Winter Driving: Tips For Staying Safe in Wet and Icy Conditions

Wet and Icy Road Conditions

Winter Driving: Tips For Staying Safe in Wet and Icy Conditions

Wet and Icy Road Conditions

Driving in severe weather can be scary and hazardous. Winter storms and dangerous road conditions contribute to nearly half a million crashes and 2,000 each winter according to research done by AAA. Even in north Georgia, drivers aren’t exempt from dangerous traveling conditions throughout the winter. If you’ve been through a Georgia winter, chances are that you’re already familiar with icy road conditions during the cold winter months. Its important for all Georgia drivers to be aware of some basic winter safety driving tips.

Check your tires at the beginning of winter. Its important for your tires to be properly inflated and have the proper amount of tread.

Stay alert and don’t use cruise control. Using cruise control can be extremely dangerous in icy road conditions.

Drive slowly. Even though you may be very familiar with the roads you’re traveling, its important to drive more slowly than normal.

Leave extra space between you and the cars in front of you. Its much more difficult for your car to come to a complete stop in wet and icy road conditions, making it more likely for you to rear end the car in front of you without proper distancing.

Don’t accelerate up hills. Accelerating up hills will only make your tires spin. If you see a hill coming up try to speed up and gain some inertia before and let your inertia carry you up the hill.

Don’t leave home if you don’t have to! Our most important tip is to stay home if you don’t absolutely have to go out on wet and icy roads.

If you have questions about a vehicle accident and would like to speak to an experienced auto accident attorney, you can call Kyle today to schedule your free consultation!

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6 Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck Accident Attorney Cherokee County GA

6 Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Semi truck Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National Center for Statistics and Analysis report issued for the year ending 2018, there were more than 500 fatal roadway accidents involving semi-trucks in the United States. The report does not provide data on truck accidents involving injury, but further research indicates approximately 17,000 victims suffered an injury in the roughly 140,000 truck accidents recorded nationwide.

 

Truck drivers in Georgia and across the county must adhere to the same rules of the road as every other motor vehicle operator, but they also have other restrictions, including the number of hours they are allowed to drive before taking a break. These rules are supposed to help protect not only the truck driver, but also others with whom they share the road. That said, truck drivers are like every other driver on the road: they are humCasues of Semian, and prone to making the same mistakes we all do. However, when an accident occurs involving a semi-truck, the outcomes can be far more devastating.

Six of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents:

 

  • Distracted driving – despite warnings and laws pertaining to hands free driving which was implemented in Georgia in 2018, there is still an issue with some truck drivers. Keep in mind, these drivers are often away from family members for extended periods of time while delivering goods. Phone calls to family, text messages to loved ones, and even adjusting their radio station in remote areas mean they are not watching the road — a fraction of a second is all it takes to lose control of a truck, or be unable to stop in an urgent situation.
  • Driver fatigue – we have all had times when we are driving home from work and find we are groggy or sleepy. Truck drivers often drive for hours on end and in some cases, they get very little time to take a rest between stops. Even when a driver follows the rules set down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) they may still suffer ongoing fatigue. Drivers who ignore these regulations pose a serious danger to everyone on the road.
  • Lack of proper training – while truckers must undergo rigorous training, one thing that has become increasingly clear is there are a shortage of trained drivers. Sadly, this does not always mean a trucking company remains unwilling to hire unsuitable drivers, putting others on the road at risk.
  • Poor vehicle maintenance – one of the most important parts of owning any motor vehicle is maintenance. When the lives of others depend on your vehicle being properly maintained, semi-trucks should be the best maintained vehicles on the road. This is not always the case however, for a couple of reasons. If a truck is down for maintenance, it is not being used to make deliveries, which costs the company money. Trucking companies who are working on tight budgets may also be tempted to skimp on proper maintenance, which puts everyone on roadways at risk.
  • Alcohol and drugs – drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol pose a unique danger on the roadway. Substances slow reaction times. and because of the size of a semi-truck, a driver who is under the influence of any substance can cause an accident. Prescription drugs and over the counter medications can also impact a driver’s reaction time. Truck drivers who abuse prescription drugs such as Adderall or over the counter medications to stay awake can be subject to additional charges should they be involved in a crash.
  • Speed related accidents – it sounds like a cliché to say that speed kills, but it is a fact. Since truckers need more time to stop than a car, semi-truck operators must be aware of speed limits, sensible driving speeds due to bad weather, and the speed of other vehicles on the roadway. Semi-truck operators who are traveling at unsafe speeds put everyone on the road in jeopardy.

