Georgia Personal Injury Blog

Can You Recover Damages for Loss of Companionship?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 31, 2022

In the event an individual sustains a catastrophic injury or loses their life due to the negligent actions of another person or entity, there is a possibility that family members can recover compensation for loss of companionship. We understand that this may be confusing, but it is important to define what companionship means in this circumstance, as well as how much compensation individuals may be able to receive. What is Loss of Companionship? If you lose somebody due to the careless or negligent actions of someone else, this is an incredibly devastating experience. This devastation will be compounded further by…

Posted in: Wrongful Death

What to Know About Ride-Sharing Accidents in Georgia

By Butler Prather LLP on October 31, 2022

Rideshare services are very popular, but there are times when accidents that involve these vehicles occur. When a rideshare accident does happen in Georgia, it is imperative for individuals involved to understand that these are not exactly like every other type of accident. There is specific information about insurance policies that is crucial to know, and there are steps that individuals can take to help recover compensation. The Insurance Periods Matter Perhaps the most important thing that you need to know after a ride-sharing accident occurs in Georgia is that the status of the rideshare driver matters when it comes…

Posted in: Car Accidents

How Common Is Nerve Damage from a Burn Injury?

By Butler Prather LLP on October 24, 2022

nerve damage from burn

Burns are some of the most harrowing injuries a person can suffer. Car accident, chemical spill, and fire victims can sustain life-threatening burn injuries that inflict permanent damage to different parts of the body. The skin, organs, muscles, bones, and nerves are all at risk in a severe burn injury case. Nerve damage is one of the most common effects of burn injuries – especially severe second- and third-degree burns. Learn how a burn might affect nerves (sometimes permanently), and how nerve damage could impact a personal injury claim. How Are Burns and Nerve Damage Related? A burn could affect…

Posted in: Burn Injury

The Importance of the Open Records Act

By Butler Prather LLP on October 23, 2022

The Open Records Act in Georgia, also known as the Georgia Sunshine Law, is designed to provide individuals, news agencies, and other entities access to public records from government bodies. This includes just about any type of record held by a public entity in the state of Georgia. Here, we want to examine the importance of the Open Records Act as well as how this could affect a personal injury civil claim. Understanding the Open Records Act Under the Open Records Act in Georgia, just about any record that is kept by a public agency should be available to the…

Posted in: Personal Injury

4 Parties Who May be Liable in a Trucking Accident

By Butler Prather LLP on October 22, 2022

The aftermath of an accident with a larger commercial truck can be a chaotic and confusing experience. Individuals involved in these incidents often struggle to recover compensation from insurance carriers and the trucking company, but that should not be the case. Here, we want to discuss four different parties who may be held liable after a trucking accident occurred in Georgia. The Truck Driver One of the most obvious liable parties for a commercial truck accident is the driver. Commercial truck drivers are required to obtain and carry their commercial driver’s licenses, and they should be trained to operate each…

Posted in: Truck Accidents

Georgia Highway Patrol Reports: What You Need To Know

By Butler Prather LLP on October 20, 2022

Anytime there’s a vehicle accident that results in an injury, death, or a specific amount of property damage, there must be an accident report filled out in Georgia. Here, we want to review what you need to know about Georgia Highway Patrol reports when it comes to your Atlanta car accident claim and recovering compensation for injuries or property damage. What is in the Reports? There is very specific information located in an accident report, and the insurance carriers are going to need this information. A Georgia Highway Patrol report will typically begin with indicating what started the accident. This…

Posted in: Car Accidents

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

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