“No matter what amount of safety gear a biker dons, they are still moving leather targets, simply because they do not have the same kind of protection that a car has ---- they are not surrounded by a steel frame, do not have air bags and are not wearing seat belts. A collision often means ejection from the bike. Ejection often leads to death due to brain trauma,” indicated Stephen Ozcomert, an Atlanta injury lawyer, who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law in Georgia.

Consider this case of a 52-year-old biker out for a ride, minding his own business. He was heading west on the highway, and close to an intersection where a road met the highway. The road was posted with a clear yield right of way sign. “While the sign may be clear to a sober driver, it was not clear to the drunk 39-year-old driver who blew the yield sign,” said Ozcomert. The biker had no place to go but into the side of the moving truck. Although he made it to hospital alive, he died later.

The driver who ran the yield sign was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter. A quick check of his driving history told the police what they suspected, that the man had a bad driving record; four prior DUI arrests. “But for the man driving drunk, the biker would still be alive today,” Ozcomert remarked.

The biker’s family may wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit in the hopes of making the point that drinking and driving needs to stop. It is a message that many families in the same situation wish to make and even though they may succeed, people still drink and drive, thinking nothing will happen to them.

“This should not stop a family from filing a wrongful death lawsuit. They serve other purposes rather than just delivering a message. They are also a vehicle for obtaining compensation for the loss of the deceased’s life; a form of compensation to allow the family to move forward with their lives and be able to pay the bills arising as a result of the sudden death, due to another’s negligence,” indicated Ozcomert.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

“I ran across an interesting article about motorcycles and accidents, which I thought might be the standard piece relating to drivers insisting they do not see bikers. I was surprised when I realized it had a piece of information in it about how a brain calculates distance that made me sit up and take notice,” explained Austin personal injury attorney Bobby Lee, of Lee, Gober and Reyna in Austin, Texas.

It is no secret that motorcycle accidents are common; too common to be acceptable. And, in most instances, it is not the biker that causes the accident; it is the driver of another vehicle violating the biker’s road space. By that time, it is too late for the motorcycle rider to do anything but hang on, pray and try to lay the bike down the best way they know how. It does not always work, and many bikers have lost their lives in a collision with another vehicle. Those that lived bear a not so silent testimony to the dangers of riding a hog.

“The article deals with psychological scientists examining the patterns of collisions between cars and bikers. It appears there may be a perception problem causing wrecks ---- meaning the car drivers are, as a matter of course, misjudging a biker’s distance and speed. As it turns out, this could be related to the size of the bike,” explained Lee.

At the root of this particular branch of science, is how humans judge size and motion, to allow them to figure out how to anticipate a crash, or whether things look good to go. The results of these studies are suggesting quite strongly that drivers are not objective, or rational, when making judgments about motorcycles.

Here is what happens when a driver sees an oncoming vehicle. The driver uses two points of reference to determine how to avoid a crash. The first point is a reliable one-to-one representation of the visual field on the retina’s visual field. This calculation is related to the size of an object.

The second point is a depth clue provided by the mind ---- for instance, the bigger an object is, the closer it is. That is not always true, nor reliable. These two factors combine into a premise referred to as the size-arrival effect, and many people, instead of relying on the more reliable visual clues, use the less reliable guesstimates offered by the brain.

In a nutshell, the brain typically thinks the larger objects will arrive faster, despite a smaller vehicle (such as a motorcycle) moving at a rapid rate of speed. To translate that over to how it applies on the road, one simply perceives that drivers are running a high risk of a wreck by turning late in front of smaller, oncoming vehicles, such as motorcycles, which look like they are further away than they are in reality.

“In short, drivers are guessing they have more time than they actually have and because they have misjudged, the result is a serious injury accident or a fatality,” Lee added.

To learn more, visit Austin personal injury lawyer and http://www.rwleelaw.com.

Lee, Gober and Reyna
11940 Jollyville Road, Suite 220-S
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: 512.478.8080

“It’s well noted that motorcyclists are involved more often in fatal crashes, than passenger vehicles. The fact is, they are up to 30 times more likely to meet their death than occupants in a car, according to the Government Accountability Office,” outlined Stephen Ozcomert, an Atlanta injury lawyer, who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law in Georgia. “As an Atlanta injury attorney, I see a fair number of injured bikers and have represented the families of deceased bikers. It is never easy for anyone.”

According to the recently released government report, the direct costs associated with motorcycle crashes are measured in the number of deaths and injuries, and that total was over $16 billion in 2010. However, there is valid speculation that the real costs would be higher once long-term medical expenses are factored in; something that is difficult to determine.

