Articles Posted in Hiring a Lawyer

by

Its that time of the year again when more and more people are riding bicycles for health reasons and also due to ecological and economical reasons. Regardless of the reasons bicycles must share the road with cars and trucks.

There are 2 views about bicyclist usage of the roadway.  There are those who understand that the bicyclist has the right to be on the roadway, and there are others who resent the bicyclist and think they are in the way and slowing them down.  There are also different opinions between those using a bicycle for necessary transportation and those using the bicycle with a group of people for exercise.

Unfortunately, when a bicyclist is hit by a car, there are usually significant injuries involved, if not fatalities.  There was an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution back in Oct. 2010 about a crash involving an SUV and a group of cyclists near Augusta.  This crash led to the opinions of people who use the road for exercise and others who use their bikes as a means of transportation.  Some people liken those who ride their bicycles for exercise to a “motorcycle gang.”

In the above accident, Daniel Johnson, 41, was driving his SUV when he ran into a group of recreational cyclists.  This accident injured 5 of the bicyclist, and sent one of them to the hospital with a brain injury, (Dr. Matthew Burke).  Dr. Burke, the cyclist with the most severe injury had survived a tour of duty in Iraq in 2009 and was an orthopedic surgeon.  He was tossed 40 feet ahead after being struck by the SUV, Dr. Burke was pronounced dead on February 6, 2011, after 128 days in a coma under life support.  Mr. Scott Moore was among the injured cyclists in this incident, and he stated that the group was riding 2 abreast at the roads edge, on a straight section of the two lane road when the accident occurred.  The driver of the vehicle pled guilty to felony manslaughter on October 12, 2011.

Due to the many accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles, on May 11, 2011, Governor Deal signed the 3-foot safe passing bill into law, also known as HB101, “The Better Bicycling Bill.”

HB101 makes lawful the sale and use of clipless pedals and recumbent-style bicycles, which are technically illegal under the old code.  Other changes include recognition of bicycles right-of-way in dedicated bike lanes, establishing minimum design guidelines for bicycle lanes and clarifying circumstances under which a cyclist may take the full travel lane due to unsafe conditions or obstructions.

Most significantly, however, a Senate amendment of the bill defines three feet as the minimum safe passing distance for motor vehicles overtaking cyclists.  With the adoption of this law, Georgia joins a growing number of states with safe passing distance laws.  Motor vehicles passing a cyclist too closely, known as “buzzing,” are a serious factor in causing bicycle crashes.

Bicycle accidents usually happen when a vehicle fails to yield the right of way to a bicyclist at an intersection, or sideswiping the bicyclist.  Often vehicles with turn directly in front of cyclist while pulling into or out of private driveways or parking lots. Sometimes these accidents are caused because the driver of the vehicle is looking for another vehicle and not a bicycle, pedestrian or even a motorcycle- so they don’t “see” them.  There are also the “usual” reasons for automobile accidents, such as the driver running a red light or stop sign, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as inattention.

Many bicycle accidents are solo accidents involving a defect or some other hazard on the road or trail, or a defect in the manufacture of the bicycle, itself.  Because legal and accident forensics issues can be complex if you are involved in a bicycle accident and suffered more than very minor injuries, you should contact a competent attorney.

If you are injured in an accident between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, you should always wait for the police to respond to the scene, they can begin the preliminary investigation of the accident scene, which will help if a reconstructionist is needed at a later time.  You also need to obtain all contact information about the other driver and their insurance information, as well as the contact information for all witnesses.  Always seek medical attention to document your personal injuries.

Do you know the rules of the road?  Do you know what your case is worth?  Please contact the Angell Law Firm at (770) 217-4954 before making any statements or making any decisions.  We will be happy to assist you with a FREE consultation

by

Today I received a phone call from a couple who was injured in an auto accident. They were extremely frustrated with the process of dealing with the insurance company. The husband requires an expensive surgery and his wife sustained serious injuries as well. Because they are unrepresented and dealing with the insurance company themselves, they are finding it extremely difficult to get the insurance company to agree to an amount anywhere near what is needed to cover their medical costs.

