Fatal pedestrian accident involves Facebook update | Atlanta Texting Accident Attorneys

Posted on 18. Feb, 2011 by marklink in blog

When was the last time you considered posting a Facebook update as life and death matter?

Sadly, in December a women struck and killed 71 year-old Raymond Veloz on the South side of Chicago. Raymond was standing on the side of the road exchanging information with another driver after being involved in his own accident just moments before. Motorist, Araceli Beas, was reportedly on her phone making a Facebook update when she struck Veloz.

The driver was ticketed for striking a pedestrian in the roadway. This story has gained some attention from fellow blogging attorneys like Jonathan Turley . He commented on the story, as well as numerous news outlets (see additional resources below). According to the CBS Chicago news website:

The suit, filed by Veloz’ daughter, Regina Cabrales, claims Beas didn’t keep a proper lookout, drove while using an electronic communication device and failed to slow down to avoid an accident.

Something as innocent as posting an update on Facebook can turn into a senseless tragedy when it involves a motor vehicle. Injury attorney’s are often called to deal with the fall out from such irresponsible behavior. Texting accidents could be avoided entirely, if people would not engage in this kind of preventable and risky behavior.  This accident does raise the question, why do people continue to engage in distracted driving behavior.

Distracted Driving

The US Department Of Transportation is making strides in raising more awareness of the dangers of texting and operating your phone while driving. Their new website Distraction.gov aims to share the stories of the people affected by such senseless tragedies. Stories like this are starting to spread and inspire others to do more than just put down their phone while driving. Taylor Lochrane, a student at University of Central Florida, helped inspire student activism with a campaign of his own. Called, Put Down Ur Cell Fone (UCF), it aims to to fight distracted driving behavior, especially among teens. The student group even declared October 25th Distracted Driving Awareness Day.

UCF’s campaign was spearheaded by Student Body Vice President Taylor Lochrane, who interned as a field engineer this summer at the Federal Highway Administration’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Facility in McLean, Virginia.  He got the idea for “Put Down Ur Cell Fone” last spring during a ceremony honoring the Eternal Knights–a tribute to UCF students who had passed away during the previous year.

Distracted driving is a preventable  behavior. Too often it leads to accidents such as Mr. Valoz and the students at UCF. The more people who are aware of the dangers of their driving behaviors the better it is for all of us. Check out these websites, educate yourself on the dangers distracted driving and pass along the message.

Additional Resources:

Chicago Driver Sued For Facebook-While-Driving Fatality

Was A Chicago Driver Updating Facebook When She Hit & Killed A Pedestrian?

Chicago Driver Sued for Updating Facebook Page During Fatal Crash

Driver accused of updating Facebook in fatal crash

Augusta Cyclist is Remembered | Augusta injury lawyer

Posted on 18. Feb, 2011 by marklink in blog

Fort Gorden surgeon, 37-year-old Matt Burke, was struck while cycling on Beach Island Avenue near August, GA. Sadly enough it was reported the driver of the SUV that rode into Burke was “reaching for something”. It was also reported in the WAGT Channel 6 News:

On the day of the accident Daniel Johnson told an investigator from South Carolina Highway Patrol that he was not paying attention when he hit the group of cyclists.

After months of a coma, Mr. Burke passed away as reported February 9, 2011. Family and friends have asked for donations be made to his wife for his infant daughters future education. You can find more information at the Outspoken Bicycles website: http://www.outspokinaugusta.com/.

Distracted driving is a serious problem on Augusta, Georgia roads and elsewhere around the country. Too often drivers are responding to distractions that pull their attention from the road. What would normally be an incidental, minor distraction is now a matter of life and death when it involves a car.

Georgia law states:

§ 40-6-77. Penalties for causing serious injury due to right of way violation resulting in collision with motorcyclist, pedestrian, bicyclist, or farmer transporting vehicles hauling agricultural products, livestock, farm machinery, or farm products.

This is related to injury in an accident. What about death as it relates to a cycling accident?

TITLE 33. INSURANCE CHAPTER 34. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPARATIONS offers more on the specifics as insurance relates to motor vehicle accidents. This is provided as informational purposes only and is not intended to be used for providing legal advice. It is important to speak with and seek the expertise of an injury attorney who is an expert in such situations.

Additional Resources:

Bicyclist killed in early morning accident | The Augusta Chronicle

Bond set in Aiken cyclist death | The Augusta Chronicle

Augusta bike advocacy group awarded state money

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