Atlanta, Savannah, & All of Georgia

By Laura Kelly

Over the holiday weekend, four motorists were killed in Georgia. The Georgia State Patrol reported 169 injuries and 280 wrecks during the 78-hour period ending on Monday night.

Cobb county resident, Eric Lynch, 18, was killed on Christmas night. Lynch lost control of his vehicle after speeding down the wet pavement of Pisgah Road and hit a utility pole, as reported by Cobb County spokesman Mike Bowman. Lynch was not wearing a seatbelt.

Another death occurred early Monday morning involving a driver not wearing a seat belt. 27-year-old David Jones, of Powder Springs, was killed near Five Oaks Place in Mableton after his Ford F-150 ran off the road and hit several trees. Jones was pronounced dead on the scene. Alcohol use is being considered a factor in the accident, said Bowman.

Buckling up can save your life. Hundreds of drivers are affected by alcohol, fatigue, bad weather and traffic jams, especially during the holidays, making Georgia's highways a dangerous place.

"It is so sad to hear about these accidents, especially during the holidays. My deepest sympathies go out to the family members of the drivers," said Atlanta personal injury lawyer, Gary Martin Hays. "When traveling this holiday season, make sure to buckle up and slow down, especially if the roads are wet. Speeding won't help you to get your destination any faster. Your safety is the number one priority. Don't risk it."

Attorneys at The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays and Associates specialize in personal injury claims. If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident, call us today. Don't fight the insurance companies by yourself. Our expertly trained staff will settle your claim and get you the compensation you deserve. Call 1-800-989-HAYS for your free consultation.

The number of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Georgia has decreased steadily in recent years. But while the number of fatalities has declined, the financial impact of a fatal auto accident has skyrocketed in both states and nationwide. In 2009, the cost of a single motor vehicle fatality exceeded $6 million nationwide, according to federal accident data analyzed by AAA. That figure is 85 percent - or $2.76 million - higher compared to 2005, when the estimated cost of a single motor vehicle fatality was $3.24 million across the country.

What would your family do if you lost a loved in a fatal car crash in Georgia? Who would you trust? You need a dedicated Georgia fatal auto accident attorney on your side. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon and all of Georgia, our knowledgeable fatal auto accident attorneys in Atlanta have spent their careers working tirelessly for the rights of clients. We understand how frustrating and complicated an accident can be for families dealing with the aftermath of losing a loved one. Allow us to deal with all the red tape associated with an accident so you can focus on your recovery. Put your trust in a fatal auto accident lawyer in Georgia who puts people first. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

The number of people who died in motor vehicle accidents in Georgia has declined in recent years. In 2005, a total of 1,729 people died in auto accidents statewide. In contrast, 1,284 people died in car crashes in Georgia in 2009, according to the most recent statistics.

Accidents happen fast. But the effects can last a lifetime. Don't worry about whether you're doing the right thing after your family's accident. Consult with someone familiar with handling such complex situations. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Your initial consultation is free. It's that simple.

The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates - we're on your side.

By Laura Kelly

Georgia's highways are most dangerous around the holiday season. Trips are longer and traffic jams are more frequent. Travelers are more anxious to get to their destination, speeds increase and so does fatigue. Late night holiday celebrations leave some drivers intoxicated, putting you at the mercy of their impaired state. Add in a mix of icy weather conditions and you have a very dangerous commute ahead.

A report conducted by the Crash Reporting Unit at the Georgia Department of Transportation revealed that during the 2010 Thanksgiving weekend there were a total of 2,571 crashes, 1,099 injuries and 13 traffic deaths.

A major cause of accidents in the US is driver fatigue. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there are estimated to be 56,000 sleep related road crashes annually, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 fatalities. Fatigue can cause drivers to become delusional, careless and even fall asleep at the wheel. Often they fail to maintain lane and overcorrect, resulting in a car accident.  Here are a few tips we would like to share with you to avoid driver fatigue:

• Be sure to get plenty of rest before you get behind the wheel, especially if it is a long trip.
• Take breaks every two hours to maximize alertness.
• Eat healthy snacks and avoid high sugar, high fat foods.
• If someone is traveling with you, split up the drive and take turns behind the wheel.
• Do not consume alcoholic beverages- not even a little. Stick with caffeine or water.

