Accidents : Atlanta, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
1. Make sure that no one needs emergency medical help If so, call 911 immediately.
2. Do not discuss how the wreck occurred until the police arrive You will likely be talking to the opposing driver and the police officer. While waiting for the police officer get necessary information from the other drivers and witnesses. Phone numbers and addresses are crucial. Don't rely on the police officer to get them.
3. Never admit that it was your fault Often people will say something out of regret, without knowing all the circumstances. You may be incriminating yourself unnecessarily.
4. Protect the Evidence Take photos immediately. Take photos of the wreck scene showing skid marks, road conditions, and traffic signs. Take photographs of the car before it is fixed. Take photographs of bruises and cuts while they exist. A picture is worth a thousand words. If you don't take pictures immediately, the evidence may be lost forever and your case may suffer.
5. Get an Immediate Physical Exam Even if you feel that your injuries are slight or non-existent, you should see a doctor soon after an wreck. Frequently, a person does not feel pain immediately after a wreck. However, several days or even weeks afterwards, pain may appear. A doctor will be able to document your injuries and help you get the treatment that you need to get better.
6. Be Careful When Talking to Insurance Adjusters These "friendly" folks are not working for you. Their job is to keep your recovery and their payout as low as possible. Frequently the adjuster will record your telephone conversations. This is for their protection, not yours. Many people make misstatements when speaking to adjusters and significantly lower the value of their claim. Once I am hired by a client, I do not allow my clients to discuss their case with anyone, not even friends or relatives. Refer all questions about the case to your lawyer.
7. Attend the Traffic Court Trial It is extremely important to attend any municipal court matters pertaining to your collision. If the other driver pleads guilty to causing the wreck, it is an admission of fault that can be used during a civil trial. If the defendant does not plead guilty, your testimony could mean the difference in a guilty verdict. A guilty verdict is not admissible in a civil case, but is valuable for settlement purposes.
8. Take Responsibility for your Health If you are not feeling well within a few weeks after seeing a doctor, you should strongly consider getting a second opinion. Many people will not take action on the hopes that the pain will go away on its own. Unfortunately, people's best interests will not protect them. You should take responsibility for your health. Get a second opinion. Do some research on other types of treatment such as chiropractic or neuromuscular massage. No one will care more about you that you do.
9. Reveal Everything to the Professional Helping You Tell the health care professional and the attorney everything that you can about the wreck, your injuries, and your prior health history _ even if you feel that it may hurt your case. For example, if you have prior injuries unrelated to the wreck, they must be revealed. If the insurance company learns of any information that is negative that you haven't disclosed, they will discredit everything that you say. It is always better to advise the people assisting you of all the issues involved, so they can advise you. Frequently, they are able to provide a solution to the problem.
10. Do Not Be in A Hurry to Settle The full extent of your injuries is frequently not known for several months after a collision. By being patient, you will allow your health care provider to fully document and treat your injuries and ensure that you will be in the best position for a fair recovery. Once the matter is settled, you will not be able to recover for additional related injuries that are discovered later.
See our article, Why Is A Truck Case Different From A Car Wreck?If you have any questions or concerns regarding an automobile collision, please call Michael Lawson Neff for a free consultation.
You may call his office at (404) 531-9700 , 24 hours a day. Leave a message of how you can be contacted.
Passenger Injuries
If you are a passenger injured in a motor vehicle collision, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. Passenger injury claims are unique because you may have a claim against both the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding as well as the drivers of any other vehicles involved in the wreck.
A passenger is not at fault for causing an accident unless he or she does something to distract the driver. Because a passenger in a wreck may have a claim against the driver of the car they are riding in, it is important that a passenger obtain all necessary information at the scene of an accident. Do not rely on the driver of the car to act in your best interests. In all automobile accident cases it is very important that evidence is preserved. Thus, if you or a loved one is a victim of an automobile accident,
call The Law Offices of Michael L. Neff now at (404) 531-9700 .
Pedestrian Injuries
Even if you look both ways, crossing the street can be dangerous. Especially in Atlanta, when the traffic seems to never stop. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 5,900 pedestrians died in 1998. In nearly 30 percent of those cases, the victims were crossing the street. In addition to those who were killed, thousands more were seriously injured. Determining who is at fault in a pedestrian cases can be hotly disputed.
Many factors must be taken into account: Was the pedestrian paying attention to traffic when he crossed the street? Did the pedestrian jaywalk or did he cross in a designated crosswalk? Did the car run a red light? Was there alcohol or drugs involved? If possible, you should try to get witnesses who can verify your account of the accident. In general, pedestrians have the right of way, unless they cross the street in non-designated areas or against crossing signals.
Typically an insurance company may deny responsibility if a child runs out into the street. However, if there is a school or playground nearby, perhaps the driver should have been aware that children were in the area. This evidence can be used to show the driver wasn't taking proper precautions to avoid an accident. In addition, it may be possible to show that the child wasn't properly supervised or that adequate crossing assistance was not provided.
Drunk Drivers
Of all the reasons for someone to be hurt or even killed, the saddest reason may be because of the irresponsibility of a drunk driver.
