Concord, NC Car Accident Statistics

It probably comes as no surprise that car accident claims are the number one type of personal injury lawsuit filed in US courts. While most people may not consider it each time they get in their cars, driving is the most dangerous thing we Americans do every day. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data reported 6,756,000 police-reported motor vehicle accidents in 2019.

Although people drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, early estimates from NHTSA number traffic-related fatalities at 38,680. This represents a drastic 7.2% increase since 2019 and the largest projected number of fatalities since 2007. In North Carolina, Department of Transportation statistics reveal a 10% increase in traffic-related fatalities in 2020, with 1,659 people who lost their lives. These are tragic and disheartening numbers.

In the city of Concord, 3,232 people were injured or possibly injured in vehicle accidents in 2020, and 36 persons were involved in fatal car crashes in 2019. While car accidents are less frequent in the Concord area than in other North Carolina cities, they are no less devastating for victims and families when they result in serious injury or death.

What Are The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Concord, NC?

Numerous factors can cause a motor vehicle crash, but the number one cause of accidents by far is distracted driving. This includes talking or texting on the phone, using a navigation system, eating, and various other activities. Other factors that are frequently responsible for car accidents include:

• Speeding
• Failure to yield
• Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
• Driver fatigue
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Aggressive driving
• Lane changes
• Inexperience
• Construction zones
• Weather
• Vehicle defects

What Types of Car Accident Cases Does a Concord Car Accident Lawyer Cover?

There are many kinds of auto-related accidents and various victims of them. A skilled car accident lawyer will be able to represent you regardless of the type of accident you’ve been involved in. The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor have years of representing clients who have been the victims of the following:

• Two or multiple-car/motor vehicle collisions
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Pedestrian accidents involving motor vehicles
• Bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles

With regards to two-car collisions, the five most common types are:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone collisions
• Hit-and-run collisions
• Rollovers

What to Do When You’ve Been in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Concord?

What The Law Requires You To Do

North Carolina law requires drivers involved in any kind of motor vehicle collision to remain in place and contact the police if any of the following applies:

• There is injury to any person
• There has been the death of any person
• There is total property damage of $500 or more

People often do not contact law enforcement, but failure to do so in any of these situations is grounds for a misdemeanor. Even if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, it is important to remain at the scene until police arrive. The other driver may ultimately be found and held accountable, but you may still be able to file a claim even if they are not.

What To Do For Yourself

Besides contacting the police immediately and remaining at the scene until they arrive, it is imperative to do the following as well:

• Move to safety and get medical help for any injuries
• Get the other driver’s contact information, if possible. Include their name, phone number, plates and driver’s license number, and insurance information.
• Get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the car accident.
• Take pictures of the scene. Gathering evidence will help your file a thorough accident report and claim for compensation.
• Contact a Concord car accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor for a free case review. Sage legal advice is essential to help you get justice and the full compensation you deserve.

It is also imperative that you do not admit to any fault for the accident, even if you believe you may be responsible. You may be incorrect, and an admission of guilt can be used against you later. Do not capitulate to pressure from the other driver to not report the accident or any injuries you received.

Why Going to the Hospital After a Car Accident is Crucial

After a car accident–even a very violent one– you may feel relatively fine, presume you got lucky,  and be tempted not to seek medical attention. Do not give in to this temptation! Going to the hospital and getting a thorough evaluation by medical professionals is crucial for a number of reasons.

• You may be in shock and not realize that you have in fact been injured.
• Many serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, are not immediately evident.
• Having documentation that shows you sought medical attention is important should you choose to file a claim.

Some common car wreck injuries that can go undetected at first include concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), neck and spine injuries, and internal bleeding. If left untreated, these types of serious injuries can be deadly. Under no circumstances should you hesitate to get medical attention after a car accident, even if you feel okay and have no outward signs of injury.

Furthermore, in a personal injury lawsuit, documentation proving you sought medical attention may be critical in preventing insurance companies from arguing the validity of your injury claims.

What a Concord Car Accident Lawyer Can Do For You?

If you’ve been the victim of a serious motor vehicle accident in Concord and you’re wondering if you really need a car accident lawyer, the answer without a doubt is yes. Here is why:

It is very likely that you’ve suffered a serious injury, some of which may have lasting effects, and are facing significant medical expenses. You should not be responsible for burdensome medical costs that resulted from someone else’s negligence. Furthermore, you may have lost wages due to an inability to work resulting from your accident. You deserve financial compensation for your physical injuries, as well as your inability to resume life as normal and provide for your family.

