Law Offices of Shane Smith
Atlanta Personal Injury Firm helping Georgia's Injured
Firm Overview
Our firm is located in Peachtree City, just south of Atlanta, Georgia. We focus on helping injured people throughout Georgia. We only take personal injury cases. This allows us to fully understand Georgia Personal Injury Law, since we do not have to practice other areas. Our firm is focused on several things: getting our clients the medical care they need (whether this is a chiropractor, physical therapist, medical doctor, orthopedist or any other specialist), finding all of the available insurance coverage, and fighting to make sure our clients receive fair compensation for their injuries. This includes compensation for medical bills, medical treatment, lost wages, pain, suffering, and disruption of life, and sometimes punitive damages.
While we attempt to settle our clients' cases without filing a lawsuit or going to court, this is sometimes impossible. If the insurance company will not make a fair offer, we will file suit against the insurance company and go to court.
Within the Personal Injury area of law we spend a large amount of our practice in several areas: car accidents, victims of drunk drivers, pedestrian/ crosswalk accidents, wrongful death cases, and brain injured clients.
I have been practicing personal injury law in Atlanta for many years. After working at one of the biggest Personal Injury Firms. I left to start my own firm. After establishing the firm, I focused on personal injury cases. My offices have grown tremendously over the past several years, and as a result I have been able to hire several attorneys with over 35 years combined experience and we have established a reputation as a personal injury law firm that is not afraid to file suit, whether the case is large or small I am constantly working in the best interests of my clients.
Example cases
A recent case that my firm settled was a drunk driving accident. The drunk driver struck the vehicle our clients were riding in. One of our clients suffered a broken arm and required surgery. The second suffered from "soft tissue" injuries, but required epidural steroids shots for continuing pain after chiropractic treatment. Initially the insurance company claimed that their driver had a concussion and was not drunk at the scene. They made offers ignoring the punitive damages portion of the case. We rejected their settlement offer, followed the criminal trial, forwarded all the medical information to the Coweta County Solicitor, talked to their office and made sure that the drunk driving charge was not dropped. We also investigated the history of the drunk driver and found that after our accident, she had received a second drunk driving charge. After finding this information, and after the criminal case, we contacted the insurance company and shortly afterward, the cases settled. One client received the insurance policy limits, and the other case settled for very close to the insurance policy limits. Our clients were very happy that we fully investigated the case since for one, the settlement was over 3 times what was offered in the beginning.
Law Offices of Shane Smith
263 Highway 74 N
Peachtree City
GA
30269
- (770) 487-8999
- (770) 631-7667
Fees
We offer a free initial consultation either in person or over the phone. We do not normally set a specific limit of time for the consultation. I want everyone to have a clear picture and understanding of the case and the services my firm would provide on the case at the end of the consultation. Most consultations last between 15 minutes to an hour depending on the complexity of the case.
All of our cases are on a contingency fee basis. Our normal fee is 1/3 of the settlement if a lawsuit does not have to be filed.
Our firm does not normally do hourly work as we limit our practice to personal injury cases, and I feel that if a personal injury lawyer does not feel confident enough in the case to take it on a contingency fee basis, then he or she does not need to take the case.
Office Information
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
After-hours case consultations are also available Monday thru Friday.
Andrew Waits
Yes
English
Spanish.
According to the Governor Office of Highway Safety, in 2007 the leading cause of premature death in Georgia was motor vehicle crashes. 22% of those fatalities happened in the Metro Atlanta area. And in 2009, there were a total of 154 pedestrian fatalities in Georgia, accounting for about 12.1% of total motor vehicle fatalities in the state. With statistics like these, you need an attorney who understands the law while you recover.
Shane Smith Law has a team of seasoned attorneys skilled in personal injury cases and dedicated to guiding you through the recovery process. Bringing over 30 years of combined experience, Shane Smith Law understands and can help you navigate the complicated legal system.
