Distracted Driving

Address: 531 Roselane St NW, Suite 200A, Marietta, GA, 30060, US
Telephone: (770) 422-8840

Common Causes of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving today accounts for about 25% of all car crash fatalities and about 80% of car accidents in general. Taking your eyes off the road for only three seconds can lead to an accident. With statistics as severe as these, it’s no wonder there are so many laws being put into place to keep drivers focused when they’re behind the wheel.

What distracts us while driving?

The number one distraction while driving — simply zoning out. We’ve all had those moments behind the wheel, driving a familiar route, where our mind just wanders. We feel like we’re still concentrating on the road, but in fact we impair our reaction time when our mind meanders.

Cellphone use comes in second on this list, specifically texting. This common activity for drivers equates to one of the main reasons car accidents occur.

Other activities that lead to distracted driving include:

Turning to look at something outside the car like an accident or another person.
Reacting to other people in the car, especially when being asked for something by a child.
Reaching for something.
Eating or drinking while driving.
Changing radio stations or adjusting the car's controls.

It’s so easy to get distracted while driving, and each distraction increases the risk of an accident taking place.

How Georgia has addressed distracted driving

Georgia, along with many other states, has taken action against distracted driving. This summer, the state became the 26th state to enact a hands-free law. In Georgia, drivers can no longer hold their cell phones. The phones cannot touch any part of your body. You can still take calls. However, you can no longer read from your phone or take pictures or video. Additionally, texting, posting to social media, and reading emails is prohibited.

Your first offense results is a $50 fine and 1 point on your driver's history. Tickets are distributed for handling or touching your phone rather than using your car’s Bluetooth to access features. The only time you can touch your phone while driving is in an emergency.

Enacting this cell phone law led to an instant impact on decreasing the potential for people to drive distractedly. Within the first four days of Georgia being a hands-free state, nearly 1,000 tickets and warnings were given. During the first month, a variety of citations related to the hands-free law were given:

588 went to motorists for holding or supporting a mobile device,
65 were given for sending text-based communications while driving,
15 were for for watching videos or movies on a wireless device, and
5 were issued for using more than a single button to initiate or terminate a voice conversation

A driver texts while driving distracted. — Texting while driving is just one type of distracted driving likely to result in an accident.

Had an accident as a result of distracted driving?

According to the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, first time offenders of the hands-free law have a way out of their ticket. They can show they’ve gotten a device that enables hands-free access to their phone and have the charge dropped.

However, if you find yourself in an accident as a result of someone else's distracted driving, consider contacting an experienced personal injury attorney. At The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm we work tirelessly to provide you with the best guidance for your case.

Whether dealing with a citation or the repercussions of an accident, our expert knowledge can help you get the best possible outcome for your case.Contact the attorneys at The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm today for a free consultation.

Safe Travels for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2017 broke the record for holiday travel. An estimated 51 million people in the US left home for Turkey Day celebrations and travelled at least 50 miles to their destination. While car travel equals the primary choice for Thanksgiving, airports and train stations fill up with holiday goers as well, so it’s important to be aware and safe if you too are leaving home this year for turkey and stuffing.

Thanksgiving is the second most dangerous holiday out on the road. Only the 4th of July is more dangerous. While fatalities were down, between 2001-2006, over 500 were reported annually during this travel period. The primary cause, many employers don’t give people the Wednesday before off, forcing people to travel on Thanksgiving Day. This tends to cause people to rush, drive distracted, and be fatigued on the road.

In Georgia alone, the Department of Public Safety predicted almost 3,000 traffic crashes over Thanksgiving this year. This will lead to around 1,300 injuries and 20 deaths, so it’s important to travel as safely as possible this holiday season.

Driving to your destination

Preparing to safely drive to your Thanksgiving Day dinner starts the night before departure. Make sure you get enough rest to stay fully aware while on the road. You don’t want to be impaired in any way when you get behind the wheel, and while most people worry about drinking too much, being exhausted while driving can be equally dangerous.

Next, check driving conditions before you leave. Often this time of year weather is unpredictable, so you’ll want to know what’s coming. Watch out for hazardous weather that can lead to treacherous roads. Driving through severe storms can also be dangerous because of decreased visibility or slick roads. Consider altering your driving plans if the weather report shows storms on the horizon.

With the green light to hit the road, make sure when packing up your car that you can still see through all mirrors. Overloading your car can impair your vision. It may also put more weight into your car than it can safely transport. Secure everything so nothing shifts around too much while on the road as well.

Most importantly, while you’re on the road, don’t drive distracted. Everyone always gets more chatty en route to a holiday, but resist the urge to talk on your cell continuously as the driver. Any texts can wait until you’re able to pull over and fully stop. Missed calls will go to voice mail so you can check them when it’s safe. Consider using an app like Waze for directions so that you can share your ETA with the family waiting for you to arrive. This way they’ll know when you’re coming and won’t have to call or text to ask, leaving you distraction-free to concentrate on the road.

