The second fatal collision occurred last week in Moultrie, Georgia this time involving a motorcycle and truck. The Georgia State Patrol investigators reported that a 1996 Toyota Tacoma, driven by an 81 year old man named James Henry Smith, failed to yield when crossing a road, hitting a motorcycle that was driven by 30 year old Randy Larry Harris.
Very sadly, Mr. Harris was ejected from his motorcycle and died at the scene. Mr. Harris, a young man at age 30, tragically left behind a loving wife, children, and large extended family from West Berrien. He was a diesel mechanic and shop supervisor at the Berrien County Bus Shop, and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The elderly driver who hit him was given a citation for failing to yield.
Very sadly, motor vehicle crashes such as this one are the leading cause of injury and death in the United States. The most recent 2010 report put out by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) reports that motor vehicle crashes are the leading in fact the cause of death among those age 5-34 in the U.S. The financial impact is also significant: the lifetime costs of automobile crash deaths and injuries among Americans was listed at $70 billion a year just a few years ago.
Good Georgia Lawyer urges our lawmakers, city and state leaders to continue to develop programs and policies that will change behaviors to keep drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe on the road and fight against such terrible tragedies that result in the loss of loved ones. Although recent legislation has been passed, there is more to be done in order to protect Georgia citizens from dangerous vehicle collisions.
In the event a Georgia citizen is injured or killed as the result of someone else’s negligent driving, then the defendant driver is usually held liable for a failure to exercise reasonable care and caution while driving or violating Georgia Rules of the Road which include failure to yield, running red lights, reckless speeding, hit and runs and more.
In a successful personal injury case, the injured Georgian or their family may receive damages, which is money given as compensation to help the injured person and their family. In Georgia, there are two major categories of damages that courts may award the injured – compensatory and punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the offender and deter them from hurting someone else again. Compensatory damages can help medical bills, funeral costs, pain and suffering.
The law firm of Williams Oinonen LLC urges all Georgians to drive safe: always exercise care and caution while travelling on the roadways.