Attorney Blog

Golfer Tiger Woods Involved in Auto Accident | Marietta Auto Accident Attorney Michael Terrell

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)22517 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to multiple news sources, golfer Tiger Woods has suffered injuries as a result of automobile accident outside his home in Florida. Reports indicate that golfer Tiger Woods accident was a single car accident that did not involve other drivers. Tiger Woods apparently hit a fire hydrant and then a tree. In the auto accident, Tiger Woods apparently suffered lacerations to his face. He was treated at a local hospital and released.

Hopefully Tiger will be ok. Given that he has already treated and been released, one would assume he is going to be OK. As a big golfer and fan of the sport, I love watching Tiger compete. Even if you aren't a fan of the sport, you have to appreciate his greatness.

There is one learning point from this accident as it relates to personal injury law. There is a common misperception that ANY accident creates a personal injury action. This is not the case. Single-car accidents such as the one involving golfer Tiger Woods, do not create personal injury actions. There must be negligence on the part of someone else. Your own negligence doesn't count. (remember, you can't sue yourself) The same concept applies if you hit a deer. Just the other day, I hit a deer. My car suffered significant damage. While I was able to get my car fixed through my insurance company. I did not have a personal injury cause of action. Likewise, golfer Tiger Woods would not have a personal injury action stemming from his single-car auto accident.

Marietta Accident Lawyer Warns Georgia Drivers to Be Aware to Avoid Accidents During Daylight Savings Time

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)21744 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Marietta, Georgia - In the days following the switch to daylight savings time be wary of increased risks of traffic accidents. According to an ABC study which looked at incidents of accident reports from 1983-2006, Mondays following daylight savings switches saw a 6% increase in accidents. Researchers attributed this increase to disruption of normal sleep patterns causing increased drowsiness.

Reports also indicate increased risks to pedestrians peak during the month of November. Bright sun sitting lower on the horizon impairs visibility.

Bottom line - drive safe!

Rockdale Wreck Injures Four, Blocks All Lanes of Eastbound I-20

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (news Author)9420 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

A two-car accident closed the eastbound lanes of I-20 in the middle of rush hour this evening. One car was overturned and four people were injured. The accident occured in Rockdale County just east of Salem Road.

All Lanes Closed on I-20 due to Two-Car Accident, Four Injured | Rockdale Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)15251 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Rush hour traffic came to a grinding halt on I-20 eastbound today when all eastbound lanes were closed due to a two-car accident in Rockdale County. One car was overturned and four people were injured. Traffic was diverted off I-20 to surface streets. Injured drivers were taken to local hospitals.

Atlanta Traffic - Third Worst In the Nation | Marietta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)15141 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

This will come as no suprise to my fellow Atlantians, but Atlanta has the 3rd worst traffic in the country. What will come as a suprise is that the reporting company found a drop in traffic sufficient to drop the ATL from a tie for second to third. What some have theorized was that the rise in gas prices contributed to the drop. According to Georgia DOT numbers, Atlanta drivers are getting back to their cars in force.

The report noted that Atlanta drivers wasted and average of 57 hours a year sitting in traffic jams. As a whole, Atlantians lost more time and money than ever to congestion. The study found over 135 million wasted hours and over $3 billion in lost earnings due to traffic congestion.

Atlanta ranked behind only Washington D.C. and Los Angeles for traffic congestion.

And unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a fix in sight. Almost of the potential fixes or proposals have been shelved by lawmakers due to bureaucratic red tape.

The biggest factor cited by the studying in decreasing traffic was the rise in gas prices.

Attorney Michael Terrell's Take

One would expect that due to fewer drivers, there would be fewer accidents in Georgia. However, I haven't seen any studies supporting this assumption.

National Traffic Fatalities Reach All-Time Low | Marietta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14829 — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently annonced that in 2008 traffic fatalities hit an all-time low since 1961. The first quarter 2009 is also reporting lower traffic fatalities than in years past.

The 2008 death count totaled just over 37,000 nationally which was a drop of nearly 10% from the year before. Counts are taken based on VMT or vehicle miles traveled.

The news was not so good for motorcyle deaths which increased for the 11th straight year.

