Personal Injury & Wrongful Death

Drunk Driving Deaths Among Females Shows Alarming Increase

A Douglas County, Georgia woman has been charged with criminal offenses involving drunk driving after a collision early last Monday morning resulted in two deaths of innocent motorists. The Atlanta press reported that Natasha Searcy, 22, was driving drunk in her 1998 Pontiac when she crossed the center line, striking a car driven by 25-year-old Ashley Ingalsbe.
Searcy has been charged with vehicular homicide in the first and second degrees, driving under the influence, not having insurance and failure to maintain lane, and was
(more…)

Danger Warning For Weight Loss Drugs

Our Georgia attorneys frequently receive calls about dangerous drugs which seem to be routinely marketed to unsuspecting consumers and health care professionals. Recently, weight-loss drugs made by mega-manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Roche Holding AG were linked to at least 32 reports of serious liver injury from 1999 to October 2008.
The Food and Drug Administration has posted a notice on its web site advising consumers taking Glaxo’s over-the-counter drug Alli or Roche’s prescription Xenical to consult a doctor if they experience weakness, fever, jaundice
(more…)

Bassinet Warnings Renewed After Georgia Death

Last September a 2 month old child in Demorest, Georgia, died after being suffocated when she became trapped in a pocket of fabric not securely fastened to her bassinet. In January of this year, a 6 month old child in Fort Worth, Texas, died when a fabric flap on her basinett was undone and she became trapped between exposed bars in the bassinet.
Both children died after getting trapped in previously recalled bassinets manufactured by Simplicity. These deaths follow two prior deaths in 2008 under
(more…)

Another Unfair Mandatory Arbitration Clause Bites The Dust

Another bank with a large presence in Georgia has bowed to pressure from consumers and consumer advocacy groups and abandoned the unfair practice of mandatory arbitration. Bank of America Corp. announced it will stop requiring that disputes with its credit card holders and banking and lending customers be settled by binding arbitration.
As we have written before, many consumers are unaware that card agreements typically include a clause that waives a card holder’s right to sue. Lenders instead use arbitration to go after delinquent accounts
(more…)

Health Insurer MIsleading Practices Exposed

A health insurer which sells policies in Georgia and other states has been subjected to a major fine and other sanctions by the state of New York, after New York officials accused it of leaving patients with huge hospital bills.
The American Medical and Life Insurance Co., advertising through an intermediary called Cinergy, markets health insurance as a lower cost option for the uninsured and underinsured. It was pitched as costing just $5 a day, or the cost of a hamburger or pack of cigarettes.
(more…)

Police Pursuits and Death to the Innocent: The Police Don’t Get It

We read this week the tragic news of eight (8) deaths in a police chase in California. According to news accounts, the police were trying to stop a Dodge Neon over alleged traffic infractions when the pursuit began. Is it worth risking the death penalty to innocent members of the motoring public to catch a traffic violator? There is nothing in the news accounts indicating that this violator was known to the police to be violent. Nonetheless, even though police chases present much greater
(more…)

Jury Awards Woman $4 Million For Doctor’s Negligence In Emergency Room

Georgia injury lawyers representing victims of medical malpractice are still disheartened about the so-called “tort reform” that the Georgia Legislature has enacted in the last two or three years. Most Georgia citizens have no idea that they have given virtual immunity to Georgia emergency room physicians. If you are a patient in a Georgia hospital emergency room and you are seriously injured or meet your death as a result of an emergency room doctor’s negligence or medical malpractice, you cannot
(more…)

FDA Announces Reforms To Protect Consumers

Many Georgians were affected by the recent salmonella outbreak related to peanut butter. Some were sickened by the defective product and others lost jobs in the peanut processing plant that became ground zero for the recall. Now, the Food and Drug Administration has announced it is moving towards stronger, more aggressive and much faster responses to enforcing the laws and regulations that govern the safety of drugs, medical devices and much of the U.S. food supply,
New FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg has been in office
(more…)

Second Georgia Motorcycle Accident In A Week Seriously Injures Biker

For the second time this week a man has been seriously injured in a Georgia motorcycle accident. A Tennessee man who is a member of the Steelehorseman motorcycle club in Nashville was on his way to the National Biker Roundup at the Atlanta Motor Speedway when the accident occurred on I-7 S at State Route 92 in Atlanta. He was airlifted to Grady Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries. The accident is under investigation. Yesterday’s motorcycle accident resulted in the
(more…)

Police Chases and Russian Roulette: Death Penalty for the Innocent

We read today about a deadly police chase which occurred over the weekend which is both tragic but also unbelievable. In this particular case, the police were chasing a 20-year old male in Pennsylvania allegedly for driving a vehicle which was reported as stolen. During the high speed pursuit which ensued, the police chased this individual through, according to news accounts, “39 stop signs and/or stop lights.” In other words, during this pursuit, the police witnessed this individual as a result of the high speed
(more…)

Why Personal Injury Settlements in Duluth Differ So Much Between Families

When two families experience similar accidents in Duluth — perhaps both involving a car collision or a tragic loss — it can be shocking to see how personal injury settlements differ dramatically. 

