Search Results

The Brogdon Firm, based in the greater Atlanta area, has always put the interest of our clients first across a number of practice areas: accidents, professional negligence, rights violations, shootings and assaults, and wrongful death. While you can always benefit from the expertise of legal representation, some cases are simple and people can solve them on their own. Unfortunately, the aftermath of any of these situations is never easy. However, when determining how you would like to handle the outcome you deserve, you have options. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hiring a personal injury lawyer for your case. PROS OF HIRING A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER CASE A personal injury attorney understands the process (save time, medical treatment). Most injury cases are not seen in court and settlements can never replace the pain or long term injury you’ll experience. So when you hire a personal injury attorney for your case, they are specialized in this area and are committed to helping you save time during these trying moments. Also, our medical treatment is key to getting you back to normal, mentally and physically. Your personal injury attorney can get you medical attention immediately so you can start recovery while they handle your case. A personal injury attorney improves your chances. Insurance companies will do everything they can to pay as little as possible. A personal injury attorney knows the value of your injury case and can help determine if it’s necessary to go to trial if the settlement offer is not up to standard for what you’ve experienced and may continue to experience. Personal injury attorneys are motivated. Nothing motivates the best outcome for your case more than a personal injury attorney that is motivated by justice, moral good, and fair compensation. The right personal injury attorney will take your case seriously and fight for you to get the results you deserve. Personal injury attorneys protect you. After an unexpected car accident, troubling civil rights experience or even devastating negligence incident – it’s hard to know who is on your side and the best decisions to make for your situation. Every case is different and a personal injury attorney understands that when they represent you. When the insurance company tries to sway you, a personal injury will protect your interests. Now that you see the pros of hiring a personal injury lawyer for your case, here’s some insight on the cons. CONS OF HIRING A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER FOR YOUR CASE The cost of a personal injury attorney is not always affordable. Hiring a personal injury attorney for your case can be costly. There are various legal fees associated with handling a case, settling a case and potentially taking it to court. Fighting for the best outcome requires a number of human hours. Of course, the price will depend on the personal injury lawyer that you choose and how complex your case is. But it’s more than possible for you to make a plan for these costs and not owe in the end if you end up with a positive settlement. Minor incidents may not need a personal injury attorney. Yes, you were in a car accident and endured some bruising; however, the case may not be valuable enough for you to pay a lawyer. Make sure to get a free case review or consultation in order to not lose money, waste time, and add stress because of a limited outcome or possibly not outcome at all. Inexperienced attorneys could hurt your case. If you don’t do your research or ask the right questions, you could choose a lawyer that doesn’t specialize in injury cases or simply doesn’t have the experience to get you the best outcome. They may end up giving you bad advice or rushing to get an outcome that doesn’t suit what you’ve been through. Review some qualifying questions below to ask a personal injury attorney if you’re thinking about hiring for your case. WHAT SHOULD I ASK BEFORE HIRING A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER? Do you only charge a fee if there is recovery or settlement? What kind of cases do you handle on a recurring basis? Do you try cases in court? Meet the team. What staff members would be taking care of my case? How long have you been handling personal injury cases? At The Brogdon Firm, we are happy to answer these questions so you feel confident that you’re hiring a personal injury firm that can get your case a strong outcome. The decision to hire a personal injury attorney is not always front of mind after unforeseen circumstances; however, there are a number of steps you should take before speaking with an insurance company without representation. Let us take a look at your case in Atlanta, GA and how we can help. Schedule a free consultation and case review with us today.

