Atlanta Personal Injury Law Blog

Common questions regarding medical malpractice

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

When you seek medical treatment, you hope that you never run into any form of malpractice. However, since medical professionals are human, mistakes can and do happen from time to time.

If you believe you've been the victim of medical malpractice, it's important to understand your legal rights and what you should do next. Here are some questions you can review to add clarity:

What are the most common forms of medical malpractice? There are many types of medical malpractice, including failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis and surgical errors.
What is a medical malpractice claim? This is a claim of negligence against a medical provider whose treatment was not in line with the standard of care.
Can you file a medical malpractice claim if you're unhappy with the service or results of a procedure? Since there is no guarantee of medical results, the general answer is no. If you want to file a claim, you need to prove that there were some damages or injuries associated with the treatment and/or procedure.
What should you do after an instance of medical malpractice? First off, receive a second opinion to ensure that you have your health in order. Also, obtain your medical records for future use. You can then consult with an attorney to learn more about your legal rights.

Can climate change increase the risk of airplane crashes?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

For years now, scientists, former vice presidents and others have warned everyone about the dangers of climate change. In fact, the temperature of the planet has increased in recent decades, and many blame it on carbon dioxide emissions created by the vehicles on the ground and in the air.

Jets reportedly create around 13 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions on the planet. As they crisscross the skies, their fuel continues to add to the problem. Some might say this is a self-perpetuating problem since the increase in these emissions is also creating a dangerous situation in the skies.

Rollover accidents are among the most dangerous

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

Any type of motor vehicle accident has the potential to cause serious injury, death and property damage. However, some types, such as rollover accidents, are more dangerous than others.

A rollover accident is exactly what it sounds like. This happens when a vehicle loses contact with the roadway and begins to roll.

What does a drunk driver look like on the road?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

Even if you understand the importance of avoiding drinking and driving at all costs, it doesn't mean every other driver on the road is taking the same approach. Drunk driving will always be a problem, even with strict laws and enforcement in place.

It's important to understand the behavior of a drunk driver, as this gives you the opportunity to avoid them at all costs. Here are some of the signs that a person may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs:

Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
Failure to use headlights when driving at night
Weaving or drifting
Illegal turning
Driving faster or slower than the speed limit
Drinking alcohol while the vehicle is in motion
Rapid acceleration
Failure to stop at traffic signals or stop signs
Tailgating
Driving with their face entirely too close to the windshield
Erratic braking
Driving in the middle of the road, as opposed to picking a lane
Aggressive driving, such as screaming at others on the road

Truckers and reckless driving: It remains a problem

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

As you travel on the many highways throughout the state of Georgia, there's no way of avoiding commercial trucks. These vehicles are everywhere, so it's imperative that you understand how to safely share the road.

The problem with this is that some truckers don't want to do the same. Instead, they drive in a reckless manner, which puts you and many others in an unsafe position.

Did the pilot get good sleep between flights?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

They say that flying is the safest way to travel, but that may only be because there aren't as many planes in the sky as there are vehicles on the ground. Pilots are subject to the same issues that drivers are, and one of the biggest is fatigue.

Pilot unions and regulatory agencies continue to debate the issue instead of addressing what you and most other people would consider a serious threat to safety. Did your pilot just get off another flight without a break? Did your pilot's new baby keep him or her up all night? Flying a plane requires making a lot of split-second decisions in an emergency. Is your pilot up to par, or is he or she so fatigued that a mistake could easily occur?

How to choose a doctor you can trust

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Regardless of the type of medical care you require, you're likely to have access to a large pool of doctors. While it's nice to know that you have many choices, this can make it difficult to settle on the right doctor for your situation and condition.

Here are five steps you can take to choose a doctor whom you can trust:

Ask friends and family: The more people you ask for advice, the more you'll learn about the many doctors in your local area.
Go online: You can find a lot of information online, such as reviews from other patients and news articles (both good and bad) associated with the doctor or medical practice.
Get on the phone: Call the office to see how you're treated. Ask a few questions and double check the accuracy of the answers. If you don't like the way you're treated by office staff, it may be best to move on.
Ask about experience: Depending on your situation, experience may be the key to making a full recovery. For example, if you're fighting cancer or another serious disease, you want a doctor who has a great deal of experience in that field.
Follow your gut: If after your first appointment your gut is telling you to find a new doctor, don't hesitate to do so.

Rookie truckers often make dangerous mistakes

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

Any truck driver, even someone with many years of experience, can make a mistake that causes an accident. However, those who are new to the road are more likely to make an easily avoidable mistake.

Here are several dangerous mistakes that rookies often make:

Failure to notice speed limits: Truckers may be paying attention to something inside the cab or avoiding an accident that they overlook the speed limit. This results in them driving too fast, or in some cases, too slowly.
Missing a lane restriction sign: These are just as important as speed limit signs, as they tell truckers where they can and can't drive. For example, many stretches of highway have restrictions regarding trucks riding in the left lane.
Forgetting about the trailer: A trucker must remember that they're hauling a trailer. Forgetting what's behind when turning in tight quarters can cause an accident.
Driving too fast: Rookie drivers are often used to driving smaller vehicles that are significantly easier to control. This leads them to push the speed limit and increases the risk of a rollover accident.

How can you tell if you’re too drunk to drive?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

If you've been drinking alcohol, there may come a point when you ask yourself this question: Have I had too much to drink to drive?

Generally speaking, if you have to ask yourself this question, it's better to be safe than sorry. Stay where you are or call for a ride, but don't take the risk of getting behind the wheel.

Do you understand the most common car accident injuries?

On behalf of Mitchell & Shapiro LLP posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

There is no way of knowing what type of injury you may suffer if you're involved in a car accident. This is why it's so important to receive immediate medical treatment, even if you assume you're okay.

There are many common types of car accident injuries, including the following:

Head and neck injuries: This includes many things, such as mild concussions, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, nerve damage and a herniated disk.
Chest injuries: These often occur in high impact accidents, with the potential for your chest to strike the steering wheel, air bag or another part of the vehicle.
Broken bones: A common car accident injury, you can break almost any bone in your body. This includes but is not limited to legs, arms, neck, collarbone and ribs.
Soft tissue injuries: Ligament damage, such as a sprained muscle or torn ACL, should always be a concern. Unlike broken bones, which often cause immediate pain and swelling, it's not always as easy to pinpoint a soft tissue injury.
Emotional distress: This happens after a car accident, as you may find yourself scared to get behind the wheel again. Your distress may be so bad that you don't even want to drive with a loved one.