Auto Accident Injury in Raleigh, NC

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Raleigh? 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 Raleigh, NC that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Raleigh, 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. In North Carolina, the state reported a total of 281,685 traffic crashes back in 2018. A 2.4% increase from the year prior, according to data organized by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A staggering 125,454 people were injured in an accident that same year.

Lane departure is listed as the #1 cause for accidents in the state and is the cause of 24% of all accidents that involved injuries. Authorities advise that drivers use caution whenever changing lanes, and suggest that you always use a turn signal to indicate your intentions to other drivers. Distracted driving and speeding are also among the top causes for accidents in the state. 21.6% of fatalities documented involved a driver that was speeding.

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.

North Carolina requires that you call the Police regardless of the severity of the accident. To obtain a copy of the police report that will be taken at the scene visit the Raleigh Police Departments Website. According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance to then move forward with any claims, you must involve your insurance provider or the provider of the driver deemed to be at fault. In Raleigh, police will facilitate the proper exchange of information once called to the scene.

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

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has some helpful charts and statistics you can examine that scrutinize the cost of accidents by crashes involving fatalities, crashes involving injuries ranked by severity A, B, or C, and crashes involving only property damage. The average cost of a car accident in the state was $99,000  back in 2016. According to the state’s most recent data available on the North Carolina Department of Transportation Website.

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 Raleigh

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. This means that the party responsible for the accident is also responsible for all damages. Raleigh’s Official Government Website offers a list of frequently asked questions designed to help driver’s understand their options specific to the locality after incurring an accident.

Statute of Limitations in Raleigh

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. Auto accidents in North Carolina can be filed as either a negligence action or personal injury case.

In either example the statute of limitations is 3 years from the date of the accident. While 3 years may seem like a significant time frame, there are injuries and financial burdens relevant to the accident that can arise months or even years later. 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 Raleigh, 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!