According to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, over 35,000 car accidents occurred in Charlotte in 2019. If you are in a car accident in Charlotte, you may feel shocked and overwhelmed, but it is important to know what to do. Unfortunately, many car accident victims don’t know the proper steps to take after an accident, leading to further complications when they try to recover compensation for their damages.
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our car accident attorneys have represented car accident victims in North Carolina since 2005. We are here to help if you need legal assistance after an auto accident. We have years of experience dealing with car accident cases, and we know how to get results. We force the liable parties to accept the consequences of their actions and provide you with the compensation you are entitled to.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Check For Injuries
After a car accident, the first thing you should do is check for injuries. If you are injured, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is still a good idea to get checked out by a doctor as some injuries don’t manifest immediately and, if left untreated, can lead to long-term complications.
Get to a Safe Place
After you have determined that everyone is okay, the next thing to do is get to a safe place. This means getting out of the way of oncoming traffic if you are in the middle of the road. If it is safe to do so, move your car to the side of the road. Once you are in a safe place, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. However, if possible, take pictures before you move your car.
Call 911
Even if there doesn’t seem to be any damage, it is important to call the police. The police will create a report which can be helpful later on if any property damage or injuries end up being more severe than initially thought, or the person who admitted fault at the scene has now changed their mind as to what happened.
Exchange Information
If there is any damage to either vehicle, it is important to exchange information with the other driver.
Collecting the Right Information
When you are exchanging information, make sure to collect the following:
- The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all drivers involved in the accident
- The make, model, and year of all cars involved in the accident
- The other driver’s insurance company information
- A description of the accident scene
- The driver’s license number of the other driver
Collect Evidence
If there is any damage to the vehicles involved, it is essential to gather whatever evidence you can. This can help with insurance claims later on.
Take Pictures or Video of the Crash Scene
If it is safe to do so, take pictures or video of the scene and the vehicles involved, not just your own. This can be helpful if there is any dispute later on about what happened.
Get the Names and Contact Information of Witnesses
If there are any witnesses to the accident, be sure to get their names and contact information. Their testimony may be helpful later on.
Get a Copy of Your Charlotte, NC Car Accident Report
After a police report is filed, it is essential to get a copy. This report will be helpful later on if you need to file a car accident claim.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
After gathering all of the necessary information, the next step is to call your insurance company to report an auto insurance claim. It is crucial to put your own insurance company on notice, even if you are not at fault.
What to Expect From the Insurance Company After an Auto Accident
After filing an auto insurance claim, the insurance company will open an investigation. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your case to gather information about the accident.
The insurance adjuster may contact you to get a statement about what happened and contact witnesses. It is important to contact a lawyer before giving any statements about what happened or accepting any settlement from an insurance company. A lawyer will protect your interests and ensure you get fair compensation for your damages.
Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer
If you are injured due to a car accident or there is damage to your vehicle, it may be necessary to contact a Charlotte car accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, if necessary, and get the compensation you deserve.
North Carolina Car Accident Laws
Knowing the North Carolina car accident laws is important before filing a claim. These laws can impact the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
The Statute of Limitations
In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file within this time frame, you will be barred from filing a claim and recovering compensation. It is important to talk to your attorney about the statute of limitations early on to make sure your cases does not fall into an exception.
Contributory Negligence
North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. This means that if you are even partially at fault for the accident, you will not recover any compensation. For example, if you were speeding at the time of the accident, you may be found to be partially at fault. You may not recover compensation for your injuries or damages if the speeding is found to have contributed to the collision. Intersection cases are notorious for possible contributory negligence and there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration.
Speak with a Charlotte car accident lawyer to see if you have a case against the at-fault driver and before giving any statements to the insurance company.
Damages You Can Recover After a Motor Vehicle Accident
If you are involved in a car accident in Charlotte, you may be able to recover the following damages:
- Medical expenses – this can include medical bills related to hospitalization, surgery, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and medication
- Lost wages – if you are unable to work because of your injuries, you may be able to recover your lost wages
- Property damage – this can include the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Pain and suffering – this is non-economic damage that can be awarded for the physical and emotional anguish you have suffered due to the accident.
If you are involved in a car accident, it is important to take steps to protect your rights. Contacting a Charlotte car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor to Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer Today
Car accidents can happen at any time, and if you have been injured in one due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries. Our Charlotte car accident lawyers are well versed in North Carolina law. We take on insurance companies and negotiate with them to ensure that you receive fair treatment. We are also not afraid to go to trial when it’s in our client’s best interest.
Contact us today for your free initial consultation and learn more about what we can do to help you. We will answer your questions and explain all of your legal options.
