Georgia personal injury attorney

What You Need to Know About Rear-End Collisions in Cobb County, Georgia

August 4, 2023 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

A rear-end collision in Georgia is when one motorist drives into the back of another vehicle. In the United States, nearly 2.5 million rear-end collisions are reported every year.

This type of collision is responsible for approximately 29% of all crashes. According to the Insurance Information Institute, rear-end collisions are responsible for over 7% of traffic-related fatalities and almost 20% of fatalities involving two cars.

In a recent news report on WSB-TV, two people were killed after an SUV slammed into the back of a parked tractor-trailer on I-75 in Cobb County. This early morning crash involved a Jeep crossing travel lanes to ram into a transfer truck hauling a utility trailer, stopped on the eastern shoulder of I-75 North at Chastain Road.

How to Know if You Need a Dog Bite Lawyer in Marietta

June 2, 2023 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you may be wondering if you need a personal injury lawyer to help you file a claim for your dog bite. Some people prefer to handle the legalities on their own and may not wish to engage legal counsel.

How Severe is the Dog Bite?

Dog bites can be a tiny nip or a major injury. If you have been injured in a dog bite, it is important to assess the severity of the injury.

Buckle Up: Fasten Your Seat Belt in Marietta

May 31, 2023 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

A recent Fox News report detailed a serious injury of an unbelted passenger in a head-on collision in Cobb County. In the Peachtree State, “click it or ticket” signs are familiar sights. These signs are powerful reminders to wear seat belts to avoid tickets and help prevent serious injuries.

Buckle Up is the Law in Georgia

The Georgia seat belt law, O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76.1, requires every person in the front of a passenger vehicle to wear seat belts. In Georgia, the law distinguishes who must wear a seat belt in the back seat. Passengers over 18 years old are not required to wear a seat belt in the back seat. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 are required to wear a seat belt in the front or back seat of the vehicle.

Fatal Two-Vehicle Collision in Pike County

March 3, 2023 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Pike County Sheriff’s deputies believe a combination of alcohol and speed caused a fatal collision on Highway 109.

A Lincoln Navigator and Toyota collided because neither driver stopped at the highway intersection. One driver was arrested after receiving medical treatment, and charged with driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, driving without a license, and several other traffic offenses.

Car Crash Causes

Two UGA Students Killed in Car Crash

January 31, 2023 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Two other students were seriously injured in the wreck that followed Georgia’s celebration of back-to-back national football championships. Investigators believe that speed was a factor in this wreck.

The single-vehicle crash happened near the intersection of Stroud Road and Barnett Shoals Road in Athens. A 20-year-old offensive lineman and 24-year-old recruiting staffer died in that wreck. In a statement, UGA acknowledged that it owned the 2021 Ford Expedition, but denied responsibility for the crash.

“The car driven in the accident was one of several vehicles leased by our athletic department for use during recruiting activities only. Policies and expectations that were well understood by athletics staff dictated that such rental vehicles were to be turned in at the immediate conclusion of recruiting duties,” the University said in a statement. “Personal use was strictly prohibited. Therefore, the continued use of the leased car by our staff members after their recruiting duties ended earlier that evening was unauthorized.”

Legal Options in Dog Bite Cases

January 13, 2023 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Every year, dogs bite an estimated 4.5 million Americans. Most of these victims are children. Because they have such small brains and bodies, these victims usually sustain permanent emotional and physical injuries. The lifelong costs associated with these injuries are extremely high. Fortunately, most homeowners insurance policies have high coverage limits, which means substantial compensation is usually available.

A Marietta personal injury attorney works to ensure that these victims get the compensation they need and deserve. Victims need this compensation to pay medical bills and other accident-related costs. They deserve this compensation because, in most cases, that’s the only way that a young dog bite victim can possibly live the rest of their life with some sense of normalcy.

Georgia’s Dog Bite Statute

What Causes Bicycle Wrecks in Georgia?

December 23, 2022 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Every year, serious bicycle crashes cost over $23 billion. Misinformation contributes to this high total. Bicycle helmets are a good example. When drivers see helmeted riders, drivers subconsciously think the riders could survive crashes. Therefore, many drivers take unnecessary chances. These unnecessary changes often mean severe or catastrophic injuries for bicyclists. These wounds usually include head injuries, broken bones, and serious internal injuries.

Only a Marietta personal injury attorney can obtain the financial compensation these victims need and deserve. Bicycle crash victims need money to pay medical bills and other accident-related expenses. They deserve this money because they must find some way to move on with their lives. Perhaps more importantly, damage awards send a strong message to motorists and encourage them to share the road with bicyclists.

Aggressive Driving

Common Insurance Company Defenses in Car Crash Cases

December 2, 2022 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Plaintiff’s winning percentage in court has declined over the last several years, mostly because insurance company revenue has skyrocketed over this same period to more than $1 trillion per year. As a result, these companies can now hire more effective lawyers and allow them to go to trial if necessary. Usually, the insurance company’s trial strategy in a vehicle collision claim revolves around one of the three defenses discussed below.

Back in the day, when the plaintiff’s winning percentage was high, and insurance companies had limited resources, almost any lawyer could successfully handle a vehicle collision claim. In the current environment, only a Marietta personal injury attorney can obtain the best possible result in such claims. That result usually includes maximum compensation for the victim’s economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Last Clear Chance

Is Speed a Factor in Most Accidents?

November 4, 2022 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Maybe not “most” accidents, but speed is a factor in about a third of the fatal car wrecks in Georgia. The proportion of speeding-related collisions had been dropping slightly until the 2020 coronavirus lockdowns. When roads emptied, many drivers acquired some bad habits, including excessive speeding. Like many bad habits, this one is easy to form and hard to break. As outlined below, speed impacts the risk of a wreck and the force in a collision.

Also, as outlined below, excessive speed is usually negligence, or a lack of care. If that is the case, a Marietta personal injury attorney can obtain the compensation the victim needs and deserves. Victims need this compensation to pay accident-related expenses, like medical bills and damaged property replacement. They deserve this compensation because their injuries were not their fault, and no one should bear the responsibility for someone else’s mistake.

How Speed Affects Car Crash Injuries

Finding the Right Lawyer for a Truck Crash Claim

October 31, 2022 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Since 2010, the number of fatal large truck crashes has increased by 31%. The danger has increased as regulators, citing supply chain concerns, now look the other way when truckers violate HOS (hours of service) laws and other safety laws. These cases are quite complex since the liability chain does not stop with the tortfeasor (negligent driver). The company that owned the truck, which is usually an out-of-state conglomerate, is legally responsible for damages in these cases.

So, there is usually no such thing as a “simple” truck crash claim. Such a complex case demands a Marietta personal injury attorney with a certain skill set. There is no way to guarantee that a victim will find the right lawyer. However, victims who look for the following three qualities in their attorneys have a much better chance of obtaining maximum compensation for their serious injuries.

Experience