Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog

What are my Options if I’m Injured on Someone Else’s Property?

April 26, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An illustration of a person falling Property owners in Georgia are responsible for the care and upkeep of their properties. They also have a duty to warn of or correct dangerous conditions on their property. When they don’t do that and visitors to the property are injured, then the accident victim might be eligible to sue the property owner.

Accidents on someone else’s premises are not just limited to slip and fall accidents. At Slappey & Sadd, our legal team can review the circumstances of your accident, visit the property where the accident occurred, and begin an investigation into the accident. Our knowledgeable litigation team investigates premises liability cases everywhere in Georgia, including Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County. Let our experienced team put their experience to work and pursue the compensation you need for your injuries.

Types of Premises Accident Cases

Can I Take Legal Action if I’m Injured by a Defective Product?

April 23, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Shelves in a store When you go to the store and buy merchandise, the last thing you expect is that the product you purchased will malfunction and injure you in the process. That, unfortunately, is sometimes what happens. When defective products malfunction, consumers can suffer severe head injuries, eye injuries, scratches and cuts, broken bones, and soft tissue injuries.

If you have been injured by a defective product that you purchased, you might be able to pursue a legal cause of action against the product manufacturer and anyone else who is in the chain of product distribution. At Slappey & Sadd, LLC, our litigators have been representing individuals injured by defective products for many years. Our lawyers handle defective product cases all over the State of Georgia, in areas like Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County. Let our knowledgeable legal team help you bring a product liability claim today.

How are Products Defective?

Car Accident Fatalities Among Older People Are on the Rise

April 22, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Red car with dented door and front fender A report released in March of this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) paints a startling picture – traffic fatalities among people 65 and older have increased by 22% from 2008 to 2017. The NHTSA reported last October that over 37,000 people were killed in car accidents in 2017, and the most recent report indicates that people 65 and older accounted for 18% of those fatalities. Clearly, older people are facing an increasing risk of serious injury and death on our nation’s roadways.

Other Troubling Statistics

In addition to the raw numbers, the NHTSA’s recent report contains some other alarming statistics for older drivers:

Taxicab Accidents: Who Could be Liable?

April 20, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A yellow taxicab Accidents can occur in taxicabs just as in any other motor vehicle on the roadway. In some instances, these accidents occur because of the taxicab driver’s negligence, while at other times, another driver on the roadway causes or contributes to the accident.

If you have suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident that involved a taxicab, you might be eligible to bring a claim against one or more individuals and recover money damages for the injuries that you suffered.

At Slappey & Sadd, our skilled team of personal injury attorneys represents victims of taxicab accidents throughout the State of Georgia, including in Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County. Give us a call today to find out how we might be able to assist you with recovering the compensation you deserve.

Witness Testimony at Trial and how it could Help Your Personal Injury Case

April 20, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A statute of Lady Justice In some instances, when you bring a claim for personal injuries, the at-fault party’s insurance company refuses to offer fair and reasonable compensation to settle. When that happens, you and your lawyer might decide to take the case to trial.

At a personal injury trial, credibility is extremely important. A witness who offers favorable testimony on your behalf could have an equally favorable impact on the trial result, translating into additional compensation for you. Some witnesses who testify at trial are lay witnesses, while others may be experts in a particular field.

If you have suffered injuries in an accident that was not your fault, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer representing you at all civil court proceedings, most especially at a jury trial. At Slappey & Sadd, LLC, the members of our Georgia legal team have been litigating personal injury cases and taking them to trial for many years. Our experienced lawyers try personal injury case all over Georgia, including in Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County.

Settling Your Car Accident Case versus Taking it to Trial

April 18, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

lawyer standing next to a gavel with the scale of justice behind him If you suffer injuries in a car accident case that is not your fault, you could bring a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. As part of the claim, your lawyer will likely submit a settlement demand package. This package includes copies of all of your medical treatment records, bills, and lost wage documentation. A copy of the police report is also typically included.

