though the employees were instructed not to perform CPR, if any one could help Bayless stay alive. The employee, instructed by her boss not to do anything that could incur liability for the facility, stated the only thing she could: “Not at this time.” By the time the EMS crew arrived, Lorraine Bayless was dead.

To encourage people to help those in need, Georgia has a law protecting people from legal liability when they give medical aid to someone in an emergency. This is called the Georgia Good Samaritan Law. Under this law, if you try to help someone by giving CPR or any other emergency medical care, you cannot be held liable for any mistake you make under the Georgia Good Samaritan Law.

Georgia’s Good Samaritan Law

Georgia’s “Good Samaritan law” is found Title 51 Chapter 1 Section 29 of the Official Code of Georgia. It states:
Any person, including any person licensed to practice medicine and surgery, and including any person licensed to render services ancillary thereto, who in good faith renders emergency care at the scene of an accident or emergency to the victim or victims thereof without making any charge therefor shall not be liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such person in rendering emergency care or as a result of any act or failure to act to provide or arrange for further medical treatment or care for the injured person.

Under this law, a person giving aid cannot be found liable for negligence and a doctor or health professional giving emergency aid without charge is immune from a medical malpractice suit.

Contact the Kennesaw, GA Personal Injury Attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to Discuss Your Case

The Kennesaw, GA personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, fully understand Georgia personal injury law. If you have any questions about this issue or would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA today.

Commissioner Silent as Car Insurance Rates Soar

rise car insurance rates

In recent years, auto insurance rates have been soaring in Georgia. One reason rates have been going up is that accidents are on the rise in Georgia. Another reason is that there is nothing to stop insurance companies from hiking up rates. Georgia used to regulate auto insurance rates so that insurers could only raise rates when given prior approval from the state to do so.

But in 2008, the Georgia legislature passed a bill deregulating the auto insurance industry. Today, insurance companies in Georgia can raise rates freely when they decide to.

Deregulation was supposed to increase competition and allow free market forces to drive prices down. But this didn’t happen. Instead, auto insurance rates have steadily risen in Georgia each year since. In 2016, Georgia saw the highest increase in personal auto insurance rates in the entire country. Overall, Georgia auto insurance premiums are the twelfth highest in the country.

Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgen has done little to address the rising rates. As a senator in 2008, Hudgen was the chairman of the Georgia Senate Insurance Committee and supported deregulation. His stance against regulating the insurance industry, coupled with the fact that he has accepted large campaign contributions from the insurance companies, has led many to wonder whether he is really looking out for Georgia consumers.

Insurance Companies Say Premiums Reflect Increase in Traffic and Accidents

Commissioner Hudgen and the insurance industry argue that rate hikes simply reflect the increasing risk of car accidents on Georgia roadways. There is pretty good evidence to back this claim up. According to the Georgia Office of Highway Safety, the number of auto crashes increased in Georgia for four consecutive years between 2011 and 2015. There were a record 385,221 accidents in 2015 (data for 2016 is not yet available.) Costs per claim are also on the rise.

Robert Hartwig, a risk management expert, told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution “it is certainly not the case that the private passenger auto insurers are earning a rate of return that in some way could be considered excessive or unreasonable.” Whether or not this is the case, the increasing risk of car accidents on Georgia roadways is at least one big reason that rates have been increasing.

Despite Cost, Personal Auto Insurance is Essential for Drivers

Rising insurance rates reflect the growing danger of Georgia roadways. Higher insurance costs also encourage some drivers to go without auto insurance. Uninsured motorists present a big problem for Georgia accident victims.

If you are thinking about driving without insurance to save money, don’t do it. Despite the costs, it is critical to have insurance coverage. Auto insurance is legally required and you can lose your license for driving without insurance. Drivers should also make sure their plan includes uninsured motorist coverage. If you are driving without insurance, it puts you at great risk legally and financially.

For More Information, Contact the Kennesaw Personal Injury Attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

The Kennesaw ,Ga personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you would like more information about this issue, or if you have been in an accident and would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA today.

TOMY Recalls Munching Max Chipmunk Toys Due to Laceration Hazard

product recall children injured

On July 13, 2017, the TOMY toy company recalled nearly 10,000 “Lamaze Munching Max chipmunk stuffed toys.” According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), “Parts inside the toy can break creating a sharp point that can penetrate the surface of the toy, posing a laceration hazard.” There has been at least one child harmed by the toy so far. The recall number is 17-188, and more information about the recall can be found on the CPSC website here.

