Castan y Lecca Group
Castan y Lecca Group

The 4 Mistakes That Will Make You Lose a Car Accident Claim

Castan y Lecca Group
Imagine coming home from work and having a car accident on one of Atlanta’s busy roads. Do you know what actions you need to take to obtain successful compensation? What should you never do in the presence of the police? What should you do make a car accident claim? The vast majority of those injured in the state of Georgia do not carry out this type of action and end up regretting it. And the stakes are high! You must learn how to prevent a car accident in Atlanta.
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castane lecca car accident

5 Reasons You Need An Attorney After a Car Accident

castane lecca car accident
On average, there are around 6 million car accidents in the United States every year. After these accidents, most people find themselves wondering if they need an attorney in order to receive proper compensation. Even in minor fender benders, victims may need to acquire legal representation.  It’s overwhelming to handle your physical pain, financial stress and negotiate with insurance adjusters all on your own. Suppose you are injured in a car accident because of another driver’s negligence. In that case, it’s in your best interest to hire a car accident injury attorney to help with your injury claim.  After a car accident, the first thing you should do is call 911 and get the medical attention you require. After gathering proper evidence and speaking to witnesses, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney to learn the next steps you need to take in order to get compensation. There are many reasons you should speak to an attorney after your accident, from getting maximum compensation to ensuring you recieve proper medical care. Read more to find out what the benefits are. 
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What Can Be Done about My Hit and Run?

A hit and run occurs any time there is a collision between vehicles or between a vehicle and a pedestrian, and the people involved leave the scene before proper steps have been taken to address the situation. Being a victim in a hit and run can be really disorienting and distressing, so we want to give you some simple action steps to follow if you find yourself in this situation. Georgia law takes hit and run offenses seriously, and we want you to be encouraged to know that there is usually a way forward in circumstances like this.
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"Hands Free" – What that Means for You

You are probably already aware of Georgia’s new “hands free” law that went into effect on July 1, 2018. Since most of us are guilty, at least occasionally, of using a cellphone while driving, many of us have mixed feelings about the new law. Regardless of how you feel about the law, though, we can all hope that it saves lives and makes our roads safer. Still, what exactly are the personal ramifications of this law. What exactly are the do’s and don’ts?
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You have been hit in a wreck. What’s next?

You got hit in a car accident in Georgia, and it seems like sorting out the aftermath of car accidents gets really complicated really quickly. The “fault” system for determining liability and the usual confusion and hassle following an accident can make it difficult to know where to start on getting the care and compensation you need. In this post, we want to give you some simple first steps to follow if you get hit in a wreck.
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“Click It or Ticket” Georgia Seat Belt Laws

The Seat Belt Story Seat belts have been around for a long time: longer than airbags, longer than automatic transmissions, and longer than the assembly line! In fact, Volvo, a company built around passenger safety, invented and patented the first seat belt in 1889. Later, in 1959, Nils Bohlin, also a Volvo engineer, designed the standard 3-point seat belt that all vehicles use today. Realizing the enormous potential for saving lives, Volvo actually opened the patent to allow all manufacturers to use their design, and in doing so, they have saved over a million lives!
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What to Do When You’re Charged with a DUI

Just a few days ago, a reporter in the Atlanta area who was pulled over for speeding found herself in jail under DUI charges. As Georgia continues its DUI crackdown and penalties accrue long-term consequences, knowing how to respond when you’re pulled over and charged with a DUI is essential. For first-time offenders, Georgia law currently imposes jail time for up to a year, fines up to $1,000, licence suspension for up to a year, and up to 40 hours of community service. In addition to these penalties, the DUI remains permanently on the driver’s record.  
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Dustin Thompson

Attorney

Dustin Thompson was raised in rural Camilla, Georgia. Dustin graduated from Georgia Southern University majoring in political science and history. After graduation, Dustin obtained a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. Before becoming a lawyer, Dustin worked a variety of jobs from a watermelon farm in Mitchell County to a policy think tank in Washington D.C. Dustin has practiced law almost exclusively in the workers’ compensation arena since 2014. For nearly a decade, he worked for a large defense firm in Georgia representing employers and insurers and gaining the invaluable experience and knowledge of how insurers defend claims. In 2023, Dustin joined the firm to use his expertise and litigation skills to help individuals who have been injured as a result of work accidents and third-party negligence.  Dustin has been repeatedly recognized by Best Lawyers: “Ones to Watch” in the practice of workers’ compensation. Outside of work, Dustin enjoys traveling, hunting, and attending sporting events. He and his family are active in Buckhead Church.

