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Auto Accident Legal Representation Across North Carolina

Providing Compassionate Legal Representation to Car Accident Victims Seeking Financial Compensation

If you have been involved in an auto accident due to driver negligence, you probably feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. Individuals who have suffered injuries after an automobile accident often face a substantial loss of income due to their inability to work. Lost income can quickly lead to financial crises for the injury victim and their families.

Additionally, in many instances, drivers and their passengers involved in even minor accidents may have to deal with a stack of unpaid medical bills as they try to deal with the insurance provider. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to undervalue or deny claims to protect their bottom line. If this occurs, an injured victim may file a lawsuit to recover damages.

For these reasons, it is always smart to hire a highly experienced car accident attorney who can provide the legal representation you need to obtain a financial recovery that will cover your medical care and other damages.

Contact Brent Adams & Associates of North Carolina to schedule a free case evaluation and determine what legal options may be available in your car accident injury case.

What Are the Odds of Being in a Car Accident in North Carolina?

Millions of motor vehicle accidents occur across the United States every year. In 2021 alone, the North Carolina Department of Transportation estimated that there were more than 276,000 reported auto accident cases. Of those car accidents, over 100,000 resulted in a minor or serious injury, while nearly 1,800 resulted in fatalities.

The odds of being injured in an auto accident are rather low in North Carolina, as we have close to 11,000,000 residents. You have about a one and 100 chance of suffering an injury in a car accident in North Carolina. Those odds seem pretty good until you consider that your odds of being struck by lightning are one in 700,000 and your odds of being attacked by a shark are one in 3.75 million. It is estimated that the majority of us have either been in or know someone who has been in a car accident at some point in their lives. Because auto accidents can be traumatic and violent events, injuries are also common factors in such accidents.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, contact our law firm’s NC personal injury lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. In addition to offering free consultations to prospective new clients, our personal injury attorneys also operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not owe us a dime in attorney fees if we cannot win your case for you. Please contact our North Carolina law firm today to discuss your questions and concerns in a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

What Should You Do After a North Carolina Car Accident?

Immediately following a motor vehicle crash, you must take steps to safeguard your health and safety, as well as the safety of others involved in the crash, and protect your auto accident claim for future pursuit of financial compensation.

Your first step should be to call for emergency medical assistance. Check on your injuries before checking on the injuries of your passengers or other motorists involved in the car accident. Call 911 to summon emergency services and law enforcement.

Attempt to document the scene of the accident by photographing and videoing the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, property damage, debris left in the road, and other pieces of evidence that may be valuable to your personal injury lawyer. If there were any eyewitnesses to the car crash, attempt to obtain their eyewitness testimonies on video and collect their contact information.

While awaiting law enforcement, attempt to have a conversation with the other motorists involved in the accident. While you should remain polite, do not go so far as ever to admit fault or say you’re sorry. In addition, dismissing the severity of your injuries at the accident scene could also lower the maximum compensation you stand to recover for your car accident claim.

Exchange insurance coverage information and contact information with the other driver.

When law enforcement arrives, provide them with a comprehensive police report. Police reports can be valuable pieces of evidence for your personal injury attorney when it comes time to seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Report your accident to your insurance company. Regardless of who is at fault, you should notify your insurance providers of the car accident.

Seek medical attention as soon as you are able. Even if you believe your injuries to be minor in nature, it is important that you get checked out by medical professionals. Some injuries may not manifest or worsen until much later. In addition to getting checked out by doctors and physicians, you must take care to follow all of their recommended steps for your recovery. Failure to follow the medical advice of professionals could result in your insurance claim being devalued or dismissed. Thorough medical records will be valuable pieces of evidence for your car accident attorneys at a later date.

As soon as possible, attempt to write down or record everything that happened in the car wreck. Our memories fade, so writing it down or recording it as soon as possible could be valuable evidence for your personal injury and property damage claim.

If you have not done so already, now is the time to contact a car accident attorney to speak about your case. Our legal team has extensive experience helping clients recover more than just the average car accident settlement for their insurance claims. To learn more about our legal services and how we can hold the at-fault party accountable for their actions, please contact our North Carolina law office to schedule your free initial consultation today.

What Are Common Mistakes That NC Car Accident Victims Make at the Accident Scene?

There are several dos and don’ts to safeguard your car accident settlement in the aftermath of an auto collision.

It is common for an insurance adjuster to arrive at the scene of a car accident. You should not speak to insurance adjusters much, if at all. Insurance adjusters may seem sympathetic to your plight and willing to hear you out, but they are there to protect their employers’ bottom line and are not there to help you out of a difficult situation. Instead of speaking with the insurance adjuster about the car accident, direct them to speak with your personal injury attorneys.

Never attempt to tough it out or walk it off. The longer you wait to seek medical aid, the harder it will be to recover compensation later on. A car insurance company may argue that your injuries must not be that severe because you didn’t seek medical treatment.

