What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Asheville, NC?
Car accidents are among the leading causes of injuries and death in North Carolina. In 2020, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), there were 3,874 car crashes in Asheville. The most common causes of car collisions include:
Drunk Driving
Intoxicated drivers often have delayed reaction times, blurred vision, and impaired judgment. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers, and in 2019, 176 car crashes in Asheville were alcohol-related.
Distracted Driving
Drivers who text or use their cell phones behind the wheel are more likely to be involved in car crashes. Other common distractions include radio dials and GPS devices that cause drivers to take their eyes off the road for several seconds at a time.
Speeding Motorists
Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle and increases stopping distance.
Reckless Drivers
Reckless driving behaviors may include unsafe passing, running red lights, making illegal turns, and other aggressive driving actions. Unfortunately, these types of drivers often cause accidents when they take risks that other drivers wouldn’t.
Is it Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Car Accident in Asheville?
If you have been injured in a car accident, it is worth getting a lawyer. Car accidents can be very serious and result in serious long-term injuries.
Our Asheville car accident lawyers know how to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and help you recover financial compensation for your damages and losses.
Car Accident Cases Our Attorneys Cover
At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our Asheville car accident attorneys represent victims who have been injured in a variety of car accidents, including:
Single Car Accidents – Single car accidents often occur due to defective vehicle parts or dangerous road conditions.
Head-on Collisions – Head-on collisions are among the most catastrophic types of car accidents. They often result in serious injuries or death.
Rear-End Collisions – Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident. They often occur when a driver is not paying attention and fails to apply their brakes in time.
Side Impact Accidents – Side-impact accidents, also known as T-bone collisions, can cause serious injuries, including brain damage.
Pedestrian Accidents – Pedestrian accidents often occur when a driver is not paying attention and fails to yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
Bicycle Accidents – Bicycle accidents often occur when a driver is not paying attention and fails to yield the right of way to bicyclists.
What to Do When You’ve Been in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Asheville, NC
- Call 911 – Make sure a police report is filed. This will help establish negligence should you choose to make a personal injury claim.
- Seek Medical Treatment – If you have been in a motor vehicle collision, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention to at least get checked out. Many car accident injuries do not manifest themselves until hours or even days after the accident occurs.
- Get the Other Driver’s Contact Information – If possible, get the other driver’s name, phone number, plates, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
- Gather Evidence – Get the contact information of eyewitnesses, and if it is safe to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, damages to your car, and your injuries.
Contact an Asheville Car Accident Lawyer – Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, where an experienced car accident attorney will review your case to see if we can help. Our attorneys have years of experience representing victims of car accidents in Asheville, and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Can an Asheville Car Accident Attorney Do For You?
Our Asheville auto accident attorneys can help you file a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident. If you are successful, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering at a minimum.
While most car accident lawsuits are resolved through a settlement agreement, some cases need to be litigated. If your case goes to trial, our experienced litigation attorneys will be there with you every step of the way and ensure that your rights are protected.
Damages You Can Recover in Asheville Auto Accident Claims
Medical Bills – You can recover the cost of medical treatment you received as a result of your car accident. This may include the cost of ambulance transportation, hospital stays, surgery, and physical therapy.
Lost Wages – If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you can recover the wages you lost as a result of your accident.
Pain and Suffering – You can recover damages for the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of your car accident. This includes physical pain, mental anguish, emotional distress, and inconvenience.
Permanent Injuries – If you suffer a permanent injury as a result of your car accident, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
Wrongful Death – If your loved one dies as a result of a car accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. In wrongful death claims, you can recover damages such as the cost of funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support and companionship, pain and suffering, lost income, loss of inheritance rights, medical bills incurred prior to death and more.
How Much Compensation Can I Expect to Receive for a Car Accident Case in Asheville, NC?
The compensation you recover in your car accident claim will depend on a number of factors, such as the seriousness of your injuries and how much insurance coverage is available.
It is important to remember that every case is unique, and there’s no way to determine how much money your car accident case will settle for without knowing all of the facts.
That being said, our attorneys have years of experience representing clients in car accident claims, and we will fight to get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Insurance Companies May Try To Obstruct Your Rights to Compensation
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and one way they do that is by trying to pay accident victims as little as possible. Therefore, they will use a variety of tactics to try and reduce the amount you receive for your claim.
For example, an insurance adjuster may ask you questions about your injuries or offer you a low settlement amount in an attempt to get you to agree to a quick resolution. If the insurance adjuster can convince you that your injuries are minor or that they’re not responsible for paying damages, they’ll save money on your claim.
Contributory Negligence in Asheville, NC Car Accident Claims
North Carolina is one of a few states that use contributory negligence to determine who can recover damages when an accident occurs. Under this rule, if you are found to be even partially responsible for causing your car accident (even just one percent), you cannot recover any damages.
For example, imagine you’re driving on a two-lane road when another driver veers over the center line and hits your car head-on. You may be able to recover damages for your injuries. Still, if police determine that you were speeding at the time of the accident (even just slightly), then the insurance company may argue you are not entitled to receive any compensation under North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule.
Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Asheville, North Carolina
In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is typically three years. This means that you must file a lawsuit within three years of the date of your accident to preserve the statute of limitations, or you will lose your right to sue.
It is important to note that this is a strict deadline and does not consider the time it may take to recover from your injuries fully. As such, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after you have been in a car accident and the statute of limitations is one of the important items you should discuss.
How Our Accident Lawyers in Asheville Can Help You With Your Claim
When we represent victims of car accidents in Asheville, we take the time to get to know our clients on a personal level. We understand that this may be one of the most difficult times of your life, and we will treat you with respect and compassion throughout the entire legal process.
Our attorneys are dedicated to fighting for justice on behalf of our clients. When you hire us to represent you in your car accident claim, we will:
- Perform a comprehensive investigation of the crash. We will review photos and videos of the scene, interview witnesses, visit the accident site if necessary, and evaluate any other evidence that is relevant to your case.
- Gather all documentation relating to your injuries. This includes medical records and bills.
- Calculate the full value of your claim. We will consider all damages you may be entitled to recover, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more, in addition to intangible losses like pain and suffering.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. We will negotiate until we reach a fair settlement agreement or take them to court if necessary.
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial. Not all personal injury attorneys have what it takes or the experience to take a case all the way through to a jury trial, but ours do.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Contact our office today for a free consultation, and we will evaluate your claim at no cost to you.
Contact Our Asheville Car Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a car accident in or around Asheville, contact the experienced car accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for a free consultation. We will review your case and let you know what damages you may be entitled to receive. We work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