The National Transportation Safety Board announced the week of November 6-12 to be "Drowsy Driving Prevention Week."  NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman said, "Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is an ideal time to remind drivers that being well rested is a safety measure that can save lives 52 weeks a year," Hersman said. "If you can't stay alert, then stay off the road."

Every year, we handle thousands of claims on behalf of people injured in car wrecks, tractor trailer wrecks, and motorcycle collisions.  Sadly, some of our clients have lost a loved one because of someone else's negligence in a wreck.  Often times, we represent people who have never been through this legal process.

"This holiday season stay alert and be aware of dangerous drivers. You may not be sleepy, and you may not be drunk, but the driver in the car or truck next to you could be," said Gary Martin Hays.

Don't become a statistic. If you have been injured in a car accident, call The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates at 770-934-8000. Our expertly trained staff of attorneys and paralegals is ready to assist you in your personal injury case.

Georgia is one of 34 states nationwide that bans people from texting while driving. Distracted driving kills and injuries thousands of people nationwide every year. Even so, many people continue to text and drive because they think they can do both safely at the same time. Think again. A recent study revealed some startling information about the effects of texting on a driver's reaction time. According to the study, drivers react twice as slow while texting.

What would you do if you were injured by a texting driver in Georgia?  You need a determined texting accident lawyer in Georgia on your side. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia, our experienced distracted driving attorneys in Atlanta, GA take great pride in working on behalf of clients every day. We work tirelessly with one goal in mind: to get accident victims the compensation they rightfully deserve. Serious accidents demand serious attention. Contact an auto accident attorney in Georgia who will put your interests first. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

Results from the recent scientific study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute revealed some shocking information. Using a closed road, the scientific test involved drivers attempting to read or write a text message while driving on an open road and a section of roadway lined with construction barrels. Throughout the test, drivers who were texting reacted much slower than the test subjects who were not texting. "It is frightening," the researchers wrote, "to think of how much more poorly our participants may have performed if the driving conditions were more consistent with routine driving."

Texting accidents happen fast on Georgia's roads and highways. Don't suffer in silence. If you've been injured in an accident, take action. Contact a Georgia accident attorney who will fight for your rights. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We're on your side.

According to the 2009 AAA traffic data report, Atlanta ranked 4^th in the nation for car accidents and 6^th for traffic-related deaths.  During this year, over 62,000 people were injured in car wrecks and 498 were killed due to high speed accidents and traffic congestion.Traffic accident costs are steadily on the rise. Nationally, nearly $300 billion dollars has been dished out each year for crashes - $11 million of that total was contributed by Atlanta. Since 2005, severe car accident costs have tripled the amount of congestion accidents costs. See: Auto Accident Lawyer

So what do we do? Add additional lanes to Atlanta's highways to alleviate congestion? If additional lanes are added, then there will be less traffic and speeds will increase. As speeds increase, the risk of fatal or severe car accidents increase also. By widening motorways, travelers could be exposed to greater danger. Traffic congestion accidents are costly, of both time and money. Travelers tend to weave lanes, follow too closely and tempers flare when traffic is backed up. However, these accidents usually cause minimal damage and injuries, but occur more frequently.

While congested roadways appear to lead to fewer minor accidents, they experience much more severe accidents and the cost is extremely high. As for congested highways, the number of minor crashes may increase, but the damages are usually minimal and the cost is much less.

Gary Martin Hays, Atlanta's wrongful death and personal injury lawyer, says "Whenever we get behind the wheel, we need to take a deep breath, and slow down.  We know Atlanta's roads will be congested and we should expect traffic to be heavy - especially during peak periods.  Plan accordingly." If you are injured in a car accident, you deserve compensation. No case is too small, and serious accidents demand serious attention. The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates have been assisting clients all over the metro-Atlanta and Macon areas. With new offices opening up in Augusta and Savannah, compensation will just be a phone call away.

