Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer

Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member recently suffered physical injuries and/or economic losses due to the actions of another party, you likely have grounds to file a personal injury claim. An experienced Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you make sense of your situation, gather the evidence you need to prove fault for your damages, and assist you in recovering as fully and as quickly as possible.

A Savannah personal injury lawyer can help assess the full scope of your claimable damages and guide you through the process of ensuring accountability and appropriate compensation. It’s vital to know what to expect in your impending personal injury suit. You also have a limited time in which to file your claim, meaning it is crucial that you connect with a Savannah personal injury lawyer you can trust as soon as possible after receiving medical care for your injury.

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Experienced Personal Injury Counsel in Savannah, GA

The attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm have successfully represented many personal injury claims on behalf of clients in Savannah, GA, and surrounding communities. We take time to develop a personalized legal strategy for each client we represent, addressing their individual needs and concerns when it comes to their recovery efforts. We can apply this experience to your case and help you hold a liable party accountable for the harm they have done.

While it is technically possible for the victim of a personal injury to file their claim on their own, it is important to know the value of having legal counsel you can trust on your side and the services experienced Savannah personal injury attorneys can offer. You are not only more likely to win your personal injury case with experienced legal counsel on your side, but you will also be more likely to maximize the total compensation you win from the defendant.

Instead of attempting to manage your case proceedings and your recovery on your own all at once, an experienced attorney can build your case so you can focus on your medical needs and your family. Our firm can keep you informed of your case’s progress, addressing all of your procedural obligations on your behalf so you can have some peace of mind as your case unfolds.

Merritt & Merritt have a long record of successful cases because of our commitment to providing compassionate, responsive, and meticulous legal counsel in every case we accept. When you meet with our team during your initial consultation, we can carefully review the details of your personal injury and help determine the full extent of the damages you can claim from the defendant.

Types of Personal Injury Cases Our Firm Represents

When you are searching for Savannah personal injury attorneys to help you recover your losses, it is vital to find a legal representative who has proven experience handling cases like yours. At Merritt & Merritt, our team handles a wide range of personal injury cases for clients in Savannah and surrounding communities, including:

• Motor vehicle accident claims: We can help file an auto insurance claim against an at-fault driver after an accident, and if their insurance cannot fully cover your losses, we can assist you with filing a personal injury suit to recover the rest of your damages.
• Medical malpractice cases: If you or a family member was harmed by a medical professional’s negligence, a medical malpractice suit can help you hold them accountable. There are special rules for this type of case, and you will need an experienced Savannah personal injury attorney on your side to have the greatest chance of success.
• Slip and fall claims: If you are hurt in a slip and fall accident or any other incident on another party’s property, the property owner could be liable for your damages under Georgia’s premises liability laws. It is important to note that Georgia’s premises liability laws only impose a duty of care for property owners to prevent injury to lawful guests and visitors; trespassers injured on private property have no grounds to claim damages.
• Work injury claims: Almost all employers in the state must have workers’ compensation insurance that can provide valuable financial relief to workers injured on the job. An experienced attorney can help file your claim for benefits, resolve any issues you encounter with an insurance carrier, and help explore alternative recovery options if available in your case.
• Catastrophic injury claims: If your personal injury resulted in permanent disability and/or disfigurement, you likely have grounds to seek substantial compensation from the at-fault party. Our team can help maximize your recovery, accounting for your pain and suffering and the full scope of long-term or permanent damage you have suffered.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the various types of personal injury cases the team at Merritt & Merritt can handle. When you hire our firm for representation, you will have a dedicated team of Savannah personal injury attorneys guiding you through every phase of your case, from proving fault to establishing the full extent of your damages.

When you choose our firm to represent you, we can take the time to listen to your story and help you identify your greatest potential opportunities and the challenges you could face as your case unfolds. Our goal is to help you prove liability and secure maximum compensation for your damages in the most expedient manner. We tailor our strategy to each individual client’s unique needs.

Understanding Negligence in a Personal Injury Case

Most of the personal injury claims filed in the Savannah area each year are the result of acts of negligence. This term can define any party’s failure to exercise reasonable care and caution in a specific situation, or it may define a failure to meet a specific duty of care. For example, a driver has a duty of care to abide by posted speed limits, and speeding would be a breach of this duty of care.

Success with your personal injury claim is likely to require proving the defendant was negligent in some way that directly caused your claimed damages. You will need to prove that they owed a duty of care in the situation in question, breached that duty in some way, and consequently caused your claimed damages. This can be more challenging in some cases than others, but a good attorney will know what evidence you will need to prove negligence in your case.

Alternatively, you may need to prove that the defendant broke the law in causing your claimed damages. Intoxicated driving and interpersonal violence are common ways for this to occur. In this situation, proving fault may seem more straightforward since the defendant broke the law, but the actual legal process of holding them accountable for your damages may be more difficult due to the fact that they will likely face criminal prosecution from the state.

Regardless of whether you need to prove a defendant was negligent or that they broke the law, the right attorney can be an invaluable asset for your impending case. They can help you understand the various legal mechanisms that are likely to come into play as your case unfolds so you can approach your impending proceedings with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Comparative Fault in Personal Injury Cases

Fault is one of the most crucial concepts of any personal injury case. To succeed with their personal injury claim, a plaintiff must identify the party responsible for harming them and prove exactly how they caused the damages. The plaintiff must also establish the causation between the defendant’s actions and their claimed damages, meaning they must prove the defendant is solely responsible for causing their damages and that they did not result from any other cause.

