Distracted Driving is a Real Problem in Kennesaw, GA

distracted driving accidents deadly

Automobile Accidents are a Real Problem in Cobb County, GA

According to Georgia Automobile Crash Data published by the Georgia Department of Transportation (“GDOT”) on its crash data portal, there were 25,716 accidents in Cobb County, Georgia during 2022. 10,603 people were injured in those accidents and 77 died.  These statistics are alarming but they are down right scary when we break them down further. These statistics suggest that in 2022, on average, 70.45 accidents occurred every day in Cobb County. Again, on average, 29.04 people are hurt in these accidents every day and someone died every 5.18 days.

Distracted Driving is a Dangerous Habit for Many Georgia Drivers

A major cause of deadly traffic accidents is distracted driving. In today’s high paced world, drivers can be distracted by many things ranging from cell phones to kids arguing in the back seat. 52,149 of the 57,605 distracted driver convictions reported to the Georgia Department of Driver Services in 2021, were for violations of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(c) Unlawful Use of Wireless Device. Of all the counties in Georgia, Cobb County had the third most convictions for violations of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(c). The only Georgia counties with more convictions for Unlawful Use of a Wireless Device were Fulton and Gwinnett Counties. Detailed distracted driver data reports for Georgia can be found on the Georgia Department of Driver Services website.

Despite extensive research showing just how big of a problem distracting driving is, drivers continue to engage in behavior that causes them to lose focus on the road. People often underestimate the risk of talking on the phone, text messaging, eating while they drive, or overestimate their ability to multitask. But with lives at stake, practicing safe driving habits is crucial.

Careless Tractor Trailer Drivers Drive While Distracted

Just a few years ago, this author was contacted by a potential client after he was rear-ended by a tractor trailer driver on Interstate-285 outside of Atlanta. At first glance, the case seemed to be fairly routine but things got interesting when I filed suit and obtained the tractor-trailer driver’s cell phone records.

During the lawsuit, I served written discovery on the tractor-trailer driver, his employer, and his insurance company. Initially, they vehemently denied that he was using his cell phone at the time of the crash. Specifically, the driver claimed he was checking his mirrors as a safety measure prior to the crash:

His cellular provider’s records told a different story. The driver was, in fact, engaged in a lengthy text messaging conversation during his trip and at the time of the crash. This was easily proven by comparing the Georgia Crash Report – Crash Date & Time to the driver’s cell phone records as shown below:

When this tractor trailer driver was texting and driving, he knew that his actions were dangerous. He said so in his deposition testimony:

6         Q.  Did you know at the time of this
7.    wreck and did you believe at the time of this —
8.    that this wreck occurred that texting and driving
9.    was, as on this video we just watched, one of the
10.  most dangerous things you can do while driving a
11.  vehicle?
12.       A.  Yes, I was aware.
13.       Q.  And did you it anyway?
14.        A.  Yes.

This driver’s dangerous choice to text and drive caused significant injuries to my client that resulted in a very expensive and risky neck surgery. As a consequence of this driver’s choice to text and drive, my client will never be the same. He has internal hardware to stabilize his spine and he will never again be the same father and husband he once was. In addition to my client’s serious injuries, this driver’s employer had to pay a large amount of money to settle this claim.

Nobody “won” in this situation. A man’s life was forever altered and a company lost a lot of money due to its driver’s dangerous choice to text and drive. We should all keep this lesson in mind so we don’t make the same dangerous mistake.

