Car accidents are traumatic events that can shake you to your core. Understanding your legal rights after such a significant event is probably the last thing on your mind. However, knowing your rights and the car accident claim process increases your chances of recovering the money you need to cover your medical expenses and other financial losses.
Unfortunately, car accidents in North Carolina happen daily. Statistics from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles show in one year, 1,784 people lost their lives, and 110,544 others were injured in traffic collisions on state roadways. Protecting yourself and fighting for the money you deserve after someone else injures you means turning to an experienced Charlotte car accident attorney for help.
At Ted A. Greve & Associates PA, we can give you the advice and support you need to recover meaningful compensation for your injuries. Our team is committed to protecting your rights and fighting for the most favorable outcome possible. For a free case review to learn more, contact our North Carolina car accident law firm today.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Charlotte
It can be hard to think clearly during a traumatic and frightening event like a Charlotte, North Carolina, car accident. However, your decisions immediately after a collision can significantly affect your compensation claim later. Protect yourself and your chances of building a strong claim by taking the following steps after a Charlotte car accident:
- Contact the authorities and call for help
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Document the scene as thoroughly as possible by taking notes, photographs, and collecting witness information
Even if the accident is minor, do not be persuaded to avoid calling the authorities. Law enforcement can help render aid and control the scene of the accident. The subsequent police report may also be robust evidence supporting your compensation claim. North Carolina law also mandates that drivers contact the authorities to report an accident when a person is injured or killed, or more than $1,000 in property damage is involved.
Another vital action you must take after a North Carolina car accident is seeking immediate medical attention for your injuries. You may feel “fine,” but adrenaline can mask the signs of wounds like head injuries and internal bleeding. Additionally, your medical records and documentation are crucial in establishing the extent of your injuries and how much compensation you may need to cover your losses.
Navigating the Legal Landscape: Laws Affecting Your Case in Charlotte
Unfortunately for vulnerable car accident victims, navigating the legal landscape after a significant car accident can be overwhelming and confusing. An accident lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina, can help you manage the process and advocate for you. One of the laws that can impact your situation is the state’s personal injury statute of limitations. Your time for filing a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for your financial losses is limited. North Carolina law gives you three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. If you wait too long to file, you lose leverage against insurers, and the court can refuse to hear your case.
Negligence and How It Affects Your Claim
North Carolina’s contributory negligence regulation can also impact car accident victims. Under the state’s strict contributory negligence rule, car accident victims can recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. However, if the victim is in any way responsible for contributing to the cause of the crash, they cannot collect compensation for their financial losses or injuries. That means the tiniest error on the part of an accident victim may bar them from recovering the money they need.
Filing Claims and Dealing with Adjusters
Typically, car accident victims seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company first. While filing a claim should be straightforward, filing the paperwork and communicating with aggressive insurance adjusters can be daunting. In your best interest, avoid working directly with an adjuster and allow an experienced Charlotte car accident lawyer to manage all communication and negotiations with the insurer for you. An attorney can seek maximum compensation while protecting your legal rights and helping you avoid the pitfalls of common insurance adjuster tactics designed to get you to settle for less..
The Compensation You Deserve: Recovering Damages in Charlotte
Depending on the circumstances of the case, most car accident victims are entitled to seek compensation for their economic and non-economic losses.
Economic
Economic losses are measurable financial losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. These losses are straightforward to calculate.
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages are compensation that covers quality of life issues such as emotional distress, pain, and suffering. Tabulating these losses is more challenging because “suffering” and quality of life changes are subjective.
Punitive
In rare situations, a court can award a victim punitive damages. Punitive damages do not compensate you for your financial losses. They are a financial punishment for malicious or egregious actions or behaviors on the part of the at-fault party.
Calculating Compensation For Your Car Accident Injuries
Several methods can be used to calculate compensation. The case’s unique facts also contribute to how settlements are calculated and can influence the amount you recover. For instance, the cause of the crash and the severity of your injuries are two significant factors that can impact the value of your case. A skilled car accident attorney in Charlotte can help determine the value of your case.
