When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, NC?

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When Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, NC?

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In 2020, there were over 27,000 auto accidents in Charlotte, beating Raleigh by over 11,000 accidents and making it the city with the most accidents in North Carolina. If you were one of the many people involved in a car accident this year, you might wonder when, or if, you should hire a lawyer.

While we can’t decide for you whether or not to seek legal counsel, we can give you some advice on when it may be beneficial to do so. If you were in a car accident and suffered any injuries, no matter how minor, you should always consult with a lawyer. Even if your injuries healed quickly and you didn’t miss any time from work, you may be unaware of the long-term effects of those injuries.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we will be able to assess your situation and determine whether or not you have a case that we can help you with. If we take on your case, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. If you were in a car accident and are unsure what to do next, give us a call for a free consultation. Our Charlotte car accident lawyers  would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Charlotte

Many different factors can contribute to a car accident. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Charlotte include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Reckless driving
  • Weather conditions

If you were involved in an accident caused by any of the above factors, you should consider hiring a lawyer.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Charlotte

After you have sought medical attention, there are a few other things you should do if you were involved in a car accident in Charlotte. These include:

  1. Call the police
  2. Exchange insurance information with the other driver
  3. Take pictures of the accident scene and the damage to the cars involved
  4. Get the contact information of any witnesses
  5. Do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company

If you follow these steps, you will be better positioned to hire a lawyer and receive the most compensation for your injuries.

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Here are a few circumstances when it is time to hire a car accident lawyer. These include:

The Insurance Company Isn’t Working With You

If you have been in a car accident, you will likely communicate with the other driver’s insurance company and your own. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not always easy to work with. If you are having trouble getting the compensation you deserve, it may be time to hire a lawyer.

North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations 

In North Carolina, you generally have three years to settle your claim or file a personal injury lawsuit to preserve the statute of limitations. 

If you do not do this within the time allowed by law, you will likely be barred from recovery.

You’ve Suffered Injuries or Property Damage

You may be entitled to compensation if you were involved in a car accident and suffered injuries or property damage. The amount of compensation you are entitled to will depend, in part, on the severity of your injuries and the amount of damage to your property.

If you were in an accident with no injuries or property damage, it is unlikely that you will need to hire a lawyer. However, if you were in an accident that caused any injury, no matter how severe or property damage, it is important to speak with one of our car accident attorneys to discuss your legal options and see if we can help.

It’s Not Clear Who Is Responsible For the Accident

Most car accident claims are cut and dry, meaning, it is clear who is responsible for the accident and who should be held liable. However, there are some accidents where it is not clear who is at fault. If you were in an accident and it is unclear who caused it, you may want to hire a lawyer to help investigate the accident and determine liability, particularly if you sustained serious injuries.

A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you were involved in a car accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries or property damage. However, insurance companies are notoriously difficult to negotiate with, and the process of filing a claim can be confusing. A car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and get the compensation you deserve.

What Is Considered Negligence in a Charlotte Auto Accident?

To win a Charlotte car accident case, your lawyer must first prove that the other driver was negligent. Negligence is defined as the failure to exercise reasonable care. This means that the other driver did not do something that a reasonably careful person would have done in the same or similar situation. There are four elements of negligence:

  • Duty – The first element of negligence is duty. The law requires all drivers to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner.
  • Breach of Duty – The second element of negligence is a breach of duty. This occurs when a driver fails to meet the standard of care required by law.
  • Causation – The third element of negligence is causation. This means that the breach of duty was the cause of your injuries.
  • Damages – The fourth and final element of negligence is damages. This means that you must have suffered some type of injury or property damage as a result of the accident.

A personal injury attorney can help you assess whether these elements apply to your case. If all four parts of negligence are present, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or property damage.

How to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Claim

There are many ways to prove negligence in a car accident claim. Some common ways to prove negligence include:

  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Photographs or videos of the accident scene
  • The police report
  • Accident reconstruction experts

You might be entitled to compensation if you were involved in a car accident. Contact a car accident lawyer today to discuss your legal options.

Contributory Negligence in Charlotte, North Carolina

In some states, you can recover compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for an accident. This is called comparative negligence.  Unfortunately, this is not the case in North Carolina. North Carolina is one of very few states that follows the doctrine of contributory negligence. This means that even if you are as little as 1% responsible for an accident, you are not entitled to recover damages from the driver who was 99% at fault.

One recurring instance where contributory negligence is at play is at an intersection.  For example, even if you have the right of way, if you should have seen and recognized danger, but did not take any evasive action, you may be held partially responsible for the accident. Despite the fact you were not entirely at fault, you still wouldn’t be able to recover compensation for the damages caused by the accident under North Carolina law.

What a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer Can Do For You

A car accident lawyer can:

  • Investigate your case and gather evidence to support your claim
  • Speak with witnesses and get their statements
  • Review your medical records and connect you with doctors
  • Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
  • File a lawsuit on your behalf
  • Take your case to trial if necessary

Damages You Can Recover in Your Personal Injury Claim

After a car accident, some of the damages you may be able to recover include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Punitive damages

If you were involved in a car accident, contact a car accident lawyer today to discuss your legal options.

Determining the Value of Your Charlotte Car Accident Claim

The value of your car accident claim will depend on several factors, including:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The amount of medical bills you have incurred
  • The amount of lost wages you have suffered
  • The impact the accident has had on your life.

A car accident lawyer can help you determine the value of your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

Yes. As long as you’ve suffered some injury or property damage, you may be entitled to compensation. Even if you were involved in a minor car accident, you should still contact a lawyer to see if help is available.

What If the Other Driver Was at Fault but Had No Insurance?

If the other driver was at fault but has no insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation for your damages. You may be able to file a claim against your own insurance company pursuant to your uninsured motorist coverage, which is required in North Carolina. 

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer In Charlotte?

Most lawyers will work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not take a fee unless and until you win your case. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you will not have to pay anything upfront. The typical contingency fee is 33.33% of the total settlement, but this can vary depending on the lawyer and the case.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today For Assistance With Your Case

Charlotte is the largest North Carolina city, known as Queen City. The city is home to many Fortune 500 companies and is a major financial center. Charlotte is also a popular tourist destination, with over 20 million visitors annually.

With so many people in Charlotte, car accidents are inevitable. If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, contact an experienced car accident lawyer today for assistance with your case.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, our team of personal injury attorneys has been fighting for the rights of car accident victims in Charlotte and its surrounding areas since 2005. Contact our team today for a free consultation.

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

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Concord, NC 28025

Phone: (704) 787-9419
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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.

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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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