The list includes common damages in slip and fall claims. After reviewing your case, an attorney can advise on what damages are available and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
We offer the family feel of a small town law firm combined with the skill and resources of a respected trial lawyer. We take the time to get to know our clients and gain a true understanding of what you are going through. This allows us to address your immediate concerns and get ahead of your case. We have an open-door policy, so you can stop by our main office anytime to ask questions. We also provide regular updates to keep you aware of what’s happening with your case and what ot expect next.
We know how important it is for you to understand how your case is progressing. That’s why our team regularly touches base with you to let you know what is happening and what to expect next in the process. Our firm also gives you a free case status app that you can use to access your case files and updates on your phone at any time. As we make progress on your case, you receive notifications on your phone to let you know what is happening. (Of course, if you prefer to get your updates the old-fashioned way, we are always available to talk in person or over the phone.)
Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. This means that if a lawsuit is not filed within two years of the date of the accident, the courts will almost certainly bar the victim from seeking financial compensation. It’s crucial to seek legal help as soon as possible following your injury to ensure you don’t miss your opportunity to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Car accidents
Uber & Lyft accidents
Truck accidents, accident injuries and accident causes
Motorcycle accidents and Georgia motorcycle laws
Bicycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Dog bites and Georgia dog bite laws
Product liability
Premises liability
Security negligence
Slip & fall
Workers’ compensation
Nursing home abuse
Distracted driving
Hotel negligent security
Drunk driving crashes in Lawrenceville, Georgia
Rear-end accidents
Whiplash lawyer
In addition to personal injury, our practice areas include business, real estate, and sports law.
No. Many businesses begin informally and later decide to formalize ownership terms, internal policies, or client agreements. Updating or implementing clear documentation can provide structure and reduce future misunderstandings.
Many business owners wait until something goes wrong. In reality, legal guidance is often most valuable before a contract is signed, a partner is added, or a major decision is made. Involving counsel early can help reduce risk, clarify expectations, and prevent disputes that are far more costly later.
Templates can be helpful starting points, but they are rarely tailored to your specific business model, risk exposure, or long-term goals. A properly drafted agreement should reflect how your business actually operates.
Legal planning is not only about compliance. It can also support scalability, protect intellectual property, structure ownership properly, and create stability that makes expansion or investment possible. Thoughtful legal structure often positions a company for stronger long-term growth.
Disputes can involve partners, vendors, employees, or customers. Resolution may involve negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, depending on the agreements in place and the facts involved. The best path forward depends on the specific circumstances.
Both. Some clients engage us for a single contract or transaction. Others prefer ongoing legal support as their business evolves. The structure of representation depends on your needs.
Real estate transactions involve legally binding contracts, title considerations, and financial obligations. While some transactions may move forward without legal review, many clients choose to involve an attorney to help identify potential issues, review documents, and ensure the process is handled properly.
A title issue can involve liens, ownership disputes, recording errors, or other claims affecting the property. If discovered, it may delay or complicate a transaction until it is resolved. The appropriate steps depend on the nature of the issue and the specific circumstances.
Purchase agreements often address price, contingencies, inspection rights, deadlines, financing terms, and responsibilities of each party. The language in these agreements can significantly affect your rights and obligations, which is why careful review is important.
Commercial leases often contain detailed provisions regarding rent structure, maintenance obligations, liability allocation, renewal options, and default terms. Both landlords and tenants may benefit from understanding these provisions before signing.
Post-closing disputes may involve contract terms, property condition concerns, or other issues. The resolution depends on the contract language, applicable law, and the specific facts involved.
We represent a range of real estate clients, including buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and investors. Representation depends on the specific matter and any potential conflicts.
Athletes should consider having contracts reviewed before signing agreements involving teams, sponsors, endorsements, representation, or business ventures. Contract terms can affect compensation, obligations, termination rights, and future opportunities.
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights generally allow student-athletes to enter into certain endorsement and branding agreements, subject to applicable rules and regulations. Specific eligibility requirements and institutional policies may apply, and agreements should align with current governing guidelines.
Yes. Legal guidance can assist student-athletes, professional athletes, and sports professionals in understanding agreements, evaluating opportunities, and navigating issues that may arise during their careers.
Endorsement agreements often address compensation structure, performance obligations, exclusivity provisions, content rights, usage of likeness, and termination terms. Understanding these provisions before signing can help avoid misunderstandings later.
Disputes may involve compensation, eligibility, contract interpretation, or other concerns. Depending on the agreement involved, resolution may include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
Yes. We assist sports-related businesses and ventures with contract drafting and review, formation matters, compliance considerations, and other legal needs connected to the sports industry.
