Crawford & Brown Law Firm LLP

How vehicle safety defects can worsen crash injuries

2026-09-17T02:42:21Z

When a car accident happens, you rely on your vehicle’s safety features to help protect you from serious injury. If an air bag does not deploy or a seat belt fails, you may suffer injuries that are worse than the impact alone would have caused. In Georgia, you may have a claim against the vehicle maker if a faulty safety feature made your injuries worse, even when another driver caused the crash. Recall records can also help show whether the maker knew about a safety problem before the collision.

When a faulty part adds to your injuries

Georgia allows claims when a defect in a vehicle makes your injuries worse during a crash. You have to show that the defect played a substantial part in causing injuries beyond what the collision itself would have caused. A faulty part alone does not prove that the vehicle maker caused the extra harm. Evidence from the vehicle and your medical records could help show how the defect affected your injuries. The focus is on what the defect did to you, not simply whether the part failed.

What a recall can tell you

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lets you search your vehicle identification number for recalls. A matching result means your vehicle falls within a safety recall. Federal rules require vehicle makers to notify registered owners about recalls. If you never received a required notice, that failure might matter if the unrepaired defect later contributed to your injuries. You would still have to show how the missed warning connects to the harm you suffered.

Keep Georgia’s filing limits in mind

Georgia generally gives you two years to file a crash-related injury claim, and later symptoms do not by themselves restart that period. Some defect claims also face a separate 10-year limit tied to the vehicle’s first sale for use, while failure-to-warn claims follow a different rule. If an older wreck is causing lasting health problems, you may want to gather your crash records and vehicle papers and review the dates that apply.

Can preexisting conditions affect a Georgia brain injury claim?

2026-09-09T08:35:38Z

A violent head impact on I-185 or a sudden fall at a Columbus worksite can leave you facing steep medical bills and a long recovery. As part of reviewing a claim, insurance adjusters may examine past medical records, including records of concussions, sports injuries or chronic migraines. This medical history can become part of the discussion about whether a current injury relates to the accident or a preexisting condition. Georgia law, however, places limits on how preexisting conditions may affect a personal injury claim.

Georgia law protects victims with prior health issues

Georgia courts follow a rule called the eggshell plaintiff doctrine. This rule means at-fault drivers must take victims as they find them. If a distracted driver runs a light on Veterans Parkway and causes a new brain injury, the driver may be responsible for the full extent of that injury. This can apply even when a past head injury made you more likely to suffer serious brain damage. A key part of a case involves showing the difference between your health before the crash and your symptoms afterward. Comparing older medical records from providers such as Piedmont Columbus Regional with new neurological tests can help show these changes. The records may reveal new brain bleeding, memory problems or other changes in brain function. Working with a local personal injury lawyer can help gather these medical records and show how the crash relates to your current symptoms.

Actions that strengthen your brain injury case

Taking certain steps after a vehicle crash can help protect your legal rights and show how the other driver caused your injuries.

Sharing your full medical history with your doctors can help prevent questions about whether you hid past concussions or other injuries.
Keeping a daily symptom journal can show how your brain function changed after the crash.
Following your doctors’ treatment plans can show that your current health problems are linked to the new injury.

Keeping clear records can provide strong evidence of how the crash affected your health, finances and daily life.

Standing up to insurance company pushback

Protecting your health history from unfair use by an insurance company can help you recover lost wages and cover future medical care. Challenging an unfair denial may require strong medical evidence and a clear understanding of Georgia personal injury laws.

What should you do if an insurer denies your injury claim?

2026-09-04T05:28:54Z

A denied injury claim can be frustrating, especially when you are dealing with medical bills, missed work or ongoing pain. A denial does not always settle the question of whether you can recover compensation. Understanding why the insurer rejected your claim can help you decide what to do next.

Find out why the claim was denied

Insurance companies may deny claims for different reasons. The insurer may argue that its policy does not cover the incident, that another person caused the injury or that the medical evidence does not support the claimed losses. Ask for the denial in writing and review the stated reason carefully.

Gather evidence that supports your claim

The reason for the denial should guide what information you collect. Useful evidence may include:

Medical records and bills that document your injuries and treatment
Photos or videos showing the accident scene, vehicle damage or visible injuries
Statements from people who witnessed the incident
Employment records showing missed work or lost income
Insurance correspondence and other documents related to the claim

Keep copies of everything you submit or receive. A clear record can help show how the accident occurred and how it affected you.

