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Most injury claims settle without a lawsuit. But when an insurance company won’t make a fair offer, filing suit may be the only way to move a claim forward. Knowing which court will hear your case and what happens after filing can make the process less intimidating.
This page explains the courts that handle injury cases in Chatham County, where they’re located, and how a lawsuit moves from the first filing to a verdict or settlement.
Most personal injury lawsuits in the Savannah area are filed in one of two local trial courts.
The State Court of Chatham County hears a large share of local injury cases. Under O.C.G.A. § 15-7-4, Georgia’s state courts can try civil actions regardless of the amount in controversy, except for the narrow categories reserved exclusively for superior courts. Car crashes, falls, and dog bites are commonly filed here.
The Superior Court is the county’s general jurisdiction trial court. It shares jurisdiction with State Court over most injury cases and has exclusive authority over certain matters, such as those requiring equitable relief. Some injury lawsuits are filed here based on strategy or the other claims involved.
Magistrate Court handles smaller civil claims with simplified procedures. It is rarely the right venue for an injury case of any real size, since recoverable amounts are limited.
Some cases end up in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, which has a division in Savannah. This usually happens when the parties are from different states and the claim exceeds the federal threshold. Out-of-state trucking companies, for example, sometimes move cases to federal court.
In June 2025, the Superior and State Courts of Chatham County moved into the new Eugene H. Gadsden Courthouse on West Oglethorpe Avenue downtown. If you have a hearing, deposition, or trial date, confirm the location and courtroom ahead of time.
Venue refers to the county where a lawsuit is filed. In Georgia, a case is generally filed where a defendant lives, though different rules can apply to corporations and multiple defendants. Filing in the wrong place can cause delays. A crash in Savannah involving a driver from another county may be filed somewhere other than Chatham County.
Every case is different, but most follow the same general path.
The lawsuit begins when your attorney files a complaint describing what happened, who is responsible, and the damages you’re seeking. It must be filed before the deadline explained in our guide to the statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
The defendant must be formally served with the complaint. The defense then files an answer responding to your allegations, often raising defenses such as comparative fault.
Both sides exchange information through written questions, document requests, and depositions. This is usually the longest phase of a case.
Many Chatham County cases go to mediation, where a neutral mediator helps the parties try to reach an agreement. Most lawsuits settle at some point before trial.
If the case doesn’t settle, a jury hears the evidence and decides fault and damages. Our guide on how long a personal injury case takes covers what affects the timeline at each stage.
You can technically file a lawsuit on your own, but court rules, deadlines, and evidence requirements make it very difficult. Insurers and defense firms have attorneys handling every step. A car accident lawyer or slip and fall lawyer can file in the right court, handle discovery, and prepare your case for trial. If you’re unsure whether it’s time, read when you should hire a personal injury lawyer.
Cases involving catastrophic injuries or brain injuries are more likely to require litigation, since the damages are higher and insurers fight harder.
Founding attorney Benjamin Clary has 13 years of experience handling injury claims in coastal Georgia’s courts, from the first filing through trial. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating and handles every case on a contingency fee basis.
Whether your crash happened downtown or on the roads around Bloomingdale, a personal injury lawyer at our firm can review your case and explain your options.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