“Can a Personal Injury Attorney Get Me More Money For My Accident?”

Generally speaking, accident victims who are represented by a personal injury attorney are more likely to receive a fair settlement. In fact, in 1999 the insurance industry commissioned a study by the Insurance Research Council that found that injured persons averaged 3.5 times larger settlements than those that chose not to hire an attorney!

Don’t go it alone! If you have been injured, keep in mind that the insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. In fact, it is just the opposite. Insurance companies are interested in their bottom line and that means minimizing your settlement check. In contrast, an injury lawyer is concerned with making sure that you receive as much money as possible for your injuries.

If you have questions, feel free to call Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Bryce Angell at 770-217-4954 for a free consultation about your legal rights.

by

If you have been seriously injured in an accident in Athens, you should speak to an Athens personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Bryce Angell of the Angell Law Firm handles catastrophic accidents in Athens and all over Georgia. If you have questions about the process, what to do next, or what typically happens in accident claims like yours, please do not hesitate to call him now at 770-217-4954.

Types of Serious Injury

  • Auto Accident

  • Truck Accident

  • Wrongful Death

  • Pedestrian Accident

  • Boat Accident

  • Dog Attacks

  • Workers Compensation

  • Premises Liability

  • Slip and Fall

If you or a loved one has been injured, you probably have several questions. Its ok to ask ANY question! Catastrophic injuries are serious and needing a personal injury lawyer is not a typical experience. If you need to talk to someone knowledgeable about your injury case, call our injury offices now.

We fight for accident victims all over the state of Georgia. If you are looking for an Athens injury lawyer, call The Angell Law Firm and take 5 minutes to speak with our personal injury attorneys before you make your decision. Call Toll Free (800) 497-4913.

by

If you have been injured in a serious accident in Savannah, you should speak to a Savannah personal injury lawyer immediately.

Types of Accidents

  • Car Accident

  • Truck Accident

  • Pedestrian Accident

  • Boating Accident

  • Dog Bites

  • Workers Comp

  • Premises Liability

  • Wrongful Death

We handle serious injuries all over the state of Georgia.  If you are looking for a Savannah personal injury attorney, call The Angell Law Firm and take 5 minutes to speak with our injury lawyers before you make your decision.  Call Toll Free (800) 497-4913.

by

While no civil case is easy, parents have an incredibly tough decision on whether or not they should look for an attorney if a child is injured. It can be tough to decide if it is the best interest of the child for the parents to make the claim and whether the child’s relationships with other people may be affected. However, generally speaking, it is in everyone’s best interest if the parents hire a lawyer to handle a civil case.

In most cases, an insurance agent will offer between ten to twenty percent of what they would offer if the child had legal representation.  Even though lawyers take a large commission, normally between twenty five to thirty three percent, it is still in the child’s best interest to get a lawyer so that the child can receive maximum compensation.

Most lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means the lawyers only get paid if they win the case. If the child loses, the parents will owe nothing to the attorney. They will not have to pay the lawyer a fee and will not repay the attorney for anything.

It should be noted that getting legal representation is not the same thing as if you were suing somebody. A lawyer will present a case to an insurance company so that it does not have to be escalated and go to court. Proper legal representation will ensure that that the case is handled swiftly and efficiently.

If you do not even try to get an attorney, you will never know if you could possibly receive higher monetary compensation. Most of the time people will find that they did not receive the maximum award that they could have received. Generally, their response is “I did not know any better.” In reality, the parents were most likely lazy and just wanted to get their child money.

Make sure you do your due diligence so that your injured child can receive the maximum award possible. Failure to do so is irresponsible on the parent’s behalf. They should be doing whatever is necessary for their child, and getting an attorney provides the best chance for the child to get what they rightfully deserve.

by

This may seem like a simple question to many, but it is a common question.  When a lawyer is depicted on television, often times the actor is giving a dramatic closing statement, pacing around a court room in front of a pensive jury or grilling a distraught widow on the witness stand.  Sometimes people wonder, “Aren’t all lawyers trial lawyers?”

