What Happens if I am At Fault for a Car Accident in Concord NC

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What Happens if I am At Fault for a Car Accident in Concord NC

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If you are involved in a car accident in Concord, North Carolina, there are a few things that you need to know. First and foremost, it is important to understand the state’s laws regarding fault in car accidents. If you are determined to be at fault for the accident, there may be consequences.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our Concord car accident attorneys have years of experience helping car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you have questions about your rights when at fault for an accident, contact us today for a free consultation.

Fault in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the driver who was negligent or violated a traffic law is typically at fault for the collision.

Contributory Negligence in Concord, North Carolina

North Carolina is one of very few states that follows the contributory negligence doctrine. Under this law, you cannot recover damages if you are even one percent at fault for the accident.

For example, let’s say you are involved in a car accident. The police report finds that both you and the other driver were at fault for the accident, each contributing 50% to the cause of the accident. Under North Carolina’s rule of contributory negligence, you will not be able to recover any damages from the other driver. If you are involved in an accident, it is important to seek the help of an experienced car accident attorney.

Is North Carolina an At-Fault State?

North Carolina is an at-fault state when it comes to responsibility for a collision. If you are at fault for the accident, you are responsible for the damages you caused. If you are involved in an accident, you should contact a car accident lawyer to help you with your case. Our lawyers are well-versed in car accident law, and we’re to help you through your claim.

What Happens If I’m At-Fault For a Car Accident in Concord, NC?

If you are at fault for a car accident in Concord, NC, you may be held liable for damages incurred by others involved in the collision. This includes property damage, medical bills, and lost wages. The other driver may also sue you.

How is Fault Determined for Car Accident Claims in Concord, NC?

Fault for a motor vehicle accident in Concord is typically determined by reviewing evidence from the wreck. This may include:

  • Police Report
  • Witness statements
  • Photos of the accident scene and damage to vehicles
  • Video footage, if available
  • Data from car accident reconstruction experts
  • Medical records

Insurance Requirements in North Carolina

In North Carolina, all drivers are required to have liability and uninsured motorist car insurance. Liability coverage protects drivers and passengers against injuries and property damage caused by negligent drivers up to their policy limits.  Uninsured motorist coverage is exactly what it sounds like.  It applies if the at-fault driver does not have insurance.

If you are involved in an accident and do not have insurance, you may be sued by the other driver. If you have insurance, but the other driver suffers damages exceeding your policy limit, they may sue you for the difference.

It is important to have as much insurance coverage as you can afford to protect yourself in case of an accident. The law in North Carolina only requires that drivers carry $30,000 in coverage.  In some cases, that may not even cover the emergency room visit.  

What Damages Will My Insurance Company Cover If I Cause a Car Accident in Concord, NC?

If you are at fault for a car accident in Concord, the damages you are liable for will depend on the accident’s severity. If the accident was minor and there was only property damage, you may only be responsible for repairing or replacing the damaged property.

However, if the accident was more serious and caused injuries, whether severe or minor, you may be responsible for their:

  • Medical Bills
  • Lost Wages
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages

It is important to speak with a Concord car accident lawyer about your case to ensure that you know all potential damages that you may be responsible for.

How Can I Recover Damages For My Vehicle?

If your vehicle was damaged in an accident that you were at fault for, you might be able to recover the cost of repairs through collision coverage on your insurance policy. If the cost of repairs exceeds the value of your car, your insurance company may declare it a total loss and will pay you the fair market value of your vehicle as it was immediately before the crash.

Will My Car Insurance Rates Increase If I’m At Fault For the Car Accident?

Your car insurance rates may increase if you are at fault for the accident. The amount that your rates will go up will depend on your insurance company, your driving history and the accident’s severity.  Some insurance companies will not increase your rates if the damage to the vehicles is under a specific threshold amount.  

Dealing with the Aftermath of a Car Accident in Concord, North Carolina

No one ever wants to be in a car accident. However, if you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know what to do. The first step is to seek medical treatment, even if you don’t think that you are injured. It is always best to get checked out by a doctor.

The next step is to call the police and have them file a report. This will document the accident and be used as evidence in your case. It is also important to take pictures of the accident scene and the vehicles involved and get the contact information of any witnesses. Their testimony may be crucial to your case. 

The most important step is to contact an experienced car accident attorney. Personal injury attorneys can help you understand your rights and options and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Do not try to handle the case on your own.

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Contact the Concord Car Accident Lawyers at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor Today

Even if you are at fault for a car accident, it is important to contact a car accident attorney for your case. Our auto accident attorneys have extensive experience with all types of personal injury claims. We are not afraid to take on insurance companies to help you obtain fair compensation. We value the attorney-client relationship and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.

Contact The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor today for your free consultation and learn more about what we can do to help you. We will answer your questions and explain all of your legal options.

130 Church St NE
Concord, NC 28025

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

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120 3rd St NE
Hickory, NC 28601

Phone: (828) 327-9004
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Phone: (704) 787-9419
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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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