Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog

Suing Third Parties for Contributing to Dog Bite Injuries

October 18, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

One of the most challenging aspects of a dog bite injury in Marietta is the cost of treatment. Often, these dog bites are disfiguring – and they may require reconstructive surgery. This type of treatment doesn’t come cheap – and victims may be totally unprepared for the costs. The obvious course of action is to sue the dog owner – but what if they lack assets? What if they’re struggling with credit card debt and they do not own their own home? In this situation, you might need to consider other parties who may have contributed to your injuries.

Suing Healthcare Providers for Making Dog Bites Worse

It may be possible to sue a healthcare provider for making a dog bite worse. For example, you might rush to a hospital with an infected dog bite – only to be kept waiting in an emergency room for hours on end. By the time you saw a doctor, the infection might have spread. In this type of situation, surgeons may have no choice but to amputate the infected limb – leaving you with a permanent disability and disfigurement.

What is a “Preponderance of Evidence” in a Georgia Car Accident Lawsuit?

October 11, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Whenever you accuse someone else of wrongdoing in the United States, you generally shoulder the “burden of proof” – and this applies to car accidents. It is your responsibility to prove that a negligent driver caused your crash. In contrast, the accused driver is under no obligation to prove their innocence. This is an important concept to understand when pursuing a car accident lawsuit in Georgia.

How Much Evidence is a “Preponderance?”

First, it is important to distinguish between criminal charges and civil lawsuits. Both may stem from car accidents, but each court is associated with a different burden of proof. For example, you may have been struck by a drunk driver in Georgia. In criminal court, prosecutors must prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that they were intoxicated while operating their vehicle. This is a relatively high burden of proof, and it means that the defendant can walk free even if there is a slight doubt about their guilt.

Can You Sue Police for Dog Bites in Georgia?

October 4, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

While many dog bite lawsuits involve privately owned pets, others involve police “K9 units.” Dogs are used throughout many law enforcement agencies in Georgia, and these animals are trained to perform various roles. But even the most well-trained animal is still an animal, and they are capable of causing serious, disfiguring injuries. A recent incident resulted in a Georgia man dying from a K9 attack, and the family is asking serious questions.

Theft Suspect Killed by Georgia Police K9

Recently, the Hamilton Spectator reported that a man from Georgia had died after being attacked by a police dog. The incident occurred in Moultrie, and police say that it began with reports of burglaries. They arrived to find a suspect and attempted to pull him over while he was riding his four-wheeler.

Highway Patrol Expresses “Disbelief” After Numerous Labor Day Fatalities

September 30, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Traffic authorities across the United States know that Labor Day weekend is an especially dangerous time. Along with Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Labor Day is a day of abnormally high traffic fatalities. On a national scale, almost 500 people die on this day each year – and the number continues to rise. In the Peach State alone, numerous people lost their lives on Labor Day weekend – and many of these accidents could eventually lead to wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia.

Georgia State Patrol Reports 20 Deaths Over Labor Day Weekend

In September of 2024, the Georgia Department of Public Safety reported 20 total traffic fatalities over the Labor Day “holiday travel period.” Local agencies reported seven fatalities from seven crashes, while GSP troopers reported 13 fatalities from nine crashes. This marks one of the most deadly Labor Day weekends in recent memory for Georgia motorists.

How Dangerous are Semi-Truck Fires in Georgia?

September 27, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

A fiery semi-truck crash in Georgia is one of the worst accidents that can occur on our highways. This type of accident often causes fatalities, critical injuries, permanent disfigurements, and lasting psychological trauma. These incidents are also surprisingly common, and semi-truck fires seem to be occurring at a worrying pace throughout Georgia. Why are these accidents so dangerous, and what can you do if you experienced a semi-truck fire firsthand?

Georgia Firefighter Dies Trying to Fight Semi-Truck Fire

In September of 2024, it was reported that a firefighter had lost his life fighting a truck fire on Route 15. As the firefighter risked his life to fight the inferno, the trailer exploded and caused him to suffer fatal injuries.

