Auto Accident Injury in Winston-Salem, NC
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Winston-Salem? 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 Winston-Salem, NC that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Winston-Salem, 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. Winston-Salem boasts a population of nearly 250,000 residents. However, a denser population can lead to increased auto accidents. The Winston-Salem Journal reports that there has been a sharp spike in alcohol related accidents recently. Additionally, Alcohol related deaths were up 9% from 2016.
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 is injured, it’s important to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When the officers arrive, make sure to note their names and badge numbers. Answer their questions truthfully, but avoid offering unsolicited information, particularly regarding what happened or who caused the accident. Be sure to ask for the police report number and inquire about when and where you can obtain a copy, as well as any associated costs.
Winston-Salem residents are required to inform the proper authorities when there has been an auto accident. According to guidelines laid out by the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the only priorities that take precedence are getting yourself to safety and removing your vehicle from the flow of traffic. Once you have contacted the authorities, the guidelines also state that if you can get any pertinent information from bystanders, such as names, license numbers, or any information from those involved in the accident, you should do it.
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 Center for Disease Control reports that more than 1,500 people were killed in auto accidents in North Carolina in 2018. On top of this, auto accidents wound up costing the people of North Carolina over $2.26 billion in damages. This report also goes on to state that young adults made up 43% of the costs of these crashes, by far the largest contributor. This can often be attributed to neglected, distracted, or impaired driving.
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 Winston-Salem
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 when it comes to filing an insurance claim after an auto accident. This means that the claim is filed against the insurer of the party that is charged with bearing the responsibility of having caused the accident.
Statute of Limitations in Winston-Salem
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. North Carolina has a 3-year statute of limitations surrounding auto accidents. If an injured party allows this timeframe to lapse in Winston-Salem, there is a significant chance the claim will be rejected by the court.
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 Winston-Salem, 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!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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