Savannah Car Accident Lawyer

According to recent data, millions of car accidents happen in the United States every year. Most of these accidents result in life-changing injuries, and others are fatal. These injuries can cause physical and emotional pain while also devastating victims financially. If you or your loved one has recently been injured in a car accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for the injuries and other damages incurred. 

How a Savannah Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

After a car accident, some victims choose to represent themselves in their claims. These victims risk getting a lower settlement that's not enough to cover their medical bills and other damages. There are also cases of car accident victims who don't receive compensation at all, especially when they face relentless insurance adjusters. Automobile insurance law is complex, and insurance adjusters know this. Therefore, they'll use this information and a victim's lack of knowledge in car accident litigation to justify a low settlement. Hiring a car accident lawyer to represent you may be your best chance of receiving maximum compensation. Lawyers understand the complex world of insurance claims, and how to use them to their advantage. A Savannah car accident lawyer may decide to do the following action items depending on your case:

• Investigate the car accident and determine its cause
• Gather enough evidence to prove liability
• Analyze your medical records to prove the extent of your injuries
• Interview witnesses present at the accident scene
• Consult accident reconstruction experts to get an accurate depiction of the accident
• Evaluate all damages incurred to determine your claim's worth
• Handle all communications with the insurance adjusters on your behalf
• Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company on your behalf
• Represent you in court if the case goes to trial

What Causes Car Accidents in Savannah?

Car accidents in Savannah occur due to various factors including faulty driving and poor road conditions. The following are the most common causes of car accidents in Savannah:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Fatigued driving
• Speeding
• Running red lights
• Unsafe lane changes
• Mechanical defects
• Bad road conditions
• Hazardous road conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Tailgating
• Tire blowouts

Prove Negligence in a Car Accident

Your lawyer must prove that the other party's negligence led to the accident to receive compensation in a car accident case. These are the four elements of negligence you must prove:

• Duty of Care

Your lawyer must prove that the other party owed you the ‘duty of care'. This means that they had an obligation to ensure your safety and that of other road users. 

• Breach of Duty

Your lawyer must prove that the other party breached the duty of care. They have to show that the other party acted contrary to what a safe driver would have done in a similar situation.

• Causation

Your lawyer must prove that the breach of duty led to your injuries and other damages. If it weren't for the other driver's behavior, the accident might not have happened, and you wouldn't have sustained any injuries. Sometimes, multiple factors can lead to a car accident. The lawyer must prove that all of these factors played a part in causing your injuries and other damages.

• Damages

The last element to proving negligence in a car accident case is to show that you sustained injuries and other damages that could be remedied with financial compensation. This element of negligence is always in dispute, with the victim arguing that they suffered extensive injuries and damages in the accident and the defendant's team arguing the opposite.

Compensation You Can Recover

Sustaining injuries in a car accident can disrupt your life in a major way. You'll likely have to bear a huge financial burden caused by mounting medical bills and other expenses. Your financial situation can also worsen if you cannot report to work for a long time. If you've been injured in a car accident, a Savannah car accident lawyer will work to help you recover both economic damages and non-economic damages, as follows:

Economic Damages

Also referred to as compensatory damages, economic damages are awarded to cover all the monetary damages you may have incurred following the car accident. They include:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and benefits
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
• Out-of-pocket expenses, such as transport costs

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are awarded to car accident victims to compensate for the non-monetary losses they may have incurred following the accident. These include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Temporary and permanent disability
• Diminished quality of life
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of companionship

Note that non-economic damages cannot be recovered by filing a claim to the insurance company. Rather, you can only recover these damages by suing the liable party.

Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents

Auto accidents can result in both minor and severe injuries. The following are the most common injuries resulting from car accidents:

• Brain and head trauma
• Facial injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Neck injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Soft tissue injuries
• Wrist injuries

What If You Were Partly At-Fault for the Accident?

According to Georgia law, the amount of compensation a victim recovers from a car accident case is determined by the degree of negligence of each party involved. This is commonly known as comparative negligence. Before compensation is awarded, each party's involvement in the accident is assigned a percentage.  If you're 30% liable for the accident, you'll only recover 70% of the total compensation available. On the other hand, if you're more than 50% liable for the car accident, you won't be eligible to receive any compensation.

Contact the Dolman Law Group

If you've been injured in a car accident in Savannah, your priority should be recovering and getting your life back to normal. It may be best for you to leave the task of filing a claim and pursuing compensation to a Savannah car accident lawyer. Contact the Dolman Law Group today for a free consultation, and let us pursue the claim on your behalf.