The Waycaster FirmThe Waycaster Firm2026-05-20T18:02:24Zhttps://www.waycasterlaw.co/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1504289/2022/05/cropped-WF_FAV-32x32.pngOn Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[3 ways people in motor vehicles can injure cyclists]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550512024-08-01T18:18:50Z2024-08-01T18:18:50ZFailing to watch for cyclists
Many crashes between bicycles and motor vehicles occur because a driver doesn't spot the cyclist in traffic. They may stop across the intersection from the cyclist who has the right of way. However, instead of yielding, they proceed through the intersection, striking the cyclist. Bicycles are smaller than motor vehicles and therefore less of a threat to a driver's safety. If motorists don't actively look for cyclists, they could easily cause a preventable crash with serious consequences for the person on the bike.
Dooring incidents
A vehicle does not need to be in transit for it to represent a threat to a cyclist. When vehicles stop on the side of the road, they continue to be a safety concern for any cyclist approaching the vehicle on the street. Specifically, the cyclist could be at risk of a dooring incident. Drivers and their passengers may open the doors of a vehicle into traffic. If a cyclist strikes the door, they could suffer blunt force trauma injuries. They could also end up thrown out into traffic, leading to catastrophic injuries. The law does prohibit opening vehicle doors in a way that would cause a crash, but many people don't stop to check for cyclists before exiting a vehicle.
Backup and frontover collisions
As motor vehicles have become larger, the hazards they create in traffic have become more significant as well. It is very easy for someone in an SUV, pickup truck or crossover vehicle to have a hard time spotting a cyclist nearby. In a frontover collision, someone pulling out of a parking space or driveway may strike a passing cyclist without even realizing they were there. Backup collisions often involve similar circumstances. Drivers become too comfortable relying on their backup traffic cameras. A rapidly approaching cyclist may not appear on camera until the last moment, leading to a preventable collision.
Cyclists cannot do much to control the behavior of others in traffic. Still, they can learn about their rights so that they can pursue compensation after a bicycle-car collision. Recognizing when a driver is to blame for a wreck can help cyclists hold that negligent driver accountable for injuring them in traffic.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[Why motorcycle crashes may lead to injury lawsuits]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550462024-05-01T14:22:39Z2024-05-01T14:22:39ZCosts can go beyond the available insurance
The purpose of liability insurance coverage is to protect a driver from personal financial losses if they cause a crash and make driving more accessible to the public. However, many people do not carry enough coverage to actually protect themselves from liability. Instead, they simply carry what the state requires.
After a crash caused by an enclosed vehicle, those affected by a motorcycle collision may have access to up to as little as $25,000 worth of property damage coverage and the same amount in bodily injury coverage. The state also requires $50,000 of coverage if two or more people incur injuries in a crash.
Those baseline requirements are not nearly high enough to cover the emergency medical treatment a rider might require after a wreck, let alone their lost wages while they heal. Given that motorcycle crashes can cause catastrophic injuries that force people into early medical retirement or change what job tasks they can perform, the injury-related expenses could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more if someone is young and has higher-than-average earning potential.
Unlike insurance claims, which are subject to strict limits, personal injury lawsuits can potentially lead to more thorough compensation. Additionally, it may be possible to hold more than one party accountable for the crash. A driver could be partially to blame, and an outside party, like a manufacturer or an employer, could be partially liable.
Exploring every option for recouping financial losses after a motorcycle crash can benefit those injured by a preventable collision. Riders who are assertive about the pursuit of compensation can reduce the financial harm caused by a wreck.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[3 kinds of slip-and-fall injuries that can lead to big medical bills]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550432024-02-09T16:22:42Z2024-02-09T16:22:42ZBroken bones
It is almost instinctual for someone to try to prevent themselves from falling abruptly and slamming into the ground. Trying to brace oneself or catch oneself on the way down might lead to a fracture. Broken bones are a significant health concern for those ages 55 and older, but they can occur during any type of slip-and-fall. Broken bones may take weeks to heal and could force someone to take an extended leave of absence from work.
Joint injuries
A person who falls does not need to break a bone for their efforts to arrest their fall to cause an injury. Sometimes, people suffer major joint injuries due to overexertion or hyperextension in a slip-and-fall incident. Shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are particularly vulnerable as people seek to stop a slip-and-fall from happening.
Traumatic brain injuries
Someone who isn't able to slow their descent as they fall might hit their head on the floor, nearby furniture or a wall. Blunt-force trauma to the skull can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can create symptoms ranging from changes in personality to cognitive challenges and fine motor skill deficits. Brain injuries can be particularly difficult for people to recognize after they fall and can also create permanent symptoms in many cases.
