After experiencing a car accident or automobile accident in Raleigh, NC, victims often face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies while trying to recover from car accident injuries. The decision to hire a car accident attorney can significantly impact your ability to receive fair compensation for your car accident claim. At O’Malley Tunstall, PC, our experienced Raleigh car accident lawyers understand North Carolina law, particularly North Carolina’s complex contributory negligence laws, and have a proven track record of helping car accident victims secure the compensation they deserve for their personal injury claims and losses following a motor vehicle accident.
Car Wreck Lawyer: Key Takeaways
- North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence law can completely bar recovery if you’re found even 1% at fault, making professional legal representation important.
- Insurance companies typically offer lower settlements to unrepresented accident victims, often 3-4 times less than what represented clients receive.
- An experienced car accident attorney will handle all communications with insurance companies, gather evidence, and build a strong case while you focus on recovery.
- Medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future expenses can all be included in your compensation when properly represented.
- Contact O’Malley Tunstall, PC at (919) 277-0150 for a free consultation to evaluate your car accident claim.
Understanding North Carolina’s Challenging Contributory Negligence Law
North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rule can make it extremely difficult to recover compensation after a car crash without skilled legal representation.
Unlike states with comparative negligence laws, if you’re found even 1% at fault in North Carolina, you may be barred from recovering anything in your personal injury case. Insurance companies often use this to their advantage by trying to shift partial blame onto accident victims. An experienced Raleigh car accident attorney understands these tactics and builds strong cases to protect you from unfair blame.
At O’Malley Tunstall, PC, we take steps to:
- Gather detailed evidence from the accident scene.
- Establish the at-fault driver’s full liability.
- Shield injured clients from contributory negligence claims.
Our team is committed to helping car accident victims throughout North Carolina secure the compensation they deserve.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Raleigh, NC
To strengthen your potential car accident claim, take these important steps following a motor vehicle accident:
- Seek immediate medical treatment, even for seemingly minor injuries, as many car accidents cause internal injuries that aren’t immediately apparent.
- Report the car accident to police and obtain a copy of the accident report.
- Document the accident scene with accident scene photos if possible.
- Gather contact information from witnesses to the car crash.
- Notify your insurance company about the automobile accident.
- Keep detailed records of all medical bills and medical expenses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to any driver’s insurance company.
- Contact an experienced Raleigh car accident attorney at O’Malley Tunstall, PC for a free consultation before accepting any settlement offers for your injury claim.
Remember, North Carolina law sets the statute of limitations for car accident claims at three years from the date of the car accident. Waiting too long to consult with a personal injury lawyer can jeopardize your right to recover compensation for your car wreck injuries.
The Financial Impact of Hiring an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim
Many car accident victims with serious injuries hesitate to hire an auto accident attorney due to concerns about legal fees. However, car accident victims who hire car accident lawyers typically receive significantly higher settlements, often 3-4 times more, than those who handle car accident claims on their own, even after legal fees are paid.
O’Malley Tunstall, PC works on a contingency fee basis for all personal injury claims, which means:
- You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees.
- Attorney fees are only collected if we successfully recover compensation for your car accident injuries.
- The fee is a percentage of your settlement.
- There’s no financial risk to hiring our law firm after a car wreck.
This fee structure aligns our interests with yours—we only succeed when you do, and we’re motivated to maximize your compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages from your automobile accident.
How an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Strengthens Your Case
Professional Accident Investigation
Immediately after accepting your car accident case, our Raleigh car accident attorneys begin a thorough investigation:
- Visiting and documenting the car accident scene photos.
- Obtaining and analyzing the accident report.
- Interviewing witnesses to the car crash while memories are fresh.
- Collecting video footage from traffic or security cameras.
- Working with accident reconstruction experts when necessary for serious car accidents.
- Gathering evidence of road conditions, signage, and traffic patterns related to your vehicle accident.
Proper Valuation of Your Car Accident Damages
Without legal representation, many car accident victims underestimate the full value of their injury claim. Our personal injury attorneys will help you identify and document all possible damages from your car accident, including:
- Current and future medical bills and medical treatment.
- Lost wages and lost income from being unable to work.
- Physical pain and suffering from car accident injuries.
- Emotional distress following the automobile accident.
- Property damage to get your car repaired.
- Loss of enjoyment of life due to serious injuries.
- Potential long-term care needs for catastrophic injuries.
Expert Negotiation with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts for auto accident claims. They may use various tactics to reduce your compensation after a car accident, including:
- Making quick, lowball settlement offers before you know the full extent of your injuries.
- Requesting unnecessary information about your car accident case.
- Delaying the claims process for your car accident claim.
- Disputing the severity of your car accident injuries.
- Looking for ways to assign partial fault to you under North Carolina’s contributory negligence rules.
Our experienced car accident lawyers handle all communications with the other driver’s insurance company, protecting you from these tactics while negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement for your Raleigh car accident claim.
When Legal Representation Is Particularly Important After a Car Accident
Having an accident lawyer is essential in certain car accident cases, especially when the stakes are high. Legal representation becomes vital in situations such as:
- Serious injuries or long-term disability, where expert handling guarantees that compensation covers current and future medical expenses.
- Disputed liability, where the at-fault driver or insurer denies responsibility, requires a skilled advocate to prove fault.
- Multiple at-fault parties, like in multi-vehicle, motorcycle, or commercial truck accidents, demand complex legal strategies.
- Insurance company bad faith, where claims are delayed, denied, or undervalued, and legal action is needed to secure fair compensation.
Contact O’Malley Tunstall, PC for Aggressive Car Accident Representation in Raleigh, NC
When you’re facing the aftermath of a serious car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, having experienced car accident attorneys can make all the difference in your recovery and financial future.
Don’t risk losing the compensation you deserve after your auto accident—contact our Raleigh car accident lawyer team now:
- Phone: (919) 277-0150
- Free Case Evaluation: Click here to schedule your consultation
- Address: 8300 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Claims
How much are most car accident settlements in Raleigh, NC?
Car accident settlements in Raleigh can vary widely—from a few thousand dollars for only minor injuries to six-figure amounts for severe car crash cases—depending on medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and physical pain and suffering. Each car accident case is unique, so there’s no fixed “average” amount for accident claims.
Is it worth it to hire an accident attorney after a car wreck?
Yes, especially in Raleigh, where North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence rules can make car accident claims difficult. An experienced car accident lawyer can skillfully interpret state laws, negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company, and work to secure the maximum your compensation.
Where in Raleigh, NC, can I find a car accident lawyer for a serious car accident?
O’Malley Tunstall, PC, located at 8300 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615, provides dedicated car accident representation throughout Raleigh and Eastern North Carolina. Our law firm specializes in helping victims of motor vehicle accidents. Contact our personal injury attorneys at (919) 277-0150 or visit our website at omalleytunstall.com/contact to schedule your free consultation about your car accident case.
