Unfortunately, this type of tragic accident is not uncommon, especially in areas near Atlanta, which is one of the nation’s busiest cities.

The injuries sustained in these and other accidents are often serious, leaving victims in pain and in some cases, permanently disabled.

Treating these injuries can be prohibitively expensive, making it particularly important for those who are injured in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence to retain an experienced Buford personal injury lawyer who can help them seek compensation for their losses.

Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims can be filed in response to a variety of accidents ranging from car crashes and workplace accidents to animal attacks and slip and fall accidents.

When those who are injured in these types of accidents can prove that another person or entity was primarily at fault for causing it, they may be eligible to recover damages.

This requires proof that the defendant was legally obligated to use ordinary care and failed to do so, which in turn resulted in the plaintiff’s injury.

In fact, because Georgia is a comparative negligence state, even when an injured party contributed to an accident, he or she will not necessarily be barred from recovery.

Instead, the amount of compensation that injured parties can collect will be reduced by their own percentage of fault.

However, if an injured party was more than 50% responsible for an accident, he or she will be unable to recover and could in fact be held responsible by the other parties involved.

Collecting Damages

When plaintiffs are able to meet the necessary burden of proof, they could be awarded a variety of damages compensating them for:

• Past and future medical expenses, including costs related to surgery, medications, doctor’s appointments, and hospital visits;
• Lost wages for the time that the injured party was forced to take off from work as a result of the accident;
• Loss of future income, which is awarded in cases where a victim’s injuries are so severe that he or she becomes permanently disabled by them; and
• Property damage sustained during the accident, including vehicle repair and replacement.

Finally, in serious cases, plaintiffs may be able to recover non-economic damages to compensate them for losses that are more difficult to quantify, such as the pain and suffering endured as a result of an accident, disfigurement, emotional distress, and physical impairment.

To learn more about whether you are eligible for these types of damages, you should contact a personal injury attorney in Buford who can address your questions.

Important Deadlines

Those who are injured by another person’s negligence must file a claim within two years of the date of the accident.

Missing this deadline can have serious consequences, as courts almost always refuse to hear cases filed after this date.

There are, however, exceptions to this general rule.

For example, when a city, county, or government agency was responsible for an injury, victims must file a notice of claim within six months or risk having their case barred.

Call a Dedicated Buford Personal Injury Lawyer

To speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in Buford about your own case, please call the Angell Law Firm, LLC at (770) 217-4954.

A member of our legal team is available to you on a 24/7 basis.

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Side-impact collisions leave passengers vulnerable to forces that can cause catastrophic injuries.

Drivers who negligently cause a side-impact accident may face liability.

The Atlanta car accident attorneys of The Angell Law Firm help victims recover from serious injuries.

If you have been injured by a negligent driver, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Thousands of Side-Impact Crashes Occur Each Year in Georgia

Georgia Department of Public Health data reveals that more than 80,000 angled impact wrecks occur each year in Georgia.

In Fulton County alone, between 12,00 and 14,000 of these crashes happened in each of the past few years.

Side-impact accidents, sometimes called T-bone crashes, can occur for a number of reasons.

If an accident was caused by a driver who ran a stop sign or a red light, for example, someone injured in the accident may be able to hold the responsible driver accountable.

Georgia Residents Injured by a Negligent Driver Can File a Lawsuit

When a person is harmed in a car accident caused by another driver, the victim may file a lawsuit to seek compensation for his or her injuries.

In many instances, the victim argues that the defendant was legally negligent, which means:

• The defendant owed a duty to the injured party;
• The defendant breached his duty of care; and
• The defendant’s breach caused the victim’s injuries.

Georgia law tasks drivers with a duty to exercise reasonable care.

This means drivers must act the same way as an ordinary reasonable person in similar circumstances.

It is a duty that all drivers owe to everyone around them.

If the defendant in a side-impact accident case was driving aggressively or was distracted, these unreasonable behaviors could be considered a breach of that duty.

If the behavior caused an accident that injured another person, the driver may be liable under Georgia law.

Alternately, some accident victims might consider arguing a theory of negligence per se, especially if the driver responsible for the accident was ticketed for breaking a law, such as O.C.G.A § 46-6-20, which requires drivers to abide by traffic signals and stop signs.

When a driver breaks a law designed to protect other people on the roads, a victim can focus on proving causation because breach is automatically presumed in these cases.

Ask an experienced attorney about the best options for recovering compensation for your injuries.

Victims Can Get Damages from Negligent Drivers

If a person injured by a negligent driver prevails in his lawsuit, the defendant may be required to pay compensatory damages.

These damages are intended to make the injured party whole, so they reimburse the victim for expenses such medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and property damage.

