Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog

In Georgia's courts, as in other states and the federal courts, interrogatories are an important tool. What are they and what difference can they make in a case?
Interrogatories are written questions which must be answered under oath in writing. Typically interrogatories will require another party to identify witnesses, experts, relevant documents, background information, etc. Their main purpose is to compel disclosure of the opposition's case and theories. They also are helpful in preparing for the deposition of other parties or witnesses.
Interrogatory answers can be used to challenge sworn testimony given in a deposition or at trial. Keep in mind, the interrogatory answers are made under oath ,just like testifying in court. Here is an example of their benefit or danger if not correctly and honestly answered: a plaintiff injured in a car accident answers an interrogatory regarding whether he has ever suffered injuries to his back before the car accident in the current case. He answers no. The insurance company learns through its resources that this is an untrue answer. He is confronted on the witness stand.This could ruin the case.
At our Atlanta, Georgia law firm we take special care to see that all responses are true, accurate and complete. And we go behind the answers given by the opposition to see if they answered our interrogatories truthfully.

Our Atlanta law firm has handled many defective design personal injury and crashworthiness lawsuits against the major auto manufacturers. The danger of explosion and fire caused by defective vehicle design has a long history. It began with the Pinto in the 1970's where a bolt was aimed directly toward the gas tank and caused many deadly fires from even relatively minor rear end collisions. The passage of time apparently has not stopped this deadly design danger.

The New York Times reported on June 19, 2011 that crash tests on the Jeep Grand Cherokee have shown that fuel fed fires remain a danger. The Jeep fuel tank was positioned next to the bumper in models built from 1993 to 2004. In 2005 Chrysler moved the tank forward of the rear axle where most competitors placed the tank.

The Center for Auto Safety has called on NHTSA to initiate a recall of these vechiles which can constitute a catastrophe waiting to happen.

"Shoe Leather" is an old phrase which means - get out there, go see and talk to the witnesses in person, go eyeball the accident scene, get all the important doucments and actually read them - each and every page.
This can be called "going the extra mile" or any number of phrases. The truth is, hard work pays off!
At our Atlanta, Georgia law firm over the years we have reaped the benefits of a hard work ethic over and over again. In this hi-tech world, we have seen our opposition take short cuts and rely too much on a computer or turning over an important assignment to an inexperienced employee. The result is that we gain an edge and get the upper hand.
Here is a recent example. A police report comes in to the office in a horrific drunk driving case where our client was catastrophically injured. The officer checked the box "NO" as to whether police photographs were taken at the scene. A meeting was scheduled with the investigation officer. In the interview we found out that he checked the wrong box! Critical and devastating photos were taken and their value to the case cannot be overstated.
So, while we certainly utilitze the latest technology in our cases, good old fashioned shoe leather is never avoided. Short cuts are not our way of doing things. The easy way is the wrong way!

At Hill and Bleiberg we represent victims and their families in a variety of cases that have resulted in serious injuries or wrongful death. Each case of course is unique, with its own set of facts and assortment of injuries. Every case has specific legal principles that must be addressed. Every case has a different insurance adjuster or attorney to deal with.
But while every case is unique in many ways the same basic strategies, tactics, theories, etc. often apply. Our experience over the years in handling all types of cases - auto and truck collisions, medical malpractice, insurance disputes, defective product cases, trip and falls, etc. - has enabled us to develop the skills necessary to put each case together so that it is in the strongest position to succeed.. This includes not just what we know as lawyers, but also how to locate and to utilize the most outstanding expert witnesses, private investigators, legal assistant and whatever other resources are required to prevail.
So, while each case is different, the manner in which we evaluate the case and then handle it is based on solid principles we have developed over our many years of representation in these serious cases.