The global pandemic in 2020 led to a significant decline in driving; ultimately causing a rapid spike in traffic accidents and fatalities once we all hit the road again. As we return to our offices and school, hanging out with friends, and visiting family – road trips can be an adventure.It goes without saying that when you are driving, especially on a road trip, to make sure you buckle up and position your rear and side car mirrors. We want to help you prepare the best way possible so you have a memorable trip for the right reasons. Get Your Car Checked Out (fluids, oil changes, etc.) Your car is your home away from home when on the road, so you want to ensure it is ready and prepared for the drive as early as possible. Take your car by a local garage or dealership for a maintenance check for tire pressure, oil levels, wiper blades, fluid levels and more. This pre-check (you can also do yourself) can eliminate any road emergencies. Tip: Make sure to have a spare tire, flashlight, and jumper cables on hand for any car emergencies during your road trip like a flat tire or dead battery. Pack a Road Trip Survival Kit (include reviewing weather conditions/geography) Depending on where you’re from and where you’re headed, weather conditions and road construction could affect your trip. Having a travel kit of essentials can help improve the journey and keep you on track to your destination. Try this packing list and even add a personal touch of something that you know could make your trip even better. First aid kit and trash bag Beverages and snacks Blankets and pillows Car charger for cellphones CDs or Aux Cord for Streaming Music Be Safe & Alert Road rage, young children, loud music, sleepiness, etc. could cause serious distractions or accidents while driving. You want to avoid any emergencies or unexpected issues that can be prevented. Be patient on the road with other drivers. Keep children and teens busy with technology, books, or car games. Always pull into well-lit gas stations and avoid pulling over on the road at night Monitor your gas between exits Take caution when using cruise control for safety and alertness Take a break and rest if possible after 3-4 hours of driving. If possible, share driving responsibilities with drivers of age with a legal and active driver’s license. Do not text and drive. Keep the car radio at a reasonable volume level so you can hear ambulances, register car noises, etc. Tip: With gas prices high as ever, saving on gas is pivotal on road trips. Buy gas first thing in the morning and use apps like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas on your route. The Brogdon Firm wants you to enjoy the road as much as the destination. For the best road trip experience, be prepared and have fun. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, this experience could create memories that you will never forget. If you happen to experience a car accident in Georgia, schedule a free consultation with us so we can help you start your mental and physical recovery. We listen. We are available. We understand.

Atlanta has a huge racing problem. When the Covid-19 pandemic kept us home for weeks, police in many Georgia counties began to receive complaints about excessive street racing and dangerous driving. Some of these high-speed, drag racing incidents have resulted in serious injury and even death. Earlier this year, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed bill ​​HB 534 outlawing street racing in the Peach State. Despite this new law being enacted, illegal street racing is still having a negative effect on Georgia citizens. Georgia has the 10th highest proportion of street racing offenders nationwide and long maintained a high rate of car-related deaths and the continued issues with street racing is only making it worse. Atlanta City Council even suggested offering race enthusiasts and high speed racers the opportunity to do it legally at Atlanta Speed Motorway. That option was shut down when councilpersons realized that the allure of street racing is showcasing the illegal act on social media. “They want their five minutes of internet fame, and they wanna show they are doing this illegally, they’re doing it in a city street, they’re stopping interstate traffic,” Chief of Atlanta Police Erika Shields told 11Alive news. “Their conduct is so reckless. It is astounding how little regard they have for any human life, including their own.” When it comes to injury or death in street racing and reckless driving, it’s considered negligence, amongst other criminal charges. This is something The Brogdon Firm can help you with. “Atlanta is not unlike other major metropolitan cities struggling to engage youth and young adults in safe nightlife activities. Unfortunately, many people have been injured in this pursuit,” says Attorney Brogdon as he describes the existing consequences of street racing.As the law on illegal street racing hopefully takes shape as the year wraps up, The Brogdon Firm remains committed to getting your case the outcome it deserves. If you find yourself injured due to someone else’s responsibility on the road, please contact us for a free case review. We’ll provide next steps on how your story can be heard and resolved. Get started on a consultation with us to get the help you need, right now.

