Auto Accident Injury in Savannah, GA
A car accident can disrupt your life in an instant. Whether you’re commuting through downtown Savannah or navigating the busy intersections near Abercorn Street, an unexpected collision can leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the next steps.
Understanding your rights and the legal avenues available can make a significant difference in your recovery process. An experienced auto accident attorney can guide you through the complexities of insurance claims, medical bills, and potential legal actions, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.
Don’t navigate this challenging time alone. Reach out to a qualified auto accident lawyer in Savannah to discuss your case and explore your options for recovery.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Savannah, Georgia
In 2023, Savannah experienced 7,975 traffic crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities and approximately 2,600 injuries, including 195 serious injuries . This marked a decrease from previous years, with 8,233 crashes in 2022 and 8,319 in 2021.
Distracted driving emerged as a leading cause of car accidents in Savannah in 2023, encompassing activities such as texting, phone use, eating, and applying makeup . Pedestrian crashes, which had sharply increased from 92 in 2021 to 134 in 2022, decreased to 88 in 2023.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
Experiencing a car accident can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. In Savannah, common injuries from such incidents include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Burns and lacerations
The financial impact of these injuries can be substantial. Medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other related expenses can quickly accumulate. In Georgia, the average cost of a car accident involving bodily injury can exceed $23,000, depending on the severity of the injuries and the circumstances of the accident.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you can recover damages only if you are found to be less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are 50% or more responsible, you are barred from recovering any compensation. If you are partially at fault (but less than 50%), your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found to be 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000.
File a Police Report
After ensuring everyone’s safety and seeking medical attention, it’s crucial to report the accident to law enforcement. In Georgia, any crash involving injury, death, or property damage estimated at $500 or more must be reported to the police .
If the accident occurs within Savannah city limits, you can file a report with the Savannah Police Department. For non-emergency incidents, their online reporting system allows you to submit a report immediately, provided there are no known suspects and no firearms were involved . Upon submission, you’ll receive a tracking number and can print an unofficial copy for your records.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
After an accident, the information you collect at the scene can play a pivotal role in protecting your legal rights. In the chaotic moments following a crash, it’s easy to feel disoriented, but taking a few key steps to gather documentation will make a major difference later. Your goal is to create a clear, detailed record of the incident to support your insurance claim or potential legal action.
Start by exchanging the following details with all other involved drivers:
- Full name, phone number, and current address
- Driver’s license number and issuing state
- License plate number and vehicle registration
- Auto insurance company, policy number, and contact information
Next, use your smartphone to take comprehensive photos and videos. Capture vehicle damage, license plates, traffic signs or signals, skid marks, weather conditions, and any visible injuries. If there are any witnesses nearby, politely ask for their contact information and, if they’re willing, a short recorded statement.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
The National average cost of an auto accident involving an injury is over $60,000. In Georgia, due to the potential complications of liability insurance, drivers may not be eligible for all of that.
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Georgia
Liability Laws for Savannah
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you can recover damages only if you are found to be less than 50% at fault for the accident. If you are 50% or more responsible, you are barred from recovering any compensation. If you are partially at fault (but less than 50%), your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found to be 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000.
Statute of Limitations in Savannah
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from auto accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. This means you have a two-year window to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for injuries sustained in the crash.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Savannah, GA
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Savannah, don’t try to handle everything on your own. Between rising medical bills, insurance negotiations, and the legal nuances of Georgia’s fault-based system, the process can be overwhelming—especially while you’re trying to heal. The sooner you involve a qualified attorney, the sooner you can start protecting your health, your finances, and your future.
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Georgia!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