Shane Smith law specializes in representing Georgia victims of Auto accidents, Big Rig accidents, Motorcycle wrecks, and victims of Drunk Drivers. Shane Smith Law is uniquely qualified to represent victims of accidents involving golf carts, common running trails, and pedestrian accidents.
At Shane Smith Law we believe in educating, informing, and communicating with our clients on a regular basis. You will have a dedicated case manager who will keep you up to date on the progress of your case. You can trust Shane Smith Law to do everything legally possible to get you justice in your case.
Don't give up if the insurance company denies your claim. Call 770-487-9999 or fill out our online contact form at www.shanesmithlaw.com to request a free case evaluation. Review our free books for essential information that can help your case and provide valuable tips and facts for victims of auto, big rig, bicycle, golf cart, pedestrian and motorcycle accidents in Georgia. Shane Smith Law is your Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Firm.
The Law Offices of Shane Smith serve Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Carroll, Catoosa, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Glascock, Glynn, Gordon, Grady, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Heard, Henry, Houston, Irwin, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Macon, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pierce, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Spalding, Stephens, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Turner, Twiggs, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson, and Worth Counties
Slippery surfaces
Wet floors
Spilled liquid
Broken stairs
Loose floorboards
Uneven ground or cracked sidewalks
Torn carpeting
Inadequate lighting
Fallen objects
When one of the above hazards presents itself to us unknowingly, it may cause us to slip and fall and suffer injuries. Slip and fall accidents in Atlanta can occur both on private and public properties including private homes, apartment complexes, office buildings, supermarkets, restaurants, stores, and just about everywhere we walk. Slip and fall accidents are also known as premises liability cases.
What Is Premises Liability?
While some falls are purely accidental, others are caused by someone's negligence to secure the property, repair a hazard, or adequately warn others about the dangerous condition. When a property owner or possessor of the property knows about a hazardous condition or should have known about the danger and fails to act appropriately to make sure no one gets injured, the owner could be negligent and liable for the injuries or fatalities that result.
In fact, Georgia law requires property owners to keep their buildings and surrounding land safe. This means that property owners have a duty to maintain their property so that those who visit, live, or work there can be on the property without being at risk of harm. Essentially, if unsafe conditions exist that leads to an individual slipping and falling, the owner may be held liable for injuries that occurs on the premises. However, establishing fault can be complicated in slip and fall cases, which is why a premises liability lawyer should be contacted as soon as possible.
Dedication From an Atlanta Premises Liability Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident in the Metro Atlanta area the Law Offices of Shane Smith can help you file a claim so that you can recover adequate compensation for your injuries. It is important to your case that you do not wait too long to contact a lawyer as evidence needs to be preserved. Additionally, you need to seek medical care immediately, report the accident, get witnesses contact information, and take pictures of the accident scene if you are physically able to do so.
The Law Offices of Shane Smith handles all types of premises liability cases including slip and fall accidents, dog bites, animal attacks, swimming pool accidents and drownings, toxic fume cases, and more. To find out if you have a case or more about your rights, talk to an experienced and dedicated Atlanta premises liability attorney at the Law Offices of Shane Smith at 770-HURT-999 today in a complimentary, confidential consultation.
Shane Smith Law handles Premise Liability Slip and Falls in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Carroll, Catoosa, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clay, Clayton, Clinch, Cobb, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Douglas, Early, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Glascock, Glynn, Gordon, Grady, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Heard, Henry, Houston, Irwin, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, Lumpkin, Macon, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, McIntosh, Meriwether, Miller, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pierce, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Spalding, Stephens, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Turner, Twiggs, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, White, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson, and Worth Counties.
How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?
While initially in the Army I practiced criminal law. After representing personal injury clients for several years, I decided it was where my passion lies. I represent people who have not done anything wrong. My clients were hurt by someone else's negligence and carelessness. Fighting to make sure that my clients can get the medical care they need, and that they are not stuck owing medical bill because the insurance company wants to argue it isn't related or they should not have seen this doctor, is what I want to do, every day.