 

Consequences of Semi-Truck Accidents

Car accidents can be disastrous for everyone involved. Thousands of people annually lose their lives in crashes involving other cars, and thousands more are injured in car accidents. However, when an accident involves a car and a semi-truck, the outcomes can be devastating. Remember, a fully loaded truck can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs a mere 6,000. Passengers and drivers in cars are more likely to suffer serious injuries when the other vehicle in a crash is a semi-truck.

 

The force of a truck hitting a car from the rear often results in traumatic brain injuries to drivers and passengers in a car. This is because the jolt can create enough force to push your head back and forth at least once, and in some cases, multiple times, particularly if you hit another vehicle or an obstacle.

 

Some victims, despite the fact they are using the proper restraints, may strike their head on the steering wheel or windshield, which will cause further injury to the head. Victims often are forced to live with the consequences of a traumatic brain injury following a truck accident. These injuries can impact their ability to think clearly, prevent them from returning to work, and require them to seek long-term medical care.

 

A Woodstock GA Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

When you are involved in a semi-truck accident in Woodstock, Georgia, Cherokee County, or the surrounding areas, you may not know where to turn for help if you have been injured. Your health and recovery from your injuries should be your first concern. Once you have sought the proper medical attention, you should seek the assistance of an attorney with experience handling semi-truck accidents. In fact, you should speak with a lawyer before you speak with an insurance adjuster, to make sure they do not try to trick you into admitting you were entirely, or partially, at fault for the accident.

 

Remember, truck crashes are complicated because in addition to the driver’s liability, there may be other parties who are partially responsible, including the trucking company. If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, an experienced Georgia truck accident lawyer can evaluate your case and help you form an effective plan for moving forward.

 

When a Georgia based truck rig or other commercial vehicle is involved in a crash, Georgia law allows the injured party to go directly after the insurance company insures the truck. There several other law specific issues related to crashes with tractor trailers unique to Georgia. Don’t let a big insurance company or corporate owned truck deter you from full compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced Georgia truck wreck lawyer at Koester Legal if you have any questions.

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WHAT IS A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION?

Side Impact Collisions

WHAT IS A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION?

According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Cherokee County sees about 5,000 traffic accidents per year. Of these, roughly one in five will result in injuries. While side impact collisions are certainly not the most common type of crash to have in Cherokee County or elsewhere, they are one of the more common types of accidents to occur at an intersection; and, they are one of the most dangerous types to have. Read on for more information about side impact collisions. If you have been injured in this type of accident, an experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your legal options.

 

What Is a Side Impact Collision?

A side impact collision — also known as a T-bone or broadside crash — occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly a quarter of all passenger vehicle fatalities are a result of this type of accident. The reason that broadside collisions are so dangerous is because there is very little protection between the occupant sitting on the side of the vehicle that is struck and the striking vehicle, relative to the crumple protection and bumper zones offered in both rear-end and frontal impact crashes.

 

What Causes This Type of Accident?

Side impact collisions most often occur due to one driver’s failure to yield the right-of-way to another. Failure to yield accounts for more than 3,500 fatal accidents in the U.S. each year. These accidents generally occur in intersections, where one driver has failed to stop for a red light or a stop sign. Other places where a broadside collision can happen include:

 

  • Parking lots
  • Where a driveway pulls out onto a roadway
  • Areas where a driver is making a legal or illegal U-turn

While most side impact collisions are the result of failure to yield, there are some examples of this type of accident occurring for other reasons, such as when a driver loses control of his or her vehicle and it travels perpendicular into a travel lane and is struck by another vehicle traveling in that lane. Often, this is the result of a previous accident or a driver losing control while swerving to avoid a collision.