Your immediate priority after any car accident should be ensuring the health and safety of yourself and any other occupants of your vehicle. Move your vehicle to a safe location out of the flow of moving traffic if it is safe to do so. Then check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If you or anyone else was injured in the crash, dial 911 to request assistance from emergency medical services.
If you do not require emergency care, your next focus should be on documenting the accident scene. Request contact and insurance information from other drivers and ask any other vehicle occupants or witnesses for statements and contact details. Write down everything you can remember about the collision and take photos of any visible damage or injuries.
Not all car accident cases require the assistance of a lawyer. For example, if the accident caused only minor property damage, you can likely deal directly with insurance providers to resolve your claim.
However, it’s a good idea to contact a lawyer if:
In most cases, yes. Georgia state law requires all drivers who are involved in a car accident to notify the local police department if the accident resulted in injury, death, or $500 or more in property damage.
Members of law enforcement can be incredibly helpful at the scene of an accident. Police officers can assist with redirecting traffic, alerting emergency medical services, and ensuring the safety of everyone present.
Police officers also typically investigate accident scenes and generate official reports, which often contain information that could be useful if you have to file a claim.
Most car accident claims are resolved without anyone ever going to court. However, if you were injured in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to sue for the compensation you need to recover.
Filing a lawsuit is a complicated and time-consuming process. If you decide to sue another driver, it’s a good idea to seek assistance from a qualified attorney. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you find and preserve valuable evidence, establish a strong argument for your case, and demand the financial recovery you deserve.
Here at 3Summits Law we have years of experience obtaining real results for Georgia car accident victims. We are prepared to handle every aspect of your claim and fight aggressively to protect your rights.
After a crash, it’s sensible to think about your legal rights. You may be worried about expenses related to your wreck, but at the same time, you’re not sure whether you have a case. Here are some questions to consider when deciding whether to call a car accident lawyer in Georgia:
Have you been hurt in an accident caused by someone else? If your injuries require more than a Band-Aid or basic first-aid, you should talk to a lawyer. Many people don’t realize the severity or long-term impact of their car accident injuries at first. A lawyer can help you document your injuries and prepare for any future challenges.
Are you missing time from work due to the accident? If your injuries are causing you to miss work, even if you are able to use sick pay or vacation pay to cover the time off, you should talk to a lawyer.
Has your quality of life changed due to the wreck? Are you missing out on events with friends and family? Are you unable to enjoy the activities you once loved? If your auto accident injuries have affected your quality of life, you should speak with an attorney.
The important thing to keep in mind is that a consultation with our car wreck attorney is free. So there is no reason to put off getting legal advice after a crash. Contact 3Summits Law now to schedule your free consultation. Read a more detailed blog post on this topic.
Georgia has a statute of limitations, or time limit, on how long a person has to file a car accident lawsuit seeking payment for personal injuries. In general, victims have two years from the date of the wreck to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the claim is against a government entity, victims must give notice of the claim within 6 months or 12 months, depending on whether the responsible party is a city, county, or the state. It is crucial that you speak with a car wreck lawyer as soon as possible after a crash so you understand the deadlines specific to your case. Read a more detailed blog post on this topic.
Georgia is an at fault state when it comes to auto accidents. If someone other than the Uber or Lyft driver causes a crash, accident victims must go through that person’s insurance to claim compensation. When an Uber or Lyft driver causes a crash, determining which insurance company is responsible is not so easy. Three different types of insurance are available. The type that will apply depends on what the rideshare driver was doing at the time of the accident.
When the driver is not logged into the app – Rideshare drivers who are not carrying passengers and not available to pick up passengers must be logged out of the app. When rideshare drivers are not logged in when they cause an accident, any injury victims must go through the rideshare driver’s own personal insurance. Like all drivers in Georgia, rideshare drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance. Their liability insurance will provide compensation to accident victims.
When the driver is logged in but does not have passengers – Uber and Lyft drivers that are logged into the app but do not have any passengers are still considered to be on duty. Under that scenario, the rideshare company’s insurance coverage will provide compensation for an accident victim’s injuries. Uber and Lyft both provide $50,000 per person for bodily injury and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury.
When the driver is carrying a passenger – When rideshare drivers are carrying a passenger, Uber and Lyft also provide compensation for any accident injuries. In this case, both companies provide up to $1 million for accident victims.
These guidelines may sound fairly simple, but they are not. Rideshare companies may state that drivers were not logged into their app when the crash occurred, even though they were. Injured individuals should be wary of excuses. Always speak to an attorney for help with any claim against a rideshare company.
Accident victims who have been hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident can claim compensation in two ways: 1) from the driver’s personal insurance company; 2) from the rideshare company. Different types of damages, or compensation, may be available to accident victims. Damages include:
Current and future medical bills
Lost income
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Prescription costs
Disfigurement
Rehabilitative treatment
Any losses or damages that are caused by the accident can be included in an accident claim.
