Charlotte Car Accident Attorney

Were you injured in a car accident in Charlotte caused by someone’s recklessness? The attorneys at DeMayo Law Offices will skillfully and aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. We’ve successfully represented thousands of car accident victims, and when you work with us, you can feel confident that your case is in the best possible hands.

The harm that a car wreck inflicts can be far-reaching and long-term, especially if there were severe injuries involved. When you’re the victim of a car accident, it’s not just your physical health that’s at risk. You may also suffer long-term emotional trauma and financial losses.

Being the victim of another person’s careless actions can feel overwhelming and infuriating, but you can count on the Charlotte personal injury attorneys at DeMayo Law Offices, Your North Carolina Law Firm™, to assert your rights. We stand up to intimidating insurance companies to ensure that they treat you fairly and award you the maximum settlement available.

The Charlotte auto accident attorneys from DeMayo Law Offices have the dedication and legal experience to get the results our clients need and deserve. To find out more about how we can help you, call us at (704) 333-1000 to schedule a free consultation.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents happen every single day on North Carolina roads, but the circumstances that lead to these car accidents can vary greatly. One of the most common causes of car accidents today is distracted driving. Distracted driving is technically considered any type of behavior that takes a driver’s attention off the road.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every day at least nine people are killed in the U.S. by a distracted driver. Taking your eyes off the road for as little as five seconds to check a text at 55 mph is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There are a host of other driving behaviors that can cause serious and even fatal accidents. Some of the most common causes of car accidents today include the following:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Speeding
  • Aggressive driving
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Failing to yield
  •  Tailgating
  • Running red lights
  • Attempting to block cars trying to pass
  • Cutting in front of other drivers
  • Rear-end Accidents
  • Fatigued driving
  • Poor weather conditions
  • Poor road maintenance
  • Construction zones
  • Vehicle defects

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

Depending on the type of car accident, the injuries a victim may end up suffering can be extensive. According to data collected by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles in 2021, there were 276,026 traffic crashes in the state, accounting for 1,783 deaths and 114,722 injuries.

Tens of thousands of people are being injured on North Carolina roads, and these injuries can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills alone. Car accident injuries can end up changing an individual’s entire life, and victims may not be able to afford the costs of their injuries without help from an experienced attorney.

Victims involved in serious car accidents may suffer from the following common injuries:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Concussion
  • Paralysis
  • Other head, neck, or spinal injuries
  • Chest and rib injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Dislocations
  • Lacerations
  • Organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Wrongful death

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Car Accident Laws in North Carolina

Whether you’re a resident or visitor, you need to know about some laws in North Carolina if you’re the victim of an car accident.

Liability Car Insurance Limits

All North Carolina drivers have a legal requirement to carry car insurance with a minimum of $30,000 in bodily injury and $25,000 in property damage.

Contributory Negligence Rule

This doctrine prohibits injured parties from collecting financial compensation from the liable party if they share any amount of fault for the crash.

Statute of Limitations

Under North Carolina law, injured individuals have to file a lawsuit within three years from the car accident date.

Wrongful Death Claim

If a vehicle accident results in someone dying, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years.

Defining Bodily Injury and Property Damage

When another party is responsible for the car accident, you’re entitled to pursue compensation for damages from the other driver’s liability car insurance. There’s coverage listed for both bodily injury and property damage, and you’re allowed to request up to the limit listed on the policy.

Bodily Injury

If you file a bodily injury claim, you’re allowed to ask for compensation for the injuries and losses the accident caused, such as:

  • Lost wages and lost future earnings
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Prescription medications
  • Pain and suffering

The term pain and suffering includes a wide range of conditions, such as:

  • Physical pain
  • Emotional or mental injury
  • Depression, anxiety, PTSD
  • Inconveniences and the negative impact the crash had on your daily life, such as canceling vacation or missing time with family

Property Damage

If you choose to file a property damage claim, you can potentially receive compensation for the following:

  • Depreciation in your vehicle’s value
  • Repair costs
  • If your car is a total loss, its fair market value
  • Loss of use of the vehicle
  • Equipment or tools damaged in the crash
  • Cell phones or other types of electronic devices
  • Additional personal property in the car at the time of the accident

What Are the Damages Available for Injuries?

There is no specific amount that every driver involved in a car accident can expect to recover. The damages that are available for the victims of serious car or motor vehicle accidents vary based on several factors, including the specific circumstances of the accident, who was involved, and the severity of the injuries suffered.