 

A number of behaviors may result in a driver failing to yield the right-of-way, such as:

 

  • Distracted driving. Failing to pay attention to a changing light or rolling through a stop sign while distracted by something else occurring inside or outside of the vehicle.
  • Alcohol impairment. Alcohol impairment impacts one’s concentration as well as his or her ability to brake effectively.
  • Aggressive driving. Aggressive driving behaviors are often exhibited by those who are running late. Some of these behaviors include tailgating, running red lights, and speeding.
  • Vehicle defect. Defective or malfunctioning brakes may result in a driver being unable to yield at the intersection.
  • Ignorance of traffic laws. Many individuals are unclear or unaware of the yield laws at stop signs.
  • Turning onto a road or making a U-turn when there is not an ample gap in traffic in which to do so.

 

Who Is at Fault in a Side Impact Collision?

Generally, the individual who failed to yield the right-of-way is at fault for a side impact collision. This can be either the driver whose car was impacted on the side, or the driver whose car caused the side impact, depending on the details of the case. In broadside accidents that did not involve failure to yield, liability depends on who caused the accident that resulted in the vehicle traveling perpendicular in the lane.

 

What Types of Injuries Does a Side Impact Collision Cause?

As stated above, broadside collisions are among the most dangerous types of collisions, particularly for the occupants sitting on the side of the vehicle that was struck. This is especially true when the accident involves two vehicles of vastly different sizes or types. For example, the injuries suffered to occupants of two passenger cars will generally be less severe than the occupants of a passenger car that was struck broadside by a semi-truck. Some of the injuries that are associated with side impact collisions include:

 

  • Head injuries. Head injuries in side impact collisions are often a result of the passenger’s head making contact with the window or simply being jolted violently back and forth from the impact of the crash. Head injuries are one of the main causes of death in car accidents. Those who survive may be left with permanent brain damage that can impair their ability to communicate, reason, walk properly, see, hear, or control their emotions.
  • Spinal cord injuries. Like head injuries, spinal cord injuries occurring in a side impact collision may be caused by the violent back and forth motion of the body due to the accident’s force. They may also result in permanent, life-altering damage, such as loss of sensation and function — also called paralysis. Paralysis occurs beneath the part of the cord that was damaged, meaning that the higher up on the spine the injury occurs, the more parts of the body are affected.
  • Broken bones. Due to the relatively low amount of protection provided by door panels, it is not unusual for an occupant’s bones to be broken in the crash, including hip, arms, legs, pelvis, and ribs.
  • Back injuries. In addition to spinal cord injuries, individuals who are in side impact collisions may also suffer injuries to the spinal discs, vertebrae, or the soft tissues located in the back. While some of these injuries may heal within days or weeks, others may require surgery and result in complications such as chronic pain in the injured area.

 

Have You Been Injured in a Side Impact Collision?

If you’ve been injured in a side impact collision in Woodstock or other parts of Cherokee County that was caused by the negligence or recklessness of someone else, recovering from your injuries should be your primary concern. When you are able, consider speaking with an experienced car accident attorney; an attorney can serve as an advocate throughout your recovery, and ensure your best chance at securing the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

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BEST GROUPS AND SERVICES FOR CIVIL SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS

Assault Survivors

Groups and Services For Civil Sexual Assault Survivors

Survivors of sexual assault in Georgia face daily challenges in confronting the trauma they have endured. According to the anti-sexual violence organization RAINN, survivors frequently struggle with depression, substance abuse, self-harming thoughts and behaviors, eating disorders, sleep disruptions, and health complications, as a result of their assault.

 

Help for these and other challenges associated with surviving sexual assault  is available in Georgia. Below we have compiled a list of resources for survivors of sexual assault in Georgia. If you have questions about your legal rights as a survivor of sexual assault, contact an experienced attorney today.

 

RAINN and The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673)

RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization, operates a 24/7/365 confidential hotline as a resource for those affected by sexual assault. The hotline automatically connects callers with a trained professional in their local area who can offer confidential support, direct the caller to a local health facility trained in caring for survivors of sexual assault, help the caller talk through what happened and answer basic questions about medical considers, and provide referrals for long-term support in the caller’s area. RAINN counsels survivors of sexual assault that connecting with a trained professional who can provide guidance and answer questions is perhaps the most helpful action a survivor can take when confronting the trauma of an assault.

 

Not only does RAINN operate a hotline, it also hosts a website (linked above) that provides invaluable information for sexual assault survivors, from contact information for advocates to tips on navigating day-to-day life after a sexual assault. As a supplement to speaking with a trained professional via the hotline or at one of the resources below, survivors can find important information on RAINN’s website to help them navigate the issues and challenges they face.

