Car accident legal claims will have you involved in lengthy, sometimes complex proceedings. Going through the process, however, is essential to receive financial compensation for property losses and injuries sustained in the crash. You’re not alone – an experienced Charlotte car accident attorney can guide you through the process and increase the likelihood of a successful settlement.
I Was in a Charlotte Car Accident, What Should I Do?
North Carolina has done a lot to reduce the number of traffic accidents but statistics still paint a bleak picture. In 2022, 110,544 people were injured in a car crash. The number of fatalities reached 1,784 and the total number of crashes that occurred through the year exceeded 273,730.
Having the misfortune of being hit on the road will leave you confused and troubled. A car crash can change your entire life, which is why you have to act quickly and rationally in the aftermath of the accident. So, what do you need to do immediately after you’re hit by another driver in Charlotte?
Some of the main steps that will help for a successful legal claim later on include:
- Calling 911 immediately after a crash
- Getting immediate medical treatment
- Collecting evidence in the form of photos and videos
- Getting contact information from witnesses
- Getting in touch with a Charlotte car accident attorney as soon as the previous steps have been completed
Once you’re done with these initial steps, you’ll have to communicate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Depending on the amount they’re willing to offer and whether it covers all losses, you’ll get to decide about the next logical step in the process.
North Carolina Laws and Car Accident Claims
The types of compensation you may be entitled to after getting hit on the road are several. The most common ones include:
- Medical expenses (including long-term rehabilitation)
- Lost wages
- Property damages or vehicle loss (if your car gets totaled)
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages (depending on the circumstances and the behavior of the other driver)
According to N.C. General Statutes Section 1-52, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
One more important thing you have to understand is how fault gets established in North Carolina. Unlike comparative negligence states, North Carolina has a doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This means that even if your behavior on the road contributed as little as one percent to the accident, you may find it impossible to recover anything in a personal injury claim.
Because of this legal doctrine, speaking to an experienced Charlotte car crash attorney becomes imperative. Your lawyer will assess all the evidence, talk to witnesses, and come up with a course of action that’s meant to yield the best outcome given the circumstances.
If the Claim Is Denied
Going through the legal proceedings also means being prepared for a worst-case scenario. So, what happens in the event of your car accident claim being denied?
For a start, you and your attorney will review the reasons for the denial – that’s the type of information you’re entitled to. Depending on the specifics, the two of you can figure out whether the provision of additional evidence will be enough to change the outcome of the claim.
Denials can occur for various reasons – not reporting the injury immediately, having no witnesses, being partially at fault for the crash, refusing to provide the insurance company with enough information.
Sometimes, these problems will result from attempting to DIY the personal injury claim proceedings. Sometimes, the crash circumstances themselves will contribute to a rejection. Whatever the reason, you have to act fast and counter the rejection in a personalized, information-based way.
Consult a Charlotte Car Accident Attorney Immediately
The success of your claim rides on your ability to present a convincing enough case. A Charlotte car accident attorney will start acting on your behalf immediately, gathering evidence and doing everything needed for a successful claim filing.
To start your recovery now, call 704-706-2689. Our knowledgeable team will review your case for free and suggest the legal claim essentials that will increase the chances of a successful settlement.
