Drunk Driving

Address: 531 Roselane St NW, Suite 200A, Marietta, GA, 30060, US
Telephone: (770) 422-8840

4 Reasons Why You Need a Lawyer Now

A lawyer in a blue suit stands in front of a staircase. — A good lawyer can help you avoid a bad lawsuit.

It’s not always obvious when a situation calls for the expertise of a lawyer. You could find yourself involved in something that seems so straightforward that it doesn’t occur you to enlist outside help. However, when it comes to things like your physical well-being and personal property, it’s often best to err on the side of caution and consult with an attorney.

Lawyers can help in ways you might not have considered

Most people think of a lawyer, standing in a courtroom, arguing a case, and while that happens, there’s a lot an experienced attorney can do for you outside of the courthouse. The knowledge they have that directly relates to your specific situation can be invaluable in establishing the validity of your case, the compensation you deserve, and the strategy to reach the best possible outcome. They can also:

Help you collect evidence to make your case
Coach you through a conversation with an insurance company to protect your best interests
Conduct an independent evaluation of your case to help establish fault
Guide you through the legal process to ensure you take all the proper steps for proceedings
Serve as your advocate

Having a dedicated attorney on your side when facing situations like personal injury, car accidents, DUI offenses, and even traffic tickets can positively impact the outcome of your case and help you reach the best outcome possible.

Personal Injury

Suffering a personal injury can result in physical, emotional, or mental issues that can lead to costly medical expenses. Some injuries can take a prolonged amount of time to heal, causing you to lose income from missing work in addition to paying extra bills. If your personal injury was caused by the negligence of another, you’re entitled to receive compensation. Some examples of personal injury cases include injuries sustained in a car or motorcycle accident, dog bites, medical malpractice, slips or falls, product liability, and wrongful death.

There are three main requirements to establish a personal injury case.

Did you suffer more than just property damage in the situation?
Was the injury caused because of the negligence of another person or entity?
Are there recoverable damages?

In some situations, negligence can be difficult to establish, but a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process of compiling your case.

Car Accident

Whenever a car accident involves physical injury, fatality, or significant property damage, a lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve to cover your losses. The key is to contact an attorney early so they can help you through the process from the start. When insurance companies are asking you to provide a statement and medical costs and car repairs begin taking place is an important time to have the knowledge of an experienced attorney behind you, protecting your interests and helping you assess the full damage of the accident so you can be properly compensated.

DUI Defense

After you’ve been charged with a DUI, it’s imperative you engage a lawyer who can act quickly on your behalf. This can help save your license, if it’s at risk of suspension, as well as jumpstart the process of collecting evidence to use in your defense. Even if you’ve been charged, there’s no guarantee you’ll be convicted as guilty, so there’s still time to fight with the help of a DUI defense lawyer.

Georgia DUI laws are intricate, with established parameters for fines, license revocation, jail time, fees, and probation costs. With a clear understanding of all these details, a DUI lawyer knows when to challenge the validity of a DUI charge, working toward the ultimate goal of ensuring your rights are protected and the best possible outcome is obtained.

Traffic Tickets

Getting a ticket for speeding or something non-accident related doesn’t mean you simply have to pay. Working with an attorney in situations like these can provide you with a better understanding of the possible solutions to your case and the best course of action to take. You don’t have to navigate the system alone, lose when a violation could result in more than just a fine.

The added protection of an attorney can help prevent you from dealing with increased insurance rates, jail time, or a license suspension. Even if you feel as if the ticket is very cut-and-dry, lean on the expertise of an attorney to ensure you’re handling things in a way to reach the best conclusion for you.

Partner with the right law firm to get results

Scrabble tiles in a line spelling "laywer." — It's easier to win if you line things up in your favor.

Whichever situation you find yourself involved in, the first thing to do is not panic. The second thing? Contact a lawyer specializing in cases like yours.

At The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm, each of these practice areas is addressed by an accomplished attorney who will treat your case with care and respect. Through personal attention and a wealth of knowledge, our law team works to get you the best results possible for your case.

9 Reasons You Need A Personal Injury Law Firm

If you’ve never been in a serious accident it can be easy to say you don’t need a personal injury lawyer, but when the smoke clears and you wake up in a hospital bed with serious injuries, the last thing on your mind should be getting all of the paperwork in order for your personal injury claim. Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is that after an accident, no one is on your side. That’s not exactly a comforting thought when you’re overwhelmed with hospital bills and the burden of recovery. There are plenty of reasons to hire a personal injury attorney to handle your Marietta car accident and here is a list of nine:

1. Experience: A personal injury lawyer has gone through the process before. They have likely been part of cases that were similar to yours and can use that experience to influence the decision making process in your case. There will be many decisions for you to make, and the more experienced your lawyer is, the easier it will be for you to make educated decisions in your case.