Taking to the air

While a bit safer than car travel, the biggest risk when traveling via plane for the holidays becomes germs. There’s nothing like a crowded airport, moving people through by the thousands, to collect all kinds of winter germs. Stay healthy during the holidays!

Wash hands frequently.
Attempt to have minimal contact with public items.
Keep your belongings close to avoid having others leave their germs on your stuff.
Carry hand sanitizer and wet wipes with you, especially if traveling with children.

Nobody wants to spend their Thanksgiving with a runny nose and a fever, so do what you can to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible.

Protect your home while you’re away

Preparing to travel for the holidays also means protecting your home while it sits empty. Make sure your home stays protected while you’re gone. Set an alarm if you have one and refrain from posting your travel plans on social media in real time. Set a few lights inside your home on timers and lock all windows and doors.

If someone comes to your house regularly while you’re away to feed pets or bring in the mail, give them an extra key instead of hiding one on your property. If any neighbors are doing Thanksgiving at their house, ask if they can keep an eye on your home just as an extra precaution. You may also want to leave a light on at your front door and even over your garage.

Taking the proper precautions for your home while you’re away will help you have a more enjoyable Thanksgiving with one less thing to worry about.

Handling an accident over Thanksgiving

Risk of an accident still exists, even with taking all the precautions to ensure you’re a save traveller over the holidays. With so many additional people making their way around the country to celebrate with friends and family, more drivers and flyers come through Georgia who are unfamiliar with our roads, the airport, and weather patterns.

Should an accident occur, don’t panic and don’t let it overshadow your holiday fun. Contact The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm to get the personalized help and support you deserve to navigate the confusing process of working through an accident. With a free consultation, the experienced lawyers will review your case and advise you on the best course of action.

9 Reasons You Need A Personal Injury Law Firm

If you’ve never been in a serious accident it can be easy to say you don’t need a personal injury lawyer, but when the smoke clears and you wake up in a hospital bed with serious injuries, the last thing on your mind should be getting all of the paperwork in order for your personal injury claim. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that after an accident, no one is on your side. That’s not exactly a comforting thought when you’re overwhelmed with hospital bills and the burden of recovery. There are plenty of reasons to hire a personal injury attorney to handle your Marietta car accident and here is a list of nine:

1. Experience: A personal injury lawyer has gone through the process before. They have likely been part of cases that were similar to yours and can use that experience to influence the decision making process in your case. There will be many decisions for you to make, and the more experienced your lawyer is, the easier it will be for you to make educated decisions in your case.

2. Attention to Detail: A personal injury firm is less likely to overlook details in any contracts or settlements because they understand fully what every part of the contract means. They will be able to catch any parts of a contract that aren’t in your favor and negotiate for better terms.

3. Complicated: The legal process is long and complicated. An attorney will know the ins and outs and will know what to expect and how best to prepare. There are plenty of deadlines to keep track of and a ton of paperwork. An experienced personal injury attorney will know the entire process and be able to plan for all of the steps.

4. Impartial: Your personal injury attorney will not be as emotionally invested as you are in your case. Emotions tend to cloud a person’s judgement and can lead to mistakes. Having a personal injury attorney allows you to trust an impartial party who will not be making decisions based on anger or any other emotion.

5. Alternatives: Not all personal injury cases require a long drawn out battle with insurance companies. Your lawyer will understand all of the alternatives available to you and will be able to advise you on when these alternatives are best.

6. Insider Insights: Insurance companies on the other side of the table will have lawyers, so hiring your own lawyer will ensure you understand what is going on and what tactics they might use to try to deny you your rights. Your attorney will also know when they are offering you the highest settlement you are likely to get, which will help you respond accordingly.

7. Insurance Companies: A personal injury attorney has worked with insurance companies before. They will understand what needs to happen in order to protect your rights.

8. Reputation: Hiring a well known personal injury attorney that is known for winning cases could prompt an insurance company to settle much earlier and for much more money than they typically would.

9. Time: When you’ve been injured, you need time to recover without worrying about all the documents and deadlines that will be coming up. It is important that you have help with all of the paperwork so that you can recover as best as you can.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Cobb County car accident, call Atlanta personal injury lawyers at The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at (770) 422-8840.

Most Dangerous Intersections In Marietta

From Marietta Square to the Cobb Parkway, Cobb County is full of intersections. Some of these intersections are typical; others are dangerous. Whether the intersection was built for less traffic than it currently carries or just has bad signage, a dangerous intersection can cause serious problems for the community.

