At Deming Law, our lawyers are not just your legal advisors; we’re your frontline advocates in a city where the car accident statistics are as unsettling as the distractions causing them. Our mission is to ensure you’re not just another number in these grim statistics but a valued client who receives the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.
Injured in a Car Accident? Our Lawyers Can Help You Get Compensation in Savannah
In Savannah, the escalating crisis of car accidents has taken a new, disturbing turn. Distracted driving, including behaviors from texting and phone use to eating and conversing with passengers, has surged as a leading cause of vehicular crashes in 2023. This alarming development is set against a backdrop of a 46% increase in crashes resulting in death or serious injury from 2020 to 2021, a trend that shows no signs of abating.
When the unforeseen calamity of a car accident upends your life, you’re grappling with more than just immediate physical injuries. You’re also confronting a slew of financial challenges, from escalating medical expenses to potential income loss, coupled with the emotional upheaval such an event can inflict on you and your family.
At our law firm, we offer more than mere legal counsel; we extend a comprehensive, client-focused strategy meticulously crafted to secure the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
Steps to Secure Your Compensation:
- Initial case evaluation: We scrutinize police reports, medical records, and witness accounts to gauge the strength of your claim, thereby tailoring a legal strategy that aligns with your unique circumstances.
- Evidence gathering: From surveillance footage to photographs of the accident scene, we amass a robust portfolio of evidence to fortify your case.
- Expert consultations: Our legal team collaborates with a wide range of professionals, from medical experts to accident reconstruction analysts. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that every aspect of your case is robustly substantiated, from the physical injuries you’ve sustained to the emotional toll you’ve suffered.
- Insurance negotiations: Armed with a compelling case, we enter into rigorous negotiations with insurance companies. Our ultimate goal is to secure a fair settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses, both material and emotional.
- Legal proceedings: If negotiations don’t result in a satisfactory settlement, we’re fully prepared to take the matter to court. Our attorneys will advocate vigorously on your behalf, presenting a compelling case fortified by solid evidence and expert testimony.
- Compensation disbursement: Once we’ve successfully resolved your case, we guide you through the process of receiving your compensation. This ensures that the financial award you receive is both timely and adequate, covering not only your immediate needs but also any future medical or emotional expenses.
Our commitment is to stand beside you at every step of the process. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence in a car accident in Savannah, allow us to evaluate your case and assist you in securing the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Negligence Causes of Car Accidents
We focus on identifying the specific acts of negligence that lead to car accidents. Our legal team meticulously examines all contributing factors, from driver behavior to regulatory compliance, to establish liability and build a robust case for our clients.
Having represented car accident victims in the Savannah community for decades, these are the most frequent causes of accidents for which we help clients seek compensation:
- Distracted driving: Engaging in activities like texting or talking on the phone while driving.
- Speeding: Exceeding the posted speed limits or driving too fast for road conditions.
- Driving under the influence: Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Reckless driving: Engaging in risky behavior such as tailgating or ignoring traffic signals.
- Weather conditions: Failing to adapt driving behavior to adverse weather conditions like rain or fog.
- Vehicle defects: Negligence on the part of the manufacturer leading to mechanical failures.
If you or a loved one suffered due to a case of negligence like this, it’s important for you to know there’s a chance to claim compensation for your damages, whether they are economic or non-economic, according to GA Code § 51-12.
Damages You Can Recover After a Car Accident in Savannah
In personal injury law, the term “damages” serves as a legal construct designed to quantify the losses you’ve incurred. To do so, our team approaches each category of damages with the precision and rigor that Georgia law demands, ensuring that your claim is both legally proper and accurately represents your needs for compensation.
Medical Expenses
Medical costs are often the most quantifiable, requiring meticulous documentation to withstand legal scrutiny. We will asses of your medical expenses, including but not limited to hospital bills, prescription costs, and future medical needs, to substantiate your claim.
Property Damage
Property damage extends beyond mere vehicular repair costs; it includes the diminution in value of your expenses as a consequence of the accident. We will engage experts to assess the full extent of damage to your vehicle, thereby strengthening your claim for compensation.
Pain and Suffering
In Georgia, the law allows for the recovery of non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, putting a dollar amount on these subjective losses is a complex task. At our law firm, we will rely on medical expert consultations to solidify your claim’s legal standing and ensure all the damages are covered on your claim.
How Does Car Insurance Work in Georgia?
In Georgia, the law mandates that all drivers carry auto insurance to cover potential damages or injuries resulting from car accidents. Moreover, the state operates under a “fault” system, which means that the driver who is found to be responsible for causing the accident is also liable for any resulting harm.
Under this framework, victims have multiple avenues for seeking compensation. They can file a claim with their own insurance company, pursue a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance, or take legal action in court to prove negligence and seek damages.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
In Georgia, the minimum car insurance requirements include:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident
These amounts are known as “minimum limits” and are mandatory for all drivers in Georgia to provide a basic level of protection in case of accidents
The state’s minimum insurance requirements serve as a baseline, but given the potential for significant medical expenses and property damage, many opt for coverage that exceeds these minimums.
Proving Liability in a Car Accident
Establishing liability in a car accident within the legal landscape of Georgia is a process that demands a thorough investigation and a strategic presentation of evidence. The cornerstone of this process is the principle enshrined in Georgia Code § 51-1-6, which stipulates that individuals who fail to exercise ordinary care, thereby infringing upon the legal rights of another and causing injury, may be held liable.
Who May Be At Fault?
Certainly, the process of proving liability in a car accident case involves identifying all potentially negligent parties whose actions or inactions may have contributed to the accident. In our experience, these are often the parties that are considered faulty in Savannah:
- The other driver: Often the primary focus, the other driver’s actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, are scrutinized for negligence.
- Vehicle manufacturers: If a vehicle defect contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable for failing to ensure the safety of their product.
- Government entities: Poor road conditions or inadequate signage can sometimes lead to accidents, placing liability on the government agency responsible for road maintenance and safety.
- Employers: In cases where a driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident, the employer might also bear some responsibility, especially if they failed to enforce proper safety protocols or driving regulations.
- Maintenance companies: If improper maintenance or repair of a vehicle played a role in the accident, the service provider could be considered negligent.
As your trusted lawyers, it’s our job to analyze each possibly at-fault party to help you take legal action promptly.
How Is Compensation Calculated After a Car Accident?
The process of calculating the damages you may endure isn’t straightforward but requires a multifaceted review that takes into account numerous factors to truthfully illustrate the victim’s suffering and losses. Key components we consider in this calculation include:
- Medical expenses: Costs incurred for immediate treatment, ongoing care, rehabilitation, and any future medical needs related to the accident.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Compensation for lost income during recovery and potential future earnings lost due to the accident’s impact on the victim’s ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: This includes the physical pain and emotional distress suffered as a result of the accident, which can be more subjective and requires careful consideration.
- Property damage: The cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of quality of life: Compensation for any lasting disabilities or changes to the victim’s lifestyle and ability to enjoy life as before the accident.
Each of these components plays a crucial role in the overall calculation of compensation, but each case is unique and so it’s our approach. We invite you to discuss real case result amounts with one of our car accident lawyers to gain a clearer understanding of how these factors might apply in your specific situation.
What Is the Statute of Limitations in Georgia for Car Accident Claims?
According to Georgia Code § 9-3-33, individuals have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For property damage claims, the statute extends to four years.
Failing to file within this period typically results in the loss of the right to sue for damages, making it imperative for victims to seek legal assistance as soon as possible after an accident. An experienced car accident lawyer at Deming Parker can help navigate the complexities of the legal system, ensuring that your claim is filed timely and accurately, preserving your right to compensation.
How Our Savannah Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Maximize Your Recovery
At Deming Law, we offer a meticulously crafted legal strategy aimed at securing the maximum compensation you’re entitled to under Georgia law. Our approach covers everything from initial case evaluation to, if necessary, courtroom litigation.
We specialize in gathering irrefutable evidence, engaging in strategic negotiations with insurance companies, and presenting compelling arguments in court, all with the singular goal of maximizing your financial recovery. Trust us to navigate the complexities of your case while you focus on your physical and emotional well-being. If you have a car accident case, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Savannah Office
22 Barnard Street, Suite 240 Savannah, Georgia 31401
Phone: 912-527-2000