2. Attention to Detail: A personal injury firm is less likely to overlook details in any contracts or settlements because they understand fully what every part of the contract means. They will be able to catch any parts of a contract that aren’t in your favor and negotiate for better terms.

3. Complicated: The legal process is long and complicated. An attorney will know the ins and outs and will know what to expect and how best to prepare. There are plenty of deadlines to keep track of and a ton of paperwork. An experienced personal injury attorney will know the entire process and be able to plan for all of the steps.

4. Impartial: Your personal injury attorney will not be as emotionally invested as you are in your case. Emotions tend to cloud a person’s judgement and can lead to mistakes. Having a personal injury attorney allows you to trust an impartial party who will not be making decisions based on anger or any other emotion.

5. Alternatives: Not all personal injury cases require a long drawn out battle with insurance companies. Your lawyer will understand all of the alternatives available to you and will be able to advise you on when these alternatives are best.

6. Insider Insights: Insurance companies on the other side of the table will have lawyers, so hiring your own lawyer will ensure you understand what is going on and what tactics they might use to try to deny you your rights. Your attorney will also know when they are offering you the highest settlement you are likely to get, which will help you respond accordingly.

7. Insurance Companies: A personal injury attorney has worked with insurance companies before. They will understand what needs to happen in order to protect your rights.

8. Reputation: Hiring a well known personal injury attorney that is known for winning cases could prompt an insurance company to settle much earlier and for much more money than they typically would.

9. Time: When you’ve been injured, you need time to recover without worrying about all the documents and deadlines that will be coming up. It is important that you have help with all of the paperwork so that you can recover as best as you can.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Cobb County car accident, call Atlanta personal injury lawyers at The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at (770) 422-8840.

5 Things You Need To Do If You’ve Been Hit By A Drunk Driver

Merriam-Webster defines the word accident as, “a sudden event (such as a crash) that is not planned or intended and that causes damage or injury.” While many automobile accidents are just that, when an accident occurs because of a drunk driver, things get a little more complicated.

When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel despite being intoxicated, they are taking a risk with not only their property and life, but those of the people around them. This kind of negligence has caused countless numbers of injuries and deaths.

Unfortunately, while the police force here in Atlanta is doing all they can to keep drunk drivers off the roads, they are outnumbered and some drunk drivers fall through the cracks.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before their first arrest, and about one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of drunk driving are repeat offenders.

A drunk driver’s victim will know first hand that the main cause in a DUI accident is the negligence of the other driver who chose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, despite the knowledge of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Because of that fact, it is important to treat drunk driving injury cases with care. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver, make sure to do the following 5 things:

1. Call the proper authorities

This may seem simple, but many people do not call the police or an ambulance if they have been in an accident. Calling the police and having them file a report is very important. It puts a non-biased professional on the scene. A police report can help immensely if you need to go to court. Documentation is key in many court cases, and a police report will be a powerful document to not only prove that the driver was drunk, but also the level of his or her drunkenness. You will also need to seek medical help for your injuries. Seeking medical help gets you the help you need while also creating yet another paper trail of professionals that will come in handy in a courtroom.

2. Get the drunk driver’s information

Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to rely on someone else to do this. The police on the scene will be a good source for this information if you are not well enough to get it yourself.

3. Call a personal injury lawyer

It is important to understand what your rights are when you have been in an accident. For instance, you may be contacted from an insurance company or one may even come to the scene of the accident. A lawyer will remind you that you do not have to speak to either your insurance company or the drunk driver’s insurance company. In this example, an experienced Atlanta DUI lawyer will have protected you from having your words come back to haunt you at a later date.

4. Make a list of witnesses

Retrieve their contact information. A witness will be able to further prove your claims in the future, but only if you know who they are and how you can contact them.

5. Document everything

The more documentation you have, the better. If you are injured it can be helpful to keep a journal of your recovery. An injury journal is a great way to record your pain levels and the length of time it has taken for you to recover. If you keep a detailed recovery journal you will have a better idea of the severity of your injuries and the dates of any procedures or therapy appointments that you have attended. This kind of journal not only helps you in your communication with your doctors or specialists, but may be used if you need to go to court.

If you have been in an Atlanta accident with someone who was drinking, call The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at 770-422-8840.

6 Mistakes to Avoid if You’ve Been Hit by a Drunk Driver

The best way to avoid mistakes is to be as educated about your situation as possible, but what happens when you have been in a DUI accident? No one can be prepared for this type of devastating accident so the first step is to use all the resources available to you. One of the biggest resources you can take advantage of in a situation like this is an experienced drunk driving injury lawyer. It is especially important for drunk driving victims to do their research and find the right lawyer.

