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Drive and Talk Safely
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Injured in a Georgia accident, should I hire an Atlanta Attorney?
Yes! Accidents can be very overwhelming and it is important to take care of your health and legal matters right away. I encourage hiring a personal injury lawyer Atlanta to handle your legal matters in your best interest.
From my own personal experience, I felt like I got the short end of the stick after getting injured in an accident. I thought it would be cost and time efficient to handle the legal matters on my own and avoid hiring an Atlanta accident lawyer- but I underestimated. The law can be quite confusing, therefore it is best to seek answers from an experienced lawyer who spent years studying law. An Atlanta Attorney can work in your best interest and thoroughly explain the different options in pursuing your case. If you don’t have the funds up front to pay for your lawyer, don’t fret. There are a few Atlanta lawyers that offer no charge consultations and no advance payments to plead from you. Fees will only be charged from what was recovered by settlement in court. I was pleasantly surprised by all of these great options, next time I will definitely hire an accident attorney. Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 1:20 AM EDT
If you've been injured by someone else's negligence in Georgia, contact an Atlanta Injury Attorney.
In most cases accidents can be very overwhelming and stressful. Dealing with the different laws, guidelines and at the same time having to deal with your injury can be an inconvenience. Therefore, when injured in an accident it is helpful to hire a lawyer who can handle all of your legal matters in favor of your best interest.
I found myself more at ease, after the initial search on Atlanta injury attorney – there are actually of options available to me . A good attorney just takes over a lot of ther stress – like documentation and research – many times they take care of all the legal documents and thoroughly explained the different options I had in pursuing the case. I also had injuries due to the accident which required me to be on bed rest, so I wasn’t able to visit the Attorney. However, many have options of highly trained paralegals come to my home instead so that the case wouldn’t be delayed. While most Atlanta accident lawyers require advance payments to plead for you, I didn’t have to worry about any payments because fees were only charged from what was recovered by settlement in court. If you are in a similar position and stay in Atlanta, I would recommend you to hire an Atlanta Injury lawyer that specialized in representing people that were hurt due to the negligence of others. Also, check if you can avoid any upfront fees and whether he offers no-charge consultations. I was pleasantly surprised! Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 1:16 AM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 24 August 2008 1:19 AM EDT
Saturday, 26 July 2008
You need an Atlanta lawyer ! Being injured due to an accident may be an extremely difficult and stressful ordeal. Due to cell phone technology, safety needs to be the primary concern while on the road. Many states are devising laws to reduce accidents, for example the California Cell Phone Law requires hands free cell phone use while driving. In Atlanta, car accidents are quite common. While most Atlanta injury lawyers require advance payments to plead for you, there are a select few which offer no-charge consultations and accept injury cases only on contingency. Fees are paid from the money they recover by settlement or in court. In my opinion, these lawyers are the real thing, if for no other reason than because of their confidence in winning cases. So if you ask me, the first thing I will ask an Atlanta injury attorney is whether there are any upfront fees.
Stokes & Koptisky P.A. is one such Atlanta-based law firm specializing in representing people who were seriously hurt because of the fault of others, but they need no upfront fees. As a leading Atlanta Injury Attorney, their main clientele are victims of auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and work injuries. Many work injury accidents include cases involving serious brain injuries and even wrongful deaths, and it is only ethical, in my opinion, that the victims are at least paid some damages.
I have scoured Atlanta Car Accident Attorney forums and I have not found many other good Atlanta accident lawyers. If you know of any, please let me know.
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 2:19 AM EDT
Old Injuries and New Accidents
Many victims ask Atlanta lawyers what to do in a situation where they’ve been in an accident which worsened a previous injury. Atlanta Injury Lawyers Gregory Stokes and Neil Kopitsky say, you should report any accident which makes a previous injury worse. Legal cases in most states acknowledge that an at-fault driver may be held accountable for exacerbating an older injury, and that such injuries are compensable, Whether you are healing from broken bones, suffering from arthritis or other long-term injury related ailments, new accidents can and often will make matters worse. This type of Georgia accident should always be reported. Atlanta Injury Attorneys Stokes and Kopitsky have succeeded in winning $550.000, $700,000, and $1,056,250 settlements, in which each client was involved in a serious injury with multiple surgeries, and in which an old injury was made worse by a new accident.
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 2:15 AM EDT
Sunday, 29 June 2008
I am Being Sued in Georgia -- Now What?
