Injured In a Car Accident as a Passenger in Charlotte, NC

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Injured In a Car Accident as a Passenger in Charlotte, NC

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It can be a very scary and overwhelming experience to be a passenger in a car accident. You may be worried about your injuries, how much medical treatment you need, whether you will miss any time from work, and the impact your injuries may have on your life. An experienced car accident attorney can help answer any questions you have about filing a personal injury claim.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we offer representation on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay us anything unless we recover compensation for your injuries. We will handle all communication and negotiations with the drivers’ insurance companies. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and answer any questions you have about filing a personal injury claim.

Car Accidents in Charlotte, NC

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, from 2018-2020, Charlotte had the most crashes in all of North Carolina, with 126,479 accidents recorded. Many more likely go unreported.

Charlotte is a hot spot for motor vehicle accidents in North Carolina. This may come as no surprise to those who live here. Driving down I-77, I-85, or I-485, it is not uncommon to see cars stopped on the side of the road with their hazard lights on.

Heavy traffic and frequent construction keep the roads congested, and drivers often become frustrated, which can lead to aggressive and dangerous driving. That means there is a good chance that you know someone who has been involved in a car accident or you have been involved in one yourself. And if you have been injured in a car accident as a passenger, you are not alone.

Passengers Have Rights Too

Just because you were a passenger in a car accident does not mean that you do not have rights. Under North Carolina law, a passenger can file claims against all drivers who share blame for the accident, even if you were in the at-fault vehicle. North Carolina requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of bodily injury liability. If two drivers contributed to the cause of the accident, a passenger could collect from both drivers’ policies.

Once the liability insurance coverage is exhausted, a passenger might also be able to recover damages from their own car insurance or a household relative’s car insurance policy to collect additional compensation through Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM). UIM coverage is potentially stackable in NC, meaning passengers could collect from multiple policies after they’ve exhausted the liability insurance limits.

Passengers in Charlotte, NC, can also file personal injury claims against the at-fault driver to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic losses. Contact a car accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor if you have questions about how to pursue a personal injury compensation claim.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim as a Passenger in Charlotte, NC

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident as a passenger in Charlotte, NC, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. This type of claim can help you get compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But it is important to remember that you must act quickly. In North Carolina, you typically have only three years from the date of your accident to settle your personal injury claim or file a lawsuit to preserve the statute of limitations.  The statute of limitations in your case is one of the first things you should talk with your attorney about.

What Happens if the Driver Who Caused the Accident is a Friend or Relative?

If the driver who caused the accident is a friend or relative, you may be hesitant to take legal action. You may not want to cause any hard feelings or damage your relationship. But you should not let that stop you from getting the compensation you need and deserve.  Additionally, if the collision was not their fault, their insurance rates should not go up.  

Not seeking compensation only benefits the insurance company. The at-fault driver’s insurance company has a legal duty to pay for any car accident-related injuries the passenger has suffered, regardless of the relationship between the driver and the passenger.

What If the At-Fault Driver is Uninsured?

If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may still be able to get compensation for your injuries. You can file a claim against your own insurance company or the insurance for the owner of the vehicle you were in at the time of the collision. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. But it is important to remember that in most cases, you only have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.  That is why it’s important to talk to your lawyer about what the statute of limitations is in your case.  

What is Considered Fair Compensation for a Car Accident Claim in Charlotte, NC?

The compensation you can receive for a car accident claim in Charlotte, NC, will depend on your case’s specific facts and circumstances. Some of the factors that will be considered include the severity of your injuries, how much medical treatment you needed, whether you missed any time from work, and the impact your injuries have had on your life. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and give you a good idea of how much compensation you may be entitled to.

Getting Help from a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte, NC

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we have been helping passengers injured in car accidents in Charlotte, NC, for over 17 years. We have a track record of success in car accident cases and are ready to put our experience to work for you. We understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with the aftermath of a car accident.

We value the attorney-client relationship and will work with you to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and answer any questions you have about filing a personal injury claim.