Furthermore, the defendant must compensate the victim for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other subjective injuries.

In some cases, defendants whose behavior showed willful misconduct also may be liable for punitive damages.

Call a Lawyer in Atlanta Today

A serious side-impact collision can leave a person out of work, injured, and without money to pay bills.

With years of experience litigating Atlanta traffic accident cases, The Angell Law Firm can help you protect your legal rights if you were injured by a negligent driver.

Call (678) 882-7580 or email us to schedule a free case evaluation.

One of our attorneys can explain your options for collecting the compensation that you deserve.

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Aggressive driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in Georgia.

Drivers who are overly aggressive can be held liable to others they injure.

The Atlanta car accident lawyers of The Angell Law Firm have significant experience holding irresponsible drivers accountable for their actions.

If you have been injured by an aggressive driver, you can file a lawsuit for compensation.

Aggressive Drivers Kill Thousands Each Year

Speed and other aggressive driving tactics kill thousands of people each year.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than 10,000 people were killed in speed-related accidents in the United States and Puerto Rico in 2010.

To combat this problem, Georgia law specifically prohibits aggressive driving.

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-397, drivers who attempt to annoy, harass, intimidate, or obstruct another driver have engaged in aggressive driving.

Not only could aggressive drivers face prosecution for this misdemeanor, but a driver who injures another person while driving aggressively may also face civil liability.

Aggressive Drivers Are Negligent Drivers

Aggressive drivers who cause an injury accident may face civil liability for negligence with the assistance of an Atlanta attorney if the plaintiff proves that the aggressive driver:

1. Owed a duty to the plaintiff;
2. Breached that duty; and
3. Proximately caused the plaintiff’s injuries.

Every Georgia driver owes a duty to other people on the road to drive the same way a reasonable person would under the same circumstances.

A driver who speeds, cuts off other drivers, drives on the shoulder, or behaves otherwise aggressively has breached this universal duty.

If the plaintiff was injured in an accident caused by the aggressive driver’s actions, the aggressive driver will be liable.

Aggressive drivers might also face civil liability under a legal cause of action called negligence per se, especially if the defendant was cited for a violation of O.C.G.A. § 40-6-397, the aggressive driving statute.

In a negligence per se case, the defendant will be deemed negligent if the plaintiff proves that the defendant violated a safety-related statute, such as the aggressive driving law.

Once that is proven, this leaves proving the causation element as the primary remaining obstacle for the plaintiff in establishing liability.

Negligent Drivers Can Be Required to Pay Damages to Injured Plaintiffs

If an aggressive driver is deemed liable under a theory of negligence or negligence per se, she may have to pay damages to the plaintiff or plaintiffs she injured.

Economic compensatory damages reimburse the plaintiff for the direct costs of her injuries, such as medical bills, lost wages, and damage to her car.

A prevailing plaintiff can also collect damages for injuries that have less objective costs, like pain and suffering.

Finally, some plaintiffs may be able to seek punitive damages from defendants who acted with a conscious disregard for the consequences of their actions.

If the consumption of illegal drugs or alcohol contributed to the accident, Georgia’s statutory punitive damages cap is inapplicable.

Protect Your Rights by Hiring an Experienced Injury Lawyer in Atlanta

Aggressive drivers can be made to pay for their choice to endanger other people.

If you have been injured by an aggressive driver, an Atlanta attorney from The Angell Law Firm can explain your options to you, and help you seek the compensation that you deserve.

Call (770) 217-4954 or contact us online to schedule a case evaluation.

Our consultations are always free and completely confidential.

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The law refers to this general class of tort law as cases involving some form of negligence.

If it is a very egregious form of negligence, the courts may refer to the offending behavior as being reckless or something similar.

However, in a case involving assault and/or battery, the conduct in question is intentional.

Georgia tort law recognizes that civil damages are appropriate when someone is a victim of another’s assault and/or battery.

While common speech and popular culture typically pair “assault” and “battery” together when talking about a physical attack upon the person of another, these two phrases actually signify two distinct wrongs and it is quite possible to have one without the other.

What is an Assault?

An assault occurs when one person (for illustration, let’s call him Dave) intentionally acts in a way that is meant to cause a reasonable apprehension of imminent and harmful contact in other person (let’s call him Paul).

If Dave’s intentional conduct (bodily actions and words) is designed to cause fear in Peter that Dave might hurt Peter and this fear is reasonable, then Peter may be able to sue Dave for the tort of Assault.

