Georgia Personal Injury Blog
How the Burden of Proof Works in a Civil Injury Trial
The phrase “burden of proof” revolves around determining who is responsible for a particular event. You will hear this phrase come up in criminal cases as well as civil personal injury claims. However, the burden of proof for a civil claim is different than it is for a criminal case. For those who sustain injuries caused by the actions of someone else, the burden of proof lies with the injury victim. Here, we want to discuss what this means and how to establish proof. Understanding a Preponderance of Evidence When a prosecutor is trying to prove that someone committed a…
Concussion Headaches After a Crash: How Long Do They Last?
Vehicle accidents can lead to a range of injuries, with one of the most common being a concussion. When individuals sustain concussions, this can occur at varying levels of severity. The concussion severity will certainly play a role in how long this injury lasts. In some cases, individuals experience little to no symptoms as a result of a concussion, but there are times when these injury symptoms can last weeks. Concussions Occur in a Variety of Ways Concussions can occur in a wide variety of ways but typically happen as a result of a bump or blow to the head…
What If an “Act of God” Causes a Work Injury or Death?
Most workplace injuries or illnesses happen due to an accident or negligence in the workplace. However, there are times when individuals are injured or killed on the job due to something outside of their control. There are times when natural disasters, freak accidents, or acts of God occur and lead to significant injuries or fatalities. What is an Act of God You have likely heard the phrase “act of God” before when it comes to incidents that occur and affect other individuals. Perhaps you have seen this phrase used in movies or TV shows, but this term can also come…
Everything You Need to Know About Power of Attorney After the Death of a Loved One
If you have lost somebody that you love, you may wonder who will be responsible for making decisions about the deceased’s assets and their estate. You may think that this involves a power of attorney document, but the reality is that a power of attorney ceases to be valid after a person passes away. Here, we want to discuss who has control over a person’s assets after a person passes away in Georgia. A Power of Attorney is Not Valid After Death Most people believe that a person who has a power of attorney will continue to have the authority…
Most Common Injuries from Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents are incredibly common on the roadway, usually caused by individuals following other vehicles too closely. Even though these incidents are common, they can still lead to significant injuries that lead to long-term setbacks for those involved. Here, we want to examine some of the most common rear-end accident injuries that occur on Georgia roadways. How Common Are Rear-End Accidents Data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that rear-end collisions are responsible for approximately 29% of all crashes across the country. However, when most people think of rear-end collisions, they think of relatively minor injuries.…
Lasting Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries on Mental and Physical Health
Individuals who sustain traumatic brain injuries often suffer from a range of both short and long-term symptoms. These symptoms can affect not only a person’s physical health but also their mental and emotional well-being. These long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries must be taken into account when factoring and compensation amounts if another individual or entity was responsible for causing the injury. Physical Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic brain injuries can have profound effects on a person’s physical health. Our brains control every aspect of our bodies, and if the brain is damaged, it can impact the…
Can Driving at a Legal BAC Level Be a Factor in a Crash?
The maximum allowable blood alcohol content (BAC) level in Georgia is .08%. Any person operating at this level or above could be arrested and charged with drunk driving. However, there are situations where individuals can be charged with DUI even if they are below the legal limit of alcohol in their system. The term DUI stands for “driving under the influence,” so any person found to be under the influence of any substance, regardless of their blood alcohol content level, could be charged with DUI. Impaired Driving Means Many Things In the state of Georgia, we can see that Georgia…
How Do I Check to See if My Vehicle Has Been Recalled?
You probably hear about recalls all the time on the news, but often, do not assume that the recall has to do with you or your vehicle. However, most people do not realize that recalls occur all the time, including for issues that do not make it onto the news. You need to know if your vehicle has been recalled for anything, including individual parts that may be defective inside of the vehicle that could affect overall safety. How to Check for Vehicle Recalls If you are not sure whether or not your vehicle has any active recalls, that is…
Georgia’s “Family Purpose” Doctrine
In most situations, parents or guardians will not be held liable for the actions of their children, but that is not always the case. The state of Georgia does have a “family purpose doctrine” in place under which a person who has the right and duty of control over a motor vehicle could be held liable for another family member’s actions in the event a collision occurs. We want to discuss the family purpose doctrine as well as how this could affect a personal injury claim you are involved in. What is the Family Purpose Doctrine? The family purpose doctrine…
Can A “Swim At Your Own Risk” Sign Protect Against Personal Injury Claims?
Swimming pools can be incredibly fun, but they can also present significant hazards. Pools pose many risks for swimmers, and it is important to know who is responsible if an injury occurs. Regardless of whether or not a pool is on private residential property or somewhere that the public has the right to be, there may be a “swim at your own risk” sign present. Do these types of signs protect a pool’s owner from liability in the event an injury occurs? Premises liability laws will usually make pool owners liable for injuries suffered by parties who use their facilities.…