Have you or a loved one recently suffered an injury? Was another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional harm to blame for what happened? If a business, individual, or even a government agency is at fault for your injuries and you are considering suing them for compensation, there are a few things you must be sure not to do if you want to protect the value of your case. This article will explain some common mistakes made by people injured and hoping to receive compensation from those responsible for their harm. If you or a family member is a victim of an injury caused by another’s actions or inactions, the attorneys at Dozier Law are always here to listen to your story and to help you pursue both justice and any and all compensation that you’re owed. Mistake #1 – Failing To Seek Medical Attention In Georgia, many personal injury lawsuits hinge…

Attending the first meeting with an attorney after you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident can seem like an intimidating task at first. Know that we want you to feel completely comfortable working with us. The attorneys at Dozier Law strive to use easy-to-understand language when speaking with clients instead of using confusing legal jargon. But, there are occasions when we may need to use legal language, so you might be interested in becoming familiar with some of the terms that may come up during your free consultation. This article explains some of the most common legal terms relating to your personal injury case. Please don't be afraid to ask if you do not understand something at any time during your communications with our attorneys or anyone in your office. We would never expect anyone but attorneys to understand legal jargon as a matter of course.…

If you’ve been injured and you are considering hiring an attorney to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit, you may be wondering how you will pay them for their time and effort. You know that you’ll need an attorney’s help to seek rightful compensation, but what if you don’t have the funds to pay them up front? Given that you’ve recently been injured, chances are that you’re grappling with medical bills and the impacts of taking time away from work. If you can’t afford retainer fees right now, can you still hire an experienced personal injury attorney? The good news is that many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Embracing a contingency fee model means that your attorney will only get paid if you’re awarded compensation. The lawyers at Dozier Law work on a contingency basis when handling injury cases. We can assist you with navigating…

When you are recovering from an accident and ready to start your lawsuit, one of the most common questions we get asked is, "how long will this take?" The answer is always, "it depends." The timeline for each personal injury case is a little different and depends on many factors. The main factors involved are the other side, the court, and yourself. This article will explain the typical timeline of a personal injury case—but remember that each case varies. Any step could go faster or slower than predicted, depending on the specific circumstances. An experienced attorney, like the attorneys at Dozier Law Firm, can review your case and give you a more case-specific timeline. To set up an appointment, call (888) 239-2129 today or contact us online. General Timeline In Georgia, as much as we wish there was a general timeline for every personal injury case, there is, unfortunately, no…

Social media is inescapable in today's society. While the number and kinds of social media platforms change every year, the effect that they can have is enormous. As these sites have grown in popularity, more people share personal information with their "friends" and "followers" than ever before. In most circumstances, sharing occasions in your life on social media sites is not a problem. However, if you are involved in a personal injury case, what you post can affect whether you win or lose. As social media has grown, prosecutors and civil attorneys search clients' or opponents' social media for useful information. The information posted there, while seemingly innocent at the time, might have a detrimental effect on the status of your case. Expert Advice And Representation In Personal Injury Cases Being involved in a personal injury case can be challenging. There are a variety of legal proceedings and expectations involved.…

The case Spires v. Thomas involves a question of summary judgment in a personal injury case. Summary judgment is a ruling in favor of one party without a full trial. To succeed on a summary judgment motion, the person bringing the motion must prove that there is no genuine dispute of fact and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Plainly stated, summary judgment is when one party asks the court to find in favor of them because it is clear that there is no evidence to support the other side’s claims in the dispute. In ruling on summary judgment claims, the court interprets the facts in a manner most favorable to the party not bringing the motion. If the party bringing the motion convinces the court that there is no genuine dispute of fact, their motion will be granted, and they will get a ruling…

If you or a loved one sustains a work-related injury, you need the advice of an attorney to make sense of your available options. Generally, you have two potential ways to recover compensation for your injury. First, you can file a claim for workers' compensation. Second, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation. There are essential differences, limitations, and restrictions between the two options. This article will discuss both options available to you. What Is Workers' Compensation? You may think of workers' compensation as an insurance program to protect employees injured while at work. Work-related injuries are common throughout the country, and Georgia is no exception. In 2020, the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation processed 31,500 claims. Paid benefits for the year exceeded 706 million dollars. The Georgia Workers' Compensation mandatory insurance provisions exist to protect you while at work. As an employee,…

Car accidents involving rideshare vehicles, such as Lyft and Uber, are on the rise in Georgia. Uber opened in Atlanta in 2012. Lyft arrived two years later, in 2014. We often hear about the many benefits of the rideshare industry. They provide efficient and affordable transportation. While these rideshare services are generally safe, they have increased the number of accidents, including fatalities, on Georgia roadways. Georgia accidents involving the two primary rideshare services, Uber and Lyft, raise unique legal questions. These questions generally concern who is financially responsible when accidents do occur. With the possibility of multiple parties being at fault and overlapping insurance companies, the answer to these questions depends on the unique circumstances of each accident. This article will review the current legal landscape and answer many of your questions concerning a Georgia Uber or Lyft accident. If you have any additional questions, contact Dozier Law for a…

You could be hurt by an Uber or Lyft rideshare driver in any number of ways. You might be a passenger in a rideshare at the time of the accident. Or you might be in another car involved in the accident. You could be a pedestrian or cyclist struck by the driver. Here’s more about what this means for purposes of your ability to file a claim or otherwise recover compensation in a lawsuit over your injuries. Why It’s Hard to Sue Rideshare Companies Under normal circumstances, if you are injured in an accident that is the fault of another driver who was working at the time, you can sue his employer. The law treats an employer as liable for negligence that occurs when the driver is within the scope of his employment. That is to say, the driver can make his employer liable if he was doing what he…

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, a motorcycle accident resulted in the death of a Richmond Hill Middle School teacher. The victim was driving along Belfast River Road near Savannah, Georgia when he collided with a vehicle operated by a motorist attempting to make a left turn. The man was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital in Savannah. Because the driver who caused the accident failed to yield, serious consequences are involved — especially since the person struck was later pronounced dead. It seems likely the police will quickly assign fault to the surviving driver. The police are not the only group of people who will be interested in wrapping up the case quickly and efficiently. Receiving an Offer From an Insurance Company In situations like this, insurance companies will often reach out to the family of the deceased and offer to negotiate with the goal of paying out as…