Driver Fatigue: Lessons From A Personal Injury Attorney

Driver Fatigue: Lessons From A Personal Injury Attorney

Driver fatigue is a serious problem that is becoming bigger by the day. There are thousands of accidents every year, and the fast paced, technological world we live in today is certainly not helping to lower the accident rate in our country. Sleep deprivation is becoming increasingly more common among people of all ages. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000+ police reported crashes are the result of driver fatigue.  These crashes result in approximately 1,550 deaths each year. That’s 1,550 lives that could be saved by getting more rest or not driving when drowsy! Unfortunately, there is no test (like a breathalyzer) to determine if a driver is too sleepy to drive.

The National Sleep Foundation also reminds us of the high personal and economic costs that are risked by driving while fatigued. If you cause a car accident due to driver fatigue you can face jail time as well as steep fines and high automobile insurance costs. Multi-million dollar settlements have been won by families of crash victims against the at fault driver.

As a personal injury attorney, I am all too familiar with the results of crashes due to driver fatigue. Here are some tips that you can follow in order to avoid being a fatigued, at fault driver in a crash:

  • Be mindful of early morning driving. Most crashes caused by tired drivers occur between 2am and 6am.
  • Be mindful of afternoon driving, too. Afternoon naps are great, but not while you’re driving! The second most popular time of day for crashes caused by tired drivers is between 2pm and 4pm.
  • Know if you’re at risk. Male drivers between the ages of 18-29, truck drivers, adults with children, and shift workers are more likely to suffer from driver fatigue. You’re also more likely to fall asleep while driving on a high speed, long, boring highway.
  • Take a nap and have a coffee. Seriously! Pulling off the road for a short nap (20 minutes or so) and having a caffeinated beverage can help keep you awake long enough for you to get where you’re going.
  • Avoid alcohol and over the counter drugs that cause drowsiness. This should go without saying, but if you know you’ve got a drive ahead of you, avoid alcohol and sleep inducing drugs.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a car crash, you deserve compensation. Call me today for your free consultation at (770) 744-5250. I’ll gather all the facts and evidence in your case to make sure that you are fairly compensated for any loss suffered.

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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.

 

 

Safety & Trucking Accidents

Safety & Trucking Accidents

18 wheelers and other large trucks play a vital role in our society. They transport good to our communities that keep things running smoothly, but they also pose certain safety risks on the roads. Trucking accidents are all too common, and in Georgia, 5 college students were killed in a tractor trailer crash this past April. 

Because trucks are an integral part of our society and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, its important that all drivers follow certain safety tips to help minimize the risk of having trucking accidents.

Safety tips for car drivers:

• Be mindful of the blind spots trucks have– Remember, if you can’t see the truck’s rearview or side mirrors, then the truck driver can’t see you.

• Give plenty of warning when merging in front of a truck- Because trucks cannot brake as easily and as quickly as passenger cars,  it is important to never cut in front of a truck. If you are getting over into a lane in front of a truck, remember to put plenty of space between you and the truck and use your blinker appropriately.

• Never pass a truck while it is making a turn- Trucks need much more space to turn than passenger cars do. Even though it may be frustrating to wait behind a truck for it to slowly take a turn and it may be tempting to pass them, you may be putting yourself in danger by doing so.

Safety tips for truck drivers:

• Be mindful of your own blind spots– Adjust your mirrors as necessary so that you can get the most complete view of your surroundings, but also remember that you have major blind spots while driving your truck.

• Make sure you’re feeling well enough to drive before doing so- If you are experiencing any amount of driver fatigue, pull over and rest. Your chance of having an accident increases considerably if you’re not feeling well or rested.

• Follow all safety precautions when driving through construction zones- Abide by all lowered construction zone speed limits, and make sure you are extra aware as you pass through these zones.

If you are involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler or another large truck, your health and safety and the health and safety of others involved should be your main concern. Make sure everyone who needs medical treatment gets it immediately, and be aware of any hazardous material the truck may be carrying.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, contact 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.

 

Car Crash Injuries

Car Crash Injuries

If you’ve gotten into a car crash, chances are that you received some kind of injury. Despite advancement in car safety features, injuries are incredibly common if you get into an accident. Fortunately, many injuries from vehicle accidents are not severe, but vehicle accident injuries do range from minor to very serious. Although every accident is different, there are several types of injuries that result from accidents frequently.

  • Soft Tissue Injuries- These injuries can present themselves in many different forms. The most common form is whiplash. When your head is suddenly thrown in a direction beyond its normal range, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be damaged. Whiplash can present itself as something minor like a sore neck, or something as severe as a spinal cord injury. Soft tissue injuries can take several days to heal or several years.
  • Scrapes and Cuts- Many times during a car accident there is shattered glass, which can result in scrapes and cuts on the driver or passengers. Scrapes and cuts can also result from loose objects flying in the car, or contact with the steering wheel or dashboard. While some scrapes and cuts may be minor, others may require stitches.
  • Head injuries- If your head gets thrown against your steering wheel, window, headrest, or airbag during a vehicle accident you may suffer from a head injury. If you hit your head hard enough, you could suffer from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A TBI can be something minor like a concussion, or it can be severe and cause permanent brain damage.
  • Chest injuries- Chest injuries are very common due to proper seat belt usage. A chest injury can also be sustained if you hit your chest on your steering wheel or airbag. While most chest injuries are minor, they can result in fractured rips or internal organ damage.
  • Arm & Leg Injuries- Broken arms and legs are very common in car accidents. Because your arms and legs aren’t strapped down like the rest of you, its very common for them to fly around during a crash. Although most arm and leg injuries are minor, they can still be quite detrimental if you rely on your arms and legs to do your job.

If you have been in an accident, make sure you see a doctor. t’s also a good idea to talk to an experienced car crash lawyer who can help you determine what options you have for getting compensation for your injuries as a result of a car accident.

Record Trucking Accident Settlement

In one of the biggest personal injury settlements in Pennsylvania history, a family that suffered death and injuries after being rear-ended by a tractor trailer has received a $26.1 million settlement.
In 2010, the three Plaintiffs were driving on I-80 in Pennsylvania when they came upon stalled construction traffic.  While Plaintiffs were stopped on the highway the Defendant tractor trailer driver failed to stop and slammed into the rear of Plaintiffs’ car at over 70 miles per hour.  One Plaintiff was killed instantly and another suffered a TBA (traumatic brain injury).
The driver was operating his tractor-trailer for GLC Transportation Inc. and Great Lake Cheese companies in Ohio and New York.  The amount of the settlement is primarily based on the wrongful death and lifelong injuries and care ($8 million life care plan) which resulted from the collision.  In addition, it was shown that the tractor trailer driver  ignored construction signs as he pressed his rig in excess of 72 miles per hour in the construction zone.
Obtaining a settlement of this magnitude is the result of a huge amount of work on the part of tractor-trailer and truck injury attorneys.  Many truck drivers and trucking companies maintain only minimum trucking insurance limits of $750,000-$2 million.  The trucking accident attorneys of the Law Office of Kyle Koester are familiar with trucking insurance and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations which help those injured in truck accidents access multiple levels of insurance coverage in trucking cases.  By holding truck drivers, trucking companies, trucking brokers, and sometimes even the shipping customers, accountable for negligent brokering, negligent loading or illegally ordering truck drivers to speed or to drive while fatigued additional layers of insurance coverage are triggered.  If you or a loved one has been injured due to a negligent or reckless truck driver – make sure you hire an attorney experienced in trucking accidents.  Remember -a  trucking accident is not just another car wreck.