Car accidents happen everyday; almost always unexpectedly. It’s normal to panic and not remember everything you need to do to protect yourself when on the scene. From fender benders to t-bone collisions and more serious car crashes, what you do immediately after a car accident matters. Keep this copy of our car accident checklisthandy so you’ll be prepared before, during, and after an accident. Friendly reminder: Before driving a vehicle, it’s imperative to have your active Driver’s License and car insurance card readily available. Also, it’s recommended to keep a first aid kit, jumper cables, and a flashlight handy in case of emergency. At the Scene of a Car Accident “The most important thing for you to do when you are in an accident is make sure everyone is safe. Your priority is not calling an attorney. Call 911 first for all emergencies.” -Attorney Gino Brogdon Jr. > Stay cool and composed. If you can, when an accident occurs, turn on your hazard lights and get to safety by getting out of the way of moving traffic. Do not leave the scene. > Assess yourself and the damage. Evaluate your physical condition and the condition of your passengers in order to determine if you need medical attention. Do take photos to document car damage. Tip: If there are witnesses available, interview them. > Call the police or local authorities. You’re most protected when you have all the information. Do make sure to obtain an official report with the accident details from the police. Tip: You’ll need this for your insurance. > Exchange insurance.  In some cases, use the police as a liaison to other driver(s) when they arrive on scene. Do not offer up any personal information or admit fault other than your insurance information. Now that you have some clear steps to take once you have a car accident, here’s some insight on how to protect yourself after properly leaving the scene. What to Do After a Car Accident “Once you are sure that everyone is safe and getting the care they need, then you want to start thinking through next steps. It’s our priority at The Brogdon Firm to remain compassionate and patient as you work through the aftermath of this unexpected circumstance.” -Attorney Gino Brogdon, Jr. > Call your insurance company. No matter who was at fault, you must notify your insurance company of the car crash. Do give them accident details, other driver(s) insurance info, and where/how they can get the police report if requested. > Follow up medical treatment. If you were injured in the car crash, seek medical treatment immediately. Do not let uncertainty or pain linger after an accident occurs. > Get a quote on damages. Meet with a professional about your car collision costs and retrieve an estimated quote on repairs. Tip: Your insurance may have a list of preferred repair shops that can expedite your repair job. Check with them first if necessary. > Speak with an attorney. If you sustained injuries or experienced loss of life from the car accident or you’re simply unsure about who was at fault and responsible for the car damages, you have the right to start a lawsuit and get legal representation in GA. Do not make any statements to the other driver’s insurance company or legal team without your own representation. The aftermath of a car accident can be intimidating, but The Brogdon Firm is committed to getting you back on the road quickly and safely. No frills. Do not let an insurance company offer you a settlement without all the information or your best outcome in mind. We can sit by your side as you recover from the car wreck in order to get you the compensation that you deserve. Let us step in and fight for you. Get started on a free consultation with us to get the help you need, right now.

Attorney Gino Brogdon Jr, The Brogdon Firm, LLC, reflects on Senate Committee experience as the lone mediator & plaintiff’s attorney. (October 8, 2019, Atlanta, GA) – Complaints by defense lawyers and business groups about hefty verdicts and unfavorable rulings are common. Daily Report contributor, Greg Land, investigates how plaintiffs lawyers are keeping an eye on a legislative committee that could trigger another round of “tort reform” legislation. “Fueled by reports of megamillion-dollar verdicts, including from parts of the state that were considered relatively conservative and defense-friendly a few years ago, legislation was enacted to create the Study Committee on Reducing Georgia’s Cost of Doing Business. The committee is tasked with tackling legal obstacles that “threaten families, small and large businesses, economic development and all Georgia consumers,” and to “fully review and study the issue of Georgia’s legal climate and its impact on the cost of doing business and performing healthcare services in Georgia.” Daily Report, Greg Land, October 4, 2019 The 15 member committee is led by Senator John Wilkinson, and the backgrounds of the group include 5 other senators as well as defense counsels from major corporations in the state. Gino Brogdon Jr. is the only mediator and plaintiff’s attorney on the Senate committee. In the interview, Brogdon laughs and agrees that he is “sort of the odd man out,” but said he’s been pleased with how his perspective has been received. The article continues with Brogdon’s experience with the committee. Gino continues, “Everybody here, whether they’re from one group or another, is trying to reduce the costs of doing business in Georgia”. “Sometimes there are disagreements in the committee, but it’s very congenial and courteous, as opposed to argumentative.” “While my plaintiffs’ practice has helped me explain things from an injured citizen’s point of view, my practice as a mediator has allowed me to give productive commentary, and approach issues in a balanced way,” said Brogdon. For Brogdon, polarizing issues at the committee table is unproductive. Brogdon’s goal is to contribute to the conversation by highlighting the middle ground on issues such as the seat belt law or the statutory limitations for filing time-limited policy demands on an insurer. The article concluded with a final thought from Brogdon, “I can’t say there was anything I felt so strongly about I said, ‘No way, can’t happen.’ But there were a lot of times I thought some information was lacking. The idea is to get all these suggestions out there.” You can see the full daily report article here: https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2019/10/04/fretting-over-high-dollar-verdicts-senate-panel-ponders-legislative-fixes/?slreturn=20190909084446 The third meeting of the Senate Study Committee on the Cost of Doing Business in Georgia will take place on Monday, October 21st at 10:00am in Ashmore Hall, Room 119 at the Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus (11935 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31419). You may also livestream the meeting here: http://www.senate.ga.gov/spo/en-US/videobroadcasts.aspx For further information please contact:  Melissa R. Brogdon, Firm Administrator at melissa@brogdonfirm.com, 404-977-0385 About the Brogdon Firm, LLC: The Brogdon Firm, LLC specializes in results-driven legal solutions for victims of personal injury and professional negligence. Learn more about our practice areas here.

