Our team at Amanda Hall Injury Law is thrilled to announce we are welcoming paralegal Caitlin Black to our firm! Enthusiastic and full of potential, Caitlin is excited to work alongside our team of dedicated and compassionate injury lawyers. She will make an incredible addition to our firm, thanks to her sincere desire to succeed as well as her incredible eagerness of learn. We are proud to have her!

Where are you from?

I am from Marietta, GA, and went to Mt. Paran Christian High School.

Where did you go to school and what is your past work experience?

I am currently earning my Bachelor’s degree at Georgia State, and I previous trained at another law firm. Prior to joining Amanda Hall Injury Law, I was able to acquire a level of experience and knowledge I plan to apply to my work as a paralegal here.

What are your hobbies, and what do you like to do in your spare time?

I am really passionate about health, nutrition, and wellness. I spend a lot of time researching various ways to improve my health, particularly through diet and nutrition. I also particularly enjoy reading, and spending time outdoors with my friends, family, and loved ones.

Why are you particularly drawn to Amanda Hall Injury Law?

One of the things that drew me most to Amanda Hall Injury Law is the family-like atmosphere, which a lot of law firms don’t seem to have. Everyone here really is working toward one common goal: helping our clients succeed as much as possible. I am really excited to be part of something so great. I also love how dedicated everyone is to their clients, and it was one of the main reasons I knew I wanted to be part of this team.

So far, my time at Amanda Hall Injury Law has been nothing short of amazing and I cannot wait to continue to build my legacy at this incredible law firm. I look forward to having my own clients with Amanda Hall Injury Law, and helping them move forward following an accident or injury caused due to no fault of their own.

Jessica Shaw was near her apartment at the Alexander Ridge Apartments complex in Canton when she was assaulted violently. Her friend has told police investigators that a group of unidentified men attacked Shaw. She was left with severe injuries, including a fractured skull, fractured jaw, lacerations that are likely to cause permanent scarring, and missing or cracked teeth.

Police responded to a report of a “knife fight” late in the night but had difficulty finding any leads. A K-9 unit was dispatched but the scent trail was not strong enough for the dogs to locate the whereabouts of the suspects. At this time, it is believed that the suspects belong to a gang. The assault may have been some sort of initiation that targets the defenseless; Ms. Shaw is only 95 pounds and could not have posed a threat to the men.

However, the Alexander Ridge Apartment complex is gated off at the entrance. This is indicative of the complex management’s acknowledgement that the area is dangerous enough to warrant protective measure. The complex’s lack of appropriate security is telling and a serious concern.

Citing the negligent security, Amanda Hall Injury Law in Woodstock has been retained by Shaw and her family to file a claim against the complex. The claim is ongoing and developing, and police investigators are still trying to track the perpetrators of the crime. Be sure to visit our blog regularly for any critical updates to this case.

If you need the legal representation of a trusted Woodstock personal injury attorney, you can rely on Amanda Hall Injury Law.Contact our office to request a consultation with a legal team that has more than 25 years of experience managing difficult and intricate injury claims.

The summer months are a time for enjoying the outdoors. For many Americans, this means vacations, road trips, and traveling to events, celebrations, and time with family. Unfortunately, this seasonal increase in activity brings a lot of traffic to our public roads and highways, especially for motorcycle riders who are much smaller than passenger vehicles, easily overseen by inattentive drivers, and prone to suffering serious injuries in motorcycle collisions.

At Amanda Hall Injury Law, our Woodstock motorcycle accident lawyers have represented many riders who suffered injuries in preventable wrecks, especially during the summer months. Although riders face significant risks whenever they head out onto the open road, this time of year can increase the risks they face. In fact, studies from AAA and other traffic safety organizations have found that the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day account for some of the most dangerous days on American roads. This is due to a substantial increase in preventable traffic collisions, injuries, and deaths.

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast with plans to attend a local rally, begin a long road trip, or simply enjoy the open air on your bike, it is important to understand the unique risks you face this time of year. Motorists who drive passenger vehicles should also be aware of these risks in order to take measures that can protect themselves and everyone else on public roads.

During summer months, riders can face increased dangers on roads and highways due to the following:

