Atlanta Speeders Will Pay Higher Fines in 2010

Speeders in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia will be paying higher fines in 2010. Starting January 1, drivers caught going 85 mph or more on interstate highways or 75 mph or more on two-lane highways will now pay an additional $200. That's $200 on top of the cost of what speeders now pay for a speeding ticket.

Under Georgia law, all motorists are required to drive at a careful and prudent speed that is reasonable under the circumstances. Despite the law, however, speeding is responsible for an overwhelming number of Georgia auto accidents each year. The Atlanta auto accident attorneys at Bodner Law use our vast experience and resources to prove negligence on the part of a speeding driver in order to obtain the highest monetary reward for our clients.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver, contact an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

Atlanta Motorcycle Crash Results in "Grave" Injuries

One man is in critical condition after an accident involving a motorcycle and another vehicle on I-75 Sunday night. The motorcycle operator suffered severe injuries in the crash and is in "grave" condition, according to news reports. The northbound lanes of I-75 were closed for an hour and a half after the accident, the cause of which is still under investigation by highway patrol.

Unfortunately, when motorcycles are involved in accidents with other motor vehicles, the results are often catastrophic. Incapacitating injuries leave motorcycle accident victims unable to work after the accident. If you have sustained personal injuries in a motorcycle crash, you are most likely facing thousands of dollars in medical debt and household bills that you are unable to pay. The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C., know the hardships you are facing. Our firm works on a contingent-fee basis, which means you don’t pay a fee until our experienced accident attorneys get monetary compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta accident attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your accident case. Injury Lawyer Atlanta

CPSC Recalls 2.1 Million Drop-Side Cribs

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of 2.1 million drop-side cribs manufactured by Stork Craft on Monday. Nearly 150,000 of the defective cribs are marked with the Fisher Price label. The drop-side of the crib can become dislodged, causing a space between the mattress and the side of the crib, in which infants can get stuck and suffocate. The CPSC warned consumers to stop using the crib immediately and contact the manufacturer to receive a free repair kit.

This recall comes in the wake of numerous other crib recalls in recent months. Since 2007, over 4 million drop-side cribs have been recalled by the CPSC, and several wrongful death suits have been filed over defective drop-side cribs. If your child has been injured or killed due to a defectively designed or manufactured drop-side crib, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a defective product, contact Atlanta accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta injury lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

Bus Company Investigated in Morehouse Band Accident

The bus company that owned the Morehouse band bus involved in a rollover accident on Saturday may have been operating illegally, according to news reports. The Georgia Public Service Commission is investigating Superior Transporation Group, the company that owned the bus, to uncover whether the company was properly licensed to trasport passengers in the state. The bus skidded on the wet road surface off I-75 South and rolled over twice while carrying 42 band members to a football game against Albany State University on Saturday. Twelve band members were injured in the accident, although no one suffered serious injuries.

Bus accidents often result in catastrophic or deadly injuries because buses are not equipped with safety features, such as seatbelts and airbags, that are typical of other vehicles. Bus accidents are often the result of negligence on the part of bus companies and bus operators. If you believe negligence caused your injuries, you should consult with an Atlanta accident lawyer to explore your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages that resulted from the accident.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a bus accident, contact an experienced Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta accident lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

MARTA Investigating Distracted Driving Incidents

MARTA is currently investigating three cases of distracted driving on the part of its employees that have occurred in the last four months. Two drivers were recently caught on camera eating and reading a magazine while driving. Another driver was caught text messaging while driving. MARTA will be conducting a safety review with its employees in the wake of these incidents.

According to a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, distracted driving is responsible for nearly 80 percent of traffic accidents each year. People injured in accidents caused by distracted drivers often suffer serious, debilitating injuries that may prevent them from returning to work for a while or permanently. They may have mounting medical bills and household debt they simply cannot pay. They may not know where to turn for help.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, contact an Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta accident attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your accident case.