Uber and Lyft have lax hiring practices compared to traditional taxi companies. These practices largely consist of checking the driver’s history for offenses such as drunk driving. Neither Uber nor Lyft meets with their drivers before hiring them.
Due to these shoddy hiring processes, it may be possible to hold Uber or Lyft liable if one of their drivers is impaired, reckless, or acting in violation of motor vehicle laws.
An Uber and Lyft accident attorney can help you after a crash. Here’s what they can do:
Conduct an investigation – An attorney will investigate the accident scene, talk to eyewitnesses, and investigate other aspects of the accident. The goal is to determine how the crash happened. During this investigation, an attorney will also collect evidence to substantiate your claim.
File the claim – Many deadlines and other rules are associated with personal injury claims. An attorney will follow these rules and deadlines to ensure a claim is filed properly. That will give accident victims the best chance of success.
Gather medical evidence – Accident victims must prove who was at fault for the crash. They must also document all their injuries. While you recover, an attorney can collect medical bills, records and other documents that show the extent of your injuries.
Deal with the insurance company – After a crash, insurance companies will attempt to gather statements or medical records to reduce or deny your claim. However, they know that attorneys are aware of these strategies. They are less likely to try any tricks when an attorney is at your side.
Represent you during the trial, if necessary – Most car accident claims are settled out of court. They go to trial only when a fair settlement cannot be reached. An attorney will represent you during the negotiation process and give you the best chance of securing a favorable result. An attorney will take your case to trial when necessary.
These are just a few of the ways an attorney will help with your claim after a crash. They will walk you through every step of the claims process and work tirelessly on your behalf.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Georgia include:
Distracted driving
Fatigue
Impaired driving
Speed
Lack of experience
Failure to obey traffic rules
Poor judgment
Some of the more common types of truck crashes include:
Truck rollovers — A truck that overturns may land on top of another vehicle, or other vehicles nearby might collide with it after it has overturned.
Intersection collisions — A truck driver who ignores a stop sign or traffic light can collide with other vehicles passing through the intersection.
Tire blowout — A tire blowout can cause a truck driver to lose control and collide with nearby vehicles.
Wide-turn accidents — Trucks have to make wide turns, especially when turning to the right. Other vehicles can sometimes become pinned between the truck and other vehicles or objects as the truck is turning.
Blind spots — Truckers sometimes run into vehicles in their blind spots when the truck is turning, merging, or changing lanes.
Rear-enders — A truck takes a long time to stop, which can cause it to rear-end the vehicle in front of it if the driver is following too closely.
Underride — If a truck stops suddenly, another vehicle might plow into the back of it and become lodged under its trailer.
Lost load — Cargo that suddenly comes loose while a truck is in transit can strike other vehicles, or other vehicles may hit the cargo as it lies in the road.
Truck accidents are not like other crashes on the road. Several factors make truck accidents much more complex and confusing than other accidents. Those factors include:
Damages – It’s a simple fact: trucks weigh much more than other vehicles, and they are much larger. The damages and injuries in tractor-trailer accidents are also much more serious. It may take victims much longer to recover from those injuries. A claim cannot be filed until the accident victim has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). At that point, the victim’s injuries will not get any better, nor will they get any worse. That recovery period can drag a claim out for months and months.
Determining liability – It is always difficult to determine liability in a car accident. That becomes even more complicated when a commercial truck is involved. This is in part because there be several liable parties. A truck driver may have caused the crash. The company he works for may have also played a part. The manufacturer of the truck, a cargo company, or a truck repair service may also be liable in the accident.
Dealing with trucking companies – A representative of the trucking company is likely to visit the crash scene almost immediately after an accident. The representative may be looking to remove evidence that proves who was liable for the accident. Trucking companies will also make it very difficult to obtain the truck driver’s employment records and other documents that could show liability. The trucking company’s stonewalling and foot-dragging make the aftermath of a crash a trying and difficult time.
Federal regulations – Many federal laws and regulations control the trucking industry. For example, truck drivers must comply with federal hours of service rule. That dictates the amount of time truck drivers can be on the road. Those laws and regulations add complexity to a truck-car crash.
Truck data –Many truck drivers now carry a black box within their vehicle that records data. Among the data collected: the speed the truck was traveling at and how many hours it had been in operation before the accident. The black box can provide critical evidence, but accident victims often do not know how to access it.
A successful outcome in a truck accident case hinges on the evidence that will prove your claim. The types of evidence used in a truck accident case can include:
Data recorders – Black boxes can provide important evidence about how the truck was being driven, and what the truck driver was doing, at the time of the crash.
In-cab cameras – Many trucks today are equipped with cameras that typically sit behind the driver. These can also show the driver’s actions in the moments before the crash.
