Screeching tires. Crunching metal. The shattered glass. Then excruciating pain. In a blink of an eye, your life or that of your loved one can change. The sounds and sights of a fatal auto accident can be the worst experience of your life in the months to come as you cope with recovery, medical expenses, insurance claims, and other constant reminders of the moment you wish you could put behind you.
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash caused by another motorists’ carelessness, you shouldn’t have to carry the burden of severe injuries alone. Lean on the compassionate and experienced Huntersville car accident lawyers at 1Charlotte Law Firm. Our skilled and caring legal team has decades of combined experience representing traumatized auto accident victims and negotiating with insurers to fight for maximum and fair settlements.
At 1Charlotte Law Firm, we know that financial compensation cannot turn the clock back. But it can help your anxiety and uncertainty about medical bills, your job, and your future. Our firm wants you to focus on your health and wellbeing. Let our legal team focus on the justice system.
Contact our Huntersville personal injury lawyers at 704.706.2689 for a free case review. Let our experienced and compassionate lawyers help you return your life to a semblance of normalcy after your injury.
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How Much Does A Huntersville Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Pilling medical bills and other costs related to the aftermath of a car accident can make victims, and their families question the need for hiring a lawyer.
But, don’t be frightened by the cost of hiring a car accident lawyer. Many, including our car accident lawyers, work on a no-win-no-fee or contingency fee agreement. That is, there is upfront payment needed, and our attorneys only get paid if they obtain compensation for you.
Get in touch with our office to learn more about the contingency fee agreement and how it works.
What Should I Do After An Auto Accident?
The moments after an auto accident can be traumatic, particularly if you, your passengers, or a loved one have sustained a fatal injury. When your day has come to a screeching and harrowing halt as a result of a car accident, the following steps can give you a chance to obtain compensation for your damages and injuries:
Call 911
First, if possible, you need to get to safety so that you can safely check on others as you wait for help. Next, call 911 and summon the police, and if anyone is injured, request emergency medical services. An officer will arrive at the scene and prepare an official accident report.
Check On Others
Check on passengers in your vehicles and others involved in the crash or collision and make injured persons comfortable as you wait for emergency medical technicians to arrive.
Exchange Info
Be sure to get the contact and insurance info from the other driver, including his/her name, phone number, driver’s license no., vehicle reg. information, insurance information, and the policy number. Also, speak with witnesses and get their contact information as well. That way, your attorney will know who to contact if you decide to file a claim for damages.
Document The Scene
If you can, use your phone or camera to take photos of the scene, including vehicles, skid marks on the road, lighting, weather conditions, and yourself if you suffered injuries.
Never Admit Fault (Do Not Leave!)
Unless you’re severely injured and require immediate medical attention, NEVER leave the scene until police officers arrive. Also, don’t admit fault or explain to anyone why the accident happened.
Seek Medical Attention
The shock of a crash plus the adrenaline spike in the moments following a crash can mask pain and other symptoms of internal injuries. Seeking medical attention after a crash could not only potentially save your life but also shows insurers that you are serious about getting the best treatment for your injuries.
Contact A Car Accident Lawyer
The at-fault driver and insurance firm are looking after themselves, and they have extensive resources at their disposal. Make the call to a skilled and experienced lawyer, like ours at 1Charlotte, as soon as you can so they can take on these insurance powerhouses and help you pursues maximum and fair compensation for your auto accident claim.
When Should I Get A Lawyer For My Car Accident Claim?
It’s best to contact a Huntersville car accident lawyer immediately after a crash. Remember, insurance companies and liable parties will have lawyers working on their side, and they can be especially combative if you or your loved one was hurt (because they is more money on the line for them). Luckily, having our skilled Huntersville car accident lawyers in your corner can even the playing field and help you recover full and fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Why Do I Need A Lawyer?
Technically, auto accident victims can represent themselves in auto accident claims. That means you have the choice between filing an auto accident claim on your own or retaining the services of experienced Huntersville car accident lawyers who have helped many clients before you obtain more compensation than you could hope to obtain on their own.
When you decide to put your trust in our experienced Huntersville auto accident attorneys, we get to work to build a strong case for fair and maximum compensation.
