Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer

Charlotte Car Accident Attorney

HELPING YOU TACKLE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CAR ACCIDENT

Many of us get in our cars and drive to school or work every day. Most of us arrive safely to our destinations – but not always. A distracted driver fails to see you. A drunk driver swerves into your lane, crashing into your vehicle. A trucker falls asleep at the wheel. These instances can leave a wake of devastation that lasts a lifetime. A Charlotte car accident lawyer can help you navigate the challenges you’ll face in the aftermath of such events. 

If you are seriously injured in a car accident, you are likely facing unexpected consequences you weren’t prepared for, such as:

• Medical bills or rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Lack of savings during recovery
• Inability to perform daily housekeeping or yard tasks

Many of us don’t plan for these types of expenses. An unexpected accident can be a huge burden. Fortunately, if another party is responsible, you may have options.

At Steven T. Meier, PLLC, our attorneys have recovered many different types of compensation for those in Charlotte and surrounding North Carolina communities who have been in the same situation.

Let us help you get the benefits you need.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Charlotte, North Carolina

Car accidents in North Carolina can be caused due to a large number of reasons, with one or more parties being liable. Some accidents, such as fender benders, can result in more minor damages, whereas more serious car accidents, such as T-bone accidents, can cause severe injuries, such as paralysis, and even cause wrongful death. Some of the more common car accidents causes include:

• Driving While Distracted. In North Carolina and the United States, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. This can include eating and driving, changing the music on the radio, responding to texts and emails, engaging or arguing with passengers or other drivers on the road, and applying makeup. Distracted driving causes drivers to not be aware of their surroundings, resulting in a crash.
• Driving Under the Influence. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can seriously impair the mental and physical capabilities of a driver so that they are incapable of following basic traffic laws and keeping those around them secure. Even prescription drugs, such as those that cause drowsiness, can lead to car accidents.
• Driving Recklessly. Driving in an aggressive or reckless manner can put the safety of passengers and other people on the road at risk. Such reckless driving behavior includes speeding, weaving in and out of lanes, cutting in front of someone, and pulling up next to drivers quickly to yell at them.
• Road Conditions. Roads that are not regularly repaired can lead to accidents, for example, due to drivers suddenly swerving to avoid potholes. Also, if safety infrastructure such as guardrails are not in place, then accidents can be more severe or even deadly.
• Disobeying Traffic Laws. When drivers don’t follow traffic laws, especially those at intersections, run red lights, do not give the right vehicle the right of way, or do not stop fully at stop signs, this can lead to an accident.
• Weather and Time of Day. Accident rates are higher at peak times of the day when there are more cars on the road, and drivers are more at risk of crashing when the road is not visible due to weather conditions or the roads are slick due to snow or ice.
• Mechanical Issues. Sometimes, car accidents can happen due to design and manufacturing defects of car parts, as well as faulty repair jobs. Such car accidents can involve multiple at-fault parties, including at-fault drivers and manufacturers.

In order to avoid car accidents in North Carolina, is it critical to receive adequate information and training and follow the applicable local and state traffic rules, as well as exercise caution while driving. However, there are instances in which individuals take all necessary measures to avoid an accident, and it still occurs, yielding devastating consequences.

If you have been the victim of a Charlotte car accident, then despite the cause, our personal injury legal team will fight on your behalf to make sure you get the compensation you need to cover all damages. Whether there are one or more at-fault parties, we can help you collect the evidence you need to prove negligence and hold others accountable.

North Carolina Car Accident Injuries

There are multiple factors that can impact the type and severity of injuries that can occur as a result of a car accident, including the collision speed, the vehicles involved in the crash, and the angle of impact. Injuries can range from minor cuts to life-threatening injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. Some common car accident injuries in North Carolina include:

• Fractures. Car accident victims commonly sustain fractures of different bones, including the collar bone, ribs, arms, and nose, due to impact. Skull fractures tend to be more severe and in need of immediate medical attention. While airbags are helpful for minimizing severe injuries, deployment can lead to facial and rib fractures commonly.
• Spinal Cord Injuries. Due to the impact of a crash, car accident victims can commonly experience strains in the back or displacement of vertebrae, causing long-term pain and posture challenges. However, there are serious spinal cord injuries that can have brutal long-term consequences, such as paralysis and reduced motor function.
• Burns and Cuts. Cuts or large lacerations can be caused by sharp objects penetrating the skin, such as glass or metal shards from the damaged vehicle, as well as road debris and parts located inside the car. Fires from the crash can burn accident victims who are not able to move from the crash site. Lacerations and burns can cause long-term scarring and disfigurement.
• Brain Injuries. Brain injuries, such as concussions and whiplash, can be more minor and result in temporary or permanent headaches, reduced vision, and ringing in the ears. However, traumatic brain injuries are more serious and can impact an individual’s ability to speak, think, and move, ultimately having the ability to upend a victim’s entire life.

In addition to the aforementioned car accident injuries, car accident victims can completely lose their lives. Such accident consequences can be extremely difficult for loved ones, and pursuing damages can be challenging during a time of such grief. Whether you or a loved one is facing minor to severe damages or have lost their life as a result of a car accident, the legal team at Steven T. Meier, PLLC can support you in restoring justice to the situation and getting you the compensation that you are entitled to.