Marietta Accident Lawyer Warns Georgia Drivers to Beware Over the 4th Holiday

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14791 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Along with Labor Day, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving, July 4th ranks among the most dangerous holidays for travel. Accordingly, please be safe on the roads.

Georgia officials, including State Troopers are ramping up for the busy July 4th weekend says Colonel Bill Hitchens of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

In 2008 there were 1,860 traffic accidents with 22 fatalities. This year officials are estimating the same number of fatalities with a few more accidents.

The chief culprits of traffic accidents are drinking and driving, speeding and failure to wear seatbelts. These three are among the 10 most common causes of accidents nationwide.

Marietta Accident Lawyer Answers Whether You Should Start to Handle Your Claim Alone

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14712 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Many people will attempt to handle their personal injury claim by themselves at first assuming that they can hand it off to a personal injury lawyer if things don't go well. But is this advisable?

In his website section entitled Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQ's for short) Personal Injury Attorney, Michael Terrell, discuss the pros and cons of attempting this. Click here.

Parking Deck Collapses in Midtown, Atlanta - No Casualties So Far | Atlanta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14488 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Researchers are hoping to reenter the wreckage from a collapsed parking garage in Midtown, today. Search crews have been unable to reenter the building due to concerns over the structures integrity and the potential for further collapse. The colllapse occured at the Centergy building on Spring Street from the fourth floors down.

Miraculously it appears that no one was injured. Hopefully no injuries will be found.

A collapse such as this provides a good opportunity to examine the issues of liability surrounding such a happening. Injuries or damages from buildings, homes, or property are governed by the laws relating to premise liability. Of course if no one is hurt (and lets hope none will be found) there would be no personal injury cases. However, those whose cars were in the deck might have claims for the loss of their cars.

To recover under premise liability theories, a plaintiff must show that a dangerous condition existed on a property that the property owner either knew or should have knew existed. The property owner's duty varies depending on whether the plaintiff is considered a invitee, a licensee or a trespasser.

In the case of the Centergy collapse, one cannot assume that just because the deck collapsed that Centergy (or whoever owned the deck) is liable. Of course, parking decks don't normally collapse (thankfully) and the fact that this one did would certainly be worth investigating. There can be little doubt that OSHA and other governmental agencies will be investigating this crash. And lets all continue to hope and pray that noone was injured.

Marietta Accident Lawyer | New Law Increases Penalties for Accidents With Motorcyclists

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14560 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new law passed by the Georgia Legislature will take effect 1 July 2009. The new law will allow for the suspension of one's drivers license upon conviction for causing serious injury to another due to a right of way violation resulting from a collision with a motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian, or farmer transporting livestock.

Such a law would have little effect on the handling of a personal injury case stemming from such an accident because convictions are not admissable as evidence. This is not to say that the evidence surrounding the collision is inadmissible. It simply means that evidence of the actual conviction itself is inadmissible.

Many don't realize that bicyclists on the roadway must be afforded the same considerations as those driving cars. And in almost all cases a driver must yield to a pedestrian.

Athens Car Wreck Lawyer | Athens Man Killed in Eastside Car Wreck

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14561 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Charles Leonard Barnett, 35, was killed in a single-car accident Sunday night. Apparently he lost control of his truck and hit a tree. A passenger was transported to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Attorney Michael Terrell's Take

This case, while sad, illustrates a couple of issues related to car wrecks and personal injury cases. First of all, the issue of liability. Remember, not all accidents are compensible. There must be a negligent act. It is entirely possible for a driver to do nothing wrong and still have an accident, for instance if a deer runs in the road and the driver over-corrects in an attempt to miss the deer. Other scenarios might involve the car malfunctioning or the brakes going out. In all the foregoing scenarios it is likely that a personal injury case would not arise because the driver was not negligent in the accident.

In Mr. Barnett's case, his passenger would be the more likely of the two to have a personal injury case. Passengers, of course, don't have control over the car. Again however, his claim would depend on whether Mr. Barnett was negligent while driving. If Mr. Barnett was not negligent, there would be no personal injury claim.

A case such as this would require the knowledge of an attorney specializing in personal injury law to investigate the claim to determine if a case could be made.