There were 82,000 bikers injured in 2010 and 4,502 killed. The cost for each fatal crash was estimated at roughly $1.2 million. The costs for those surviving an injury accident ranged anywhere from $2,500 to $1.4 million. The numbers were calculated based on the severity of the accident. These numbers are guesstimates, because there are a number of factors that are difficult to get a fix on.

“For instance, treating serious injuries is often a long and very costly process, and one that is not followed for any great length of time. Additionally, those with severe or catastrophic injuries may lose their jobs, change employment or have to renovate their homes to live. None of these associated costs are factored into a motorcycle accident,” Ozcomert added.

And one controversial factor also affects the costs associated with a motorcycle accident survivor, whether or not they were wearing a helmet. In most states there are laws pertaining to wearing helmets. However, three states, New Hampshire, Iowa and Illinois have no helmet laws.

“It’s a simple fact that helmets do help bikers protect their heads, and in doing so, they may avoid traumatic brain injury. Certainly, in other instances, whether or not they were wearing a helmet would not have made a difference. For example, if the biker, with a helmet, was ejected and then run over,” noted Ozcomert.

Nonetheless, helmet debate aside, there are a number of studies online that show helmets to reduce the risk of death by up to 39 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration insists helmets saved at least 1,550 bikers in 2010. “If you have been injured or are the family of a biker killed in an accident, call me. I can advise you of your rights and explain what a lawsuit may accomplish for you,” Ozcomert suggested.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

“We are extremely pleased to see that our client’s case was finally resolved and that such a large award was made on behalf of our client. This jury award will provide the care, therapy, and assistance our client desperately needs following such a traumatic accident,” said attorney Stan Freeman. “Ms. Tonetti wants to piece her life back together and with the assistance that this award will provide, she will be closer to accomplishing this goal.”

According to the lawsuit, Lisa Tonetti was riding her motorscooter southbound on Atlantic Avenue on her way to work one morning when the driver of a 16 passenger van allegedly pulled out into traffic recklessly, crossing multiple lanes of traffic and causing Ms. Tonetti to collide with the van. Ms. Tonetti was thrown from her motorscooter into traffic, losing consciousness.

Hospital records submitted to support the case show that Ms. Tonetti’s accident caused severe injuries, including a collapsed lung, broken right collarbone, multiple broken ribs, fractured left toe, fractured right knee, and multiple compression fractures to the spine.

Woodland Hills personal injury attorneys Freeman & Freeman LLP were retained to obtain justice for their client, Ms. Tonetti. Just prior to trial, defense made their highest offer of $400,000. This offer was declined, the case went to trial and the jury awarded over ten times that amount. To obtain this record award, the law firm assembled a team of top experts and investigators to build the case and prepare for trial.

Said attorney Stan Freeman, “Our team of talented personal injury attorneys and staff work hard for our clients from the first day we take the case. We were pleased to obtain such a favorable outcome for our client.”

About Freeman & Freeman LLP:

Woodland Hills personal injury attorneys Freeman & Freeman LLP have been aggressively representing clients injured by the negligence or recklessness of others for over 30 years, with particular emphasis on motor vehicle accident cases. Their unparalleled service and attention to detail has made the personal injury attorneys at Freeman & Freeman LLP highly sought after. To speak to this talented team of attorneys, consumers are encouraged to call (818) 992-2919 or to visit http://www.freeman-freeman.com for a free case evaluation.

Freeman & Freeman, LLP
21900 Burbank Boulevard
Third Floor
Woodland Hills, CA 91367-7418
Phone: (818) 992.2919
http://www.freeman-freeman.com/

Atlanta injury lawyer, Stephen M. Ozcomert of Decatur, GA has been recognized by GeorgiaTrend in its 2012 selection of the “Legal Elite” recognizing "Georgia's Top Attorneys." This special honor appears this month in the GeorgiaTrend Magazine, published by Trend Publications.

“This is a real honor for me,” said Atlanta injury lawyer, Stephen M. Ozcomert. “I work hard to deliver excellence to my clients, and the fact that GeorgiaTrend has included me in this year’s ‘Georgia’s Top Attorneys,’ means my efforts paid off. It is rewarding to receive this kind of recognition from my peers.”

Following on the heels of this noteworthy achievement, Mr. Ozcomert is also now listed in the “Registry of Business Excellence” by the American Registry. He receives an exclusive plaque, commemorating this honor.

