The summer months are a time for enjoying the outdoors. For many Americans, this means vacations, road trips, and traveling to events, celebrations, and time with family. Unfortunately, this seasonal increase in activity brings a lot of traffic to our public roads and highways, especially for motorcycle riders who are much smaller than passenger vehicles, easily overseen by inattentive drivers, and prone to suffering serious injuries in motorcycle collisions.

At Amanda Hall Injury Law, our Woodstock motorcycle accident lawyers have represented many riders who suffered injuries in preventable wrecks, especially during the summer months. Although riders face significant risks whenever they head out onto the open road, this time of year can increase the risks they face. In fact, studies from AAA and other traffic safety organizations have found that the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day account for some of the most dangerous days on American roads. This is due to a substantial increase in preventable traffic collisions, injuries, and deaths.

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast with plans to attend a local rally, begin a long road trip, or simply enjoy the open air on your bike, it is important to understand the unique risks you face this time of year. Motorists who drive passenger vehicles should also be aware of these risks in order to take measures that can protect themselves and everyone else on public roads.

During summer months, riders can face increased dangers on roads and highways due to the following:

• More traffic – Summer months bring a surge of traffic to roadways throughout Georgia. With more vehicles and more motorcyclists, it becomes essential for everyone to obey the law, share the road, and make vigilance a priority. Motorcyclists should be aware that with more drivers, they will need to be extra cautious when maneuvering through traffic. To emphasis safety, riders can make themselves as visible as possible by wearing bright or reflective gear, using headlights and signals, and ensuring that they make eye contact and that motorists see them prior to any maneuver. This includes changing lanes, making left hand turns, and entering intersections. Drivers can do their part by understanding that there will be more riders out and about, and that they should scan their surroundings for signs of riders whenever they are behind the wheel.
• Out-of-town motorists – While increases in traffic alone can introduce potential hazards, risks can be elevated when that traffic is comprised of out-of-town motorists who may not be familiar with local roadways, directions, or laws. Drivers, or even riders, who are unfamiliar with the local landscape may be more prone to sudden driving behaviors, such as sudden stops or attempts to turn or change lanes in order to make an exit. Be prepared for tourists if you live in a community where local events draw people from out of town or even just those passing through. Follow at a safe distance, anticipate driving maneuvers, and give yourself plenty of space when passing riders and vehicles.
• Alcohol impairment – Alcohol impairment is one of the largest reasons why summer months can be especially dangerous on our roadways. During this time of year, it is common for Americans to celebrate, take vacations, or unwind with alcoholic beverages. Events and holidays, such as the Fourth of July, will also see sharp spikes in alcohol-related accidents. Whatever your plans may be, always drive or ride sober. You can do this by planning for a safe ride from friends or a taxi or rideshare service, in addition to staying the night wherever you plan on drinking. Riders, just as motorists, have a duty to remain sober on the road as well. Doing so not only protects the safety of others, but their own livelihoods as well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost one-half of all motorcycle wrecks involving a single motorcycle involve a rider impaired by alcohol. Driving or riding under the influence has consequences, including both criminal penalties and civil liability when victims are injured.
• Distracted driving – Although driver distraction is a concern any time of year, it can be especially dangerous during summer months when there is an increase in traffic and out-of-town motorists. Whenever you ride or drive, be sure that it is your only focus. Drivers should always avoid texting and using cell phones behind the wheel, considered the most dangerous form of distraction, as it can prevent them from seeing motorcycle riders and substantially increases crash risks.

Due to these risks, it becomes essential for riders to make safety a priority. This means obeying the rules of the road, riding vigilantly, wearing a helmet, and ensuring you are seen by motorists.

How We Can Help Injured Riders

Even when the correct precautions to be safe are taken, riders can still suffer injuries in motorcycle collisions caused by negligent motorists, including those who may be distracted or drunk at the time of a crash. When riders are harmed in preventable wrecks, our personal injury lawyers at Amanda Hall Injury Law are readily available to help. We have extensive experience protecting the rights of victims and families during the personal injury claim process, and have leveraged our decades of combined experience to recover millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. This includes a $2.1 million recovery in a recent case on behalf of a rider who was struck and injured by a negligent teen driver and also, a $500 thousand recovery from a motorcycle wreck that cause serious back injuries.

To discuss a potential motorcycle accident case with a member of our team, contact us for a FREE consultation.

