If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know how scary it can be. You may be hurt. Your car could be totaled. You’re not sure what to do or who to call. At Ted A. Greve & Associates we recommend you contact a Shelby car accident lawyer after an accident. You may have sustained an injury that is not readily apparent and it is important you are ready to pursue compensation should one develop from your accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident call our office and schedule a free consultation to learn what your options are.
What Should You Do After an Accident
If you’re in any kind of car accident in Shelby, you need to follow these steps:
- Call the police
- Go to the hospital
- Call an experienced car accident lawyer in Shelby, North Carolina
When you call 911, the cops will come to the scene. They’ll arrange for an ambulance to take you to the hospital. They’ll also make sure the other victims receive medical attention.
The police will also conduct a thorough accident investigation. They’ll check to see if the other driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They’ll also try to figure out who may have caused the accident.
The officer will prepare a police report. You need this report. Your personal injury lawyer will rely on this to prove your case should you need to go to court. If you don’t call the police, your lawyer will have to get this information on his own. That can be time consuming and expensive.
Once you’ve been treated for your injuries, call and speak with a Shelby car accident lawyer. They’ll review your case and let you know what to do next.
How Do You Prove Fault?
In order to prove fault in your car accident, you’ll have to show the other driver was negligent. To do this, your personal injury attorney will have to demonstrate the following:
The other Driver Owed You a Duty of Care
This is not difficult to prove. All drivers owe people on the road a duty of care. At a minimum, they have to obey all traffic rules. They also have to use common sense.
The Driver Breached This Duty
If the other driver didn’t do what they should have, it’ll be considered a breach. For example, were they drinking and driving? Were they speeding at the time of the crash?
You Were Injured
This is why it’s so important that you go to the hospital. Your lawyer has to prove you were hurt. The only way to do this is to show your medical records. If you wait to go to the hospital, the defendant will claim you were injured some other way.
Your Injuries Were Caused by the Crash
As long as you get medical treatment immediately after your accident, this shouldn’t be hard. If you wait too long, the defendant’s lawyer will claim something other than the crash caused your injuries.
If you can prove these things, you should be able to recover from the other driver.
What Kinds of Damages Can You Receive?
Your Shelby car accident lawyer will work hard to get you as much money as possible. It really depends on how bad your injuries were. Your claim will include the following types of damages:
- Medical bills – The defendant is liable for any current and future medical bills caused by the accident. If you need future medical treatment, your doctor can testify to this fact.
- Lost wages – If you missed more than a week from work, you can claim lost wages. You can also demand any future lost earnings.
- Property damage –Your car was probably damaged in the accident. You can demand compensation for the repairs or replacement value of your vehicle.
- Pain and suffering – These damages are meant to compensate you for any mental and physical anguish caused by the car accident.
- Disability – If you’re unable to return to work because of your injuries, you can demand this type of damages. It will be equal to the difference between what you’ll get on disability compared to what you would’ve earned at your job.
Your lawyer will present evidence to prove your damages. They’ll try to negotiate a settlement with the driver’s insurance company. If this isn’t possible, they’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Contact an Experienced Shelby Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you need to call an experienced car accident lawyer at Ted A. Greve & Associates in Shelby, North Carolina. You can sit down with someone who has years of experience handling these types of cases.
Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. An attorney will review your case and let you know what it may be worth. They can also answer any questions you may have. And remember – we work on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing until you settle your case.
