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In a matter of seconds, a car accident can change a person’s life and the lives of their loved ones. On top of the damage to the primary mode of transportation, an individual may experience significant emotional stress and injuries that could lead to lost wages. There are multiple reasons why accidents occur, including faulty driving and poor road conditions. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, our Savannah car accident lawyers are here to help.

Those who are responsible for the events that led to a car accident can be held liable for the damages that they caused. However, being able to obtain a comprehensive financial package can be difficult. Even though thousands of car accidents happen each day, they can make for complex legal matters, meaning victims need a committed car accident lawyer on their side to make sure they get the compensation they deserve.

What are Different Types of Car Accidents?

Car accidents are one of the major dangers when a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle. There is no telling when an accident will occur or how it will occur. There are several common accidents that take place when out on the road. Those accidents are as follows:

  • Rear-end collision: This is one of the most common car accidents and can range from minor to severe, depending on the rate of speed the rear vehicle is traveling. This usually happens when a driver is not paying attention to the road and does not see when a vehicle stops in front of them.
  • T-bone accident: This can occur in an intersection when one vehicle has entered the intersection at the same time as another heading in a perpendicular direction. The common reason for these accidents is one of the two drivers has failed to stop at a red light or stop sign.
  • Sideswipe collision: These are accidents when one car makes contact with the side of another. When a car is trying to change lanes and the driver does not pay attention to where they are going, they could impact another car, which would result in a sideswipe collision.
  • Head-on collision: This is the most dangerous accident, given the impact to both vehicles. This accident is when the front of two separate cars impacts each other. These accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and even death. They usually occur because someone is driving down the wrong way of a street. This could be the result of a drunk or distracted driver.
  • Single vehicle accident: These accidents can also be a common accident when a single vehicle collides with a barrier or runs off the road. They can occur because the driver is impaired behind the wheel or is distracted.

When out on the road, it is important that all drivers pay attention to their surrounding areas and their fellow drivers. Being an attentive driver will help reduce the number of accidents on the road and any injuries as well.

What are Common Causes of Car Accidents?

There are several common causes of car accidents that range from the fault of other drivers to the negligence of the organization in charge of maintaining the road. Those common causes include the following:

  • Distracted driving: Driving while distracted is easily the most common cause of car accidents on the road today. It has become even more prevalent with the increasing use of cell phones. People are now texting or checking other things on their phone rather than keeping their eyes on the road.
  • Speeding: The faster a person drives their vehicle, the more time it will take to stop said vehicle. It also reduces the reaction time a person has to react to something that takes place in front of them.
  • Impaired driving: When a person gets into the driver’s seat after they have had too much alcohol, it is dangerous not only for them, but also for their passengers and anyone else on the road. Alcohol dampens the senses, making it harder for a person to react to things. There are also slower decision-making times, and a person is more easily distracted. Drivers can also be impaired by drugs, both legal and illegal. Even prescription and over-the-counter medications can impact a person’s ability to drive safely.
  • Reckless driving: This type of driving occurs when a driver is driving in a manner that pays little regard to their fellow motorist. The person could be weaving in and out of traffic and tailgating. In many instances, the person engaging in this type of behavior is not the one who gets involved in an accident. They usually prompt someone else to react to them suddenly, which causes the accident.
  • Inclement weather: In certain instances, there is no one to blame for an accident. The road conditions could be dangerous when there is a severe rain or snowstorm. If these conditions exist or may occur, it might be best to delay driving until conditions improve.
  • Careless driving: Although this may not be as serious as reckless driving, it can still cause a fair share of accidents. Examples of this type of driving could be someone not paying attention to their surroundings by merging without looking or making a turn without yielding.

What Should I Do After I Have Been in a Car Accident?

The moments immediately following a car accident can be a stressful and scary time. A traumatic event has just taken place, and injuries might have occurred. There are several steps that a victim should engage in right away to ensure their own safety, the safety of others, and any potential litigation down the road.

Immediately after an accident, the first action should be to check on the safety all those involved in the accident and seek medical attention immediately, if necessary. If the driver is unable to do this, the responsibility might fall on the passenger, if there is one.

The driver should also take this opportunity to gather any evidence about the accident. They should take notes on the conditions of the road, the time of day, and what led to the accident. They should also take photos of anything germane to the accident. Finally, they should speak with anyone who could serve as a witness and obtain their contact information should a lawyer need to get in touch with that person later.

When speaking with others involved in the car accident, the person should limit their answers and not assume any responsibility for any aspect of the accident until all the facts can be ascertained. However, when the police arrive, a person should be forthright with the officers.

Although it might seem tempting to contact the insurance company at this time as well, it is not recommended. In fact, a victim should reach out to an experienced car accident lawyer first. Then, if necessary, the lawyer will get in contact with the insurance company.