Here are some examples to further illustrate the tort of Assault:

• Dave sees Paul crossing the street and Dave speeds up his car directly towards Paul, acting as though Dave was going to hit Paul with the car, and then steers clear at the last second
• Dave gets into a verbal argument with Paul, face-to-face, and Dave swings his fist towards Paul’s face but misses on purpose

An assault does not require that the assailant actually touch the victim, only that the victim be reasonably in fear of imminent and harmful contact.

This tort is far more about the threat of harmful contact than the contact itself.

Given that the primary way Georgia courts use to determine whether an assault has taken place is asking whether it was reasonable for Paul to fear Dan’s conduct, you should contact your experienced assault attorney to discuss the specifics of your case.

What is a Battery?

Similar to the tort of assault, battery requires an intentional act.

In the case of battery, however, the wrong occurs because of the contact.

Dan commits a battery when he intentionally causes harmful or offensive contact on Paul.

A battery can be direct and immediate (e.g., Dan pushes Paul), indirect and immediate (e.g., Dan throws a rock that hits Paul), or indirect and remote (e.g., Dan sets a trap that Paul falls into days later).

While most of the time a battery occurs along with an assault, it is quite possible for a battery to occur when there is no assault.

For example, there is a battery but no assault when Dan pushes Paul from behind.

This is because Paul was the victim of a harmful or offensive contact, but Paul did not fear the contact because he wasn’t looking at Dan when Dan pushed him.

Damages in Assault and Battery Injury Cases

Filing a lawsuit requires a certain amount of cost and resources, therefore an Assault and Battery attorney will likely only want to pursue a case if there are enough damages to recover for the alleged harm.

In many cases, an assault or battery may have technically taken place, but not enough harm may have occurred to warrant filing a civil lawsuit.

However, if the defendant hurts the plaintiff so much that there are sizable medical expenses, initiating a lawsuit may be the best way to recover financially and get reimbursement for those bills in addition to compensation for pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love has been a victim of an assault or battery, please contact The Angell Law Firm so we can help you assess the value of your case and ensure that all proper steps are taken to preserve evidence to maximize the value of your recovery.

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Millions of Americans are bitten by dogs every year.

While many of these bites are not particularly serious, these dog bites result in hundred of thousands of emergency room visits.

Some of these attacks result in very serious injury and sometimes even death.

The CDC estimates that the yearly national death toll from dog attacks is around two dozen.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite an experienced Atlanta dog bite attorney can help.

Holding the dog owner responsible for your injuries can be very complex.

This is especially true in the state of Georgia, where the law is considered are more favorable for dog owners.

This makes a qualified dog bite attorney even more important.

I’ve Been The Victim Of A Dog Attack, What Do I Do First?

If you have been attacked by a dog or another animal, it is always important to identify the animal that bit you.

If you have been attacked by a dog or other animal that is owned by another individual, you may be entitled to compensation.

If there were witnesses to the attack, make sure you make contact with these people and that you collect their contact information.

Take photographs of any and all wounds caused by the attack.

What Should I Do During A Dog Attack?

If you are being attacked remain calm.

If you panic, you may give the dog confidence or you may appear threatening to the dog.

1. 1. Attempt to take control by commanding “down” or “go home, ” while attempting to back away.
   2. Do not run, this will excite the dog and you cannot outrun a dog.
   3. Assume a non-threatening position by standing sideways to the dog instead of facing the dog and making eye contact. Clench your fists to protect your fingers.
   4. Hold your position because dogs have a short attention span and may lose interest.
   5. Stay still and protect your face, chest and throat. If the dog is biting, do not struggle or pull away- this can cause open, torn wounds.
   6. Use any object you may have to attempt to get the dog to latch onto it rather than yourself. An umbrella is a great source.
   7. If the dog does get a hold of you, fighting back is the best bet. Use your entire body weight on the animal, especially with your knees and elbows.

1. If there are multiple dogs- go for the eyes, nose and limbs.
2. If a dog has locked onto another animal or human, pick up its back legs and hold it in the air to keep it from pulling, ripping and causing more damage.

What Should I Do After A Dog Attack?

If you are the victim of an attack you need to:

1. Report the incident to the owner, animal control and the proper authorities.
2. Seek medical treatment, what does not appear serious could become infected or result in nerve damage or scarring.
3. Take photographs of all injuries.
4. Make sure the animal has had proper and current vaccinations.
5. Obtain the homeowners information for the dog owner, the name, policy number and agent for the policy.
6. If the owner is renting the home, obtain information about the owner, their homeowner’s coverage and a copy of the lease agreement.
7. Do you have knowledge that the animal has attacked another person or animal in the past? Our attorneys can help you investigate and develop most of this information; your most important steps are to report the incident, get medical attention, photograph all injuries, and confirm that the animal has had proper and current vaccinations.

