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Fatal Accident in Baxley, GA Involving a Commercial Truck

10/6/2015

A 21-year old woman in Baxley, GA lost her life on Monday, October 5, 2015 when the driver a freight truck lost control and entered oncoming traffic. The accident involved the tractor trailer, a work van, a pickup truck, and a Scion. Five people were taken to the hospital and the driver of the Scion lost her life.

According to the report by WTOC, Georgia State Patrol and other agencies are still investigating the accident to determine the cause of the accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those injured in this horrific accident and to the family of the young driver who lost her life.

We are seeing an increasing number of fatal accidents on Georgia's roadways in 2015. At this time we do not know why the driver lost control of his tractor trailer. The legal issues involved in trying to recover from a fatal accident involving commercial vehicles are very complicated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a tractor trailer anywhere in Georgia and have questions as to your legal rights, the attorneys at Jarrett & Price would be happy to speak with you.

Fatal Accident on White Bluff in Southside Savannah

9/13/2015

Jarrett & Price

Chatham County suffered another fatal accident on Saturday, September 12, 2015. A 29-year-old driver, Rashan Floyd, lost control of his Ford Mustang while traveling southbound on White Bluff Road in Savannah, GA. Floyd's Mustang collided with a Chevrolet Cruz driven by Shannon Lovelace. Floyd and Lovelace both died at the scene according to a report by WTOC.

It is unclear what caused Floyd's Mustang to cross over the median, but police reported that he was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control. Two other passengers were taken to Memorial University Medical Center in serious condition.

Savannah had a tragic summer with multiple accidents resulting in fatalities. These accidents have occurred not only on I-95, I-16, and I-516, but also on our more residential roadways and thoroughfares.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these accident victims. We know that nothing can replace the loss of a loved one.

Jury Awards $29 million verdict to family of fire victim

9/8/2015

The family of a 19-year-old killed in an industrial fire in Atlanta was awarded $29 million at a trial last week in Fulton County.
The case involved a wrongful death action filed by the family of the victim and was reported in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Erik Hilario died at an East Point recycling facility on January 6, 2011, when a fire erupted at the plant. Erik's father and brother also worked at the recycling plant and were unable to find Erik in the fire.
Erik's surviving parents filed an action against the plant and were awarded wrongful death benefits of $21 million at trial. Wrongful death benefits are awarded when someone dies due to the fault of another. The value of the damages is determined by the jury, who are tasked with computing the "value of the life" of the decedent. The jury also awarded Erik's estate $8.25 million in pain and suffering. An award of punitive damages was agreed to by the parties, but involved a confidential settlement that is unreported, according to the family's lawyer, Jeff Shiver.
When someone dies due to the fault of another, wrongful death damages can be sought up to the full value of the life of the victim. Additional damages, including pain and suffering, and punitive damages may be brought by the victim's estate.
If you have a loved one who has died due to the fault of another, you may be entitled to wrongful death damages and other forms of damages in Georgia. For a free consultation, contact Jarrett & Price at 912-401-8880.

Another Fatal Car Accident in Chatham County, Georgia

8/24/2015

Jarrett & Price, Fatal Accident Attorneys in Savannah, GA

Jarrett & Price, Trial Attorneys

Chatham County has had a tragic year in terms of the number of fatal auto accidents in 2015. According to data compiled by the Accident Data Center, Chatham County has seen 33 fatal accidents in 2015. This statistic does not include an accident from August 17, 2015. WTOC reported an accident involving a logging truck was struck by a driver in a Camaro who lost his life.

According to a report by WTOC in Savannah, on August 24, 2015, a minivan was struck head on a Hyundai that was going in the wrong direction on I-516 in Garden City. A passenger in the minivan died as a result of the accident and the driver was taken to the hospital. The driver of the Hyundai exited his vehicle and jumped from the bridge, possibly breaking his legs in the process. The driver of the Hyundai has also been taken to the hospital and charges are pending against him. There have not been any reports on why the driver ran from the scene.

Tragically, the victims of accidents like this one will have to do their best to put their lives back together because of the negligence of one person. Their lives will be forever altered and nothing can happen that will bring back their loved one. Georgia law provides for family members of victims of fatal accidents to recover damages from the at fault parties. For comprehensive information regarding the types of recovery available, visit our Fatal Accident page.

Georgia Traffic Deaths Increase 26%

8/20/2015

National Safety Council

Year 2015 is not even over yet, but it's already been a terrible year on Georgia's highways, according to statistics provided by the National Safety Council. In a disturbing trend that follows an increase in traffic deaths nationally, the first eight months of 2015 saw 657 deaths on Georgia's roadways. That's more than 135 more than the same period in 2014, and is more than a one-quarter increase in fatality rates, according to the NSC's statistics which are available here.
The report cites an increase in travel due to low gas prices as a possible reason for the increase. Other's reporting on the increases nationally have blamed the spike in deaths on the continuing epidemic of distracted driving. A combination of factors is probably to blame. However, it is clear to everyone driving on American roads the past few years, that as smart phones become more prevalent in our country, their unfortunate presence in the hands of people behind the wheel of a car has increased as well.
Residents of southeast Georgia won't be surprised by these statistics as there have been several high profile deaths along the I-16 corridor this year. Those accidents are still under investigation, but at least one of those fatal accidents is being blamed on an alleged distracted or fatigued 18-wheeler driver. Many of these fatalities have involved criminal prosecutions as well as civil litigation. While criminal prosecutions can result in years of incarceration for at-fault drivers, civil damage awards for wrongful death actions can also result in millions of dollars in money damages against the drivers and, in the case of commercial vehicles, their employers.
Despite these deterrents, people continue to drink and drive, drive distracted or fatigued, or just do plane stupid things behind the wheel of a car or truck. These statistics show that no matter how safe the vehicles are made, and how much press these bad driving behaviors receive, some people on the roadway continue to make life very dangerous for the rest of us.