The job of a personal injury lawyer is not always easy. “After many years of practice, helping clients find justice and get fair and equitable settlements, I am still as committed to serving them as ever. They deserve someone to speak for them, to seek justice for them and to treat them with respect. My philosophy is the client comes first. They are not just a case file,” added Atlanta injury lawyer Ozcomert, who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law in Georgia.

GeorgiaTrend sends out ballots each year to State Bar of Georgia attorneys, in eight practice areas that include family law, general practice/trial law, estates/trusts, taxes, labor/employment, business law, criminal law, bankruptcy/creditors and personal injury litigation. An online ballot is also available for voting attorneys.

For individuals that need the services of an Atlanta injury lawyer, Stephen M. Ozcomert has the track record and peer recognition that makes him an ideal choice to pursue personal injury legal matters. He is approachable, well-versed in the law, has numerous years experience, and never backs down from a case.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

In 2008, 12 percent of Georgia's motor vehicle fatalities were motorcycle drivers, an increase of some 59 percent since 2004. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates almost 2,000 people riding motorcycles were saved by wearing helmets in 2008, and that more than 800 additional lives could have been saved, if those people were also wearing motorcycle helmets.

Most serious motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence or carelessness of automobile drivers who do not see them, or who do not understand the turning or slowing capabilities of a fast-moving motorcycle. Automobile drivers increase the risk to motorcycle drivers by speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and by making maneuvers with their vehicle which subsequently forces the motorcycle driver off the road or into traffic. Accidents can cause everything from road rash to bone fractures, head and spinal cord injuries, and even death.

"All motorcycle riders are told to drive defensively," states Nathan Williams, a Brunswick personal injury attorney. "But many riders do not really know what driving defensively entails. And while a helmet can save a rider's life, learning to drive in a way to minimize as much risk as possible is always a smart idea."

There are several motorcycle education programs that may be of use to keep bikers safe. One such program is currently offered by the Georgia's Department of Driver Services—their Motorcycle Safety Program. The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) is designed to offer motorcycle rider education programs, from beginner to experienced, and works to promote car and bike awareness through "Share the Road" campaigns and highway safety issues. Even experienced motorcycle riders can generally benefit from crash-avoidance training and refresher courses.

For the best street safety possible, all motorcyclists are advised to become trained through a rider course before their getting their driving license, wear all protective gear, including a helmet manufactured to the standards set by the Department of Transportation, commit to riding without distraction and unimpaired by drugs or alcohol, as well as to ride only within the driver's skill limits, and take refresher courses and crash-avoidance courses.

Nathan Williams is a Brunswick personal injury lawyer, Brunswick divorce attorney, Brunswick criminal defense attorney and Brunswick DUI lawyer in Southeast Georgia. Visit http://www.thewilliamslitigationgroup.com or call 1.912.264.0848.

The Williams Litigation Group
5 St. Andrews Court
Brunswick, GA 31520
Phone: 912.264.0848
Toll Free: 877.307.4537
Fax: 912-264-6299

“One of the hardest accident scenes to see is a motorcycle that has been broadsided. The damage it does is graphic, horrific and hits you with a visceral punch in the abdomen. There is debris from one end of the road to the other and in some instances, body parts. You have to say a mental prayer for those that lost their lives, as they were right out there in the open, with no protection,” said Bobby Lee, an Austin personal injury attorney of Lee, Gober and Reyna in Austin, Texas.

The biker in this case was riding south, heading home at about 1:30 a.m., when the light at the intersection turned red. For some reason, the biker did not stop. As he entered the intersection, he was broadsided by a Dodge pickup, heading east. The truck driver had a green light, and he had no place to go when the biker crossed in front of him. The truck rammed into the right side of the bike, tossing it, the driver and his passenger onto the shoulder of the road, where they both slammed into a traffic control box. The force of the impact was so great that it took out power to the traffic signals.

“When first responders arrived, both the biker and his female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither had been wearing a helmet, but given the nature of the impact, and how they were thrown into the metal pole, a helmet may not have saved them,” added Lee.

In a case such as this one, the family of the deceased female motorcycle passenger would more than likely file a wrongful death lawsuit, as it was clear from the accident reconstruction, that the biker blew a red light. “That is negligence. Whether or not he had been drinking as well, or was also speeding, remains to be seen, but the fact that he did not stop for a red light is cause enough to file a wrongful death lawsuit,” Lee indicated.

To learn more, visit Austin personal injury lawyer and http://www.rwleelaw.com.

