Charlotte Car Accident Attorneys

What to Do After a Car Accident in North Carolina

The most important issue following a car accident is to obtain the medical care you need to make a full recovery. Financial compensation is important, but all of the money in the world is not as important as your health.

At Jetton & Meredith, our Charlotte car accident lawyers represent people who have suffered serious injuries in auto accidents throughout the state of North Carolina. We can help you seek compensation to cover medical expenses, vehicle damage, lost wages, and other financial burdens incurred in the aftermath of an accident.*

Causes of Car Accidents in NC

If someone else’s negligence caused your car accident, you are left dealing with a wide variety of unexpected expenses that should not be your responsibility.

North Carolina Car Accident Liability Laws

Explore your options for holding the negligent driver liable for your damages. North Carolina is a “fault” state, which means you can recover financial compensation to pay for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and even pain and suffering from the at-fault driver. An injured party can receive compensation from their own insurance company (who will then be reimbursed by the at-fault driver’s insurer), the at-fault drive’s insurer through a third-party claim, or the at-fault driver directly through a personal injury lawsuit.

A person has three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina. If the car accident resulted in a person’s death, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years.

However, if an injured party shares some blame for causing the collision, North Carolina is considered a “contributory negligence” state. This means if a plaintiff shares any percentage—whether it’s 99 percent or one percent—of fault for the accident, they are not allowed to recover financial compensation for their injuries.

If the at-fault party accuses you of sharing some blame for the crash, having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can help you obtain the compensation and justice you deserve. Jetton & Meredith, our legal team can evaluate your case, determine your available legal options, and maximize the compensation you deserve.

Steps to Follow If You've Been Injured in A Car Accident in NC

Most people have never been in an accident and are unaware of their options following a collision.

Step One: Report the Incident to the Authorities.

The most important thing to do following a motor vehicle accident is to report it to the authorities. Even if you do not believe anyone was seriously injured or there was any wrongdoing, the authorities will be able to determine how the crash happened, tend to any medical emergencies that may arise, and provide an unbiased third-party to the incident. If no authorities are called and a question of liability or fault arises, it will be tough to prove who truly caused the collision. It is also important to take photographs of the accident scene, damages to your vehicle and any injuries you may have sustained.

Step Two: Seek Medical Attention if Needed.

After a motor vehicle accident, most people have adrenaline and natural pain suppressors that their body has released into their system. This is your body’s natural defense when you have been involved in a traumatic event. However, this can make it difficult to determine whether or not you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident. Emergency personnel will usually be called to the scene, and it is your best option to be checked out by those personnel to make sure you have not suffered any injuries. If after you have been checked out, you still feel pain, follow up with the emergency room, urgent care, or primary care physician to be further evaluated.

Step Three: Contact an Attorney.

Insurance companies are never “on your side” and you’re never dealing with a “good neighbor.” Insurance companies strive to pay out the least amount for each and every claim because, at the end of the day, they are a business. In a personal injury claim, you are entitled to be compensated for various damages you incurred following the motor vehicle accident. Most insurance companies will not tell you that you are entitled to all of these damages and instead will offer to pay a fraction of what you are truly entitled to. This is why we encourage each person who has been injured following a motor vehicle accident to contact an attorney. An attorney can help guide you throughout the process of pursuing your personal injury claim.

Step Four: Report the Incident to your Car Insurance Carrier.

Once you have been released from immediate medical care, and depending on the nature of your case and your attorney's instructions, you may need to report the incident to the at-fault party's car insurance company and make them aware of the incident. They can begin the process of getting your car fixed and contacting the other driver’s car insurance. A property damage claim will be set up to get your car repaired and sometimes this will be easier to process through your own insurance. It is never in your best interest to ever discuss your bodily injuries to either party's insurance company.

Your Medical Treatment Comes First

Your medical treatment after an accident is important for two reasons. First of all, if you do not seek treatment from the right medical professionals and follow up on your treatment plan, it may take you much longer to recover. Secondly, if you fail to seek treatment or you discontinue treatment, the insurance company responsible for paying your claim will not believe that you are really injured.

Some people try to tough out injuries following an accident. However, some health issues – such as concussions or back injuries – can lead to lifelong health problems. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the harder it can be to prove to the insurance company that your injury was accident-related.

Ensuring Financial Security for the Future

You may not know for several months how an injury will affect you in the future. If you recover fully in a relatively short amount of time, that is the best outcome. However, if you end up with a permanent impairment, it is important to demand enough compensation to meet your future needs. For this reason, our Charlotte car accident attorneys will not resolve your case until we investigate what your future needs will be.