What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think that any client should educate themselves about their personal injury case. That is why on our website we answer so many questions and have so many different articles. Most people only have one or two personal injury cases their entire life. Deciding which lawyer to hire to help them or how to handle the case on their own is a very important decision. I feels so strongly about client education that I wrote two books to educate clients and give them away at no cost on our firm website. I feel that an educated client can make better decisions about a case and is also less likely to make a mistake that could cost them thousands of dollars.
Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?
We always try to have our clients involved in their case. It is, after all, their case. We don't encourage our client's to have direct communication with the insurance companies about a personal injury case though. We feel that our clients have hired our firm to reduce the stress of this event, and as part of that, they shouldn't worry about dealing with the insurance company. In cases that we cannot take, we will review someone's documents in an attempt to help. I also frequently advise people about what type of insurance coverage they have purchased and what they should consider buying to protect themselves in case of a car accident.
Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I frequently talk to people who may not need a lawyer in their personal injury case. I offer my book — The Georgia Guide to Personal Injury to people and direct them to the questions on my website. For a simple case with no significant continuing treatment , for example, an Emergency Room visit only, I talk to people about how to determine whether the offer is fair or not.
Shane Smith
After being admitted to the Georgia Bar, he then entered the United State's Army Judge Advocate General's Corps. He served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division. While at Ft. Campbell, he attended and graduated from the Army's Air Assault School. This qualified him to wear the Army Air Assault Wings on his uniform. He also served at Fort Benning, Georgia. While in the Army, he practiced criminal defense throughout the Southeast. He has defended those accused of a wide range of charges although he primarily focused his representation on those accused of serious sexual assault crimes. He also acted as the lead attorney on the only military homicide in his multistate state district during his tour.
After leaving the army, Shane moved back to Peachtree City, Georgia. He then began practicing personal injury law at a major firm in Atlanta for four years. During this time, he handled over 500 cases to completion, ranging from minor injuries to a serious tractor trailer collision. Shane has represented people with injuries ranging from mild soft tissue injuries to their back and necks, severe broken bones requiring surgery, people who have undergone lumbar fusions and a client who has an amputation because of his injury. During this time, he represented numerous clients who were struck by a driver who was DUI or intoxicated, and has helped many people who were pedestrians when they were struck by an automobile.
After working downtown for several years, Shane formed his own law firm to better represent his clients. Shane focuses his practice on helping those injured through no fault of their own. This can be someone injured in a car wreck, to someone injured on someone else's property, or other seriously injured people. Shane particularly enjoys helping his clients who have been struck by drunk drivers receive the compensation they deserve. Shane has worked hard to develop contacts and relationships with many specialist doctors in the Atlanta area to help ensure that his clients can receive treatment no matter how seriously they are injured.
In addition to practicing law, Shane is married and has two small children. He attends and is a member of Holy Trinity Church with his family. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Masons, and the Shriners. Shane is admitted to practice law in all courts in Georgia and the Military Court System. Shane is also admitted to practice in the Middle District of Georgia.
- Bar Number: 663357
Georgia , 2000
- Georgia State College of Law
Juris Doctorate , 2000
Atlanta, GA
Student Trial Lawyers Association - Georgia State University
Bachelor of Science , 1997
Atlanta, GA
Army ROTC
Ron Smith
Ron passed the Georgia Bar in 1994. He has always worked in the personal injury sector of the law for plaintiffs. He has litigated a numerous amount of cases throughout his career. Ron's career began with Marc Davis as his associate and after 5 years he went to work at a major Atlanta personal injury firm. Mr. Smith was there for 13 years until he joined the team with Shane Smith.