Lee, Gober and Reyna
11824 Jollyville Road, Suite 302
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: 512.478.8080

“The scene of a motorcycle accident is often quite gut-wrenching. This case in particular was one of the worst law enforcement had ever seen in their years of working horrific accident scenes. Two bikers were killed outright, and a third was critically injured when they were rammed from behind by another vehicle. It took police over six hours to try and make some sense of the carnage,” explained Stephen Ozcomert, an injury lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law.

There were five vehicles involved in this incident, stacked together in a heap of twisted metal, with additional debris scattered across the road. It was an all-night investigation following the accident, which happened at 11:00 p.m. The police report showed that the two bikers who died at the scene were hit from behind by an SUV which also slammed into another biker and two cars.

The biker who ended up sandwiched between two vehicles survived to the hospital. “It appears the SUV driver was not only speeding, but was driving under the influence of alcohol. Because, presumably, he chose to drive while drunk, he killed two people and seriously injured several others,” said Atlanta personal injury lawyer Ozcomert.

The victims had been on their way home from a motorcycle event when they were hit. The 47-year-old woman and her 58-year-old boyfriend had been at a trade show featuring new bike designs and accessories. Their respective families may wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit, as there is sufficient evidence to indicate the SUV driver was at fault, both criminally and civilly.

“The criminal charges will be handled first. After that, the wrongful death lawsuit may go to court, seeking compensation for the loss of two lives. Often in cases like this one, the egregious behavior of the drunken driver may prompt the court to award punitive damages,” Ozcomert stated. The other seriously injured biker may also file a personal injury lawsuit, seeking compensation for his injuries. He will not be able to pay for his medical bills any other way.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

“This case really gets under your skin, because the man who killed his motorcycle passenger should have known better. He was a former Sheriff’s deputy, with 15 years of service, and was out hooting it up on his ride, while DUI, lost control, went into a slide and dumped his passenger. She sustained severe head and neck trauma, and died the next day,” explained Bobby Lee, an Austin personal injury attorney of Lee, Gober and Reyna in Austin, Texas.

The smart thing would have been not to get on his bike, and not take along a passenger, not when he was three sheets to the wind. If he wanted to ride drunk on his own, that was up to him. Riding drunk with someone else on the bike was unforgivable. “His reckless disregard for anothers life was horrific,” Lee added. “When the police were informed of the young woman’s death, he was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and murder.”

Just shortly after the fatal crash, the police took blood levels from the man, while he was at the hospital. His blood alcohol level was well about the legal limit. The only question that arose from this case was what the man should be charged with, and whether or not one of those charges should be murder. He was ultimately charged with murder, largely because the investigation into the accident revealed he had been speeding at the time of the wreck.

“To determine the nature of the charges in this case, the police would take at least four factors into consideration: the blood alcohol level (BAC), any pre-drinking intentions to drive, was the individual aware of the risk of DWI/DUI and were they driving dangerously,” Lee explained. The man indicated before he started drinking, that he had every intention of driving home later. His BAC was above the legal limit and there were indications he was driving recklessly.

Another interesting point about this case is that the man was a former police officer, and as such, would have known better than to drink and drive. This indicates a higher level of responsibility on his part, for not behaving in the manner in which he did: but for his choice to drink, drive and speed, his passenger would still be alive.

Drunken driving cases are hard on everyone, and the victim’s family is left with the frozen silence of a voice they will never hear again, a smile forever gone and a laugh that has been silenced. The greatest horror a family can face is losing their children before they die. To find justice, seek experienced and compassionate legal counsel from a personal injury lawyer.

To learn more, visit Austin personal injury lawyer and http://www.rwleelaw.com.

Lee, Gober and Reyna
11824 Jollyville Road, Suite 302
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: 512.478.8080

Fort Mill intern White received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, and, immediately after graduation, began his law school career at Emory.

Charleston intern Peper, a native of Charleston, attended Wando High School and went on to the Citadel where he played football in Head Coach Kevin Higgin’s first recruiting class. Also while at the Citadel, Peper was chosen by the Commandant’s Department, Citadel Senior Leadership, and the President’s Office to serve as Regimental Public Affairs Officer his senior year.

Peper received his bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from the Citadel in 2010. He immediately enrolled at the Charleston School of Law to pursue a law degree. While at the law school, he has clerked extensively on criminal defense work especially DUI defense.

