Car accidents are never pleasant or easy, but you can find quick answers to your most frequently asked questions here. Take control of your claim and navigate your way through common issues with ease.
Do I Need a North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer After an Auto Accident?
Not necessarily. You can manage a car accident claim independently and represent yourself; in fact, many people do. That does not mean that representing yourself will come with any substantial benefits. Insurance companies employ lawyers daily to find loopholes in their policy and to minimize a person’s situation when it comes to requesting compensation. These attorneys work behind the scenes but are rather aggressive. They use aggressive techniques because their job is to keep as much money with the company as possible. When you hire a North Carolina auto accident attorney, you have an attorney fighting for your side. They will hold the insurance company to the expectations of their policy, and standing up against aggressive lawyers.
Am I Required to Call the Police After A Car Wreck?
You must contact law enforcement so that you can file an official accident report. You don’t need to contact the police necessarily for intervention or to arrive at the scene but filing an official report is crucial. That report will serve as evidence for your claim. If officers do respond to your crash scene, they will document names, contact information, and other specifics within that report. Additionally, they’ll provide their professional opinion on the crash, how it occurred, and who is likely at fault. When talking to the police, be honest and avoid admitting fault or apologizing.
Should I Move My Car After an Accident?
If your car is in traffic such as on an expressway, you will need to move it. That is if it is in any condition for operation. Before moving your vehicle take a few photos which show the position and location of your car immediately after the crash. If your car is not blocking any through traffic, then leave it where it is for now. You may need a tow truck to move your car, and in those situations, it’s best not to try to move it. The images you capture of your car’s location and position, however, will showcase other important pieces of evidence too such as skid marks and nearby traffic signs.
Do I Need to Call My Insurance Company After an Auto Accident?
Within every auto insurance policy is a driver obligation. You have agreed to contact your company after any crash and to do so within a “short” time frame. Essentially you should contact your insurance provider as soon after a crash as possible. You will also need to provide basic information, such as the other driver’s insurance policy. You do not have to provide a full statement at that time, and you should never admit fault.
What Should I Say to The Insurance Adjuster After My Auto Accident?
You must provide basic information about your auto accident. Typically, insurance providers expect to know when it happened, where it was, and who was involved. That means that you can say something as simple as, “I was in a crash with Adam Addams on Second Street in Charlotte, NC at about two o ‘clock in the afternoon yesterday.” Then you would provide them with the information on the other driver’s insurance and driver’s number.
Do not admit that you were at fault and do not give a formal statement. If they ask any further questions, you don’t have to answer them at that time. Insurance reps are notorious for asking probing questions that will bite you later.
What Should I Do If the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?
You are under no obligation to answer any questions that don’t come from your insurance provider. If you and the other driver share the insurance provider, you can tell them that they can refer questions about the other driver to your attorney. Hiring a car accident attorney can relieve you of the stress involved in knowing which questions to answer.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer to Pay for My Auto Accident?
Insurance companies will never provide a full or fair offer right off the bat. Their goal is to provide you with as little payment as possible. Usually, insurance companies first offer way is below an acceptable amount. This reason stems from the struggle of insurance companies urging their claimants not to pursue the help of a lawyer. A lawyer will provide a clear depiction of what is fair and what is not regarding compensation.
What Types of Compensation Can I Get After A Car Accident?
The type of compensation you might receive depends on the extent of the damage and your injuries. Our attorneys will explore every possible aspect of compensation. A compensation demand may include payment for:
- Past and future bills
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Wages lost
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages in applicable cases
What Should I Do After A Traffic Accident?
Many people forget the actions to take after a crash because it’s fairly traumatizing. Stay calm and take these steps:
- Call law enforcement
- Request medical attention at the scene or seek out medical help immediately after
- Record contact information for the other driver and present witnesses.
- Take pictures all through the crash site and record any notes you have about what happened.
- Report the crash to your insurance provider.
- Fina a North Carolina car crash lawyer to talk about compensation recovery.
What Are the Common Causes of Auto Accidents In North Carolina?
Throughout the State of North Carolina, there are a few key factors that seem to appear in most accidents. Speeding, distracted driving as well as drunk driving and aggressive driving are common factors. Slightly less common but still prevalent are failing to yield and ignoring posted traffic signs.
What Are Common Auto Accident Injuries?
Whiplash, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and sprains or strains are very common. After a crash, you may have any number of injuries including broken bones, bruising, lacerations, spinal cord injuries, and even internal injuries throughout your abdomen.
