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Savannah, GA Car Accident Lawyers

Car accidents in Savannah or throughout Chatham County can present a serious financial burden to those who sustain injury or property damage. The Georgia Department of Transportation reports 1,549 people lost their lives in Georgia car accidents in 2017 alone, and thousands more reported serious injuries. If you or a loved one recently suffered harm in a car accident, you need the assistance of a personal injury attorney. The Savannah car accident lawyers of Butler Prather LLP offer a free consultation and contingency-fee based legal services. Contact us at our Savannah office at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a free case evaluation today.

Why Hire Butler Prather LLP To Represent You in a Savannah Vehicle Accident Case?

You can count on our experience and knowledge of personal injury law. Here are a few reasons why:

  • We have proven results in successfully representing clients in car accident claims, with multiple settlements over $100 million – including the largest collected judgment in the U.S.
  • We have more than 30 years of experience as a firm, representing clients in more than 30 states across the country.
  • We have a selective caseload so that we can devote our full attention to each and every case we decide to take.
  • Additionally, other attorneys refer about 50% of our cases because we have a reputation for success in Georgia liability claims.

How Do We Handle Car Accident Cases?

Butler Prather LLP has years of experience handling a variety of auto accident claims throughout Georgia. We accept car, truck, motorcycle, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian accident cases. Our Savannah personal injury lawyers have achieved positive outcomes for cases involving the most serious personal injuries, including severe disabilities and permanent disfigurement. We handle car accident cases with a focus on you, the client.

First, we arrange a free consultation between the potential client and one of our attorneys. During this consultation, the client can tell us his or her story, ask questions, and receive honest answers. The consultation serves to introduce the two parties to one another, give the lawyer pertinent details about the car accident, and plan the next step, if applicable. If we offer our representation, we may then take over the case at its current stage. We can intervene in a case that has yet to begin or one that has gone through failed settlement negotiations and is on its way to trial.

We will investigate the Savannah car accident, gathering any available evidence and collecting police reports and medical records. We can interview eyewitnesses, consult with experts for their opinions, and collect evidence such as the other driver’s cell phone records. We will then begin to build your case, while taking over communications with insurance companies. We can aggressively negotiate a fair settlement from an insurance company or take your car accident case to trial in pursuit of maximum compensation. We work hard to achieve each client’s desired result.

Savannah car accident attorney

What Damages Are Available in a Car Accident Claim?

A serious car accident can change a victim’s life. Temporary injuries can be disabling enough to cause lost wages and pain and suffering, while more severe injuries can leave lasting disabilities and diminished quality of life. In Georgia, most crash victims can file claims seeking damage recovery. These claims could result in various forms of compensation, such as:

Medical Expenses

Car accidents can cost victims and their families thousands of dollars in immediate and long-term medical expenses. Hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, expensive treatments, prescriptions, medical equipment, live-in care, and home/vehicle disability modifications are all examples of potential crash-related medical costs a victim could recover with a personal injury claim.

Past and Future Pain and Suffering

The Georgia courts permit victims to seek recovery for non-economic damages in addition to out-of-pocket expenses after a serious car accident. These damages can include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, lost quality of life, loss of consortium, and future pain and suffering that may occur due to a long-term disability.

Lost Wages

Most crash victims must take time off work (paid or unpaid) for treatments, rehabilitation, and recovery. Those with permanent disabilities may never be able to return to their same careers or pay scales. Victims may qualify for lost wage recovery for past missed work, as well as lost earning capacity compensation for future income or work opportunity losses.

Property Damage

If a car accident causes expensive vehicle or other property damage, the victim can retrieve a quote for repairs from a mechanic and list this price in his/her claim. If the mechanic says the vehicle is a total loss, the victim may qualify for compensation in the full value amount of the vehicle prior to the collision.

Punitive Damages

Some car accident claims result in additional punitive damages, if the judge believes they are appropriate for the circumstances. Punitive damages give victims further recovery if a judge believes compensatory damages do not fully cover the victims’ losses. They may also serve to punish a defendant for gross negligence or recklessness, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Butler Prather LLP can help you estimate the potential value of a Savannah car accident claim during a free case evaluation. Our past case results over the last 30 years have included multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for car accident victims and their families. We have the tenacity to fight for full compensation after a violent car accident. We are passionate about protecting victims’ rights and seeking fair financial recovery from negligent defendants.

Who Is Liable in a Car Wreck?

Like many other states, Georgia follows a traditional fault model when it comes to insurance claims. This means an insurance company will investigate an accident, determine who is responsible, and pay for the other driver’s damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and damage to property.

Liability in a car accident stems from the legal concept of negligence. To collect damages in a car accident, the following elements must apply:

  • The driver owed the injured party a duty of care. When operating a legal vehicle on Georgia’s roadways, this duty of care to others applies to all drivers.
  • The driver violated his or her duty of care by committing negligence. In a car accident case, negligence generally occurs from breaking a traffic rule, such as speeding or running a red light.
  • The driver’s negligence was the proximal cause of a person’s injuries.
  • The injured party suffered harm as a result, such as medical bills or lost wages.

What are the Top Causes of Car Collisions in Savannah?

Car accidents can occur in any number of ways, and some are more common than others. Some of the most common causes of vehicular crashes across the state include:

Distracted Driving

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports nine people die each day in the United States due to distracted driving, and another 1,000 incur injury. Distracted driving includes things like cell phone use, as well as eating and drinking, having conversations with friends, or even changing a radio station.