Hiram Motorcyclist Thankful He Was Referred to Injury Lawyer Michael Terrell

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14485 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

On February 1, David was driving his Harley Davidson home from watching the Superbowl when a drunk driver stopped in the middle of the road causing David to wreck his motorcyle. The fall from the motorcylce caused him to break his wrist. In the aftermath of his accident a good friend referred him to Terrell Law Firm. His case is now resolved and David feels "overwhelmed" at his good fortune in being referred to the personal injury lawyers at Terrell Law Firm. Click here to read the rest of his testimonial.

Marietta Accident Lawyer Reveals the Single Most Important Determination in Your Case

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14428 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Whether you have been rear-ended on I-75 or side-swiped on Cobb Parkway, there is a single determination that must be made before you can recover for your car accident case. This determination is explored in detail in my most recent library article - The Single Most Important Determination in Your Georgia Car Wreck Case.

Gwinnett Man Killed in Car Wreck | Marietta Car Wreck Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14413 — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

83 year-old Charles Daniels of Grayson was killed Saturday when he pulled in front of an oncoming SUV. Mr. Daniels was attempting to execute a left-hand turn when he pulled in front of an oncoming SUV. The SUV struck his car killing Mr. Daniels.

Mr. Daniels' death is a sad illustration that not every accident related injury results in a personal injury case. In Mr. Daniels' case, because he was the cause of the accident, neither he nor his family would have a personal injury claim. He was the negligent party. In order to have a personal injury claim someone else must be negligent and this negligence must cause injuries. For a more thorough discussion on this topic, see my article entitled Georgia Auto Accident Checklist - How to Prove a Georgia Car Wreck Case.

Marietta Accident Lawyer Reveals How to Get the Most for Your Wrecked Car - Part II

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14340 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A common area of inquiry for accident victims is how to get their car fixed. In this second of a three-part series, I explore issues such as - how to determine the value of your car, what is loss of use, what is diminished value, and when you are entitled to recover these things.

The article is entitled My Car is Wrecked - Now What? Part I is here. Part II is here.

Marietta Car Wreck Lawyer Reveals How to Get The Most For Your Wrecked Car - Part III

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14377 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Nearly every car, motorcycle or truck wreck in Georgia will eventually produce questions relating to fixing or replacing the damage vehicle. As a result, Marietta Car Wreck Lawyer, Michael Terrell has authored a series of articles addressing questions relating to the issues of fixing and replacing wrecked cars, trucks and motorcycles. The articles are entitled My Car is Wrecked - Now What? and they can be found at the following links:

Part I
Part II
Part III

Atlanta Car Wreck Lawyer | Speeding Crackdown Begins Thursday

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14278 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Commuters on I-75, I-85, I-285, and I-20 should slow down beginning Thursday. According to the AJC, law enforcement angencies will be cracking down on speeders. The crackdown is part of newly instituted highway safety program by the governor's office.

According to the governor's office, speeding, impaired driving and unrestrained occupants are still the top three causes of fatalities in motor vehicles.

NHTSA Releases Statistical Analysis of Alcohol-Related Driving Trends | Marietta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14283 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA for short has released a report entitled Statistical Analysis of Alcohol-Related Driving Trends 1982-2005. The were several things contained in the report I found interesting. Overall the report found that the proportion of drivers involved in fatal crashes who had consumed alcohol and had a breath aclohol content of .08 or greater steadily declined from 1982 thru 2005. The report itself sought to identify what contributed to this decline in alcohol related traffic fatalities.

There were three contributing identified in the report: 1.) the average increase in age of the population; 2.) the per capita decrease in alcohol consumption; and 3.) the effect of alcohol-related legislation. Of the three main factors, the demographic factors such as age and gender of the population were found to have the most influence.

A couple other interesting points: 1.) men are more likely to be involved in DUI fatalities than women; 2.) alcohol consumption and DUI fatalities drop significantly once drivers reach 35 years of age; 3.) the per capita consumption of alcohol has actually declined in recent years; 3.) beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in our country.

One strange anomoly that the report failed to address is that the number of DUI drivers in fatal crashes actually increased from 56,029 to 59,104. So really all the report shows is that the percentage of DUI drivers has decreased relative to the overall driving population, but the number of DUI fatalities has remained the same.