It’s possible for more than one party to be found at fault for these damages, including the plaintiff. When a plaintiff bears partial fault for their personal injury, they face a diminished recovery under the comparative fault rule. It’s relatively common for defendants in personal injury claims to assert comparative fault in their efforts to minimize their liability for the damages cited in these cases.

The state’s modified comparative fault rule states that if a plaintiff is less than 50% at fault for their personal injury, their fault percentage is subtracted from their case award as a penalty, and they keep the remainder.

If they are found 50% or more at fault, they lose the right to seek compensation from any other liable party. If you have reason to worry that you are partially liable for your recent injury, you must consult an experienced attorney right away.

Recovering Compensation for a Personal Injury in Savannah

The main goal of your personal injury claim is to prove fault for your damages and hold the defendant accountable for the harm they have inflicted. The compensation you secure from a successful personal injury claim is meant to make you as whole as possible again after suffering the effects of the defendant’s negligence, and your case award is likely to include compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages include any direct financial losses you suffered because of the defendant’s actions, as well as those you are likely to incur in the future because of their actions. Your Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you accurately calculate your economic damages, including the calculation of projected future economic damages you face because of your injury.

Medical expenses are one of the most commonly sought forms of economic compensation in personal injury claims. If you suffered any physical harm because of the defendant’s actions, they are liable for the full cost of all the medical care you need to reach maximum medical improvement from the injury. This includes the cost of any long-term care you may require if they cause a serious injury that demands ongoing treatment.

Similarly, you can also claim compensation for your lost income and your lost earning capacity from the defendant. If their actions caused you to miss work, they are liable for the wages you were unable to earn during your recovery. If you will be unable to return to work in the future, it is possible to hold them accountable for the future income that you are no longer able to earn. Your attorney can help you accurately calculate these projected damages.

If the defendant’s actions caused any damage to your personal property, they are liable for all repair and replacement costs. Depending on how your injury occurred, you may be able to recover some property losses through an insurance claim, but anything that insurance won’t cover can be sought through your personal injury claim as economic damages.

While your economic damages may amount to more than you initially expected, your recovery does not end there. You also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. This form of compensation is meant to repay you for the physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological distress you experienced because of the defendant’s actions. Your attorney can help you determine a suitable amount that reflects the severity of the harm you suffered.

What to Expect From Your Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer

Experienced legal counsel on your side provides several tangible benefits for any type of personal injury suit. Your legal team can ensure you meet all applicable court filing deadlines and other procedural obligations for your case, and their assistance can be invaluable for recovering as much compensation as possible for your damages. Merritt & Merritt excels at resolving complex injury claims and always aims for maximum recovery for our clients.

Our firm typically aims to settle our clients’ cases outside of court whenever possible. This is typically the most expedient way for them to receive the compensation they need to recover from their damages. However, should settlement not be a viable option in your case, or if settlement negotiations with the defendant fail, you can count on our team to represent you in the courtroom, guiding you through litigation as efficiently as possible.

There is a two-year statute of limitations during which you must file your claim following any type of personal injury in Georgia, with few exceptions. This may sound like more than enough time to file your case, but the reality is that it may take longer than you expect to gather the foundational elements of your personal injury case. It is vital to connect with a Savannah personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to have the greatest chance of success.

FAQs

Q: What Is My Personal Injury Claim Worth in Savannah?

A: The value of your personal injury claim depends on the scope and severity of your damages. Georgia personal injury law enables the plaintiff to claim full repayment of all economic losses they suffered because of the defendant’s actions, and they are also allowed to claim compensation for projected future losses and their pain and suffering. Your Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you maximize your case award.

Q: How Are Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated in a Personal Injury Case?

A: Pain and suffering compensation can be calculated in various ways in a personal injury case. State law does not limit pain and suffering compensation in most personal injury claims, nor is there any specific formula a plaintiff must use to calculate pain and suffering compensation. Your Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you determine a fair amount based on the severity of your injury and your anticipated recovery time.

Q: Can I Claim Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

A: Yes, you can claim compensation if you were partially at fault for causing your injury, but your case award will be reduced by a percentage equal to your percentage of fault. However, this only applies if you are less at fault than the defendant. If you are deemed to be more at fault than the defendant, this will negate your ability to claim compensation, and you will be personally responsible for your own damages.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Personal Injury Case in Savannah?

A: The time it could take to resolve a personal injury case in Savannah largely depends on whether the parties involved are willing to negotiate a settlement. If so, settlement may only take a few weeks to conclude, whereas litigation can take several months or even longer than a year. Settlement is only possible if the defendant accepts liability and is willing to negotiate with the plaintiff. Your attorney can help to expedite this process and secure your compensation quickly.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a Savannah personal injury lawyer varies from attorney to attorney, but if you choose the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to represent you, your attorneys’ fees will amount to a percentage of your final case award. We accept personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect our fee if we win your case, and our fee will be a percentage of whatever amount we are able to recover for you.

Contact Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today and make an appointment for a free consultation with a Savannah personal injury lawyer you can trust with your case. We can review the details of how your personal injury happened and help recover maximum compensation for your damages as efficiently as possible.