In addition to that, car accident cases can be complex. After serious physical injury and personal trauma, your number one focus should be on healing and recovery. Worrying about paying bills and going it alone against attorneys and insurance companies should be the last thing on your mind. You owe it to yourself to consult with experienced and competent legal representatives who truly have your best interests at heart and will get you the fair compensation you are owed.

At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we are precisely such lawyers. We are deeply experienced in the intricacies of the law. We’ve been around the block, we know all the stunts the other side will try to pull, and we don’t cave into it. We are compassionate personal injury attorneys dedicated to being your voice and advocate when you need it most. We will take on any insurance company, and we are not afraid to go to bat for you in court if that’s what it takes.   

Insurance Companies May Try to Obstruct Your Rights

Insurance companies should not be trusted. Regardless of what an insurance company representative may say to you over the phone, do not believe they truly have your best interests at heart. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and limiting their liability. It is commonplace for insurance companies to try to avoid paying your medical bills, and they may also try to obstruct your legal rights in other ways. An insurance company might employ the following tactics to avoid compensating you for the damages you’re owed:

• They pressure you to sign paperwork before speaking to a lawyer
• They discourage you from hiring a lawyer, knowing it is not in your favor to forego one
• They claim certain damages aren’t covered under law, even though they are
• They request access to your medical records, then use the information against you by saying your injuries were pre-existing

Don’t fall for these tricks. Having the right representation on your side is essential so that you don’t get taken advantage of. Our law firm is well-versed in car accident law, and we don’t back down. Our client’s best interest is our number one priority.

Liability & Contributory Negligence

Most personal injury cases hinge on the legal theory of negligence. A negligent party is one that has failed to exercise an expected and appropriate degree of care, thereby causing injury to another. In a motor vehicle accident, a thorough investigation is essential to establish at-fault (negligent) parties. If two or more drivers are at fault, they may be held jointly liable. If an at-fault driver was on the job when the accident occurred, his employer may be held liable.

The state of North Carolina is unique in that it is one of few “contributory negligence” states, with regard to how it treats liability. Under this statute, a plaintiff may not recover any damages if deemed even partially at fault. (The majority of other states fall under the “comparable negligence” statute, in which the amount of damages is reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s degree of fault.)

Therefore, in North Carolina, if the victim of a car accident is determined to have even 1% fault for the accident, it precludes him or her from filing a claim for legal compensation. This is also known as an “all or nothing rule,” and it is shared with only 3 other eastern states as well as Washington, D.C.  This is another reason why it is particularly important in the state of North Carolina to obtain prudent legal advice when you’ve been in an auto accident.

What Kind of Damages Can I Be Awarded in a Concord, NC Car Accident?

The two primary types of damages awarded in car accident lawsuits fall under the categories of economic and non-economic compensation.

Economic Personal Injury Damages

These include physical, emotional, and personal injury and hardship that can be measured in certain monetary value terms. Some examples are:

• Medical bills
• Ongoing medical expenses and rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Lost future earning capacity

Non-Economic Personal Injury Damages

These include damages that pertain to your quality of life after the accident and do not necessarily have an assignable monetary value. Some examples are:

• Pain and suffering/mental anguish
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of quality of life due to disability
• Loss of consortium (loss of possible spousal intimacy)

Wrongful Death Claim

In the tragic event that your loved one has lost his or her life in a car accident, you may qualify to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. Among other damages you would be entitled to claim are:

• Medical and funeral expenses
• Loss of the deceased’s expected earnings
• Loss of the deceased’s benefits, such as medical coverage or pension plans

How Much Compensation Can I Expect to Receive for a Car Accident Case in Concord, NC?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a “ballpark figure” for any type of personal injury lawsuit. Every car accident case is unique and must be evaluated individually. However, certain factors may affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive, including:

• Type and severity of injuries
• Likelihood of making a full recovery
• Physical disfigurement and scarring caused by the accident
• The affect of the accident on various aspects of the victim’s life
• Victim’s financial situation before and after the accident

Statute of Limitations

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Concord, it is important to know that you have a limited amount of time to file a legal claim. North Carolina statute requires that a lawsuit be initiated within three years of the accident happening. While this may sound like a fair amount of time, understand that the claims process is not quick. Additionally, it is always best to take action as soon as possible, while evidence and documentation are still fresh and more easily obtained.

Contact our Concord Car Accident Attorneys

Auto accidents happen every day; they are often minor and of little consequence. However, when serious accidents occur, they can turn life upside down. The personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor understand this.

Nothing can fully compensate for a traumatic unexpected life change or restore the losses associated with it. However, at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, genuinely committed and caring attorneys are always ready to help navigate your personal injury claims. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t settle or win your case, you owe nothing.

We proudly serve Concord and the surrounding areas. Call us today for a free consultation.