Common Bad Habits to Avoid While Driving in Georgia

  1. Texting. This is a bad and dangerous habit in Georgia and throughout the country. Texting while driving is extremely dangerous. Some research shows that the dangers of texting and driving can be as profound as those associated with drinking and driving. Texting and driving should always be avoided for safety reasons. Moreover, it is illegal to do so in Georgia and punishable by a fine. 
  1. Using apps or other phone functions. Equally dangerous is using your phone to access apps, music, or any other functions. For instance, one study suggested that the rising popularity Pokemon Go was causing more accidents on the road because game-obsessed drivers sometimes try to play as they drive. Like texting, using smartphone applications while driving should always be avoided.
  1. Talking on the phone. Some studies show that even hands-free cell phone conversations present a significant risk. Although hands-free calling is a safer way to communicate than texting, you should be aware that it still presents a risk on the road.
  1. Eating and drinking. Some people eat and drink when they drive. In fact, at one time or another most people have probably tried to grab a bite or sip on a soda while behind the wheel. While there are some circumstances where this might be safe, you should never eat or drink anything that takes both hands, is messy, or can be easily spilled.
  1. Any other multitasking. There are countless other ways a person can be distracted trying to multitask as they drive. Anytime you are taking attention away from your driving to do something else, it can be a problem and a safety hazard.

Distracted Driving Poses Significant Financial Risks

Distracted driving poses significant financial risks, impacting individuals and society at large. Lets explore some financial consequences that may arise from this dangerous behavior:

  1. Increased Auto Insurance Premiums: Traffic violations related to distracted driving lead to higher automobile insurance premiums. When you receive a citation for distracted driving, your automobile insurance costs can increase significantly. According to The Zebra, a 2024 cell phone violation can increase your insurance premiums by 21.56%. Repeated offenses can compound these costs resulting in prohibitively expense automobile insurance premiums. 
  1. Insurance Claims and Payouts: Insurance companies are in the business of making money. Distracted driving accidents result in property damage and personal bodily injury payouts. An “at-fault” distracted driving accident will almost certainly increase the at-fault driver’s premiums. However, the financial fallout does not stop with that driver. When more distracted driving accidents occur, automobile insurers will have higher overall claims expenses. This means that those increased expenses will be passed along to the public in the form of higher premiums.
  1. Property Damage and Repairs: Distracted driving often results in crashes, leading to property damage. Repairing or replacing damaged vehicles can be expensive, especially in the modern world where vehicle maintenance and repair costs continue to rise.
  1. Medical Expenses: Distracted driving accidents can result in injuries to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Medical expenses, including hospital bills and doctor visits can quickly add up.
  1. Legal Fees and Fines: Most states have enacted laws that impose monetary fines on individuals who plead guilty or are convicted of distracted driving. For example, in Georgia, the monetary fines can be found at O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241(f)(1).
  1. Lost Wages and Productivity: When distracted driving leads to accidents, the accident victims often miss time from work to deal with car repairs, doctor’s appointments, etc. This can result in lost income for the victims and lost productivity for employers when their employees are unable to perform their job duties efficiently.
  1. Vehicle Depreciation: Most of us know that the resale value of a damaged vehicle is much less than a non-wrecked vehicle. Even after repairs, potential buyers may hesitate to purchase a car with an accident history.
  1. Business Costs: When commercial vehicles are involved in distracted driving accidents, the businesses often face repair costs, insurance claims, and lost revenue. For example, when a tractor trailer driver is involved in a distracted driving accident, the trucking company will likely face several claims that include damaged cargo, property damage, worker’s compensation, and even third-party bodily injury. It may not end there. If the company has a history of distracted driving accidents caused by its drivers, it may face regulatory penalties and lose business from customers that hire it to transport goods.

Distracted Driving is a Top Concern for Automobile Accident Lawyers

Personal injury automobile accident lawyers are usually interested in whether the at-fault driver was distracted at the time of the wreck that injured their client. There are many reasons for this but the primary reason is that injury claim and lawsuit awards are usually larger when the are aggravating circumstances that contribute to the wreck.

So, why are monetary awards typically larger when someone causes a wreck while they are distracted? In this author’s experience, it is because the distracted driver is less sympathetic than an attentive driver who simply made a mistake.