Marietta Car Wreck Lawyer Reveals How To Get the Most For Your Wrecked Car

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14288 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

When someone is in a car wreck their thoughts will eventually turn to their damaged or destroyed car at which point the questions begin to arise - How am I going to get this fixed? Who is responsible for getting it fixed? Can I drive it home? Should I drive it home? Can I get a rental? How much will I get for the total loss?

Unfortunately, the answers to many of these questions are not intuitive and unless you deal with these types things on a daily basis, you won't readily know the answers. This lack of information is complicated by the fact that most personal injury attorneys will not assist you with your property damage claim because there is no money in it for the attorney.

Because of this, I have authored some "how-to" articles entitled My Cars Wrecked - Now What? that will assist accident victims in getting their cars fixed or replaced while getting top dollar for their repairs. Just follow the hyperlink to an article that will answer many of your questions about the property damage process.

If after reading the articles the task still sounds daunting call one of the personal injury lawyers at Terrell Law Firm. If we take your personal injury case we will help you get your car fixed or replaced for FREE!

Athens Boy Mauled in Dog Attack | Athens Dog Attack Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)14206 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

An Athens teen was severly injured in a dog attack while walking home last Friday afternoon. The boy was on his way home from the Willow Mist basketball courts when three dogs descended upon him. The boy tried to outrun them, but was caught from behind.

The dogs were described as pit bulls. And the attack was described as the worst that Senior Police Officer Snyder had seen in his 26 years on the police force. "They just mauled him," said Lt. Morris.

The dogs' owner was not home at the time, but said her door was locked. However, officers discovered an open window in her house that the dogs apparently pushed through. Authorities have yet to decide if they will file criminal charges against the dogs' owner.

Crawford Teen Injured in Bike-Vehicle Collision | Athens Injury Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13939 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Crawford teen was injured in a collision with a vehicle Wednesday evening. The 15 year-old and his bike were struck by a car. Witnesses first arriving to the scene said the boy was unconcious before being life-flighted to a nearby hospital. The accident occured on Smokey Road.

One thing many people might not know about bicycles in roadways is that they are treated just like any other automobile on the roadway. Therefore, if one would not (or should not) pass a car in a given situation they should not pass a bike under the same circumstances.

Marietta Personal Injury Lawyer Explains the Legal Process in Personal Injury Cases

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13865 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

For victims of accidents suffering from personal injuries, the legal road to a recovery can be confusing and filled with questions. In a recent library entry personal injury lawyer, Michael Terrell, takes some of the mystery out of the personal injury legal process.

In this article Michael discusses things like the key terms injury victims need to know, how a lawsuit is initiated, what the parties are called, what happens after suit is filed, and what to expect at trial.

For more information follow this link to The Legal Process in Personal Injury Cases Explained.

When Will Your Medical Bills Get Paid in Your Personal Injury Case | Athens Personal Injury Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13867 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

One of the main priorities of accident victims is getting and paying for the medical attention they need. For many people who don't have the benefit of health insurance or medical payments coverage, getting medical treatment for their personal injuries is difficult. But will the liable party pay these medical bills? When will the medical bills get paid?

Athens Personal Injury Lawyer, Michael Terrell, answers these questions and more in this entry.

Racing Possible Cause of Fatal Crash on I-285 | Dekalb Car Wreck Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13784 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two drivers are dead and two drivers are critically injured following a high-speed accident on I-285 in Dekalb County. Police suspect that racing may have been a contributing factor in the deadly crash which occured between the LaVista Road and Lawrenceville Highway exits.

According to witnesses, a Corvette and Mustang were racing on I-285 when the Corvette lost control, struck a guardrail and then an SUV. The two occupants of the Corvette were killed instantly and the occupants of the SUV were transported to a local hospital.

Police are still looking for the drivers of the Mustang which fled the scene.

Atlanta Drivers Are Among Nation's Worst For Road Rage | Marietta Car Wreck Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13785 — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Have you been the victim of misplaced road rage? Don't take it personall. Apparently you live in a city which is among the nation's worst for angry drivers.

A recent survey ranked Atlanta among the five worst cities in America for road-rage drivers.

This means that Atlantians are more likely to yell at you, flip you off, tail-gate you, weave in and out of traffic, and act generally rude than in other major metropolitan cities.

