When should you get a lawyer for your car accident? Immediately. There is really no better answer. North Carolina is one of the very few states (Alabama, Maryland, Virginia, and DC) that follows contributory negligence. This doctrine essentially means if the other side can point to anything that you may have done that contributed to the collision in any way, they can deny your claim.

So, just like in detective shows, anything you say CAN and WILL be used against you. The insurance companies train the representatives to ask leading or deceptive questions that could derail your claim, even if you were not at fault. As a result, it’s best to hire a North Carolina auto accident lawyer as soon as possible following a collision. A reputable attorney will manage the claim and allow you to focus on recovering and getting treatment. Additionally, many Raleigh auto accident attorneys will not take a case once settlement negotiations have started because they can’t control how the claim is presented to the insurance company. 

That’s why calling an experienced car accident lawyer immediately after an accident is so important. An attorney will take care to collect all important documentation and evidence that might be lost with the passage of time.

Steps to Take Following a Car Accident

  1. Call 911 – Call your local emergency service and report the accident, alerting police and EMS to the scene. The police report and medical report could make or break your case when establishing fault.
  2. Don’t Admit Fault – It is in our nature to apologize when something tragic happens. But avoid saying that you are sorry. This could affect your case in the future. It’s fine to ask if the other driver is OK.
  3. Gather Evidence – Pull out your phone and begin taking pictures of vehicle damage, traffic patterns, and license plates. Make sure to do this safely!
  4. Contact an Attorney – Contact an experienced auto collision attorney immediately to begin building a case.

Statute of Limitations

Be mindful of your state’s Statute of Limitations on negligence claims. In North Carolina, car accident victims have three years from the date of the wreck to file a claim. If an injury is severe, treatment and recovery could continue for quite some time. An injury may create issues with employment, adding further financial stress to an already stressful situation. During this time of recovery, valuable evidence may be lost or become more difficult to obtain. Contact an experienced auto collision lawyer for your wreck immediately so that you don’t miss any deadlines.

Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer

  • Increased Settlement Compensation – Hiring a personal injury lawyer will almost always guarantee more money for you! Personal injury attorneys know how to navigate negotiations with insurance companies and they will do everything in their power to have all of your medical expenses covered.
  • Filing Paperwork – Car accident claims require an immense amount of paperwork and forms. To make sure these forms are on-time and are filed in the correct manner, hiring a personal injury attorney is prudent. Filing forms improperly or failing to file all necessary forms can result in delays to the case, keeping you from receiving the money you are due.
  • Contingency – Nearly all car accident attorneys work under a contingency agreement with their clients, which means you owe them nothing unless they successfully settle the case. The lawyer takes a percentage of the settlement amount, so there is incentive for them to try to get the most possible for you. More money for you, more money for the attorney. It’s a win-win!
  • Know-How – Personal Injury Lawyers deal with car accidents and insurance companies on a daily basis. They have ample experience investigating and analyzing car accidents. They will also go to bat for you against the large insurance companies, who don’t always play fair.
  • Bill Paying and Negotiating – An experienced car accident attorney will make sure you are compensated for all bills including out of pocket expenses, and will make sure all outstanding balances are paid. Really good attorneys will even negotiate outstanding balances down!

 

We’re Here for You!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car wreck, you need an experienced law firm on your side. With offices in Raleigh and Clayton, Paul Robinson Law, PLLC is readily accessible to anyone in the Wake and Johnston County areas of North Carolina. Contact Paul Robinson Law today for a free consultation!