Charlotte intern Lineberry received her undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Bluefield College (VA). After undergraduate, she joined the Vinton, VA Police Department, where she worked for two years and occasionally led the department in DUI arrests. She left the police force to pursue her law degree at Charlotte Law

The Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP law firm serves personal injury and criminal defense clients in both South and North Carolina. The interns join five attorneys and five paralegals, across five offices in Fort Mill, Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston, and Lake Wylie.

The Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP
1012 Market Street, Suite 205
Fort Mill, SC 29708
Phone: 803.548.4444
http://www.rjrlaw.com

“There is just no explaining how some accidents happen, nor why they happen,” said Bobby Lee, an Austin personal injury attorney of Lee, Gober and Reyna, in Texas. “This crash points out that, no matter how careful you may be on your ride, you can’t always factor in what other drivers are going to do.”

This tragedy happened during a motorcycle safety week, an irony not lost on his grieving friends and co-workers. A real estate agent, the man was heavily involved in his community and touched many lives. He was out riding when a car, driven by a 25-year-old female, crossed the center line and slammed into his motorcycle. Even though he was wearing protective gear, he was unable to survive being ejected off his Harley-Davidson and was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was not the first accident the man had been involved in. About a year ago, he hit a deer while on his motorcycle and landed in the hospital for several weeks. Once discharged, he was soon back on his bike and on the open road."The police are not certain what made the 25-year-old woman cross a double yellow line. Although there is some speculation about cell phones, nothing will be determined until the crash investigation team has finished their work,” stated Lee.

Motorcycles are deadly. No matter how safe the rider, there are other vehicles sharing the road to take into account. Add to the mix that most drivers say they are unable to even see motorcyclists, and the recipe for disaster gets more potent.

“Over the years of dealing with motorcycle accidents, I have seen a lot of grief and pain. It is never easy for those involved. The survivors hope for a normal life, or as near normal as possible. To make that happen, we discuss their case. They find out what their legal rights are and what they may expect in terms of compensation for their injuries, and then we move forward,” Lee explained.

To learn more, visit Austin personal injury lawyer and http://www.rwleelaw.com.

Lee, Gober and Reyna
11824 Jollyville Road, Suite 302
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: 512.478.8080

“Bikers who survive a horrific wreck often want to give back to their community the gift of common sense safety when it comes to motorcyclists. They want to raise the awareness of other drivers about sharing the road safely, about being aware of everything going on around them and reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities racked up every year,” said Stephen Ozcomert, an injury lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law.

It is a worthy goal to try and achieve, as a vast majority of the motorcycle versus passenger vehicle crashes are often preventable. No matter how defensively a biker may ride, they are still sitting ducks, without much protection. While they may be wearing leathers and a helmet, in some accidents, like a broadside T-bone into the side of another vehicle, it will not make much of a difference. The force of a sudden stop into a metal object often causes the shearing of internal organs, ruptures, broken bones, dislocations and even brain trauma.

Most bikers are careful riding, because they know they are ‘out there’ and no one seems to see them. Do bikers trust other drivers? “Very often the answer to that is ‘No.’ Even experienced bikers find that about every third time they climb aboard their ride, they get into a close call, and usually, it is the result of a driver not paying attention to where they are going, and not watching out for other vehicles, like motorcycles,” Ozcomert remarked.

Is there a solution to this dilemma of motorcycles being virtually invisible? The only solution that makes the most sense would be a serious education campaign directed at drivers to make them aware that they do not own the road and must take care to share, safely, with bikers.

“However, with some people being what they are, this type of a campaign would only work for the drivers who really give a darn about the lives of others. It’s a bit like a drunk driver getting behind the wheel in an almost comatose state, driving and getting into a wreck. They knew better, but they went ahead and did it anyway. Some drivers know better, and do look out for all potential threats while driving. Others are too busy texting or talking to pay attention to anything,” said Ozcomert.

“Bikers who survive a crash are welcome to call me and discuss their situation. That is my job, to help you obtain compensation for your injuries. Don’t wait too long to call, as you will be inundated with insurance companies who what you to settle fast and cheap. Talk to me first,” suggested Ozcomert.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
3575 Piedmont Road Northeast #1560
Atlanta, GA 30305
Call: (404) 370-1000

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“There were five teens in the car involved in a rollover crash on the highway. Two died. The other three were seriously injured, including the drunk driver. The cause of the accident? Drunk driving, lack of judgment, inexperience and inattention. Two 15-year old teens lost their lives as a result of the driver being under the influence,” said Bobby Lee, a personal injury attorney of Lee, Gober and Reyna in Austin, Texas.

