Category: Civil law

What Does It Mean to Mitigate Damages?

Mitigation of Damages in State of Georgia For Personal Injury Cases

When a person is injured through the negligence of someone else, the injured person has a duty to mitigate their damages in order to minimize the effects and loss related to any injuries. A personal injury plaintiff will be denied the right to recover any part of damages that the court or a jury finds could reasonably have been avoided.

What Is Mitigating Damages?

Even a person who suffers personal injury through no fault of his or her own has an obligation to take reasonable steps to avoid further loss and minimize the consequences of the injury.

In Georgia, under the mitigation of damages doctrine — where to mitigate means to reduce or lessen — a person who has suffered an injury or loss should take reasonable action to avoid additional injury or loss.

What Steps Should I Take to Mitigate My Damages?

You do not have to act above and beyond what would be reasonable. Georgia law only requires you to reduce your damages by using ordinary care and diligence. If you take the steps that a reasonable person would take under the circumstances, you have exercised ordinary care and diligence. In personal injury cases, the duty to mitigate damages arises most often in relation to medical treatment. Any delay in seeking medical treatment, unreasonably refusing medical treatment, disregarding the medical advice of healthcare providers, and refusing recommended surgery may all be deemed a failure to mitigate damages.

What Are Reasonable Examples of Mitigating Damages?

An injured person who chooses not to have surgery when a doctor recommends surgery will not recover damages for injuries that could have been reduced or avoided had they had the recommended surgery.
An injured person who chooses to use alternative treatments such as holistic and homeopathic treatments instead of seeking traditional medical treatment may lead to a reduction of damages that can be recovered.
An accident victim has a duty to mitigate damages by seeking medical treatment for any injuries. If medical treatment would help a victim recover or reduce the severity of symptoms, a jury will understandably expect the victim to seek treatment as part of their efforts to get better.

What Happens if I Don’t Mitigate My Damages?

The failure of a plaintiff to take reasonable steps after suffering an injury or loss can result in a reduced damages award. The purpose of the duty to mitigate is to deny the recovery of damages that could have been reasonably avoided had the plaintiff taken reasonable action. The person at fault in your accident or injury should only be responsible for the damages they caused. Georgia law does not require a negligent party to pay for damages they didn’t cause. If your case goes to trial, most trial court judges will utilize Georgia’s Pattern Jury Instructions and instruct the jury as follows:

“When a person is injured by the negligence of another, he or she must mitigate his or her damages as much as is practicable by the use of ordinary care and diligence. If you believe that a party has suffered damages as alleged, under the law, that party is bound to reduce those damages, as much as practicable, by the use of ordinary care. If you believe that by the use of such care, that party could have reduced the damages, you would determine to what extent and reduce damages to that extent.”

This is why it is so important to never miss medical appointments and to do everything medical professionals recommend after a personal injury.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby

The duty to mitigate will almost always come up either during settlement negotiations or court deliberations. If you have questions about the law and your case, contact  Williams Elleby to schedule a free consultation by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Human Trafficking and Negligent Security in Georgia

Georgia's Negligent Security Lawsuits and Human Trafficking Personal Injury Attorney

While New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft had reason to celebrate after his team’s historic win in Super Bowl LIII, his legacy may be forever stained by criminal charges brought against him for allegedly soliciting prostitution at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida. Kraft originally pleaded not guilty to the charges and subsequently rejected a deal offered by the Florida prosecutors. To be clear, Kraft is not facing human trafficking charges but the charges brought against him did stem from a broad investigation into prostitution and human trafficking in Florida.

Florida’s crackdown on human trafficking as well as the 169 sex-trafficking-related arrests made in or around Atlanta on the day leading up to Super Bowl LIII are a stark reminder of the evil that is present in our world. It was no coincidence that the sting coincided with Super Bowl LIII, as law enforcement expected a surge in sex trafficking due to the increase in visitors from out of state. All told, the arrests included 26 sex traffickers as well as 34 individuals caught attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor. Nine different under-aged victims were recovered during the operation, with the youngest only 14 years of age.