Accidents happen every day, and sometimes it is not your fault. Don't take on the insurance companies by yourself, take action. Call the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We are on your side.

By Laura E. Kelly

Sources:

https://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/ViewAttachment.aspx?SiteName=AAACS&Entity=PRAsset&AttachmentType=F&EntityID=105621&AttachmentID=ebef0286-b0ec-4020-904e-98923e75130d

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-ranks-4th-in-1217565.html

Georgia may soon become the ninth state nationwide to adopt an innovative life-saving program which immediately provides emergency workers with vital information about drivers and passengers on the road. And there's nothing high tech or modern about the "yellow dot" program.

Motorists simply stick a large yellow dot on their vehicle. That dot lets emergency first responders know there's medical information about the person in the car or truck inside the glove compartment.

Every second counts after a serious accident. Have you or someone you love been injured in an auto accident caused by another driver in Georgia? Don't suffer in silence because of someone else's irresponsible actions. Contact a Georgia car accident injury lawyer who will stand up for you. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients throughout Georgia, our experienced Atlanta auto accident injury attorneys believe strongly in making sure injury victims get the compensation they rightfully deserve. Allow us to help your family get back on track. Contact a Georgia auto accident injury attorney dedicated to fighting for justice. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

The "yellow dot" program began in 2009 in one county in Alabama. The program now exists in 27 Alabama counties and parts of seven other states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York and Virginia.

Rescue workers call the first 60 minutes after an injury accident the "golden hour." Whether a person lives or dies depends largely on what kind of treatment they receive during this time.

Accidents happen fast. You life can change forever in an instant. You need an experienced law firm on your side who responds just as quickly to your case. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We're on your side.

Georgia has the fourth highest price tag in the nation for fatal motor vehicle crashes, according to a recent study. Deadly motor vehicle accidents cost Georgia $1.55 billion each year. That's nearly $160 per person annually statewide!

What would you do if a loved one died in a motor vehicle accident? Is your family considering filing a wrongful death lawsuit? You need an experienced Georgia wrongful death lawyer on your side. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia, our experienced Atlanta auto accident attorneys can give you the attention you rightfully deserve. Allow us to help your family  get back on track. Contact a Georgia auto accident lawyer with years of experience standing up for clients. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

In 2008, 37,261 people died nationwide in motor vehicle accidents within 30 days of the crash, according to the most recent statistics. Measuring how hard each death affects families is impossible. But you can put a price tag on the financial impact of a fatal motor vehicle crash. And the numbers are startling: $41 billion in lost work and medical expenses nationwide each year, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For families in Georgia who suffer such a loss, a wide variety of issues need to be addressed. How will your family pay for medical expenses related to the accident? How will you pay for the funeral? And what about the future? How will your family support itself? How will you survive?

Many people simply want to resolve these issues immediately and decide to settle as quickly as possible with insurance companies. When they do so, they sometimes do not get the full compensation they rightfully deserve.

Knowing what to do after a fatal motor vehicle accident can be confusing. Don't despair. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We're ready to work for you.

Athens Police

Two 10-year-old boys died on June 3 after the car they were traveling in was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer truck in Athens.

Killed in the rear-end accident were Evan Escoe, of Hull, who died instantly in the wreck along U.S Highway 441. The other boy, Samuel Hart, of Comer, died a day later at an Atlanta Hospital, according to the Athens Banner-Herald. The boys sustained head trauma, according to news reports.

Samuel's mother, Elisha Hart, was driving the children, who were in the back seat, to a lake at Sandy Creek Park. Hart and her 8-year-old son Carter, who was in the front seat, sustained non-threatening injuries, authorities told the Banner-Herald.

The fatal car accident occurred as Hart slowed down for a car in front of her that was turning into a business. The truck hit her from behind, police told the Banner-Herald. The trucker, a 57-year-old man from North Carolina, was not injured, according to the news report.

The rear-end collision is under investigation. Police say drugs and alcohol did not play a role in the crash, according to the Banner-Herald.

Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of crashes. Athens personal injury lawyer Gary Martin Hays, of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, P.C., said rear-end accidents involving tractor-trailers can be devastating due to the size of the trucks compared to the passenger vehicle.

"As this case illustrates, a rear-end collision involving a tractor-trailer can have deadly consequences," Hays said. "While it's not clear what caused this accident, driver distraction is one of the top causes of rear-end accidents. Accidents happen fast. Drivers need to stay focused on the task at hand. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the boys who lost their lives in this tragic accident."

Many people lead busy lives. These days, multitasking is not only accepted, but it's encouraged at work or at home. Unfortunately, when multitasking extends to our cars we are putting others at risk through distracted driving.

It's shocking how many people get into auto accidents due to distractions such as texting while driving or eating while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 20 percent of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving.

Are you prepared to take action if a distracted driver causes an accident? If you or someone you know was injured due to a distracted driver, don't hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer in Atlanta to learn about your rights. The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates can put experience and resources to work for you.

The following are some of the top driving distractions in Atlanta:

• Texting while driving: Pull over to a safe spot if you need to send or receive text messages. With texting while driving, you're taking at least one hand off the wheel and your eyes off the road. Some studies have compared texting to risks associated with drunk driving.
• Talking on a cell phone: While not as risky as texting while driving, talking on a cell phone can distract you more than you might think. Even with hands-free headsets, drivers who are engaged in phone conversations are not able to completely focus on operating their vehicle.
• Eating and drinking while driving: It's best to avoid eating while driving, especially hot food and drinks. Eating requires taking at least one of your hands off the wheel. If you spill a hot beverage, you may be significantly distracted.
• Use of electronic devices while driving: The use of iPods or programming of a GPS unit behind the wheel increases the risk of a car accident as you will need to take at least one hand off the wheel and your attention will turn from the road to your electronic device.
• Personal grooming: Women in a hurry may be tempted to put makeup on. Men may shave or even brush their teeth while driving. Any of these actions will require you to take your eyes off the road for a moment or your hands off the wheel.
• Reading maps or other material: Like texting, reading of maps can significantly increase the risk of an accident due to having to take your eyes off the road. People even have been known to read books or work reports, which should be done before or after getting into the car.

Reports have estimated that distracted driving was responsible for nearly 6,000 fatalities and 500,000 injuries in the United States in 2008.

To keep the Georgia roads safe, drivers need to remember to focus on the task at hand. This is especially important for younger drivers. (The under-20 age group has the greatest proportion of distracted drivers, according to the NHTSA).

If a distracted driver was responsible for your injuries, don't hesitate to talk to an experienced car accident attorney in Atlanta. Let a Georgia auto accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates help you with your options. Contact us today to learn more.

Elderly Woman Dragged by MARTA Bus: MyFoxATLANTA.com

A woman was injured after her arm was stuck in the door of a MARTA bus and she was dragged about 63 feet on May 8, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Bus driver Belinda McMillan, 52, was arrested and charged with reckless conduct in connection with the Atlanta bus accident. Witnesses  told Atlanta police that McMillan drove away after the incident, which occurred at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Mayson Turner Road in northwest Atlanta, according to the AJC.

The victim was identified as Lettie Robinson, 62, who was exiting the bus and turned to retrieve her purse from inside the bus. The front door then closed on her arm and the bus began moving, dragging Robinson, police told the AJC.

Bystanders tried to alert the driver, according to news reports. A witness apparently drove in front of the bus to stop the bus. The bus driver stopped and opened the door. The victim fell to the ground and rolled in front of the bus, police told the AJC.

Police said the woman, who uses a walker, sustained a broken arm and cuts on her legs and head. She was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The driver was placed on administrative leave while MARTA conducts a full internal investigation, according to the Journal Constitution.

"The allegations in this incident are extremely serious," said Atlanta personal injury lawyer Gary Martin Hays. "MARTA has a duty to ensure safety and security of all passengers. We hope this incident is fully investigated and proper action is taken to make sure such incidents do not happen in the future. Hopefully, the passenger who was injured makes a full and speedy recovery."