One of the dead teens was about to graduate from school, and the other was about to start her freshman year. Their hopes and dreams were gone, snuffed out by a twisted pile of metal on the highway. No one understands why the teens chose to ride with a drunk driver, but many suspect peer pressure was at play. No matter what the reasons were to hop into the car, the outcome was about as grim as it gets, leaving two families in deep shock.

None of the grieving parents knew who the 17-year-old drunk driver was. They only heard later he had survived the carnage and was in hospital. Word spread fast in the teen’s community, with the message that drinking and driving kills. When someone the community knows is killed because of a drunk driver, the message hits home – hard.

“Will the parents file wrongful death lawsuits? It is likely they will. There is a message here that needs to get out, and that message is do not drink and drive, and do not ride with a drunk driver, whether they are a friend or not. These are tough lessons and often taking a case to court makes an example of the defendant. It is not about money for the family. It is about justice and wanting others to know what they suffered. The loss is so horrific, they would not want someone else to go through the same thing they did, because of a drunk,” Lee suggested.

The bottom line is there needs to be more awareness. “Yes, even more awareness than already exists. The families affected by such a grievous loss are the ones that carry that message with the most impact. They have been there and done that. No one else should face what they did. Wrongful death lawsuits often make that point for the family, and if you have been in a situation like this, we need to talk,” said Lee.

To learn more, visit Austin personal injury lawyer and http://www.rwleelaw.com.

Lee, Gober and Reyna
11824 Jollyville Road, Suite 302
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: 512.478.8080

“Safety belts are one of the most important tools that drivers and passengers can use to protect themselves in a car accident,” said Chicago car accident attorney Robert Briskman.

In Illinois, on the 2011 Memorial Day weekend alone, there were 13 deaths and 700 injuries on local roads. In the mid 1990s, Illinois law enforcement focused more on ensuring that motorists were wearing seat belts. Their efforts raised compliance to 68% by 1998. By the next year, however, that rate had declined to 65.9%. Traffic safety officials conducted surveys and found that up to thirty percent of drivers said they were part-time users of seat belts. Additionally, the surveys showed that about six percent said they never or rarely used seat belts.

After documenting the decline in seat belt use by 1998 and the lack of use by many drivers, Illinois decided to join the Click It or Ticket campaign. As part of their renewed efforts to educate drivers about the effectiveness of using seat belts to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries, Illinois officials traveled to North Carolina, a state that had raised their seat belt usage rate from 64% to 84%.

By learning from North Carolina’s approach, Illinois was able to increase the seat belt usage rate by over four percentage points in just one year. The campaign of encouraging greater seat belt usage is conducted using several waves of public outreach and law enforcement.

These waves are organized around major holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. Media campaigns also target the groups that need to raise their compliance the most, because they are at an increased risk of accidents. For example, males and youth tend to wear seat belts less often.

To learn more about Chicago car accident lawyer and Chicago personal injury attorney, Paul Greenberg, visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com or call 877-595-HURT (4878).

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
351 West Hubbard Street, Ste 810
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312.222.0010
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“This accident was one of those things that tend to happen far too often when riding a motorcycle. Car drivers just do not see the bikers and often turn right in front of them. Without nowhere else to go but into the side of the vehicle, many a biker, and their passengers, have been gravely injured and/or killed,” recounted Bobby Lee, an Austin personal injury attorney of The Lee Law Firm in Austin, Texas.

In this accident, an 18-year-old young man was heading eastbound on the highway, when he made a left-hand turn directly into the path of a motorcycle heading west. The 2009 Honda had two people aboard, the 27-year-old biker and his 30-year-old passenger. Both were ejected from the bike on impact, and while the woman was wearing a helmet, the man was not. Both were taken to hospital for treatment of extremely serious injuries.

Riding a motorcycle is perhaps one of the most dangerous things anyone can do these days, short of bungee jumping with a frayed rope. There are way too many things that can go wrong when riding, and the fact is that it is bikers are prone to more serious injuries, because they are so exposed and lack any real protection.

Do the biker and his passenger have a case to take to court? Based on the evidence that the Jeep driver did not pay attention and be careful to look out for other drivers, yes, he does. It is a driver’s duty to drive with due care and attention, and if they fail to live up to that duty, they are held responsible for the consequences, such as paying medical bills, lost wages or damages for a wrongful death.

“Accidents like this one need the presence of an experienced lawyer, particularly if you want justice and a fair settlement or court award. Never leave the details of a motorcycle accident up to the insurance company. You have already been worked over once, you don’t need to be worked over twice by an agent wanting to reduce your claim as much as they can,” added Lee. “If you need help, call me. Let’s talk.”