What Types of Injuries Can Occur in a Car Accident?

The severity of an injury will depend greatly on the speed that the vehicles were traveling and the type of accident. Injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to major catastrophic injuries and even death. Those injuries include the following trauma:

  • Traumatic brain injuries: Millions of traumatic brain injuries occur every year and happen when the skull receives a severe impact. The injuries associated with a traumatic brain injury range from a minor concussion to permanent brain damage. In many instances, a sign of such an injury does not appear right away but develops over time. That is why it is important for a person to have a doctor check them out immediately following a car accident.
  • Broken bones: The bones of the human body are designed to withstand the weight of the body. They are not strong enough to sustain a severe impact. A broken bone can be painful and, in many instances, requires surgery.
  • Spinal cord injuries: These are another major injury that could occur. The spinal cord is the central aspect of a person’s nervous system, delivering messages from the brain to the rest of the body. When it is damaged, the results could be disastrous. Most injuries to the spinal cord are permanent.
  • Lacerations: When debris starts to fly after a car is impacted or glass shatters, the remaining shards can cut a person and leave lacerations. Some could be minor, but others could be deep cuts.
  • Burns: There are those accidents that could result in a fire, or the surface of a car could be extremely hot to the touch. The amount of exposure time and temperature of the surface will determine the severity of a burn.
  • Whiplash: This is a common injury associated with rear-end collisions. It happens when the head is jerked forward and back again. Although it can be painful, the symptoms of whiplash tend to dissipate in a manner of weeks.

There are instances in which an injury might not be as apparent in the initial moments of an accident. It is imperative that a person have themselves checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. If they fail to do so, they may find it more difficult to obtain the full compensation package for which they would otherwise be entitled.

An experienced car accident lawyer’s goal is for the client to focus on recovering, mentally and physically, while the lawyer handles the case. The lawyer’s legal team will work closely with medical personnel, insurance companies, and investigators to gain a precise understanding of a victim’s losses and what type of compensation they deserve. The lawyer will then build a case to ensure that they achieve the best possible result for the client.

What Compensation Can I Receive After a Car Accident in Savannah, Georgia?

To make sure that a victim obtains the full compensation for which they are entitled for the damage to a car, injuries, and emotional distress, it is crucial to have a car accident lawyer review the details of the case. There are three types of damages for which a driver can sue from a liable party. There are economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Some of the economic damages include the following:

  • Medical costs: When a person is involved in a car accident, there might be injuries that they sustain that will require medical treatment, surgery, and ongoing doctor visits. A victim should keep all their bills, receipts, and notes to include as part of their case.
  • Lost wages: An injury may prevent a person from being able to go back to work or unable to work in the same capacity as before. This could mean they will not take in as much income as before. They can seek the balance of that income in a lawsuit.
  • Future earnings: An injury could be severe enough that a person will be unable to return to their job full time or be unable to perform their same functions, thus eliminating their potential to work and declining their earning power. This could also be recouped in a lawsuit.
  • Property damage: A car will sustain damage during an accident. In certain instances, the car could be repaired, but at great expense. The owner of the vehicle can seek compensation for the repairs to the vehicle.

The non-economic damages refer to any pain and suffering that a victim may have sustained because of the accident. This is an arbitrary amount and will depend on the severity of an accident and the injuries sustained. It is best for the victim to work with the lawyer to decide on a number that makes sense.

Finally, punitive damages can also be included in a lawsuit. This is not an amount that the victim will receive but is money that the liable person must pay to serve as a deterrent for never engaging in the actions that caused the accident in the first place.

What Happens if Multiple Parties are Responsible for a Car Accident?

Georgia follows the comparative fault or comparative negligence rule when determining who must pay for an accident and how much. Under this rule, a judge will assign a percentage of responsibility for each involved party, and they will be responsible for that percentage of the overall award.

This could mean that a person filing a lawsuit for injures they sustain may wind up paying a portion of the overall damages. In addition, if one person is found to be responsible for at least 50 percent of the damages, they are ineligible to receive any compensation.

Those looking to file a claim in Georgia will have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. They will have four years to file a claim for any property damage. It is important then, given the limited time, to hire a car accident lawyer who will review the case and determine the best course of action.

Contact the Kicklighter Law team at 912-754-6003 
to schedule a consultation!

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The Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Protect the Rights of Those Injured in Car Accidents

It can be a traumatic and scary experience when you are involved in a car accident. You could be facing significant injuries and mounting medical bills. The Savannah car accident lawyers at Kicklighter Law will help you through this process. Our team is focused on our clients’ needs and will review every aspect of your case to ensure you get the full compensation you deserve. We can handle the legal side of things while you recover from your injuries. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. We are located in Springfield, Georgia, and we proudly serve clients in Effingham County, Savannah, and surrounding areas.