Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

Georgia Truck Driver Causes Serious Collsion And Injuries

M. Brandon Smith — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:03:00 GMT

On Saturday June 27, 2009 a fatal accident occurred in Calhoun County Florida. The car accident involved a truck that was driving south on State Road 71 near Blountstown, Fla. The accident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. As the truck traveled onto the west-bound shoulder White corrected his turn, overcorrecting and sending the truck into a spin. Thereafter the truck crossed the northbound lane and hit an SUV, which was driving by a 40-year-old male named Sergio Espinoza. Espinoza is from Blountstown and his passenger was 19-year-old Jose Cruz-Ramirez.

Jose Cruz-Ramirez was killed as a result of the fatal car accident. Currently, Espinoza suffers critical injuries from the accident and is under the care of Bay Medical Center. It is unknown whether James White, Jr. of Leesburg, Georgia was under the influence alcohol during the events of June 27, 2009. Many accidents often involve critical injuries that can result in years of required rehabilitation and even death for some innocent motorists. It is important to both drive with safety, as well the concern of others when operating a motor vehicle.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

FDA on the Option to Reduce Painkiller Overdoses

Jessica Smagacz — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:57:55 GMT

This past Monday, AP reported that the makers of Tylenol, Excedrin and other medications attempted to dissuade regulators from placing new restrictions on painkillers, including the possibility of removing some of them from store shelves.

35 experts were organized by the FDA to attend a two-day meeting in order to discuss ways to prevent overdose with acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen is the pain-relieving, fever-reducing ingredient in Tylenol and some other prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

Currently, acetaminophen is “the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S., sending 56,000 people to the emergency room annually, according to the FDA.”

Please see our past post: FDA will Discuss Liver Risks with Tylenol & other Painkillers.

FDA asked its experts to consider a range of options:

-Adding a “black box” warning label to the products

-Lowering the drug dosage in some products or

-Pulling certain types of medications off the market

Companies such as the industry group that represents Johnson & Johnson defended the products “saying they pose a relatively small risk to patients.”

“Only 10 percent of deaths linked to acetaminophen medications involved over-the-counter combination cold medications, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.”

Although the FDA is not required to follow the advice of its panels, it usually does. This panel vote was supposed to occur earlier today.

According to AP, FDA is making it clear that it “will not play king-maker in the market for over-the-counter medications.”

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

4 Car Georgia Accident Causes Fatal Injuries

M. Brandon Smith — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:02:03 GMT

Recentyly two young children will killed in a car accident in Lexington County. The Georgia car accident occurred the Monday morning of June 22, 2009 about 8:45 a.m. at South Lake Drive near Bethany Church Road between Lexington and Pelion. The fatalities of the Chapin children, ages 5 and 3, were the result of a four-car wreck. Both their mother and two other drivers were sent to the hospital for injuries. There were two fatalities at the scene of the accident: Parker Hewitt, age 5, and his sister, Haley Hewitt age 3. The car involved was a 2001 Honda minivan. The Lexington county coroner, Harry Harman, said that both children where wearing seatbelts and were secured in their car seats properly.

Mother of Parker and Haley, Crystal Hewitt, was flown to the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. Crystal Hewitt is 30 years old. The last update reported on her status by Associate pastor Rick Jones indicates that she is conscious but may need back surgery. Crystal Hewitt works as a full-time assistant manager at her church's Child Development Center, which is a licensed day-care facility. Crystal's husband, Craig, works at a bank and runs his own photography business on the side.

Parker and Haley are the couple's only children. The minivan had either stopped or slowed when it was struck from behind. Currently, accident reconstruction teams are investigating the potential possibilities. After the collision occurred another vehicle that was approaching the scene from the opposite direction was struck by the truck. Kenneth McGuire, age 56, of Lexington was driving the Kawasaki motorcycle. McGuire was airflighted to the Medical College of Georgia.

An investigation into the Georgia car wreck is still on going.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

83 Year Old Died After Car Crash in Georgia

Jessica Smagacz — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:36:33 GMT

According to Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), Charles Daniels was driving a 1993 Toyota pickup Friday morning.

While he turned left off North Crestview Drive on to Grayson Parkway near Snellville, he drove in front of an on-coming 2007 Jeep.

Daniels was 83 years old from Grayson, Georgia. He died from injuries sustained from this tragic car accident.

Investigators have said that Daniels failed to yield and was at fault. AJC says that the other driver’s name has not been released yet.

Do you know what do to if you are in a car accident? As our past post discussed, here is what you need to know if you are in a car accident:

Immediately call the police. When the police arrive, they know exactly what to do. The police will also create a police report after interviewing all witnesses and determining who is at fault.

Make sure everyone else is safe.

Gather information. You must get the other driver’s information such as the vehicle’s VIN number, insurance information, and license plate number.

Seek medical attention/help. Car accidents can cause serious injuries, even injuries that do not arise until much later after the car accident. It is important to see a doctor to evaluate your condition.

If you have a camera, take pictures of the cars involved in the accident.

Call/seek an attorney.

According to Ezine articles, there are several things you MUST not do after you are in a car accident:

Admit fault; leave the scene; wait for insurance companies to contact you or take too much time to call an attorney; sign anything without knowing what the papers say or means.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Georgia Woman Dies after Injuries From Car Accident, following the Death of Her Son

Jessica Smagacz — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:01:57 GMT

A car accident occurred at 12:54 p.m. this past Tuesday between the Ga. 96 exit and Russell Parkway exit after one of the van’s tires blew out, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Michael Prather tried to pull over when he lost control of the van which overturned. His son, Matthew Prather, 15 years old, was a passenger along his wife, Jeanette and other son, Stephen Prather, 18 years old. All four family members were wearing seatbelts.