To learn more, visit Austin personal injury lawyer and http://www.rwleelaw.com.

The Lee Law Firm
11824 Jollyville Road, Suite 302
Austin, Texas 78759
Phone: 512.478.8080

“This reported case is typical of the kinds of things that may happen when someone is riding their motorcycle. While I wish it were not so, these types of wrecks happen far too often, largely due to the driver of the ‘other’ vehicle being inattentive. One of the first rules of the road is watch out for other drivers. That includes bikers,” added Stephen Ozcomert, an Atlanta injury lawyer, who practices personal injury, accident and malpractice law.

In this case, as in many others, the vehicle, a mini van, made a left turn in front of the biker, and the results were devastating for the biker, a 64-year-old man. Although the man had been wearing a helmet, he was listed in critical condition when he arrived at the nearest hospital. “The fact is that even though helmets ‘do’ save lives, there are ‘other’ injuries that can cause serious physical repercussions or death, such as internal organ shearing, punctured lungs, spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury,” Ozcomert outlined.

The long and short of riding a motorcycle is that no matter how cautious the biker may be, they can never anticipate what another vehicle in front, or behind them, will do. “For instance, in another case, a biker was passing between two cars stopped at a light, when the driver of whipped open his door, throwing the biker to the street, and jamming him between the two vehicles, about to move forward. The man thought he had dropped his watch out the window. The biker was run over twice, and survived, minus one leg,” recounted Ozcomert.

Although people do not often think about the economy, unless they are out of a job, they need to realize that a vast portion of the U.S. population is choosing to switch to motorcycles as their means of transportation. They are cheaper to license and do not need as much fuel. “This also means there are more of them on the roads, which means drivers consciously ratcheting up their awareness of ‘all’ vehicles around them. It could mean the difference between life and death of another person.”

Too often, younger drivers, even though many of them have experience riding a motorcycle, do not stop to think, look and listen while they are behind the wheel of a car. “If you hold up your forefinger in front of your eyes, right in the middle, you will ‘not’ see a motorcycle, even if it is right in front of, or behind you.”

That is how easy it is to miss them, which should suggest to drivers that they need to be even more aware and vigilant. No matter how much education there is out there about being on the lookout for bikers, there is always someone who thinks the cautions do not apply to them. They find out later, in court, the cautions ‘did’ apply to them. If you have been involved in an accident, call my office. Let’s talk,” said Ozcomert.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
3575 Piedmont Road Northeast #1560
Atlanta, GA 30305
Call: (404) 370-1000

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“Typically, when a motorcycle and another vehicle are involved in an accident, it was the vehicle that caused the accident. This is usually because the driver did not see the biker or the cycle. In some cases like this one the biker made a bad judgment call, and the result was the death of his passenger,” remarked Stephen Ozcomert, an Atlanta injury lawyer who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law.

Making a bad judgment call and the end result of this accident still could have been avoided if the car driver had been paying attention to what was in the driver’s side view mirror. If the man had looked, he would have seen the biker in the left hand lane, coming up alongside his car to pass. He did not look. The biker did not pay attention to turn signals, assuming they were blinking, and the 18-year-old passenger on the bike was fatally injured as a result of the impact with the car.

“There are many unanswered questions here, and the investigation will be ongoing until some of them are answered. Did the car driver have his signal light on to turn left? Did he look in his side view mirror before turning, which is a safe thing to do? Did the biker check the signal lights of the cars he was attempting to pass?” asked Ozcomert. The police are interested in hearing from a witness in the second car present at the scene of the accident; a car that left the scene. Its driver may have seen something that would help in their investigation.

Whenever there is a motorcycle wreck, the causes are the first thing the police attempt to ascertain. The most common ones are the biker was an inexperienced rider, the road conditions were bad, the weather was bad, the biker was speeding, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or the driver of the other vehicle did not see the biker. It is not clear whether or not alcohol was a factor in this accident.

“In this case, the dead passenger’s family would have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It would be likely that both the biker and the car driver would be named in the suit, as it appears that neither were paying attention to the rules of the road, or driving safely,” Ozcomert suggested.

