Atlanta Personal Injury Law Blog

Are you familiar with these air bag safety tips?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, August 21, 2019.

All modern vehicles are equipped with air bags, which provide an added layer of safety in the event of an accident.

While there is no denying the fact that air bags save lives and prevent injuries, this is only the case if you follow these tips:

Wear your seat belt. Air bags are meant to work alongside seat belts. In an accident, your seat belt will keep you secure, while also ensuring that the air bag doesn't strike you with too much force.
Sit back. Some drivers are in the habit of sitting too close to the steering wheel. Do your best to maintain a minimum distance of 10 inches at all times. The closer you sit to the steering wheel, the greater chance you have of being injured by the air bag.
Children should ride in the back. A child riding in the front seat is in danger of being injured if one or more air bags deploy. It's safest for your children to ride in the backseat, so keep them there until they get older.

Did someone's phone addiction cause you injury in a collision?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

If you're like many other Georgia parents, you've likely scolded your children on occasion regarding excessive use of electronic devices. Perhaps you've even had similar discussions (or arguments) with your own spouse about his or her cell phone addiction. He or she may deny there's even a problem. That's not surprising, as those who are addicted to drugs, alcohol or other things also often struggle to admit they have a problem.

Cell phone addiction can have a negative effect on personal relationships and can cause problems in the workplace or in other areas of your life. One place where cell phone addiction is highly dangerous is the roadway. If a Georgia driver is using a cell phone at the wheel, you might be the one who suffers injury if a collision occurs.

The dangers of fall driving are widespread

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Car Accidents on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.

As summer gives way to fall, many things around you will begin to change. From cooler weather to more traffic on the road, it's critical to prepare for everything that will come your way.

Here are four of the most serious dangers of fall driving:

Wet conditions: When rain hits the area, it's critical to take action while driving. This means slowing down, using your headlights and taking extra caution around other drivers.
Back to school traffic: With children heading back to school in large numbers, you can expect more traffic on the roadways. Also, pay close attention to school bus stops, as there are likely to be children in close proximity.
Fog: Along with rain, fog is more likely to come into play during the fall months. Once again, you should slow down and turn on your headlights. However, never use your high beams, as the reflection will reduce visibility.
Sun glare: The temperatures may cool off a bit, but sun glare remains a major problem when driving. It can make it difficult to spot pedestrians and other vehicles, increasing the risk of an accident.

Are you unsatisfied with the results of your surgery?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Medical Malpractice on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

Making a medical malpractice claim is easier said than done, as there is often a lot of gray area in regard to what went wrong.

Generally speaking, a medical malpractice claim comes into play when a health care provider's (such as a doctor or nurse) negligence resulted in harm. For example, if your surgeon operated on the wrong body part, it's likely to impact you for the rest of your life.

There are many reasons to wear a seat belt

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

The second you sit down in the driver's seat is the second you should put on your seat belt. It's imperative that you do this before your car moves an inch.

There are many reasons to wear a seat belt, including the following:

It can save your life: You're less likely to die in a car accident if you wear a seat belt. Furthermore, it can also protect you against serious injury.
It keeps you in your vehicle: If you don't have your seat belt on during an accident, you could be thrown from your vehicle. This greatly increases the risk of serious injury or death.
It's the law: Simply put, you're required by law to wear your seat belt when your vehicle is in motion. Neglecting to do so can result in a fine.
It can protect you from hitting the windshield: A sudden stop or collision with another vehicle could fling you forward. Without a seat belt, there's a good chance you'll collide with the windshield.
Seat belts and air bags work together: Air bags are less productive without a seat belt, as it could strike the wrong part of your body.

Important highway driving safety tips

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.

When driving on the highway, you're likely to be moving at a high rate of speed, with other vehicles doing the same. It's only natural to have concerns about your safety.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself:

Maintain a safe speed: Know the speed limit and adhere to it at all times. There may be times when you have to go a bit faster, such as to pass a slow-moving truck. However, do your best to always obey the speed limit.
Watch your following distance: The faster you're moving, the more time it takes to stop your vehicle. A safe following distance is a must. It gives you enough time to stop an emergency.
Drive in the right lane: The right lane is where you should spend most your time, as the left lane is for passing. This is the safest place you can be on the highway.
Remain alert: It's easy to become distracted when driving on the highway. In addition to distractions inside your vehicle, you may find your eyes wandering to take in the sights. Any distraction increases the risk of an accident.

Georgia doctors should know how to avoid these injuries

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP on Friday, July 19, 2019.

When you have surgery or seek treatment for an adverse health condition, you rely on your doctor, surgeon and entire medical team to help you stay safe and get well. Full recovery is not always possible in every situation; however, you should never have to worry about winding up in worse condition after receiving medical care. Georgia laws that govern the practice of medicine are in place to help keep you safe.

You naturally expect your doctors, nurses and other licensed care providers to adhere to regulations and protocol, no matter how menial a task they might be performing in conjunction with your health care. Sadly, medication errors and surgical mistakes top the list when it comes to patient injuries in this state and others. It's important to know where to seek support if medical negligence occurs while you're in the hospital.

Tips to help you drive safely in a work zone

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Truck Accidents on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.

If you live in or around the Atlanta area, there's no way of avoiding construction on the local roads. Even the best laid plans can result in you driving directly into a work zone.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHA), work zone accidents over the past five years have resulted in 4,400 deaths and 200,000 injuries.

What’s the best treatment strategy for a concussion?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

You can suffer many types of injuries in a motor vehicle accident, with those to your head and brain among the most common. For example, if your head strikes the windshield or steering wheel, a concussion is possible.

The only way to know for sure if you have a concussion is to be examined by a medical professional. They can run a variety of tests, such as a CT scan and MRI, to better understand the extent of your injury.

The effects of alcohol on drivers

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Monday, July 1, 2019.

The dangers of drinking and driving are well-documented, but this doesn't stop everyone from consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Even one drink can impact a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Here are some of the most common effects of alcohol on drivers:

Judgment: A drunk driver isn't in a position to exercise good judgment, which increases the risk of them causing an accident. For example, someone who is under the influence may not have the ability to judge the speed of another vehicle and the impact it'll have on them.
Vision: Alcohol impacts vision in many ways, such as by making it blurry and slowing your ability to focus. Since vision is the most important sense when driving, this is a major concern.
Reaction time: A slow reaction time is troublesome when driving. For example, alcohol makes it difficult to react to a sudden move by another driver.