Compassionate Legal Representation for Injured Victims of Car Crashes
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident in the state of North Carolina, it’s important that you know what to do. If you do not take the proper steps following your car crash, you could end up dealing with the cost of medical bills and vehicle repairs all on your own. This should be unthinkable, especially for an accident victim. In order to recover the financial compensation that you deserve, it is necessary to take appropriate legal action. However, the legal process of filing an auto accident claim can be fairly complex in North Carolina, especially for someone already dealing with the overwhelming nature of their new injuries, lost wages, and other factors stemming from the motor vehicle crash.
Those who have been in a motor vehicle accident are strongly encouraged to retain professional legal representation from experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys. With the help of an experienced attorney in your corner, it is possible to seek compensation, negotiate with reluctant insurance companies, prove your case against the defendant, and all the while recovering from your injuries and other losses at your own pace.
What Should You Do After a Motor Vehicle Collision?
Immediately following your auto accident, it is essential that you attempt to assess your injuries. If you are not badly hurt, check on the injuries of your passengers and anyone else involved in the automobile accident. Regardless of the perceived severity of your injuries, you must seek medical attention following the car collision. Even if you believe your injuries to be fairly minor, medical treatment is still recommended. Certain injuries may worsen with time or manifest at a later date, and failure to get the medical care you require could result in your personal injury case being dismissed or devalued.
If you are able, attempt to document the scene of the accident with photographs and video. You want to get evidence of your injuries, the state of your car, the condition of the other motor vehicle, and evidence left on the road. These pieces of evidence, as well as your accident report, medical records, police reports, eyewitness testimonies, and the testimony of the car accident reconstructionist, could prove invaluable to your car accident case.
Exchange insurance information and contact information with the other motorist. Attempt to remain polite, but do not go so far as to dismiss the severity of your injuries or admit faults. Anything you say to the other motorist could be used against your car accident claim.
While awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, seek out eyewitnesses to the motor vehicle crash. If you can, document their testimony of what happened. When the police and paramedics arrive, provide your accident report to the proper law enforcement authorities.
If an insurance claim adjuster arrives at the accident scene, you do not need to speak with them. Insurance adjusters may seem empathetic and sympathize with your plight, but they are not on your side. They are there to look for ways to diminish how much the insurance company provider is vulnerable for damages. If they insist on speaking with you, instead direct them to talk to your attorneys.
If you have not done so already, now is the time to contact Kreider Attorneys at Law. Our highly skilled personal injury lawyers have the experience and know-how to assist you with your motor vehicle accident case, regardless of the complexities involved. To discuss your personal injury claim in more detail, please contact our Greensboro law office today.
What Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Cases Does Our Law Firm Represent?
Our personal injury law firm represents a number of different types of motor vehicle accident cases. We have years of experience coming at the legal process of personal injury cases from different and varying perspectives. This grants us a unique ability to represent our injured clients and help them pursue justice and compensation.
Motor vehicle accident claims we represent include:
- Bicycle accidents.
- Car accidents.
- Commercial trucking accidents.
- Driving under the influence of drugs accidents.
- Drunk driving accidents.
- Failed airbag accidents.
- Failure to yield to the right of way accidents.
- Fatal car crashes.
- Head-on collisions.
- Hit-and-run accidents.
- Inexperienced driver accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents.
- Multi-car pileups.
- Pedestrian accidents.
- Rear-enders and fender-benders.
- Reckless driving accidents.
- Rental car accidents.
- Rideshare accidents, including those that involved Uber and Lyft.
- Rollover accidents.
- Sideswipe accidents.
- Single-car accidents.
- Speeding accidents.
- T-bone collisions.
- Texting while driving and other distracted driving accidents.
- Underage driver accidents.
- And more.
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Car Accidents?
Despite how car manufacturers are continually improving the safety of their motor vehicles, serious injuries are still often the result of violent car crashes. The more serious and severe your injuries, the more likely you are going to need long-term care and greater financial compensation. That’s why those who have suffered severe injuries are highly encouraged to retain professional legal counsel for the chances of maximizing their financial settlement.
