Cobb County Man Seriously Injured after Motorcycle Crash

Cobb County Man Seriously Injured after Motorcycle Crash

Via 11Alive –  Cobb County, GA

Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) is investigating a motorcycle accident that occurred on Sunday, August 8 at East Piedmont Road and Bertha Way.

A black Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 63-year-old Glen Russell Miller, was traveling north on East Piedmont Road. While approaching the intersection with Bertha Way, Mr. Miler failed to maintain his lane and collided with the concrete curb of East Piedmont Road. Mr. Miller continued to travel north, crossed the curb, collided with the guardrail, and came to an uncontrolled stop in the right lane of East Piedmont Road.

Mr. Miller was separated from the motorcycle and landed on the east shoulder of East Piedmont Road. He was transported to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital with serious injuries. The accident is still currently under investigation.

Schedule a Consultation with Woodstock, GA Personal Injury Attorney Kyle Koester

If you or a loved one are suffering injuries caused by the negligence of another driver, contact the Law offices of Kyle E. Koester, LLC. Kyle Koester specializes in personal injuries from car accidents, truck accidents, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). To schedule a consultation, call us at (678) 803-2575 or reach out to us online. With over 7 years of experience in the personal injury field, Kyle Koester aggressively advocates for his clients to receive the compensation they are owed for their injuries and pain and suffering.

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Covid-19 in Georgia

How Our Office is Handling Covid-19

Dear Clients and Potential Clients,

On behalf of Koester Legal, I am writing to inform our community that the Supreme Court of Georgia has issued an Order Declaring a Statewide Judicial Emergency. Essentially, this Order cancels all regularly scheduled court appearances through April 13, 2020. Our Firm is closely monitoring and responding to the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as well.

Without a doubt, the well-being and safety of our clients and employees is our top priority. Koester Legal is fully equipped to serve our current clients and any potential new client during this difficult time. The vast majority of our daily workflow is cloud based which allows our employees to work remotely if needed.

What Koester Legal is doing:

• Our Woodstock Personal Injury office will remain open to see current clients and potential new clients BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

• We are happy to conduct new client intake meetings, free consultations, and client update meetings via telephone or video conference.

• All documents that requiring signatures can be easily signed electronically via are alliance with vinesign.com.

• Under certain circumstances we can make arrangements to meet you in your home.

• We will continue to closely monitor guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• Every effort is being made to contact current clients that may have a court date or deposition scheduled within the next 30 days. If think you have an upcoming court date, contact us right away at 770-744-5250 or [email protected] for further instructions.

We sincerely hope that you, your family, friends, and loved ones are safe and healthy during this time.

I firmly believe that through this adversity our community will grow stronger. Remember to always be kind, clean, and courteous in all that you do.

All the best,

Kyle E. Koester, Esq.

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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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Tips From A Car Accident Lawyer: Emergency Supplies

Tips From A Car Accident Lawyer: Emergency Supplies

Cars are a crucial part of everyday life for most of us. They take us to and from work, school, church, doctor appoints, etc. Unfortunately, its impossible to predict when or where your car is going to break down, not start, or get a flat tire. These little headaches are next to impossible to avoid, and most of us have probably dealt with one or more of these issues in the not so distant past. Driving a car or riding in one also brings with it the risk of being in an accident. According to car insurance averages, you will probably get in 3-4 accidents over the course of your life. Fortunately, these accidents will more than likely not be deadly, but they can still cause a major headache for you.

As an experienced car accident lawyer, I’ve heard many stories from clients who have gotten into sticky situations involving their cars. While I can’t help you avoid car troubles or accidents, I can help you be more prepared should you find yourself in one of these situations.

Here’s a list of emergency supplies you should always have in your car:

  1. First-aid kit- A first-aid kit will come in handy more than you expect! If you have kids, its always a good idea to have one in case of any accidents. Also, if you get into a car accident, you will be able to begin treating any minor injuries while you wait on paramedics.
  2. Flashlight- If you have car troubles early in the morning before the sun has risen or late at night after it has set, you’ll need a flashlight to see what’s going on. A flashlight will be helpful if you need to look under your car’s hood, change a tire, or walk to the nearest gas station. Make sure your flashlight has working batteries in it and that you have a spare set in your car.
  3. Cash- Its so easy for us to go weeks at a time without needing cash since most of us use our debit or credit cards. Keeping some cash hidden in a safe compartment is always a good idea in case you lose your wallet or find yourself using a vendor or retailer who doesn’t accept debit cards or has a debit card system that isn’t working.
  4. Food and water- Having water and non perishable snacks in your car at all times may seem like overkill, but if you find yourself stranded and in need of food and water you’ll thank yourself. In a worst case scenario, having food and water in your car could save your life. Remember Atlanta’s “snowmageddon” in 2014? Food and water were definitely coveted items for many stranded motorists.
  5. Jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper- I’m sure most of you have, at some point, experienced a dead car battery. It happens to most of us more than once! Having a dead battery in an isolated area or when you’re on vacation can be a huge hassle. Keeping jumper cables or a self-charging auto jumper can help you easily take care of a dead battery situation.
  6. Car cell phone charger- We all know the headache that comes with a dead cell phone battery. Generally, a dead cell phone battery is just a minor annoyance. However, if you are stranded due to a broken down car or have been in a car accident, a dead cell phone can pose a real problem. Keeping a charger for your cell phone in the car is always a good idea.

Keeping the aforementioned items in your car in case of an emergency can help bring you peace of mind and help you feel better prepared. If you or someone you know has been in a car accident and you are in need of a personal injury lawyer, call me today at (770) 744-5250 for your free consultation.

 

 

Steps After A Car Accident From A Car Accident Lawyer

Steps To Take After A Car Accident 

Getting in a car accident is something no one wants to experience. Unfortunately, many of us will. According to The Georgia Office Of Highway Safety, there were over 1,000 reported car crashes in 2012. Even a small car crash can impact your day and your life in a huge way. Oftentimes its hard to think logically and rationally after a car crash. Here are a few steps to take after a car crash to help you feel more in control.

  • Check for injuries- Make sure to stop, breathe, and take a second to see if you or anyone else has been injured. Make sure to check all drivers involved and any passengers, including pets. If you feel any pain at all, make sure to have a medical professional check you out, even if you feel that your pain is minor. Some injuries may not present themselves immediately but can cause problems for you in the future.
  • Find witnesses- No matter how small or large your accident is, find someone who witnessed it and get their contact information. Witnesses can be very helpful in providing information to the police and attorneys regarding the facts of your car accident.
  • Take pictures and videos- While eye witness testimony is great, having pictures and videos can help solidify details of your car accident. Using the camera on your smartphone, take pictures and videos of the accident from all different angles. Its also helpful to take videos of the street around you to show direction of travel.
  • Exchange information- Make sure to exchange information with all other drivers involved in the car accident. Make sure you have their full name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance information, license plate number, make and model of the car, and who the owner of the car is. If there are passengers involved, make sure to get their name and phone number, as well. A quick and accurate way to get all this information is to take pictures on your phone of any documents they give you (driver’s license, insurance card, license plate, etc.).
  • Contact a lawyer- Make sure you contact an experienced car accident lawyer. A lawyer will be able to help you sort out what happened, how it has affected you, and what steps you need to take.

If you’ve been in a car accident and need advice on what to do next from a car accident lawyer, contact Kyle today at (770) 744-5250 for your free, expert consultation.