Georgia Personal Injury Law Blog

The Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation (the Board) oversees all matters related to workers' compensation injury claims in the state. Every year, the Board publishes new or updated regulations and guidelines for employees and employers who fall under the rules of coverage. This blog post answers some of the most frequent questions workers and employers have when facing a workers' compensation claim. Issues related to returning to work Q: Can a doctor order an injured worker back to work and what happens if the worker refuses? A: If the attending doctor signs off that the worker has obtained maximum medical recovery, the worker must make an attempt to return to work, even at reduced pay. However, a return to work order may be appealed in the event the injury or disability does not allow for adequate performance of the job tasks or the worker feels returning to work may…

There have been so many initiatives, PSAs, highway signs, and news stories put out there that no one should ever pick up a phone or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle. Yet here we sit, mourning the loss of a loved one. The car accident investigation indicates the reason for the tragedy as a person on a phone text messaging, seemingly unappreciative of the fact that they are in sole control of a massive amount of metal traveling at high speeds on a roadway packed with similar hazards. Any text can wait. Whether the next stop is not for an hour or whether the driver pulls over into a safe zone to review and respond. Any text can wait. Almost six years ago, texting while driving became a prohibited act statewide in Georgia. Survey results released in 2008 showed that Georgia was third in the country when it…

You read about it all the time and hear about it happening to others, but it doesn't feel real. Now, like a nightmare you cannot wake from, it has suddenly happened to you. Motorcycle drivers and their passengers are losing their lives or livelihoods by drunk, negligent or otherwise reckless drivers. State police confirmed that a recent motorcycle versus car wreck in Whitfield County ended in the tragic death of both the driver and the passenger of the motorcycle. The motorcycle's operator likely didn't stand a chance to avoid the accident, as an allegedly drunk driver swerved into the oncoming path of the motorcycle, resulting in a head-on collision. Even worse, the alleged instigator of the accident was reportedly operating the vehicle on a suspended license and was arrested for that crime as well as a DUI charge. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one or have…

There are an overwhelming number of factors involved in a truck accident. In most cases, investigators will need to look at what each driver involved was doing leading up to the crash. This can determine any level of distraction, recklessness, negligence, or intoxication. These factors are common for almost all multivehicle accidents. However, when a truck is involved, investigators will now need to look at driver logs, whether the truck was properly maintained and whether it met all safety regulations set forth to maintain nonhazardous roadways for those commuting alongside these behemoths. If you were hurt or if you have lost a loved one due to an accident involving an 18-wheeler or another large commercial vehicle, you are likely struggling to function on an emotional level. Grief can be absolutely debilitating. Add to that the concerns of exploring all avenues of causation and pursuing compensation for that guilt, and you may…

There is no hurt more painful in this world than the loss of a loved one. The struggle can be difficult even when the person died of natural causes at an old age. But when a person is taken from your life rapidly and unexpectedly, your own pain can be debilitating. Seeking financial retribution and justice may not be the first priority you have, but your situation may necessitate it. In addition to the emotional devastation, you are likely to face a financial fallout in a contagion-like domino effect. The vehicle is likely gone or in need of costly repairs. There is a loss of income, medical bills, extremely costly funeral expenses, counseling and even your inability to return to the mundane tasks of life. Plus, your own job can add to your stress and your need for financial options. Financial concerns should not be your largest challenge at this…

Any time a driver leaves the scene of an accident without talking to the police or exchanging insurance and contact information, it is classified as a hit-and-run in Georgia. This blog post will discuss the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident and what you should do if you are the victim of a hit-and-run. Penalties for hit and run in Georgia The penalty for getting caught and charged with hit-and-run in Georgia greatly depends upon the severity of the accident. If it is a single-car accident that resulted in property damage to the corner of a building, light post, or fire hydrant, for example, misdemeanor charges are possible, but unlikely. Even if no criminal charge is filed, the traffic ticket and fine will be serious and restitution for damage repairs will likely be included. The driver will likely be punished with license revocation, as well. An accident involving…

You're clearly at a big disadvantage when you come up against a car or truck while operating a motorcycle. Your size and speed may make you harder to spot to an attentive driver. Make that a distracted driver and the results can be disastrous, even deadly. Distraction, recklessness or negligence may have caused the wreck that occurred recently on Cummings Highway. A black four-door car with a blue bumper sticker was said to have fled the scene after veering into the motorcycle's lane, causing its riders to be thrown from the bike and into a guardrail. The motorcycle driver was killed, and the passenger was airlifted to a hospital and is reportedly in critical condition but is stable. There were alleged witnesses to the accident; ones that were able to give the discerning features of the other vehicle involved. When that vehicle's owner is identified, it is likely that a thorough investigation…

If you have watched the news lately, you may have heard of a few recent pedestrian deaths. In fact, the statistics across the nation show that Georgia has become a front-runner for pedestrian-related accidents. From 2014 to 2015 the rest of the nation's incidence of pedestrian death increased by 10 percent. However, in Georgia, the death rate related to pedestrian accidents skyrocketed to 21 percent. This increase has committee members concerned as they met to discuss action during the monthly Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Fatality Review Board. One member, who directed Governor Purdue's Governor's Office of Highway Safety said that this information demonstrates that many more people are walking. He believes the blame must be taken off of the victim and focus should be put on road improvement, primarily through better engineering. Proper education regarding road rules and enforcement of laws and medical capabilities of emergency services should also be included. These…

Over-the-counter drugs, prescriptions and legalized recreational drugs can all affect your ability to drive, but each one influences you differently. That is the deadly problem with driving while drugged. Each drug can affect people differently. Maybe pain killers result in hallucinations. Or maybe the prescription leaves you feeling sleepy. Regardless, drugged driving is a growing problem that states are tackling in a haphazard manner. This article will go over some of these risks and how they may affect you. The problem with drugged driving is that people are doing it with a combination of legal and illegal drugs, sometimes at the same time. Furthermore, driving while on drugs does not carry the same social stigma and barometer as drunk driving. There is no clear "0.08 percent" line that shows when it is safe and unsafe to drive. Due to the variable nature of drug use, it is difficult to collect data…

At Dozier Law Firm, LLC, with offices throughout Georgia, we have years of experience representing injured victims of truck accidents. This experience has allowed us to build a reputation as a leading personal injury law firm in Georgia, which brings countless clients to our firm every year. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you, too, may benefit from the assistance of our experienced attorneys. Truck accidents can result from a number of different causes. Common causes are driver fatigue, reckless driving, speeding, lack of maintenance, and inadequate safety equipment. Regardless of the cause, we are prepared to help you pursue personal injury compensation, but first, we have to determine which party acted negligently. In an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, the fault can lie with either the driver or the company for which the driver works. When the cause of an accident is reckless driving…