Man Charged After Causing Fatal Car Accident

A man has been charged with vehicular homicide after causing a crash on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard that killed a woman last week. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 50-year-old William Vickers swerved into the wrong lane and struck 46-year-old Sharon Thomas head-on. Thomas was extricated by the Atlanta Fire Department and was brought to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she later passed away. Vickers was driving a 1996 GMC Suburban and Thomas was driving a 1994 Honda Accord.

According to police, Vickers realized at the last second that he was going to hit the vehicle in front of him, so he slammed on the brakes. The attempt at a sudden stop sent his vehicle skidding into the westbound lane and oncoming traffic, where he hit Thomas. Vickers has been charged with failure to maintain lane and homicide by vehicle. According to authorities, the accident occurred near West Ontario Avenue on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard in Southwest Atlanta.

Traffic fatalities are a serious problem in Georgia and in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA), Georgia experienced 1,244 traffic-related fatalities in 2010. Even more concerning is the fatality rate in Georgia, which has trended significantly above the countrywide average for at least the five years between 2006 and 2010. The most common causes of car accidents are reckless, negligent, distracted, drowsy, or impaired drivers; defective auto parts or unmaintained automobiles; and faulty roadway design or road conditions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident that was at least partially caused by another, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries and other damages. Hiring an attorney can prove extremely useful in navigating the complex process after an auto accident. The Atlanta car accident attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have a history of collecting substantial sums for their clients after serious car accidents, and are dedicated to providing the best possible representation for victims.