Once the insurance company reviews the demand package, the adjuster may make an initial settlement offer on your case. These initial offers are usually very low and are not meant to adequately compensate you for your injuries, suffering, pain, and inconvenience. If the car accident case does not settle, your lawyer will likely file a lawsuit on your behalf in the court system, and the case will be litigated. Upon completion of discovery, the insurance company may make additional offers to settle your case.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company still refuses to compensate you adequately for your injuries, you and your lawyer might decide to take the case to trial. The knowledgeable Georgia car accident lawyers at Slappey & Sadd, LLC have been taking car accident cases to trial throughout Georgia, including in Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County. Call us today for assistance with your case.

Georgia Supreme Court Clarifies Law on Bad Faith

April 16, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An illustration of a person falling A recent decision from the Georgia Supreme Court has clarified when an insurance company may be held liable for engaging in a bad faith denial of claims. The case arose from a multiple-vehicle accident that injured five people. Two of the victims, Julie An and her minor daughter Jina Hong, suffered very serious injuries and brought a claim against the man who caused the accident and his insurance company. Ms. An and her daughter attempted to settle the case for amounts within the policy limits but were unsuccessful. They proceeded to trial where they were awarded $5.3 million in compensation for their injuries. Once that judgment was entered, the original insured (who had caused the accident and had since died) sued the insurance company asserting that it had acted in bad faith for not settling the claim.

What is Bad Faith?

We’ve written about bad faith before, but it may be helpful to revisit the topic. An insurance company acts in bad faith whenever it refuses to honor the contractual obligations of the insurance policy. Bad faith occurs whenever the insurance company unreasonably refuses to pay a legitimate claim or there are unreasonable delays in how it handles the claim.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

April 15, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Who Do You Sue in a Truck Accident?

Trucks are typically operated by a trucking company, which can be held responsible for the actions of their drivers. As a result, you will typically sue the trucking company in order to obtain compensation for your injuries.

However, some trucking companies intentionally try to shield themselves from liability. Their drivers may be independent contractors, or the drivers are employed by a subsidiary corporation with little to no assets. It can often be difficult to identify who is the proper party to sue.

Driving While Under the Influence of Marijuana

March 31, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A marijuana leaf In a report released in October of last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found an increase in the number of car accidents after states legalized the use of marijuana. While the use of marijuana isn’t legal in the state of Georgia, the report is an important reminder that impaired driving isn’t limited to people who have been drinking. As public sentiment becomes more lenient toward the use of marijuana and leads to further legalization, we need to recognize its effects on people when they get behind the wheel. Marijuana not only impairs the user’s judgment and perception, but it also slows reaction time and reduces coordination. Driving while impaired can lead to serious car accidents that result in severe injury and even death.

Criminal Charges vs. a Civil Claim

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone who was driving while high, the other driver is most likely facing criminal charges. However, it’s important to understand what those charges mean for you. While it’s satisfying to think that the other driver may go to jail, you should realize that the criminal charges may not result in compensation to you for your injuries. The court can order restitution, but this isn’t guaranteed, and it’s up to the court to determine how much to award.

Seven Common Causes of Car Accidents

March 30, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

Red car with dented door and front fender Because driving is so commonplace, we tend to overlook the inherent danger that we face every time we get behind the wheel. In addition, most car accidents are caused by surprisingly common behaviors and ordinary events. If you’ve been in a car accident, chances are that one of the issues below is to blame.

Distracted driving. Even though we hear about the dangers of distracted driving every day, it continues to be a leading cause of car accidents in the United States. The most well-known distraction is the ubiquitous smartphone, but remember that distractions can come in many forms – eating while driving, dealing with young children, and talking with your passengers.

Speeding. When you speed, it reduces the amount of time you have to react to road hazards and avoid possible accidents. In addition, it changes how your vehicle handles and increased the distance you need to stop safely.