Personal Injury

Bus Drivers and Safety Responsibility in Georgia

January 7, 2022 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Intercity and municipal bus travel has increased significantly over the past 10 years. To accommodate more passengers, buses have also become larger over the past several years. Even experienced drivers have a hard time controlling such vehicles. Safe operation is even harder because, in most cases, drivers have multiple safety responsibilities. More on that below.

As passenger travel and vehicle size increase, the potential for serious injury increases, as well. Bus crash and other large vehicle injuries are often complex, usually because the victims live in different counties and even different states. So, only an experienced Marietta personal injury attorney should handle such claims. That is the best way, and often the only way, to ensure maximum compensation for your serious injuries.

Driver Safety

Fatal New Year’s Eve Wreck in Barrow County

December 31, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Investigators believe alcohol was the primary factor in a serious collision that killed one person and sent another one to a hospital.

The wreck happened near the intersection of Dee Kennedy Road and Emperor Lane. According to state troopers, a 55-year-old man, who was behind the wheel of a pickup truck, smacked into the rear of a 20-year-old’s Ford Focus. The force of the collision caused both drivers to lose control of their vehicles. The Focus left the road and careened into a tree, killing the driver almost instantly. Emergency responders rushed the other driver to a nearby hospital.

Charges are pending against the truck driver as the Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team continues its investigation.

What is the Graves Amendment and Why Does it Matter?

December 24, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

This federal law often affects U-Haul and other rental vehicle collision claims. A fully-loaded, 26-foot U-Haul truck weighs about 36,000 pounds. When these trucks are involved in high-speed collisions, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic.

Frequently, U-Haul drivers have little or no insurance. This lack of insurance is normally not a problem. Under the negligent entrustment rule, vehicle owners are financially responsible for damages if they knowingly allow incompetent operators to drive their motor vehicles.

Given the size of U-Haul trucks and the fact that the drivers normally do not have commercial licenses, many U-Haul drivers are incompetent. However, an obscure provision of federal law, the Graves Amendment, protects some U-Haul owners in some cases.

Car Accidents and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

December 17, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that occur every year. After falls, car accidents are the second-leading cause of these types of injuries, contributing to about 17.3% of these injuries per year. The following article will discuss some of the causes of TBIs resulting from car accidents and will provide some potential effects that TBIs can have.

How do car accidents cause TBIs?

Car accidents can cause TBIs in some of the following ways:

My Workers’ Compensation Claim Was Denied. What Now?

December 3, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Workers’ compensation claims are denied by insurance companies for various reasons. If your claim is denied, it can be confusing trying to figure out what your next steps should be. The following article will provide information regarding some of the most common reasons why workers’ compensation claims are denied by insurance companies, as well as some steps you could take if your claim is denied.

What are Some Reasons Why Workers’ Compensation Claims are Denied?

Workers compensation claims can be denied for any number of reasons, some of which include:

How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Usually Take?

November 26, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

If you were recently injured by the actions of another party, you may contemplate filing a personal injury lawsuit against that party. The following is some information regarding the amount of time it takes for a typical personal injury lawsuit to be resolved.

What Factors Determine How Long a Personal Injury Lawsuit Will Take?

The amount of time that it takes for a personal injury lawsuit to be resolved will depend on some of the following factors:

What You Should Know if You Have Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property

November 19, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

If you were ever injured on the property of another, you may have considered filing a personal injury lawsuit to hold the property owner liable for your injuries. The following article will provide some helpful information you should know regarding whether property owners are liable for injuries sustained by others on their property.

What is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is a legal concept, based in personal injury law, which alleges that an injury a person sustained resulted from a defective condition on the premises of another (for example, a store owner, landlord, etc.). Regarding slip and fall accidents, the person injured is alleging that she slipped and fell and suffered resulting injuries due to a defective condition (such as wet floors, unsecured rugs, or loose steps).

Common Mistakes Injured Employees Make During the Workers’ Compensation Claim Process

October 29, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

If you were recently injured at work, there are certain actions you could take (or not take) that might jeopardize your workers’ compensation claim. The following article will provide some of the most common mistakes injured employees make after experiencing a workplace injury that can be detrimental to a workers’ compensation claim.

Failing to report your injury within a timely manner: In Georgia, you are required to report your work-related injury to your employer within 30 days of the date the injury occurred. If you choose to wait longer than 30 days to report your injury, you may be unable to file a workers’ compensation claim later on.

Failing to seek medical attention: After experiencing a work-related injury or illness, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. The timing regarding when you choose to seek medical attention can have a significant impact on your claim. Additionally, if you take too long to seek medical attention, your employer may assume that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.

How to Prevent Swimming Pool Injuries

September 24, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Swimming pool injuries happen frequently and can cause serious damage, especially to children. The following article will provide some helpful tips for preventing swimming pool injuries.

Swimming Pool Injury Statistics

The following section includes some notable statistics regarding swimming pool injuries:

What to Do After You Have Been Bitten by a Dog

September 17, 2021 | Benjamin S. Persons, IV

Being bitten or attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience. The following article will provide some helpful information regarding what steps to take after being bitten by a dog and will also provide some additional steps to take if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner.

Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Dog

If you get bitten by a dog, you should immediately take the following steps regarding wounds you have sustained: