Michael W. Horst
Horst Shewmaker, LLC
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. I went to college at Miami (OH) University. I then went to Wake Forest University School of Law.
I have been practicing law since 2001. For more than 14 years, my practice focused on representing companies and insurers in personal injury actions. My specialty was defending truck drivers, motor carriers, and their insurers. I enjoyed the legal work the cases’ results often left me empty and unfulfilled. In 2015, I transformed my practice. Instead of representing companies and insurers, I changed to filing lawsuits against them. I now enjoys being part of the solution instead of one of the many obstacles standing between the injured person and just compensation. It is hard work for sure going up against billion dollar insurance companies but it is made easier by the fact I used to be one of their lawyers. I know their tactics, their strategies, and their ploys.
- Personal Injury
- Insurance Claims
- Free Consultation
- Contingent Fees
- Georgia
- English: Spoken, Written
- Trial Attorney
- Vant Sant Law, LLC
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- Shareholder
- Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
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- Associate
- Hall Booth Smith & Slover, PC
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- Associate
- Dennis, Corry, Porter & Smith, L.L.P.
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- Associate
- Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP
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- Wake Forest University School of Law
- J.D. | Law
- Miami University of Ohio
- B.S. | Bachelor of Arts and Science
- Honors: Graduated cum laude
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyer
- Super Lawyers
- State Bar of Georgia
- - Current
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- Crash Course
- Smart Business
- Personal Injury Statute of Limitations: Tolled While Criminal Prosecution is Pending
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association Journal
- Georgia Transportation Law , Legal Conference on Changes in the Law , Denver, CO
- Continental Casualty Company
- Admitted member
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
- Admitted member
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- Admitted member
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- Preserving Truck Accident Evidence
7 July 2020 - Disputing Fault in a Car Accident
29 June 2020 - Car Accidents with an Uninsured Driver
22 June 2020
How long does it take to get settlement money
After a car accident there are some legal and medical processes that need to play out before you get paid. We'll take you through a few different scenarios and explain how your situation might effect the timing of your settlement.
Will insurance rates go up after an accident
We discuss the impact a car accident will have on your insurance premiums - even if you are not at fault.
Can I still sue for my car accident?
Find out how long after an accident you can wait and still file a claim or sue in Georgia.
How to get your medical bills paid after a car accident
Learn who pays your medical bills when the other driver is at fault.
What to say to insurance companies after a car accident
Dealing with insurance companies is rarely fun - especially after a car accident. In this video, we'll breakdown: - What to expect - What you should say - What you should avoid discussing
What to do at the scene of an accident
There are important steps you should take immediately following a car accident. 1) Call 911 and notify the operator if medical assistance is needed 2) Avoid discussing details with the other driver 3) When the police officer arrives, provide him or her with the requested documentation 4) Be truthful with the police officer but stick to the facts 5) Request medical assistance if you are hurt 6) Contact your insurance company 7) Contact an attorney
Legal Process Following a Car Accident
Understand the different steps of the legal process you'll face following a car accident
- Q. can a home owner of a house be fined for animal abuse even if the dog is not theirs?
- A: Georgia law provides "[a] person commits the offense of cruelty to animals when he . . . [h]aving intentionally exercised custody, control, possession, or ownership of an animal, fails to provide to such animal adequate food, water, sanitary conditions, or ventilation that is consistent with what a reasonable person of ordinary knowledge would believe is the normal requirement and feeding habit for such animal's size, species, breed, age, and physical condition." O.C.G.A 16-12-4. In your case, it does not sound like your boyfriend "intentionally exercised custody, control, possession, or ownership" of the dog if the dog is the pet of the other occupants in the home. That means it does not seem your boyfriend is at risk of being fined. I suggest contacting the Cedartown Polk County Humane Society at (706) 252-4412. They may be able to best advise you on your options to help the dog.
- Q. Should I be worried about my case taking so long
- A: Without knowing the specifics of your case, the likely answer is probably not. Cases take time. The average case which does not go to litigation takes 9-12 months to resolve. For cases which go to litigation, it is not uncommon for the case to take more than two years to resolve. Of course, the fact that the courts have been shut down since March 2020 due to Covid 19 only extends the time even further for litigated cases to resolve. Accordingly, unless you have a specific reason to believe your attorney is not pushing your case, I would not be concerned as to the amount of time which is taking to resolve your claim.
- Q. Does 19-7-1 (c)(6) apply to an adult deceased
- A: Yes. Please see Hall v. Bailey, 560 S.E.2d 76, 253 Ga.App. 595 (2002).
