If you are involved in a car crash in Mooresville, North Carolina, it can ruin your life in a split second, especially if it results in severe physical impediments and medical complications. In Mooresville, NC, accidents happen all too often. An experienced Mooresville car accident lawyer can help you fight for compensation for your losses and damages.
At 1Charlotte Law Firm, we have a team of committed and skilled lawyers who understand the legal intricacies associated with motor vehicle accident cases. Our attorneys are diligent and have the necessary resources to take on your car accident claim and see that you get the compensation you deserve.
If you need a Mooresville car accident lawyer in NC, call 1Charlotte Law Firm offices at (704) 706-2689 and get the professional legal representation you deserve.
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How Much Does A Mooresville Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Car accident lawyers don’t charge hourly rates. Instead, you pay them a certain percentage of your compensation if they win your case, and if they don’t, you owe them nothing. This payment structure is used by most personal injury lawyers and is known as a contingency fee.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Following a motor vehicle crash in Mooresville, North Carolina, you should take the following steps to protect your right to pursue compensation:
Contact Police
After a car crash, big or small, you should call 911 to report the crash. The police will use the information you give them to make an accident report
Check on Other Involved Parties (Do Not Leave!)
After calling law enforcement, do not assume that everything is ok and leave. Stay put and check yourself and other involved parties for injuries. After checking on all the affected parties, proceed to assess the damages.
Exchange Information
Once you have checked up on everyone and everything, swap vital contact information with the other involved parties, including passengers and witnesses. Get their official names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, vehicle model information, and above all, their insurance information.
Document the Scene
It is important that you document the accident scene by taking as many pictures and videos of the accident’s aftermath. Ensure you capture all the damages, injuries, and even the tiniest bits of evidence because you might need them when you file your lawsuit.
Never Admit Fault
You want to avoid saying anything to the other motorists about the accident. Don’t even apologize because it may seem like you are taking responsibility. You should maintain neutrality until your case is done.
Seek Medical Attention
Since most car accidents cause injuries, you should immediately see a physician and treat your injuries. Even if you were not seriously injured, get yourself checked for head trauma and internal injuries. Make sure you ask for a copy of your medical report.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, call a Mooresville car accident attorney. They will advise you on how to handle the situation, including what you should say to your insurance company after the accident.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for my Auto Accident?
Following a car crash in North Carolina, it is crucial that you hire a Mooresville car accident lawyer right away. The faster you get a lawyer, the better because the insurance companies’ attorneys and insurance adjusters will begin evaluating your claim immediately. It’s only fair that you get an attorney too!
Why do I Need a Lawyer?
After a car crash, you will need a lawyer to build your case, file a lawsuit, negotiate a settlement, and maybe go to trial. A knowledgeable and experienced 1Charlotte Mooresville car accident lawyer will guide you through the legal processes, including:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
Before filing your car accident claim, an attorney will first need to build a strong case by determining fault and proving liability. A Mooresville car accident lawyer can help prepare your case by organizing evidence to support your lawsuit, such as photos or videos from the accident, witness statements, police records, testimonies from accident experts, and medical reports of your injuries. Once we have gathered enough compelling evidence, we will proceed to file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Settlement Negotiation
After determining fault and proving liability, we will start negotiating for maximum compensation with the insurance company. Insurance carriers may try to low-ball you or totally refuse to pay. We are aware of all the under-hand tactics that the insurers may try to use in this situation. We will counteract them aggressively and see to it that you don’t agree to any exploitative settlements.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If settlement negotiations break down even after making several attempts to settle your injury outside court, you will have no other option but to go to trial. Our Mooresville car accident lawyers can help you file the necessary paperwork to begin the trial.
Most importantly, a Mooresville car accident lawyer will advocate for you in a court of law. They have the experience, knowledge, and skills to champion legal interests in front of judges, jury, and defense attorneys. Representation is probably the most important way a motor vehicle accident attorney can help with your accident case.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive For Recoverable Damages?
After a car crash in which you or someone you know was injured, do not make the mistake of accepting any settlements without finding your claim value. Your claim worth depends on:
- The impact the crash has had on your life
- The nature of the crash
- The type and degree of injuries you sustained
- The degree of damage to property/vehicle
Keep in mind that in North Carolina, there is no cap on the amount of non-economic damages you can collect from a motor vehicle accident claim.
A Mooresville car accident lawyer will work with car accident claims valuation experts to determine an accurate estimate of the amount of compensation you can get.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
You are able to recover the following types of damages through a North Carolina car accident claim:
Economic Damages
You can recover all the financial costs you incurred from economic damages. These damages can recover money spent on medical expenses, vehicle repair expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, and other lost benefits like health and retirement benefits.
Non-Economic Damages
North Carolina includes non-economic damages in car accident settlements. These damages seek to compensate for the loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. They also include compensation for the emotional trauma resulting from any disfigurement or disability caused by the crash.
Punitive Actions
You can be awarded punitive damages after a Mooresville, North Carolina car accident. These damages are meant to punish the negligent or wrongful actions of the at-fault driver and deter them from participating in similar behavior in the future.
How Is Fault Determined In North Carolina?
When a Mooresville resident is involved in a car crash, specific North Carolina laws dictate how fault is determined. They include:
North Carolina’s At-fault Policy
North Carolina is an at-fault state. In North Carolina, the injured person makes a claim against the insurance policy of the at-fault driver. In other words, the at-fault person’s insurance pays for the damages of the injured person.
Contributory Negligence In North Carolina
North Carolina follows the pure contributory negligence policy. This means that you can be denied compensation if the court finds that you shared fault for the accident. You can be denied damages even if you are only responsible for one percent of the crash.
District of Columbia, Alabama, Maryland, and Virginia are only the 4 other states in the United States that use the pure contributory negligence policy.
A knowledgeable Mooresville car accident lawyer can defend you against anyone who tries to shift the accident liability to you.
How Long do I Have To File An Auto Accident Injury Claim In North Carolina?
To file a car accident claim, you must file it within three years after the accident occurrence date. Failure to abide by North Carolina’s Statute of limitations may result in your lawsuit being denied.
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
There are numerous reasons why car accident claims get denied. However, it doesn’t mean that you should end your pursuit for compensation if your claim is denied. If you feel that you were inadequately compensated or your claim was wrongly denied, you can contact North Carolina’s insurance department and submit a formal complaint, and you will be guided on what to do next.
If your car accident claim was denied in Mooresville – regardless of the reason – talk to an attorney to discuss the best approach for your situation.
Do I Have A Case?
Once our Mooresville car accident lawyers assess your case, we will be able to determine if you have a case or not.
Following a Mooresville, North Carolina, car accident that injured you or someone you care about, you should be able to get compensation for your pain, emotional suffering, and other damages.
Our experienced Mooresville car accident lawyers have helped other car accident victims recover compensation and can help you too! To speak to a qualified 1Charlotte Law Firm auto accident attorney, call (704) 706-2689.