One widely cited factor contributing to the high incidents of road rage in Atlanta is the extreme congestion on our roadways. It is no secret that Atlanta is among the worst cities in the country for traffic congestion. And according to experts, heavy and congested traffic are key factors which contribute to road rage.

Cobb County police receive periodic complaints from drivers who are victims of road rage, but arrests are few. It is a matter of police officers happening to be in the right place at the right time according to Sgt. Dana Pierce.

The best way to defuse road rage is to ignore it and to be a courteous driver.

Other major cities ranked in the top five were New York, Miami, St. Paul and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Where were the friendliest drivers? Portland, Oregon

Marietta Accident Lawyer | DUI Fatalities Down Nationwide

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13622 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration reports that DUI fatalities were down 3.7 percent from 13,491 to 12,998. The statistics were based on accidents where the at-fault driver had a breath alcohol content of .08 or higher.

Surprisingly, motorcycle DUI fatalities rose slighty in the same time frame.

Marietta Personal Injury Lawyer Reveals How Long Your Car Wreck Case Should Take

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13509 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

As a personal injury lawyer, one of the most commonly asked questions I get in my practice is - how long will my case take to complete? As one might expect, the answer depends greatly depending on your case. Some of the factors to consider are the kind and extent of injuries, the kind of medical treatment required, the existence of liability insurance, and the whereabouts of the defendant.

Another major factor is the aptitude and diligence of the lawyer handling your case.

For a more thorough discussion and to see how long your particular case should take click here.

Athens Accident Lawyer | Woman Charged with DUI in Fiery Crash

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13466 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A UGA sorority girl and recent graduate was charged with DUI following a fiery crash near Five Points on Sunday night. Stacy Paige Cason lost control of her Chevy Tahoe in the early morning hours after funning a stop sign.

After running the stop sign, Cason hit two parked cars and a telephone pole before jumping a curb and crashing into a utility pole. After hitting the pole, Cason's Tahoe erupted into flames. Neither Cason nor her passenger were hurt.

Officers on the scene claim Cason had a breath alcohol level twice the legal limit. The legal limit in Georgia (and most states for that matter) is .08, meaning Cason had to blow over a .16.

This case is a good illustration of the challenge personal injury lawyers face when dealing with personal injury cases. Many people erroneously believe that just because someone does something wrong, they have a pesonal injury case. Here it appears that Cason did not injure anyone.

Thus, even though she was clearly negligent in getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, her actions likely won't result in a personal injury claim. The only person who might have such a claim is her passenger. Of course, every one who suffered property damage as a result of Cason's actions will have a claim against her for the damage to their vehicles or other personalty.

Marietta Personal Injury Lawyer | Mother Allegedly Tried to Cover Up Fatal Hit-And-Run

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13468 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mother's love apparently lead her to lie to cover up her sons involvement in a fatal hit-and-run on Sunday night. According to police, Maria Agullon tried to report her son's car as stolen after learning it was involved in the fatal crash.

Agullon's lies resulted in her arrest by Marietta authorities on charges of false report of a crime and obstruction of law enforcement.

Jonathan Corona of Marietta was the driver of an Oldsmobile which struck and killed J. Dolores Zuniga, also of Marietta.

Hit-and-run accidents are one of a very few traffic violations which can result in the award of punitive damages in Georgia. Hit-and-run cases are different from other auto accident cases and require personal injury lawyers who are familiar with those nuances. The personal injury lawyers at Terrell Law Firm have handled a number of hit-and-run cases to succesful completion.

Lawrenceville DUI Motorist Charged With Fatally Hitting Woman | Marietta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13398 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Lawrenceville drunk driver has been arrested for the death of a young mother when his truck struck her in front of her home. He then fled the scene which resulted in an additional charge of hit and run.

Constantin Toncz is being held in Gwinnett County jail on a $50,000 bond. The young mother, Sabrina Stanek, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Initial reports indicate that Toncz left the road he was traveling on, Belmont Lane, and hit Sabrina in front of her home. Toncz then fled the scene and abandoned his truck. Friends called the police and reported his whereabouts.