I’ve Been The Victim Of A Dog Attack In Georgia, How Do I Prove Liability

Understanding Georgia Dog Bite Law

Georgia law protects dog bite victims by providing two ways an animal owner can be held liable for injuries caused by their dogs:

1. The “one bite rule”- the victim should show that the animal was dangerous or vicious, that the dog owner had knowledge of this propensity, and the owner either carelessly managed the animal or allowed it to go at liberty.
2. The “ordinance rule”- requires proof that the animal was not at heel or on a leash, as required by local ordinance, and the dog owner either carelessly managed the animal or allowed it to go at liberty. (violation of the leash law)

What constitutes a violation of the leash law will vary from county to county as leash laws are under the umbrella of ordinances enforced by the county.

Georgia’s dog bite statute is considered more favorable to dog owners.

This is due to the fact that in one of the two conditions, you have to prove that the dog was dangerous and the owner knew the dog was dangerous at the time of the bite.

In 2012, three years after an especially brutal dog attack, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed the Georgia Responsible Dog Owner Act.

The key changes in the act relate to the way in which a dangerous dog is defined in Georgia.

A dangerous dog is considered a dog that causes a substantial wound to a person or aggressively acts a person posing an threat of serious injury.

Dangerous dogs are no longer allowed off the owner’s property unless they are completely restrained the entire time.

Once a dog is listed as a dangerous dog with the state, it does not get a second chance if it attacks a person and the owner must maintain at least fifty thousand dollars worth of insurance on the dog.

What Our Georgia Dog Bite Attorneys Will do For You

An experienced Georgia dog bite lawyer can help you with the process no matter what the details may be regarding your dog attack.

You will want to consider retaining a Georgia dog bite attorney before you participate in any legal proceedings and before speaking with an insurance company or anyone else.

Most of the time, a dog owner will have insurance.

If this is the case, expect a call from the insurance company.

They will ask to talk about your claim. If this happens to you, ask for the name of the insurance company, the telephone number, claim number, name of the person, and the address of the insurance company’s office.

Never talk about money or any type of settlement.

Further do not set up any meeting without a qualified attorney to represent you.

The insurance company is trying to limit their liability and reduce their expenses.

They are not on your side, they have a team of lawyers and agents, whose sole job is to limit how much money you collect.

You need to even the playing field with an experienced attorney, do not go against the big insurance companies alone.

What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?

There’s no way to put a specific figure on your case without a detailed study of the case by experienced dog attack attorney.

A victim of a dog bite can seek several types of compensation including for all scars, current and future medical costs, emotional distress, and any other factors related to the attack.

One thing that is clear is that an insurance company will do their best not to pay you what your case is truly worth.

Dog bite cases can be complicated and many insurance companies will not pay a settlement request until the person bitten retains a lawyer.

In most cases a lawyer is necessary to represent victims in dog bite cases so that their rights are protected.

Preventing Dog Bites; Important Safety Tips And Legal Information Dog Owners

The ultimate goal for dog bite laws are responsibility and protecting the innocent.

If you have an animal, you need to provide the necessary health care and training to control the animal.

For instance:

1. If you have a dog behind a fence- how secure is the fence, has it been maintained, is the gate secure, would others (service people) be likely not to close the gate securely?
2. If the dog is chained, how secure is the chain and collar?
3. Do you have control of the animal when walking it, does it need a muzzle?
4. If your dog is a house dog, do you have measures in place to keep the dog from “darting” out the door when someone opens the door?
5. When you have visitors, do you have control of your dog? Do you know how your dog reacts to certain stimuli? (children, loud noises, sudden movement, other animals, etc)

Dog Owners In Georgia Have Legal Responsibilities

1. A dog owner must keep dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs either securely confined indoors or confined outdoors in a securely enclosed and locked pen, fence, or structure that prevents entry of young children, as well as escape of the animal. When outside the enclosure, the dog must be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash and be under the physical restraint of a responsible person.
2. A dog owner must register their dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs with the state
3. Owners must post their property with a clearly-visible sign that warns people of the dog’s presence. The state has a uniform symbol that must be placed on the sign.
4. Owners must maintain liability insurance of at least $15,000 for personal injuries inflicted by the dog or a surety bond of $15,000 or more payable to any person injured by the dog.

Contact A Dog Bite Attorney In Georgia

Unfortunately, dog bites remain very common and can have serious consequences, including permanent disfigurement, nerve and tissue damage and psychological trauma.

In extreme cases, dog attacks may result in death.

In either case you will need the help of an experienced dog bite injury attorney.

The Angell Law Firm has almost 20 years of trial experience successfully representing our clients.

Contact The Angell Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.