Check the applicable law and policy

Georgia law may affect whether another person's conduct creates legal responsibility for your injuries. The terms of the insurance policy also matter, particularly when the insurer claims that coverage does not apply. If the accident occurred in Alabama, different rules apply. Alabama follows a contributory negligence standard, which means that if an insurer argues you contributed to the accident in any way, it may use that argument to deny the claim entirely.

Consider the next step

You may have options after a denial, including submitting additional evidence, requesting that the insurer reconsider its decision or consulting an attorney about whether a legal claim is available. Deadlines matter, and personal injury claims are subject to statutes of limitations – typically two years in Georgia and Alabama – and missing that window can prevent you from pursuing a legal claim altogether. Insurance policies may also set shorter internal deadlines for appeals or reconsideration requests. A denial can be an important point in an injury claim, but it does not necessarily end the matter. Review the reason for the decision, preserve relevant evidence and understand your options before deciding what to do next.

How does a traumatic brain injury affect future income?

2026-08-18T06:51:10Z

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can reduce a person's ability to work, advance in a career or maintain prior earning levels – sometimes for years after the initial injury. In Georgia, a TBI claim may cover both future lost income and lost earning capacity. Future lost income covers earnings the injury may prevent, while lost earning capacity reflects its lasting impact on the ability to work and earn.

Factors that can affect a future income projection after a TBI

A TBI can cause long-term-effects that change a person’s career even after a return to work. Key factors may include:

Cognitive problems: Memory loss, poor focus, slower thinking and poor judgment can make regular job tasks harder to complete.
Fatigue and communication issues: Persistent tiredness or difficulty communicating can reduce work hours, productivity or job performance.
Lower earnings while working: A person may keep the same job but earn less after losing overtime, commissions, bonuses or higher-paying duties.
Lost career opportunities: The injury may limit access to promotions, professional licenses, special training or other ways to earn more.
Age and career stage: A younger worker or someone early in a career may have more future work years and career growth at stake.
Sustainable employment: A vocational expert can assess whether a job can be performed safely and consistently over time, not just whether it is technically possible.
Actual career path: Work history, training, promotions, licenses and past earnings can show expected career growth better than a recent paycheck alone.

A well-supported projection considers not just current limitations but how the injury altered the career path the person was on before it occurred.

When is a future-income review needed?

A detailed future-income review may help when a TBI causes lasting or unclear work limits. Key factors include:

Evolving symptoms: Memory, focus and fatigue problems may become clearer and more documentable over time.
Work limitations: The injury may prevent a return to the same job or full-time employment.
Career disruptions: A TBI may lead to lower-paying work or end a career path.
Long-term impairment: Permanent medical or cognitive limitations may reduce earning ability for years to come.

Settlement timing also matters – when future work limitations are still developing, a closer review of income projections may affect how a claim is valued. Medical, vocational and financial records are typically needed to support the analysis. An attorney can review the evidence and assess whether a detailed analysis is needed. Reviewing the case thoroughly can help ensure that settlements account for the injury's long-term financial consequences, not just the losses that have occurred so far.

What a future income review can show

The effects of a TBI can last well beyond early recovery. A clear income review can show the long-term cost of a career changed by the injury. A timely legal review can help make sure future income losses are considered before a settlement is reached.

How is fault established after a Georgia car accident?

2026-08-10T12:47:41Z

A serious car accident can leave you facing substantial medical expenses, lost income and long-term physical limitations. If another driver caused the collision, establishing fault is essential to pursuing compensation. In Columbus, Georgia, the evidence surrounding the crash can play a major role in determining who was responsible.

What must you prove?

A car accident claim based on negligence generally requires evidence showing that another driver failed to act with reasonable care and that the driver's conduct caused your injuries and losses.

For example, fault may involve:

Speeding or reckless driving
Distracted driving
Driving under the influence
Failing to yield
Following too closely
Ignoring traffic signals

The facts of each collision determine which evidence matters most.

What evidence can establish fault?

A thorough investigation can help establish how the crash occurred. Useful evidence may include the police report, photographs of the vehicles and accident scene, surveillance footage and statements from witnesses.

Medical records can also help connect the collision to your injuries. In more complicated crashes, accident reconstruction experts may analyze vehicle damage, roadway conditions, skid marks and other physical evidence.

Insurance companies may also review the evidence when determining whether to accept or dispute liability.

What if both drivers share fault?

Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system. If an injured person shares some responsibility for an accident, the amount of compensation may be reduced according to that person's percentage of fault, provided the applicable legal requirements for recovery are met.

For this reason, the other driver's insurer may try to argue that you contributed to the crash. Evidence that clearly establishes what happened can become especially important when fault is disputed.

Protect your claim after a serious crash

Avoid making statements to an insurance company that speculate about who caused the accident. Instead, preserve available evidence and seek medical attention promptly.

If you were seriously injured in a car accident in Columbus, Georgia, an experienced personal injury attorney can investigate the crash, assess the available evidence and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Drivers face a dangerous delay in reaction times

2026-07-17T13:56:03Z

One problem that drivers sometimes encounter is that they have misconceptions about their own driving abilities. This can lead to critical mistakes, ultimately resulting in an accident. For example, many drivers believe that their reaction times are excellent and that they will be able to maneuver or hit the brakes as soon as they need to do so. This can lead to aggressive driving, tailgating and other dangerous behaviors. Police officers warn that drivers actually face roughly a 1.5-second delay in reaction time. If someone ahead of them hits the brakes, for instance, they are not going to brake immediately. It will take about 1.5 seconds to react effectively, during which time they could travel hundreds of feet.

Why does this happen?

There are two concerns that contribute to this delay. The first is that the driver has to see the changing road conditions and realize that it is time to hit the brakes. Even the most attentive drivers are not going to do that instantaneously. It takes time – roughly 0.75 seconds – to process the information and make the correct decision. Next, there is another 0.75-second delay as the driver moves their foot to the brake pedal and presses it down. Again, even when this feels like an immediate reaction, it takes time to physically begin slowing the car down, so a tailgating driver may not have enough space to do so safely.

Seeking compensation

Have you been injured in an accident caused by an aggressive driver or a tailgater? If so, be sure you are well aware of your right to seek financial compensation. Drivers are generally responsible for leaving enough room to react to their surroundings effectively.

Who is liable if both parties are at fault in a car accident?

2026-07-16T11:46:21Z

A car accident can leave you with painful injuries and lost income. Those concerns often become even more stressful when both drivers contributed to the crash. If you are injured in a car crash but share some blame, you may worry that you cannot seek payment for your losses. Partial fault, however, does not always prevent recovery. Each driver's share of responsibility affects both eligibility for compensation and the amount of damages available.

Partial fault can reduce compensation

Both drivers may be legally responsible if each contributed to causing the accident. In Georgia, the court applies a modified comparative negligence approach when both drivers contributed to a collision. You may still be eligible to recover damages if your level of fault is less than 50%. The court reduces the damages award according to your share of fault. State law bars your recovery if you bear 50% or more of the responsibility for the claimed injuries or losses. To determine each driver's share of fault, insurers often examine several forms of evidence. They may review police reports, witness accounts, traffic violations and vehicle damage. If the claim proceeds to litigation, the judge or jury may consider the same evidence when allocating responsibility between the parties.

Key considerations before settling a claim

An insurer’s first offer may undervalue your injuries or place too much blame on you. Before accepting it, consider medical bills, lost income and other accident-related losses. A personal injury attorney can examine the proof and calculate the losses shown in your records. This review may reveal how the proposed settlement compares with the possible value of the claim. It can also provide useful context before you sign a release that ends your right to seek more payment.

3 common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents

2026-07-10T08:19:50Z

Motorcycle crashes can cause a wide range of injuries, but some occur far more often than others because riders have less protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. Below are a few examples you might want to be aware of.

Brain trauma from sudden impacts

A traumatic brain injury, often called a TBI, occurs when a collision causes the head to strike another object or exposes the brain to sudden acceleration and rotational forces. These injuries can vary from mild to life-threatening and may include:

Concussions, which can disrupt memory, concentration and sleep for weeks even when brain imaging appears normal
Contusions, or bruising of the brain, which sometimes needs surgery to relieve pressure inside the skull
Diffuse axonal injuries, in which rotational forces tear the brain's internal nerve connections and impair thinking, movement or consciousness

Georgia requires every motorcycle rider and passenger to wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation standards. However, even compliant helmets absorb only part of the force generated during a crash, meaning a serious brain injury can still occur.

Bone fractures in vulnerable areas

When a motorcycle stops abruptly, momentum throws you into the handlebars, the other vehicle or the road surface. This can result in:

Broken collarbones and shoulder damage from landing on one side
Wrist and forearm breaks caused by bracing against the ground
Femur, tibia and pelvic fractures when the bike pins the lower body

Many fractures need surgery to insert plates, screws or rods, followed by months of physical therapy to restore strength and mobility. If a claim settles before doctors determine whether additional procedures, such as hardware removal or joint replacement, will be necessary, it can not account for those future medical expenses.