Sadly, cases such as this are not uncommon. The personal injury attorneys at Terrell Law Firm have handled a number of DUI cases over the years, advocating on behalf of victims and their families. DUI and hit-and-run cases are different from other auto accident cases and they must be handled accordingly by lawyers who are fimiliar with their unique aspects.

One unique aspect of DUI and hit-and-run cases is the availability of punitive damages. In Georgia, punitive damages are only authorized in certain instances and they are awarded to punish a wrongdoer.

Tractor Trailer Kills Riverdale Man on I-285 Near Dekalb | Marietta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13041 — Sun, 31 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Charles Stephens Jr. was killed by a tractor trailer on I-285 near Dekalb County as reported by Sandy Springs Police. Stephens vehicle was disabled on the side of the road when he was rear-ended by the semi traveling east bound. Witnesses reported that Stephens tail lights were not working just prior to the accident occuring.

U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics | Marietta Dog Bite Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)13061 — Sun, 31 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

23 people were killed by dog attacks in the United States in 2008. Here is an amazing statistic underscoring how dangerous pit bulls are - Pit bull type dogs are responsible for 65% of fatal dog attacks despite only making up 2% of the dog population.

In 2008 only one U.S. citizen over the age of three was killed by something other than a pit bull. 70% of fatal dog attacks involved children under the age of 11.

78% of fatal dog attacks occured on owner property. Conversely 22% occured off owner property. On owner property attacks are attacks that occured on the property where the dog lived. Off owner property attacks occur on other people's property.

Athens Personal Injury Lawyer | 14 Die In Memorial Day Car Wrecks

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12975 — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to Georgia State Patrol officials, Memorial Day Car and Truck accidents claimed 14 lives in 2009. The statistics for Memorial Day accidents are taken beginning at 6PM on Friday and running until Midnight on Monday. State Patrol officials report over 2,700 wrecks and 700 personal injuries.

Common causes of car and truck wrecks include swerving, speeding, DUI and reckless driving. I have another blog entry on this topic here entiled the 10 Most Lethal Driving Mistakes.

Mother and Daughter Hit by DUI Driver Glad They Chose Terrell Law | Marietta Personal Injury Attorney

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12830 — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Location: Covington, Georgia
Personal Injury Attorney: Terrell Law Firm
When: January 2009

DUI driver hits a mother and her three year-old daughter on I-20 near Covington. In this article the mother recounts the horrifying event and how the personal injury attorneys at Terrell Law Firm helped her with her case.

My three year old daughter and I were hit by a drunk driver on Jan. 4, 2009 on I-20 headed to see my husband’s band play in Covington, Georgia. Witnesses saw the drunk driver weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, and driving poorly for several miles. Witnesses had called in to the police stating that this vehicle was going to cause a wreck. I was unaware of this because it was all happening behind me.

I was in the far right hand lane and all of a sudden realized that we had been hit and were spinning down the interstate. All I could think about was that I had to get this car stopped and make sure my baby was ok. Apparently this drunk driver had went off in the median trying to pass other cars and when he tried to get back on the road he hit us in the right rear passenger side.

To read the rest of her testimonial and to find out the outcome click here.

Athens Accident Attorney | Comer Man Killed in DUI Accident

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12831 — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Location: Comer, Georgia
Date: May 2009

Alcohol, marijuana, and failure to wear a seatbelt contributed to the unforunate death of a Comer man this past Saturday. The car wreck occurred on a dirt road near Danielsville around 6 PM.

The driver was cited for DUI, vehicular homicide, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and possession of marijuana. Sadly, the decedent was not wearing his seatbelt which resulted in him being partially ejected. The driver and two other passengers were taken to Athens Regional for minor injuries.

DUI, failure to wear seatbelts, reckless driving, and swerving (aka failure to maintain lane) are all among the most common causes of traffic fatalities.

Stone Mountain Police Officer Suffers Career Ending Injury | Atlanta Car Wreck Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12783 — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Location: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Personal Injury Lawyer: Terrell Law Firm
Date: March 2008

A Stone Mountain police officer and resident of Decatur suffered a career-ending wrist injury on Interstate 285. The personal injury occured when she was side-swiped by another driver while traveling east-bound near Dunwoody Road. The force of the impact forced her into another car. As she twisted her wheel to avoid losing control her wrist got caught in the steering wheel. The force of the torque caused her to tear ligaments in her right wrist.

