What Does Savannah’s Growth at the Ports Mean for You?

Did you know the Port of Savannah is the fastest growing and third largest container gateway in the U.S. with 36 weekly container ship calls and is home to the largest single-terminal container facility of its kind in North America?  Savannah’s Port encompasses 1,345 acres! Savannah is also the most westerly port on the Atlantic seaboard which provides shorter transit times for cargo destined for major inland markets.

In fact, on March 24, 2024, the GPA Board approved an additional expansion worth up to $65 million dollars to the Ocean Terminal. Additionally, with business like Hyundai and Amazon building facilities in the Savannah area it only makes sense that a lot is coming our way here in Coastal Georgia. This creates job opportunities, and more travel into our beautiful city of Savannah.

However, the economic upsides do not come without some practical and logistical downsides for the residents of Savannah, Georgia. This will add immense traffic to an already highly congested part of Savannah. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) there was 8,312 crashes in Savannah Chatham County in 2021 alone. We can only expect that number to grow with the increase in anticipated cars and trucks on the road. More importantly, the increase in large container trucks.

Trucking accidents can happen for a multitude of reasons. Some common causes include driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, poorly maintained trucks or improperly loaded cargo can also contribute to accidents. It is very difficult for law enforcement to properly enforce all the regulations on trucking companies with the quick and expedient growth we are seeing at our ports. With more growth comes more traffic which leads to more accidents.

When trucking accidents occur, the consequences are almost always severe. This is because large trucks are naturally much heavier than your ordinary passenger vehicles. This means that they can cause substantial damage in a wreck. Even more concerning, the occupants of smaller vehicles are at a much higher risk of injury or death in a trucking accident than the occupants of the truck.

If you or a loved one is involved in a trucking wreck, there are a few steps you can and should take. Some of these include:

1. Check for injuries: The first thing you should do is check on yourself or any passengers for any injuries and call 911 to report. It is important to seek medical attention even if you do not immediately feel injured. Some injuries may not be apparent right away, early intervention can prevent long term complications. You do not want to delay treatment, as this will give the insurance company a reason to devalue your case.
2. Move your vehicle and yourself to a safe location: If possible, move your vehicle to a safe location away from traffic. This will help prevent further accidents and ensure your safety.
3. Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver involved in the accident. The information you get should include their name, address, phone number, insurance company, and policy number. Also, it is important to make sure that the police or local law enforcement come out to the scene to properly document the incident. Most insurance companies will want an official report to back up the facts of the incident.
4. Document the accident: Take photos of the accident scene, including the damage to the vehicles and any other details that seem important. This can helpful when dealing with your insurance company or any legal claim that may arise. Also, take pictures of any immediate and noticeable injuries to your person. This will help develop a timeline of your injuries.
5. Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. It is important that you make sure you understand your coverage and benefits. Most insurance policies require that you call your own insurance company to put them on notice of any incident that has occurred.
6. Consult with an attorney: If you are injured in a car or truck wreck, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. It is important your attorney can explain what legal rights you may have and how to best proceed with moving forward with your case.

Getting into a collision is overwhelming, especially when there are injuries involved. We know how this can change a person’s life here at Lasky Justus Law. We help people every day that are suffering from injuries they sustained and do everything we can to put them in the best position possible to move forward from their trauma.