Severe facial injuries and long-term effects

Even a helmeted rider can strike the ground hard enough to cause the following injuries:

Jaw fractures that require surgeons to wire your jaw shut for weeks, forcing you to rely on liquid meals and making speech difficult
Missing teeth that necessitate years of extensive dental procedures, including implants, bridges or bone grafts
Orbital fractures that cause blurred or double vision, complicating daily activities like driving and using screens

Visible scars and permanent changes to your appearance can affect both personal and professional interactions long after the physical wounds heal. Georgia law allows these lasting effects to factor into the damages you might recover, apart from the cost of medical care.

Financial recovery and filing deadlines

Georgia applies a modified comparative negligence rule to crash claims. You may recover damages if your share of fault stays below 50%, but that percentage also reduces your award. For example, a $100,000 claim with 20% fault yields $80,000. Furthermore, you have two years from the date of the collision to file your injury claim. However, cases involving government entities require a formal notice of claim much sooner. You have just six months to file this notice against a city, or 12 months for a county or state, otherwise you may lose your right to pursue a claim.

Motorcyclists face serious risks from left-turn accidents

2026-06-30T08:35:58Z

Motorcyclists are often well aware of their injury risks. Many accidents are caused by other drivers, but motorcyclists have less protection and are at greater risk of being injured. This can happen if they get rear-ended at a stoplight, are run off the road by an inattentive driver, are struck while going through a two-way stop and in a wide variety of other ways. But some experts point out that one of the most common accidents is a left-turn accident. This does not actually mean that the motorcyclist is turning at all, but may simply be driving straight with the right of way. Another driver fails to yield and turns left in front of the motorcycle, causing the rider to strike the side of the vehicle.

Why is this so dangerous?

One reason why this is dangerous is that it can happen without warning. If a car is waiting to turn left on a two-way road, the motorcyclist knows that the driver should wait for them to pass before doing so. But if the driver suddenly turns at the last second, it may be too late for the motorcyclist to avoid the crash. Additionally, there are not many evasive actions they can take. If the motorcyclist swerves to the left, that just means they are potentially driving into oncoming traffic lanes, which could cause a head-on collision. But if they swerve to the right, they are moving in the same direction as the vehicle that is turning, so they may not be able to avoid the collision. Either way, left-turn accidents can happen in a split second, but they could change a person's life forever. Those who have been seriously injured need to know what legal options they have to seek compensation.

The hidden dangers of truck blind spots

2026-06-18T16:25:24Z

Sharing the road with large commercial trucks is a routine part of daily travel for thousands of Americans each day. While these vehicles play an important role in transporting goods, their size and shape can create unique safety challenges for everyone around them. Many drivers do not realize how much of the roadway can disappear from a truck driver's view. When vehicles enter these unseen areas, the risk of a serious collision begins to increase significantly.

Why truck blind spots create serious risk

Commercial trucks have large blind spots on all four sides of the vehicle. These areas, sometimes called "no-zones," can extend several lanes wide behind the truck, along both sides and directly in front of the cab. When a passenger vehicle remains in one of these spaces, the truck driver may be unable to see it when changing lanes, turning or adjusting speed. Blind spot collisions often occur because drivers underestimate the limitations truck drivers face. A vehicle traveling beside a trailer for an extended period may disappear from the truck driver's mirrors. Likewise, following too closely behind a truck can make it difficult for both drivers to react quickly if traffic conditions suddenly change. These situations can lead to sideswipe accidents, rear-end collisions and other serious crashes. The consequences of blind spot accidents can be severe due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 36,300 kilograms, while the average passenger vehicle typically weighs between 1,400 and 1,900 kilograms. This difference in weight can increase the force of a collision and contribute to devastating, and sometimes fatal, injuries. Victims may face significant injuries, medical expenses and a lengthy recovery process. Determining what caused the collision may require a careful review of driver actions, company policies, maintenance records and other evidence. Working with legal professionals who understand truck accident cases can help injured individuals identify responsible parties and protect their right to seek compensation. After a truck accident, it is important to understand your legal options and the steps that may help protect your future. Speaking with an experienced legal professional can provide guidance, answer questions and help you pursue the recovery you deserve.