If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you can make the most of your fight for compensation by contacting the experienced Savannah car accident lawyers at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers for help. Call us at (912) 335-1909.
When you’re going through the worst times, you deserve the best legal representation you can get. Make Bowen Painter your first call and discover how we can help you make things right. Your initial consultation is free, so contact our Savannah law office to get started today.
Why Should I Choose Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers To Handle My Car Accident in Savannah, GA?
For over 20 years, Bowen Painter has been a top-level law firm that has helped injury victims and families recover and win millions from insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, government agencies, and negligent motorists in Savannah and throughout Georgia. We have recovered the single largest injury verdict in Chatham County history.
Choosing Bowen Painter means working with top-rated civil litigators who can take on tough cases and force positive results. You’ll benefit from the small firm attention you deserve and have the full force of our law firm’s resources behind you. Our Savannah personal injury lawyers have a 95% rate in personal injury cases. Our case results speak for themselves.
Our proven track record for our determined approach to litigation has earned us recognition for excellence by:
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers
- Savannah Trial Lawyers Association
- Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA)
- Savannah Bar Association
- And more.
We’ll handle the entire case process to win a fair settlement. Contact our law office today to learn how we can impact your case. Your initial case evaluation is free.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
It’s simple–you’re much more likely to win your accident case when a Savannah auto accident lawyer represents you. You’re more likely to maximize your financial recovery, too. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney also gives you a much-needed opportunity to focus your energy on improving. The more you can invest in your recovery, the better your odds of fully recovering.
Insurance companies know that claimants who hire experienced attorneys significantly increase their chances and amount of compensation.
It’s easy to understand why:
- The insurance company loses any advantage it might have had and is forced to engage in more honest and productive settlement negotiations
- The insurer has experts working for them, and you’ll have expert witnesses backing your case, too.
- You’ll have a legitimate understanding of what your case is worth, which means you can make an informed decision when approached with a settlement offer.
- You’ll be protected against unsubstantiated claims of shared fault that, left unchallenged, could derail your fight for compensation before it even starts.
- During discovery, we’ll gather critical pieces of evidence to determine fault, including police reports, medical records, photographs of property damage and the accident scene, forensics reports, witness statements and depositions, video footage of the wreck, cell phone records, and more.
Don’t settle for just any attorney—your choice of legal representation matters. Hiring Bowen Painter could be the difference between a lowball car accident settlement and the life-changing maximum compensation you deserve.
How Much Is My Savannah Car Accident Case Worth?
No two motor vehicle crashes are the same. Similarly, no two auto accident claims will be worth the same amount. However, several factors will always be relevant when determining what a victim’s damages are worth.
- What types of physical injuries have you sustained?
- Are your injuries permanent?
- What kind of medical care will you need to recover?
- How long will you need medical treatment?
- What costs have you paid out of pocket?
- Are you partly to blame for the crash?
- What have you done to mitigate your damages?
- Did the collision aggravate a pre-existing condition?
- How old are you?
- What’s your life expectancy?
- Can you still work?
- Have there been any changes in your earning capacity or lost income?
- What insurance benefits are available?
The type of injuries you’ve suffered and their severity will almost always be the most influential factors—the more severe your injuries, the more impact they’ll have on your life.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Most auto accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win compensation for you. Typically, attorneys’ fees total one-third to 40 percent of your award, minus any case-related expenses.
When you choose Bowen Painter, there won’t be any stress about legal fees. We are so confident in our ability to win your case that we’re willing to stake our fees on the results.
When we recover compensation through a settlement or jury award, our fees come directly from your financial recovery.
Don’t hesitate to contact our law office to discuss our fees and representation with an experienced lawyer. Members of our legal team are available to help 24 hours a day.
What Types of Damages Are Available For Car Accident Victims?
Many car accident victims in Georgia can seek compensatory damages through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Compensatory damages include two different types of awards: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are designed to help a crash victim cope with the financial consequences of their auto accident, including:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Funeral expenses
Non-economic damages are intended to help victims deal with the much more personal challenges that arise after a collision, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Embarrassment
- PTSD
- Chronic physical pain
Unlike economic damages, which are fairly easy to calculate, non-economic awards are much more subjective. In rare cases, punitive damages can also be awarded. Our auto accident attorneys will work closely with experts and specialists as we build your case.
Can I Still Get Compensation If I’m Partly to Blame For My Car Accident?