Operating Under the Influence

Though Georgia is one of the strictest states regarding DUI and has lower death rates than the national average, it's still one of the leading causes of accidents throughout the state.

Speeding

It should come as no surprise that speeding often plays a role in Georgia car accidents because of the natural dangers it poses.

In Savannah, a high percentage of collisions occur along state routes and interstates. These include:

  • Interstate 16
  • Interstate 95
  • Interstate 515
  • Georgia State Route 26
  • Georgia State Route 204
  • S. Route 80
  • S. Route 17
  • Veterans Parkway
  • Harry S. Truman Parkway

Where Are the Deadliest Intersections in Savannah?

In a recent article, we discussed the deadliest intersections in Savannah that you and your loved ones should watch out for. You can read the post below:

Where Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Savannah?

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Savannah?

Stay calm after a car accident in Savannah, and call 911 to notify police about the wreck if it caused injuries, deaths, or at least $500 in property damage. Remain at the scene of the crash, moving to a safe location, until police arrive. While you wait, collect information from the other driver, such as his/her name, contact number, insurance information, and license plate numbers. Take photographs of the accident and of any property damage or personal injuries.

When police arrive, do not admit fault. Give your side of what happened to the officer, sticking to the facts of what you know. Visit a hospital immediately for any injuries. You could have broken bones, lacerations, burns, neck or back injuries, or a head injury. Do not delay medical care. Once you have received medical treatment, call the at-fault driver’s insurance company to file an accident claim. Call our Savannah car accident lawyers before accepting an insurance settlement. A lawyer can improve your odds of securing full compensation.

Contact us at (706) 322-1990 as soon as you can after a car accident in Savannah. We can take over your case while you focus on healing. We can negotiate your claim with insurance providers, protect you from lowball settlement offers, and present your case in front of a judge or jury if necessary. Hiring a Georgia car accident attorney can give you peace of mind during your car accident case.

How Many Motor Vehicle Fatalities Happen Each Year in Chatham County?

Savannah is the largest city in Chatham County. As of 2016, Chatham County was Ranked #6 in the state of Georgia for fatal crashes. Here is a breakdown of the motor vehicle fatalities since 2012:

  • 2013: 44 Deaths
  • 2014: 26 Deaths
  • 2015: 54 Deaths
  • 2016: 43 Deaths

What's the Trend of Total Vehicle Crashes & Injuries Since 2013?

Looking at the most recent data from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety above, the total number of accidents and injuries has increased each year since 2013. However, the total fatality numbers have fluctuated. The number of deaths in 2016 decreased by 11 fatalities, and it is one death less than the stats from 2013. We hope that these death tolls continue to drop as the state of Georgia works to improve the road conditions and overall safety on the frequented roads and interstates.

Important Georgia Car Accident Laws to Know

Every state has its own car accident laws. These laws tell victims when to report accidents, whose insurance company to call, and what to expect during claim negotiations. Following Georgia’s car accident laws is key if you wish to obtain a fair recovery for your accident-related damages. These are three of the most important rules to know about:

Statute of Limitations

You have limited time to file a car accident personal injury claim in Georgia. You or your lawyer must bring the claim within two years from the date of the car accident, or two years from the date of a loved one’s death in a wrongful death claim. Missing this deadline generally means losing the right to seek damages through the civil system.

Fault-Based Insurance

Georgia is a fault-based insurance state, meaning your claim will go to the insurance company of the at-fault driver. You or your Savannah auto accident lawyer will need to determine fault for the collision before you can file your insurance claim. Police investigations, eyewitness interviews, and various forms of evidence could help you prove someone else’s fault for the crash.

Comparative Fault

Georgia’s comparative fault laws mean the courts can split liability for a car accident among two or more parties – including the plaintiff. Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. This means the courts must find you less than 50% responsible for the car accident, or else you will not qualify for any financial recovery. More than one party could owe you compensation for your damages.

Hiring a car accident lawyer in Savannah can remove the burden of legal processes from your shoulders. Your attorney can navigate state and local car accident laws and insurance claim negotiations while you focus on recovering from your injuries. The lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have successfully litigated hundreds of car accident claims in Georgia and recovered millions of dollars for clients.

Why Do You Need an Auto Accident Attorney in Savannah?

Insurance law is notoriously complex, and claims adjusters know this. In fact, insurance companies often use a variety of techniques to avoid paying out a fair claim, using a plaintiff’s lack of knowledge to justify a low ball settlement. As personal injury attorneys with years of experience, we not only know the tactics insurance companies use to confuse claimants – we know exactly what a car accident claim is worth and will demand fair and full compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries or other losses in a car accident, regardless of whether you live in Athens, Marietta, or Alpharetta, you need the guidance of an attorney. Contact Butler Prather LLP today to schedule a free review of your legal options. Our Savannah personal injury lawyers are also ready to take your call if you've been injured in a crash.

Call us today at (706) 322-1990.


“He & his staff treated me wonderfully and I knew I was in good hands because they stayed in contact with me and kept me in the loop about what was going on with my case. Everyone at the firm treated me with respect, fought hard for my case and truly cared about helping me. I would highly recommend Brandon Peak to others in need of an excellent attorney.” – Sarah, Avvo

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I was in a complex premises liability case involving a multinational corporations. Mr. Butler & his associates were always three steps ahead of these defendants. When they say they are "exceptional trial lawyers," this is not just a slogan but it is a way of life.”
- Zack Hendon