Someone who reports a slip-and-fall after it occurs and seeks out a prompt medical evaluation may have a better chance of making a full recovery and holding the right party accountable for their losses.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[Why do deadly Georgia crashes often lead to lawsuits?]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550422023-11-09T22:35:22Z2023-11-09T22:35:22ZLawsuits can potentially cover what insurance will not
Technically, every driver in Georgia must carry liability coverage to reimburse those affected by crashes they cause. Unfortunately, the mandatory insurance in Georgia is not nearly enough to cover major medical expenses and a lifetime of lost wages.
Many drivers only have $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability coverage. There could be more than that available if they have better coverage, but some drivers don't have an active policy at all despite the law requiring them to purchase a policy. A crash could cause multiple times the amount of available insurance in losses for a family or even more. While insurance is subject to very strict policy limits, wrongful death lawsuits allow families to recover the full economic impact of losing a loved one.
Survivors need closure
Wrongful death lawsuits are also a means of providing those who lose a loved one with a sense of justice. Even if the state prosecutes someone for irresponsible driving habits, the consequences they face may pale in comparison to the impact of losing a loved one in such an unexpected and tragic manner. A successful wrongful death lawsuit creates more consequences for irresponsible drivers or businesses that cause fatal collisions. Prevailing in court can give families a sense of closure and justice otherwise denied to them. There is nothing frivolous or inappropriate about holding someone accountable for the true impact of a deadly collision.
Learning more about wrongful death lawsuits can help people demand justice when they tragically lose a loved one after a motor vehicle collision caused by another’s negligence.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[Georgia’s pedestrian fatality rate is outright scary]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550412023-08-02T15:18:48Z2023-08-02T15:18:48Zhad 109 pedestrian deaths in the first six months of 2019 – but that figure soared to 172 in the first half of 2022. That’s an overall increase of more than 57% between those two periods.
What’s going on? Why are pedestrian deaths on the rise?
Nobody has a definitive answer as to why there’s been such a huge increase in accidents involving pedestrians. They know that many of the fatalities have common denominators since 95% of those killed were not in crosswalks and 84% of the deaths occurred at night – but that doesn’t explain the overall surge.
For that, experts are looking at the overall psychological trends that might be affecting drivers’ behavior. Essentially, the theory is that there’s a “perfect storm” of conditions that may be behind the problem:
For a year or two, a lot of people simply had to stay home, which meant that there were fewer vehicles (and pedestrians) out there. Now that traffic has returned to normal, some drivers can’t seem to adapt to sharing the roads again.
The events of the last few years have made people more frustrated and angry about their situations, and that translates into more aggressive drivers.
Others feel like the world as a whole has been spinning out of control, and that makes them inclined to be reckless with their own lives and others.
Georgia lost more than 10% of its police force between 2019 and 2022, which means there’s less chance that a speeding driver will get caught – and that’s led some drivers to act with impunity.
The authorities are urging pedestrians to be extra careful these days, which means using sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, staying alert to traffic and oncoming vehicles while walking and wearing reflective clothing and gear at night. None of these things, however, guarantees that someone won’t be the next victim of an errant driver. If you’re injured or a loved one is killed, find out more about your right to fair compensation by seeking legal guidance as proactively as you can.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[The top 3 causes of motorcycle collisions]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550362023-05-09T12:45:28Z2023-05-09T12:45:28ZAlcohol
Some people on motorcycles will drink before going out for a ride. Even if someone doesn't feel impaired, difficulties with balance and increased reaction times are even more dangerous on a motorcycle than they would be in a larger vehicle. Riders could also end up severely hurt if they encounter a drunk driver on the road. Being very proactive about limiting one's alcohol consumption before going for a ride and also carefully monitoring the behaviors of others in traffic could help someone avoid an alcohol-related crash.
Excess speed
Motorcycles give someone a sense of freedom that can push them into unsafe practices. People sometimes end up increasing their speeds to dangerous levels because of how thrilling the ride is. Too much speed could easily lead to someone losing control and getting into a preventable crash.
Inattention and distraction
Motorcycles generally require someone's full focus, and manual distraction is much less of a concern. Unlike in a car, where people can use their knees to steer, most people won't use their hands for other purposes when in control of a motorcycle. However, distracted drivers are also a major threat. Distraction only elevates the risk caused by inattention. Motorists not aware of their surroundings or not intentionally looking for motorcycles could make mistakes in traffic that bleed to tragic outcomes. Many drivers also simply fail to watch for motorcycles, which can increase their chance of hitting them in traffic.
Defensive driving skills and constant awareness of one's surroundings are among the best solutions for these serious safety concerns. Being aware of what causes motorcycle crashes can make it easier for people to avoid being involved in one.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[The 3 most common pedestrian accident types and how to avoid them]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550292024-11-12T11:35:10Z2023-02-15T22:03:07ZAlcohol-related crashes
According to a report on pedestrian collisions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol plays a role in a shocking number of pedestrian crashes.