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Frequently these accidents involve vehicles, leaving many pedestrians with severe physical injuries.

In order to recover from the driver of the vehicle for the damages incurred in a pedestrian accident, the pedestrian will have to prove that the driver’s negligent or reckless behavior caused his or her injuries.

The damages must have been a foreseeable consequence of the driver’s careless behavior, and the pedestrian, or his Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer, will be required to prove this in a Georgia court.

The central question for when a vehicle driver is liable in a pedestrian accident is, would a reasonable driver have behaved in the same way?

If not, then you may be able to recover for the damages caused by the accident.

A knowledgeable Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to help you understand your legal options and fight for your rights in Atlanta.

What are the Common Ways that an Atlanta Driver’s Negligence Causes a Pedestrian Accident?

• Disobeying traffic signs and signals. The most common way to prove a driver was negligent in operating his or her vehicle is by showing that the driver disobeyed traffic signs and signals. A reasonable driver would follow the traffic signs and signals.
• Speeding. A driver is more likely to cause an accident if he or she is going above the speed limit. The damages are typically more severe when a driver collides with a pedestrian at higher speeds, as well. Absent a genuine emergency, a driver that is speeding is usually behaving recklessly or negligently.
• Disregarding traffic or weather conditions. A driver can still behave negligently even if he or she is following all of the laws in Georgia. The pedestrian will only need to prove that a reasonable driver would not have behaved in the same manner as the driver. For example, a driver cruising at 65 MPH on the highway may be following the letter of the law, but if there is heavy rain or a winter storm, then he or she is likely behaving in an unreasonable manner.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sadly, some pedestrian fatalities are caused by drivers who are operating under the influence. Because a reasonable driver would not drive while impaired, then it is likely a pedestrian will be able to recover for the damages caused by an impaired driver.
• Driving while distracted. Similar to driving while under the influence, distracted drivers are behaving unreasonably when driving if a reasonable driver would not have behaved in the same way, given similar circumstances. Common types of “distracted drivers” include drivers who are texting while driving, calling while driving, or eating while driving.

Should I Contact a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Atlanta?

If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident, then you should reach out to an attorney in Georgia who specializes in pedestrian accidents.

A knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney in Atlanta, Georgia will help you understand your legal options and answer any of your questions.

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Constructed from either animal tissue or synthetic material, the mesh serves a very important role.

Unfortunately, there are multiple cases involving herniated mesh that has failed to work properly.

In these situations, it is often essential that a person contact a skilled Atlanta medical product lawyer for assistance.

How Herniated Mesh Works

While non-absorbable herniated mess remains in a person’s body permanently, absorbable mesh disintegrates over time after it is left inside of a person’s body.

There are two types of operations in which herniated mesh is placed inside of a person’s body – laparoscopic and open repair.

During laparoscopic surgery, a physician makes several small cuts in which to place surgical tools to repair the hernia, while in open surgery a physician will make a larger incision.

Complications Caused by Herniated Mesh

Some of the various complications that can arise when mesh products fail to operate properly include the following:

• Abscesses
• Bowel obstructions
• Fistulas
• Grouping of scar tissue between organs
• Infections
• Organ perforation
• Severe pain in the abdomen or groin area

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms after having herniated mesh put in, contact a medical product attorney in Atlanta right away.

Some Examples of Herniated Mesh Lawsuits

There are several types of herniated mesh, which are produced by various medical device companies.

Some of the most common examples of herniated mesh that has been known to result in patients experiencing a variety of adverse side effects include:

• 3DMax: First manufactured by Bard in 2008, this lightweight mesh has been known to cause substantial pain and there is a even a risk of patients losing their testicles.
• C-Qur: Manufactured by Atrium, the C-QUR herniated mesh was first introduced in 2006. There are several cases of deadly infections linked to the C-Qur herniated mesh. Removing the mesh has also proven to be difficult.
• Kugel: Manufactured by C.R. Bard, the Kugel herniated mesh utilizes a ring in its center to help the mesh maintain its shape. The ring that comprises the mesh, however, been know to break, which can cause serious injuries.
• Parietex: This herniated mesh was the first mesh manufactured by Covidien. First sold in 1999, the mesh has been known to cause a variety of adverse conditions including bowel complications and infections.
• Physiomesh: Also manufactured by a subdivision of Johnson and Johnson, the Physiomesh has since been entirely recalled. There were many complications that arose from the Physiomesh including an increased risk of subsequent hernias.
• Prolene Hernia System: Also manufactured by a subdivision of Johnson and Johnson, this mesh is a heavyweight polypropylene. Some of the injuries cause by the Prolene Hernia System include nerve pain, sexual dysfunction, and substantial pain.
• Proceed Herniated Mesh: Manufactured by a subdivision of Johnson and Johnson, Proceed herniated mesh is a lightweight mesh. Recalls of the Proceed mesh have occurred because the mesh’s cellulose layers separates from the polypropylene resulting in the increased risk of bowel obstructions.