In most situations, a conscious choice must be made to take whatever action caused the distraction. For example, someone must choose to use their cell phone. They must choose to wear earbuds. They must choose to check their email. They must choose to play a game. They must choose to apply makeup. A conscious choice is much different from an innocent mistake where someone, for example, misjudges the distance between themselves and another driver.

Additionally, drivers that violate a distracted driving law may be negligent per se. This means the law presumes that the distracted driver breached their duty of care and is negligent as a matter of law. In negligence per se cases, the injured party (usually the Plaintiff) only needs to prove that the negligent acted “caused” their damages (and of course, what those damages are).

The lesson here is quite simple. Distracted driving exposes drivers to significant financial burdens so don’t do it.

Be Safe: Focus on the Road When Driving

Driving isn’t a time to lose focus. Every day, most Americans drive and it is easy to get complacent. Distracted driving not only jeopardizes lives but it also results in substantial financial burdens. By staying focused on the road, we can mitigate the risks of driving and promote safer driving practices for everyone.

If you’d like more information, or if you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, feel free to contact the personal injury lawyers at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter at (833) 534-2542 in Kennesaw, Cobb County, Georgia today.

How to Find Complaints Against a Medical Professional (Avoiding Medical Malpractice)

Ga Trial Attorney for Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case

How to Find Complaints Against a Medical Professional (Avoiding Medical Malpractice)

Daytime television is full of commercials telling people who suffer from injuries how they can sue the party who injured them. These commercials feature law firms that claim to specialize in personal injury and medical malpractice. The message is that the injured person deserves to be compensated and the lawyer will stop at nothing to obtain just compensation.  These mega advertising firms rarely disclose the astronomical number of cases they handle thereby giving an unsuspecting caller the impression that their case will receive specialized attention.

Each case is different and needs careful evaluation to determine the best way of maximizing the recovery.  While a lawsuit is an option, it is not the only option. A patient injured due to medical malpractice can use alternative methods to obtain fair compensation. Often, alternative methods are the best options.

Here, we discuss the following alternatives to medical malpractice suits:

  1. Alternative dispute resolution
  2. Filing an insurance claim
  3. Direct settlement

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution, or ADR, is a process wherein the parties go to an unattached third party to settle the dispute. One ADR method is through the use of a mediator who is knowledgeable in medical malpractice cases. The mediator will meet with the parties, both separately and together, and attempt to come to a settlement. The mediator will stress how a court will likely rule and explain that settling can avoid costly litigation.

Another common ADR method is binding arbitration. Similar to mediation, there is an unattached third party who is knowledgeable in medical malpractice and its nuances. Because it is binding, the parties contractually agree to the arbitrator’s ruling. It’s less formal and less costly than a trial but produces a final outcome. While a court can overturn an arbitrator’s ruling, courts are very unlikely to do so.

Filing an Insurance Claim

In most cases, the entity calling the shots in a medical malpractice case is the doctor’s insurance company, not the doctor. The doctor’s malpractice insurance usually covers these types of lawsuits, even if the doctor is guilty of negligence. As a result, contacting the insurance company and filing a claim may compel the insurance company to try and settle the case. The insurance company may be willing to cut a deal instead of going to litigation. Although a doctor is unlikely to reveal which insurance company provides medical malpractice coverage, a lawyer who conducts a thorough search would likely discover this information.  Although this approach sometimes works in clear liability cases, it rarely works if the doctor or the insurer has a reasonable defense.

Direct Settlement

Under some circumstances, a doctor may be willing to settle a case instead of referring the case to an insurance company. Under Georgia law, a doctor is required to report all medical malpractice claims against him. The insurance companies have access to these reports. As a result of these reports, doctor malpractice insurance premiums increase. As such, a doctor may prefer that the plaintiff not report the claim and instead settle for a cash amount. This helps the doctor avoid reporting the claim and avoid trial; it provides the injured patient with immediate cash and avoids trial risk.

Similarly, doctor malpractice premiums may carry high deductibles, so doctors may be willing to satisfy smaller patient’s claim in lieu of paying the deductible.

