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Do I Need to Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Was My Fault?

When someone is involved in a car accident, their immediate thought is usually not whether or not to hire a lawyer. Obviously, a person's first priority is making sure that nobody is hurt--or if someone is injured, to make sure they receive immediate medical attention. Responsible drivers will also stop and exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved, as required by Georgia law. Sometimes, a driver may even apologize or admit fault for what just happened. If you find yourself in this situation, you might think there is no point in contacting a lawyer. But even if you have reason to suspect you were at fault, you may still want to consider hiring an Atlanta car accident attorney for several reasons. While there is no state law mandating someone hire a lawyer for a personal injury case, seeking legal representation can nevertheless be beneficial. An experienced lawyer can assist you with navigating insurance claims, ensuring fair compensation, and protecting your rights. Additionally, a legal professional can help you understand the complexities of Georgia's legal system and advocate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome. Here are just a few rea..

Articles

What Is Subrogation, and What Does It Mean for Your Auto Accident Claim?

Car accidents can be stressful, and when legal terms like subrogation pop up, things can get even more confusing. But worry not. In today's blog, we will define subrogation in simple terms and walk you through the insurance process so that you can better understand how it works. Subrogation may sound complex, but it can be helpful when you are involved in an accident that wasn't your fault. The meaning of subrogation is actually simple—it's about your insurance company recovering the costs of repairs from the at-fault driver's insurance.  At Ponton Law, we have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and are well aware of your concerns after a road accident. So, let us guide you through the mechanics of subrogation and demonstrate its significance from different angles. Subrogation and Insurance: How It Affects Me?..

Car Accident

Was Your Child Hurt in a Car Accident in Atlanta? What to Know About Your Rights Under Georgia Law

Crash crashes remain a serious public safety hazard. For parents, few things are more difficult to deal with than a child’s injury in an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 139,000 kids were hurt in car accidents nationwide in 2020 alone.  Was your child hurt in a car crash? You may have questions about your family’s legal rights and legal options. Within this article, our Atlanta auto accident attorney explains the most important things that parents should know about child injury claims in Georgia.  A Parent Can (Generally) File a Personal Injury Lawsuit on Behalf of a Child A child who was hurt in a car crash has every right to pursue justice, accountability, and compensation. However, as a minor, they are not in a position to file a claim by themselves. A parent or guardian can usually file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of a child who has been injured. This is because a child is considered legally inca..

Personal Injury

Filing a Premises Liability after an Accident in Georgia? Be Ready for these Defenses from the Insurance Company 

Under Georgia Code § 51-3-1, a business or property owner can be held liable for injuries caused by “failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.” This type of claim is called a premises liability lawsuit. Most premises liability claims are handled by commercial insurance companies—and these insurers are ready to aggressively protect their financial interests.  Our founding attorney James Ponton is a former insurance company defense lawyer. We want to make sure injured victims and their families are prepared for what to expect in the personal injury claims process. Here, our Atlanta premises liability attorney discusses some of the most common legal defense strategies that you should be prepared to go up against.  Trespassing In Georgia, businesses and property owners owe very limited responsibilities to trespassers. Even if a person was harmed by an unreasonably dangerous safety hazard..

Motor Vehicle Accidents

What Should I Do If the Other Driver Is Lying About My Motor Vehicle Accident?

Motor vehicle collisions happen every day in Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that automobile accidents are the “leading cause of injury deaths and the second leading cause of hospitalizations and ER visits” in the state. Georgia is a fault-based auto accident liability jurisdiction. Whoever is responsible for the crash is liable for the damages.  Unfortunately, not all drivers are honest after a crash. You may be wondering: How can I protect myself if the other driver is lying about how my car accident happened? Here, our Atlanta auto accident lawyer highlights five things that you should do if you get involved in a crash and the other driver is lying about it.  Seek Immediate Medical Treatment for Serious Injuries There is nothing that comes before an emergency medical need. Get immediate medical attention if you were seriously injured in a crash. Yo..

Bicycle Accidents, Personal Injury

Are Bicycle Helmets Required in Atlanta?