Matthew died from the car accident. Jeanette, Michael, and Stephen were treated at the Medical Center soon after the accident occurred.

Unfortunately, Jeanette’s condition worsened several days later and she was taken off life support, dying as a result of the injuries from this car accident.

Our thoughts are with the family in this time of tragedy.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

FDA will Discuss Liver Risks with Tylenol & other Painkillers

Jessica Smagacz — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:13:12 GMT

Federal regulators and medical experts will debate next week on how to limit liver injury in patients who take painkillers such as Tylenol, according to CNN.com.

The main issue under the “microscope” is with the ingredient called acetaminophen. This is a drug found in over-the-counter painkillers (such as Excedrin, NyQuil and Theraflu). All of these drugs can cause liver damage, acetaminophen being the most widely used drug in America.

Around 100 people die yearly from accidently overdosing on this common drug, acetaminophen. Apparently, this drug is safe if you take the recommended dosage on the label.

However, FDA does say that “the drug’s prevalence in a variety of pain relievers, fever reducers and cough medicines means patients don’t realize they are taking several drugs that contain the same ingredient, often leading to an overdose of acetaminophen.”

Since 1977 when an agency committee recommended labels for pain relievers to contain a warning about the possibility that they can damage a patient’s liver, FDA has been “struggling with [this] issue.”

Here are the current options that are being discussed:

-reduce recommended dosing levels

-Limit the number of pills or liquid in each drug containing acetaminophen

-and eliminate medicines that combine acetaminophen with other ingredients

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Motorcyclist Killed in Georgia Wreck

Jessica Smagacz — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:48:44 GMT

This past weekend on Saturday, Steven Terry Hitt, 49 of Cumming, Georgia was riding a 1985 Honda motorcycle northbound on Castleberry Road.

It was around 6:15 p.m. when he collided with a 2007 Suzuki sport-utility vehicle that was making an illegal u-turn, according the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

After being taken to Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Hitt was later airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Hitt tragically died Sunday afternoon as a result of this accident.

Marian J. Anwar, 25 of Cumming, was the driver of the Suzuki.

According to AJC, Anwar was initially charged with making an improper left turn. But according to Forsyth sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Shelton, additional charges are forthcoming following Hitt’s death.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Tragic Car Crash Takes life of one Georgia Man

Jessica Smagacz — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:56:41 GMT

Independentmail reported recently that a man died yesterday as a result of a tragic car accident.

This car accident took the life of Terry A. Ramey, 42 of Clayton, Georgia.

Karl E. Addis, the Oconee County Coroner, said that Ramey was a passenger in the front seat of a car but he was not wearing his seat belt. He died of a head injury.

The car accident occurred on Unity Church road about three-tenths of a mile from Cleveland Pike Road.

The other details to this tragic car accident are currently not available.

Our thoughts are with Ramey’s family and friends.

Do you know what do to if you are in a car accident? As our past post discussed, here is what you need to know if you are in a car accident:

Immediately call the police. When the police arrive, they know exactly what to do. The police will also create a police report after interviewing all witnesses and determining who is at fault.

Make sure everyone else is safe.

Gather information. You must get the other driver’s information such as the vehicle’s VIN number, insurance information, and license plate number.

If you have a camera, take pictures of the cars involved in the accident.

Call/seek an attorney.

According to Ezine articles, there are several things you MUST not do after you are in a car accident:

Admit fault; leave the scene; wait for insurance companies to contact you or take too much time to call an attorney; sign anything without knowing what the papers say or means.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Stop Using Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel- Possible Loss of Smell

Jessica Smagacz — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:27:23 GMT

This past Tuesday, FDA told consumers who are using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel and related products to stop use immediately. These products have the possibility of permanently damaging the sense of smell, according to CBS News.

These over-the-counter products contain Zinc. Zinc is an ingredient scientists are saying that can damage nerves in the nose—the nerves needed for smell.

Since 1999, about 130 consumers reported a loss of smell after using Matrixx Initiatives’ Zicam products.

Dr. Charles Lee, part of FDA’s compliance division, said, “Loss of the sense of smell is potentially life threatening and may be permanent. People without the sense of smell may not be able to detect dangerous life situations, such as gas leaks or something burning in the house.”

Currently, Matrixx is defending the safety of its products. However, they said that there is a possibility that they may remove them from the market.

Zicam Cold Remedy was NEVER formally approved because it is part of a group of remedies not required to go through federal review before launching. They are considered homeopathic treatments, something FDA has never fully regulated.

No formal recall has been announced. FDA sent the company a warning letter asking them to stop marketing its zinc-based products.

Surprisingly, “the global market for homeopathic drugs is about $200 million per year, according to the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists.”

If you are using these products, it’s highly recommended that you stop.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz

Georgia To Begin Operation Zero Tolerance Campaign

Jessica Smagacz — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:17:01 GMT

Georgia law enforcement agencies will kick off their annual Fourth of July crackdown on drunk driving tonight, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The crackdown on drunk driving is part of an operation called Operation Zero Tolerance campaign. There will be more than 500 police agencies across Georgia taking part in this campaign.

Bob Dallas, the director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said, “if you plan to party this July Fourth, remember there are so many simple ways to prevent tragedy.”

Here are some important tips suggested by Bob Dallas:

· Store taxi cab company numbers in your cell phone
· Arrange for a sober driver
· Take a mass transit
· If you are the designated driver, remind your passengers about open container law and not allowing alcohol to be consumed in your car

As part of this initiative, traffic enforcement officers will be patrolling Georgia’s highways all summer, looking for speeders, impaired drivers and any drivers violating seat belt and child restraint laws.

Please be safe while driving and plan ahead if you are celebrating the 4th of July!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jessica Smagacz