Charlotte Car Accident Lawyers
Providing Accident Victims With Quality Legal Representation in Their Time of Need
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury cases in North Carolina. Accident victims can sustain minor to serious injuries, leaving them unable to work and support themselves. In addition to dealing with lost wages and emotional distress, victims may find it challenging to pay for necessary medical care.
Furthermore, many insurance providers look for ways to avoid paying claims to protect their bottom line. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that subscribes to a contributory negligence doctrine. Under this state law, if it is determined that a victim contributed in any way to the accident, they are barred from seeking compensation.
Finally, our attorneys recognize that car accident victims need time to focus on their recovery and not worry about dealing with the insurance company. Our NC car accident lawyers can act as your legal ally with the insurance company and help you negotiate a fair settlement to compensate for medical bills and other expenses.
For these reasons, anyone who has suffered injuries in an automobile accident must hire an attorney who will provide them with skilled legal representation.
Contact our Charlotte car accident lawyers immediately and ask to schedule a free case evaluation so that we may determine your legal options and how we may assist you.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to Assist Me With Filing an Insurance Claim?
Often, car accident victims initially try to handle their insurance claims independently. Many injury victims are concerned about the costs associated with hiring a car accident lawyer.
However, many people soon realize that the legal process of filing claims is more complicated than they initially believed. That being the case, individuals involved in automobile accidents should always hire an experienced attorney who can provide them with the legal services they need to try and recover full and fair compensation.
Several of the legal services that a car accident lawyer can provide include:
- Professionally evaluate car accident cases to determine suitable legal strategies.
- Help clients complete and file paperwork with the insurance company. One of the main factors that lead to claims being denied is they are incomplete, filled out incorrectly, or not filed on time.
- Determine what damages are appropriate for your case.
- Act as your legal representative with the insurance company to obtain a financial recovery to reimburse you for damages.
- If the insurance provider refuses to offer a fair settlement, file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Represent you in court if the case goes to trial.
It should be noted that most personal injury cases are negotiated out of court between car accident lawyers and the insurance company.
If you want further clarification regarding why you should hire a car accident lawyer to assist you with filing an insurance claim, contact our Charlotte law firm to schedule a consultation.
Why Do Most Car Accidents Occur in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Unfortunately, car accidents can occur without any warning, leaving victims to deal with serious injuries. Although car wrecks can result from poor decision-making, there are several factors commonly cited in accident reports that contribute to collisions, which include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Drunk driver
- Distracted driving
- Defective equipment
- Adverse weather conditions
- Poorly maintained roads
No one likes the idea of being injured in a car wreck and dealing with medical bills and the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle. To further complicate matters, an insurance provider may try to deny the claim resulting in you having to wait to receive compensation. However, having a skilled Charlotte car accident lawyer in your corner can help the claims process much smoother and eliminate uncertainty.
If you have been involved in an auto accident caused by another person’s negligence, contact our law firm today to speak with a qualified attorney.
What are the Most Commonly Reported Car Accident Injuries?
Auto accidents can result in victims suffering minor to severe injuries. Some frequently reported car accident injuries include:
- Fractured or broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.
- Fractured or broken ribs
- Leg injuries
- Severe burns
- Facial trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
However, in auto accident cases where speed was a factor, injured victims may suffer catastrophic injuries that leave individuals permanently disabled. North Carolina law considers catastrophic injuries those that have a permanent and negative life-changing effect on the victim.
Examples of catastrophic injuries may include:
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic head injury
- Amputations
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, be sure to contact a Charlotte car accident lawyer who can answer your questions and help you through the complex legal process.
Why Should I Seek Medical Treatment After Being Involved in a Car Accident?
One of the most common errors that many car accident victims make is failing to seek medical attention after being involved in an accident. Although it may not be necessary for those involved in minor accidents, injury victims should always seek medical attention.
Unfortunately, internal injuries do not always manifest themselves immediately. Some internal injuries, such as whiplash or other soft tissue injuries, may take time to become apparent. More serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), may not be apparent but show up at a later time.
Failure to be examined by a medical professional could have life-threatening consequences. As a result, anyone involved in a severe auto collision should be asked to be examined at the accident scene.
However, even if emergency medical responders do not immediately examine you, you are encouraged to be examined by a medical professional within 72 hours of the car accident. An insurance company may refuse to pay a car accident claim if the claimant is not examined within the 72-hour time limit.
Motor vehicle accidents can result in severe injuries if left untreated; therefore, it is always best to seek medical care from a healthcare professional. One added benefit is that medical records can prove invaluable should an insurance company choose to deny or dispute your claim.
Why Do I Need to Have My Car Accident Attorney Speak With the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
One of the most critical errors a car accident victim can make is speaking with the other driver’s insurance company without having an attorney advise them of their legal rights. One of the most important pieces of legal advice a Charlotte car accident lawyer will give clients is to never speak with the other driver’s insurance provider without first seeking legal advice.
Furthermore, anyone injured in a car accident should never post details of the accident on social media.
