Kymani Russell Injured in Cobb County DUI Collision
Brittany Jacks charged with DUI following two-vehicle collision on Cumberland Parkway
Kymani Russell was injured in a two-vehicle car accident on Cumberland Parkway at Mt. Wilkinson Parkway in Cobb County, Georgia, late Tuesday night, according to the Cobb County Police Department.
The driver of the other vehicle, 31-year-old Brittany Jacks of Atlanta, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving under the influence, serious injury by vehicle and failure to yield.
Investigators said a southbound 2020 Chevrolet Trax attempted to turn left and entered the path of an oncoming northbound 2001 Mercedes E320.
Russell, a passenger in the Mercedes, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Another passenger in the car, Que’tonyanna Young, and a passenger in the Chevrolet, Tommy Heaton, both suffered serious injuries and were taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital.
The 18-year-old driver of the Mercedes suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by local authorities.
How do criminal charges impact civil liability in Cobb County?
While the criminal case against the at-fault driver proceeds, investigators will also examine the timeline leading up to the collision to determine if other parties share responsibility. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "In DUI accidents such as this, a criminal conviction provides strong evidence of negligence, but victims must still pursue separate civil claims to recover damages for their medical care and suffering."
Insurance adjusters often attempt to settle claims quickly after a high-profile arrest, before the full extent of a victim's medical costs are known.
What are the legal options for injured passengers?
Passengers injured in a collision have the right to seek compensation regardless of which driver is found at fault. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal, noted that "Passenger injury cases often involve complex insurance dynamics, as claims may be filed against the at-fault driver's policy, the host driver's policy, or even third-party establishments under dram shop laws if alcohol was a factor."
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, alcohol is a cause in nearly a quarter of all fatal and serious injury collisions statewide.
Georgia personal injury and dram shop laws
Victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia. Successful claims can secure compensation for emergency room bills, ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering.