Marietta Injury Lawyer Blog

What is Georgia’s “One-Bite” Rule?

February 7, 2025 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

If you are approaching a dog bite lawsuit in Georgia, you might have heard something about the state’s “one-bite” rule. Not all US states have this rule, and it may prove problematic as you assess your legal options. That said, it’s important not to give up hope until you accurately determine which rules apply to your unique situation. It is all too easy to read unclear or nonfactual information online.

The One-Bite Rule Explained

In general terms, a one-bite rule states that a dog owner may only be liable for injuries if they knew or “should have known” that their dog was violent. In other words, the dog must exhibit past violent behavior before you can sue the owner for your own injuries. The “one-bite” rule gets its name from the basic requirement for a Georgia dog bite lawsuit. You must show that the dog bit someone else at least once before your incident.

Georgia Rocked by Multiple Serious Semi-Truck Accidents

January 31, 2025 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Over the past few weeks, Georgia has seen numerous semi-truck accidents. Some of these accidents have proven fatal, and they serve as a stark reminder of how dangerous the trucking industry can be. After these tragic crashes, communities and grieving families wonder how they might have been prevented. Are trucking companies to blame? Should government regulators be doing more? Whatever the answers might be, they will always fail to bring back victims.

Pedestrian Launched 150 Feet After Semi-Truck Impact in Thomas County

In late December of 2024, it was reported that a 66-year-old pedestrian had been struck and killed by a semi-truck in Thomas County. Police say that the victim was launched 150 feet after the impact and that he ultimately collided with a median on the other side of the highway. The injuries were fatal.

Winter Conditions Lead to Multiple Car Crashes in Georgia

January 24, 2025 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

The Peach State is not exactly known for snowy roads. In fact, Georgia often goes years without seeing any snowfall. However, snow can be particularly dangerous in Georgia when it does decide to fall. In fact, you might argue that its rarity is what makes it so dangerous. Unlike residents of other states, Georgians are completely unprepared for snowfall. They often lack the right tires, and they often lack sufficient experience with driving in wintery conditions. Local traffic authorities also lack experience with this weather, and this all leads to a recipe for disaster. After a rare snowfall in 2025, numerous crashes have occurred in Georgia.

Drivers Struggle to Avoid Collisions in Icy, Snowy Conditions

In January of 2025, authorities issued winter storm warnings after snowfall throughout many areas in Georgia. Temperatures dropped below freezing, and snowfall occurred for multiple consecutive days. This led to complete mayhem on the roads.

Georgia Woman Killed By Two Dogs, Owner Arrested

January 17, 2025 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Yet another dog attack in Georgia has claimed the life of an innocent woman. The victim had barely reached adulthood, and she was just 21 years old when she was viciously mauled to death by two aggressive dogs. The local community is reeling from this tragedy, and the owner of the animals has been put behind bars. But is incarceration really enough to help this grieving family achieve justice and closure?

Augusta Woman Killed by Two Dogs

In December of 2024, it was reported that a 21-year-old woman had been savagely mauled by two out-of-control dogs. Neighbors say these animals have a history of aggression. Although the exact breed of these dogs seems unclear, images show police extracting two canines from the residence of the owner. One was a large tan-colored animal, and the other was white with black spots.

Cities Try to Avoid Liability for Poor Road Conditions in Georgia

January 10, 2025 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

While it is technically possible to sue a city municipality for poor road conditions, this is usually much more challenging than suing a negligent driver for a crash in Georgia. The connection between a pothole and a crash can be difficult to establish, and there is always the concept of “sovereign immunity” to contend with. But for families who have no other option, it may be worth pursuing this potential source of compensation.

Unfortunately, a recent development in Georgia’s Supreme Court could make this compensation even more challenging to recover. Numerous city municipalities are attempting to prevent a family from receiving a settlement, fearing that this could set a precedent.

Multi-Million-Dollar Settlement Could Be Overturned in Georgia

University of Georgia Street Racing Accident Leads to Slew of Lawsuits

January 3, 2025 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

In 2023, a tragic street racing accident in Georgia claimed the lives of one college student and another individual. Both were connected with the UGA football team, and they were celebrating a national championship victory at the time of the accident. One year later, this crash had led to serious controversy and numerous lawsuits.