Unfortunately her right hand was her shooting hand. Whenever she tried firing her service weapon the recoil from the pistol caused shooting pains in her wrist. As a result her orthopedic surgeon assigned an 80% disability rating to her right wrist. The combination of the pain and disability rating ended her career.

The time missed from work leading up to the ultimate disability rating resulted in significant lost wages for the police officer.

Her case was settled for the maximum available liability and uninsured motorist limits.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week | Georgia Dog Bite Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12784 — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

May 17 began National Dog Bite Prevention Week as announced by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. An astonishing 4.5 million dog bites occur each year. Of those bitten, one in five will require medical attention.

The trauma and scaring can be significant and life altering. In 2006 approximately 31,000 people underwent cosmetic or reconstructive surgery stemming from dog bite wounds.

Children and adult males are the most likely to be attacked by a dog. Children are most likely to need medical attention. Furthermore dog owners are more likely to be bitten than non-dog owners.

Dog bites are a largely preventable public health problem, and adults and children can learn to reduce their chances of being bitten.

Preventative Measures

Before you bring a dog into your household:

- Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn what breeds of dogs are the best fit for your household.

-Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for households with children.

-Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog. If a child seems frightened by dogs, wait before bringing a dog into your household.

-Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or toddler.

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).
Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose the abdomen and giving up food without growling).
Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

Athens Car Accident Lawyer Warns Georgians to Drive Carefully This Memorial Weekend

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12362 — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Athens accident attorney, Michael Terrell, warns Georgians to drive carefully this Memorial Day weekend. Many of you probably spent last night or this afternoon packing your car in anticipation of the season's first trip to the beach or some other getaway destination. The kids were then loaded into the car with the latest DVD of Bolt, or Cars to entertain them. And now the countdown is on to see how far you can get before you have to stop for your first bathroom break.

Memorial Weekend is a great weekend, but please be careful. Historically, Memorial Day Weekend is among the worst traveling weekends for car wrecks and auto accidents, ranking third behind only Thanksgiving and July 4th. Here in Georgia, State Troopers and public safety personnel are making their preparations for what will certainly be a busy weekend. In particular, our finest will be looking for seatbelt violations and impaired drivers.

The Georgia State Patrol estimates that as many as 2,275 traffic crashes resulting in 875 injuries and 18 deaths could occur in the 78-hour period beginning Friday at 6 PM and ending at Midnight on Memorial Day.

In 2008 the Memorial Day travel period produced 2,480 traffic accidents which resulted in 721 injuries and 14 fatalities. Of the car wrecks producing wrongful deaths, alcohol and failure to wear seatbelts were significant contributing factors. Five deaths were attributed to alcohol intoxication more commonly referred to as DUI. One death was related to illicit drugs (also considered a DUI) and four deaths involved victims not wearing seatbelts.

I have written about 10 of the most common mistakes drivers make that contributed to traffic accidents. Among the most common are failure to maintain lane (or swerving), speeding or reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated. The article can be found here: Most Lethal Driving Mistakes That Cause Auto Accident Injuries

Georgia 5th In Ranking of Nation's Worst Drivers - Marietta Accident Lawyer

blog@www.theterrellfirm.com (blog Author)12314 — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Georgia drivers ranked among the worst in the nation in a recent poll conducted by GMAC Insurance measuring driver's knowledge of the basic rules of the road. The test included 20 questions compiled from driver's licensing exams as well as questions relating to basic rules of the road. The report concluded that roughly 41 million licensed American drivers would not pass a written drivers exam if taken today. The report also concluded that knowledge of the basic rules of the road was on the decline.

Of course someone who doesn't know what they are doing behind the wheel is certainly more likely to cause an auto accident or car wreck. So one could reasonably conclude that Georgia is among the most unsafe places to drive.

What does this mean for you? Well I guess it depends on how you score on the test. However, it certainly means that you can't assume that the person on the road next to you knows what they are doing. Approach every intersection as though the other driver's are among the nation's most ignorant...because apparently they are.

So, who was the best and worst? New York was the worst and Idaho was the best

Want to see how you stack up? Here is the link: Take Test

Oh, and in case you were curious, I scored 100% :-) I guess I should move to Idaho