The joint operation involved a wide array of law enforcement groups. It was headed by the Violent Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Program Metro Atlanta Child Exploitation (MATCH) Task Force. The task force includes other entities like the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the GBI, and the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

How to Help Stop Child Sex Slavery

There are several ways that each and every one of us can help reduce this horrific epidemic of sex slavery in Georgia and across the United States. First, we can donate to CLAWS (Civil Lawyers Against World Sex Slavery). CLAWS is a non-profit organization that uses the civil justice system to bring pro bono lawsuits on behalf of survivors of sex slavery. We should also contact our elected officials and let them know that stopping child sex trafficking should be a top priority when passing laws and formulating state and federal budgets. A good resource for finding your elected officials can be found here.

Collateral Consequences & Negligent Security Lawsuits

The effects of these arrests reach beyond those directly involved in criminal conduct. For example, property owners and occupiers could also face civil liability in a negligent security premises liability lawsuit brought by the crime victim. That’s because Georgia statutory law, O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1, requires the owners and occupiers of property to use ordinary care in keeping their premises safe for tenants and visitors.

Similar to a slip and fall case, liability of the owner or occupier is contingent upon actual or constructive knowledge of the danger as well as foreseeability. In Georgia, a property owner or occupier may be liable for criminal acts occurring on its property if the occurrence of crime was foreseeable. See e.g. Walker v. Aderhold Properties, 303 Ga. App. 710, 712-13 (2010).

Foreseeability may be established in many ways, one of which is through evidence of similar criminal activity occurring on a property. Suppose a hotel owner knows that its property has been a hotbed of criminal activity including shootings, sex crimes, and other violent offenses. If the hotel owner does not take reasonable measures to protect its guest from the criminals that frequent the property and a guest is attacked by one of these criminals, the victim may bring a negligent security lawsuit against the hotel owner or manager.

The same civil laws apply if a hotel owner or manager knows or should know that children are being sold for sex on its property. In those circumstances, the owner or manager has a duty to take reasonable security measures to guard against this type of despicable activity. If the owner or manager does not take reasonable action to stop this activity from occurring, the victim could bring a negligent security lawsuit against the hotel owner or occupier.

Negligent Security Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a violent crime at an apartment, hotel, or other commercial establishment, you should always report the incident to the proper authorities. You may also want to consider contacting a negligent security attorney to see if you have a valid claim for civil damages. If the case is strong, a negligent security attorney can bring a lawsuit against the apartment complex or hotel in an effort to obtain compensation for the injuries caused by the lack of proper security.

If you would like to learn more about negligent security lawsuits in Georgia before you contact a law firm, you can watch this YouTube video where I explain negligent security claims in more detail. When you are ready to speak with a negligent security attorney, you can contact our office for a free consultation by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My Personal Injury Settlement?

Pay Taxes on Personal Injury Settlement in Georgia

When it comes to settlements for personal injury lawsuits, one topic that is rarely discussed is the tax implications of that settlement. Many personal injury settlements involve a large lump sum payment; failure to pay the required taxes on an amount that large could land you with a significant penalty with the IRS. But are personal injury settlements even taxable? According to the IRS, it depends on the circumstances surrounding your settlement. In fact, it is possible that part of your settlement is taxable while other parts are not. Typically, your settlement can be itemized into different sections including medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and even interest. Ultimately, it depends on what the purpose of that part of your settlement is.

Repayment for Medical Bills

Fortunately, any part of your settlement that is earmarked for claims regarding your personal physical injuries or illnesses is not taxable. If your entire settlement is entirely related to your injuries, you may not have to pay taxes on any of it. However, there is an exception. Any money that is for medical bills that you deducted from your taxes in previous years must be counted as income on your current year’s taxes.

Emotional Distress

For settlement money intended to address emotional distress or mental anguish, it depends entirely on the cause of your distress. If your emotional distress stems from physical injuries or illnesses, you will not be taxed on that settlement. If your emotional distress were related to any other factor, you would likely need to pay taxes on that amount.

Lost Wages

Your tax responsibility on lost wages can be a complicated issue. While lost wages are taxed, the actual taxes due can vary depending on your circumstances. If the lost wages you were awarded were related to your employment for another business, your lost wages recovery would be subject to social security and Medicare taxes just like your paycheck would be.

If your lost wages are related to lost profits for a trade or business, you must report any lost wages as net earnings are subject to self-employment taxes.

Interest

You are required to pay taxes on all interest payments. In fact, IRS Form 1040 provides for a section titled “Interest Income,” which is designed for this exact purpose.