Logbooks – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to maintain detailed logbooks. Those books show when truck drivers were on the road, when they rested, and when their trucks were inspected. These logbooks may indicate that the truck driver did not follow federal regulations in the hours before the accident.
Eyewitness statements – Eyewitnesses are generally considered to be unbiased third parties. As such, the courts will heavily weigh their testimony about the accident.
Expert testimony – Experts can be used to provide opinions or evidence to substantiate your claim. Those experts include accident reconstruction engineers and medical professionals.
Medical records – In any accident claim, you must prove the extent of your injuries. Medical records that include a diagnosis and a prognosis are used to show those damages.
Photos – In any accident, photographs can serve as useful evidence. The position of the vehicles can indicate how the crash happened. Pictures of your injuries can show how severe they are and their long-term impact on your life.
Accident victims often sustain a number of losses after a truck crash. They deserve compensation for those losses. Georgia law recognizes several types of damages that are available in a truck accident claim. These include:
Medical care – Medical expenses can total thousands of dollars after a truck accident. It is important to claim current medical expenses as well as any future expenses that will be incurred.
Lost income – After a serious truck accident, you may need to take weeks or months off from work. You can include this lost income in your claim, as well as any benefits or bonuses you will lose due to your time away from work.
Loss of earning capacity – The injuries after a truck accident can be life-changing and permanent. Accident victims cannot always return to the same line of work that they did before the crash. Nor can they earn the same amount of money they once did. When this is the case, loss of earning capacity is included in the claim.
Property damage – After a truck accident, your vehicle may be a total loss and will need to be replaced. Even when that is not the case, the repair costs will be significant. These costs can be included in your claim.
Pain and suffering – Recovering from your injuries can be extremely painful. Your pain and suffering can be calculated and included as part of your damages.
Emotional distress – Truck accidents are extremely traumatic. In the aftermath you may feel emotionally distressed. Like pain and suffering, emotional distress can be included in your claim.
In a few cases, accident victims may also be awarded punitive damages when the liable party is shown to be reckless or grossly negligent.
After a truck accident, you must move quickly to ensure your claim is filed on time. Georgia, like all other states, has a statute of limitations on truck accident cases. This law spells out how much time you have to file your claim. In Georgia, this time limit is two years from the date of the accident.
Before filing your claim, an attorney will need to conduct a full investigation, collect evidence, and build a solid case. These steps take time, and two years can move quickly. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible. If you do not file your claim before the statute of limitations expires, you will lose your right to receive compensation.
Motorcycle accident claims are not like car accident claims. They are much more complex for a number of reasons. These include:
Bias against motorcyclists – Most motorcyclists are extremely safe when operating their bikes. However, insurance companies and jurors are often biased against them. Too many people think of bikers as leather-clad outlaws or gang members. They believe that bikers are unnecessarily reckless, even though that is not the case. Additionally, many people think that bikers know the risk of motorcycle use but choose to ride one anyway. Those people believe motorcyclists have no right to compensation for their injuries.
Not everyone knows how to operate a motorcycle – Operating a motorcycle is very different from driving a car. Motorcycles are far more susceptible to danger when there is loose gravel or uneven road surfaces. An abrupt stop is much more difficult when a vehicle has only two wheels instead of four. Motorcyclists must always be aware of the other drivers around them. Jurors and insurance companies often do not understand these differences.
Severe injuries – Motorcyclists do not have the same protection as individuals in passenger cars. They do not have a seatbelt, airbags, or the protection of a strong metal frame surrounding them. The injuries bikers sustain during a crash are often much worse than those sustained by persons in other vehicles.
Sadly, bikers face these and many other challenges when making a claim. An attorney can help accident victims overcome these issues and secure full compensation.
Injured bikers have the right to claim compensation after a crash. However, they need solid evidence to back up their claims. That evidence includes:
Helmet cam footage – Some bikers install a camera on their helmet. That camera can provide important footage of how a crash happened. Other vehicles may also have dash cams that can provide footage of the accident.
Eyewitness statements – Bystanders may have seen the crash. While working on your claim, an attorney will contact the eyewitnesses to take their statements. Those statements can be used with both the insurance company and at trial.
Photos – Pictures can provide crucial evidence after an accident. An accident reconstruction specialist can use these to help determine how the crash happened. Photos from different angles can include details such as skid marks on the road, traffic signals, and weather conditions.
Police report – Police reports may be considered inadmissible during the trial but can be used when negotiating with the insurance company.
Medical evidence – To prove the extent of injuries, medical bills, and receipts, reports including a diagnosis and prognosis, pharmacy reports, and other medical documents can be used.
As you recover from your injuries, an attorney can collect this and other evidence that can help your case.
How much is a motorcycle accident case worth? Crash victims can use these guidelines to estimate the value of their case.