Contact a Medical Device Attorney in Atlanta

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to placement of a herniated mesh, there are methods to pursue the compensation that you deserve.

Contact our law office today to discuss how our legal counsel can help you.

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Hit and run accidents can arise in a variety of scenarios.

As a result, it is important to understand a specific example of how hit and run accidents occurred.

Earlier this month, a hit and run accident occurred in Georgia when a pedestrian was struck by two vehicles while a road.

While the first driver remained at the scene of the accident, the second driver fled the scene and did not report the event to law enforcement.

The driver who was charged with committing and run now faces a felony crime.

Meanwhile, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help a victim bring a claim for their injuries.

Many reports existing documenting the prevalence of hit and run crashes.

The rise of hit and run fatalities has caused legislatures in a handful of states to attempt to create laws that address hit and run accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of fatal hit and run accidents rose from 1,274 in 2009 to 1,449 in 2011.

This rise in deaths due to fatal hit and accidents occurred at a time while traffic deaths overall decreased from 33,883 in 2009 to 32,367 in 2011.

George Law Concerning Hit And Run Accidents

Georgia state law requires that the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident stop and find any injured individuals or owner of any damaged property and either exchange contact information or report the occurrence of the accident to law enforcement.

In situations where the owner of the damaged property is not present, it is expected that the driver of the motor vehicle leaves a note describing the accident and also reports the accident to authorities.

How Hit And Run Accidents Are Prosecuted

In the state of Georgia, hit and run accidents can be prosecuted as either misdemeanors or felonies.

• Misdemeanors. Hit and runs are prosecuted as misdemeanors when minor traffic accidents occur without any physical injuries. Penalties for misdemeanor hit and runs range from fines and restitution to jail time.
• Felonies. Hit and runs are prosecuted as felonies, however, when the accident involves bodily injury or death. The penalties that arise from felony hit and runs most often include prison sentences.

Every person driving on Georgia roads has five distinct responsibilities that they must adhere to when involved in car accident involving death, injury, or damage to someone else’s vehicle.

The responsibilities must be met in order to avoid being charged with hit and run.

Responsibilities Of Drivers After An Accident

In Atlanta and elsewhere in the state of Georgia, motorists must understand that there are five distinct responsibilities that arise after a motor vehicle accident.

These responsibilities include the following:

• Call 911 Or Law Enforcement. If anyone involved in the accident is seriously injured including unconscious or deceased, drivers must make every reasonable effort to contact either law enforcement or medical services.
• Contact Information. Drivers who involved in motor vehicle accidents must provide contact information including name, address, and vehicle registration number to the other driver.
• Driver’s License. When accidents occur, drivers must present the other driver with a valid driver’s license.
• Reasonable Assistance. Drivers who are involved in motor vehicle accidents must provide reasonable to anyone who is injured in the accident.
• Remain At The Scene Of The Accident. Drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents must remain at the scene of the accident until all of these requirements are fulfilled.

Steps That Individuals Should Take After Hit And Run Accidents

In order to find an individual responsible for a hit and run accident in the Atlanta area, there are certain recommended steps that individual should take, which include the following:

• Contact Law Enforcement. Call the police to the scene of the accident. After law enforcement has been provided with all available information about the accident, law enforcement might be able to apprehend the driver who committed the hit run.
• Document Information About the Scene of the Accident. Be sure to make note of the weather and traffic conditions at the time the hit and run accident occurred. Write down any information about individuals who witnessed the accident. If possible, use your smartphone to take photographs of the accident scene.
• Make Any Potential Notes About The Driver Who Performs The Hit And Run. If the driver who performs the hit and run is seen or spoken to, make any potential notes about the driver’s physical appearance. Also make note of the make, model, and color of the vehicle that belongs to the driver who performs the hit and run. Individuals also try to record the license plate state or as much as the number as possible of the motorist who flees the accident. These pieces of information can eventually prove critical in holding the driver who committed the hit run liable.
• Seek Compensation From Your Own Automobile Insurance Company. Individuals who are involved in a hit and run accident should consider recovering compensation through any uninsured motorist coverage that might exist on the individual’s own car insurance policy. George state law, however, does not require that individuals obtain uninsured motorist coverage. Just because individuals have uninsured motorist coverage does not always mean that an insurance company will award damages. Individuals must remember that insurance companies can be difficult when compensation is involved. As a result, individuals must make every effort to find the party responsible for committing the hit and run accident.

