Author Archives: S. Mark Mitchell
How Juror Bias Can Work Against Motorcyclist Injury Lawsuits
Consciously or not, many people called for jury duty may hold inherently negative perceptions about motorcyclists. Those biases can spill over into the deliberation process when assigning fault for a crash. This is particularly harmful to an injured rider’s chances for compensation in Georgia, where an injured person cannot recover damages if they are found […]
Gray Divorce Raises Special Issues Regarding Asset Division and Alimony
The term “gray divorce” refers informally to breakups of couples 50 years of age and older after lengthy marriages. These divorces can differ from those involving younger couples simply because the shared decades also include shared retirement savings, real estate and other assets. Questions about long-term alimony are also more common, particularly when one spouse […]
Freight Brokers May Now Be Held Liable in Truck Accident Cases
Freight brokers have largely managed to shield themselves from negligence claims after truck accidents, even when they contributed to putting an unsafe vehicle on the road. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, however, has changed things, providing another deep pocket from which injured victims can possibly obtain financial compensation. For years, freight brokers have argued […]
Avoiding the Most Common Prenuptial Agreement Mistakes
Prenuptial agreements have become relatively common as social acceptance of these contracts has increased. People often want legal protection when they enter marriages with pre-existing property, plan to deprioritize their careers to have children or are about to start a blended family. Prenuptial agreements reduce the likelihood of a contentious, litigated divorce, but only if […]
When Can Parents Secure a Georgia Post-Decree Custody Modification?
Court-approved custody orders in Georgia outline the division of parenting time (physical custody) and decision-making authority (legal custody). However, custody orders sometimes become burdensome when a family’s situation changes, and the order no longer reflects the children’s best interests. While parents are legally bound to comply with the terms set forth by the court, there […]
Meeting the Burden of Proof for a Georgia Wrongful Death Lawsuit
When a life is cut short through the willful, reckless or negligent actions of another, the victim’s bereaved family members suffer. Wrongful death claims allow those survivors to seek compensation for the loss they have endured. While the purpose of these claims is to provide a measure of financial recovery, they also serve as a […]
New Georgia Law Allows Adults Who Were Adopted to Obtain Their Birth Certificates
Cultural attitudes toward adoption have evolved substantially over time. Adoptees and organizations that support them have long sought to overturn laws that prevented people from accessing vital information about themselves and their biological parents. After a lengthy effort, Georgians who were adopted as children now have the right to obtain copies of their original birth […]
Fatal Motorcycle-SUV Crash in Buckhead Highlights Dangerous Conditions
Many traffic collisions are solely attributable to the negligence of a vehicle operator. However, there are factors that make some locations much more dangerous than others. Poor visibility, neglected road surfaces and poor traffic control can all increase the odds of a crash, and establish liability of parties responsible for the hazardous conditions. Without the […]
Visitation Rights of Parents Serving in the Armed Forces
Members of the armed forces make tremendous sacrifices to protect their fellow Americans. At any moment, they might be deployed to a distant location in order to meet a specific need. When a service member is a parent who has visitation rights pursuant to a custody agreement, there are many ways that military duties might […]
Insurance Companies Denying Coverage to Owners of Dogs from Dangerous Breeds
No matter the specific breed, a dog bite can inflict serious harm. Victims might suffer a broken bone or develop a debilitating infection. Though any canine is capable of an unprovoked attack, certain breeds are particularly dangerous. This is evidenced by the fact that some home insurance providers will refuse to provide coverage if the […]
