Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. From 2022-2023, the population grew by more than 15,000 residents. Unfortunately, a higher concentration of people means more opportunities for car accidents. In 2023, there were 32,932 car crashes in Charlotte, resulting in 105 fatalities. If you are involved in a greater Charlotte area car accident, contact a Charlotte personal injury attorney to ensure you file your case within the statute of limitations. An attorney can best represent you as you go through the healing process and help you get the best settlement possible.
At Maginnis Howard, we provide free, detailed consultations to individuals injured in automobile accidents. During the consultation, our intake staff will ask you for as much information about the crash as you can provide, including documentation.
Cases We Handle
There are various ways and reasons someone may get into a car accident. Some of the most common types of automobile accidents include:
- Rear-end accidents
This is the most common type of accident. It occurs when one vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. Keeping an ample distance between you and the car in front of you can give you enough time to stop safely.
- Head on collisions
When two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions and collide head-on, it often leads to fatal injuries.
- T-bone accidents
This type of accident gets its name because the cars collide, forming a letter “T.” It typically occurs when one driver disregards traffic signals when passing through an intersection.
- Distracted driving collisions
Any activity that steers your attention away from the road is considered distracted driving. This may include taking a phone call, texting, eating and drinking, and fixing your music or navigation system. Any non-driving activity increases your risk of crashing; according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,308 people were killed by distracted driving in 2022.
- Drunk driving collisions
Consuming alcohol decreases the function of the brain, making an individual’s response time slower. When operating a vehicle, the typical effects that may occur can have disastrous consequences. That's why driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) above .08 is illegal in all states.
- Hit and runs
In the case of an accident, the drivers involved should pull over and exchange contact information. If a driver fails to do so and flees the scene, it is known as a hit-and-run. This can leave victims in dangerous situations without knowing who did damage to their vehicle.
What to Do After an Accident
Immediately after a car accident, it can be hard to think clearly about what you need to do. Regardless of severity, many people involved in car accidents experience initial shock that can affect decision-making. Therefore, knowing what to do before an accident occurs is essential. Here are the recommended steps to take if a negligent driver hits you:
- Stop your car in a safe location. If possible, move your vehicle to the shoulder or off of the main road. This is for your safety and that of others. You may avoid further damage to your vehicle and allow traffic to pass.
- Call the police to receive medical attention and make a report. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need to visit an emergency room or urgent care. Health and safety always come first, so seeking medical attention immediately is the priority. Some injuries may not seem severe at first but can worsen as time goes on.
- If you do not require immediate medical attention, gather the other drivers’ information and that of any witnesses. It is not only important to get contact and insurance information from the driver or drivers involved in the wreck, but it’s also crucial to collect witness information. Witnesses can confirm your story later in the legal process.
- Take photos and video- as much documentation as you can collect.
- Contact our experienced Charlotte car accident attorneys.
When to Hire an Attorney
What Attorneys Cost
Liability in Car Accident Cases
Contributory Negligence
Statute of Limitations
Personal Injury Damages
In most car accident cases, one of the most critical aspects is assessing the damages. This means evaluating all of the harm the crash causes in your life. In North Carolina, damages that might be recoverable in most car accident cases include compensation for:
- past and future medical and pharmaceutical costs
- past and future lost wages/lost income
- past and future physical pain and mental suffering
- permanent injury and disability
- permanent scarring
In cases involving egregious conduct, such as drunk driving, “punitive damages” may also be available. These damages punish the reckless driver.
Insurance Coverage
Most automobile insurance policies in North Carolina include four types of personal injury insurance coverage. The first is no-fault medical payments coverage, which pays for medical bills resulting from the accident, regardless of who was at fault. The second type is automobile liability coverage, which pays for injuries to a third party if the insured driver caused the accident due to negligence. If a driver’s negligence injured you, you would typically file a claim against their liability coverage for compensation.
North Carolina policies include underinsured (UM) and uninsured (UIM) motorist coverage. If you get hit by an uninsured driver or someone who flees the scene, your UM coverage will help you. You can file for personal injury damages for car accidents from your automobile insurer. UIM coverage can supplement your compensation if the other party doesn’t have enough liability coverage to cover all your damages.
Why Hire Maginnis Howard
After a car accident, hiring a lawyer can be incredibly helpful in making sure you get the compensation you deserve. Lawyers can handle all the complex legal and insurance issues, ensuring you don’t get lowball offers from insurance companies. They know how to document your case properly and can accurately assess the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Having a lawyer is even more critical if there’s a dispute about who was at fault or if the accident was severe. They’ll gather evidence, build a strong case, and fight for your rights. With a Charlotte car accident attorney by your side, you can focus on recovering while they handle the legal complexities for you.
Visit our case results page to see how we have helped clients across the southeastern United States. We specialize in personal injury matters and have attorneys licensed in several states.
Skilled Charlotte Car Accident Attorneys
Maginnis Howard is an established Charlotte law firm that offers a contingency fee arrangement to those injured in an accident. This means that you are not required to pay any attorneys’ fees unless we recover a settlement or verdict for you. To schedule a consultation with our Charlotte car accident lawyers and learn more about our services, please visit our contact page.