Yes, as long as you’re not more than 50 percent at fault for the collision. Georgia operates under a system of modified comparative negligence. As a result, sharing responsibility for a Savannah car wreck will limit or prohibit you from recovering compensation from a third party. The right to seek damages is lost once liability is equal to or greater than half.
Our attorneys will challenge any personal injury claims of contributory negligence head-on. The less liability you share, the more compensation you may recover once your lawsuit is resolved.
How Long Will I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia applies a strict two-year statute of limitations to car accident lawsuits, including cases involving personal injury and wrongful death. While there are some limited exceptions, you will lose the right to seek full compensation if you miss the filing deadline that applies to your case.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Our Savannah car accident attorneys have helped crash victims in cases involving:
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on accidents
- Rollovers
- Side Impact collisions
- Hit and run accidents
- Left-turn crashes
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-Bone collisions
- Intersection accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Automotive recall
- Truck accidents
- And more
What Should I Do After an Auto Accident in Savannah?
Protect your rights and set yourself up for maximum financial recovery by taking these steps:
- Call 911 to report your accident to the Savannah Police Department right away.
- Stay near the collision scene until the police and other first responders arrive.
- Check to see if other victims need emergency medical attention.
- Exchange insurance information with other parties or provide those details to the responding officer
- Refuse to accept blame or responsibility for the accident, even if you believe you’re at fault.
- Get to the closest emergency room for a prompt and thorough medical evaluation as soon as you can
- Reject early settlement offers from the insurance adjuster or their requests for a recorded statement, especially if you have not consulted an attorney.
- Get copies of your accident report from your local police precinct
- Reach out to an experienced auto accident attorney near you to discuss your legal rights and options
At Bowen Painter, we know that the sooner you can get an attorney involved, the better. That’s why our team can answer your call for help 24 hours a day. Reach out to our law office for the help you need.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Most car crashes happen because of driver errors and negligence.
Some of the most common contributing factors include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Illegal turns
- Running red lights
- Unsafe passing
- Tailgating
- Road rage
- Aggressive driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Road defects
- Bad weather conditions
- Vehicle defects
Car Accident FAQs
What Are The Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Concussion injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Don’t hesitate to contact our law office to discuss your case today.
Who May Be Liable for My Car Accident?
Determining liability in a car crash isn’t always straightforward. That’s why we conduct a thorough investigation to identify all potentially responsible parties. Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on:
- Another driver
- A business owner
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer
- A mechanic
- A government entity
For example, if an on-duty employee hits you, their employer could be held responsible. Our team will explore every avenue to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Does Car Insurance Work in Georgia?
In Georgia, drivers must carry liability insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. While additional coverage, such as uninsured motorist protection, is optional, it can provide extra financial security. If your injuries exceed these limits, our team will explore all available options, including identifying additional liable parties or sources of coverage, to receive fair compensation.
What Happens If the Person Responsible For My Crash is Uninsured?
In these situations, you’ll have a couple of options.
First, you can file a legal claim for damages against anyone who contributed to your auto accident. If someone else is even remotely to blame for your crash, you can pursue a fraction of your damages from them.
Second, you can file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. Just because they don’t have insurance doesn’t mean they’re off the hook. They can still be held personally responsible in court.
Insurance will be your first compensation source after a car crash. Since Georgia follows a fault-based system, you can seek insurance benefits from the at-fault party.
Finally, you can file a claim to recover benefits from your insurance carrier if you added Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) to your policy. Even though UM isn’t required in Georgia, most motorists are encouraged to add this coverage when buying car insurance. In the event of a crash with an uninsured driver, UM benefits replace the coverage the at-fault driver should have had in place.
Call Our Savannah Car Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation Today
Drivers must follow the traffic laws and drive safely. So, if you’ve been injured in a car wreck, you do not have to deal with the aftermath of the crash and medical costs on your own. Bowen Painter is here to be your most passionate advocate.
Our Savannah car accident lawyers have over two decades of combined experience and a demonstrated ability to change the lives of the good people we represent. We’ve won millions in monetary awards, including record-setting case results.
We’re prepared to help you force the insurance company to make things right after your wreck. Visit our law office or contact us today to get started with a complimentary case evaluation and learn your legal options.
Additional Resources
- GDOT: Georgia Department of Transportation
- Safety & Security – Chatham Area Transit (CAT)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Steps in the Accident Claims Process
- Car Crash Statistics
Recent Blog Posts
- What Does an Auto Accident Lawyer Do?
- Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Accident?
- What To Do If You Witness a Motor Vehicle Accident
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