Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Five Things to Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina
Car accidents happen in an instant, and they can be frightening. If you are involved in a vehicle crash, there are some steps you will want to take to both ensure your health and safety and to make sure that the negligent party will be responsible for your damages.
Call the Police
Calling the police is important for a few reasons. First, it documents the accident and provides useful details. The police will investigate the accident, talk to witnesses, get statements from the drivers, and collect essential information such as driver names, contact information, and insurance info. The police report helps you document the accident. In addition, the police will file an accident report, which is a requirement when an accident results in injuries or fatalities or when damages are more than $1,000.
Get Medical Care
If you are hurt, you need to get checked by a medical professional immediately at the scene of the crash. Some injuries only become apparent later, so you should go to urgent care or the emergency room if you notice injuries later. Do not wait to get medical treatment. Make sure to keep all documentation from your medical assessments as well as invoices for payments. Importantly, always follow the doctor’s orders because if you don’t, it may be harder to prove that you suffered injuries as a result of the accident.
Collect Documentation
Keep and gather all documentation related to the accident and your injuries and damages. Damages include things such as your medical bills, lost wages, ongoing treatment, and money for pain and suffering. When dealing with hospitals, insurance companies, and anyone else in relation to the accident, always follow up conversations in writing. All documents related to your injuries and lost wages are necessary to prove your claim.
Report the Accident to Insurance
You will want to report the accident to your insurance company, regardless of which driver was at fault. The insurance company will want to review the accident report and may look at your vehicle. They will also want to obtain a statement from you regarding what happened. It is helpful to consult with an attorney before you make a statement because that can make a difference when they decide fault in the accident. Keep in mind that the insurance company may offer a low payment or may even deny your claim, even if you suffered injuries. Don’t sign anything and do not accept a payment or cash a check until you first speak with an attorney to make sure the settlement is appropriate.
Seek Legal Guidance
Navigating the resolution of payments for your damages can be complicated. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will help guide you through the process. Know that in North Carolina, you may only collect damages from an accident if you were not at fault. Therefore, you must be able to prove that the other driver was 100% at fault, or negligent. If you were not negligent, your attorney will work to get you the compensation you need to cover your damages and more in some instances.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident that was not your fault, we are here to help. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a free initial consultation with our experienced legal team.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury and boating accidents. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_20/GS_20-166.1.html
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/negligence
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See Our Related Blog Posts:
What to Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina
Should You Call the Police After a Car Accident in North Carolina?