Punitive Damages

Just like interest payments, any punitive damages must be reported as income on your tax return. You must report any punitive damage payments as income on the “Other Income” section of IRS Form 1040. This is the case whether the source of your claim was from personal injuries or otherwise.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby

Regardless of the outcome of your personal injury case, the proceeds of your case will be taxed the same. If you are concerned about the possible tax implications of a personal injury settlement, your best course of action is to discuss your case with a professional. Joel Williams is an experienced personal injury attorney that can guide you through the process from beginning to end. To discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby, online or at 833-LEGALGA to set up your free consultation today.

Starting a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Following a personal injury, the most important thing to do is to get all necessary medical care. There are also steps you can take to protect their legal rights as soon as an accident or the victim’s knowledge of harm occurs. Immediately following an accident, it is important to get all of the information you can get related to what happened, including the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses. If you are involved in an auto accident, stay on the scene and contact police so that a police report is created.

Record what happened as carefully as you can, and make sure any financial losses accrued, such as medical bills and lost wages, are carefully documented. When it comes to documenting your injuries, don’t rely solely on medical records. Take pictures of your injury as well, and make notes about how you feel.

Never discuss your accident with the party that caused the accident or with insurers without first discussing your case with your attorney. Keep information about your accident as private as possible until your case is resolved. Once immediate medical care has been obtained, the next step is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney.

What to Expect Once You’ve Hired an Attorney

If an attorney agrees to take your case, the attorney will begin to investigate the facts of your case and collect all the evidence that you will need to successfully make a claim. This means getting as much information as possible about the event that caused the injury and getting thorough documentation of all medical care that took place. Often, your attorney may want you to see additional medical professionals to better assess your injury. Your attorney will also help you calculate the full value of your claim.

After a case has been adequately prepared, a demand for compensation is usually sent to the responsible party or a claim is made to the responsible party’s insurer. At this stage, a defendant or insurer will either reject the claim or offer a settlement offer. In many cases, it is possible to negotiate a settlement that is fair, but this isn’t always the case. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, it is time to start preparing a lawsuit.

A personal injury lawsuit is started with the filing of a Complaint for damages. It is critical that this be done prior to the Georgia Statute of Limitations for tort claims. This petition must be served upon the defendant, and the defendant will be given time to file an answer. Following this, for several months the parties will conduct discovery. Discovery is the process by which the parties share information about the case with each other. In most cases, the parties, eyewitnesses, and any medical or vocational experts that may testify in the case will give testimony in the form of depositions. The lawyers will also file procedural and evidentiary motions at this stage. The vast majority of cases are settled after the discovery stage is over. However, if a defendant thinks they have a good case, or if they are just stubborn, the case will proceed to a trial.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby

If you have been injured due to the wrongful conduct of someone else, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby, can help you understand your legal rights and options, and if necessary, help you to initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. Williams Elleby, offers free case evaluations and accepts cases on a contingency fee basis. Contact Williams Elleby, to discuss your case today by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Jury Selection

In Georgia state courts, parties have a right to a jury trial in civil matters. According to the Georgia Code, either party in a civil dispute may demand a panel of “competent and impartial jurors from which to select a jury.” The number of jurors is typically either six or twelve, depending on the estimated value of the case and the type of court in which it is being heard. If you are involved in a dispute that is heading towards a possible jury trial, it is imperative that you make sure you get a fair and impartial jury to decide your case.

CHOOSING THE JURY

Each party in a case is given the opportunity to question potential jurors and to strike a certain number of them that they don’t want on the jury. They may also ask the judge to strike jurors for cause if they appear to be biased in the case. This process of questioning and jury selection is known as voir dire.

Although neither party in a case has any right to have a particular person serve on a jury, they do have the right to strike particular people from serving. There are two ways that jurors can be struck from serving – by strikes for cause and by peremptory strikes. A party may peremptorily strike a juror for any reason, except to exclude them from the jury based on their race, ethnicity, or sex. However, each side only has a certain number of peremptory challenges that they can use. A lawyer should use their peremptory strikes to remove potential jurors that they feel may not be good for their client.

Parties may also strike jurors for cause when that juror is biased. Strikes for cause principally occur when a juror is related to a party, has a financial interest in the case, or when it appears for any other reason that they are biased in favor of one side winning. When a juror is related or has a financial interest in a case, a judge is required by law to strike that juror. However, in other cases of perceived bias, a judge may decide to reject the strike for cause challenge and let the juror stay.