 

Local Rape Crisis Centers

A rape crisis center is an organization that provides essential services to survivors of sexual assault. Many of the services a rape crisis center provides address the needs of survivors in the immediate aftermath of sexual violence. These services may include providing a hotline to report sexual assault or to seek help; accompanying survivors to forensic examinations and advocating for them in that process; connecting survivors with resources; and providing mental health counseling specific to survivors. Click here to see a list of rape crisis centers throughout Georgia, with contact information, compiled by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault.  Here is a similar list compiled by the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.

 

Sexual Assault Survivor Support Groups

Sexual assault survivors may find support, understanding, and strength in meeting with others like them who have also survived sexual violence. Many of the rape crisis centers above facilitate support groups, which are usually presided-over by a trained professional. Psychotherapists, health care providers, and churches also frequently organize and manage such groups. To find a support group near you, contact a local rape crisis center or ask your doctor.

 

Campus Health Sexual Assault Crisis Centers

College students in Georgia represent a population particularly vulnerable to sexual assault. Many Georgia colleges and universities operate their own on-campus rape crisis centers focusing on sexual assault prevention, support, and advocacy for members of the campus community. These rape crisis centers typically operate as an extension of on-campus student health services.

 

Individual Therapy & Counseling

One-on-one therapy with a mental health professional trained in supporting sexual assault survivors can help those survivors process and deal with the day-to-day and longer-term challenges they face. Therapists provide a safe, caring environment for survivors. This article from RAINN provides useful information and links to directors for locating a therapist who has the experience, training, and therapeutic approach to suit a particular survivor’s needs.

 

Civil Sexual Assault Attorneys

Many survivors of sexual assault have rights to seek compensation for the injuries inflicted on them by sexual violence. An attorney experienced in representing sexual assault survivors can evaluate their rights to compensation and develop a legal strategy for them to pursue justice and accountability through the Georgia legal system. Survivors may have the ability to seek compensation for sexual assault-related injuries and harm from:

 

  • Perpetrators of sexual assault;
  • Individuals or organizations that facilitated, enabled, or fostered conditions that promoted sexual assault;
  • The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program, which provides up to $25,000 in benefits to sexual assault survivors in certain circumstances; and
  • If applicable, workers’ compensation insurance.

Georgia law permits survivors of sexual assault to seek compensation both for assault that occurred in childhood and adulthood. Survivors of childhood sexual assault have until the later of their 23rd birthday, or two years from the date when the survivor knew or had reason to know of such abuse and that such abuse resulted in injury to the survivor as established by competent medical or psychological evidence. Speaking with an experienced attorney is the best way for survivors to determine their eligibility for compensation and the best way to pursue it to suit their needs.

 

Civil sexual assault attorneys can also help survivors navigate the at-times complicated and overwhelming process of participating in a criminal prosecution of a perpetrator of sexual assault. Not all survivors choose to participate in prosecutions, however. Also, sometimes a district attorney will determine that a prosecution is not feasible for one reason or another. It is important for sexual assault survivors to understand that they may have rights to seek compensation through the civil legal process even if a prosecutor has declined to pursue criminal charges against a perpetrator. 

 

Sexual assault survivors face trauma unimaginable to those who have not experienced it. They need not face that trauma alone, however. The resources above can help survivors confront the physical, emotional, and practical challenges of life after sexual violence. If you have suffered harm in a sexual assault, and have questions about your legal rights to seek compensation from a perpetrator or enabler of the assault, an experienced Georgia civil sexual assault lawyer can help you understand your options.

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A GUIDE TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SYMPTOMS

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A Guide to Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur all too frequently. These injuries are often described as an injury which occurs when the normal function of the brain is interrupted due to trauma which causes the brain to move around the inside of the skull. A common TBI which most people are familiar with is a concussion, typically the least severe of these types of injuries, and perhaps one of the easiest to recover from.

 

However, just because concussion recovery times are faster than other forms of TBI, does not make them less dangerous. Concussions are generally found among those who are active in contact sports, such as football, but can also be found in car accident victims, children who fall in the playground from a piece of equipment, and those who fall in their homes and strike their heads on a counter or the floor. One of the challenges associated with concussion is once someone has suffered concussion, they are more susceptible to suffering one in the future.