Common injuries sustained in automobile accidents include:
- Amputations and loss of limbs.
- Back and neck injuries.
- Blunt force trauma to the head.
- Burns.
- Complete or partial paralysis.
- Degloving injuries.
- Dental injuries.
- Disability.
- Disfigurement.
- Hearing loss.
- Herniated spinal disc injuries.
- Internal bleeding.
- Leg, ankle, and foot injuries.
- Loss of sight.
- Muscle and tendon strains or tears.
- Organ damage.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Shoulder injuries.
- Soft tissue injuries like cuts, lacerations, bruising, and torn ligaments.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Whiplash.
- Wrongful death.
What Are Common Causes for Auto Accidents?
Many car accidents are caused by negligence, recklessness, or aggressive driving. Whatever the cause of your car accident, if another party was to blame, you should not be the one responsible for costly medical expenses and other bills. Get in touch with our law firm to discuss your case today.
Common causes of North Carolina car accidents include:
- Aggressive driving.
- Disregarding traffic signs.
- Distracted driving.
- Driver inexperience.
- Driving at excessive speeds.
- Driving on the wrong side of the road or down the wrong way on a one-way street.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, and other drugs.
- Drowsy driving and driver fatigue.
- Eating while driving.
- Failure to obey the rules of the road.
- Illegal passing.
- Negligent driving.
- Personal grooming while driving.
- Running red lights and stop signs.
- Tailgating or following too closely behind the lead vehicle.
- Talking on a cell phone while driving.
- Texting while driving.
- Turning or changing lanes without properly signaling.
- Using dashboard navigation systems while the motor vehicle is in motion.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in North Carolina?
There is a strict time limit for filing a personal injury claim in North Carolina. If you do not pursue a civil lawsuit against the liable parties for your motor vehicle crash within the statute of limitations, you may, unfortunately, have your case summarily dismissed and miss out on the chance of recovering compensation.
If you have suffered an injury or property damage in a motor vehicle collision, you have up to three years from the date of the accident to file your claim in court. The statute of limitations is shorter for accidents that result in the loss of life. If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you have only two years to file a wrongful death claim.
What if You Were Partially at Fault for Causing the Crash?
North Carolina is a contributory negligence state. Under North Carolina law, parties that are held partially responsible for causing an accident cannot hope to receive a financial settlement for their personal injury claim. Many view this law to be unsympathetic to accident victims’ rights, but until there are any changes, we must work under the law.
Because of this personal injury law, it is all the more important that accident victims retain professional legal representation to help them fight for compensation. If the at-fault party is able to establish that you hold even 1% of the blame for causing the motor vehicle accident, you may miss out on your chance of recovering financial compensation. Do not let this happen. Contact Kreider Attorneys at Law to discuss your case today. We will help present your personal injury claim in hopes of recovering compensation and proving that the other party is liable for damages.
What Kind of Financial Compensation Could You Recover with a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
With a successful personal injury case, it is possible to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include:
- Funeral, burial, and memorial expenses.
- Lost wages and lost income earning capacity.
- Past medical bills and future medical expenses.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses.
- Property damage and vehicle repairs.
Non-economic damages may include the following:
- Disfigurement, disability, or dismemberment.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of quality of life.
- Lost companionship or consortium.
- Mental anguish.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death.
Schedule a Consultation with Experienced Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Today
Kreider Attorneys at Law is a law firm located in Greensboro, North Carolina. We proudly provide legal services to injured clients in need and help them recover the compensation they deserve. While no financial recovery can ever truly reverse the damage done in a traumatic motor vehicle accident, the hope is to help make the injured victims’ whole’ again, at least from a financial standpoint.
Our legal team, led by former District Court judge Jonathan G. Kreider, brings a unique perspective to the legal proceedings of personal injury cases and motor vehicle accident cases. We believe that you will feel confident and secure in your choice of legal counsel when you select our law firm for your legal needs.
To discuss your motor vehicle accident case in more detail, please contact our Greensboro, NC, law offices to schedule your initial consultation today. 336-770-2017.