Do I Have to Pay My Own Medical Bills If Someone Else Caused the Accident?
While you’re recovering, don’t worry so much about your outstanding medical bills. Your North Carolina auto accident attorney will collect and track your bills while your claim is open. Then they will negotiate with insurance companies and the involved healthcare professionals to ensure that you don’t have undue pressure to pay these bills before receiving compensation. If anyone tries to contact, you direct them to your attorney.
What Happens If I Was at Fault for A Car Accident?
Even if you feel that the crash was your fault, don’t admit fault. There are so many other aspects of a car crash that you can’t see from the driver’s seat. When the investigation is complete, then professionals can evaluate who was at fault. It’s possible that the other driver was texting or reaching over to the passenger floorboard for something. A part of your car may have stopped working. But if you say that you are at fault, those aspects won’t matter anymore.
Ultimately if you are found as “at fault” then you will need to go to your own insurance company for compensation.
What if the Driver Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?
North Carolina requires drivers to carry UM or Uninsured Motorist Coverage. That requirement is in place to protect you in these situations. UM and UIM offers compensation for situations where the other driver involved did not have insurance or did not have enough to cover the cost of damages.
What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Similar to UM, UIM or Underinsured Motorist Coverage offers protection for the gap in coverage. Your injuries and damages may exceed the other driver’s policy coverage. At that point, you would turn to your insurance company although they are usually hesitant to payout on UIM claims. Our attorneys know how to keep the process moving even when insurance companies are reluctant to process the request.
What Should I Do if A Defective Part in My Car Caused A Crash?
Defective brakes, tire tread, and more have all led to auto accidents. This reason is one particular issue in admitting fault. You should not make assumptions on fault until you know everything that impacted the crash. In these cases, our attorneys will help you pursue compensation from the retailer, manufacturer, and others involved in the distribution of this part.
What If the Other Driver Says the Accident Was My Fault?
The good thing about dealing with other drivers is that what they say doesn’t matter. An investigation of your crash will take place which will rely on witness statements, as well as evidence. The only important thing for you to worry about is not admitting fault and not apologizing.
How Does North Carolina’s Fault Law Work?
Using a pure contributory negligence system North Carolina makes it difficult for anyone who is even partially at fault to receive compensation. Essentially if you were turning the radio station, someone might be able to argue that you were one or two percent responsible and not eligible for compensation. Insurance companies work hard to show that you, in some way, contributed to the crash.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Attorney for A Car Accident Case?
Perhaps the most common question, hiring an attorney for car accident cases often involves a contingency fee agreement. Contingency fees mean that if you don’t recover anything, neither do we. At Ted A. Greve and Associates, our contingency fees usually range between 25 and 33 percent. That means we collect a set percentage from your compensation benefits rather than you are paying for an attorney upfront.
How Do I Get Paid If I Win My Car Accident Case?
After a settlement or trial verdict, you will have a set compensation figure. Then the insurance company will issue that check to your lawyer. The attorney will detract legal fees, and pay off any open medical bills then you will receive the remainder.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Because each case is different, there is no way to guarantee that your case will or will not go to trial. Initially, the investigation will expose the deserved level of compensation, and our attorneys will aggressively pursue collecting that figure. Given the settlement offers and the investigation, it may be best to proceed to a trial.
Many auto crash cases result in a settlement instead of a verdict as insurance companies don’t want the cost or risk of a trial. At Ted A. Greve and Associates, we work hard to perform in a way that is in your best interest.
Will My Car Accident Case End in A Settlement?
Most cases do end in a settlement, and our attorneys have well developed their skills in negotiating for fair settlements. With aggressive negotiation tactics, we regularly achieve fair and full settlements. However, because each case is unique, there are times when a settlement may not benefit you. In those times, we are ready to take your case forward to a trial.
How Long Do I Have to File A Claim for Compensation After A Car Accident?
The statute is three years in North Carolina. That is three years from the date of the accident. However, the time limit to report the claim to your insurance company is much sooner. You must report the claim to your insurance provider right away.
Call Ted A. Greve & Associates Today for A Free Case Review
We have experience in working with insurance providers, multiple drivers, and even commercial trucking businesses. Within our experience, we’ve handled tough settlement negotiations and taken claims through for a trial verdict — all to ensure that our client’s had the best chance at a full settlement.
After your crash, you probably have many questions. Don’t worry. You can have your questions answered during your free case review with Ted A. Greve and Associates. Contacting our office will put you in touch with a North Carolina auto crash attorney. We provide help to victims of car crashes regardless of any extenuating circumstances.