 

Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

When someone suffers a mild traumatic brain injury, such as a concussion, one of the most common symptoms is fatigue. However, there are other symptoms which victims of mild TBI should be aware of including problems with vision, dizziness, nausea, issues with smelling, short term memory loss, depression, and irritability or other mood-related feelings.

 

These symptoms should never be ignored, especially if the victim has been involved in a serious car accident, suffered a sports-related injury, or took a fall. Ignoring these symptoms could lead to further complications.

 

Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

The more serious the injury, the more pronounced the symptoms. When a victim has suffered a more serious brain injury in a car accident or a truck accident, they can suffer a variety of symptoms, some of which include:

 

  • Nausea and vomiting – unlike a mild TBI, those who are suffering from a moderate or severe injury may have difficulty holding anything down and can suffer from dehydration due to ongoing vomiting. Any victim who continues to have symptoms should be evaluated by a physician.
  • Loss of consciousness — when a victim suffers a TBI they may lose consciousness for several minutes to several hours. Once the victim has regained consciousness, they may struggle to stay awake, or you may have trouble waking them from sleep. Should you determine a head trauma victim is not aware of their surroundings, having difficulty remaining awake, or you have trouble waking them from sleep, it is imperative you seek immediate medical advice.
  • Personality changes — when the brain is disrupted in any manner, there are chemical reactions in the brain which can cause several problems for victims. One of those which may impact those around the victim include aggressive behavior, depression, confusion, and other behavior which may not be within their normal range of behavior. Should any of these symptoms manifest themselves, seek medical advice.
  • Coordination and other motor skill issues — victims of TBI often suffer from dizziness, loss of coordination, and numbness or pins and needles in the fingers, toes, or other extremities. If these symptoms persist, the victim should see a doctor to determine if the victim suffered any additional neurological damage. In some cases, you may need to see a neurologist who has the skills necessary to diagnose specific damage.

Victims may also display signs of slurred speech, have unusual clear fluid discharge from their nose or ears, and may show other symptoms. Whenever someone has suffered a head injury, it is important to monitor their physical and mental health until they make a full recovery, which can take three months or more.

 

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) no longer maintains a current set of statistics pertaining to brain injuries. Research maintained by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons provides a sobering reminder of the high cost and most common causes of TBI:

 

  • Every year there are 1.7 million new cases of TBI
  • An estimated 5.3 million people are living with a TBI-related disability in the US alone
  • $48-56 billion annually is the estimated economic costs and losses associated with TBI
  • The estimates for car accident related TBIs are 50-70 percent of all TBIs in the US
  • Annually, it is estimated we lose 50,000 to TBI-related deaths

 

Victims and Families Have Rights

One of the challenges of a TBI is the costs associated with treatment. Whether you are a family member who needs to provide care to a victim, or you are a victim who is recovering from a TBI, you may find the financial strain is as challenging as the physical recovery. Because of the trauma, many victims cannot return to work for several months, and depending on the severity of the TBI, may never be returning to work. Therefore, many families turn to a personal injury attorney for assistance after a car accident involving a victim who suffered a TBI.

 

Financial Costs Associated with TBI

Victims may be out of work for extended periods of time. For those who suffer a serious traumatic brain injury, they may require full-time nursing care, special equipment, and physical therapy. Victims who suffer an altered personality may also require psychological counseling to understand how to deal with their emotional and trauma issues. These costs can quickly spiral out of control and cause the victim, and their families, to be placed under additional stress.

 

Your primary focus, whether as a family member or a victim of a car accident involving a TBI, should be physical recovery. Unfortunately, most people can’t afford to withdraw from the workplace and family responsibilities for months at a time. That is why you should consider contacting an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases. An experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer can help develop a plan for recovery, and pursue the compensation you deserve while you and your loved ones can focus on the most important thing: getting better, and getting back to a normal life.