- We can thoroughly investigate your crash
- We work with medical providers and other experts such as forensic experts to prove fault
- We can help establish damages
- We can help you file your insurance claim and personal injury claim
- We can help you hold insurance firms accountable
- We can prepare to take your case to trial and fight for your fair compensation in court if it becomes necessary
How Much Can I Expect To Obtain For My Damages?
It’s impossible to put an exact number regarding how much you can recover for your claim, as each car accident case is unique, and the recoverable amount will depend on elements specific to your accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage, and other factors.
Since North Carolina follows the “fault” system, car accident victims recover compensation from negligent parties. More specifically, auto accident victims can make auto insurance claims against the negligent party’s liability insurance policy.
North Carolina law requires that all vehicles carry automobile liability coverage. The minimum coverage requirements in North Carolina are:
- $30,000 (bodily injury coverage per individual)
- $60,000 (bodily injury coverage per crash)
- $25,000 (property damage coverage)
- Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage (North Carolina requires that policies with minimum property damage and bodily injury limits are required to include underinsured coverage). On the other hand, policies with limits greater than the set minimum must provide combined underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
If your injuries or those of your loved one exceed the at-fault party’s insurance coverage, this can be a problem. The Huntersville car accident lawyers at 1Charlotte can help you seek and recover the maximum compensation you need and deserve so you can recover fully.
What Type Of Damages Can I Recover In North Carolina For My Auto Accident Case?
If you’ve been involved in a car crash in Huntersville, North Carolina, through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to seek compensation for compensatory (economic and non-economic) and punitive damages. Compensation in an auto accident claim in North Carolina may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of quality of life
- Lost earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished value
- Punitive damages
How Is Fault Determined In North Carolina?
Under North Carolina’s “fault,” injured parties in a car accident can pursue compensation for damages and injuries from the negligent or reckless party through their auto liability insurance policy.
If not settled, then the claimant (injured person) can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and try to prove the at-fault party’s negligence. If the claimant can prove negligence, then the defendant must pay financial “damage” to the claimant. Damages may include compensatory and punitive damages. To recover damages, a claimant must prove the following elements of negligence:
- Duty: The defendant had a duty to the claimant to exercise reasonable care on the road;
- Breach: The defendant/at-fault party breached or failed in exercising that duty;
- Damages: The claimant/injured person suffered harm – in this case, they were injured – because of the defendant’s failure or breach of his/her duty and;
- Causation: Damages or harm to the injured person/claimant resulted directly from the defendant’s breach.
It is important to keep in mind that North Carolina follows the “pure contributory negligence” law, which means that if a claimant/injured individual is found even 1% at fault for the crash, they may be denied compensation. That’s precisely why you need experienced legal representation in your corner.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After An Auto Accident In North Carolina?
Auto accident victims in North Carolina have a limited window to file a lawsuit for compensation, which is generally three years from the crash date. If a loved one has been killed in a car crash, a wrongful death claim in North Carolina must be lodged within two years from the auto accident date.
Failure to adhere to set time limits will result in your case’s permanent dismissal, and you will lose the right to seek compensation.
What Can I Do If My Insurance Company Denied My Claim?
There are many reasons why your damages claim after a car accident may be rejected by an insurance carrier. That’s true even when the at-fault party admits to being careless or negligent.
Thanks to North Carolina’s Contributory negligence law, insurance companies enjoy a tremendous advantage and often get away with denying auto accident damage claims. They will often ask you questions like:
- Were you distracted at all?
- Were you using your cellphone or changing the station on the radio?
These questions are intended to trap you to somehow admit to sharing fault. And if you fall for their trap, you get nothing.
But don’t give up! Talk to the Huntersville car accident lawyers at 1Charlotte law firm – it doesn’t cost anything – tell us about your case, ask questions, and learn what we can do to help.
Do I Have A Case? Find Out Today!
If you have been hurt in a crash in Huntersville or anywhere in North Carolina, you might be wondering if you have a case. Contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at 1Charlotte Law Firm to find out how can pursue maximum compensation for you. Our team can review your case and answer your questions for free. Please call our Huntersville personal injury firm at 704.706.2689 today.
