Liability

Georgia Ranks 21st for Drunk Driving Fatalities

January 28, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

A glass of liquor next to a set of keys In a study released last month, Georgia ranked 21st out of all 50 states for the most drunk driving fatalities per capita. While it’s good news that Georgia isn’t in the top ten, our state is in the top half with 3.51 deaths per 100,000 people. According to the NHTSA, alcohol-related fatalities accounted for 24% of all car accident fatalities in the state of Georgia in 2017.

Drunk Driving is Negligent Driving

When someone is injured in a car accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation if the accident is the result of someone else’s negligence. Negligence is typically defined as the failure to take reasonable care under the circumstances. If you can prove that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries, then the other driver can be held liable for your injuries and other losses.

When is the Right Time to Settle My Personal Injury Claim?

January 15, 2019 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

lawyer standing next to a gavel with the scale of justice behind him People who have been injured in an accident have a lot to worry about. Your primary concern should be your health, and recovery can involve a significant period of time for treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery. In addition, you may now be missing days from work or unable to work at all. You’re worried about paying your mortgage or rent and other expenses, and the bills are starting to pile up. On top of it all, you’re in pain and suffering, unable to live your life the way you did before your accident. With all of this, trying to decide how to handle your personal injury claim can be overwhelming.

Understand the Insurance Company’s Game

First and foremost, you should realize that the insurance company is not on your side, even if it’s your insurance company. Insurance companies are for-profit corporations that are primarily concerned with making money. They protect the bottom line by paying out on claims only as much as they absolutely have to. As a result, they typically “low ball” accident victims by offering a small cash payment in exchange for a full release of any further liability. You may be surprised at how quickly the make the offer – often it is within days of your accident. They will seem very friendly and willing to work with you, but you’ll soon discover that they aren’t willing to negotiate a higher amount.

Who Has the Right of Way in Georgia?

December 27, 2018 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

An illustration of two cars colliding Intersections can be dangerous places – traffic entering from different directions, vehicles stopping and going and making turns, often without looking. Then there are pedestrians and cyclists also entering the intersection, and sometimes in unpredictable ways. It’s no wonder, therefore, that so many car accidents occur at intersections.

When there is an accident, a dispute often arises over who had the right-of-way. The reason is simple: determining who had the right-of-way often determines who was at fault in the accident. If you were injured in a car accident while you had the right-of-way, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the other driver for your injuries and other losses. In this post, we hope to clarify some common right-of-way scenarios that may be helpful to you if you’ve been in an accident.

Four-way intersection with stop signs for all drivers:

Atlanta Bicycle Accident Basics – and How to Avoid Them

February 10, 2017 | by Slappey & Sadd, LLC

When most people think of car accident injuries, they think of injuries caused by two cars colliding with each other. After all, since most of us drive a personal vehicle to commute each day, this is our primary concern. However, riding a bicycle as a form of transportation has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in large cities like Atlanta. While there are several advantages to cycling over driving an automobile, including being healthier, better for the environment, and just more fun all around, safety is not one of them. Cyclists face serious injury or even death when they are struck by automobiles.

Bicycle Accident Liability Basics

Bicycle accidents involve many of the same determinations of fault as auto accidents. In fact, bicycles are considered “vehicles” for legal purposes in Georgia, meaning that the general rules of vehicular traffic apply to bikes on the same basis as motor vehicles. This includes driving on the right side of the road, stopping at stop signs and lights, and using forward and rearward illumination at night.