Contact Attorney Joel Williams if you are a Victim of Medical Malpractice

If you are a victim of medical malpractice, contact the personal injury law firm of Joel Williams, a Cobb County, Georgia lawyer who will tailor a plan for you. If you have questions or would like to discuss your case, please call our office today at 833 – LEGALGA for a free consultation.

Personal Injury: Accidents on Vacation

accidents vacation injury personal

Personal Injury: Accidents on Vacation

Unfortunately, vacation injuries are quite common, and these types of injuries tend to increase as the weather gets warmer. You often engage in more physical activities on vacation than you otherwise would, such as water skiing, visiting theme parks, and taking cruises. This increase in activity can also increase your likelihood of being injured.

Even if you have been injured outside of your state or local area, you can still assert a personal injury claim for injuries sustained if the injuries were due to someone else’s negligence. The question becomes: where should you assert your legal claim? Often, the answer is that you need to initiate your case in the state where you were injured.

Waivers and Lawsuits

You often rely on other people’s equipment and expertise when you are on vacation, which presents unique legal issues. You may be required to sign a waiver before you engage in certain activities as well. However, these waivers do not necessarily undermine your legal claim. A personal injury attorney will be able to assess your situation and determine whether you have a viable legal claim.

If you sign a contract or waiver before engaging in an activity, you may have also agreed to initiate a personal injury claim in a specific jurisdiction. This contractual language is known as a “forum selection clause,” and many businesses use it so that they can control where lawsuits should be asserted. Usually, the forum will be wherever the company’s corporate office is located. In some situations, that could be in a far away state.

Injuries at Amusement Parks

According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy, roughly 20 children or teens are treated in the U.S. in emergency rooms each day due to amusement ride-related injuries. The most common injuries are to the head and neck. Although amusement parks have strict rules and regulations that they must follow to comply with local and federal laws, they cannot prevent all injuries from occurring.

If a child or adult injures themselves due to the carelessness of an amusement park employee, they may have a legal claim. You may need to file your lawsuit wherever the injury occurred, even if it occurred out of state.

Cruise Injuries

If your injury occurred while you were on a cruise, you might be able to assert that the cruise employees did not competently or carefully do their job, and that resulted in your injury. Most cruise companies will require that you sign a contract that indicates where you will bring your claim if you are injured.

This agreement is particularly relevant for cruise companies because your injury may very well have actually occurred in the middle of the ocean or in a foreign country. That means that just because your injury actually occurred while you were docked in the Bahamas does not mean that your legal options are limited.

Getting Legal Help

Vacation injuries can be tricky because of the unique contracts that may apply and the various locations that the damage may occur. You should discuss the matter with an experienced personal injury lawyer before you assume that there is nothing you can do. Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter at 833-LEGALGA today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Alter How Children Interact with Parents

traumatic brain injuries children

Traumatic Brain Injuries Alter How Children Interact With Parents

Two percent of children under the age of five have suffered from a concussion. That’s 1 out of 50 who have experienced a traumatic brain injury as a result of a slip and fall, car wreck, or other injury. Aside from affecting the child’s ability to perform everyday functions and learn, traumatic brain injuries also alter how the child interacts with his or her parents. We’ve discussed what traumatic brain injuries are in the past; today we want to focus on how these personal injuries can affect your child’s relationship and interactions with you and your family.

Emotional and Behavioral Changes

A child’s behavior and emotions can change considerably after a concussion. Below are some examples we’ve seen in our years representing Georgia children with brain injuries:

  • A child can act out when he becomes frustrated because they cannot remember things as well as they did before;
  • The child’s attention span can be limited, so they can have difficulties focusing in general or on certain tasks;
  • Loss of self-awareness can occur: A child cannot or does not realize they cannot do some things they were once able to do before an injury. For example, they may have lost their “filter,” so they speak without thinking, which hurts you or their siblings as a result;
  • A child suffering from a traumatic brain injury can be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a car accident. They may now have panic attacks or become triggered by certain situations they were once comfortable in; and
  • Depression and anxiety are common in children with brain injuries. These disorders can manifest themselves through aggression, isolation, or increased irritability.