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Georgia’s New Hands-Free Law

Georgia Hands Free Law

Georgia's New Hands Free Law

Georgia Hands Free Law

If you live in Georgia, chances are that you’ve heard of the new “hands-free” law about to go into effect. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving was the cause of nearly 400,000 injury accidents in 2015. In 2016, its estimated that distracted driving was the cause of 3,450 fatal accidents. Nearly all auto accidents in Georgia are the result of one or more drivers not paying attention. The purpose of this new law is to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on Georgia roads. There’s been lots of misinformation floating around the internet and social media regarding this law. In order to make sure that you stay on the right side of the law, we’ve broken the new hands-free law down for you.

Let’s start with the basics:

The law means that you are not allowed to operate your vehicle while operating a cell phone, holding a cell phone with your hand, or supporting your cell phone with any other part of your body. Its also important to note that law enforcement can initiate a traffic stop and write a ticket for violating this law alone. In other words, they do not need to observe any other violation to enforce this law.

What does the law include?

Georgia’s hands-free law includes cell phones, portable telephones or text messaging devices, personal digital assistants, stand alone computers or laptops, GPS receivers, any similar portable wireless device used to send and receive data. The law does NOT include the radio, CB radios, commercial two-way radios, subscription based emergency communication devices, medical devices with a prescription, amateur radio devices, in-car navigation systems.

What are the rules?

A driver may NOT hold or support a wireless telecommunications device with any part of his or her body. The exceptions include earpieces, headphones, and smart watches.

Drivers may not read, send, or receive text messages with the exception of voice-based communications that are converted to written text messages.

GPS may only be accessed by a driver while lawfully parked The screen may be viewed, but the device can not be held or supported by any part of the driver’s body.

Drivers may not watch videos.

Drivers may not record videos unless using a standalone dash camera.

Commercial drivers may not use more than one button to initiate a voice conversation.

Commercial drivers may not reach for a wireless communication device if it causes them to no longer be seated properly in the driver seat or properly restrained by their seat belt.

What are the exceptions?

There are some exceptions for all drivers.

These exceptions include reporting a traffic accident, medical emergency, fire, crime, or hazardous road condition.

Employees or contractors of a utility service provider acting within the scope of their employment while responding to a utility emergency.

First responders during the course of their job duties.

If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver or for more information about Georgia’s new hands free law, call the Law Offices of Kyle E. Koester, LLC at 770-744-5250.

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Focus on the Road. Focus on the Future. End Distracted Driving.

Focus on the Road. Focus on the Future. End Distracted Driving.

Focus on the Road. Focus on the Future. End Distracted Driving.

The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day have been dubbed the “100 Deadliest Days” by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Historically, the average number of traffic fatalities involving teen drivers ages 16-19 increased by 16 percent per day during this time of year compared to other days of the year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2,333 teenagers were killed in car crashes in 2015, and another 221,000+ teens needed emergency medical treatment as the result of a car crash. Teens are more likely than elderly drivers to underestimate hazardous situations or not recognize dangerous driving conditions. Make no mistake, driving is a complex skill. A skill that must be practiced and modeled by more experienced, cautious drivers.
Teen driver’s lack of driving experiences, compounded by the natural risk-taking behavior of youth, puts all drivers at a heightened risk of injuries on the road. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 60 percent of teen crashes involve distracted drivers such as texting or using social media while driving.
Focus on the Road. Focus on the Future. End Distracted Driving. Parents, please set clear guidelines to keep your teens safe on the road. Complete a Parent – Teen Driver Contract. You can Download the Contract here!

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Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycle Safety Awareness

Motorcycle Awareness Month

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month! The goal of this is to remind drivers behind the wheels of their cars and riders behind the handlebars of their motorcycles to always be cautious of everyone on the road. With warmer temperatures here and summer just around the corner, more and more motorcyclists will be taking to the road. It is vital that everyone on the road be mindful of their surroundings at all times.

Because motorcycles are so much smaller than cars and trucks, its easy for them to go unnoticed as they travel down the road. Unfortunately, this often leads to a large number of motorcycle accidents each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to die in a crash than the occupants in a car and 5 times more likely to be hurt. In 2015 alone there were 163 motorcyclists fatalities.

The summer months are generally the most dangerous months for motorcyclists, so the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) asks that drivers of cars and trucks take extra precautions when driving during these months. The AMA launched the May motorcycle safety awareness initiative in the 1980s and its has since grown in popularity nation wide. The NHTSA stands behind the cause, as do a number of states and insurance companies. Some states have even launched their own programs and initiatives to support motorcycle safety awareness.