How Did This Car Crash Occur?

The single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 3:00 AM when the driver of a Ford Expedition SUV hit a curb and flew into the air. This vehicle was carrying four members of the football program, including the driver. After striking the curb, the vehicle struck a tree at high speed, causing fatal injuries to the driver and a player.

Chain-Reaction Crash Causes Serious Injuries in Georgia

December 31, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Chain-reaction crashes can be both severe and complex, causing critical injuries and leaving victims unsure of who to blame. If you were involved in a chain-reaction crash in Georgia, you might wonder who sparked the initial collision – and whether this person will face any consequences. A recent incident provides hope, and it involves a drunk driver who was held accountable for sparking one of these chain-reaction crashes in Georgia. However, criminal charges and civil lawsuits can never reverse critical or fatal injuries.

Drunk Driver Sparks Chain-Reaction Crash on GA 25, Causing Deaths and Injuries

In December of 2024, it was reported that a drunk driver had sparked a chain-reaction crash on GA 25. This accident occurred at around 4:00 PM, and it began when the driver of a GMC Acadia rear-ended a Kia Soul. The driver of the Acadia then veered away from the collision, striking a Toyota Highlander waiting at a nearby stop sign.

Can Parents Be Held Responsible for Accidents Caused by Teens in Georgia?

December 27, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Teens are more likely to engage in reckless, dangerous behavior behind the wheel. This might include driving while intoxicated, texting and driving, street racing, and much more. If you were injured by one of these reckless teen drivers in Georgia, you might want to pursue justice, accountability, and compensation. But what if the teen in question lacks any assets to cover medical expenses, missed wages, and other damages? Is it possible to hold the parents accountable for the actions of their teen drivers?

Georgia Parents Accused of Creating “Party House” for Their Teens

In December of 2024, authorities in Georgia announced a new development in their investigation of a crash almost one year ago. This crash claimed the life of a high school student, and it also injured two other victims. The victim was just 18 years old when she lost her life, and she was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle when another teen driver crashed. The third victim was sitting in the backseat, and she suffered serious injuries in the collision.

Driver Crashes into Popular Georgia Restaurant

December 20, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

A storefront crash is one of the most shocking things a patron can experience. These incidents may be particularly alarming because they are completely unexpected. You might be enjoying a nice meal at a seafood restaurant when a vehicle smashes through the nearest wall. These types of incidents are more common than many people in Georgia realize, and they are not “freak accidents.” They are often caused by negligent drivers, and they can change – or end – lives. A recent storefront crash in Georgia shows how common and serious these incidents have become.

Two Victims Airlifted From Restaurant After Vehicle Crashes Into the Premises

In December of 2024, various sources reported that a vehicle had crashed into a popular seafood restaurant in Georgia. Two victims suffered injuries that required immediate evacuation via air ambulance, and a helicopter transported them to the nearest hospital. Although these injuries were serious, first responders described them as “non-life-threatening.”

Commercial Trucks Pose Serious Hazards to Wheelchair-Bound Individuals in Georgia

December 13, 2024 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

A wheelchair-bound individual may be more vulnerable to accidents than other pedestrians. These disabled people may struggle to avoid collisions in the same way as a healthy individual who can dodge incoming vehicles with relative ease. Commercial trucks may pose particularly serious hazards to wheelchair-bound people, and this was made clear after a recent collision in Georgia.

Dump Truck Strikes and Kills Wheelchair-Bound Individual in Acworth

In December of 2024, a dump truck struck a disabled person who had fallen off their wheelchair in Acworth. Police say that both the dump truck and the wheelchair-bound individual were heading in the same direction down Cobb Parkway prior to the accident. At some point, the man fell off his wheelchair for unknown reasons. He was lying on the road when the dump truck approached shortly after his fall. The dump truck then impacted the victim, sending him flying forward and causing fatal injuries. First responders arrived on the scene and pronounced the victim dead.