Talk to anyone you know about mechanics and the conversation will likely turn towards topics of distrust. It seems like everyone has a story about an auto shop trying to lie about a vehicle’s alleged problems, hoping that the client won’t know any better and approve a costly and unnecessary “repair.” Of course, there are plenty of mechanics and auto body shops that would never consider using fraudulent tactics to try to gain a profit. But the truth stands that most of us are worried that any of them can and will.

If you need to have your car repaired or serviced soon and are concerned about potential fraudulent repair jobs, here are a few things to consider to hopefully protect your wallet:

• Trusted mechanics: Don’t just rush to the first mechanic you find. This is inviting trouble. Use due diligence to research shops and individuals. Aggregate reviews from the public are typically a good gauge of a mechanic’s honesty and capability. When in doubt, an official car dealership for your vehicle’s model might be the right choice. Dealerships are usually more expensive but, thanks to corporate oversight and liability laws, it is uncommon to run into intentionally fraudulent behavior there.
• Estimates are not guarantees: You should not sign off on repairs until you see a cost estimate first. This will give you a ballpark idea of how much the work will cost. However, keep in mind that this is not a strong defense against fraudulent car repairs. Most incidents of fraud do not start at the beginning of the repair job. Instead, the mechanic will mention in the first follow-up call that more problems have been found and that the cost will be higher than initially estimated.
• Second opinions: For issues that have not entirely crippled your car, you may wish to get another mechanic’s opinion of the problem. Comparing both estimates and diagnoses can easily reveal where one shop was exaggerating just to try to get more money. Even if you aren’t worried about fraud, shopping around is always beneficial for the consumer.
• State regulations: It might be worth reviewing your state’s own regulations against unfair and deceptive practices used in auto body shops. A little bit of knowledge ahead of time can help you spot more subtle forms of fraud that otherwise would have resulted in you losing money.

Keep in mind that if you suspect fraudulent behavior, outright refusing to pay the auto body shop might not be the best idea. Legal obligations could allow a mechanic to hold onto your vehicle until payments are made, no matter the evidence of fraudulent car repair tactics that may be present at the time. If you want to keep driving without interruption, then you might want to pay whatever they demand and prepare to file a claim against them to collect compensation or repayment.

Amanda Hall Injury Law and our consumer protection attorneys in Woodstock, Georgia are well-versed in all kinds of laws and regulations pertaining to fraudulent car repairs. Our 50+ Years of total legal experience can be put to good use for you, determining if you have valid grounds for a claim based on the potential proof of fraudulent behavior. To learn more about our services, you can review our client testimonials or case results, or contact us directly.

This summer, whether you’ll be lounging and relaxing around your home town or off on a vacation, you’ll likely be spending a good amount of your time driving in a car. With summer comes warm weather, crowded roads, and sometimes overly-packed cars. In order to keep yourself and your passengers happy and healthy, practice these safe driving tips.

1. Plan Ahead

Whether you’re headed out for a long vacation or a short drive to the beach, always be sure you plan ahead. Check road conditions, including possible construction zones or high-traffic areas you may go through. Also, check weather reports and make sure you and your car are ready for whatever comes your way.

2. Always Have Water in Your Vehicle

Having water in your car is always a good idea, especially in case of an emergency. Keeping a case or a few jugs of water in the trunk or back seat can come in handy and even save your life. Water is essential especially when the heat rises in the summer. If you simply aren’t prepared for the heat one day and need an extra bit of water to get you through, your extra supplies can come in handy.

3. Prepare Your Car

Even if you regularly maintain your car, always go over it again before heading out for a trip. Check the engine fluids to ensure they’re at their proper levels, and make sure your lights, blinkers, windshield wipers, and other essentials are all in working order. It’s also important that your tires, including your spare, are in top shape. When the weather gets warmer, tires can sometimes crack and change air pressure, so it’s especially important to check your tires to make sure they’re in good condition, or you run the risk of getting a flat.

4. Share the Road

The roads are often more crowded during summer months, though not always with more cars. Be aware of anyone else on the road, like bicyclists, runners or pedestrians out enjoying the fine weather. There are also more motorcyclists on the road when the weather warms up, so always check your blind spots and drive cautiously.

5. Buckle Up

Always buckle up. Not only is wearing your seat belt the law, it is also the easiest thing you can do to guard yourself and your passengers against serious injury or death, should you crash. While it may be tempting to let the kids squish in the back on their way home from the beach or to let your 6 year old sit without his booster seat, remember to always put safety first. All passengers should wear a seatbelt at all times, infants should be secured in a rear-facing car seat, babies and toddlers in a forward-facing car seat, and children in booster seats until they fit the vehicle’s seat belts properly.

