Articles Posted in Traffic Citations

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Red-Light-108x300Traffic lights are placed at intersections for a specific purpose – to control traffic and make the roads a bit safer.  While traffic lights are clearly visible to drivers, there continue to be drivers who run a red light for a variety of reasons.  Some drivers misjudge the timing of a yellow light, while others are just in a hurry to get from Point A to Point B. Some drivers are distracted by their phones.  Whatever the reason, running a red light can have terrible consequences including but not limited to the death of innocent victims who were at the wrong time and wrong place.

One of these consequences could be getting pulled over by a police officer. However, the more serious and troubling danger is that running a red light could result in a car accident. Over 200,000 of the almost 6 million car accidents that occur in the United States each year are the result of rushed red lights; more than 800 of these accidents are fatal. Worse yet, the number of deaths caused by collisions due to red traffic lights in the United States have increased almost 30% since 2012. Researchers at the American Automobile Association found a 60% increase over a ten-year period in these kinds of accidents in Nevada. Given this substantial increase in the number of accidents, what are some actions one might take to keep from running a red light?

The first, and most important, step a driver can take is simply to pay attention while at the wheel. Mistakes often come while drivers are distracted, so putting the phone down and focusing on the road will significantly reduce the risk of accidentally running a red light. Of course, not all red light runs are accidental. Some drivers will intentionally rush through when to save some time. Those people just need to make a conscious effort to break their bad habit, because, if not, there is always the risk that they might harm themselves or others.

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Bicycling Leads All Sports in Genitourinary Injuries

VANCOUVER—Bicycle riding accounts for more genitourinary (GU) injuries in the U.S. than any other sport, with children suffering 10 times as many bike-related injuries as adults, researchers reported at the 33rd Congress of the Societé Internationale d’Urologie.

Those are among the findings of a review of information in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 2002-2010. NEISS is a national probability sample of hospitals in the U.S. and its territories. NEISS is run by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and includes data from a sampling of American hospitals on every emergency department visit involving an injury associated with consumer products.

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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

State%20Map%20Georgia.jpgIn Georgia and other states, drag racing can turn deadly for the drivers and / or spectators. One such race caused the death of two spectators – Keshon Burdette – age 15 – and Kevin Johnson – age 27. The incident took place in Waynesboro Georgia. During the race, a car went out of control and crashed into these unfortunate spectators. Drag racing is a dangerous activity which can and does cause serious personal injuries and, sadly, in some instances the wrongful death of others. See Two Killed When Drag Racer Loses Control of Vehicle in Wayenesboro Area Drag Race.

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By David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

1358439_small_car.jpgDistracted drivers are becoming more prominent as we grow into a more technological nation. It is estimated 11% of American motorists talk on their cellphones while driving, and 26% of 16-17-year-old drivers text while driving, even though 36 states ban texting while driving.

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By David Wolf, Attorney Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Bellevue, Washington, there was a terrible automobile accident that caused serious personal injuries to several drivers and passengers. One of the accident victims, Rachel Beckwith, sadly died as a result of the automobile accident related injuries. Rachel was a remarkable girl who cared for others and even started a charity drive prior to the automobile accident. The death of Rachel Beckwith resulted in an outpouring of support for her charity and wish to help others. For more information, see Girl Gets Charity Wish After Death in Washington Automobile Accident.

The unexpected death of a child is one of the hardest things for a family, neighborhood and community to deal with. This is especially true when the child shows great promise and potential in life.

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By Stephanie F. Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Most school buses are readily definable. They are yellow with big bold letters – SCHOOL BUS. Despite the bright color and large lettering, many drivers still tend to ignore school buses when they stop and zip by them. In Cobb County, Georgia, the school district has installed cameras on school buses. If you zip by a school bus in Cobb County and violate traffic laws, you could get caught and could be fined. The fact that you could get a big fine is a deterrent. A bigger deterrent to drivers should be the fact that violating traffic laws near school buses puts children at risk in Cobb County, Georgia and other parts of the United States. Slow down and stop when required near school buses. Tragically, children die every year at school bus stops and crossings every year. Taking a few extra seconds or minutes to get to where you are going can help save a child from serious personal injuries and death. You can read more about the cameras installed on Cobb County, Georgia School Buses at Pass a Georgia School Bus? A Camera May Catch You.

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By David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

SchoolBus.jpgIn 2007, six year old Haven Brooke McCarthy was getting out of her Lincoln County, West Virginia school bus when she was hit and killed by a vehicle illegally passing her school bus. At the time, the driver’s offense was considered a misdemeanor. Since Haven’s death, her family has been working with lawmakers to toughen up the penalties for breaking school bus safety laws.

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By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

CarAccident1.jpgDiane Russell of Vineland New Jersey recently drove her Kia through a red light and slammed into a school bus carrying two children. The bus was flipped on its side; both drivers, the two middle school children on the bus and the five year old passenger in Russell’s car were injured.

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By David M. Baum, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

CarAccident1.jpgA minivan carrying six passengers recently blew a tire while travelling on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago, Illinois. The minivan spun out of control and slammed into a semi truck trailer. A nine year old girl, a thirteen year old boy, and an adult were ejected from the minivan when it crashed. None of the three were wearing a seatbelt. All three were taken to the hospital and are in critical condition.

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By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Tragically, children are injured and die every year while crossing the street. In some instances, the injuries are caused by driver inattention or driver distraction. In other instances, the injuries are caused in part by the child’s inattention or distraction. Some times, the incident is caused by both the fault of the driver and the child. Parents, teachers, and caregivers should do their best to educate children about child pedestrian safety. USA Safe Kids has a very useful website that has a page titled Safe Kids Walk This Way. It contains a list of Child Pedestrian Safety Rules that should be reviewed with children. Simple safety precautions can help avoid serious personal injuries and deaths to children attempting to cross the street. Of course, all the care in the world cannot prevent death or injury to a child as a result of careless driving, negligent driving, or drunk driving.

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