Effects on Family

While the behavioral changes of the injured child have the most impact on family dynamics, there are other factors and considerations as well. External stressors, such as medical bills and therapy, cause parents to become increasingly irritable or frustrated. If a child’s brain injury is severe and requires constant attention, then siblings may feel left out or unloved. If the parents or siblings were involved in the same accident as the injured child but were not injured themselves, they could suffer from survivor’s guilt.

It’s important to note that regardless of any effects this injury has on your family, you are not at fault for these changes; someone else caused this to happen to your child. All of these effects and changes are normal, and there is no shame in having any of these thoughts or feelings.

Treatment Options

A traumatic brain injury, whether mild or severe, takes an extreme toll on a family. The injured child, parents, and family members suffer differently due to the increased stress or needs placed on them. Should your child exhibit behavioral changes lasting longer than a few weeks, consider professional counseling. Family therapy may also be beneficial to minimize the effects of the brain injury on your loved ones.

Contact Us

We hope you never have to deal with the emotional stress of having a brain injured child. However, if you or a loved one needs assistance, our experienced Georgia personal injury attorneys are here to help. To schedule your free consultation at our Kennesaw office, please call Joel Williams at  833-LEGALGA.  If you are unable to come to us, we can come to you.

High Speed Wreck Kills Man In Cobb County

As empty stretcher being rolled by a paramedic on a street near a cop car and an ambulance.
Every year there are thousands of car wreck fatalities in the U.S., with more than a thousand taking place in Georgia alone. Many fatalities are caused by the reckless actions of motorists. While occasional speeding may seem minor, the consequences of high speed crashes can be dire. This was the case in a recent accident, early this month, when a car traveling 100 mph crashed into another vehicle. A driver in Cobb County, Georgia is now facing charges after a high-speed crash, which led to the death of a young father.

The Accident

Guadalupe Osornio, 26, was driving home, after completing a 12-hour shift, in Smyrna early on a Friday morning when his vehicle was broadsided by an orange Dodge Challenger. Investigators concluded the Challenger had been traveling around 100 mph when it impacted and sliced Osornio’s vehicle in half, killing Osornio instantly. The driver of the Challenger, David James Fuller, was being chased by police moments before the crash occurred. Osornio leaves behind his wife and a five-year old son.

Fuller To Be Charged

While Osornio lost his life, Fuller sustained relatively minor injuries and was arrested on June 3. According to police, Fuller was already wanted in three other Georgia counties for other crimes. He is now being charged with homicide by vehicle in the first degree, felony serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing, and attempting to elude the authorities. In addition, after the wreck a firearm was found in Fuller’s vehicle.  Some believe the firearm maybe linked to shots that were fired earlier, miles away from the accident.

Seeking Legal Recourse For Reckless Driving

Reckless driving, particularly speeding, often leads to severe injury and even fatalities. A victim of such a wreck has the ability to seek legal action.  The victim may be able to recover monetary compensation for medical expenses, damage to their vehicle or other property, and pain and suffering.  In the case of car accidents involving fatalities, eligible survivors of the victims, such as the spouse and children, may seek redress through a wrongful death claim.

Help From An Attorney

When you or a loved one is hurt by a reckless driver, it can be overwhelming. Getting back to your normal life means you need to focus on recovery. If the injuries are severe and the medical expenses are mounting, you need the help of an experienced attorney. Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter for a free consultation about your case in Marietta, Cobb County, and Georgia. Joel has years of experience handling car accident and wrongful death cases here in Georgia. His goal is to help victims of these traumatic events find the closure they deserve. Call today to speak about the specifics of your case and find out how we can help you. 833-LEGALGA