Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Choosing a Car with the Right Air Bags

Published on: September 20, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal air bags are credited with saving 13,967 lives between 1987 and 2003. As a result of their effectiveness and generally positive publicity, air bags have been embraced by auto manufacturers and consumers alike.

Today automotive designers have come up with additional types of airbags that add to the safety of a vehicle. Many automakers now offer side, side-curtain, and rear air bags in addition to the typical frontal air bags. In fact, many new models have six or more air bags as standard safety equipment, mounted in the steering wheel, dashboard, seats, headliner, and even the window sills.

The problem arises in the back seat, and even in mini-vans and SUVs that were designed for carrying seven or even eight passengers. These vehicles, while great for family travel, may not be equipped with enough safety features to keep your precious cargo (your kids and their friends) out of harm’s way in the event of a side impact collision.

Auto Safety Is the Manufacturer’s Responsibility

Published on: September 17, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

U.S. and foreign auto manufacturers tend to design in features based on consumer demand. Over the last few years the focus has been on increasing both the electronic bells and whistles in cars, as well as increasing the fuel efficiency. What has not been a primary focus with recent late model cars has been automotive safety.

Side airbags were introduced about a decade ago, but their use has not been widespread. In fact side airbags, which are known to reduce driver and passenger chances of being seriously injured in a major impact collision, are common mostly on very high end, luxury vehicles.

Side airbags are not typically included in the rear of a vehicle, and as a personal injury attorney, I have often wondered why. Concerns over child safety have mandated that kids be strapped into approved safety seats until they are above a certain weight. Once a child is out of a car seat, they are still required to ride in the back seat, but if there are not side airbags in the back seat, is this really the safest place for a child?

Yoga is a Great Stress Reducer for Accident Victims

Published on: September 17, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

Health experts will often state that most people are under self-inflcted stress, but if you have been in an accident and you are dealing with the added burdens of medical bills, reduced income, car repairs and other expenses, your stress can be very real.

Yoga has been around for at least 3000 years as an ancient practice that has been known to reduce stress levels and improve personal well-being. Did you konw that yoga can help lower blood pressure and lower cholesteral levels, and it also can increase the good cholesterol that we all need? Yoga is not just a process of meditation, it is a physical activity that can increase your metabolism and actually burn fat. Yoga is a great way to get a good work-out that also cleanses your mind.

In Georgia, the number of yoga studios is increasing annually. That’s one way to measure the impact of this ancient practice on modern men and women.

Georgia Cyclist in Wheelchair Following Sunday Hit & Run

Published on: September 14, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

An avid cyclist from the Gray area was injured in a hit and run accident on Sunday and Jones County investigators are looking for the driver who left the bike rider bloody from head to toe.

According to witnesses, the cyclist was one of several friends who were out for a 90 mile bike ride on Sunday. They were riding on a stretch of highway that did not contain bike lanes, but they were riding single file and were not in the path of traffic.

The motorist hit one of the cyclists and failed to stop. Steve Parker of Gray was injured and will be in a wheelchair for at least six weeks with a broken pelvis.

Las Vegas Drunk Driver Kills Four People at a Bus Stop

Published on: September 14, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

A young driver under the influence of alcohol careened over the curb and off a busy Las Vegas street on Thursday, running over seven people who were waiting at a bus stop. Four people on the street were killed. The driver of the car and his three passengers were all injured and taken to hospitals. Three on the street survived but are in critical condition in Las Vegas hospitals.

According to police in Las Vegas, the driver had a lengthy arrest record, including drug possession, lewd conduct, and larceny. He was charged with DUI and remains hospitalized with serious injuries from the accident.

Atlanta personal injury attorney David Van Sant says criminal records like that possessed by this driver are major factors in determining the judgments that may be awarded to victims of such an accident. When numerous people have been hurt (in this case as many as 11 dead or injured), insurance companies will fight hard to avoid payments. If the driver does not have insurance, the victims will be faced with an entire new set of problems.

Jupiter, FL Police Officer Killed Sunday in Presidential Motorcade

Published on: September 13, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

A 20-year veteran of the Jupiter, Florida, police department was killed on Sunday when the motorcycle he was driving as part of the motorcade escorting President Obama to an event in Palm Beach was strike by a woman who was entering the I-95 Interstate. Drugs and alcohol were not involved in the crash.

This is not the first time a police officer on a motorcycle has been killed while escorting the president. Last year a motorcade in Dallas experienced a similar accident, and a Dallas-area motorcycle cop was killed.

When things like this happen, officials must look beyond the sadness to determine if such an accident could be prevented. Since police in Florida do not have lots of experience with presidential motorcades, it is necessary for the departments to evaluate how they operate during these types of special events.

It’s Golf Cart Accident Season

Published on: September 12, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

The weather is just about as perfect as it can get for people who like to golf. Golf courses throughout Georgia are enjoying their busy season as duffers of all ages hit the links. While a pulled shoulder or a back ache can be a common injury associated with golf, very few people think about the potential dangers of golf carts.

Sadly hundreds of people are injured or killed every year in golf carts. Many of the accidents occur off course, on city or neighborhood streets. In June a 32-year old man was seriously injured when the golf cart he was driving fell off a golf course bridge. In May, a 15 year old boy was killed in Franklin, Tennessee, on a golf cart he was driving on a neighborhood street.

While negligent driving can be a reason for accidents, defects in golf cart design are not uncommon. A lack of proper maintenance can also be a concern, particularly at busy golf clubs where dozens of carts are being driven by different drivers every day.

Preparing for a Car Accident Deposition – What You Should Know

Published on: September 10, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

Man answering questions in a deposition Van Sant Law

Approaching A Car Accident Deposition

If you are involved in a car accident and are working with an attorney, chances are the opposing attorney or the attorney for the defendant will request a deposition. A deposition is an interview that may at first glance seem informal, but in fact, it is not.

A deposition should be approached as though you are answering questions in front of a judge or jury. Even if the meeting is being held at a law office or in a conference room, treat the experience as though you are in court. Your attorney will instruct you as to the appropriate way to conduct yourself and may run through the expected questions to give you a chance to practice your answers. It is important when being deposed that you answer truthfully, but you also should never speculate or make assumptions about what “might have happened.”

Nebraska Bus Accident Leaves Four Dead on Country Road

Published on: September 7, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

Community members in the rural community of Blue Hill, Nebraska, are in shock after a school bus collided with a tractor trailer hauling hay bales at the intersection of two gravel roads, killing both drivers and two students ages 18 and 10.

The crash caused the semi to burst into flames, and the fire quickly spread to the bus. Six other children, some as young as 6, escaped from the bus. One child is in serious condition with severe burns over a large portion of her body. Several other children have minor burn injuries and lacerations and are in stable condition. At least two of the students were treated and released.

The crash occurred around 5 p.m.in broad daylight.

Depositions Common in Georgia Accident Cases

Published on: September 6, 2012 | By Van Sant Law

When you are involved in an accident and are working with an attorney on a legal case, you may be asked to give a deposition. Most people have heard the term, but not everyone knows what it means.

A deposition is your oral testimony. It is given under oath and is documented by a court reporter. The opposing attorney in the case will ask questions and you will answer them. There is no judge or jury present during the deposition. The only people allowed to be there are the lawyers, the witness, the court reporter, and a representative of each party.

The testimony is typed up after the deposition is concluded and is available for use by either side at the trial. After the deposition is completed, you may request an opportunity to review a typed copy of your testimony for corrections. You will then have about a week to review it, sign it and return it.