MICHAEL BOESCHEN

Attorney

Michael Boeschen (Mike) was born in Wichita, KS and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Mike graduated from The McCallie School and went on to study history, Spanish, and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from the University Of Georgia School Of Law. During law school, Mike participated in the Legal Aid Clinic, assisting in the defense of indigent criminal defendants. Mike has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 2002 and his main practice area consists of representing injured workers as they navigate through the Georgia workers’ compensation system. Mike is also fluent in Spanish. In his spare time Mike enjoys following soccer, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two young daughters. Mike and his family are parishioners of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sandy Springs, GA

CHRISTIAN PECONE

Attorney

ED DENKER

Attorney

Edward Denker was born in Philadelphia, PA but has made Georgia his home since 1999. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Edward spent his first years in practice representing clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims. He then spent more than a decade honing his litigation skills representing employers and insurers in workers’ compensation claims, where he gained immense experience and knowledge of how insurers defend those claims. In 2017, Edward returned to his passion of representing people who have been injured at work or through the negligence of others. When he isn’t working, Edward enjoys spending time with his wife and their two children. He is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys cooking and travel

ILIANA DOBREV

Attorney

Iliana Dobrev was born in Bulgaria. After high school, she immigrated to the United States to study law. She graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s in political science concentrating on pre-law and minoring in Spanish. In 2015, she graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Iliana completed a Graduate Research Assistantship in Labor and Employment Law and Employment Discrimination and two externships in Immigration Law. As an immigrant herself, Iliana is passionate about advocating for and defending immigrants. She is delighted to help families stay together and pursue the American dream. Iliana is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and worked in both a fellowship and a firm specializing in immigration law. Iliana is fluent in Bulgarian and Spanish
castan&lecca-iliana-bio

KEN THAXTON

Attorney

Ken Thaxton was born and raised in Roberta, GA. When Ken was a child, his father started a trucking business, which Ken ultimately spent over ten years working with through his late teens and twenties. Ken graduated from Houston County High School in Warner Robins, GA in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. He then studied Business and Information Technology at Macon State College, ultimately graduating with a 4.0 GPA in 2004. After graduation, Ken continued to work with his father’s trucking company, and in late 2005, Ken and his father started an aircraft charter company, Southern Jet, Inc., under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Ken served as President of Southern Jet from 2006 until 2010, when he and his father sold the company. Ken is a Commercially Licensed Instrument, Multi-Engine Pilot. While serving as President of Southern Jet, Ken started Law School at the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009. Ken focused primarily on business and civil law, including Workers’ Compensation, while at UGA. He graduated Cum Laude and in the top 25% of his class from UGA Law in 2012. Ken is a licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, and he is also a licensed neutral (mediator) in the State of Georgia. Ken represents small businesses in transactional matters and business conflicts, and he also represents injured workers and Plaintiffs injured in cases of negligence. During his spare time, Ken enjoys swimming, cycling, sporting clays, and fishing. He also does charity work with a national scholarship fund
castan&lecca-ken-bio

ALEXANDER LECCA

Attorney

Alexander Lecca (Alex) was born in Miami, Florida to immigrant parents from Cuba and Peru. Alex graduated from Coral Gables High School, where he was a recipient of the Elsa Glazer Award (given to students who graduate with a 3.5 GPA and above). He went on to study marketing at the University of Miami School of Business Administration. At the University of Miami he was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation, he went on to pursue a law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. In law school, Alex received several book awards and graduated Cum Laude. During law school Alex clerked for the Honorable Beth Bloom, had an internship with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s office, and clerked for a prestigious litigation law firm. Alex is licensed to practice law in both Georgia and Florida and handles workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He is also a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Alex is also fluent in Spanish. During his spare time, Alex enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four children. He also helps coach his children’s baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams. Alex and his family are parishioners of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

DANIEL CASTAN 

Attorney

Dan Castan is a senior partner at Castan and Lecca, PC in Buckhead and represents injured workers before the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and plaintiffs in State and Superior Courts of Georgia for injuries suffered in accidents. Dan litigated one of the seminal claims securing the rights of undocumented workers to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits in the state of Georgia when injured in the case of Wet Walls, Inc. vs. Ledesma. Dan has successfully fought and settled multi million dollar cases. He was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey to immigrant parents from Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College and received his Juris Doctor from The Washington College of Law at The American University in Washington D.C.  Dan was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November, 1993.  He is an active member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Workers’ Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia. Dan is a founding member and Director of the Latino Victory Fund Georgia and serves on the Board of The Latin American Association. Dan has been dedicated to getting Latinos elected to local, state and Federal offices in Georgia. He has been a Big Brother through Big Brothers and Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a mentor through The Latin American Association’s mentor/mentee program. Dan is married with two children.