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You were driving carefully when another driver slammed into your car. Now, you find yourself with a number of questions. Do you need to hire an attorney after a car accident that was so someone else’s fault? Shouldn’t it be easy to get the other driver’s insurance company to pay your claim?
If you sustained only damage to your vehicle and no injuries, you may be able to get several repair estimates and handle the car accident claim on your own. But if you have suffered accident-related injuries and have medical bills or the other driver’s insurance company is disputing your claim, then you need legal representation. Similarly, if you were injured by an uninsured driver or underinsured motorist, you also should consult a personal injury attorney about how to recoup your losses.
Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Hardison & Cochran in North Carolina if you have questions about pursuing fair compensation after a car accident that wasn’t your fault.
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The Aftermath of a Car Accident in North Carolina
Taking prompt action after a car accident can preserve your legal rights to seek compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Here are a few important steps to take if you can:
- Exchange insurance information with the other drivers at the accident scene.
- Seek medical attention to diagnose the injuries you sustained in the car wreck.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan or recovery instructions.
- Request copies of your medical records of your injury treatment and rehabilitation.
- Obtain a copy of the police report.
- Keep all bills, invoices, or receipts of medical expenses you incur to treat injuries or repair property damage.
- Gather copies of your pre-accident pay stubs or income statements if you need to take time off work or transfer to a light-duty position due to medical restrictions.
- Finally, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your legal rights and options.
Most car accidents involve filing insurance claims, whether it’s through optional Med Pay coverage under an accident victim’s own policy or through the liability policy covering the at-fault driver. One thing to understand about insurance companies is that they are for-profit businesses. They will do whatever they can to minimize the amount they pay to settle car accident claims.
North Carolina still follows the contributory negligence rule in personal injury claims. This rule bars an injured person from obtaining compensation if they bear any share of fault for the auto accident. If a defense lawyer can convince a court that you are partly to blame for your injuries, the insurance company won’t have to pay you a penny.
Why You Might Need a Lawyer If the Accident Wasn’t Your Fault?
Hiring a lawyer to represent you in a car accident claim is a good idea if you’re dealing with any of the following scenarios:
Complex Injuries
Severe injuries may require you to undergo expensive medical care and obtain long-term disability support. Without help from an experienced personal injury lawyer, you might not get the money you need to cover ongoing treatment and future medical bills.
Uninsured or Underinsured At-fault Driver
Some drivers who cause accidents have no liability insurance or have purchased the minimum amount of insurance required by law. If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, a lawyer can help you file a claim with your own insurance policy to make up the difference.
Contributory Fault Rules
An at-fault driver or their insurance company may try to avoid liability by arguing that you share the fault for the car accident. North Carolina’s contributory fault rule bars an injured party from recovering compensation if he or she shares any responsibility for causing the car accident.
Property Damage
A lawyer who is handling your personal injury claim can also help you navigate the process of recovering compensation for your damaged vehicle, including obtaining independent evaluations of vehicle repair costs.
Wrongful Death
Losing a loved one in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence makes a difficult situation all the more tragic. While you mourn, a lawyer can pursue compensation that can help your family cover financial losses related to the loss of a loved one.
The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer in North Carolina
There are many benefits to hiring an experienced lawyer after a car accident you didn’t cause. Having legal representation relieves you of the stress of dealing directly with the other driver’s insurance company. Your lawyer can pursue your insurance claim while you focus on treating and healing from your injury.
Furthermore, hiring a car accident lawyer improves your chances of seeking fair compensation. An experienced attorney knows how to build a compelling case against the at-fault driver, showing that you were in no way to blame for your injuries. Your lawyer can calculate the full value of your accident-related losses, including future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement, backing up their negotiations with the evidence they have gathered on your behalf. An experienced attorney will use the leverage of taking the insurance company to court if necessary if the insurer refuses to agree to a reasonable settlement.
Finding the Right Lawyer in North Carolina
North Carolina has many car accident lawyers. How do you know you’ve found the right lawyer? You should look for experience and a record of results. For over 30 years, car accident victims have turned to the experienced attorneys at Hardison & Cochran for trusted guidance and strong legal advocacy. Hardison & Cochran expanded from a single small law office to one of North Carolina’s most well-respected firms, with seven offices across the state. Our legal team is focused on helping injured North Carolinians receive fair compensation. We are proud of the results we have achieved for people just like you.
Hardison & Cochran Offers Free Consultations
Our firm offers a free case review. You can talk to an attorney about your questions and legal needs without worrying about the expense. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us a legal fee if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or at trial.
Ready to demand justice after a car accident that wasn’t your fault? Contact Hardison & Cochran right away.
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