Being a Georgia trial lawyer, many clients ask what is involved in a trial.  It is important to first understand that there are two types of trial cases.  There are criminal cases that involve criminal offenses which are different than when someone file a lawsuit in a civil case.  Surprisingly, most lawyers are not trial lawyers and do not appear in court.  Civil trial lawyers represent clients involved in litigation where a plaintiff sues a defendant.

A Georgia civil trial lawyer’s job is to persuade a jury of the facts in a case, and to display them in a way that best supports their client’s position. For example, if you have been rear ended by another driver and the driver refuses to pay you for your damages, your trial lawyer will need to convince a jury that the other driver should pay.  Evidence must be presented to a jury according to a set of rules. Your lawyer will argue motions, meet with the judge on your case, prepare pre-trial orders, select jurors, and argue your case.  Preparation for your personal injury trial can take many months. Due to the significant time and cost of litigation most cases settle before they ever reach trial.

by

If you have been in an auto accident in Dekalb County, you aren’t alone.  According to the NHTSA, Dekalb County was second only to Fulton in car accidents for the entire state of Georgia.

If you are seriously injured, hiring an attorney can help you get the settlement you deserve.  So you need a Dekalb car accident attorney, but how do you go about choosing a lawyer for your accident case?

First of all, you will want an experienced Dekalb car accident lawyer, someone that handles cases like yours on a regular basis.  It is also important to understand how the Dekalb injury attorney works and how he or she is paid.  Usually an accident victim will not need to pay an attorney upfront.  Instead, the Dekalb attorney will work for a contingency, or a percentage of the final settlement.

If you have been seriously injured and need to speak with a Dekalb personal injury lawyer, call The Angell Law Firm today.

by

The Angell Law Firm Represents Victims Of Drunk Drivers In Atlanta, Georgia.

Due to Georgia law enforcement and increasingly severe penalties for drunk driving, the number of alcohol related accidents have declined in Georgia. Despite the penalties for driving while intoxicated, there are still drivers who choose to ignore the law and cause serious accidents where innocent victims become seriously injured or lose their lives. Fortunately, Georgia law helps victims get compensated if they utilize an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney.

Often in criminal court drunk drivers that have caused serious accidents get off lightly since DUI lawyers can use loopholes. In many cases Judges will consider other factors such as previous driving records, monetary fines, and the character of the offender which could result in the charges being dropped or a very light sentence.

Its not fair when the offender gets away lightly while the victims or their families have to suffer.  Often victims feel they are not getting the justice they deserve. This can be avoided if injured victims choose to hire an attorney that has experience representing victims of drunk drivers.  If you are a victim then you need support and an injury attorney that will fight for your legal rights.  This means you should get the maximum help the law allows.

In a Georgia lawsuit  there are many different claims that should be considered before a settlement is reached.  Medical expenses, loss of income, loss and destruction of property, mental suffering and anguish, physical pain and suffering, and permanent disabilities.  This includes the loss of an enjoyable lifestyle.

A experienced injury attorney in Georgia will ensure you get the legal help you deserve by making the negligent driver responsible for their actions. Not only will this make sure you get what you deserve from the accident but it will hopefully keep these unsafe drivers off the road.

If you have been seriously injured due to a drunk driver, the Angell Law Firm is dedicated to representing you to the fullest extent of the law.  Please know that it is important that you call an experienced attorney right away since there are time limits for personal injury claims in Georgia.

 

by

Recently an Atlanta client contacted my office in hopes of retaining legal representation for an injury claim she had against the city library.  Fortunately for her, the statute of limitations had not yet passed.  There is however, another requirement in Georgia that if not met, could prevent her from filing a claim successfully for her injuries!

The law in Georgia actually prohibits anyone from bringing an action against a municipality or the state without first giving them such notice as provided by the statute, O.C.G.A.§36-33-5.  This code section requires all claimants to file a notice of the claim before a lawsuit can filed against that entity.  This notice is called an ante litem notice and must be filed within six months of the happening of the event which caused the claim.  For actions against the state the ante litem notice must be filed within twelve months of the incident giving rise to the claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of the negligence by someone employed by a municipal corporation or a state worker, you can contact The Angell Law Firm for a free consultation.  Remember, if you wait you could run out of luck!