Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer
We often reflexively refer to any traffic collision as an “accident,” which implies that they happen by random chance. That is until they happen to us. The fact is that most so-called accidents occur because someone failed to exercise the due caution they should have while behind the wheel. While the at-fault driver may not have intended to cause a crash, they should still be held responsible for the damage their carelessness caused.
If you were hurt in a car accident and another driver is to blame, the Charlotte car accident lawyers at Stewart Law Offices can help. Our attorneys have protected the rights of crash victims for over 25 years and have recovered millions of dollars for them in that time. We are prepared to investigate the crash thoroughly, determine the extent of your losses, and demand compensation from the liable party. We want you to be able to focus on your health and recovery. You should not be left to deal with medical and repair bills, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional trauma from an accident someone else caused.
How Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help Protect Your Rights
North Carolina law requires anyone involved in a crash to stop as close to the scene as possible if someone is injured or killed. They must also report the incident to emergency responders. The drivers must remain at the scene until the police arrive and complete their investigation.
State law gives you the right to ask any driver who hits your vehicle for their name, address, driver’s license number, and license plate number.
Additionally, you have the right to compensation if the other driver caused your injuries. An attorney can tell you more about how much you could be owed and help you pursue the full compensation to which you are entitled.
Charlotte Car Accident Claims Statute of Limitations
You have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Charlotte, according to North Carolina’s statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you can lose your right to compensation.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Charlotte?
Some of the most common causes and contributing factors of Charlotte car accidents include:
- Intoxicated driving
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding or driving too fast for road conditions
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Mechanical defects
What to Do After a Car Accident
Taking the proper precautions after a car accident can make it easier to assemble a solid claim. Here is what you need to do after a crash to protect your rights:
- See a doctor as soon as possible – It is important to seek medical attention so that any injuries you suffered in the crash are promptly diagnosed and treated. Furthermore, it creates a documentary link between the accident and your injuries.
- Save all your medical records and receipts – Your medical records are essential evidence for proving your injuries in a crash. You should also save any receipts after the accident to show how the crash has impacted you financially.
- Find your accident report – The officer responding to the scene of a crash must file an accident report, which includes their observations regarding the circumstances and potential cause of the crash. Unfortunately, there is no way to find or order most accident reports online. However, you can find the DMV crash report request form online, along with information on where to send the form and how much it will cost to obtain your report. This report can play a critical role in a personal injury claim, so we strongly recommend you request a copy for your files. You can obtain crash reports in Raleigh, NC by any of the following means:
- Call (919) 861-3098
- Visit the DMV Headquarters at 1100 New Bern Ave.
- Mail your TR-67A form to NCDOT-DMV Traffic Records Section 3106 Mil Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3106
*You can find North Carolina Highway Patrol accident reports online.
- Stay off social media – Anything you post on social media could be found by an insurance company and used against you later. You do not want to give the insurance company any excuse to deny or minimize your claim, so your best course is to avoid talking about the accident entirely.
- Do not speak to any insurance companies before talking to a lawyer – The other driver’s insurance company is likely to call you shortly after a crash. They will be looking to get your statement and see if you will accept a quick settlement. Do not give any statements to an insurance company without talking to an attorney first because you could potentially jeopardize your claim. Tell the caller that you have hired a lawyer who will contact the insurer soon.
- Hire a car accident attorney – The sooner you speak to an attorney, the sooner they can tell you how much your case may be worth and start investigating the crash. An attorney will protect your rights and help you fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.
Why It’s Important to Seek Help For An Injury
While you could try to handle a car accident claim independently, it is likely not in your best interest to do so. Unless you are a car accident lawyer yourself, you probably do not have the training or resources to investigate the crash, determine the total value of your losses, collect evidence establishing the other party’s liability, or file the necessary paperwork to demand compensation.
Likewise, you won’t know how to interact with a hostile insurer or what tricks they and their legal team might employ to minimize liability.
An experienced car accident lawyer can handle all this complicated legal work on your behalf while you focus on your health and well-being.
Determining Car Accident Liability in a Charlotte Car Wreck
In the context of a car accident claim, negligence means that someone failed to take reasonable steps to avoid causing a crash and injuring another person. Broadly speaking, a driver whose carelessness, recklessness, or violation of traffic laws caused a collision could be considered negligent.
Parties other than those directly involved in a collision can also be at fault. For example, a company that manufactured a defective tire or a mechanic who failed to replace brake pads properly could be liable for a crash resulting from that negligence.
In some instances, more than one party may be responsible for a crash. A knowledgeable Charlotte car accident attorney can tell you more about who may be liable for your injuries.
Understanding NC’s Contributory Negligence Rule
Contact Our Charlotte Car Accident Attorneys to Start Your Claim
Victims of car accidents in Charlotte deserve experienced representation. At Stewart Law Offices, we are here to guide you through the legal process and help you secure the compensation you deserve. With 25 years of local experience, we have successfully handled numerous car accident cases and understand how to build a strong case on your behalf. Contact us online or at 866-Stewart for a free consultation.