Atlanta, Savannah, & All of Georgia

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

Pedestrians die every year due to auto accidents in Georgia. Between 2000 and 2006, a total of 1,087 pedestrians lost their lives in an auto accident in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. That's 155 people each year. Sometimes, distracted drivers hit pedestrians. Other times, it's the pedestrians who are distracted. A startling study recently highlighted the link between pedestrian accidents and texting.

Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident in Georgia? Injured by a driver talking on a cell phone in Atlanta? You need a Georgia personal injury lawyer who puts people first. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients in Georgia, our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping people injured in pedestrian accidents. We understand how long and difficult the recovery process can be after a serious pedestrian accident. We know how difficult insurance companies can be sometimes responding to claim requests. Level the playing field. Contact a Georgia personal injury attorney committed to fighting for your rights. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

Here's a sobering statistic. If you're texting while crossing the street, you're four times more likely to be hit by a car than someone who's not texting. Specifically, you have a 25 percent chance of being hit by a car while crossing the street if you're texting. If you are not texting, you have a 6 percent chance of being hit by a vehicle, according to scientific study conducted by the Youth Safety Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Pedestrian accidents result in serious injuries - and even death - every day across America. More than 59,000 pedestrians are injured each year in accidents on average nationwide, according to the statistics compiled by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration.

Accidents happen fast. But the consequences can last weeks, months or even years. If you've been injured in a pedestrian accident, fight back. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We mean business!

Georgia places a great deal of importance on school bus safety. That's why officials in Gainesville, Georgia - a city near Atlanta - met recently to review safety procedures. "(T)here's a number of buses on the roadways, as well as other vehicles on the roadways, so therefore the percentage for an accident goes up," said Kevin Holbrook, public information officer for the Gainesville Police Department.

School bus accidents in Georgia happen fast. In an instant, your child can sustain a serious injury. Knowing what to do after a school bus accident can be challenging. You need a Georgia personal injury lawyer with experience handling complicated cases. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients in Georgia, our knowledgeable Atlanta personal injury attorneys have dedicated their careers to helping people injured in bus accidents. We know how complex such cases can be for injury victims and their families. We can help. Contact a Georgia personal injury attorney who puts people first. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

The recent school bus safety event in Gainesville, Georgia allowed police and other emergency personnel to practice important safety procedures. Officials rehearsed evacuating a school bus, including how to properly and efficiently evacuate children. Every second counts in a school bus accident. The slightest delay could mean the difference between a minor and a serious injury.

So many factors come into play in a school bus accident. Was the bus driver obeying all traffic signals? Was the other driver speeding, texting while driving or operating under the influence of alcohol? These are just some of the issues we regularly investigate in accidents involving school buses and other vehicles.

Don't leave your future to chance. Go with an experienced law firm focused on results. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We're on your side.

Atlanta, Georgia has some of the most dangerous streets for pedestrians in the country. To be exact, it's the 11^th most dangerous place to walk in the country. That's the conclusion of a recent study conducted by Transportation for America, a nonprofit safety advocacy organization. Each year, there are 1.6 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, Georgia area, the study states. The most dangerous place to walk in the country is the Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida area. In fact, the top four are all in Florida.

Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident in Georgia? Don't suffer in silence because of someone else's irresponsible actions. Contact a Georgia pedestrian accident lawyer who stands up for victims' rights. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients throughout Georgia, our experienced Atlanta pedestrian injury attorneys believe strongly in making sure injury victims get the compensation they rightfully deserve. A pedestrian injury accident can result in serious injuries, which could sideline you for weeks or even months. You deserve justice. Demand it. Contact a Georgia pedestrian injury attorney who means business.  Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

Pedestrian accidents happen far too often. Every 8 minutes, a pedestrian sustains an injury in a traffic accident in America, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's more than 69,000 injuries each year. Even worse, such accidents are sometimes fatal. In 2008, 4,378 pedestrians were killed in accidents nationwide.

Know the facts. Be aware. Pedestrian accidents are serious. If you're a victim of a pedestrian accident in Georgia, you need an aggressive law firm on your side. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

Older drivers have some of the safest driving habits on the road. They wear seatbelts more than younger drivers. They're involved in fewer drunk driving accidents. And when they have their grandchildren in the car, they're less likely to be in an auto accident. That's the conclusion of a recent scientific study written about in Time Magazine. Specifically, children are twice as safe when their grandparents are driving instead of their parents, the report states.

Even so, accidents happen. Do you know what you would do if you were injured in an accident caused by another driver in Georgia? You need a Georgia personal injury lawyer who puts people first. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Serving clients in Georgia, our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys have years of experience successfully fighting for auto accident injury victims. We know how disruptive an auto accident can be to people's lives. That's why we work tirelessly to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve to get your life back on track. Contact a Georgia personal injury attorney dedicated to fighting for justice. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates.

Older drivers can take certain steps to stay safer on the road. They include:

• Exercising regularly. Staying fit keeps your senses sharp.
• Having your eyes checked once a year. Good vision saves lives!
• Asking your doctor if you're taking the right medicines.
• Planning your route before your drive.
• Leaving enough space between you and car in front.

But no matter what steps you take, even the safest drivers can easily be injured in an auto accident. Don't let someone else's reckless behavior ruin your life. Take back control. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Our lawyers have dedicated their careers to fighting for auto accident injury victims throughout Georgia. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence and attention to detail. We will leave no stone unturned when you choose us to represent you. The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates - we mean business!

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."

If you ride a motorcycle regularly in Georgia, you may be interested in a report detailing an interesting trend in motorcycle fatalities.

A new report by the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) reveals some good news and bad news about risks for motorcycle riders. First the good news: Motorcycle fatalities in the United States dropped by 2 percent during the first nine months of 2010. Now the bad news: Fatalities started to climb back up during the last three of those nine months. Also, the number of people wearing federally approved helmets dropped by 13 percent.

Were you or someone you know injured in a motorcycle accident? Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in Georgia is an important step toward protecting yourself legally. If you were injured, or a loved one was killed, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney who knows how to stand up to the insurance companies. You need the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, serving clients throughout Georgia. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Atlanta to learn about your rights.

In Georgia, there were 112 motorcycle fatalities during the first nine months in 2009, compared to 98 during the same time period in 2010.

Researchers describe the trend as good news, but say they have concerns.  The 2 percent decrease is far less than the dramatic 16 percent decrease in fatalities reported in 2009. To quote a GHSA news release: "With the improving economy and surging gas prices, motorcycle travel is expected to increase, thus increasing exposure to risk. Finally, motorcycle helmet use dropped alarmingly from 67 percent in 2009 to 54 percent in 2010."

It's important for all drivers to be aware that motorcycles share the road, especially during the warmer months.  Motorcycle accidents in Georgia and elsewhere in many cases are caused by a driver who "did not see" the motorcyclist.

At the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers know how to investigate crashes and hold the negligent parties accountable. Let us provide you with experienced legal guidance. Take back control. Contact the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. Tell the insurance companies you mean business.

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.