For anyone that has been involved in a motorcycle accident, make the first call for legal assistance to a qualified Atlanta personal injury attorney. “It’s my job to immediately and accurately assess the case, the accident and the scene. I can inform you of your legal rights and what to expect should your case go to court. We discuss how damages are awarded and what you may expect for the future,” added Ozcomert.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
3575 Piedmont Road Northeast #1560
Atlanta, GA 30305
Call: (404) 370-1000

View Larger Map

Partner and car accident lawyer, Daniel L. Buckfire stated, “For over 40 years, our Michigan personal injury law firm has not only earned the trust of our clients, but has a proven track record of winning the highest settlements for accident and injury victims. Our team of attorneys has helped us attain this reputation, and adding Dondi Vesprini to our team will continue to make that statement true. Dondi is an experienced, highly reputable attorney and we are proud to have Dondi join our law firm.”

Dondi Vesprini earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Oakland University in 1996 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1999 where he was on the Moot Court Board of Directors and a member of the St. Thomas More Society.

He has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his injured clients and specializes in issues affecting motorcyclists such as motorcycle accidents or any type of motor vehicle accident, roadway defect accidents, and Michigan No Fault claims. He also litigates personal injury matters and represents clients in Social Security disability claims. In addition to trial work, he has also argued cases in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dondi Vesprini’s advocacy extends beyond the court room as he has met with the Governor’s office, legislators and lobbyists regarding legislation affecting injured motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists alike, including the Michigan motorcycle helmet law and current proposed changes to Michigan’s No Fault system.

He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and Michigan Association for Justice and is on the Board of Directors of ABATE of Michigan (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education). He is a multiple time presenter and speaker at various functions of ABATE of Michigan and the Michigan Confederation of Clubs and has also authored articles published in Midwest Motorcycle magazine.

Prior to joining Buckfire & Buckfire, Dondi worked for 11 years as a trial attorney for the Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katkowsky, P.C., which specialized in motorcycle accidents. Previously, Dondi worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for 2 years where he tried felony drug cases and also worked on criminal appeals.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. handles all accident and injury cases, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death cases, medical malpractice lawsuits, nursing home neglect cases, slip and fall cases, dog bite attack cases, and all other personal injury matters throughout the State of Michigan. Our lawyers for car accidents in Michigan are known for their meticulous case preparation-an approach that results in major verdicts and settlements for their clients.

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C.
25800 Northwestern Hwy, Ste. 890
Southfield, Michigan
(800) 606-1717
http://www.BuckfireLaw.com

“When you practice personal injury law, including handling motorcycle crash cases, you sometimes think you just may have seen it all,” commented Stephen Ozcomert, an Atlanta injury lawyer in Georgia who practices personal injury, accidents and malpractice law. “Then, along comes a case like this one that makes you realize you have not seen it all and that there never seems to be an end to driver inattentiveness that can maim and kill.”

In a great number of motorcycle accidents, the other driver is often heard to say they never saw the biker or the motorcycle. “It was like the person and the bike did not even exist,” added Ozcomert. In a recently reported case, a highway patrol officer was badly injured after helping other drivers at the scene of a car accident.

The officer had arrived at the scene of the car accident, which involved a VW Jetta and a Dodge Ram. It was not a pretty scene and it took some time to clear. When the Ram was safely taken off the highway, the officer hopped on his motorcycle and went to assist the driver of the Jetta in moving his car.

“Here is where the story takes a strange twist. As the officer approached the Jetta, the driver, a 23-year-old man, made a sudden right-hand turn, while trying to get off the highway. The Jetta creamed the officer and his motorcycle, ejecting him into the air. His injuries were severe. The car driver was driving without a license,” outlined Ozcomert.

Negligence? “Most definitely there was negligence here. Not only because the 23-year-old was driving without a license, but because of the way he was driving and not paying attention to his surroundings. It is relatively hard to miss a cop on a motorcycle, as they don’t exactly ride small bikes, but somehow the man did and that inattention almost cost the officer his life,” Ozcomert stated.

Aside from the fact the 23-year-old will be charged with several criminal offenses, he may well face a personal injury lawsuit filed by the policeman. Someone has to be responsible for the officer’s medical bills, recovery expenses, lost wages and other recovery expenses.

“Been in an accident caused by someone else and needed to spend time in the hospital? I’d welcome your call to discuss your case. You will want to know your rights, how a case may proceed and what you may expect in terms of compensation. That’s my job. I am here to help you,” said Ozcomert.

To learn more, contact Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen Ozcomert by visiting http://www.ozcomert.com.

Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
215 North McDonough Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Call: (404) 370-1000

Atlanta office is by appointment only.
Stephen M. Ozcomert, PC
3575 Piedmont Road NE
Suite 1560-B
Atlanta, GA 30305
Call: (404) 370-1000