Atlanta is a city with many motorists, unfortunately not all drivers are responsible about their alcohol intoxication levels. The highways of Atlanta are a dangerous place and when paired with alcohol they are downright deadly. Much like texting while driving statistics, drunk driving statistics have shown that making stricter drunk driving laws act as a strong deterrent, but they can be hard to navigate even if you’re the one that’s been injured. Here are some common mistakes to avoid if you’ve been in an accident involving a DUI.

Being the Drunk Driver

This is the biggest mistake, and choosing to not make this mistake will prevent accidents, hefty fines and jail time. There are tons of drinking and driving statistics that prove the dangers of driving under the influence, so plan ahead and make sure to have a ride. Don’t be “that guy.”

Signing a Deal

This is a very common mistake made often by victims of drunk driving accidents. The insurance companies typically don’t want a long, drawn out process. They also might not take into account the full extent of your injuries and the impact it will have on your everyday life. Before you agree to what feels like a large sum of money, contact an experienced attorney that will have some insight into what’s in store for you. It is always best, before you talk to any insurance companies (including your own) that you discuss your rights with an attorney.

Not Hiring a Lawyer

It is so important that you hire a lawyer to not only help you to get the best outcome for your case as possible, but also in order to make sure your legal rights are upheld.

Social Media

It is very important to keep your case off of social media. Anything posted on social media can be used against you later on. The more tight lipped you are the less likely you are to run into problems.

Not Calling the Police

A police report can be crucial to a DUI accident case. Not only will there be a written account by a non-biased person at the scene of the crash, but the officer will be able to test the drunk driver’s BAC in order to determine just how drunk they are. This can change everything in a DUI accident case.

Not Taking Your Injuries Seriously

This happens all too often. If you have been injured in a DUI accident you will need to be treated by a professional. Even if at the time of the accident there seems to be little wrong with you, fight the urge to walk it off. Long term injuries don’t always show their symptoms at first, and not getting yourself checked out could lead to not just medical bills but pain in the future.

Call The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at 770-422-8840 now for a trustworthy DUI accident attorney.

Who Do You Call if You’ve Been Hit By a Drunk Driver?

Car accidents are the worst nightmare of many Atlanta motorists. Driving a motor vehicle is dangerous and requires a responsible and practiced person behind the wheel. Unfortunately, not all drivers take this responsibility seriously. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a person is injured in a drunk driving accident every two minutes. That’s the time it would take you to make a cup of coffee. It’s also an amount of time we don’t even bother with in our daily planners, which is a reminder of the seriousness of this problem.

The consequences of drinking and driving aren’t only felt by the drunk drivers themselves. All too often, sober and responsible drivers that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time suffer the consequences of someone else’s deadly gamble. We are fortunate in this country to have a legal system that has written laws that will defend the rights of responsible citizens in the unfortunate cases where they are injured, or in even more heartbreaking cases of wrongful death.

While your mind will be racing directly after an accident, it is important to make sure a few things happen in order to protect your rights and to ensure you get the care you need and deserve. Calling an Atlanta car accident lawyer is important, but it isn’t the first step.

Step One
If you are injured, especially in an accident where a driver is drunk, it is essential that you call the proper authorities. This means calling the police and also making sure you are seen by medical professionals. Since this is a law blog, it may strike you that the first step isn’t to call your lawyer, but your first priority should always be you. Making sure you get the care you need quickly can be key in keeping your healing time and the long-term consequences of your injuries to a minimum. After you know you will be receiving the care you need, it will help you in the future to have information about the other driver (if it is a multi-car accident) and to have the police at the scene to write a report and to do things like check the blood alcohol level of the drunk driver. This may seem like a simple step, but the level of the other driver’s drunkenness will affect your case further down the line and may allow you to sue for punitive damages.

Step Two
Call your lawyer. This is so critical. Having an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer is important because not only will a local lawyer have a better understanding of the area, but a lawyer who specializes in a field of law that is pertinent to your case could mean the difference between winning the full amount allowable and walking away with very little. Your Atlanta car accident lawyer will help you with legal advice about your case and will educate you on your rights when dealing with insurance companies. An excellent lawyer is there to protect you; insurance companies are not.

Step Three
Relax. This step is all about healing. There will be paperwork that needs to be done, but if you have hired the right lawyer, it will be handled in a professional and timely manner. When you hire a lawyer that you can trust, you will avoid much of the anxiety that you would feel if you were facing this circumstance alone.

An experienced lawyer will have an understanding of whether you’ve been given a good deal or a bad deal. A good auto accident attorney will also understand when it is worth it to bring your case to court or whether you should settle. Settling too quickly is a mistake so many people make, so don’t let an insurance company try to get away with paying you less than you deserve!

If you have been hit by a drunk driver or in a motor vehicle accident with someone who was drinking, call The Patterson Cozzo Law Firm at 770-422-8840.