In Georgia, there are two main types of damages:
Special damages, which have a specific value and are easy to calculate
General damages, which are less easy to quantify but are losses nonetheless
Special damages include losses such as medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other financial losses. Special damages are easier to calculate than general damages. However, complications sometimes arise. For example, a biker’s injuries may be so severe that a return to an old job is not possible. The biker may have to take another job that does not pay as much as the former one. When this is the case, an attorney may have to consult with an expert who can calculate these damages.
General damages are often more difficult to calculate. These damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, reduced quality of life, loss of companionship, and disfigurement.
In certain cases, punitive damages may also be available. These damages are meant to compensate the accident victim for extremely reckless behavior, such as drunk driving.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations sets out the amount of time accident victims have to file their injury claim. When filing a claim for personal injuries after a crash, accident victims must file within two years of the accident. The statute of limitations for property damage claims is four years.
Two years may sound like plenty of time to file your claim. That time will fly by quickly. Prior to filing your claim, an investigation must be conducted to determine who was at fault for the crash. During this investigation, the evidence must also be collected to substantiate the claim. This can take a substantial amount of time. It is important to speak with an attorney right after a crash so the process can start moving forward.
A Georgia motorcycle accident attorney can help with your case and take the pressure off while you recover.
Lawyers can collect all the necessary evidence to prove your claim.
An attorney can reach out to their extensive network of experts, such as accident reconstruction professionals, that can provide important evidence for a case.
Your lawyer will deal with the insurance company for you. An insurance company will try to reduce and deny your claim in order to hold onto more of their profits.
Attorneys regularly negotiate with insurance companies, so they can do it very effectively. They know insurance companies try to offer lowball settlements that will not fully cover the cost of the motorcyclist’s damages.
Anyone who is injured by the negligence of another has the right to seek damages to cover the costs of their injuries, and this is very much also true for cyclists. In fact, it is often more imperative for bicycle accidents because of the often catastrophic nature of the injuries incurred. Since bicycle accidents are unique in nature, it is vital that you consult an experienced bike accident lawyer as soon as possible before moving forward. We will help you ensure that evidence is preserved, witnesses are interviewed while their memories are fresh, and that you exceed any time limits stating when a case may be pursued. As experienced bicycle accident lawyers, the team at Cain Injury Law is ready to go to work for you right away.
A common misconception among those involved in bicycle accidents is that cyclists are treated like pedestrians regarding legality. While arguably cyclists are as exposed and vulnerable to serious injury as pedestrians, legally, bicycles are treated more like a vehicle. For instance, cyclists have the responsibility to obey the same traffic laws as other vehicles on the road, though there are some traffic laws that apply specifically to bicycles. For instance, if a bicycle runs a stop sign, then the cyclist could be found to be at fault for any accident that occurs as a result, just as a driver of a motor vehicle would be. Due to the unique legal situation of bicycles in traffic law, it is important to ensure you have the highest chance of recovering your claim by consulting a bike accident lawyer before moving forward on any assumptions.
If you were involved in a bike accident in Georgia, then you may be able to recover damages from any negligent party. This means that anyone who did not take reasonable care to not cause injuries to other people. You could recover damages from some of the following:
A driver of a vehicle, including commuter and commercial vehicles.
A city, county, or other public entity that failed to design or maintain a safe roadway.
A bicycle manufacturer or retailer should the bike’s component parts fail and contribute to the accident.
A private property owner, if the safety conditions of the property contributed to the accident.
A repair shop failed to repair the bike properly.
As you can see, bicycle accident cases are often complex and can involve more than just those immediately involved in the accident. In order to ensure that you properly pursue any and all negligent parties, contact one of the knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyers at 3Summits Law.
Since Georgia state law treats bicycles essentially the same as it treats motor vehicles, the answer to this question is yes, and you could be found to be at fault, either in whole or in part, for any accident involving your bike. This includes violating traffic laws or other forms of negligence that would contribute to the bicycle accident.
The question of determining fault in the case of a bicycle accident, however, is often a complex one. For this reason, it is important for anyone involved in a bicycle accident to consult an experienced bike accident lawyer in Georgia who can investigate the accident and make their own independent determination of fault. Even if you, as the cyclist, are found to be partially at fault, you may yet be able to recover compensation for your injuries.
While being at fault may reduce the amount of your recovery, it does not necessarily preclude any recovery. To ensure you recover all you are entitled to, consult a bicycle accident lawyer at Cain Injury Law today. At 3Summits Law, you will find the aggressive team you need to help fight for your case.
Bicycle accidents can have many causes that are distinct from other kinds of vehicle accidents, including dog chases and uneven pavement. Bicyclists can even be involved in accidents with motor vehicles where neither party is overly careless or negligent, such as debris falling from a moving truck. Here are some of the most common causes of bicycle-related accidents:
A driver who does not obey traffic laws or signals.