Toyota to Recall 3.8 Million Defective Floor Mats

Toyota is set to recall 3.8 million vehicles in the U.S., the company announced in a press release on Tuesday. The floor mats on the affected models may interfere with the accelerator pedal, causing the accelerator to become stuck while the vehicle is in operation. A stuck accelerator can result in high vehicle speed, which may cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle and crash. A San Diego crash that killed three people last month has been attributed to defective Toyota floor mats. Owners may begin receiving notifications of the recall as early as next week.

According to the press release, the following Toyota and Lexus models will be affected by the recall:

• 2007 - 2010 Camry
• 2005 - 2010 Avalon
• 2004 - 2009 Prius
• 2005 - 2010 Tacoma
• 2007 - 2010 Tundra
• 2007 - 2010 ES350
• 2006 - 2010 IS250 and IS350

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported over 100 incidents in which floor mats in the affected Toyota models caused the accelerator to stick. Owners of vehicles equipped with the defective floor mats are encouraged to remove the floor mats from the vehicle and refrain from installing replacement mats until the company remedies the problem.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by a defective product, contact Atlanta accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta injury lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

School Bus Driver Charged in Fatal Accident

The driver of a school bus that ran over a kindergartner Tuesday afternoon has been charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide. Sharon Denise Dale, 39, apparently lost track of one of the six children she had just let off the bus near Vanderbilt Court and Hobart Drive and began to pull forward, running over 5-year-old Everette Johnson with the front tire of the bus. The boy was rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

This tragedy is a grim reminder of the extra caution that must be used by school bus operators. Of the 152 children that have died in school transportation crashes since 1997, 69% were killed by the school bus itself. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, in 57 percent of all crashes involving fatalities to occupants of a school transportation vehicle, the principal point of impact was the front of the vehicle. Typically, these accidents occur when the driver negligently pulls forward without first ensuring that all children have safely passed in front of the bus.

If your child has been injured or killed in a school bus accident, contact an experienced Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta accident lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

No Charges in Dog Mauling Deaths

The man who fed a pack of feral dogs on his property will not be charged in the mauling deaths of an Oglethorpe County couple earlier this month. According to authorities, Howard Thaxton was not the owner of the 16 dogs that he fed every other day and will not be charged in connection with the deaths of Sherry Schweder, 65, and Lothar Karl Schweder, 77, earlier this month. The former university professor and his wife were attacked and killed by the pack of dogs while out for a stroll near their home in Lexington. Although these were feral dogs, even the most well-trained animals can attack without warning.

As is evident in this tragedy, dog bite injuries can be severe and are often fatal. Dog attack victims often sustain puncture wounds and lacerations to the face, neck, and arms, which may require repeated cosmetic surgery procedures such as skin grafts and microsurgurgical repair. In addition, dog bite injury victims must undergo scar-removal techniques, such as dermabrasion, which require multiple treatments to be effective. Dog attack victims may suffer total or partial loss of limb function and extensive nerve damage. And the most vicious dog attacks result in death. If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a dog attack, an experienced Atlanta injury attorney can help you seek compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious or fatal dog bite injury, contact an Atlanta injury lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta injury attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your dog bite injury case.

1 Dead in Decatur Accident

All lanes of I-285 west were shut down yesterday after an accident involving 2 motorcycles, a tractor-trailer, and 3 SUVs left one person dead and five others injured. One of the victims was seriously injured, while the others are listed in moderate condition at a local hospital. The operator of one of the motorcycles was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Sadly, as was the case in this accident, motorcycle riders and their passengers often suffer more serious injuries in auto accidents than occupants of passenger vehicles. Motorcycles lack the protective shell and safety features standard on passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs, leaving motorcycle riders involved in auto accidents especially vulnerable to suffering serious injury and even death. Motorcycle riders injured in auto accidents and family members of riders killed in auto accidents should contact an experienced Atlanta accident attorney to discuss their case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Atlanta accident lawyer Leigh R. Bodner at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta injury lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.

Thursday: GHP's "100 Days of Summer HEAT" Continues

The Georgia Highway Patrol will be on the lookout for speeders on Thursday as part of its “100 Days of Summer HEAT” initiative. Under this initiative, which stands for “Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic,” police will be conducting concentrated patrols of I-285, I-85, I-75, and I-20 in an attempt to crack down on speeding and other forms of aggressive driving. This initiative is just one of GHP’s many traffic safety programs, which intend increase overall safety on Georgia’s highways.

