Careless driving may result in car accidents at the blink of a second and, thereby, expose its victims to face the pain of injury, emotional trauma, and financial problems. Motor vehicle accidents happen each year in thousands in the state of North Carolina with serious consequences to the drivers, the passengers and the pedestrians as well. Although nobody ever intends to get into a crash, education about what steps to take in case of an accident can make a world of difference when it comes to getting better. It is here that the advice of a North Carolina car accident attorney can prove extremely useful.
Car accidents claims in North Carolina cannot be compared to the rest of the states since they have their own standards. The state adheres to a contributory negligence rule, which implies that regardless of causing a certain accident by as little as 1%, you may be denied the right to claim compensation. This law is considered to be rather strict, in comparison to comparative negligence systems which are applied in the majority of the states.
Due to this, the insurance companies tend to reduce claims by suggesting that the person injured also caused the accident. It is not wise to negotiate alone since you can gain an advantage by having a lawyer at hand to defend you and make sure you are not wrongfully disparaged.
Typical Causes of Car Accidents Within North Carolina
Although each and every accident is accompanied with its own situation, some shared causes are:
Distracted driving: Texting, eating or using in-car technologies during drive.
Speeding: Driving faster than what is posted, or driving at a speed higher than circumstances deserve.
Drunk or impaired driving: Using a car, bus or any motor vehicle in a state of intoxication.
Reckless driving: aggressive driving and tailgating or swerving through traffic.
Driving hazards caused by weather: Rain, fog or ice that makes roads hazardous.
Refusal to follow traffic signs: Ignoring red traffic lights, etc.
It is important to know the cause of an accident so that a strong legal case can be assembled. Lawyers, since they are the professionals who must receive compensation, usually collaborate with investigators, reconstruction specialists, and health specialists to provide evidence that can prove a claim.
The Work of an Car Accident Lawyer
The North Carolina car accident lawyer is the specialist that offers essential services to the victims and includes:
- Gathering evidence such as police reports, testimony of witnesses, and photographs.
- Negotiating equitable compensation and avoidance of low ball offers.
- Making sure that the victims would claim compensation in terms of medical bills, salary, damage, and pain and suffering.
- No settlement is possible, the lawyer can represent the case in court in an effort to secure the highest compensation possible.
An attorney can help the victims to recover by taking up the legal matters so that they concentrate on their healing rather than fighting with insurance companies and documents.
Forms of Compensation Offered
Compensation that may be secured by persons adversely affected by car accidents in North Carolina includes the following:
Health costs: Bed fees, post-surgery, long term care and medicine.
Lost income: Missed wages when recovering or earning power in the event of a permanent injury sustained.
Property damage: Repairing or replacing the vehicle and other personal properties.
Pain and suffering: Emotional distress, sufferings and physical pain, and deteriorated quality of life.
Wrongful death damages: To those families that have lost their loved ones as a result of a crash.
Every case is individual, and the compensation necessary as claimed depends on whether the injuries are severe and under which conditions the accident takes place.
The North Carolina law has a restriction on the period in which one can file a car accident lawsuit. As a rule, personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident, two years in cases concerning wrongful death. Ensuring that this deadline is not missed could pose a risk of losing eligibility to claim payment.
It is because of this that one should consider consulting with an attorney immediately after an accident. Early legal action assists in the preservation of evidence and also it enhances the alleged claim.
Conclusion
An auto injury in North Carolina may expose the victims to insurmountable obstacles. The journey can be a pain (both literally and figuratively) after the medical bills and lost time on the job as well as the pressure that comes along with having to grapple with insurance companies. The North Carolina car accident lawyer is the one who gives the direction, defense, and guidance required to safeguard your rights and ensure a just compensation.