Being sued can throw sensible people into a panic. A lawsuit is an adversarial process that looks a lot like a very polite fight, and the sums of money at stake can be high. You might feel angry or betrayed by the plaintiff and want to take immediate action. But if you’re being sued, there’s no need to panic — you won’t necessarily end up in debt or in years of nasty litigation. If you’re worried, take some time to learn about your case and your rights.
Understand Your Lawsuit If you’re being sued, the chances are that you’ve already tried and failed to resolve the dispute informally. But your first formal notice that you’re being sued in Georgia is when you’re served with a complaint. A complaint is the legal document that the other side, or their Atlanta lawyer , wrote to explain the problem as they see it, and the laws that apply. Read the complaint carefully to learn what exactly the other side is asking for. The complaint might make outrageous claims, include people who aren’t involved in the dispute, or ask for far more money than you think the dispute is worth. Don’t worry — you’ll get a chance to ask the court to remove things like this. If your insurance will not pay for an lawyer, and you want to hire your own, do it as soon as you receive the complaint. Your lawyer will know if there are legal grounds to have the lawsuit dismissed (thrown out) or to have parts of the complaint stricken out, but you have to move quickly. By law, you must file a legal document called an answer within the short period of time specified by law, or the amount asked for in the complaint can (and probably will) be awarded against you.
Look for an Atlanta attorney who has handled many cases similar to yours, especially if someone you trust can recommend him or her. Tell the lawyer everything you know about the case, even if it’s embarrassing to you. You can represent yourself, but it’s best to do so only in magistrate (small claims) court, which is specifically designed for people without attorneys. Experts don’t recommend acting as your own lawyer in other kinds of lawsuits, because it’s easy to lose after just one mistake. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the complaint. If you don’t answer the complaint at all by the deadline, you might lose automatically. You could then have your paycheck garnished and your property seized to pay the amount awarded against you.
If you don’t want to be involved in the lawsuit, the best thing to do is to try to work out the dispute informally. You can reach an agreement — called a “settlement” in the legal world — at any time before trial. If you owe money to the other person, you may be able to stop the lawsuit just by paying it or setting up a payment plan. If it’s possible, set up a meeting with the other party to discuss it; they may want to include their lawyer, which is permissible. When discussing the case, keep in mind that a lawsuit is time-consuming, stressful and often expensive. However, you may be able to negotiate a good settlement if the plaintiff’s case is weak
Do You Need Help Filing an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you were injured in Atlanta or any other place in Georgia, and you’re considering filing a lawsuit, Atlanta injury lawyers Stokes & Kopitsky for a free consultation. We have more than 30 years of experience in personal injury cases, including cases of car, truck, SUV and motorcycle accidents; injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists; accidents due to dangers on property; and workers’ compensation; including cases of wrongful deaths or serious brain injury. We’ve won millions of dollars for our injured clients — money that can help them get medical treatment, make ends meet and get back on their feet. And because we know injured people sometimes have financial trouble too, we work for a contingency fee, so we don’t get paid until and unless we win your case. For a free evaluation of your case today, call Stokes & Kopitsky at 1-800-552-9200, or (404) 892-0011 in Atlanta.
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 11:56 PM EDT
Updated: Monday, 30 June 2008 12:02 AM EDT
How to Prepare for a Georgia Deposition
 Your deposition in a court case may be the first time you've ever been asked to give legal testimony under oath. Because the questions may be very personal and your answers may be important to your case, and because you'll be testifying in a room with your Atlanta lawyer and one or more opposing lawyers, a deposition can be intimidating. If you're giving a deposition in a Georgia civil case, it helps to know ahead of time what to expect.
Before Your Deposition
A deposition is a formal meeting, usually around a conference table in a law office, at which you answer questions under oath. Most questions will be asked by the other party's lawyer, although your own attorney may occasionally ask you a question to clarify an answer you have given. Under Georgia law, a deposition can't last more than seven hours. You'll have to swear to tell the truth, and your answers will be either recorded by a court reporter typing on a special machine, or by an electronic recording device. Your Atlanta attorney will talk to you ahead of time about the type of questions you're likely to be asked in your particular case, and explain anything that you do not understand. Generally, you should expect the other party's lawyer to ask questions about the basic facts of your case, and questions designed to expose any weaknesses they think might exist in your case. These will include information about yourself and details about what happened. If there's something you find embarrassing that you think might come up at the deposition (such as a bankruptcy, a criminal conviction, a messy divorce, or other situation) tell your lawyer about it ahead of time. Your attorney will help you prepare for your testimony about whatever it is that is embarrassing to you. If your attorney thinks that subject is not an appropriate matter for questions, your attorney will tell you to remain silent if you are asked about it, and at the deposition, your attorney will object to the question and instruct you not to answer.