My journey has been characterized by moments of quiet stillness that make you believe that you are safe, only to be jerked up and down, and side to side – ribs pressing against the overhead harness, out of breath, exhilarated and at the same time drained. The rides speed around curves, carrying hopeful but cautious passengers. Finally, the familiar slow arrives, a rickety creep that signals the ride has finally ended. Hopefully, you emerge with a smile, a little rattled, but intact. Many days I feel like the shaky-kneed kid who gets off the ride, proud but content to not ride again. Whole and splintered. The duality that has dictated the last 6 months of my life is a bit of a quandary that I am still considering. Some mornings, I am my complete self, taking on new adventures, digging into my work, spending time with people that I care about. Other days, the debilitating pain that surfaces from a simple attempt to walk my dog humbles me. Like disembarking at the end of Space Mountain, I am finally feeling that sense of accomplishment that comes when the security bars lift and I can stand steadily on solid ground. Yet, from one day to the next, feeling stable feels remarkably elusive. The rip of the package releases the smell of lidocaine and menthol as my wife looks for the best place to put the patch on my back. “Put your hand where you want it.” I reach back as we share our new, sometimes daily, ritual. I put on my work shirt. I drive the hour from my home to work a little less timidly than I did in July. I can truly appreciate the conundrum my clients face now. Yes, I go to work because I love what I do and because I have to support my family. I smile. I have a good day. I laugh with colleagues. Sometimes, I even pivot quickly to avoid a hallway run-in. I almost forget. Then, I turn too sharply, and my back helps me to remember. I am not fine. The frustration that washes over client’s faces when opposing counsel suggests that their basic pursuit of life indicates that they are clearly “whole” is now palpable. The prosecutor barely looked up from his stack of case files as he mentioned the drivers multiple DUIs. It’s hard to believe that I almost missed her hearing. I remember being so angry after the accident that getting “justice” would consume an entire day’s thoughts. Ultimately, she would serve no additional jail time for plowing through a red light, crushing my Lyft driver under his steering wheel, and putting bulges in my spine while I spit out pieces of my broken teeth. I still have days that I’m so upset and want her to pay, but I also understand we are all suffering to some extent. There is no excuse for her behavior, but the more I reinforced my own victimhood, an uncomfortable thought surfaced. Could she have been a victim too? The broken headlights on Memorial Drive seemed to suddenly pale in comparison to the fractured shards of disappointment that peppered her experience with the justice system. Many times clients say to me, “this isn’t fair”. They are right, the system isn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance. Here I am, healthy and active one day. The next, I’m discussing the variety of back braces with the senior citizen in the pharmacy aisle next to me. I am certainly grateful that my experience was not worse, but I can’t help but pine after (and have a much better appreciation for) my pain-free former life. As I tell Plaintiffs in mediation, many times you don’t get what’s fair. But, hopefully, you can get closure. I ultimately chickened out the night before my appointment for trigger point and epidural injections. I had reached a plateau with physical therapy and my orthopedist suggested them as my next step for pain management. Instead, I took some well-heeded advice and decided to attempt a lifestyle change. I’m dabbling in yoga, pilates and core strengthening, a long-term game. Ultimately, the best advice I got to get back to normal was to not let life pass me by. So I went ahead and bought the back brace. I’ve made it half way around the world with it. My carry-on is a lot heavier with a combination of heat packs, meds, and the occasional disappointment of turning down the more strenuous activities on the itinerary. “Certainly if you can go and enjoy life, you aren’t truly impacted by the accident.” I used to make some of the same judgments as opposing counsel. Now, I know that the people that continue to travel and live life in pain are really grasping for control. Those people are brave, fighting for the life they had and pushing through to secure new happiness. I’m embracing the “both, and” dichotomy of life and reconsidering my lawyerly affinity for the surety of “either, or”. I can be hurt by a drunk driver AND not get requite. I can experience pain AND immense joy. My reward for acceptance is freedom. I am free to value the things that matter most in life. I am free to live fully in this moment. All of the unique experiences we encounter – not just the ones that bring us pleasure – enrich our lives. As long as the good mostly outweighs the bad, you’re winning at life. I am certainly working to outweigh the bad in 2019. It is a fact that my back will never be the same, that I will never see intersections the same, or travel the same and that’s ok. I will also never take for granted my health or the immense love that has surrounded me on this journey. Thank you for sharing in this process with me.

READ GINO’S PROFILE IN VOL. 7 ISSUE 3 OF ATLANTA ATTORNEY MAGAZINE!