Car Accidents
How Bad Is Buzzed Driving?
The term buzzed driving describes a driver exhibiting signs of impairment from alcohol or opiates while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Referring to impaired driving as buzzed driving tries to reduce the apparent severity of the crime. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 2,597 people died in just the month of December (2010), with 775 deaths involving impaired drivers. Buzzed driving, impaired driving, or driving under the influence, all describe drivers who lack the necessary awareness to avoid accidents. The signs of alcohol or opiate impairment vary from person to person. How much alcohol, or drugs, it…
How to Handle a Georgia Hit and Run Accident
Hit and run refers to a car accident that causes damage and a driver leaves the scene of the accident. That driver leaves without making a report of the incident to authorities or providing their contact information. It does not matter if the driver caused the accident. Everyone involved must remain at the scene until excused by law enforcement, or the direct exchange of information between drivers finishes up. Hit and run victims deal with shock, disbelief and confusion when someone leaves the scene of the accident. Even without injuries, a victim of a hit and run feels violated and…
What Are Georgia’s Uninsured Motorist Laws?
Georgia does not require uninsured motorist insurance coverage. When a driver is not at fault in an accident with an uninsured vehicle, this insurance provides protection. Therefore, many Georgia drivers carry this additional coverage on their auto insurance policies. Most policies limit the coverage to $25,000 per person and a total of $50,000 for the entire accident. Uninsured Motorists and Underinsured Motorists Uninsured motorists (UM) carry no insurance, or the insurance provider denies coverage because of the circumstances of the accident. Underinsured motorists carry insurance, but the coverage is insufficient to cover the total cost of damages in the accident.…
Is It Necessary to Report a Minor Car Accident?
Most car accidents are relatively minor. A fender bender resulting in no injuries and no major damage makes drivers wonder whether or not they should even report the accident. The answer simply depends on the situation. The accident’s severity and how well the parties communicate makes a big difference. After the exchange of insurance and contact information between drivers, they decide if they want to involve law enforcement. Law enforcement need not always become involved in a minor accident. State law requires filing accident reports only in certain circumstances, such as when the accident results in death, injury, or over…
What Is Georgia’s Move Over Law?
Many states, including Georgia, have enacted some type of Move Over Law in an effort to protect workers and emergency personnel who respond to jobs on the side of the road. Every year, people lose their lives in roadside collisions. In 2017, nearly 800 people lost their lives in work zone accidents. This number does not include roadside accidents that happened outside of work zones, such as police stops. Failing to obey Georgia’s Move Over Law could lead to fines, or more serious penalties if the driver causes an accident. The Details of the Law in Georgia Georgia’s Move Over…
Safety Tips for Driving in Heavy Rain
It is not always possible to avoid driving in bad weather, such as fog, snow, or heavy rain. Rainstorms in Georgia are especially common in the springtime, with daily showers that can catch drivers unaware. Learning how to operate your vehicle safely in a heavy rainstorm is critical if you wish to avoid car accidents while driving in Georgia. Check Your Equipment Before Driving Before you start a car trip, prepare for a potential storm by checking your vehicle’s windshield wipers and washer fluid. Your wipers should not show signs of wear and tear, such as cracked rubber. They should…
Is My Car Accident Settlement Taxable?
After you receive a car accident settlement, you might think the hard part is over. You fought for compensation for your damages and won. The at-fault party’s car insurance company has awarded you a settlement to pay for your losses. Come tax time, however, you may face a new ordeal – dealing with how the tax law applies to your settlement. Find out if settlements are taxable in the U.S, and how to navigate your responsibilities to the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). Settlement Taxability According to the IRS The IRS states that, for the most part, settlements are not taxable.…
Is Fault Automatic in a Rear-End Car Accident Case?
A rear-end car accident in Atlanta could cause significant personal injuries, including whiplash and back injuries. Although most people assume the rear driver is responsible for causing a rear-end collision, fault is not automatic in these cases. Investigators will respond to the scene, gather facts about the collision, and deduce the at-fault party based on the surrounding circumstances. It is possible for the first driver or a third party to be at fault for a rear-end collision. What Is Negligence? Fault for an Atlanta rear-end collision will ultimately fall on the person or party that was negligent. Negligence refers to…
When Is It Time to Replace Your Child’s Car Seat?
A car seat is a critical piece of equipment for protecting your child during an accident. Car accidents are a leading cause of death for children and infants. Car seats can reduce the risk of injury and death by up to 70%, when used correctly. Unfortunately, not all parents understand the safest times to replace their car seats. Old, outdated, used, defective, or inappropriate car seats for the age of the child can put a child at risk in a car accident. Learn when to replace your child’s car seat for optimal injury protection. The Appropriate Seat for Your Growing…
How Do Airbag Injuries Happen?
Airbag malfunctions can turn what should have been a minor accident into a collision with serious consequences for vehicle occupants. When an airbag does not perform as the manufacturer intended, it could fail to prevent occupant injuries. In some cases, a defective airbag could cause injuries the passenger otherwise would not have suffered. Victims of these accidents can potentially recover damages from the manufacturer or another party. Excessive Force Upon Deployment Even if an airbag deploys as the manufacturer intended, the general force of the airbag can cause injuries. Although the airbag might have prevented more serious occupant injuries that…