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Being involved in a car accident can cause injuries, stress, and confusion about how to start the recovery process. Seeking medical attention should always be your priority to ensure your health. After receiving proper medical treatment, contact a Raleigh car accident attorney to discuss your rights. An attorney can help to represent you throughout your healing process and help you get the best settlement possible.
There are various ways someone may get into a car accident. The most common types of automobile accidents include:
These accidents occur when one vehicle hits the back of another vehicle. They often occur at slower speeds, such as at red lights, stop signs, or in heavy traffic with frequent stops. There are approximately 1.7 million rear-end collisions that occur every year.
A head-on collision occurs when two cars traveling in opposite directions collide. These accidents often happen when there is a higher speed limit, curvy roads, or inclement weather. There were over 4,200 head-on collisions in 2021.
A side-impact collision occurs when the front of one car crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming the letter “T.” The most common circumstance is when one driver does not follow the traffic laws. Over 8,000 side-impact crashes result in fatalities every year.
This category of accidents refers to driving that is simultaneously done while completing a second task. Typical forms of distracted driving include eating, drinking, texting, calling, changing music, or fixing the navigation system. While a driver may not think they are doing anything unsafe, 3,308 lives were taken due to distracted driving in 2022.
Getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol puts your life and others at risk. Any Blood Alcohol Concentration above .08 is illegal in all states. Every day, there are around 37 people who die due to drunk driving crashes in the US. This equates to around 13,524 deaths every year.
Drivers are responsible for pulling over and exchanging contact information after an accident. Failure to do this results in a hit-and-run accident. Drivers that hit a car in a parking lot and flee the scene are extremely common. They are not all reported, as it can be difficult to find the driver at fault if they get away. There has been an increase in hit-and-run accidents, with 2,564 reports leading to fatalities in 2020.
Understanding the proper steps to take after a car accident to ensure the best outcome is vital for a smooth process. It is normal to feel overwhelmed immediately after an accident. Knowing these steps can help you to understand what you should do next to ease your mind. Follow these steps after an accident:
Determining liability after a car accident may be more complex than you hope. The biggest concern is if the other driver can be held responsible for the incident. This includes examining whether they violated safety laws or acted recklessly. In some situations, such as rear-end collisions, liability is clear. However, expert witnesses must get involved in more complex cases to establish fault.
North Carolina follows contributory negligence laws. This means that if you are partly at fault for your injury, you cannot get any money for damages from someone else.
A critical factor in car accident cases is evaluating the damages. This involves assessing all the ways the crash has impacted your life. Compensation could include:
Punitive damages may also be available to punish the reckless driver, such as in drunk driving accidents. However, this type of monetary damage is rare, and requires proof of malicious intent.
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. Additionally, UIM coverage can supplement your compensation if the other party doesn’t have enough liability coverage to cover all your damages.
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 properly document your case and can accurately assess the full extent of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If there’s a dispute about who was at fault or if the accident was severe, having a lawyer is even more important. They’ll gather evidence, build a strong case, and fight for your rights. With a Raleigh car accident attorney by your side, you can focus on recovering while they handle the legal complexities for you.
There are hundreds of personal injury firms throughout the Raleigh area. Why is Maginnis Howard unique? Our attorneys are some of the best in the business, and have recovered millions for car accident clients. We care about the client and tailor each case to fit your needs specifically. Instead of trying to quickly settle your case and move on, we want to make sure you get every last cent you desserve. If you want attorneys who will put your interests in front of all else, contact us today.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, contacting a lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights and ensuring you receive fair compensation. Contact a Raleigh automobile accident attorney to schedule a free consultation. To reach an intake specialist, visit our contact page or submit an inquiry through our Live Chat feature. You may also call us at (919) 526-0450. We accept clients across the Carolinas.