Because fair and impartial juries are an essential part of our justice system, it is extremely important for attorneys to make a compelling case when they make a strike for cause challenge. It is also important to note that, although these strikes are unlimited in theory, judges will sometimes not like to allow too many of them. Therefore, a good attorney will use cause challenges carefully.

THE EXPERIENCED TRIAL ATTORNEYS AT WILLIAMS ELLEBY PROTECT THEIR CLIENTS’ RIGHTS DURING JURY SELECTION

The attorneys at Williams Elleby understand the jury selection process. They know how to ask questions during voir dire and how to use their peremptory and for cause challenges to protect their clients. Many trials are often won or lost at the jury selection stage. The attorneys at Williams Elleby take this stage of a trial very seriously. If you would like more information about this issue, please contact Williams Elleby at 833-LEGALGA.

The Duties of a Georgia Landowner

The Duties of a Georgia Landowner

Landowner duties are governed by an area of law known as premises liability. The general rule under Georgia premises liability law is that a landowner has a duty to exercise a reasonable standard of care to prevent others from being harmed on their land. But, the precise duty a landowner owes a person largely depends on whether that person is classified as an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser.

Invitees, Licensees, and Trespassers

The rule regarding invitees in Georgia is summed up by O.C.G.A. 51-3-1, which states: “Where an owner or occupier of land, by express or implied invitation, induces or leads others to come upon his premises for any lawful purpose, he is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.” Thus, invitees are owed a high standard of care, and landowners must keep a premise reasonably safe for them and warn them of any dangers.

A landowner is liable to a licensee only for “willful or wanton injury.” According to O.C.G.A. 51-3-2, a licensee is a person who: “(1) Is neither a customer, a servant, nor a trespasser; (2) Does not stand in any contractual relation with the owner of the premises; and (3) Is permitted, expressly or impliedly, to go on the premises merely for his own interests, convenience, or gratification.” The perfect example is a social guest at your home.

A trespasser, meanwhile, is owed only the most minimal standard of care against intentional acts of harm, such as setting a trap for someone or creating an unreasonably dangerous pitfall knowing that someone will likely fall into it.

Special Statutory Protections for Certain Landowners

Georgia has enacted special protections against liability for certain landowners. Under the Georgia Recreational Property Act: “An owner of land owes no duty of care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for recreational purposes or to give any warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on the premises to persons entering for recreational purposes.”

The law further states that when a landowner invites persons onto their land for recreational purposes they do not extend any assurance that the premises are safe for any purpose, confer the legal status of an invitee or licensee to people they invite, or assume any responsibility for injury to person or property.

Liability for harm to users of land will only arise under this law if the landowner charges someone to come onto their land or willfully or maliciously fails to guard or warn against a dangerous condition.” The purpose of the law is to encourage landowners to make their land available to the public for things like hunting, fishing, and hiking.

Contact Williams Elleby, for More Information

It is important for landowners to be aware of their duties and for both landowners and others using the land to be aware of their respective rights. If you would like more information about this issue, please contact Joel William Law, LLC, at 833-LEGALGA.

Suing a Tortfeasor Who Files for Bankruptcy

Suing a Tortfeasor Who Files for Bankruptcy

Imagine a dad is driving his new 2017 Lexus home from work on the I-75 after a long day. While driving, a car comes out of nowhere and rear-ends the dad’s car, causing it to spin and smash multiple times into a guard rail. An ambulance rushes to the scene, where paramedics pull the dad from the car and place him on a stretcher. They take him to the hospital to be treated for multiple fractures.

Meanwhile, the police investigate the scene of the accident. The dad’s car is a total loss; skid marks and eyewitness accounts point to the driver of the other car as the culprit. The police officers take the tortfeasor to the police station for questioning. He is later released.

The dad goes to his lawyer, who files a lawsuit against the tortfeasor for damages. The plaintiff/dad requests damages for his car and his injuries, with a cost close to $1 million. The defendant/tortfeasor pleads not guilty. During discovery, the plaintiff finds that the defendant does not have car insurance.

The case progresses to trial. The jury awards the plaintiff $1 million. Immediately thereafter, the defendant files a bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Georgia. The defendant’s bankruptcy schedule lists numerous creditors, including the plaintiff and his $1 million claim.

Bankruptcy Stay and Discharge

Two main features of the United States Bankruptcy Code are the automatic stay and discharge. The automatic stay acts to stop all pre-petition collection, which is debt incurred before filing for bankruptcy. In other words, creditors are generally barred from collecting debts owed until the completion of the bankruptcy process.