Even though a deposition isn't a trial, it is a very serious occasion. Wear conservative clothes (like you would for a job interview), arrive on time, and be on your best behavior. Let the opposing lawyer finish speaking before you answer, don't argue, and be polite, even if the questions upset you. Remember, the opposing lawyer will take your behavior and appearance at the deposition as an indication of how you would testify and act at trial, and if you act badly, it can result in a less favorable settlement offer from the other side.
During the Deposition: Answering Questions
Before the questions begin, you will be asked to swear an oath to tell the truth. That means you have to answer everything you're asked truthfully, to the best of your knowledge. A dishonest answer can backfire badly – if you are caught, any settlement offer may be less favorable, and if you forget that you lied and give a different answer at trial, a jury may decide you are not to be trusted about anything and decide against you for that reason alone. Listen carefully to each question, and answer only what is asked.
You should not volunteer information that is not asked for, nor should you chat with the other lawyer or other party (if they are present) during breaks.When it's possible, stick with "yes" and "no" answers when asked. And if you don't know the answer, say so. Do not make up information. You can take time to think about what actually happened before answering.
One important way in which a deposition is not like a trial is that you're allowed to take breaks. If you need to use the bathroom, talk to your attorney or just get some fresh air, you should ask.
During the Deposition – Answering Hostile or Embarrassing Questions
At a deposition, you can expect some of the other lawyer's questions to seem hostile or overly personal. Unfortunately, that's part of the deposition process. It's the other lawyer's job to find out everything that might matter to the outcome of the case, both good and bad, personal and impersonal, including information that might be helpful to the other side. But there are rules about what kinds of questions can be asked. Your attorney will object and tell you not to answer if the question breaks the rules. However, you should not be the person who argues with the other lawyer, even if you are asked a question you feel is inappropriate or irrelevant. If your attorney is silent, ask for a break to discuss the question with your attorney.
If you're facing hostile questions, remember that you're not being timed. You can and should take a moment to think about your answer. Not only does it help you give the best possible answer, but it prevents the other lawyer from building up momentum. If you're asked a question that's really two or more questions, ask the questioner to break it down for you.
Watch out for questions about how you're feeling. In ordinary conversation, it's polite to say you're "fine." In a deposition, the questioner could use that answer to argue that you are in better health than you actually are. If you are an accident victim and have suffered serious injury from a workplace or car accident Atlanta, for example, be prepared to talk in detail about your injuries and the kinds of pain you feel.
You should also be careful of questions that ask about specific details. For example, the other lawyer might ask you about the exact time an event occurred, or details about other persons who were present. Most people won't remember those details specifically, especially if they were an accident victim with a serious injury. Unless you can remember the exact time of day something happened, it's best to say it was "about" or "approximately" the time you remember. If you can remember exactly, expect the other lawyer to ask you why you remember so well.
Finally, sometimes the other lawyer will ask you a question that assumes something untrue. For example, "When did you decide to file a frivolous lawsuit against our client?" Don't ignore the part of the question that isn't true; some would take that to mean you agree. Instead, you should point out that you don't agree with part of the question, and then answer the other part. For example, "I don't believe that my lawsuit is frivolous, as you suggested. But I can tell you what day we filed it."
After the Deposition
After the deposition, your attorney will receive a document that contains the record of the questions and your answers as they were recorded. You may have an opportunity to make corrections to your testimony at that time; your attorney can discuss with you whether this is a good idea. If your case does not settle, your attorney will use your deposition to help you prepare to testify at trial. However, a good deposition – where your answers are clear and truthful, and you are polite and prepared -- may be very helpful to your attorney in obtaining a favorable settlement in your case.
Help for Georgia Accident Victims
If you've been injured in a Georgia accident because of another person's fault - even if you were also at fault - Atlanta injury lawyers can help you. Gregory M. Stokes and Neil J. Kopitsky have over 30 years of experience helping injured people and their families get justice and payment when they are involved in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or workplace accident. They've recovered millions of dollars in payments for clients in Atlanta accident, Atlanta wrongful death cases, and Georgia injury or death cases.
Your initial telephone or office consultation is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL, and fees are paid only from what is recovered for you. Please call toll-free at 1-(800) 552-9200 any time, any day, to speak with them. Or, visit their website at www.stokesinjurylawyers.com for more information on how they can help you.