A driver who does not check their rear-view mirror before backing up.
A driver who turns without yielding.
A driver who fails to allow sufficient space when passing a cyclist.
A dog not controlled by the owner.
Since cyclists are so exposed and not protected by the large steel frame of a car, bicycle accident commonly involves serious injuries which incur large medical costs, and sometimes loss of life, having a huge impact on a family. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious bicycling accident contact the bike accident lawyers at Cain Injury Law right away. We are knowledgeable and experienced at pursuing damages in bicycle accident cases, and will work every day to ensure that you receive the damages to which you are entitled.
In the state of Georgia, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance. However, there is always a danger of being in an accident with a driver whose coverage has lapsed, or who simply do not have insurance. If you were struck on a bicycle by a driver who did not have insurance, it does not mean you won’t be able to recover any damages at all. In fact, if you carry uninsured motorist insurance on your own vehicle’s insurance policy, this policy could compensate you for your injuries, and in most cases, it will not affect your rates as long as you weren’t at fault. For more information, contact one of our bike accident lawyers today.
While this may not be exactly a legal question, we believe it is an important one. Wearing a helmet could be the difference between surviving a bicycle accident and having a fatal one. Of all bicycle accidents each year, about 95% of those involve cyclists who were not wearing helmets. If you ride a bike, wear a helmet.
A whiplash injury happens when someone’s head and neck whip violently back and forth, potentially causing damage to the cervical spine, neck muscles, cervical ligaments, and tendons, and sometimes even causing cervical disc damage.
The force of impact from a front-end or rear-end collision is a frequent cause of whiplash injuries. Some whiplash injuries are less severe, causing temporary pain and stiffness in the neck. Some victims can be struck with such force that the whiplash injury is significant, causing severe pain and disability for months or even years. Some cases require surgical intervention.
Victims of whiplash could experience a range of symptoms. A few examples of some of the most common symptoms include:
Headaches or migraines
Neck pain
Dizziness and vertigo
Stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and back
Loss of consciousness
Nausea
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
Blurred vision
Shooting pain down one arm or both arms
Numbness in fingers
Bulging or herniated cervical disc
Every whiplash injury case is different. The amount of compensation you may be able to recover will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your injury, your ability to work, the circumstances of the accident that injured you, and the amount of insurance coverage available in your case.
Injured people can typically pursue two main types of compensation in a whiplash injury claim: economic compensation and non-economic compensation.
Economic compensation covers the monetary losses that an injury victim suffers in an accident, such as the cost of medical expenses and the wages lost during recovery. Economic compensation may cover:
Present and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Property damage
Non-economic compensation covers subjective losses, which are more challenging to calculate. An experienced attorney can help you determine the total value of your non-economic compensation, which may cover:
Pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life
The best way to know that you are receiving a fair settlement offer for your losses is to hire a lawyer with the knowledge and experience in handling these cases.
If you suffered a whiplash injury caused by someone else’s negligent act, you can take steps to protect both your future health and your right to compensation, such as:
Seeking immediate medical care – Obtaining medical treatment as soon as possible gives you the best chance of seeing a full recovery. It will also generate medical records that will be important to your injury claim.
Following your treatment plan – Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders and attend every medical appointment to show that you’re doing everything you can to recover.
Gather documentation and information – Collect medical bills, medical records, pay stubs, vehicle repair estimates, accident photos and videos, the police accident report, and other information that could be used to support your case.
Keep a record of your recovery – Track the pain, emotional distress, and challenges you face as you recover to help show the extent of your non-economic losses.
Avoid social media – Refrain from posting any updates about your case or injuries on social media since the other side could potentially use that information to undermine your case.
Georgia has very specific laws regarding dog bites:
You may not think it is necessary to speak to a lawyer after being bitten by a dog. However, a lawyer can help in many ways after a bite or attack.
An attorney can help by proving that the dog owner was negligent. The attorney will conduct an investigation and collect evidence to show that the owner knew of the dog’s history. The attorney will show the dog owner should have taken additional steps to keep others safe.
An attorney will also:
These are just a few of the ways an attorney can help with your claim. A lawyer will also be your advocate and work in your best interests at all times.
Every personal injury claim in Georgia has a statute of limitations, or a time limit. Dog bite cases are no different than other injury claims. The statute of limitations on dog bite claims in Georgia is two years from the date of the bite.
Before filing a claim, accident victims must deal with these issues:
To ensure you meet these tasks, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. When claims are filed after the statute of limitations expires, you will likely forfeit any chance of claiming compensation.
First, try to obtain as much information about the dog and the dog’s owner as you can. Make note of the dog’s breed, color, and size, and whether the dog was on a leash at the time of the attack. Ask the dog owner for his or her name, as well as contact and insurance information. Your lawyer will need this information when filing a claim.
