Car Accident Risks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
There are many risks associated with driving in Winston-Salem, NC. First and foremost, the city is located in the heart of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. This means that there are a lot of hills and curves throughout the city. These features can make it difficult to see around corners and lead to sudden changes in speed.
In addition, Winston-Salem is home to several large employers, including Wake Forest University and Novant Health. This means that there is a lot of traffic on the roads during rush hour.
Another risk factor to consider is the weather. Like most southeast regions, Winston-Salem’s weather varies from hour to hour. This can make it difficult to predict road conditions and lead to dangerous driving conditions.
No matter what the risks are, it is important to be aware of them and take steps to protect yourself.
Car Accident Statistics in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is the second-largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad and the fifth most populous city in the state. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, 7,683 motor vehicle accidents occurred in Winston-Salem with 3,060 injuries and 23 fatalities.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Winston-Salem, NC
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car wreck in Winston-Salem, it is important to take the following steps:
- Call the police – The police will create a report of the accident, which can be used as evidence in your case.
- Get medical attention – Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional.
- Collect evidence – If possible, take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved and collect the contact information of any witnesses.
- Contact a car accident lawyer – An experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
- Contact your insurance company – It is important to notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible.
- Do not give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company – Anything you say can be used against you in your case.
- Keep track of all expenses related to the accident – This includes medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages.
Do not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer. The insurance company may try to get you to sign away your rights or agree to a low settlement offer. Don’t do either of these without speaking to a qualified car accident lawyer.
Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
The answer to this question depends on the specific circumstances of your case. If you have been seriously injured or if the other driver was at fault, it is important to have an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. At The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, we offer a free consultation so that you can learn more about your legal rights and options.
Common Types of Car Accident Cases in Winston-Salem
There are many different types of car accident cases, but some of the most common include:
- Rear-end collisions – These accidents often occur when a driver follows another vehicle too closely or is speeding and can’t get stopped in time.
- Hit and run accidents – If the other driver leaves the accident scene, you may be able to get compensation through your own insurance policy.
- Rollover accidents – These accidents can be caused by several factors, including defective tires or poor road conditions, but can be caused by t-bone or side-impact collisions.
- Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured drivers – If the other driver does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to make you whole, you may be able to recover compensation through your own policy.
What is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim is a legal claim filed by an injured person against the person or entity responsible for the injuries and damages. A personal injury claim aims to recover monetary compensation for the injuries sustained.
Compensation in a Personal Injury Claim
The compensation recovered in a personal injury claim can vary depending on the case’s specific circumstances. However, the types of compensation that are typically recovered in a personal injury claim include:
- Medical expenses – This can include hospital bills, doctor’s visits, medication, and any other medical treatment related to the accident.
- Lost wages – If your injuries have caused you to miss work, you may be able to recover your lost wages.
- Pain and suffering – There is no fixed formula to calculate these damages and there are many factors that come into play.
- Property damage- This can include the cost of repairs or replacement of any property damaged in the accident, usually your vehicle, but can also include any personal property damages in the collision, such as a cell phone.
- Punitive damages – In specific cases, such as when the at-fault person was driving while impaired, you may be entitled to punitive damages to punish the person responsible for the accident and deter others from similar conduct.
Filing Wrongful Death Claims in North Carolina
If you have lost a loved one in a collision, whether it was while a pedestrian, on a bicycle or motorcycle or in a vehicle, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that can be filed by the surviving family members of the deceased.
In order to recover compensation in a wrongful death claim, you must prove that the other driver was negligent and that their negligence led to the death of your loved one.
Compensation in a wrongful death claim can include damages such as medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship.
Statute of Limitations in Winston Salem, North Carolina
A car accident claim falls under personal injury law, which usually has a statute of limitations of three years. This means that you have three years from the accident to settle your personal injury claim or file a lawsuit to preserve the statute of limitations. If you do not file your claim within the applicable time frame required by law, you will be barred from recovery. That is why it is important to speak to an attorney about what the statute of limitations is in your particular case.
Proving Negligence in Winston-Salem Car Accident Claims
To recover compensation in any car accident claim, you must prove that the other driver was negligent. Negligence is defined as the failure to use reasonable care which harms another person. Four elements must be proved to establish negligence:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care
- The other driver breached that duty
- You were injured as a result of the breach
- You suffered damages as a result of the injury
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Negligence?
Many different types of evidence can be used to prove negligence in a car accident claim. Some of the most common types of evidence include:
- Witness testimony – This can be used to establish what happened leading up to the accident.
- Photographs – Photographs can be used to show the damage caused by the accident or the position of the vehicles immediately after the collision.
- Police reports – Police reports can be used to establish fault in an accident.
- Medical records – Medical records can show the extent of your injuries and to prove causation.
What If I’m Partially At Fault for the Accident?
In some cases, both drivers may be at fault for the accident. North Carolina is a contributory negligence state, which means that if you are found to be even partially at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovery.
For example, if the other driver ran a red light but you were speeding, you may be found to be partially at fault. If so, you would not be able to recover any compensation for your damages.
How Is Fault Determined by the Insurance Company?
After a car accident, the insurance company will assign an insurance adjuster to your case. The claims adjuster will investigate the accident and determine who was at fault.
The insurance company will also look at factors such as witness testimony, photographs, and police reports to help them determine fault. Witness testimony includes the statements of their insured driver as well as your statement. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
Instead, if you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claims process and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Why You Should Choose the Car Accident Attorneys at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor to Represent You
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to choose an experienced and knowledgeable car accident lawyer to represent you. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor have represented many clients in car accident claims and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
We will thoroughly investigate your case and collect all of the evidence needed to prove negligence. We will also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf to help you recover the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
The vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. However, in some cases, a trial may be necessary to recover the compensation you deserve.
How Long Will it Take to Settle My Case?
The amount of time it will take to settle your case will depend on many factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the length of your treatment and whether your injuries are permanent.
No matter how long it takes to settle your case, you can be confident that the lawyers at The Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor will fight for you every step of the way.
Contact our Winston-Salem Car Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact our car accident lawyers for help.
Our law firm understands that this time may be difficult for you and your family, and we are here to assist you with your claim. We take on insurance companies and negotiate with them to ensure that you receive fair treatment. We value the attorney-client relationship and we are not afraid to go to trial when it’s in our client’s best interest.
Contact a personal injury lawyer today for a free consultation and learn more about what we can do to support you.