Insurance company adjusters are often quick to contact a car accident victim to try to discuss the case. One of the most common tactics is asking injury victims to make recorded statements providing details about the car accident. They often tell claimants that the claim can be processed more quickly if they make the recorded statement.
However, what adjusters fail to tell accident victims is that insurance companies have the legal right to use victims’ statements against them to try and deny or reduce their claims.
Another strategy insurance companies use is to offer car accident victims quick settlements. Although a quick settlement may be appealing, especially if your injuries do not allow you to return to work, it is rarely in your best interests.
These quick settlements rarely account for future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, or the pain and suffering endured by the victim. For example, when an accident victim sustains spinal cord or brain injuries, they often end up needing other medical care for problems that stem from their original injuries.
An early settlement most likely will not pay for long-term care, placing a significant financial burden on the victim’s family. Therefore, you should always obtain legal assistance from a highly skilled Charlotte car accident attorney who will help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Our personal injury attorneys will act as legal advocates to ensure your rights are not violated.
Can Your Law Firm Help Me Recover Compensation to Pay for Medical Expenses?
O’Malley Tunstall PC is a law firm that understands that those injured in car accidents want to resolve their legal issues so they can resume their lives. One of the main concerns of any accident victim is how they can recover compensation for their incurred damages.
North Carolina law allows accident victims to file claims to try and recover damages after car accidents,
Economic Damages
Economic or special damages are awarded to car accident victims to reimburse them for expenses they have incurred or may have to pay in the future due to injury. Economic damages are calculated based on medical bills, receipts, and other forms of documentation.
Some common special damages awarded in North Carolina include:
- Past, current, and future medical bills.
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Property damage
If you need ongoing treatment, you may be able to recover monetary compensation to pay for physical therapy and rehabilitation costs.
Finally, suppose you or a loved one have suffered catastrophic injuries that require you to use medical equipment. In that case, you may be able to seek compensation that will pay for modifications to your home or vehicle.
Non Economic Damages
Non-economic or compensatory damages are awarded based on the facts of the car accident case. Compensatory damages reimburse accident victims for intangible losses they have experienced. Unlike special damages that can be calculated by the dollar amount attached to them, compensatory damages are unique to each case.
Some common compensatory damages may include:
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
Individuals injured in car accidents should understand that no two claims are alike, and any compensatory damages that may be awarded will vary.
Suppose you are still trying to determine the type of compensation you may be entitled to recover after being injured in a car accident. In that case, you must consult a Charlotte car accident lawyer who will professionally evaluate your case.
Our Charlotte, NC, attorneys have comprehensive personal injury law experience and would be honored to assist you.
How Does North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Law Affect Personal Injury Claims?
North Carolina is an “at-fault” state, meaning that the at-fault driver is responsible for paying the accident victim’s medical bills and the cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle. However, North Carolina is also one of the few states in the country that still subscribes to the contributory negligence doctrine.
In terms of car accidents, under the state’s contributory negligence law, if it is determined that an accident victim is even partially to blame for causing the collision, they are disqualified from seeking compensation for damages.
Because of this law, many insurance companies look for ways to blame accident victims to avoid paying compensation. Insurance providers have legal teams whose main task is to find ways to save the company money. Sadly, in many instances, the bigger the potential payout, the harder companies will try to avoid paying accident victims.
Sadly, there is no limit to what an insurance company may do to protect their financial interests. Even in cases of wrongful death claims resulting from fatal car accidents, insurers often try to blame the victim for causing the crash.
For these reasons, anyone who has been involved in a car accident or lost a loved one must hire a Charlotte car accident lawyer who will provide them with aggressive legal representation.
Our law firm is familiar with insurance companies and their legal teams’ tactics to protect their bottom line. Our attorneys are fearless in standing up to the insurance company and will not allow our clients to be mistreated.
What Makes Your Charlotte Personal Injury Lawyer the Right Choice to Handle My Car Accident Case?
O’Malley Tunstall PC is a Charlotte, NC, law firm dedicated to helping car accident victims fight for the compensation they need to pay medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
Many auto accident injury victims are under the mistaken impression that personal injury cases must go to trial to be resolved. The truth is that most car accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations between a car accident lawyer and the insurance company. When an insurance company realizes that you have an attorney representing you, they are more likely to offer you a financial settlement that is favorable to you.
When you come to us for help filing a claim, we will immediately gather evidence to build your case. We will review medical records, eyewitness statements, and the police report to build a solid case on your behalf.
Our personal injury attorneys take time with clients to discern their needs and determine what legal strategies will help them meet their goals. Our dedicated team of legal professionals realizes that injured clients need sufficient time to heal and recover.
For this reason, our staff will handle all the legal paperwork involved in filing a claim and gather the necessary documentation to ensure a smooth process.
If you want more information about how our law firm can assist you with quality legal services, contact O’Malley Tunstall PC of Charlotte, NC, at (919) 277-0150 to schedule a free no-obligation consultation.