Countless car accidents occur each year in Savannah. Many of these accidents are caused by motorists’ careless and reckless conduct. Furthermore, the injuries caused by car accidents can cause immense physical pain and emotional hardship for victims.
Fortunately, negligent drivers can be held liable for crashes they cause. There are multiple categories of monetary damages available to plaintiffs in car accident lawsuits. However, defendants will often be represented by insurance companies and defense lawyers who will dispute the elements of plaintiffs’ claims.
If you were injured because of a car accident in Savannah, GA, get help pursuing the financial compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced Savannah car accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
Time Limit to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Savannah, GA
Time limits to file specific types of lawsuits are established by states’ statutes of limitations. According to Ga. Code § 9-3-33, you will usually have two years from the date of a crash to file a car accident lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. Failure to adhere to this deadline could force you to forfeit your claim.
Furthermore, Georgia law establishes a separate statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits seeking compensation for property damage. Under Ga. Code § 9-3-31, you will have four years from the date of a crash to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for vehicle damage caused by your accident.
However, you should contact our Savannah car accident lawyers as soon as possible after suffering a crash. Pertinent evidence can become hard to obtain over time. For example, important details surrounding your accident can be forgotten and relevant physical evidence can become lost. You should contact our attorneys right away after an accident, so we may begin building your case.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Savannah, GA
A great number of car accidents are caused by drivers’ negligent conduct. There are many forms of careless and reckless behavior that can lead to car crashes. The following are common causes of car accidents in Savannah:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Drivers can become distracted if they take their hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or mind off the task of driving. The following are common examples of activities that distract drivers in Savannah:
- Texting
- Playing music on a mobile device
- Interacting with a GPS
- Eating or drinking
- Talking with other passengers
- Talking on the phone
- Viewing social media on a cellular phone
Some activities, like texting, involve more than one form of distraction. Our Savannah car accident lawyers can help gather evidence to prove that a distracted driver was at-fault for a crash.
Improper Lane Changes
Improper lane changes are another common cause of car accidents in Savannah. Improper lane changes can occur when motorists fail to use their turn signals or attempt to change lanes in illegal zones. Drivers who commit improper lane changes can be held liable for accidents they cause.
Tailgating
Tailgating is also a common cause of car accidents. Tailgating occurs when a driver is travelling too closely behind the car in front of them. Tailgating drivers will be unable to react properly if the car in front of them decides to slow down or break. Accordingly, tailgating drivers can potentially cause severe rear-end collisions.
Accidents caused by tailgating motorists often happen on highways during periods of high traffic congestion. Our Savannah car accident lawyers can help hold tailgating drivers responsible for accidents they cause.
Drunk Drivers
Unfortunately, drunk driving is a common cause of car accidents in Savannah. Drunk driving is an extremely dangerous activity. Drunk drivers will suffer from poor decision-making abilities, slow motor skills, and blurry vision when behind the wheel. Accidents caused by drunk drivers typically occur at night but can happen at any time of day. Victims of crashes caused by drunk drivers can reach out to our Savannah car accident lawyers for help pursuing monetary damages related to their injuries.
Speeding
Additionally, speeding is a common cause of car crashes. Speeding drivers will be unable to react to hazards and other vehicles as they approach them on the roadway. For instance, a speeding driver on a highway will be unable to brake in time if they approach an unexpected traffic jam. Therefore, speeding drivers may also be held liable for accidents they cause.
Running Red Lights
Running red lights is another common cause of car accidents in Savannah. Drivers that run red lights can cause catastrophic collisions with motorists travelling other directions through intersections. If you were injured because another driver ran a red light, our Savannah car accident lawyers can help gather evidence to support your claim.
Reckless Driving
Lastly, many car accidents are caused by reckless drivers. Reckless driving refers to any activity that constitutes a reckless disregard for the safety of persons of property. For example, a driver speeding down the shoulder of a highway during rush hour traffic may be found guilty of reckless driving. Furthermore, a motorist travelling the wrong way down a one-way road for an extended period of time may also be considered a reckless driver. Our experienced Savannah car accident lawyers can help determine whether a defendant driver’s actions constituted reckless driving.
Elements of a Car Accident Lawsuit in Savannah, GA
The legal strategies and analyses that apply to your car accident case can differ depending on the circumstances of your crash. There are several factors that can affect how our Savannah car accident lawyers will approach your case. However, in every car accident lawsuit, the following four elements must be established:
- The defendant driver owed you a duty of care
- The defendant driver breached their duty of care
- You were injured because of the defendant driver’s breach of duty
- You sustained damages because of your injuries
Our team can help assess whether the aforementioned elements have been established in your case during a free case review.
If You Were Injured Because of a Car Accident in Savannah, GA, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a car accident, seek support from our experienced Savannah car accident lawyers by calling Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
