Georgia Injury Lawyer Blog

We read in the paper this week about a tragedy involving a motorcyclist who was struck and killed by a drunk driver. According to news accounts, the drunk driver was completely at fault in the incident and struck the innocent motorcycle rider from the rear. Regrettably, this case is indicative of the dangers to which all motorcycle riders are exposed. Such dangers are exponentially increased, obviously, when a drunk driver is involved.
We read in the paper this week about a tragedy involving a motorcyclist who was struck and killed by a drunk driver. According to news accounts, the drunk driver was completely at fault in the incident and struck the innocent motorcycle rider from the rear. Regrettably, this case is indicative of the dangers to which all motorcycle riders are exposed. Such dangers are exponentially increased, obviously, when a drunk driver is involved and as it appears in this case, the victim was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time occupying the same space and traveling down the same road as the drunk driver. The tragic results obviously were caused by the drunk driver’s negligence. Hopefully, the driver will be fully prosecuted and sent to jail. While jail time will be little solace to the victim’s family, nonetheless, it is necessary that there be a vigorous prosecution in all such cases in order to deter such actions by others.
The tragic results here obviously were caused by the drunk driver’s negligence. Hopefully, the driver will be fully prosecuted and sent to jail. While jail time will be little solace to the victim’s family, nonetheless, it is necessary that there be a vigorous prosecution in all such cases in order to deter such actions by others.

Over the years our firm has handled many cases involving serious motorcycle accident cases. Because so little protection is afforded to the motorcycle rider, in any case involving a collision between a motorcycle and an automobile, typically the motorcycle rider is seriously injured and/or killed. In the case that happened this week here in Atlanta, the motorcycle rider was killed by the drunk driver. We do not know if the drunk driver has sufficient assets to pay the damages caused by the loss of life of the victim/rider but hopefully there will be sufficient insurance proceeds available to compensate the family for its loss

The article in today’s paper indicated that the accused, a man by the name of Darrin Murphy, had a prior DUI offense on his record. The victim had just graduated with a degree in Public Policy from Georgia Tech and had only been an American citizen for just three months. He was born in London and obviously was a bright young man with an extremely bright future ahead of him. It is regrettable that Mr. Murphy chose to drink and drive and it is clear that he is facing a long jail sentence having been charged with first degree homicide, following too closely and driving under the influence. Because he is a repeat offender, he is likely to get very little sympathy from the Court.

We offer our condolences to the family of Liam Rattray, the innocent victim in this case. Regrettably, according to news accounts, Mr. Rattray is not the only motorcycle rider killed this week in metropolitan Atlanta. According to news accounts out of Upson County, a father was killed and his son seriously injured when they were struck head on by a drunk driver in a pickup truck.

A note of caution to our motorcycle rider friends. Wear your helmets and be careful this summer. Its dangerous out there.

In February of 2006, John Lamb was killed when a bicycle he was riding became entangled with hazardous utility wires which draped across a city sidewalk. Mr. Lamb did not see the wires that were still attached to the utility pole until it was too late. Unfortunately, he was thrown from his bicycle, landed on his head, broke his neck and was killed.

This spring, PEDS, a pedestrian safety advocacy group located in Atlanta, will be conducting the Second Annual John Lamb Hazardous Wire Hunt. Citizens are encouraged to photograph hazardous wires on or near City sidewalks and then send the photographs to PEDS, which in turn will send them to the City of Atlanta and/or to the utility companies implicated by the pictures. Obviously, the purpose of this Wire Hunt not only is to honor the memory of John Lamb, who was killed through the negligence of the City and the utility companies who failed to maintain their wires in a safe condition, but also to prevent future accidents of a similar nature. Once PEDS sends the photos to the City and to the utility companies, it is anticipated that they will clean up their act (so to speak) and hopefully, one day, make the City “wireless.”

Finch McCranie, LLP was honored to have represented the Lamb family in connection with his tragic wrongful death. We are also pleased that PEDS is performing this important community service on behalf of each and every Atlanta citizen who enjoy using sidewalks for safe ingress and egress. The City has a legal duty to maintain its sidewalks safely. Leaving hazardous wires on sidewalks for periods of days, weeks, and sometimes months clearly is not a safe practice. It is our hope that the PEDS Hazardous Wire Hunt in memory of John Lamb will serve its intended purposes and help make this City’s sidewalks safe for pedestrian use. One preventable and unnecessary death is one death too many.

Thank you PEDS for all you do.

Of all the possible traffic accidents in Atlanta, cases in which vehicles collide with a bicycle or a pedestrian can have the most tragic results. When walking or riding a bike, you do not have the same structural protection against impacts that you do while driving, so you are more likely to be the injured party, and you are more likely to be hurt badly.

If you are severely injured or if a loved one was killed in a bike or pedestrian accident due to the negligence of a driver, you deserve compensation for your losses, and you may need a lawyer to help you win your case.

When you are injured, unable to work, and facing medical bills, the situation can seem very dark. You not only need an attorney who will protect your rights and demand compensation, you need a friend who can give you the information and support you need.

With convenient offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Finch McCranie, LLP is dedicated to helping the victims of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Georgia and to providing a high level of responsiveness, communication, and personal attention. At Finch McCranie, LLP, we take care of our clients. Our bicycle and pedestrian accident lawyers will fully inform you about the details of your injury case and the legal issues involved so you can make confident, educated decisions.

If you are someone you love was severely injured in a Georgia bicycle or pedestrian accident, please call the Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP at 1-800-228-9159.