6. Avoid Distractions

There are many distractions that effect our ability to drive on a normal basis, but sometimes summer can offer even more interferences. Always avoid using your phone while driving, which includes texting or internet or app use. Start the music before you drive and do not attempt to change playlists or other controls while you are driving.

Also, if your car is full it can be difficult to focus on the task at hand among all the commotion. Ask passengers to allow you to focus on driving, or, if they are children, try to provide them with entertainment before the drive begins.

7. Never Leave a Child in a Car

While children should never be left alone in vehicles, this is especially important during summer months when the temperature rises drastically. If the outside temperature is hot, the interior temperature could be 40 degrees warmer, which can result in heat stroke and other serious health repercussions for anyone stuck inside a car on a hot day. Even with the windows cracked, the health risk is huge.

If you ever accidentally lock your child in the car, or you see a child locked in a car on a hot day, call 911 immediately. For that matter, do not leave pets in hot cars either, as the heat can be just as dangerous for them.

At Amanda Hall Injury Law, we sincerely encourage our clients to follow these safety tips this summer to avoid unnecessary accidents, however, we understand that sometimes incidents just happen. If you or a loved one was wrongfully injured in an accident this summer because of the negligence or careless ness of someone else, our legal team can help. Contact Amanda Hall Injury Law to schedule a free case review regarding your motor vehicle accident.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has the duty of regulating the number of hours truck drivers are allowed operate. This is done to ensure they do not drive while fatigued, which helps protect not only their safety, but the safety of others they share the road with as well.

In December 2011, a new rule was adopted by the FMCSA to combat the overwhelming proliferation of fatigued driving. While the rule is incredibly detailed, the heart of it focused on two primary updated requirements. This included:

• Drivers must take a 30-minute rest within the first eight hours of their shift.
• Drivers can use what is known as a “restart” only once every 168-hour work week. A restart is a 34-hour rest period, allowing drivers to catch up on sleep. This rule was intended to reduce the average maximum week a driver could work.

Additionally, drivers can drive up to 11 hours, and are limited to 14 hours within a duty period. This cannot be extended to make up for time spent on meals or fuel stops. Within a 7-day period, drivers cannot work more than 60 hours. To enforce these rules, the FMCSA put heavy penalties in place for violations. Some of these penalties include:

• Fines ranging from $1,000 to $11,000 per violation, which may be imposed on the driver, the carrier, or both.
• The safety rating of the carrier may be downgraded.
• A driver may be placed on shut down until enough off-duty time has been accumulated.
• It is also possible for federal criminal penalties to be brought against carriers or drivers who knowingly and willfully violate the hours-of-service regulations.

At Amanda Hall Injury Law, our Woodstock truck accident lawyers are well-versed in the laws and regulations surrounding commercial vehicle accidents. We have over 25 years of combined experience and will put it to work for you to develop strong and strategic claims on your behalf.

Call us today to request a consultation at (678) 647-7220.

It is common knowledge that when you get into a car accident, you are required to pull over and exchange insurance information with the other driver. But what happens if you find out that the other driver doesn’t have any insurance? What happens next? With all of the stress you are dealing with, wondering who will pay for your medical bills and vehicle repair costs is an added layer of stress that you don’t need. In this blog, we’ll give you a brief overview of what you need to know in this situation.

In Georgia, drivers are required to carry bodily injury coverage of at least $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident, as well as property damage liability insurance of at least $25,000 for one incident. It is against the law to drive without insurance, but many drivers still choose to ignore the law for one reason or another.

If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver, you will likely have to rely on your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance coverage to pay your damages, which may include property loss, vehicle damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. This coverage is also useful in hit and run accidents in which the at-fault driver cannot be identified. If you make a claim through this coverage, you don’t have to worry about an increase in your premiums.

In cases involving serious personal injury, it may be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. However, it is important to remember that if the driver didn’t have enough money to pay for insurance in the first place, they likely will not be in a position to pay out a verdict or settlement. It is thus critical that you consult with an experienced car accident attorney who can assess your case and determine which legal option will be of most benefit to you.

At Amanda Hall Injury Law, LLP, we have extensive experience handling car accident cases in Woodstock. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or a driver without sufficient insurance, please contact our firm to learn more about how you can seek compensation. With decades of combined experience, we have the resources, skill, and passion necessary to give our clients the best chance of securing maximum compensation.

Contact us today to speak with a Woodstock car accident attorney for free: