Auto Accident Injury in Greensboro, NC

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Greensboro? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Greensboro, NC that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Greensboro, North Carolina

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that Guilford County, home to Greensboro, saw 15,028 car accidents in 2019 alone. That year, there were more than 8,200 accidents involving injuries and 64 fatal car crashes in the Greensboro area.

Still, North Carolina has a Vision Zero program with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries throughout the state, including in Greensboro. To accomplish this objective, state leaders have focused on drowsy, distracted and impaired driving, among other notable efforts.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Section 20-166.1 of the North Carolina General Statutes requires motorists to call the police after a car accident if any of the following applies:

• The accident occurs in a city that requires reporting
• The motorist’s insurer requires filing a police report
• Someone dies in the accident
• An individual sustains an injury in the accident
• Someone has $1,000 or more in property damage

After calling the Greensboro, North Carolina, police department and filing a police report, you may retrieve a copy of the report by completing the precinct’s online search form.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, North Carolina car accidents accounted for an estimated $2.26 billion in economic damages statewide in 2018. On average, Guilford County, home to Greensboro, was responsible for approximately $112 million or roughly 4.5% of these economic costs.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in North Carolina

Liability Laws for Greensboro

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

North Carolina is an at-fault state for purposes of compensating victims of car accidents. Consequently, the person who is responsible for the collision or their insurer typically pays for damages. You also have the option of filing a legal cause of action for your Greensboro collision. Still, North Carolina has a pure contributory negligence statute. Accordingly, for your lawsuit to succeed, you must not be even partly to blame for either the accident or your injuries.

Statute of Limitations in Greensboro

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years.

In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for most car accident claims is three years. This means you only have three years from the date of your Greensboro car accident to bring a lawsuit or otherwise assert your legal rights.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Greensboro, NC

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in North Carolina!