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Macon Teenager Pleads Guilty In Crash That Killed Girlfriend

BIBB COUNTY, Ga.– Wednesday 19-year-old Grant Hoffman pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and vehicular homicide in Bibb County Superior Court.

Investigators said Hoffman drove more than 40 miles per hour over the speed limit, lost control of his car, and killed his girlfriend Abigail Hinson, 17, on Zebulon Road in July 2014.

Judge Howard Simms sentenced Hoffman to seven years probation.

As a condition of his sentence, he will complete a psychiatric program, family violence program, and complete a drug and alcohol assessment.

Prosecutor David Cooke said Hoffman is not allowed to have any driving violations.

Cooke recommended 90 to 180 days in jail, but Hinson’s family asked that Hoffman not receive jail time.

“I’m never going to fault a judge for following the wishes of a victim’s family and I understand why he did it. We recommended jail but I understand why he did that. He wanted to follow the wishes of the parents of the victim”, said Cooke.

Grant Hoffman is the son of Mercer Basketball Coach Bob Hoffman.

written by Noelle Kachinsky

Story Published on WGXA.TV

June 3, 2015/by Powers Law Group

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August 5, 2013/by Powers Law Group

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Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

When you have been in a serious car accident that involved injuries and damages to your vehicle, the last thing that you need is to fight with the insurance company. The stakes may be high with large medical expenses and even permanent injury. In such cases it’s usually a foregone conclusion that a car accident lawyer can help you. A skilled legal expert can help you deal with the laws, medical expenses and safeguard your rights.

But sometimes it may make sense to hire a lawyer even for accidents involving minor injuries. For instance, if the out of pocket claims that your insurance will not cover exceeds an amount that you’re comfortable handling on your own, you should call a lawyer. You may be able to handle claims of $2000 or $3000 yourself, but any claim as large as $10,000 or more may need the skill of a lawyer experienced in dealing with such cases.

If you’re settling out of court or in a small claims court, then you may be able to handle the proceedings yourself. But if your case goes to court, then you may need a lawyer who knows how to try a case.

Whether the fault is yours or that of the other party involved in the accident, if you cannot prove it, you recover nothing. If the fight goes to court, then a lawyer can help you deal with the rules of evidence and procedure.

Another reason many people hire a car accident lawyer after a wreck is because they want to save time. Learning about routine cases and then presenting your claim can take dozens of hours. That is the kind of time many people do not have, and they choose to hire a lawyer as quickly as possible. A lawyer’s experience gets the job done quicker and without hassle.

June 7, 2013/by Powers Law Group

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10 Tips for Driving in Really Wet Conditions in Macon GA

The current rainy weather in Macon, Georgia causes a lot of automobile accidents. In fact, 1.5 millions highway accidents in Georgia take place during this rainy weather every year. The rain causes the road to get wet, forming a layer of water and grease, which makes the tire lose traction, making the vehicle prone to roll of control. It is also difficult to drive in the rain as rain decreases visibility and efficacy of headlights as well as reflectors. For this reason, we need to be extra cautious when driving in rainy weather. Below are 10 tips for driving in rainy weather in Macon:

1. Slow down
It’s critical to reduce your speed when driving in the rainy weather. You need to be especially cautious when approaching puddles. You can lose control of your vehicle by hitting puddles when speeding. Driving at a low speed during rainy weather may help you avoid debris that may be carried by the rain to the roadway.

2. Keep a good distance between your own vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
The proper distance between your own automobile and the automobile ahead of you should be a three-second distance under normal conditions. However, during rainy weather this distance should be at least six seconds or more.

3. Do not over-use brakes.
If possible, lower your speed by lifting your foot off the gas pedal instead of using the brakes. When braking, aim to brake as soon as possible to warn drivers behind you that you are reducing your speed, and then slowly apply firm pressure.

4. Make use of the middle lanes
Rainwater is more prone to accumulate on the edges of the roads creating dangerous conditions. So try as much as possible to drive in the middle of the road. Avoid driving or straddling the yellow lines becoming a danger to automobiles around you.

5. Hit your brakes after crossing over a puddle
Using your brakes after crossing over a puddle will help get rid of some of the excess water on the rotors.

6. Be cautious of water gathered on the road
Don’t drive over moving water which you cannot make out the ground below as your vehicle can get swept off the road. Moreover, keep off big puddles in general since driving through deep water or submerging your automobile can lead to substantial damage to your vehicle.

7. Use your headlights every time it rains, but not your high beams
Make sure you turn on your headlights every time it rains as this will assist you to see other drivers and enhance your own visibility. However, never switch on your high beams as doing so can cause the light to spring back particles of water in the space, creating a blinding impact to other drivers.

8. Never engage cruise control
Hydroplaning at the same time as the cruise control is engaged can really make your car to speed up. This can be very dangerous.

9. Be conscious of hazardous driving conditions
Any rainstorm which follows a lengthy dry period leads to the roads being more dangerous. The residual grease and rubber-dust which has collected on the roads will combine with the water to create a very smooth, skid-fabricating mixture. This slick residue mostly forms in junctions as well as other places where automobiles have to rest for duration of time. For this reason, avoid driving at the onset of rainstorms which follow dry spells. However, if you have to drive you need to be extra cautious.

10. Regularly maintain your automobile
Be sure to replace old, weak windshield wipers, as they worsen the poor rainy weather visibility. Test out your brakes and make sure your tires are properly inflated on a regular basis. Keep a clean windshield and utilize the windshield defroster to keep your interior windows free from moisture.

Regardless of your driving skills, driving in wet conditions can be very challenging and dangerous. May these tips help you drive safely during the rainy season.

February 22, 2013/by Powers Law Group

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January 26, 2013/by Powers Law Group