The compensation that an individual may be able to recover can also depend on whether they have a skilled attorney working on their behalf. Insurance companies tend to pay out smaller sums when individuals represent themselves, as opposed to when an attorney negotiates with an insurance company.

While no two car accident cases are ever alike, there are general guidelines that dictate what types of damages a victim may be able to recover following an accident. Typically, a victim may pursue compensation for the following:

  • Current medical expenses: These can include expenses related to doctors’ visits, hospital bills, rehabilitation bills, prescriptions, and more.
  • Future medical bills: If an auto accident causes devastating injuries that require future medical care or physical therapy, these bills may be factored into a settlement.
  • Lost wages: If the injuries sustained in a car accident require an individual to miss work in order to recover, the lost wages may be a part of a compensation package.
  • Loss of future income: If the injuries are such that an individual is unable to return to work, or unable to return in their full capacity to the job they once held, they may be entitled to compensation for the loss of their future income.
  • Property damage: The average settlement may also include the costs to repair or replace the vehicle damaged in the accident.
  • Pain and suffering: This includes physical and emotional distress experienced as a result of the accident. It encompasses pain, discomfort, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.

When it comes to personal injury claims, North Carolina does not cap the amount of damages that an individual may recover from a claim. In order to calculate what you may be entitled to in the way of fair compensation after a serious car accident, contact the legal team at DeMayo Law Offices for more information.

An experienced legal professional with DeMayo Law Offices can review the circumstances of your accident, examine the damages you have incurred, and give you a more accurate estimate of what you may be able to expect to recover.

What You Do After an Accident Can Affect the Outcome of Your Case

If you get hurt, there are some steps you need to take immediately following the accident to ensure you can prove liability in an insurance claim and recover the compensation you need.

  • Step 1: Go to a safe area and call 911. If you’re able to move around, you should walk to the side of the road, so you’re out of harm’s way. Even if you only have minor injuries, you should still wait for law enforcement to show up to the scene and perform an investigation into the crash. A police report is useful in an insurance claim for determining the at-fault party.
  • Step 2: Again, if you’re able to move around, take photos of the accident scene, including the position of the vehicles after the collision, skid marks, street signs, debris in the road, and vehicle damage. Also, take pictures of any visible injuries to your body.
  • Step 3: Speak to witnesses who saw the accident occur and write down their names and phone numbers. You can use their witness testimony down the road to prove the other driver was at fault.
  • Step 4: Get information from the at-fault motorist, including:
  • Step 5: Get treatment, even if you think your injury is minor. Many times, the shock of a crash can initially diminish the severity of someone’s injuries. It might take a few days to feel the full effect of the crash. Seeking medical attention right away can help show the insurance company that your injuries stemmed from the accident.
  • Step 6: Recall as much information about the accident as possible. Write down the events leading up to it and what you believe caused it.
  • Step 7: Keep copies of everything, such as medical records, letters from the insurance company, and additional documentation related to the crash.
  • Step 8: Hire a Charlotte car accident attorney from DeMayo Law Offices. They will contact the insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance claims are complex. You need someone experienced to help you through it.

Things You Should Avoid Doing After a Crash

All of the steps above are crucial after sustaining an injury in a car accident; however, it’s equally important to avoid doing some things.

Don’t admit fault

It’s best that your attorney speaks to the insurance companies on your behalf, but if you do need to talk to an insurance adjuster, it’s important that you don’t tell them, or anyone else, that you contributed to the accident. If contributory negligence exists, you could end up missing out on receiving any compensation.

Don’t agree to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company

It’s not a legal requirement. Only the policyholder must do so. If your own insurance carrier requests a recorded statement, you will have to give one, but be sure to consult with a Charlotte car accident law firm first to ensure you don’t say the wrong thing.

Don’t withhold medical insurance information from your doctors

A majority of liability insurance claims take time, and if you haven’t given any of your medical providers a payment method, they could end up sending your bills to collections. Ultimately, if the car insurance company decides to compensate you for your treatment, you can submit the bills your medical insurance paid for reimbursement.

Don’t sign anything unless your attorney says it’s okay

Insurance companies don’t care about claimants. They only care about saving money by trying to find ways to deny a claim or provide a low settlement. If you sign any documents without knowing what they are, you could end up signing away your rights to the maximum settlement available. Give all forms you receive from the insurance adjuster to your Charlotte car accident lawyer to review first.

What Is the Cost of a Car Accident Attorney?

Following a serious car accident, there is a lot for a victim to digest. There are medical bills to pay for and missing paychecks because of time away from work due to injuries. How does someone afford to pay for everything when it hits all at once? Car accident victims rarely think they have the money it takes to hire an attorney to help them recover after a serious accident. Most people assume that taking the first offer that an insurance company throws at them is the best option because at least it’s money that can help, even if it doesn’t fully cover everything.

At DeMayo Law Offices, we understand that victims have been put in a very difficult financial position. That is why our experienced car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. What does that mean? It means that we don’t send you a bill, and there are no legal fees unless we recover a settlement or a verdict in your favor.

We also offer victims of car or truck accidents a free, no-obligation initial consultation. During this consultation, our auto accident lawyers will review the facts of your case and help you decide on your best options. Let us help you determine if we can help you achieve the outcome you deserve following a serious car accident.

Dedicated to Helping Our Clients Recover

At DeMayo Law Offices, we understand the heavy toll a serious car accident can take on your well-being. The physical pain and emotional trauma you’re experiencing can affect every area of your life. You might not be able to work and worry about supporting your family. If your injuries are permanent, you might wonder what your future will look like. During this difficult time, you deserve to receive financial compensation for your losses, and we are committed to assisting you in pursuing it.

Since you already incurred enough expenses, we won’t add any additional costs to your plate. Our Charlotte car accident attorneys work on a contingency-fee-basis. That means there are no legal fees unless we recover a settlement or favorable jury verdict. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us anything.

We also offer a free initial consultation. There will be no risk or obligation to speak with us about your car accident and receive legal advice. We’re happy to meet with you to review your case and determine if it’s something we can help you pursue.

Why Choose DeMayo Law Offices

At DeMayo Law Offices, Your North Carolina Law Firm™, we have over 150 years of combined experience in the practice of law. We represent clients just like you, and we’ll fight tenaciously for justice in your case. We use aggressive tactics to settle car accident claims before they get taken to trial. For those that we’re unable to resolve, our Charlotte personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and skillset to file a lawsuit and advocate for our clients in court.

You should work with a law firm that cares about you and the outcome of your case. Our legal team will treat you with respect and always be available to assist you. You will be a priority to us, and we’ll be sure to treat you as such.

Call us at (704) 333-1000 today if you or a loved one were the victims of a car accident in Charlotte, and we’ll let you know how we can pursue the monetary compensation you need to get you back on your feet.

Car Accident FAQs

If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a car accident, you surely have questions about legal your rights and options. We’re ready to answer all of your questions at your free case review. Meanwhile, the following information may provide answers to some of your immediate questions.

Do insurance companies give "fair" settlement offers?

When dealing with an insurance company, it is important to remember that it is, first and foremost, a business. An insurer’s primary interest is to protect its profits, so it will try to settle your case for as little money as possible.

Because of this, it’s important to have an attorney on your side. An experienced car accident lawyer will understand what a fair settlement for your case looks like, and will fight on your behalf to get the settlement you deserve.

How long will my case take?

The amount of time it can take to settle a case depends on the nature of the accident itself. The circumstances of the accident are important, and a full investigation may be required in order to solidify liability. If the accident is complicated, a defective part was involved, or a commercial vehicle was responsible for the accident, these factors may extend the timeline for resolving a case.

The time it takes to resolve a case may also depend on an insurance company’s willingness to negotiate the terms of a reasonable settlement. If the insurance adjuster does not want to offer a fair settlement, it may be time to take the company to court.

There are a variety of factors that may impact how long a case can take. An experienced law firm will be able to review the circumstances of your case in a free initial consultation and then give you a better idea of what to expect as far as how long your individual case will take to resolve.

What if I am partially at fault?

North Carolina is one of only a small number of states that subscribe to the “contributory negligence” rule when it comes to liability following a car accident. Under this stringent regulation, North Carolina stipulates that if a driver shares any portion of fault for causing an auto accident, then they are completely barred from recovering any form of compensation for the accident.

This rule not only governs the decisions that judges make in court, but it also guides how insurance adjusters evaluate a car insurance claim as well. However, there are no hard and fast rules for allocating fault after an accident; sometimes, it simply comes down to a matter of your ability to negotiate.

This is why having an attorney on your side following an accident is so important. An experienced attorney will be able to review the circumstances of your case and determine, from the evidence, what your best course of action will be. [Firm-name] offers a free initial consultation in order to review your case, so there is no risk to you.

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