This summer, whether you are driving a car or riding a motorcycle, please take extra precautions to keep our roads in Cherokee County safe. For more information about motorcycle safety or if you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact us at (770) 744-5250!

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Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

According to both federal and state laws, it is illegal to produce, possess, distribute, or sell pornographic materials that exploit (or portray) a minor. A minor is someone who is under the age of 18. Child pornography laws are being implemented more and more to punish crimes that have occurred using the internet to obtain, share, and distribute pornographic material that involves minors or children. Pornographic material can refer to pictures or videos.

The following federal laws reference child pornography-

18 U.S.C. § 2251– Sexual Exploitation of Children (production of child pornography)
18 U.S.C. § 2251A– Selling and Buying of Children
18 U.S.C. § 2252– Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors (Possession, distribution and receipt of child pornography)
18 U.S.C. § 2252A– Certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography
18 U.S.C. § 2260– Production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States
State laws vary.

Even if you are a first time offender who is being charged with producing child pornography, you may still be sentenced to hefty fines and between 15 and 20 years in prison. You also may be prosecuted under federal law, state law, or both for any offense related to child pornography.

Because penalties for child pornography related offenses are so stiff- much more so than for other criminal offenses- if you are facing these charges you need an experienced child pornography defense lawyer. A guilty conviction may land you in prison for up to 20 years and you may be registered as a sex offender for life. These consequences will follow you for the rest of your life and could affect your relationships with family and friends and may affect your ability to get a job.

As an experienced child pornography defense lawyer, Kyle understands the severe consequences you are facing and what is at stake. Kyle relies on his knowledge, experience, and tried and true defense strategies to get acquittals, to negotiate for lesser charges and sentences, and to have convictions overturned on appeal. Once you have contacted Kyle, he will go to work right away to begin building your custom defense strategy.

Kyle can help defend you if you are facing any of the following charges:

  • Manufacturing child pornography
  • Possession of child pornography
  • Distributing of child pornography
  • Downloading or uploading child pornography
  • Having child pornography on your computer
If you are facing any of the aforementioned charges, it is especially important that you contact a child pornography defense lawyer immediately! However, it is also important to contact a child pornography defense lawyer if you believe you may be facing these charges in the future. Many times, if you are the subject of a child pornography investigation, you will be aware of it before formal charges are brought against you. Having a child pornography defense lawyer before formal charges are brought against you can be extremely helpful. In some cases, it may even be possible for you to avoid having charges brought against you at all if you have a lawyer early enough in the process.

If you believe you are the subject of a child pornography investigation or if you are facing child pornography charges, call Kyle immediately at (770) 744-5250 so he can begin working for you!

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Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle Helmet Safety

Motorcycle Helmet Safety

Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle Helmet Safety

Motorcycle Helmet Safety

Motorcycle riding and motorcycle racing are activities that provide excitement and joy to riders all over the United States and the rest of the world. Motorcycle riding is particularly popular in Georgia, where temperatures are temperate enough to ride motorcycles nearly all year long. While motorcycle riding is a popular, enjoyable activity, it can also be dangerous as motorcycle accidents can occur.

The most effective measure against motorcycle related fatalities is wearing a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets saved approximately 1600 lives in 2011, but approximately 700 more could have been saved if motorcyclists had been wearing helmets. Nearly half of all motorcycle fatalities could be prevented by wearing a helmet.

Here are some motorcycle helmet safety tips to keep in mind when purchasing a helmet-

Every helmet needs a DOT seal of approval. If your helmet does not have a DOT seal of approval sticker on it, it may not be of the best quality. Make sure every helmet you buy comes with a DOT seal of approval sticker for maximum effectiveness.

Your helmet should fit snugly. If you can easily lift your helmet off from the back of your head, its probably not a proper fit. You should be able to feel padding at the front and top of your head at minimum. A full face or open face helmet will give you additional padding on the cheeks and chin.
Helmets come in three styles- full coverage, open face, and shorty. A full coverage helmet will give you maximum protection.

Motorcycle accidents injure and kill many people each year. By following the aforementioned motorcycle helmet safety tips, hopefully you can prevent future injuries or deaths. If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle related accident, contact Woodstock personal injury lawyer Kyle Koester today at (770) 744-5250.

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