Speeding is a contributing factor in a large number of traffic crashes each year. There were over 300 fatalities in speeding-related crashes in Georgia in 2008, and thousands more injuries. If you have been injured in an Atlanta auto accident caused by a speeding driver, you deserve full compensation for your injuries. An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you calculate all of the damages that resulted from your accident.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a speeding-related accident, contact an experienced Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Our Atlanta accident lawyers will not charge a fee unless you receive a favorable verdict or settlement in your case.

19 Killed in Traffic Accidents Over Holiday Weekend

According to the Department of Public Safety, 19 people were killed and 682 were injured in traffic accidents over the busy holiday weekend. Most of these accidents were the result of speeding, drunk driving, and driver inattention. When a loved one is killed because of an irresponsible or reckless driver, family members want to see that the people responsible for their loved one’s death are brought to justice.

A wrongful death suit is intended to compensate family members for the emotional and financial losses suffered after the death of a loved one. If you have lost a loved one due to the wrongful conduct of another, contact an Atlanta wrongful death lawyer to explore your legal options. Nothing can make up for the death of a loved one, but holding the guilty parties responsible for their actions can often help families get a sense of justice during their time of grief.

If your loved one has been killed in an auto accident, contact an Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of personal injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. The Atlanta accident attorneys at Leigh R. Bodner, P.C. offer a free initial consultation regarding your wrongful death case.

Drunk Driver Kills Mother of Two

A Lawrenceville mother of two was struck and killed by a drunk driver on Monday, according to news reports. The woman had stepped to the curb and was attempting to signal to the driver to slow down, when he swerved and hit her. The intoxicated driver has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and DUI. Tragic incidents such as these often give rise to public outrage. When a drunk driver causes injury or death to someone you love, an Atlanta personal injury attorney can help you seek justice for your loss.

Often drunk drivers who cause injury or death to others on the road are uninsured or underinsured and have no assets to cover the cost of medical bills, time missed from work, or other damages caused by their irresponsible conduct. In these cases, it may be possible to seek compensation from the bar, restaurant, or social host that overserved the driver. An experienced Atlanta accident lawyer can help you seek compensation from the person or business that served alcohol to the drunk driver under Georgia’s “dram shop” acts.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, contact an Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of accident injury cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your Atlanta accident injuries.

U.S. DOT Increases Roof Strength Requirements on Passenger Vehicles

In an announcement this month, the Department of Transportation revealed that it is setting tougher roof strength standards for passenger vehicles in the U.S. The new restrictions will require all cars, trucks, and SUVs under 6,000 pounds to have a roof strength that is able to withstand up to 3 times the vehicle’s weight. In addition, previously unregulated heavy vehicles (weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds) are now required to have a roof strength that can withstand 1.5 times the vehicle’s weight. These standards will begin to be implemented in September 2012, to be standard on all vehicles by 2017. The announcement was met with acclaim by vehicle safety advocates, who have been demanding stricter roof strength requirements for several years.

It is hoped that these tougher restrictions will help to lower the number of fatalities in rollover accidents. In 2007, rollover accidents were responsible for over 10,000 deaths and another 250,000 injuries in the U.S. Victims involved in rollover accidents often suffer serious or catastrophic injuries that may leave them permanently disabled and unable to return to work after the accident. Mr. Bodner is an Atlanta auto accident attorney with the skills and experience to help rollover accident victims receive full compensation for their injuries.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a rollover accident, contact an experienced Atlanta accident lawyer at (404) 262-3343 for a free consultation regarding your case. Mr. Bodner handles all types of auto accident cases in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Austelle, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Decatur, Doraville, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Hapeville, Marietta, Milton, Norcross, Riverdale, Rockdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stockbridge, and throughout Gwinett County, Dekalb County, Cobb County, Clayton County, and Fulton County. Mr. Bodner works on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing unless you receive monetary compensation for your injuries.