Georgia Personal Injury Blog
What You Need to Know about Georgia’s Hand-Free Law
Distracted driving is nothing new. However, the increase in technology in our lives has significantly increased the number of distracted driving accidents on the roadways. Distracted driving accidents often lead to serious injuries or fatalities. Most states have passed certain restrictions on how a person can use cell phones while they are driving. Georgia’s hands-free law went into effect on July 1, 2018 with the implementation of HB 673. What does the hand-free law in Georgia say? Pursuant to Georgia law, drivers in Georgia are prohibited from the following: Holding or supporting, with any part of the body (including the…
What is the Vulnerable Road User Ordinance?
There are certain users on our roadways that are more vulnerable to serious injuries in the event an accident occurs. Particularly, bicyclists and pedestrians are much more likely to sustain injuries in the event they are struck by a vehicle. A high percentage of these vulnerable roadway users sustain injuries or fatalities in collisions with heavy vehicles. According to the Georgia Governor’s Officer of Highway Safety, vulnerable roadway users sustained 300 fatalities and thousands of injuries during the latest reporting year across the state. City passes the first Vulnerable Road User law The city of Dunwoody, just a short drive…
What is the Georgia Super Speeder Law?
Speed limits are in place for a reason. Even if many drivers on the roadway disregard the speed limit, most people understand that driving too fast for conditions can cause serious accidents. In Georgia, officials have taken additional steps in order to prevent reckless speeding. The state passed a Super Speeder Law in 2010. The official title of the law is HB 160, and since going into effect a decade ago, the law has netted millions of dollars in fines to the state. How fast do you have to go to be a Super Speeder? Georgia’s Super Speeder Law targets…
What is SR22 Insurance?
Most people have heard of SR22 insurance but may not fully understand what it is. All drivers in the state of Georgia are required to carry insurance to legally operate on the roadways. However, for drivers who may have gotten into some trouble, they may be required to carry in additional insurance called SR22. To get technical, SR22 is not a type of insurance. SR22 is a form that your insurance company fills out and files to prove to the state of Georgia that you are adequately insured. Understanding why a person would need SR22, how much it costs, and…
What is Informed Consent?
Surgeries and most other medical procedures involve a certain degree of risk and potential side effects. Before medical professionals can proceed with procedures, they must obtain informed consent for the patients. Failing to obtain informed consent could result in a patient filing a lawsuit against a doctor for medical malpractice in the event they are injured due to the procedure. Informed consent is much more than a patient simply signing their name. There are various elements to informed consent that must be met in order for the consent to be valid. The standards of informed consent The American Medical Association…
Georgia Watch Selects Tedra Cannella as Vice President of Board
Congratulations to BP LLP Partner Tedra Cannella, who was recently selected to serve as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Georgia Watch. Georgia Watch is the State’s leading consumer advocacy organization. They focus on ensuring access to quality, affordable healthcare, fair utility rates, renewable energy options, safeguarding personal finances, and access to courts.
Should I Undergo Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?
Getting into a vehicle accident often leads to severe injuries. Victims who have been injured in car accidents often are required to undergo various medical procedures in order to make a full recovery. There are some car accident injuries that may require did a victim to undergo physical therapy. There are various reasons you may want to undergo physical therapy in the aftermath of a car accident the causes you harm. It is important that you seek medical assistance as soon as an accident occurs and that you follow all treatment plans prescribed by your doctor. There are various types…
What to Do If You Are Injured Due to Road Damage or Debris
When you think of accidents that occur on the roadway, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Most likely, you think of a collision with another vehicle. Perhaps you think of pedestrian or bicycle accidents. But what happens if you suffer car accident injuries due to road debris or road damage? You have probably seen debris on the roadway when driving, and you have certainly seen damaged roadways. A study by AAA has found that road debris is responsible for several thousand injuries and hundreds of deaths each year in the US. Crashes caused by dangerous roadway conditions…
What is a Truck’s No-Zone?
When you are driving, you should do everything you can to stay safe. This includes understanding that large trucks have large blind spots. These are called “no-zones” that should be avoided if at all possible. Driving around larger trucks on the roadways can be intimidating. Crashes involving these large vehicles can lead to serious injuries. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a fully loaded eighteen-wheeler can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. When considering that the average passenger vehicle weighs just 4,000 pounds, we can see why understanding no-zones is important. Where are a truck’s blind spots?…
What are Heat Stress Injuries?
Heat stress injuries are serious and can lead to significant health concerns. Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or who work in hot environments could be at risk of a heat stress injury. The most common heat stress injuries include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rashes. Employers have a duty to ensure workers have a safe environment. If an employee is forced to work in overheated conditions, they could suffer severe health consequences, and existing health conditions could be exasperated. Types of Heat-Related Illnesses According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most…