• More traffic – Summer months bring a surge of traffic to roadways throughout Georgia. With more vehicles and more motorcyclists, it becomes essential for everyone to obey the law, share the road, and make vigilance a priority. Motorcyclists should be aware that with more drivers, they will need to be extra cautious when maneuvering through traffic. To emphasis safety, riders can make themselves as visible as possible by wearing bright or reflective gear, using headlights and signals, and ensuring that they make eye contact and that motorists see them prior to any maneuver. This includes changing lanes, making left hand turns, and entering intersections. Drivers can do their part by understanding that there will be more riders out and about, and that they should scan their surroundings for signs of riders whenever they are behind the wheel.
• Out-of-town motorists – While increases in traffic alone can introduce potential hazards, risks can be elevated when that traffic is comprised of out-of-town motorists who may not be familiar with local roadways, directions, or laws. Drivers, or even riders, who are unfamiliar with the local landscape may be more prone to sudden driving behaviors, such as sudden stops or attempts to turn or change lanes in order to make an exit. Be prepared for tourists if you live in a community where local events draw people from out of town or even just those passing through. Follow at a safe distance, anticipate driving maneuvers, and give yourself plenty of space when passing riders and vehicles.
• Alcohol impairment – Alcohol impairment is one of the largest reasons why summer months can be especially dangerous on our roadways. During this time of year, it is common for Americans to celebrate, take vacations, or unwind with alcoholic beverages. Events and holidays, such as the Fourth of July, will also see sharp spikes in alcohol-related accidents. Whatever your plans may be, always drive or ride sober. You can do this by planning for a safe ride from friends or a taxi or rideshare service, in addition to staying the night wherever you plan on drinking. Riders, just as motorists, have a duty to remain sober on the road as well. Doing so not only protects the safety of others, but their own livelihoods as well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost one-half of all motorcycle wrecks involving a single motorcycle involve a rider impaired by alcohol. Driving or riding under the influence has consequences, including both criminal penalties and civil liability when victims are injured.
• Distracted driving – Although driver distraction is a concern any time of year, it can be especially dangerous during summer months when there is an increase in traffic and out-of-town motorists. Whenever you ride or drive, be sure that it is your only focus. Drivers should always avoid texting and using cell phones behind the wheel, considered the most dangerous form of distraction, as it can prevent them from seeing motorcycle riders and substantially increases crash risks.

Due to these risks, it becomes essential for riders to make safety a priority. This means obeying the rules of the road, riding vigilantly, wearing a helmet, and ensuring you are seen by motorists.

How We Can Help Injured Riders

Even when the correct precautions to be safe are taken, riders can still suffer injuries in motorcycle collisions caused by negligent motorists, including those who may be distracted or drunk at the time of a crash. When riders are harmed in preventable wrecks, our personal injury lawyers at Amanda Hall Injury Law are readily available to help. We have extensive experience protecting the rights of victims and families during the personal injury claim process, and have leveraged our decades of combined experience to recover millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. This includes a $2.1 million recovery in a recent case on behalf of a rider who was struck and injured by a negligent teen driver and also, a $500 thousand recovery from a motorcycle wreck that cause serious back injuries.

To discuss a potential motorcycle accident case with a member of our team, contact us for a FREE consultation.

Talk to anyone you know about mechanics and the conversation will likely turn towards topics of distrust. It seems like everyone has a story about an auto shop trying to lie about a vehicle’s alleged problems, hoping that the client won’t know any better and approve a costly and unnecessary “repair.” Of course, there are plenty of mechanics and auto body shops that would never consider using fraudulent tactics to try to gain a profit. But the truth stands that most of us are worried that any of them can and will.

If you need to have your car repaired or serviced soon and are concerned about potential fraudulent repair jobs, here are a few things to consider to hopefully protect your wallet:

• Trusted mechanics: Don’t just rush to the first mechanic you find. This is inviting trouble. Use due diligence to research shops and individuals. Aggregate reviews from the public are typically a good gauge of a mechanic’s honesty and capability. When in doubt, an official car dealership for your vehicle’s model might be the right choice. Dealerships are usually more expensive but, thanks to corporate oversight and liability laws, it is uncommon to run into intentionally fraudulent behavior there.
• Estimates are not guarantees: You should not sign off on repairs until you see a cost estimate first. This will give you a ballpark idea of how much the work will cost. However, keep in mind that this is not a strong defense against fraudulent car repairs. Most incidents of fraud do not start at the beginning of the repair job. Instead, the mechanic will mention in the first follow-up call that more problems have been found and that the cost will be higher than initially estimated.
• Second opinions: For issues that have not entirely crippled your car, you may wish to get another mechanic’s opinion of the problem. Comparing both estimates and diagnoses can easily reveal where one shop was exaggerating just to try to get more money. Even if you aren’t worried about fraud, shopping around is always beneficial for the consumer.
• State regulations: It might be worth reviewing your state’s own regulations against unfair and deceptive practices used in auto body shops. A little bit of knowledge ahead of time can help you spot more subtle forms of fraud that otherwise would have resulted in you losing money.

Keep in mind that if you suspect fraudulent behavior, outright refusing to pay the auto body shop might not be the best idea. Legal obligations could allow a mechanic to hold onto your vehicle until payments are made, no matter the evidence of fraudulent car repair tactics that may be present at the time. If you want to keep driving without interruption, then you might want to pay whatever they demand and prepare to file a claim against them to collect compensation or repayment.

Amanda Hall Injury Law and our consumer protection attorneys in Woodstock, Georgia are well-versed in all kinds of laws and regulations pertaining to fraudulent car repairs. Our 50+ Years of total legal experience can be put to good use for you, determining if you have valid grounds for a claim based on the potential proof of fraudulent behavior. To learn more about our services, you can review our client testimonials or case results, or contact us directly.