Who Pays for My Damages After a Georgia Dog Bite?

September 21, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

After a dog bite, you may face significant financial losses. First and foremost, you may incur tremendous medical bills as you seek to address your various injuries. You may also lose income after being forced to miss work due to your injuries. These two losses feed into each other, and it becomes increasingly difficult to pay your medical bills with no income to speak of. Finally, you might incur various “non-economic” damages – including PTSD, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and other psychological concerns. Who pays for these damages after a dog bite in Georgia?

Dog Owners Often Pay for Damages After a Dog Attack

The obvious party who becomes liable for dog bite injuries is the owner. In Georgia, you can hold these dog owners liable for your injuries – even if they took reasonable steps to prevent harm from occurring. The real question is whether they have enough assets to cover your damages.

Can I Claim Non-Economic Damages After a Georgia Car Accident?

September 13, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Non-economic damages could prove crucial as you recover from a Georgia car accident. When it comes to traumatic injuries, the physical consequences are just one part of the equation. Serious injuries inevitably come with psychological distress, worry, and anxiety. Many car crash survivors develop legitimate psychological disorders as they do their best to recover. But what exactly are non-economic damages, and why are they so important? Can you claim these damages after a car accident in Marietta?

Non-Economic Damages in Georgia Explained

Non-economic damages represent your psychological or emotional issues after a car accident. These damages are not the same as “economic damages,” which represent only your financial losses. As a result of their non-financial nature, non-economic damages can be quite abstract. You can’t put a clear price on anxiety in the same way as a lost paycheck, for example.

What if a Trucker Only Partially Caused My Accident in Georgia?

September 6, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

If you were involved in a truck accident in Georgia, you might not be entirely sure about what happened. A collision with a semi-truck can leave you dazed, confused, or even unconscious. Head injuries can cause memory loss, and you may have no recollection of your semi-truck crash in Marietta. Even if you suspect that a trucker might have partially caused your crash, it may be worth assessing your legal options. Here is why:

Georgia Follows a System of Comparative Negligence

Like most States, Georgia follows a system of comparative negligence when it comes to auto accident lawsuits. In other words, the Peach State recognizes that various parties may contribute to the same crash – often in different ways. In other words, you can sue someone for partially causing your accident – even if they were not 100% to blame.

Should I Get a Rabies Shot After a Dog Bite in Georgia?

August 30, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Rabies is a valid concern after a dog bite in Georgia. In the immediate aftermath of your animal attack, you might also become worried about all kinds of other infectious diseases. While rabies is generally quite rare, the statistics are somewhat misleading – and it is always best to approach your healthcare in a cautious manner. What should you do after a dog bite in Georgia? Do you need a rabies shot?

Health Department Confirms New Rabies Infection in Georgia

In August 2024, health officials confirmed that they had seen a new case of rabies in Georgia. However, the patient was not a human—it was a fox. The Health Department says that the dog’s whereabouts and condition are unknown, but they managed to capture and test the fox. While one would hope that the fox was cured, it may have been euthanized for safety purposes.

Who is At Fault if I Rear-End a Semi-Truck in Georgia?

August 23, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Although all truck accidents in Georgia are inherently dangerous, the chances of catastrophic injuries are particularly high in rear-end crashes. Perhaps the most obvious example is when a semi-truck rear-ends a smaller vehicle, and this can obviously cause devastating damage. However, smaller vehicles impact the rears of semi-trailers more often than many realize. These accidents can be just as devastating, although the smaller vehicle still suffers the worst of the impact. Who is at fault in this situation?

Motorist Dies After Rear-Ending Semi-Truck in Georgia

The dangers associated with these crashes were made clear after a recent crash in Georgia. In August of 2024, it was reported that the driver of a KIA had lost their life after slamming into the back of a tractor-trailer.