When you are injured and seeking financial compensation, there is a lot to learn.

Browse through our blog for answers to your questions.

Hit While Crossing the Street in Atlanta—Next Steps

Atlanta is a busy city, with many crosswalks, sidewalks, pedestrians and cars. Unfortunately, vehicle-pedestrian accidents happen in Georgia, like they do in every state. When a pedestrian and a vehicle are involved in a collision, the incident can be due to the negligence of the driver, the walker, or both. Therefore, it is important to know what steps to take if you’re hit by a car while walking or jogging, or if you’re the driver. If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, it will be helpful to understand what potential compensation there is for any resulting injuries and losses. Hit by a Car in Atlanta? Due to the nature of an auto versus pedestrian accident, a pedestrian may suffer serious injuries depending on the type of vehicle, speed, and location of impact. Sometimes, fortunately, a pedestrian is not injured after impact with a vehicle. But, often, they are. The first steps to take after a pedestrian accident is: check on everyone at the scene and call 911. This will report the incident to the police and get medical attention if someone needs it. Once you’ve notified the authorities and made sure everyone is OK, the next steps are to take pictures of the accident scene and get any witness’ contact information. While the police officer may do this as well, it is best to make sure that you have as much information as possible. Because of the seriousness typically involved in vehicle-pedestrian accidents, it is also important to contact an Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney. Determining Liability for Pedestrian Accidents Both drivers and pedestrians have a duty to act reasonably and obey traffic laws. For drivers, the general standard is that a driver must act as a reasonable driver would under the same or similar circumstance. For a pedestrian, they have a duty to act as a reasonable pedestrian would under the same or similar circumstance as well. A pedestrian cannot walk blindly into traffic, for example.  The question is whether the driver or the pedestrian is “negligent.” It can be a fact intensive inquiry that needs an experienced attorney. Georgia Comparative Negligence Law In Georgia, a pedestrian can only recover for their injuries if they are less than 50% at fault. If the pedestrian is less than 50% at fault, then the amount awarded is “reduced by” the percentage at fault. So, for example, if you’re 25% at fault for a pedestrian-vehicle accident with damages totaling $100,000, the compensation you receive would be reduced by 25% or $25,000. Consult with an Experienced Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorney At Weatherby Law Firm, we frequently work with plaintiffs and defendants of vehicle-pedestrian accidents. Our decades of experience and commitment to our clients drive us to achieve exceptional case results, and you can count on our law firm to make every effort on your case.Contact Weatherby Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with one of Georgia’s top pedestrian accident attorneys today.

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State Farm Car Accident Claims—Tips to Hire an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

State Farm is one of the largest insurance providers in the United States. Therefore, it’s not surprising that State Farm accident insurance claims occur quite commonly. While dealing with a State Farm accident claim may appear straightforward, there are reasons why you should hire an attorney to assist you in the State Farm accident claim process. How Can an Attorney Help Me?  After reviewing your State Farm insurance claim, State Farm insurance adjusters commonly attempt to provide you with a first settlement offer that may not be the fair value of your injury. A personal injury attorney supports you through the State Farm accident claim process in several ways. Determining the Fair Value of Your Injuries and Losses  The extreme difficulty lies in determining the fair value of your injuries and losses in the course of the State Farm accident claim process. A personal injury attorney reviews the accident report, medical bills, your State Farm accident claim, invoices for property damage, and researches information on related cases to gain a better picture of your compensatory losses. By compiling actual evidence to support your settlement value, an attorney pushes to obtain a fair settlement offer for your State Farm accident insurance claims.  Negotiating on Your Behalf  A qualified personal injury attorney works to represent you in negotiations to obtain just compensation for your injuries and losses. The initial settlement offer from State Farm may fail to compensate you adequately. However, after careful review of your State Farm insurance claim, a personal injury attorney works diligently to negotiate a better settlement. In many situations, the evidence presented to State Farm by your attorney forces them to revise their offer to meet your demands—or face the threat of a lawsuit.  Filing a Lawsuit  While many State Farm insurance claims may result in successful negotiations and eventual settlement, some State Farm insurance adjusters may give you more difficulty. In these situations, you may wish to pursue a lawsuit to obtain just compensation for your losses. Pursuing litigation for your State Farm accident insurance claims pits you against State Farm’s extensive legal team. Retaining an experienced personal injury attorney to represent your interests ensures your needs remain the primary focus. Sometimes pursuing a lawsuit results in State Farm Insurance’s critical analysis of the facts of your State Farm accident claim. In some situations, as the trial date gets closer, State Farm may opt to settle for a more considerable value than previously offered to avoid trial.  Contact Us  If you were injured in a car accident and seek fair compensation in your State Farm accident claim process, contact the attorneys at Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. provides high-quality representation to clients with integrity, strength, and charm. We work to achieve the best results for our clients through efficient and honorable legal counsel. We believe in our purpose of assisting our clients and making your life better after a car accident. Contact the attorneys at Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. to review your State Farm accident insurance claims and begin the process of recovery.

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What to Do After an Atlanta Truck Accident Injury

After a truck accident in Atlanta, you may wonder what steps you should take to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and prove the facts of what happened. Even if a truck accident in Atlanta doesn’t result in devastating injuries, it’s essential to take the right steps after your accident.  Seek Medical Attention If you suffer a medical injury after your truck accident in Atlanta, it’s crucial, first and foremost, to seek medical attention for those injuries. In many situations, injuries may appear minor. However, only a qualified physician can review your injuries and determine what treatment is necessary. Therefore, it’s important not to dismiss any medical injuries after a truck accident in Atlanta. A medical professional may be able to determine if you suffer from internal injuries or other injuries that you may be unaware of due to the accident’s shock.  Contact the Police In general, Georgia law requires you to contact the police after an accident. Police report to the scene to collect facts, interview witnesses, and obtain all parties’ names and contact information. Additionally, a police officer evaluates the location of the accident and may be able to determine fault. After a truck accident in Atlanta, the police report serves as an essential piece of information for your attorney. If you decide to file a lawsuit, the police report may aid your attorney in acquiring facts surrounding your accident that you may have forgotten or been too injured at the time to acknowledge.  Stick to the Facts After a truck accident in Atlanta, you may be contacted by the police, your insurance company, or the insurance company for the other party involved. In those situations, it’s essential to talk with your attorney before speaking further. Anything you say can, and will, be used against you. Talk to an attorney before providing any statement to an insurance company. Gather Information at the Scene If you are able, attempt to gather as much information as possible at the truck accident scene in Atlanta. Collect the names and contact information for parties involved, as well as their insurance provider. Additionally, if you are able, take photos of the scene of the truck accident in Atlanta. Any photographs of the damage to the vehicles are also helpful in maintaining a record of the accident.  Provide your attorney with the evidence you obtained at the scene after your truck accident in Atlanta to help them build the facts of your case.  Contact Us  Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. is an Atlanta-based law firm specializing in personal injury claims, including truck accidents. Our firm provides high-quality representation when working cases for our clients. We understand the difficulties you face after a truck accident in Atlanta and strive to improve your life. The attorneys at Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. take immense pride in solving your complex legal problems. We exist to help honest individuals move toward recovery for the injuries they suffer after a truck accident in Atlanta. Contact our office today to discuss your case’s facts and find out how we can help you.

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