One family may receive what seems like full justice, while another struggles to cover even basic expenses.

At Finch McCranie LLP, we’ve spent decades helping families understand exactly why this happens. Settlement differences aren’t random. 

They’re based
(more…)

What If You Feel Fine After an Accident? Duluth Personal Injury Lawyers Warn What Comes Next

You step out of your car after an accident. Your hands are shaking, your heart’s racing—but strangely, you feel fine. 

No pain. No dizziness. No bleeding. You might even think, “I guess I got lucky.”

But according to leading Duluth Personal Injury Lawyers, that momentary calm can be deceiving. 

The body’s natural response to trauma often masks symptoms of serious injury. 

Adrenaline floods the system,
(more…)

Can Siblings File a Wrongful Death Claim in Atlanta? What Duluth Families Should Know

When a loved one dies because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, the family may face difficult questions about who has the legal authority to take action.

For siblings in Duluth and Metro Atlanta, one question often arises: Can a brother or sister file a wrongful death claim in Atlanta?

Georgia law limits who may bring a claim, so a sibling’s eligibility depends on the surviving family members and whether the sibling has authority to represent the deceased person’s estate.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia?

(more…)

Can a Duluth Wrongful Death Attorney Help if There’s No Police Report?

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences a family can endure. 

When that loss happens because of another person’s negligence — a careless driver, a reckless company, or even a medical mistake — it becomes not just painful, but deeply unjust. 

Families want answers. 

They want accountability. 

And they often wonder: 

Can we still take legal action if there’s no
(more…)

Truck Accident Lawyer for Spine and Brain Injury Cases in Atlanta

Truck accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes on the road.

When a semi-truck or 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the impact can be devastating — often leading to serious or permanent injuries.

Two of the most life-changing outcomes after a truck crash are spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

These are not just medical emergencies — they are events that can change a person’s entire future.

If you or a loved one has suffered one of these
(more…)

How to Get Medical Help After a Truck Accident with No Insurance in Atlanta

A truck accident can turn your whole life upside down in just a few seconds.

You’re hurt, scared, and worried about what to do next.

But for many people, the biggest question isn’t just about recovery — it’s how to get medical help if you don’t have health insurance.

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash in Atlanta, Georgia, don’t panic.

You still have options. In fact, there are several ways to get the medical care you need and protect your right to compensation
(more…)

What Makes Truck Accident Lawsuits Different from Car Accidents in Atlanta?

Not all vehicle accidents are the same.

If you’ve ever seen the aftermath of a truck crash on I-75, I-285, or I-85 in Atlanta, you already know — a semi-truck accident can destroy multiple vehicles in seconds.

But beyond the physical damage, these cases are legally very different from car accidents.

When you’re hit by a commercial truck, the process for getting justice and compensation is far more complex.

That’s why working with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Atlanta can make all the
(more…)

What Happens If a Truck Accident Involves a Hazardous Material Spill in Atlanta?

Truck accidents are always serious, but when the truck is carrying hazardous materials, the danger multiplies instantly.

Fires, explosions, and toxic leaks can threaten entire neighborhoods — not just the people involved in the crash.

For victims, this type of accident is terrifying and confusing.

You may be wondering: Who’s responsible for the cleanup, who pays for the damage, and what happens to those injured or exposed?

If you’ve been affected by a hazmat or chemical truck accident in Atlanta, here’s what you need to
(more…)

Is a Georgia 18-Wheeler Accident Law Firm Worth Hiring After a Crash?

If you’ve been involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, your life can change in seconds.

These massive vehicles often weigh up to 80,000 pounds — and when they collide with a passenger car, the results are almost always devastating.

In the aftermath, victims are left with hospital bills, lost wages, and endless phone calls from insurance companies.

So, it’s natural to wonder: Do I really need to hire a Georgia 18-wheeler accident law firm, or can I handle this on my
(more…)

18-Wheeler Wreck Lawsuits Explained by Atlanta Truck Accident Attorneys

When an 18-wheeler collides with a smaller vehicle, the aftermath can be devastating.

The massive size and weight of these trucks make accidents catastrophic, often leaving victims with severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship.

Understanding how to navigate the complex process of an 18-wheeler wreck lawsuit is crucial — and that’s where the guidance of an experienced Truck Accident Lawyer becomes indispensable.

In this article, Atlanta’s top truck accident attorneys explain everything you need to know about 18-wheeler wreck lawsuits — from causes
(more…)