How Atlanta Attorneys Can Help Victims of Hit And Run Accidents

Legal counsel can help individuals in numerous ways when hit and run accidents occur.

First, lawyers can help navigate claims with insurance companies.

Lawyers can also help navigate the large amount of paperwork that arises concerning the event.

Also if necessary, talented accidents attorney can help clients construct the strongest possible case in order to seek compensation for the hit and run accident.

Compensation for hit and run accident victims can include lost income, medical expenses due to injuries incurred from the accident, pain and suffering from the event.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit and run, contact the experienced legal counsel at The Angell Law Firm, LLC who will fight to make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Call our firm today at (770) 217-4954 to obtain a free case consultation.

Our firm makes every effort to accommodate clients and even offers house and hospital calls to hit and run accident victims.

At The Angell Law Firm, we have a history of helping clients who were involved in hit and run accidents and have aided these clients in recovering from the difficulties presented by hit and run accidents.

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This effort, dubbed “Operation Rolling Thunder,” was aimed not only at ticketing violators but also at educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving.

Most drivers are well aware of how dangerous drunk driving is, but unfortunately, the dangers associated with distracted driving are often overlooked.

These dangers are very real, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every day in the United States eight people are killed and 1,161 are injured in car crashes that involve a distracted driver.

Our Atlanta car accident lawyers are familiar with the related claims.

Distracted driving occurs under a number of different circumstances, most commonly when a driver is eating, fiddling with the GPS system, talking to passengers, or texting.

Of these common distractions, texting is currently wreaking the most havoc on our roads.

In fact, The National Safety Council reports that approximately 330,000 injuries occur each year from car crashes that were caused by distracted drivers who were texting.

If you have been injured in Georgia by a distracted driver who was texting, have a legal right to seek compensation for your injuries.

In order to successfully pursue a personal injury claim against a distracted driver who was texting in the Atlanta area, Georgia law requires you to prove:

• That the distracted driver owed you a duty,
• That the distracted driver breached that duty, and
• That your injuries were proximately caused by the distracted driver’s actions.

In these cases, if it often easy to prove that the distracted driver owed you a duty, as drivers in Georgia owe everyone else on the road a duty to drive reasonably, given the circumstances.

However, you must also be able to prove that the driver breached this duty.

Courts consistently find that texting while driving does breach this duty of care, however, it can be tricky to prove that a driver was texting at the time of the collision.

How to Prove that the Other Driver Was Texting

While each case is unique, the following types of evidence can help an injury attorney in Atlanta prove that the other driver was texting at the time of the collision that caused your injury.

• Witness Statements: While at the scene of the accident be sure to jot down the names and contact information of any witnesses of the crash. Witnesses can be passengers from either vehicle, other drivers, or passersby. If people witnessed the distracted driver texting right before the collision, their witness statements will be helpful when proving your case. Ideally, ask these witnesses to tell the responding police officer what they saw so that their statements can be included in the police report.
• The Police Report: If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, be sure to call the police so that an official report can be filed. These reports can be helpful as the distracted driver may admit to the police officer that they were texting, or witnesses may tell the police that they saw the other driver texting before the crash. Be sure to tell the responding officer if you saw the other driver texting.
• Cell Phone Records: Note the precise time of the accident so that, if possible, the distracted driver’s applicable cell phone records can be analyzed. While it is not always possible to obtain these records, be sure to discuss the option of subpoenaing cell records with your attorney. If you are able to obtain these records they can go a long way in proving your case as they will indicate when the driver both sent and read text messages.
• Photographs and Videos/ Surveillance Vidoes: If possible, take photos and videos of the interior of the other driver’s car directly after the accident. If the driver’s phone was within their reach at the time of the accident this evidence can help prove your case. Additionally, look around the scene of the accident to see if any nearby stores have surveillance cameras that may have captured the other driver texting.

Need Legal Advice?

If you were injured in a car accident and believe that the other driver was texting, be sure to tell your personal injury attorney of your suspicion as soon as possible.

The Atlanta attorneys of The Angell Law Firm would be happy to represent you in your personal injury case and help get the money that you deserve.

Call our office today at (770) 217-4954 to schedule your free consultation.

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Instead, many car accidents involve only a single vehicle.

But much like multiple vehicle accidents, single vehicle accidents can involve substantial injuries in addition to substantial property damage.

The rate of single vehicle accidents is surprisingly high.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that greater than fifty percent of all car accidents fatalities in the United States are due to single vehicle accidents.

An Atlanta car accident lawyer can represent victims who are bringing claims based on these crashes

The Two Types Of Single Vehicle Accidents

There are actually two types of single vehicle accidents: on road crashes and running off road.