The other main feature is the discharge wherein a debtor who satisfies the requisite criteria can wipe out debt. In general, secured creditors have a distinct advantage under the bankruptcy process that allows them to collect their debts in full before unsecured creditors are repaid. Often, secured creditors collect something whereas unsecured creditors collect nothing.

In the above scenario, the defendant would be able to stay collection during the course of the bankruptcy and discharge the debt at the end of the bankruptcy process.

Bankruptcy Filing Prior to the Judgment

If, however, the defendant, files for bankruptcy before the jury awarded the plaintiff $1 million, he or she would not be able to discharge his $1 million debt to the plaintiff through the bankruptcy. This is because the plaintiff did not become a creditor to the defendant until the trial ended and the defendant filed for bankruptcy when the plaintiff was not a creditor, the defendant cannot stay the claim and discharge his debt to the plaintiff through bankruptcy.

Willful Torts

If, in the above scenario, the defendant willfully hurt the plaintiff, then the defendant cannot discharge his debt to the plaintiff through bankruptcy. The Bankruptcy Code expressly excludes willful torts from discharge. Thus, even if the defendant files for bankruptcy after a jury awarded the plaintiff, there would be no discharge.

Contact us

If you suffered injury due to a car accident, contact the car accident attorneys at Williams Elleby. If you have questions or would like to discuss your case, please call our office today at 833 – LEGALGA for a free consultation.

The Statute of Limitations for Georgia Tort Cases

Statute Limitations Tort Cases Personal Injury Car Accident Attorney Georgia

Statutes of limitations are rules that create a time limit for plaintiffs to file claims. If claims are not brought within the established time frame, they are generally barred. For this reason, it is extremely important for anyone that thinks they may have a claim to be aware of these time limits, and to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to begin the process of investigating a potential claim.

One reason the statute of limitations exists is so that people accused of committing a tort that occurred many years in the past cannot be expected to accurately account for the events in question with any precision, and thus are limited in how well they can present their defense. Statutes of limitations also encourage plaintiffs to bring claims as soon as possible, when evidence is fresh, which makes litigation more efficient for the court system. Without statutes of limitations, cases could be brought forward in circumstances where defendants are unfairly surprised by accusations, and where quality evidence is lacking.

The Georgia Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations in Georgia is governed by Title 9 Chapter 3 of the Georgia Code. The Georgia legislature has given different types of claims different time limits. For instance, personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the injury, damage to property claims have a four-year time limit, and defamation claims have a one-year time limit.

Importantly, Georgia has adopted the so-called “discovery rule,” which means that the statute of limitations will not begin to run until after a plaintiff realizes or should have realized that they were harmed by the defendant.

Related Laws

There are additional time restrictions which have been created to temper the “discovery rule” called “statutes of repose.” These create a certain time in which a claim must be brought, regardless of when the injury was discovered.

Additionally, Georgia ante litem statutes require that for any claims against government entities, notice be given to the government within one year for county or state governments and within six months for city governments. If this notice isn’t given, claims can be lost.

Time Limits for Filing Various Tort Claims in Georgia

Property damage claims: four years from date of damage.

Personal injury and wrongful death claims: two years from date of injury.

Product liability: two years from date of injury, and a 10-year statute of repose.

Medical malpractice: two years from date of injury, and a five-year statute of repose.

Workers compensation claims: one year from date of injury.

Defamation claims: one year from defamatory act.

Statute of Limitations “Tolling”

A statute of limitations can be “tolled,” or suspended, under certain circumstances. The time limit is automatically tolled for children. If a child is injured, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until they reach the age of 18. Similarly, if a person is temporarily mentally disabled, the time limit will not run until they regain legal competence. For instance, if a person suffers brain damage because of someone else’s negligence, the statute of limitations will not run unless and until they regain the legal competence to bring their suit forward. The time could also be tolled if the defendant himself has undertaken some illegal action to prevent a plaintiff from filing a suit.

Contact an Attorney at Once if You Believe You Have a Valid Tort Claim

If you believe you have a valid tort claim, time is of the essence. Failing to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires means that you will have forever forfeited your right to compensation. If you would like more information or to discuss your case, call 833 – LEGALGA to schedule a free consultation with attorney Joel Williams today.

Georgia Tort Claims Act

Accidents happen—and when automobiles are involved, the people injured frequently sue the driver of the other vehicle and the driver’s insurance company. Those injured in Georgia can sue the other party in court for negligence by filing a personal injury case.