If possible, take as many pictures of the scene as you can. Take a picture of the dog, your injuries, and any other relevant information, such as a sign warning people to beware of the dog. Signs such as these do not protect owners from liability. They can help prove that the owner knew the dog had vicious or violent tendencies.
As soon as you leave the scene of the bite or attack, seek medical attention. Even minor dog bite wounds can become infected. A dog’s mouth is full of bacteria that can make the infection dangerous. Seeing a doctor will help with any future claim you make. If you fail to get medical help, the insurance company will argue that you were not very injured. Seeing a doctor soon after the attack will help you document the full extent of your injuries.
After getting the medical help you need, report the dog bite. Once you make the report, an officer will investigate the bite or attack. The officer will also cite the dog owner and write an official report. Make sure you get a copy of this report. It can help document your claim with the insurance company.
After taking the steps above, speak to a dog bit lawyer to make sure your claim is taken seriously.
When you have been hurt in a slip and fall, you must prove each element of the claim to secure the compensation you deserve.
According to the Georgia Supreme Court, maintaining the property and keeping it in a safe condition includes:
Property owners have a duty to keep a property in a safe condition. That includes approaches to the property, such as ramps, stairs, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks.
To prove that the property owner breached that duty, you must prove the owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard that caused the injury.
In most slip and fall cases, you must prove that you did not know, or could not have known, about the hazard. This does not mean that you must inspect the entire area every time you are on another person’s property. It simply means that if the hazard was open, obvious, or in plain view, the property owner may not be liable for the accident. The issue is whether a reasonable person would have seen the hazard and been able to avoid it.
After a slip and fall accident, you may think about filing a claim without the help of an attorney. However, a lawyer can help in many ways:
Throughout the entire claims process, an attorney will act as your advocate and ensure your best interests are always protected.
The compensation, or damages, awarded in a slip and fall case will depend on the specific facts. Common types of damages include:
The list includes common damages in slip and fall claims. After reviewing your case, an attorney can advise on what damages are available and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
A slip and fall accident can occur anywhere. Common places where these accidents are often seen include:
When a slip and fall accident occurs in any of these places, speak to a slip and fall accident lawyer who can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
Any hazard or risk can cause a slip and fall accident. However, common causes of these accidents include:
When these common hazards cause a slip and fall accident, speak to a lawyer who can help you claim the full amount of compensation possible.
While slip and fall accidents are common, victims typically do not know what steps to take in the days and weeks after an accident. Take these important steps after a slip and fall to help protect your claim.
Georgia premises liability law covers the duties of property owners/managers towards anyone on their property. These duties will depend on the reasons for the other party’s presence. From this point of view, Georgia Code Sections 51-3-1, -2, and-3 define three statutes:
Under the law, property owners have to take reasonable measures to ensure invitees’ safety. These measures may refer to repairs, maintenance or warning about eventual dangers. When it comes to licensees, liability only applies to willful actions.
As far as trespassers are concerned, “attractive nuisances” may bring about property owner liability. The term defines dangerous conditions on the property that may attract children. Common examples include playground equipment, swimming pools, and more.
Of course, there are many other scenarios when a property owner could be liable for injuries. In most cases, the property owners or managers will try to blame the victim for the injuries. Under Georgia laws, the parties can share fault. Based on the available evidence, the court establishes their fault percentage. Each party is liable for a percentage of the losses equal to their fault percentage.
Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to provide adequate safety to keep visitors free from criminal activity such as robbery, rape, assault, or battery. Common examples of negligent security include:
These are just a few examples of negligent security. Speak to a lawyer if you believe some type of negligent security caused you harm.
To prove a negligent security claim, you must establish that the property owner knew, or should have known, that a crime was likely to occur due to the negligent security. Under a theory called “constructive knowledge,” you may have to show that the property had been the location of similar crimes in the past.
A lack of proper security measures can be used as evidence in a negligent security case. You can show that the property owner did not use security guards, security cameras, proper locks, adequate parking, or adequate lighting.
Injuries from negligent security can occur on residential or commercial property. Negligent security happens when the property owner fails to take proper measures to keep people safe.
Injuries can occur on many types of properties, for example:
Two main types of damages are available for negligent security cases in Georgia:
Since special damages do not have a concrete value, speak to an attorney who knows how to evaluate these losses. An attorney can make sure you receive the full amount of compensation you need.
In Georgia, workers’ compensation provides for all of an injured employee’s medical expenses. That includes any travel costs associated with the treatment. Workers’ comp also covers a portion of an employee’s lost income. If an employee becomes disabled due to a workplace accident, workers’ compensation will provide benefits to help with this disability.
Workers’ compensation does not provide non-economic damages. That means that damages such as pain and suffering are only available through a personal injury claim.
Injured workers should understand that workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in Georgia. It does not matter if injured workers contributed to their own accident. They can still receive benefits. It also means that if the employer caused the accident, the employee must still go through workers’ compensation. Filing a lawsuit against the employer is generally not permitted unless the employer did not meet the obligation to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Any type of workplace accident can create your need for workers’ compensation benefits. Common accidents include:
An employee injured by any of these or other accidents at work has the right to file a workers’ compensation claim.
Employees who are injured on the job have many rights, but all too often the employer or its insurance company looks after the bottom line rather than the welfare of the employee. However, you can take steps after a workplace injury to ensure your rights are upheld.
These steps can help you get the compensation you’re entitled to:
Taking these steps is the best way to protect your rights and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the workers’ compensation process.
Workers’ compensation in Georgia is meant to benefit everyone, including the injured worker, the employer, and even the insurance carrier. Unfortunately, insurers often still try to deny claims. Sometimes they may think the employee is being fraudulent in their claim, either exaggerating an injury or being dishonest about how injured they actually are. Even when they allege fraud, it may only be so they can avoid paying out on a claim that would take away from their own profits.
Employers may try to deny that the injury happened at work because they do not want their insurance premiums to increase. This is often the case when they have had multiple workers’ compensation claims filed in the past, and the insurer is much more likely to raise their rates if they file another claim.
When either the insurance company or the employer try to deny a claim, an attorney will refute their arguments and hold them accountable for paying the compensation injured workers deserve. An attorney will also gather evidence that can corroborate the hurt employee’s claims, including medical records, eyewitness statements, and safety reports. In the event that the insurance company still denies the claim, an attorney will understand the possibility of appealing the decision, and know how to do it so injured employees receive the full amount of compensation they need to recover.
Additionally, an attorney can also help determine when someone other than your employer was at fault for the injury. These are third party claims and an attorney can help determine liability and collect evidence, as it is necessary when filing a personal injury claim.
Residents of nursing homes rarely come forward with complaints about abuse and neglect. Family members should know that signs of neglect and abuse can vary, depending on what type of abuse or neglect is occurring.
The signs of physical abuse include, for example:
Emotional abuse can also occur in nursing homes. This type of abuse typically involves:
Signs of emotional abuse include mumbling or sucking one’s thumb.
Sexual abuse is one of the most egregious types of abuse that can occur in a nursing home. This type of abuse may manifest itself with:
Financial abuse occurs when nursing home staff members steal from an elderly person or trick them into giving them money. Signs of this abuse include:
Although nursing home residents may suffer from any type of injury when abused or neglected, some injuries are more common than others. These include:
In the most tragic cases, elders do not survive their abuse, resulting in a wrongful death case.
Do you suspect your loved one is being abused or neglected in a nursing home? You may be unsure of what to do. You can take these steps to keep your loved one safe:
You should always speak to a lawyer any time you suspect nursing home abuse or neglect. A lawyer will know what action to take and can help your loved ones get the justice and compensation they deserve.
In most cases, either the nursing home staff member or the nursing homeowner is held liable for abuse or neglect. The staff member can be held liable for neglect or abusive actions. The nursing homeowner can be held liable for improper hiring practices. Those hiring practices may include failing to conduct background checks or failing to ensure a staff member had the proper experience and qualifications.
In some cases, another resident may be held responsible for nursing home abuse. For example, if one resident regularly hits or slapped your loved one, you can file a claim against that resident. In these cases, you may also be able to file a claim against the nursing home for failing to prevent or stop the abuse.
When your loved one has been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, you can file a claim for compensation on their behalf. Your loved one may also file a claim. By filing a personal injury claim your loved one can receive compensation for the damages suffered as the result of abuse or neglect.
The most common types of damages include compensation for:
In some nursing home abuse cases, punitive damages are also available. These damages are awarded when a loved one can prove gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the nursing home.
Contact 3Summits Law for assistance in getting compensation.
When you suspect nursing home neglect or abuse, report it to the appropriate authorities. This should ensure the mistreatment of your loved one stops. It may also keep the mistreatment from happening to anyone else. You can report nursing home abuse to the Georgia Department of Community Heath’s Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR) at (800) 878-6442.
It is often difficult to confirm that nursing home abuse has occurred — even when you have good reason to suspect it. A nursing home abuse attorney will conduct an investigation. The attorney will collect evidence that proves your loved one has been a victim of abuse or neglect. This evidence can include medical records, eyewitness statements and photographs.
An attorney will also know what federal and state laws apply to the claim. After filing a claim, an attorney will negotiate a settlement with the nursing home’s insurance company. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney will file a lawsuit to secure the compensation victims need.