In Cobb County, we hear about accidents daily. Some are fender benders that cost a fair amount of money, but some are more serious and can cause injury or fatality. If you are involved in an accident that results in an injury, you will need to call a Marietta personal injury attorney or a Marietta accident attorney. Before you find yourself in the midst of a personal injury lawsuit, increasing your knowledge about our roads may help you stay safe. The Transportation Research Board has found that intersections make up 40% of all accidents It is important to think about ways you can prepare to travel and avoid making danger worse in these intersections.

In the Transportation Research Board’s report, they recognize that in an intersection accident there is a “critical reason” for the crash. This refers to the immediate problem that causes the crash in the first place. The most common critical reason is a recognition error. This refers to crashes in which the driver is distracted either by internal or external factors, like noticing an animal in the road or being distracted by passengers. Driving takes all of your attention, and if we limit our distractions as drivers, we will likely lower the chance of getting into an accident. One large distraction that tends to plague drivers is a cell phone. There are many apps out there that will help you reduce the temptation to use your cell phone while in the car, some even mute all sounds and send out responses as busy. Another way to limit distractions is to be prepared to drive. Before driving it is possible to pick out the music or radio station you will listen to, look over any directions and make sure your mirrors are where they need to be. This may seem like a lot of work, but it will only take a few moments and will save you from being distracted when driving in dangerous circumstances.

The second most common critical reason for accidents at intersections is decision error. Decision error refers to accidents that occur from misjudging the speed or actions of another motorist, speeding, driving aggressively or misjudging the conditions of the road. Sometimes these accidents are unavoidable, but if we all take just a second more to rejudge, we may be able to avoid accidents more often. When making decisions in an intersection, it is important to be more cautious than at other times. Cars aren’t the only thing drivers need to judge in a split second. When traffic lights change, it is important to obey them. Speed can also be a factor in misjudgement, so follow posted speed limits.

The third most common critical reason is listed as “other driver attributed error” and 96.1% of accidents that take place in an intersection are found to be the fault of a driver. Since drivers are found at fault in the vast majority of accidents, we can prevent many more if we all take more caution. Whether it’s been a long day, or there are a ton of errands to run, it is imperative that all drivers do what is necessary to be as safe as possible.

When accidents are unavoidable, and they cause injuries, hire a Marietta personal injury lawyer. Call The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at 770-422-8840.

The Most Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Being in a car accident is a traumatic event, but when an accident includes a truck, it can be devastating. The sheer difference in weight between a truck and a car can bring to mind some awful images, but there is so much more that comes into play. In 2011, over two million people were injured in all vehicle accidents. Of them, 112,000 were involved in crashes with large trucks and/or buses. In Georgia alone, there were 1,688 fatal vehicle crashes and 149 of those (8.8%) involved trucks. It is important to discuss your rights with a lawyer for your GA injury case.

Tracy Morgan has displayed his grief at losing a friend and being injured in a trucking accident, and his case proves that truck accidents can have more confusing circumstances than a typical car crash. As with any accident that causes personal injury, it is important to hire a lawyer that understands the particular nuances of specific accident cases. You will need a knowledgeable attorney to represent you regardless of whether your accident involved trucking, a car or a motorcycle. Atlanta area lawyers who are local to this area will have a knowledge of the crash site and be able to give you the best insight into what kinds of questions you will likely need to answer in the future. Atlanta truck accidents are devastating and it is important to seek the advice of an attorney.

Some of the most common reasons for accidents involving trucks include:

Drug use

Drug use is a very broad term that includes not only illicit drugs, but also prescription and over the counter drugs. Drugs and driving don’t mix under the best of circumstances, but when a larger, more heavy vehicle or truck is involved, the resulting accidents are often catastrophic.

Speeding

Speeding not only makes a vehicle more difficult to maneuver, it increases the amount of damage in an impact. It is no wonder speeding leads to more accidents.

Unfamiliar Roads

Truck drivers often find themselves traveling in unfamiliar areas. This can be hard for even the best drivers, but when you are responsible for a heavy truck, sudden turns and exits cause accidents.

Driver Fatigue

It only makes sense that someone who has been at the wheel for hours on end would deal with fatigue. With more and more pressure on truckers to get to their destinations as fast as possible, driver fatigue is unsurprisingly on a list of accident causes.

Failure to Signal

We have all seen someone do it. Changing lanes without using a turn signal is incredibly dangerous in any vehicle, but trucks have very large blind spots which make this illegal driving maneuver incredibly dangerous.

Distracted Driving

When driving any vehicle, distracted driving is dangerous. Period. Whether you’re distracted by your cell phone, radio, or even by the actions of other drivers or events happening on or near the road, being distracted for even a second can have awful consequences.

Aggressive Driving

We often hear about road rage in passenger cars. Truck drivers spend much of their day driving, and are not immune to the harsh emotions that can come up while driving. Aggressive driving is highly dangerous, especially in a big rig.

If you have been in a trucking accident, call The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at 770-422-8840.