An attorney can also take care of all the steps in the process of recovering compensation via an insurance claim or litigation. Most car accident cases are settled outside of a courtroom through aggressive negotiation.
Types Of Automobile Accidents We Handle
Here at Ted Greve & Associates, we handle many types of car accidents. More specifically, we handle the following:
Distracted Driving Accidents
Have you been injured due to another driver who was distracted? Driving while distracted, such as using a phone while operating a vehicle, can result in serious injuries. Our team can help you recover damages if you were hit by a distracted driver in Charlotte or the surrounding areas.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents can result in whiplash injuries, as well as several other types of injuries. Rear-end collisions can happen while you are slowing down to a stop or while you’re at a complete stop. Other times it can happen due to a speeding car coming up from behind. Whatever the case is, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Pedestrian Accidents
Our lawyers handle cases that involve pedestrians becoming injured as a result of a driver of a motor vehicle. Accidents involving pedestrians can and do occur often, regardless of sidewalks and crosswalks. We can represent you if you were hit by a car and you believe it was at no fault of your own.
Drunk Driving Accidents
We can determine if you have been a victim of a drunk driving accident if you are unsure whether or not you have been struck by a drunk driver. Our team of experts can evaluate your case and speak with potential witnesses. If you’ve been involved in a drunk driving accident, then we will fight aggressively to get you the compensation you deserve.
Motorcycle Accidents
The truth is you can take all the safety precautions in the world when you operate a motorcycle. However, other drivers on the road might not be as careful, which is why motorcyclists are often involved in car accidents. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and it wasn’t your fault, then let Ted Greve & Associates handle your case.
Hit and Run Accidents
These types of cases are horrendous because it often leaves victims feeling like there is nothing they can do. If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, then give us a call. We can use our resources and expertise to help hold those responsible accountable.
Reckless Driving Accidents
Reckless driving in North Carolina is considered a crime, and it can carry criminal charges. If you’ve been involved in a reckless driving accident, then it’s important to retain an attorney. We have a lot of experience handling reckless driving accident cases.
Truck Accidents
Large commercial trucks and other types of large trucks are often involved in accidents in Charlotte. If you’ve suffered injuries or someone you know has been injured by a large truck, including a dump truck, 18-wheeler, or a cement truck to name a few, then contact us right away. We are highly skilled truck accident attorneys.
Speeding Accidents
Have you sustained injuries due to a speeding driver? Accidents involving speeding can often end with serious injuries and/or fatalities. Our team of speeding accident attorneys can gather evidence on your behalf to prove that the party at fault was speeding, which caused an accident to occur. We will fight for your compensation while holding the speeding driver responsible for their actions.
Rideshare Accidents
Those who drive for rideshare companies are typically not professionals, or at least not as trained as drivers from a professional taxi company. If you’ve been involved in a rideshare accident, then you need an expert to deal with the complexities that accompany such a case. We can review your case and then offer you guidance.
Have you been hit by a rideshare driver while you were a pedestrian? Maybe you were struck by one head-on or from the rear? It doesn’t matter what your situation is, we are here to help.
Head-on Accidents
A head-on accident can occur due to many reasons, especially in a busy city such as Charlotte. Distracted driving, fatigue, driving drunk, driving under the influence of drugs, and speeding are among the most common reasons head-on collisions happen. You can be as careful as possible and still become a victim of a head-on car accident.
Some of the most serious injuries are a result of head-on collisions. This includes severe knee, back, and neck injuries. If you have been injured in a head-on accident in Charlotte, then we strongly encourage you to contact us today.
Rollover Accidents
These types of accidents can have devastating impacts on anyone involved in them. They can result in severe injuries, as well as death. You’ll need to enlist the help of Ted Greve & Associates if you have been involved in a rollover accident.
Choosing the Right Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer for Your Case
Choosing the right car accident attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina, to manage your case makes a difference. You need an attorney with an excellent track record specializing in personal injury cases like yours.
At Ted A. Greve & Associates PA, Dr. Ted and his team know how to help car accident victims pursue maximum compensation for their injuries and financial losses. We support our clients by providing customized legal advice and compassionate moral support. Contact our office today and request a free case review.