Data from 2019 indicates that as many as 32% of pedestrians involved in collisions may have alcohol in their bloodstream at the time of impact. Another 13% of pedestrian crashes involve a drunk driver in the vehicle that strikes them, and some collisions involve both parties having had too much alcohol prior to an injurious crash.
Distraction-related crashes
Researchers have also pointed out that mobile phone use is particularly dangerous for pedestrians. Someone might step out right in front of a vehicle in heavy traffic because they aren’t monitoring their surroundings but are instead focused on their phone. Distracted drivers are also a common source of collision risk, as they don't properly monitor their surroundings and can easily cause a crash as a result.
Low-visibility crashes
Many of the worst pedestrian crashes occur during transitional times of day, during major storms or after the sun sets. Walking late at night or when the weather reduces visibility could increase someone's risk of a crash, especially if they don't invest in reflectors or illuminated gear to draw the eyes of nearby drivers.
Pedestrians who avoid distraction, chemical impairment and low visibility scenarios can still get hurt because the people in vehicles don't always make the safest choices. Knowing what causes pedestrian-vehicle crashes can help you to mitigate this risk, however.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[Crucial steps to take after a car accident]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550212022-11-04T21:23:25Z2022-11-04T21:23:25Zsome important steps to take.
Check for any injuries
Above all else, see if you have been injured or if anyone else in the car has been hurt. Don’t worry about anything else until you find out if everyone is OK or if someone has serious injuries. If somebody has been hurt, you need to contact the authorities as quickly as possible to get emergency services routed to the scene.
Move your car
Don’t leave the scene of the crash with your car, which is illegal, but you may want to move it to the side of the road. It depends how serious the crash was and if the vehicle is still drivable. But if it is, moving it can help reduce risks from a secondary accident and it can help traffic move smoothly.
Take pictures
It can also be very helpful to take photographs of the accident after it occurs. You can take pictures of the damage to the vehicles, any injuries and the general scene that shows how the crash occurred. You may not have dashcam footage, but these pictures after the fact can still help. Of course, if you have a dash cam, that can be tremendously beneficial.
Exchange information
Finally, you do want to exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver. No matter who you think you caused the accident, refrain from making any accusations about guilt or even apologizing for what occurred. Simply get the information that you need so that you can start the legal process.
After all, if you’ve been injured in that accident, you may very well be able to seek financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other costs. Taking these steps sets the foundation to do so.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[What’s the point of making a personal injury claim?]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2550072022-08-11T18:57:53Z2022-08-11T18:57:53Zpersonal injury lawsuit can be the difference between living a secure life and being financially insecure while dealing with your injuries. While you might be approached with a settlement offer or might receive a suggestion to avoid making a claim, you really need to think about what would be best for you now and in the future.
Your personal injury claim should cover all your needs now and later
A good personal injury claim makes sure that you’re made “whole” again. While the award itself can’t reverse any physical harm that has come to you, the point is that you shouldn’t have to suffer financially. You should receive enough to cover your financial losses as well as any expenses related to this injury that you expect in the future.
On top of that, your personal injury claim may include additional compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and other losses, so you can focus on your recovery without having to be concerned about your financial situation.
Should you take a settlement if one is offered to you?
Generally speaking, most claims do end in settlements. However, the first settlement you receive may not be the right settlement for you.
Insurance companies often start off by offering low settlements at a time when you’re most in need. The point of this, to them, could be to get you to settle when you feel the pressure of your injuries the most.
This is unfair and manipulative. If you get a settlement agreement or are contacted by the insurance carrier, it’s important to reach out to your attorney and discuss the offer. Your attorney is skilled in negotiation, so they can help you get the most out of your claim to give you a better financial balance during your recovery.]]>On Behalf of The Waycaster Firm<![CDATA[Can you still seek compensation if you share responsibility for the crash?]]>https://www.waycasterlaw.co/?p=2548972022-06-16T19:33:18Z2022-06-16T19:33:18ZModified comparative negligence
Every state has a different method for dealing with injuries in which both parties are partially to blame. Georgia’s method is called modified comparative negligence, and it contains two parts.
First, you are unable to recover anything from the other driver if you are 50% or more at fault for your own injuries. Only the party that has less than half of the responsibility for the accident can receive compensation.
Second, if you win the lawsuit, the amount that you do recover will be decreased in accordance with your percentage of responsibility. This means that, if you are 30% at fault for an accident, then you will only receive 70% of the total amount that you otherwise would have been able to recover.
The ordinary care requirement
Georgia law has a special provision that requires plaintiffs to have exercised ordinary care in order to be able to recover. What this means is that, if the court finds that you had the opportunity to avoid the damage that the defendant caused, but you didn’t avoid the damage because of a lack of ordinary care on your part, then you won’t be able to recover for the damage that the defendant caused to you.
A car crash is no laughing matter, and dealing with the aftermath can mean months and even years of stress and pain. If you are able to recover financially for even a fraction of your damages, taking legal action could be well worth it.]]>