What if the accident involves a state employee? For instance, a person suffers an injury after an accident near Marietta on State Route 280 that involves a private citizen and a driver for the Georgia Department of Corrections. The private citizen suffers an injury and blames the other driver for negligence. Under the Georgia Tort Claims Act, this is not a simple situation.

Georgia Tort Claims Act Explained

The Georgia Tort Claims Act provides that the state of Georgia waives its sovereign immunity “for the torts of state officers and employees while acting within the scope of their official duties or employment.” However, there are exceptions when the state does not waive its immunity, wherein a person injured in an accident cannot recover for a personal injury claim against the state.

The state is not liable for personal injury claims if the injury results from the following circumstances:

An act or omission by a state employee who was exercising due care to carry out a statute, regulation, or similar rule, even if the rule in question was not valid
Carrying out or failing to carry out an optional duty
Assessing or collecting any tax or detaining any goods or merchandise
Legislative, judicial, quasi-judicial, or prosecutorial action
Administrative action or inaction
Failing to provide law enforcement, police, or fire protection
Civil disturbance, riot, insurrection, or rebellion
Assault or battery
Libel or slander
Interference with contractual rights
Regulatory powers
Financing regulatory activities such as examinations, inspections, and audits
Training or duty activities of the Georgia National Guard, except auto accidents
Failures or malfunctions of state computer software or programs

Even if no exception applies, a person injured in an accident can only sue the state if the alleged accident occurred while the state actor was acting within his or her official duties. In such an instance, however, the injured person may be able to bring a claim against the state officer or employee as a private individual.

In the above scenario, a person injured in the accident with the truck from the Department of Corrections would be able to sue the state for negligence, provided that the driver was acting in his or her official capacity. The state is responsible in that instance because the driver is acting on behalf of the state. However, in these situations, the recovery is often limited to the amount of insurance available for the specific incident.

Police Inaction

As noted above, police inaction is not an actionable claim against the state in Georgia. Thus, if a riot breaks out and a private individual calls the police and the police do not show, the private individual cannot bring a personal injury action against the police even if he or she can demonstrate that an injury would not have occurred had there been a sufficient police presence.

If you are injured in an accident, you need a lawyer who is knowledgeable and experienced in Georgia personal injury law. Contact the law firm of Joel Williams, an experienced personal injury lawyer.

New Device Can Change How Police Investigate Drugged Driving

Personal Injury Drugged Driving Cobb Car Accident Attorney Georgia

Drunk drivers cause some of the biggest problems on the road today. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the year 2014 saw no fewer than 9,967 people killed in car crashes in which someone was impaired by alcohol. On average, this number means that one person was killed every 53 minutes.

Alcohol is not the only killer. Car accidents are also caused by people who are impaired by drugs. Unfortunately, while there are ways to tell whether someone is under the influence of alcohol, it is far more difficult to determine if someone is driving while drugged. However, this might change soon, as the engineers at one of America’s top universities have developed a device that can change how police keep our roads safe from impaired drivers.

Stanford University Engineers Create Device to Detect Marijuana

A team of engineers at Stanford University have developed a highly-portable device that can be used to detect minute amounts of THC – the chemical hallucinogen in marijuana – in the saliva of a driver suspected of operating under the influence of drugs.

The device relies on magnetic biosensors to detect THC molecules in a driver’s spit, allowing police officers to test drivers they suspect of being high in the field. This can help reduce the number of times a suspect is taken into the police station to conduct a highly-intrusive blood or urine test. If successful, the device would be a huge improvement over breathalyzers or blood tests, which cannot determine when the THC entered a suspect’s bloodstream. The device would also be a massive improvement over the current police technique, which largely leaves it up to the responding officer’s discretion as to whether a driver is under the influence of marijuana.

Better Enforcement Techniques Mean Safer Roads

If the device, sometimes called a “potalyzer,” is a success and a viable tool for police officers to use on the road, U.S. roads would be much safer. Drugged driving, like drunk driving, is the cause of countless accidents that leave numerous drivers severely injured every year, and kills many others, as well.

Personal Injury Attorney Joel Williams Fights for Your Interests

If you or someone you love has been severely hurt in or around the Kennesaw, Georgia area, contact the attorneys at Williams Elleby to get the legal representation that you need to get the compensation that you deserve.