The CPSC reports that there are more than 250,000 toy related injuries to children each year treated in hospital emergency rooms. That’s roughly 700 every day. Manufacturers of toys and other children’s products have a duty to prevent their products from causing harm. This duty means that manufacturers must produce products that are safe for children to use, and that consumers must be warned about any potential hazards that a product presents. When manufacturers breach this duty, victims of harm can bring a product liability claim.

Heightened Standard of Care for Producing Children’s Products

If a person misuses a product, especially in an unforeseeable way, a manufacturer will not typically be liable. Under Georgia law, manufacturers must produce products that are “reasonably suited to the use intended.” When a person uses a product in a way that was not intended or expected, that misuse can usually provide a complete defense to a product liability claim.

However, Georgia courts also recognize that young children cannot be held to the same standard as adults. Young children lack the same level of judgment that adults are expected to have. For this reason, manufacturers of children’s products are expected to foresee that children will do all sorts of things with their products that were not intended. Therefore, manufacturers of children’s products have a duty to design and sell products that will be safe even when children misuse them.

Common Dangers Posed by Children’s Products

Parents should be aware of the common dangers that children’s toys and products pose and keep their children safe from them.

According statistics compiled by the CPCS, the most common dangers that children’s toys pose are:

• Choking or swallowing hazards from small detachable pieces, internal pieces such as magnets or speakers, or from plastic outer layers that can be easily removed from the toys.

• Straps or strings that can strangle young children.

• Balloons or plastic films that can cause suffocation.

• Lids on toy chests or other types of chests that can fall and trap, injure or kill kids.

• Electric shock from electric or battery powered toys.

For More Information, Contact the Products Liability Attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

Georgia parents are entitled to buy toys for their children that are safe to use and free from defects. It is inexcusable for companies to sell dangerous products that harm Georgia children. The Kennesaw, GA personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to getting victims of defective products the compensation they deserve. If your child has been injured by a defective product, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule a free consultation at 833-LEGALGA.

Fiat Chrysler Recalls 1.33 Million Vehicles Over Fire, Air Bag Risks

fiat chrysler recall injured

The auto maker Fiat Chrysler has recently recalled a total of 1.33 million vehicles due to two separate issues. Nearly 600,000 Dodge Journey vehicles (2011-2015 models) were recalled because of faulty wiring that “could chafe against pieces of steering-wheel trim, potentially causing a short-circuit and ultimately leading to an inadvertent air bag deployment.” The company also recalled another nearly 600,000 vehicles because the alternators posed a fire risk. The vehicles with faulty alternators include 2011-2014 Chrysler 300s, Dodge Chargers, Dodge Challengers, and Dodge Durango SUVs, as well as 2012-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees.

This recall comes just two months after Fiat Chrysler was forced to recall 1.2 million Ram pickups over seat belt and airbag malfunctions (the 2013-16 Ram 1500 and 2014-16 Ram 3500 models were recalled). In that recall, the New York Times reported that an internal investigation by Fiat Chrysler revealed that “a significant impact to the underside of Ram pickups could cause the computer systems to generate error codes that temporarily disable the safety equipment.” In other words, the safety mechanisms could fail during a car accident, when they are needed most.

Defective Products Cause Millions of Injuries Each Year

The problems at Fiat Chrysler are nothing unique. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 38,573,000 injuries requiring medical attention that were related to a consumer product. Of these, there were approximately 36,000 deaths. Manufacturers of any products sold in Georgia have a duty to ensure that those products are safe to use. When consumers in Georgia suffer an injury due to a defective product, they can bring a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor.

Experienced Product Liability Attorneys Get Justice for Victims

When companies put dangerous products on the market and cause Georgia consumers harm, they should be held accountable. The experienced Kennesaw, GA product liability attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, know how to investigate these types of cases, identify the best possible legal arguments to be made, and gather all necessary evidence to make sure that product liability claims are successful.
It is also important that victims get the compensation they deserve. Damages in a product liability claim can include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

In cases where a company was grossly negligent or intentionally permitted a dangerous product to be sold, punitive damages may also be awarded. However, under Georgia law, when punitive damages are awarded in a product liability case, 75 percent of those proceeds are paid to the State of Georgia.

Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to Discuss Your Case

If you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective product, it is crucial that you understand your rights. The personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help you understand if you have a valid claim, and if so can work to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Located in Kennesaw, Georgia, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, serves clients throughout the state.