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 11:54 PM EDT
Representing Yourself in Georgia Civil Courts
If you're involved in a court case in Georgia -- or want to file one -- you have the right to represent yourself. Only criminal defendants without adequate funds are entitled to a free, court-appointed lawyer in the United States . Legal aid agencies offer assistance in a limited number of civil (non-criminal) cases to persons who have very little or no income. Other Atlanta lawyers must be paid fees, either from your own funds, or, if you are a plaintiff in an injury case, from the amount recovered for you by your Atlanta injury attorney. But before you decide to be your own lawyer -- which the courts call a pro se or pro per litigant -- it's important to understand what the job requires. Acting as your own lawyer requires you to be good at attending to details, understanding complicated or bureaucratic rules and public speaking. If you know you're not good at those things, or your case is complicated or emotional, you should seriously consider finding an attorney.
When Should I Represent Myself?
Regardless of the case, not everyone has the right skills, circumstances or personality to be their own lawyer. In order to represent yourself, you need to be able to: Understand and follow directions exactly. - Meet deadlines, be on time and stay very organized.
- Understand the laws behind your case.
- Do legal research on issues related to your case.
- Speak in public.
- Keep your cool in stressful situations.
- Take enough time out of your schedule to do thorough research and appear in court several times.
Good types of cases for representing yourself include:
- When you are part of a small claims case -- a lawsuit in magistrate court that asks for $15,000 or less. Georgia 's magistrate court system is designed for pro se litigants.
- Very simple matters that don't require much research or courtroom time, such as a name change or an uncontested divorce with no children, no alimony, and no significant property.
Situations where you usually should not represent yourself include:
- Any criminal case.
- Cases involving a substantial amount of legal research.
- Cases with complicated or controversial facts, like a serious injury case.
- Cases where a detailed investigation is needed
- Cases where, by law, expert testimony will be necessary.
- Any case where the balance of power is heavily tilted toward the other side, such as suits involving an insurance company or corporation, or a divorce in which one spouse is abusive.
- A case where an experienced attorney can recover more for you than you can recover for yourself, even after attorney's fees are paid. In a typical accident case, the insurance company of the person at fault will generally settle with a victim represented by an attorney for much more than the insurance company would ever offer the victim who is representing himself or herself. This is because the insurance company knows the victim is not a trained, experienced accident attorney, and therefore the victim won't stand a chance in court against skilled insurance defense attorneys.
Need Help with a Georgia Personal Injury Case?
If you're considering representing yourself in a Georgia lawsuit over a serious injury, call Atlanta Injury Lawyers Stokes & Kopitsky for a free, no-obligation consultation. Stokes & Koptisky are an Atlanta-based law firm specializing in representing people who were seriously hurt because of the fault of another. Representing individuals in auto, truck, and motorcycle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and work injury Atlanta, including cases involving serious brain injuries and wrongful deaths, and working for a contingency fee, means your legal fees are paid only from the amounts recovered for you. For an evaluation of your case from an experienced legal professional, call Stokes & Kopitsky today at 1-800-552-9200, or (404) 892-0011 in Atlanta . Or, you can fill out a confidential online consultation form, just visit www.stokesinjurylawyers.com.
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 11:51 PM EDT
Drive and Talk Safely- A Message from Stokes & Kopitsky, P.A. Atlanta Injury Lawyers
Cell phones are wonderful for family safety and security, but talking while driving quadruples the risk of Atlanta accidents. Ideally, use cell phones when stopped and off the road. If you use a cell phone while driving, try to concentrate on driving safely by
· Avoiding stressful or emotional conversations.
· Hanging up in heavy traffic or bad weather. · Using message recording, memory dialing, redial, speakers, and other utilities.
· Never writing or taking notes. · Memorizing your phone's keypad so you can keep your eyes on the road.
Use your cell phone to get help for yourself and others for road emergencies.
A civil case $170,000 settlement
Greg Stokes and Neil Kopitsky, Atlanta attorneys, earned a substantial settlement for a client involved in a Atlanta automobile accident . The other driver was distracted by a cell phone call and collided with the client's car, causing a serious low-back injury to the client. Shortly before the trial date, the insurance company paid $170,000 rather than risk a jury verdict
Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information
Posted by stokesinjurylawyers
at 11:43 PM EDT
Updated: Sunday, 29 June 2008 11:50 PM EDT
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