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.
Our Greensboro auto accident attorneys can help you establish liability and recover compensation from the other driver’s insurance company or the at-fault party. Determining fault can be difficult, but our Greensboro accident lawyers are here to help. Secure fair compensation for your injuries and seek justice for any negligence or wrongdoing with the help of our compassionate legal team. Contact a car accident lawyer in Greensboro to discuss your case today.
Are Motor Vehicle Accidents Common in North Carolina?
Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are tragically common across the United States, including in North Carolina. A report submitted by the North Carolina DMV provides a picture of common car accidents in our state, compiled from data acquired through accident reports and other sources.
In 2023 alone, 1,686 people were killed in North Carolina auto accidents. That actually represents a 5.5% decrease from the year prior. In addition to the traffic fatalities, over 115,000 people were injured in car crashes, which represents a 4% increase from 2022. Most auto collisions occurred between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Approximately 23% of the auto accident fatalities were related to driving at excessive speeds. About 15 people lost their lives for every 100,000 people on the road.
202 motorcyclists were killed in 2023 motor vehicle accidents, and 40 bicyclists were killed. Another 3169 motorcyclists sustained injuries in auto accidents.
250 pedestrians lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2023. Nearly 11% of all pedestrians involved in motor vehicle incidents lost their lives.
Driver distraction is thought to be one of the main causes of car accidents, but distracted driving is a self-reporting contributing circumstance, so we tend to believe that the data may not accurately reflect the true severity of this issue. In 2023, nearly 17% of crashes were reported to have some level of driver distraction.
The North Carolina DMV reports that 2023 saw over 12,000 auto accidents that were believed to be caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. Of those thousands of incidents, over 8,000 resulted in injuries, and nearly 400 resulted in fatalities.
In 2023, Guildford County alone lost 57 motorists in fatal car crashes. Every fatality is a tragedy, and many of these accidents were likely preventable and caused by a single momentary lapse of judgment or negligence.
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 handles various types of motor vehicle accident cases. We have years of experience approaching the legal process of personal injury cases from various perspectives, which grants us a unique ability to represent our injured clients and help them pursue justice and compensation.
Motor vehicle accident claims we represent include:
- Accidents caused by poor road conditions
- Adverse weather conditions
- Commercial trucking accidents
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Drunk driving accidents
- Failed airbag accidents
- Failing to obey traffic laws
- Failure to yield to the right of way accidents
- Fatal car crashes
- Fatigue and drowsy driving
- Head-on collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Inexperienced driver accidents
- Mechanical failures and defective parts
- 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 Car Accident Injuries?
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 to maximize 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
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
Regardless of what type of injury you suffered, you should seek medical attention immediately following a car crash. Even if you believe your injuries to be relatively minor, they may worsen with time, and some injuries may not even be apparent until much later. For passengers who suffered catastrophic injuries and require extensive medical treatment, your Greensboro car accident attorneys will attempt to calculate future medical expenses to help pay for ongoing care.
Experienced car accident lawyers will use various pieces of evidence, including police reports, medical records from before and after the accident, eyewitness testimonies, and the testimonies of car accident reconstruction specialists to help build your case. For legal assistance building and then filing your car accident lawsuit, please contact our Greensboro office to speak with the legal team today.
What Are the Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Greensboro, North Carolina?
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
Whatever the cause of your accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you throughout the incident investigation, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and defend your claim against the lawyers representing the other side. Because of North Carolina’s contributory negligence laws, car accident victims are strongly encouraged to retain professional legal counsel to ensure that they have a chance of recovering financial compensation. Contact a Greensboro car accident attorney at our law firm to discuss your case in a consultation today.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Greensboro, NC?
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.
Do not delay in contacting a Greensboro car accident attorney to discuss your case. The sooner you speak with an experienced lawyer, the sooner your legal representatives will have a chance to review your case and strengthen your claim. Please contact our North Carolina law firm to schedule a no-obligation case evaluation with our legal staff today.
