Georgia Personal Injury Blog

What Are “Excessive Force” Cases and Why Are They So Difficult?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 15, 2022

There is no shortage of news about excessive force being used by law enforcement officers across the country and here in the state of Georgia. Perhaps the cases most relevant on individuals’ minds are the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis and the murder of Ahmed Aubrey in Georgia. However, excessive force does not always end in death; they often result in severe injuries. Here, we want to examine what “excessive force” means as well as why these cases are difficult to prove from a personal injury standpoint. Excessive Force Happens But Officers Aren’t Always Held Responsible When we examine Federal…

Posted in: Personal Injury

Minimum Insurance Amounts in Georgia

By Butler Prather LLP on October 11, 2022

Every driver in the state of Georgia is required to carry insurance if they want to legally operate a vehicle. However, individuals are often confused about the types of insurance and the minimum amount of insurance they are required to carry. Here, we want to discuss the minimum insurance amounts that all drivers must obtain in order to remain legal in Georgia. What the Law Requires for Auto Insurance in Georgia Every state across the country has specific requirements for drivers when it comes to automobile insurance. In the state of Georgia, the law currently requires the following types and…

Posted in: Car Accidents

Georgia Right of Way Laws

By Butler Prather LLP on October 8, 2022

Traffic laws in Georgia are vital for keeping drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe. When drivers fail to obey traffic laws, they could end up in a crash causing serious damages or injuries. Most Atlanta car accidents occur due to driver errors. One of the most common causes of accidents includes “right-of-way” violations. Right-of-way is a term used to determine who is entitled to change lanes, move through intersections, enter roadways, make turns, and other movements when traffic is on the roadway. Right-of-way violations can lead to serious incidents in and around the roadway. Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike must understand…

Posted in: Car Accidents

How the Burden of Proof Works in a Civil Injury Trial

By Butler Prather LLP on October 5, 2022

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…

Posted in: Personal Injury

Concussion Headaches After a Crash: How Long Do They Last?

By Butler Prather LLP on September 28, 2022

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…

Posted in: Car Accidents

What If an “Act of God” Causes a Work Injury or Death?

By Butler Prather LLP on September 26, 2022

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

By Butler Prather LLP on September 22, 2022

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…

Posted in: Wrongful Death

Most Common Injuries from Rear-End Accidents

By Butler Prather LLP on September 21, 2022

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.…

Posted in: Car Accidents

Lasting Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries on Mental and Physical Health

By Butler Prather LLP on September 19, 2022

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…

Posted in: Brain Injury

Can Driving at a Legal BAC Level Be a Factor in a Crash?

By Butler Prather LLP on September 14, 2022

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…

Posted in: Car Accidents

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