Bicycles are a popular form of transportation, recreation, and exercise. Unfortunately, too many motorists in our region still fail to safely share the road with bikes. It is crucial that all cyclists take proper care to protect their own health and well-being. You may have questions about the bicycle helmet laws in Georgia. Here, our Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer provides an overview of Georgia’s bike helmet laws and explains why it is so important for every rider to wear a helmet.  Georgia Law: Cyclists 16 Years of Age and Under Must Wear a Helmet Bicyclists in Atlanta and throughout the surrounding communities are required to comply with Georgia’s bike helmet laws. The state requires bike helmets for younger riders. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-60-296 (e)(1): “No person under the age of 16 years shall operate or be a passenger on a bicycle on a highway, bicycle path, or sidewalk under the jurisdiction or control of this state or any local political subdivision thereof without wearing a bicycle helmet.” A bike helmet should me..

Dog Bite Injuries, Negligence, Personal Injury

Dogs Attack Teenager in Clayton County, Parents are Demanding Answers

According to a report from WSB-TV 2, a 16-year-old girl was attacked and injured by a dog in Clayton County. The dog has been returned to the owner by local animal control and the parents are demanding answers about how they can keep their children safe in the neighborhood. In this article, our Atlanta dog bite attorney provides a more detailed overview of the attack and explains the most important things you should know about Georgia’s dog bite liability laws.  Two Rottweilers Attacked a 16-Year-Old Girl in Jonesboro, GA WSB-TV 2 reports that a Jonesboro, GA father received a call from his 17-year-old daughter. She told him that her younger sister (Sanyah Aquil) was being attacked and mauled by two rottweilers. The teenage girl suffered serious injuries in the attack. In total, she was bitten by the dogs more than 30 times. A significant amount of blood was lost in the attack.  The sisters were reportedly leavi..

Construction Accidents, Personal Injury

Construction Accidents: An Overview of Scaffolding Safety Laws in Georgia 

Also referred to as staging, scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support a crew that is doing construction and/or repair work. With our region’s boom in construction, scaffolding is a near ever-present site in Atlanta. Defective, poorly installed, or otherwise problematic scaffolding poses a serious safety risk. In this article, our Atlanta construction accident injury lawyer provides an overview of scaffolding safety laws in Georgia and explains what you should know about your legal options if you are involved in an accident.  Thousands of People of are Injured Each Year in Scaffolding Accidents According to data cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are approximately 4,500 scaffolding accident injuries and 60 scaffolding accident fatalities reported each year. Most of these accidents occur on construction sites—with falls being the primary cause.  Georgia Requirements for Scaffolding and Staging Design There are federal and state regulations t..

Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents

Your Guide to Motorcycle Laws in Georgia

In this blog post, our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney explains the key things that riders need to know about motorcycle safety laws in Georgia. Motorcycle accidents have been on the rise in recent years. According to data from the Georgia Department of Driver Services, “motorcyclists are consistently overrepresented in traffic fatalities.” In fact, motorcyclists are ten times more likely to be killed in a crash than other drivers. As a motorcyclist, it is crucial that you know your rights and responsibilities. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Motorcyclist in Georgia Georgia has laws in place to help keep the roads as safe as possible for motorcycle riders. Here is an overview of the most important things that all motorcyclists should know about our state’s motorcycle laws:  You Have the Responsibility to Obtain a License: To lawfully operate a motorcycle in Georg..

Car Accident, Motor Vehicle Accidents

Public Safety Crisis: Motor Vehicle Accidents Continue to Surge

Motor vehicle wrecks have long been a leading cause of accidental injuries and accidental deaths in our country. Sadly, there is now strong evidence that indicates that the rate of serious car crashes is rising. As reported by The New York Times, traffic collisions in the United States started surging shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak—and they are showing no signs of slowing down. In this article, our Atlanta auto accident lawyer discusses the worrying surge in motor vehicle collisions over the past 24 months. NHTSA: 15-Year High in Traffic Fatalities in 2021 (Record Rate of Increase) When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Georgia in March of 2020, there was an immediate decrease in driving. In Atlanta, there was a nearly 50 percent decrease in traffic volume during the slowest days of the pandemic. As traffic volume gradually returned to normal, there was a noticeable increase in the rate of car accidents. The..