Never admit fault to the other driver or others present at the accident scene, as this could be used against your insurance claim. It can be tempting to say you’re sorry or to attempt to put the other parties at ease about the severity of your injuries, but you mustn’t do this.

Do not get talked into thinking that you do not need the legal counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. Some are worried about the cost of legal fees for hiring lawyers, but some law firms, including ours, operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not pay attorney fees unless there is a successful outcome to your case. Additionally, it has been shown that injured motorists who retained professional legal representation typically recovered more in terms of maximum compensation than those who decided to forgo legal help.

Insurance companies are not on your side. They may offer you an initial settlement that could seem appealing, but they are trying to settle your claim quickly and cost-effectively. It can be overwhelming to deal with an insurance company, especially if you are still recovering from the accident and your injuries. Additionally, things could be made worse if the at-fault driver attempts to claim that you are responsible for the car crash. These, plus other concerns, make it very difficult for injured motorists to navigate the legal system following a collision. Our legal team would be proud to lend assistance and guidance to you and your family members as you seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company (and the driver themselves, if necessary).

Failure to obtain a police report can hinder your ability to recover fair compensation for your injuries and other losses. In some cases, the other motorists in the accident may claim that a police report is unnecessary. However, you should always have a police officer file your car accident report, which will be useful to your insurance claim.

Before agreeing to a car accident settlement, speak with an attorney experienced in personal injury law and car accident cases. Our legal team has years of experience representing car accident cases across the state of North Carolina, and we would be proud to represent your legal rights and interests as you pursue maximum compensation for your losses.

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in North Carolina?

Although car wrecks can occur for any number of reasons, some of the most common types of auto accidents include:

Even though various factors can contribute to motor vehicle accidents, one of the most frequently reported causes of vehicle collisions is a result of motorists being distracted by their cell phones. Often, a driver allows themselves to be distracted by checking apps, messages, and the GPS on their cell phone.

Finally, as the population increases and more automobiles are on the road, defective vehicles and equipment are also beginning to pose a greater risk to motorists.

Therefore, anyone injured in a car collision must consult a highly trained car accident lawyer who can assist you with determining who the at-fault driver is and help you file an insurance car accident claim.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents?

Auto accidents can result in serious injuries, minor injuries, and tragic wrongful death cases. If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury in a car accident, experienced North Carolina personal injury attorneys can help you recover compensation for your losses and damages.

Common car accident injuries include the following:

  • Back and neck injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Catastrophic injuries
  • Chest and abdominal injuries caused by seatbelts or airbags
  • Complete or partial paralysis
  • Crushing injuries
  • Cuts, lacerations, and bruising
  • Degloving injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Eye injuries and vision loss
  • Forced amputations
  • Head trauma and concussions
  • Herniated spinal disc injuries
  • Joint injuries
  • Loss of hearing or speech
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Puncture wounds
  • Nerve damage
  • Organ damage and internal bleeding
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Wrongful death

Whatever the severity of your injuries, our legal team can help you pursue financial recovery by filing a personal injury claim on your behalf. Our legal team will fight tirelessly for the maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses in hopes that you can get back on your feet again and return to some kind of normal life following the car accident. To learn more about our legal services, please contact our NC law firm to schedule your free consultation today.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina?

Car wrecks cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year in North Carolina. Most car accidents in North Carolina involve driving at excessive speeds. Drunk driving and distracted driving accounted for other common causes of car crashes in the state.

Common causes of North Carolina car accidents include the following:

  • Adverse weather conditions
  • Dangerous lane changes and improper turns
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road or in the wrong lane
  • Driving under the influence of drugs like marijuana
  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Drowsy driving and driver fatigue
  • Eating while driving
  • Failing to yield to the right of way
  • Failure to obey traffic laws
  • Failure to reduce speeds in dangerous weather conditions
  • Failure to see bicyclists or motorcyclists
  • Human error
  • Motor vehicle defects and mechanical failures
  • Not looking for pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections
  • Overcorrections
  • Personal grooming while driving
  • Poor road conditions and road debris
  • Reckless driving or aggressive driving
  • Right turns on red lights
  • Road rage
  • Running a red light or a stop sign
  • Speeding
  • Tailgating or following too closely behind the lead vehicle
  • Texting while driving or talking on a cell phone while driving
  • Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors

Whatever the cause of your motor vehicle accident, it is important that you retain professional legal representation from experienced personal injury attorneys. Brent Adams & Associates has extensive experience representing injured clients across the state of North Carolina in pursuit of full and fair compensation for their injuries and other losses. To learn more about how we may provide legal guidance to you and your loved ones during this difficult scenario, please contact our law firm to schedule your free case review today.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Car Accident Settlement?

One of the most common questions that injury victims ask concerns what type of damages they may be able to recover after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Under North Carolina law, liable parties compensate individuals who have suffered car accident injuries.