301 S McDowell St #1016
Charlotte, NC 28204

Phone: (704) 676-1093
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

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120 3rd St NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Phone: (828) 327-9004
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

301 S McDowell St #1016
Charlotte, NC 28204

Phone: (704) 676-1093
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

130 Church St NE
Concord, NC 28025

Phone: (704) 787-9419
Toll Free: (800) 351-3008

1348 Ebenezer Rd Suite 103
Rock Hill, SC 29732

Phone: (803) 980-5300
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Jason E. Taylor, P.C.
Charlotte Injury Lawyers & Attorneys at Law

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Notice of Data Security Event
Updated March 28, 2025

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor is providing notice of an event that may affect certain individuals’ information. Although we have no indication of identity theft or fraud in relation to this event, we are providing information about the event, our response, and additional measures individuals can take to help protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? On October 28, 2024, The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor identified suspicious activity related to our email system. We quickly took steps to investigate and determined that an unknown actor may have accessed certain emails within our email system between August 7 and November 7, 2024. We then conducted a comprehensive review of the potentially affected emails and attachments to determine what information was contained therein and to whom the information related, which was completed on February 25, 2025. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify the addresses of certain affected individuals, so we are providing this notice to ensure potentially affected individuals receive information about the event.

What Information Was Involved? The information affected may include individuals’ Social Security number, driver’s license and state ID information, financial account number, and health information.

What We Are Doing. We are notifying individuals about this matter and providing guidance about free resources that are available to assist with monitoring relevant accounts, credit reports, and how to place a fraud alert or security freeze on one’s credit file. Further, as with our typical security practices, we will continue to evaluate our policies, procedures, staff training, and technical security measures to reduce the likelihood of an event like this reoccurring.

What Individuals Can Do. We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also recommend you review the below “Steps Individuals Can Take To Help Protect Personal Information”.

For More Information. If individuals have questions about this matter, we have a dedicated assistance line with agents ready to answer their questions. Please contact our toll-free dedicated assistance line at 1-800-939-4170, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 9 p.m., excluding holidays. You may also write to us at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, Attn: Compliance, P.O. Box 2688, Hickory, NC 28603.

Sincerely,

The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor

STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If consumers are the victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. However, consumers should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in their credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application they make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a credit freeze, individuals may need to provide some or all of the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
2. Social Security number;
3. Date of birth;
4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;
5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and
7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if they are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ https://www.experian.com/help/

https://www.transunion.com/credit-help
1-888-298-0045 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
Equifax Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348-5069 Experian Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Fraud Alert, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016
Equifax Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 105788 Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 Experian Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013 TransUnion Credit Freeze, P.O. Box 160, Woodlyn, PA 19094

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect their personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or their state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.

For District of Columbia residents, the District of Columbia Attorney General may be contacted at: 400 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001; 1-202-442-9828; and oag.dc.gov.

For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023; and https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/.

For New Mexico residents, consumers have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in their credit file has been used against them, the right to know what is in their credit file, the right to ask for their credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to consumers’ files is limited; consumers must give consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; consumers may limit “prescreened” offers of credit and insurance based on information in their credit report; and consumers may seek damages from violators. Consumers may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active-duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage consumers to review their rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting www.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20580.

For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov.

For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.

For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; 1-401-274-4400; and www.riag.ri.gov. Under Rhode Island law, individuals have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this event.
STEPS INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE TO HELP PROTECT A MINOR DEPENDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

Typically, credit reporting agencies do not have a credit report in a minor’s name. To find out if a minor has a credit report or to request a manual search for a minor’s Social Security number each credit bureau has its own process. To learn more about these processes or request these services, consumers may contact the credit bureaus by phone, writing, or online:
Equifax Experian TransUnion
https://www.equifax.com/personal/help/article-list/-/h/a/request-child-credit-report/
https://www.experian.com/help/minor-request.html
https://www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resources/child-identity-theft

1-800-685-1111 1-888-397-3742 1-800-916-8800
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30348-5788 P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013 P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

To request information about the existence of a credit file in a minor’s name, search for a minor’s Social Security number, place a security freeze or fraud alert on a minor’s credit report (if one exists), or request a copy of a minor’s credit report consumers may be required to provide the following information:
● A copy of their driver’s license or another government issued identification card, such as a state identification card, etc.;
● Proof of address, such as a copy of a bank statement, utility bill, insurance statement, etc.;
● A copy of the minor’s birth certificate;
● A copy of the minor’s Social Security card;
● The minor’s full name, including middle initial and generation, such as JR, SR, II, III, etc.;
● The minor’s date of birth; and
● The minor’s previous addresses for the past two years.

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