Ron Smith is a true Georgia native with a long family history. He was born in Newnan, Georgia and has always lived here. Mr. Smith graduated from Fayette County High School in 1987 and the University of Georgia in 1991 with a BS in Economics. Upon graduation from the University of Georgia, he went to Atlanta Law School and graduated in 1994 with honors.
In his free time he enjoys water and snow skiing, fishing and golf when he can. He is married and has been for 18 years. Ron has three beautiful daughters.
He is currently on the Town of Woolsey Restoration Project. He has written an article on Subrogation. He has settled thousands of personal injury cases and tried numerous cases. Mr. Smith has resolved cases for his clients with results of over one million dollars.
- Bar Number: 655378
Georgia , 1994
- University of Georgia -Athens
Economics , 1991
- Atlanta Law School
Juris Doctor , 1994
Johnny Phillips
Throughout Johnny's military and civilian careers, he has constantly been working with the courts as either a witness or an advocate for the less fortunate, so it only seemed appropriate to him to continue on to law school. He attended his first year of law school at Mercer University and then went on to complete his Juris Doctor at Georgia State, where he graduated in the top five percent of his class. During law school Johnny participated in the Student Trial Lawyer Association and performed an externship with Judge John J. Goger, Superior Court, Fulton County. He also received the Cali award for Wills, Trusts and Estates, Bankruptcy and Public Health Law. While attending law school Johnny clerked for Attorney Earl Burke in Atlanta Georgia and Savage, Turner, Krauter, Pinkney, Britt and Madison in Savannah. Upon graduating from law school Johnny joined our team at the Law Offices of Shane Smith.
Johnny works as a Litigation Attorney. He becomes involved in our clients' cases when negotiations break down and we are forced to file a lawsuit to advance our clients' interest. He is responsible for the lawsuit from the time that it is filed until a final resolution is made, either through reaching a settlement of claims or obtaining a jury verdict upon trial of the case. His responsibilities include drafting, filing, conducting discovery, negotiating with opposing counsel, presenting the clients' position at mediation, selecting juries for trial, and trying cases before those juries in Court. While a case is in litigation, Johnny works to uncover facts that will ultimately help our clients prevail at trial or force opposing counsel to reevaluate the value they place on our clients' claims. This is often achieved by conducting depositions of parties to the lawsuit, witnesses to the accident and experts. Johnny also serves as the voice of our clients in communications with opposing counsel and the Court.
When Johnny is not in the office he enjoys spending time with his family and his son, Holden. His hobbies include fishing, golf, and running.
- Bar Number: 382150
Georgia , 2011
- Armstrong Atlantic State University
Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Political Science , 2007
magna cum laude - Georgia State College of Law
Juris Doctor , 2011
graduated in the top 5%, magna cum laude, Student Trial Lawyers Association
Walter Smith
Walter passed the bar in 2013 and joined the litigation team at The Law Offices of Shane Smith. As a litigation Attorney, Walter becomes involved in our clients' cases when negotiations break down and we are forced to file a lawsuit to advance our clients' interests. He is responsible for the lawsuit from the time that it is filed until a final resolution is made, either through reaching a settlement or obtaining a jury verdict upon trial of the case. His responsibilities include drafting and filing suits, conducting discovery, negotiating with opposing counsel, presenting the clients' position at mediation, selecting juries for trial, and trying cases before those juries in Court. While a case is in litigation, Walter works to uncover facts that will ultimately help our clients prevail at trial or force opposing counsel to reevaluate the value they place on our clients' claims. Walter serves as the voice of our clients in communications with opposing counsel and the Court.
In addition to practicing law, Walter enjoys spending time with his family. His hobbies include hiking, and rooting for his Georgia Bulldogs.
- Bar Number: 214740
Georgia , 2013
- University of Kentucky
Journalism , 2007
Dean's List
Academic Excellence Scholar - University of Georgia School of Law
Juris Doctorate , 2012
Knox Memorial Scholar
* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Add us on Google+
Watch us on YouTube
Listen to us on iTunes