Depending on the circumstances involved in the case, a car accident victim may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are granted to the accident victims to reimburse them for the out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to injury.

Some of the most frequently awarded economic damages include:

  • Past and future lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Past hospital bills and future medical expenses
  • Property damage and motor vehicle repairs

In addition, accident victims may also be able to recover financial compensation for any necessary ongoing medical treatment. Some examples include physical therapy, rehabilitation, or prescription drug costs.

Non-economic damages may be awarded to accident victims based on the case’s circumstances. However, because non-economic damages are subjective in each personal injury case, any monetary amount that may be awarded will vary.

Some of the most frequently awarded non-economic damages in car accident cases include:

  • Emotional trauma or mental anguish
  • Lost quality of life
  • Permanent scarring, disability, dismemberment, or disfigurement
  • Wrongful death

Suppose you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash. In that case, you must consult a knowledgeable attorney who can thoroughly evaluate your injuries and determine a settlement amount that adequately meets your needs. The car accident lawyers of Brent Adams & Associates have extensive experience handling motor vehicle accident claims and would be honored to help you with your legal car accident injury claim.

What Are Punitive Damages?

In addition to potentially recovering compensatory damages in your car accident case, it may also be possible to recover punitive damages if you can prove that the at-fault motorist was reckless, willful in their actions, or practicing extreme negligence behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Punitive damages are commonly seen in car accident cases where the at-fault motorist was either driving aggressively or impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Not every car accident case qualifies for punitive damages. To learn more, please contact our law firm for assistance.

What Rights Do Injured Passengers Have to File Car Accident Claims?

It is important for passengers involved in car accidents to understand their legal rights and options. In most auto accident cases, the passenger is rarely found to be at fault, meaning that they are not responsible for injuries or medical bills.

As an injured passenger, you can file a personal injury claim for damages against the party that you believed was responsible for causing the accident. This means that you could file a personal injury claim against the other driver involved in the accident or the driver in the car with you. You could potentially file personal injury claims against multiple parties involved in the car accident. In such cases, if one party refuses to resolve your personal injury claim, you still have legal options for financial recovery.

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Didn’t Have Car Insurance?

In North Carolina, motorists are encouraged to carry uninsured and underinsured insurance coverage. If you have this type of insurance policy, your insurance company will help pay for medical expenses and other losses if you are ever in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

The injured party has the right to File a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in pursuit of financial recovery. However, it may be difficult to recover the full compensation you require in many cases, as an individual often doesn’t have the same financial abilities that an insurance company may provide.

What is Contributory Negligence?

North Carolina is a contributory negligent state. Under contributory negligence laws, a party deemed to be partially at fault for causing a personal injury or car accident can not hope to recover financial compensation for their injuries or property damage. You may be barred from financial recovery if you are even 1% responsible for causing the accident.

Because of our contributory negligence laws, retaining professional legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney is all the more important. As your attorneys, our legal team will work tirelessly to represent your case and defend your interests both in and out of a court of law.

Should You Take the First Offer from the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

If you have been injured or have experienced vehicle damage after a car wreck, it may be tempting to accept the first offer made by the auto insurance company. Even though the first offer made by the insurance company may seem lucrative, it rarely considers all the future expenses and trauma the victim may endure, especially if they have suffered serious injuries.

Instead, insurance providers often try to prey on the misfortunes of accident victims and offer them a settlement far from their best interests. Therefore, you should never agree to any financial settlement without first consulting with a highly skilled attorney who can review the offer to ensure that it sufficiently covers expenses and other damages.

In cases where a family member died as a result of a fatal car accident, individuals need an experienced car accident lawyer who will fight to help them receive just compensation and hold the liable party accountable for their actions.

Why Are Our Car Accident Lawyers the Best Choice for Your Car Accident Claim?

Brent Adams & Associates is a law firm dedicated to helping North Carolina citizens pursue justice. One factor that sets us apart from other law offices is that we strive to treat each of our clients like family.

Our legal team recognizes that being involved in a car accident can be traumatizing. However, we are passionately committed to ensuring you are treated fairly and your voice is heard.

If we decide to take your case, you pay us no money unless we win your case. Our attorneys and staff can help you from start to finish, including helping you file your car accident claim and acting as your legal advocate with the insurer.

Our car accident attorneys are fearless in standing up to the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your car accident injuries.

910-249-6891 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced North Carolina Auto Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured or suffered property damage in a car accident case, it is important that you seek professional legal representation from an experienced North Carolina car accident lawyer. Our legal team has extensive experience representing clients with various types of personal injury claims across the state of North Carolina. We would proudly represent your interests in pursuing financial compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Injured motorists are encouraged to contact our North Carolina law firm to schedule a free consultation with our legal staff. Please get in touch with us by calling our offices at 910-249-6891.