While DUI laws have become tougher in Georgia and throughout the United States, too many people become victims of reckless drivers. According to figures released by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 17,448 were killed in 2001 in alcohol-related crashes.
This figure represents 41 percent of all traffic deaths. More than 500,000 Americans are injured annually in crashes involving alcohol.
The annual economic cost of alcohol-related crashes exceeds $114 billion.
At The Law Offices of Michael L. Neff, we aggressively pursue claims against irresponsible drinkers and the bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that improperly serve them. The legal system doesn't have a magic wand to heal the injured or bring a loved one back to life. However, it does provide means of recovery for victims.
Victims can sue the drunk driver for his negligence and also seek punitive damages to punish him and make him stop this reckless behavior. Punitive damages are not normally available in cases where someone is just careless. They exist to punish truly irresponsible behavior that causes injury such as a drunk driver or a hit and run driver.
In addition, the people who serve alcoholic beverages may be responsible under Georgia law for damages caused from selling or serving alcoholic beverages. A liquor store, bar or restaurant may be responsible for any damages caused by a person's drinking if it sold alcohol to an underage person or to a person who was obviously intoxicated.
In all automobile accident cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries.
If you or a loved one is a victim of an automobile accident involving a drunk driver, call The Law Offices of Michael L. Neff now at (404) 531-9700 .
See our article, Why Is A Truck Case Different From A Car Wreck?If you have any questions or concerns regarding an automobile collision, please call Michael Lawson Neff for a free consultation.
You may call his office at404) 531-9700 , 24 hours a day. Leave a message of how you can be contacted.
Info By : http://www.mlnlaw.com/accidents.html
Lemon Law Info
Lemon Laws
were enacted to protect consumers from products that are plagued with serious defects. If an item cannot be satisfactorily repaired within a certain timeframe — usually within the warranty period - or if the item is not as good as new after so many repairs, it is considered a "lemon."
Consumers who find themselves stuck with lemons can find redress through lemon laws. Each state has its own version of these laws and requires consumers to take certain actions in order to remedy the situation.
There are different lemon laws that cover a wide array of products. For example, if you purchase or lease a vehicle, which subsequently develops one or more defects within the first year of purchase, that vehicle would likely be covered by your state's lemon law regarding new vehicles. The defect must be significant, and must be something that severely affects the safety, operation, or value of your vehicle.
Like most laws, lemon laws differ by state, so examine local guidelines carefully to determine what action you need to take to protect your investment.
A standard rule is that any vehicle that is not in working order for 30 days or more, or any vehicle that has required repair of the same defect on more than four occasions within the first year of purchase, is covered by a lemon law.
Some manufacturers will attempt to convince you that you waived your rights when you signed the purchase or lease contract, because of a clause that was inserted into the agreement. Any such clause or waiver is invalid, and lemon laws still apply in full force.
The manufacturer may also try to persuade you to engage in mediation rather than going to court. You are not required to participate unless the process complies with rules set out by the Federal Trade Commission. In some states, you must use mediation before suing under lemon laws, if the process is certified by that state's Department of Transportation. Even then, you are not required to accept any settlement that does not satisfy you.
As with most legal matters, it is wise to consult with a licensed, competent attorney in your area that knows the details of the law. Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations, and do not charge a fee unless you win the case.
They even seek attorney's fees from the manufacturer, and the fees are usually granted to the prevailing party.
were enacted to protect consumers from products that are plagued with serious defects. If an item cannot be satisfactorily repaired within a certain timeframe — usually within the warranty period - or if the item is not as good as new after so many repairs, it is considered a "lemon."
Consumers who find themselves stuck with lemons can find redress through lemon laws. Each state has its own version of these laws and requires consumers to take certain actions in order to remedy the situation.
There are different lemon laws that cover a wide array of products. For example, if you purchase or lease a vehicle, which subsequently develops one or more defects within the first year of purchase, that vehicle would likely be covered by your state's lemon law regarding new vehicles. The defect must be significant, and must be something that severely affects the safety, operation, or value of your vehicle.
Like most laws, lemon laws differ by state, so examine local guidelines carefully to determine what action you need to take to protect your investment.
A standard rule is that any vehicle that is not in working order for 30 days or more, or any vehicle that has required repair of the same defect on more than four occasions within the first year of purchase, is covered by a lemon law.
Some manufacturers will attempt to convince you that you waived your rights when you signed the purchase or lease contract, because of a clause that was inserted into the agreement. Any such clause or waiver is invalid, and lemon laws still apply in full force.
The manufacturer may also try to persuade you to engage in mediation rather than going to court. You are not required to participate unless the process complies with rules set out by the Federal Trade Commission. In some states, you must use mediation before suing under lemon laws, if the process is certified by that state's Department of Transportation. Even then, you are not required to accept any settlement that does not satisfy you.
As with most legal matters, it is wise to consult with a licensed, competent attorney in your area that knows the details of the law. Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations, and do not charge a fee unless you win the case.
They even seek attorney's fees from the manufacturer, and the fees are usually granted to the prevailing party.
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