What if You Were Partially at Fault for Causing the Car 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 as 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 to recover compensation and prove that the other party is liable for damages.
How Can a Surviving Family Member File a Wrongful Death Claim?
Any sort of motor vehicle crash can be a stressful or even traumatic event. Losing a loved one in an accident can be absolutely devastating for surviving family members. After a wrongful death accident, grieving family members often are left in a state of confusion about how to proceed and whether they have the right to take legal action. It is often too much to ask for someone in a state of profound grief to navigate the complex legal process on their own in pursuit of justice and fair compensation. Remember, help is available. Our wrongful death attorneys stand ready to represent your claim and help you through the process of holding at-fault parties accountable for their actions.
While no amount of financial recovery can ever return our lost loved ones to us, the hope is to help ease the financial burden and provide some level of compensation for lost benefits and other economic losses. As your wrongful death lawyers, we will treat your case with compassion and respect as we seek the maximum compensation for your lawsuit. Potential damages for which you may be able to pursue compensation could include medical expenses from before death, pain and suffering, loss of companionship or consortium, lost benefits, lost income, punitive damages, and funeral, memorial, and burial expenses.
Remember that the statute of limitations for filing wrongful death lawsuits differs from personal injury claims. You have a limited time window to file a wrongful death claim in North Carolina. If you do not file your wrongful death action within the allotted time frame, you will likely be barred from recovering a financial settlement for your tragic loss.
What Kind of Financial Compensation Could You Recover in a Personal Injury Lawsuit with the Help of Our Greensboro Car Accident Lawyers?
With a successful personal injury case, it is possible to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include the following:
- Funeral, burial, and memorial expenses in the event of a fatal accident
- Lost wages and lost income earning capacity
- Past medical bills and future medical expenses
- Property damage and vehicle repairs
Non-economic damages could include the following:
- Disfigurement, disability, or dismemberment
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Lost companionship or consortium
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death damages, including medical bills incurred prior to death, lost wages, lost benefits, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering of surviving family members
Personal injury victims often have a more difficult time recovering the maximum compensation for their accident claim when they opt to proceed without legal representation. Contact our Greensboro car accident attorneys for legal guidance throughout the process of seeking full and fair compensation.
Why Hire a Greensboro Car Accident Lawyer from Our Firm?
Car accident victims make many mistakes after auto accidents that could endanger their claims and their ability to recover fair settlements. This is unfortunate because if they had only retained the professional legal representation of an auto accident attorney, these mistakes could have been avoided, allowing the victims and their dependents to recover full settlements. Remember, even saying so much as ‘I’m sorry’ while in the company of an insurance adjuster could devalue your claim. Additionally, accepting the initial settlement offer from the insurance company is often ill-advised, as your motor vehicle accident attorneys would likely be able to negotiate for better terms.
In complex motor vehicle accident cases, such as those where the at-fault party does not have adequate insurance coverage (or no insurance at all), it is highly advisable that you retain the professional legal counsel of experienced attorneys. Our legal team will explore all the options to determine fault and hold the at-fault drivers accountable for their actions.
The benefits of retaining legal representation from our law firm include the following:
- We are well-versed in all the applicable North Carolina personal injury laws
- Our legal team is compassionate and respectful, providing dedicated legal care to clients in need
- We conduct thorough investigations into your accident and gather useful evidence to use to strengthen your case
- We will represent your interests in negotiations with insurance companies as we seek a fair settlement
- If your case goes to trial, our car accident attorneys will represent your interests with steadfast determination
- We can provide helpful legal advice throughout the process of filing a car accident lawsuit
- Our team will handle all the necessary paperwork associated with filing your claim
- And we will keep you informed, allowing you to make important decisions throughout the legal process
Schedule a Consultation with Experienced Greensboro Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys 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.
You can reach our car accident attorneys at 336-770-2017.