• On Road Crashes. This phrase refers to accidents in which the vehicle remained on the road even after the crash.
• Running Off Road. These accidents occur when a driver runs off the road or onto the shoulder of the road and subsequently collides with a fixed object. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that running off the road is the most common cause of single vehicle accidents. These types of events are more likely to occur on rural and curved roads rather than on straight sections of highways or interstates.

Causes of Single Vehicle Accidents

There are several common causes of single vehicle accidents in the Atlanta area, which include the following:

• Adverse Weather Conditions. Single vehicle accidents are likely to occur when drivers have a difficult time navigating through elements like fog, ice, or rain.
• Dangerous Road Conditions. Road conditions including dirt roads, gravel roads, and roads under construction can lead to single vehicle accidents occurring. Some specific examples include lack of guardrails on the roadside, potholes, and roads that have a dangerous shoulder.
• Fatigued Driving. Drivers who operate motor vehicles while fatigue can fall asleep at the wheel, which can can cause a single vehicle accident.
• Inadequate Road Signs. Road signs are designed to warn motor vehicle drivers about upcoming dangerous conditions on the road. When there are no signs to warn of these conditions or the signs are unable to be read by motorists, other parties beside the motor vehicle driver can be held liable for posting inadequate signage.
• Manufacturing. The manufacturer of a motor vehicle can be liable for a defective part including faulty brakes, seat belts, or steering wheels used in a motor vehicle.
• Nighttime Driving. Motorists who drive at night have limited visibility while navigating the roads. This limited visibility can result in single vehicle accidents when roadside conditions arise suddenly.
• Poor Driving By Others. In some situations, a motor vehicle might be following another vehicle when the leading vehicle makes a quick lane change, abrupt stop, or other sudden driving movement that causes the trailing driver to get into an accident. The leading vehicle might then continue to drive on without stopping at the accident scene thus leaving only one vehicle.
• Roadside Conditions Combined With Environmental Elements. The combination of these two factors can result in single vehicle accidents. Some common examples include lanes that are too narrow, sharp curves, and roads that fill up with rain. These dangerous road designs can cause single vehicle accident to occur. For example, a road that does not drain adequately can result in a motorist hydroplaning.

Determinations Of Liability for Single Vehicle Accidents

It is often easy to determine how a single vehicle accident occurred and the party who is liable for the accident.

In many situations, individuals are able to claim compensation from another party who was liable for the accident.

Some potentials are the government agency or construction company who faultily maintained the road.

To proceed against another party, an individual must establish a negligence claim which includes establishing that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, that the defendant proceed to breach the duty of care, the defendant’s breach directly caused the plaintiff’s harm, and that the plaintiff suffered damage as a result of the defendant.

What To Do If You Are Involved In A Single Vehicle Accident

There are several essential steps that an individual who is involved in a motor vehicle accident be sure to take, which include the following:

• Accident Observations. Take notes about the events that led up to the accident. Also make sure to take notice of the road conditions, time of day, and weather when the accident occurred. If at all possible also make sure to obtain any witness details, including contact information.
• Inform Your Insurance Company. Inform your insurance company of the accident.
• Law Enforcement. Notify law enforcement that the accident has occurred.
• Medical Attention. Make sure that medical attention is paid to you or any passengers in the vehicle who might have been injured due to the accident. Individuals should make sure to contact emergency services even if injuries are not immediately apparent.

Injuries Incurred From A Single Vehicle Accident

Many individuals falsely believe that single vehicle accidents result in less substantial harm than multiple vehicle accidents.

Single vehicle accidents, however, can result in substantial injuries including brain and head trauma, broken or fractured bones, burns, paralysis and sometimes even death.

Receiving compensation for single vehicle accidents can be difficult, as our Atlanta attorneys recognize.

Even if the responsibility lies clearly on another party, insurance companies can still resist providing payment for medical treatment.

Even if an insurance company does not outright reject a claim, in many situations an insurance company will offer a remarkably low settlement amount.

How Lawyers Can Help With Single Vehicle Accidents

Legal counsel can prove essential in single vehicle accidents.

Experienced accident attorneys can counsel clients on how to receive compensation for injuries.

This compensation can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damage.

If you have been injured in a single vehicle accident, do not hesitate to speak to experienced legal counsel at The Angell Law Firm, LLC who will fight to make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.

Our firm can be reached at (770) 217-4954 to obtain a free case consultation.

At The Angell Law Firm, we are able to accommodate clients and even offers house and hospital calls to hit and run accident victims.

Having a talented accident attorney in Atlanta on your side can make all the difference when a single vehicle accident occurred.

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