Medical Expenses for Charlotte Car Accident Injuries

If you have sustained injuries as a result of a Charlotte car accident, then the related medical expenses are likely piling up. Under North Carolina law, you are entitled to have your medical expenses covered by the insurance of the at-fault party or paid for by them directly out of pocket. Medical expenses that can be covered include:

• Hospital Bills. Staying in the hospital for a few hours or a few days can be extremely expensive, and associated commodities used during your hospital time can be more expensive. For example, you may be charged $40 for an ibuprofen pill or hundreds of dollars to have your blood drawn.
• Diagnostic Tests. Scans for generating diagnostics, such as MRIs, CT scans, and fluoroscopy can be expensive, as can having your blood or urine sent to certain laboratories to run tests.
• Surgery Expenses. If you sustained serious car accident injuries, then you may require one or multiple surgeries, which could involve extended stays in the hospital. You may have hardware or devices implanted to help facilitate the healing process.
• Prescriptions and Assistive Devices. You may be required to take long-term or short-term doses of prescription or over-the-counter medicines as a result of your car accident injuries. Furthermore, you may need assistive devices, including canes, wheelchairs, walkers, or, in the case of amputation, a prosthesis. Prosthetics can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
• Clinic Visits. To ensure the adequate healing of your car accident injuries and that no underlying or overlooked conditions develop, you may be required to check back in with a medical professional regularly, adding to the medical expenses.
• Rehabilitation. If you sustained certain physical injuries, such as a knee fracture, then you may be required to go through physical therapy in order to properly heal and use those parts of your body again. This can be physically difficult and also exhaust a great deal of finances.

An experienced car accident attorney from Steven T. Meier, PLLC, can properly evaluate all of your losses spent on medical care due to your injuries and help anticipate future financial amounts that you will need to cover your care down the line. Our legal team uses hard evidence and robust arguments to get our clients the medical expenses compensation that they need.

Furthermore, if you are facing long-term disabilities as a result of your car accident injuries, then you can receive financial compensation for future lost wages. However, this is typically covered under the Social Security Administration. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you exhaust all available avenues to work towards getting you the compensation that you are entitled to.

Pain and Suffering After a Charlotte, North Carolina Car Accident

As a result of injuries sustained during a car accident, victims may commonly experience pain and suffering. Physical pain and mental suffering occur when victims have trauma associated with their accident that makes it difficult to carry out everyday tasks and when they have long-term chronic pain that diminishes their quality of life.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, it is difficult to estimate financially how much an individual’s pain and suffering is worth. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help quantify the suffering based on past, current, and future suffering, the amount of pain incurred, and the affected earning potential of an individual, as well as their ability to carry out everyday tasks with their pain.

While there is no fixed formula that is used in the state of North Carolina to quantify pain and suffering after a car accident, the dedicated legal team at Steven T. Meier, PLLC can analyze the details of your case, your accident, and your associated pain, and come up with a logical argument for insurance companies and the courts to get you an optimal settlement outcome.

Utilizing Years Of Experience To Fight For You

We are experienced car and trucking accident lawyers. For over 15 years, we’ve been handling auto accident injury cases involving all types of cars, bicycles, motorcycles or others. Many of our clients will tell you that our skill and experience have allowed them to obtain compensation they would not likely have recovered but for our assistance.

Our personal injury attorneys in Charlotte are here to fight for you. We promise to do everything we can to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

FAQs

Q: How Much Can I Sue for My North Carolina Car Accident?

A: If you have been in a car accident in North Carolina, then you are likely seeking compensation for your damages. There is no cap in the state on the amount that you can sue for, but you must be able to thoroughly document all damages and other related expenses. You will need to show that the other party was completely at fault for the incident as well. Depending on the damages associated with the accident, you can recover hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.

Q: How Long Do I Have After My NC Car Accident to File a Lawsuit?

A: If you suffered injuries due to your NC car accident, and the other party was at fault for the accident, then you can sue them in court, but you only have a limited amount of time to do so. The time between the date of your accident and the date that you file your lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations, which is three years in North Carolina. Depending on the details of your case, you may have a different amount of time to file your lawsuit.

Q: How Long Does a Car Insurance Company Have to Settle My NC Claim?

A: There is a specific amount of time that an insurance company legally has to offer you a settlement amount in North Carolina, which is typically within a period of 90 days. According to NC state laws, settlements must be paid out within 30 days of a claim, but if further evidence or information is requested to settle the claim, then the claim should be paid out within 30 days of getting the new information. If the claim filer does not respond to the insurer’s request for more information within 90 days, then they can cancel the case.

Q: How Is North Carolina Car Accident Fault Determined?

A: In order to determine who was at fault for a car accident, insurance companies and courts will consider a variety of evidence and information, including witness testimony, firsthand accounts, police reports, medical reports, and media such as photos and videos of the accident. North Carolina is an at-fault state, meaning that the injured party in a car accident can only get compensation for their damages if they can prove that the other party was liable for the accident.

Q: What Is “Contributory Negligence” in North Carolina?

A: In North Carolina, there is a law of “contributory negligence” that determines who is entitled to get compensation payments for damages. According to the “contributory negligence” law, a person who is found to be even a small percent liable for an accident may not be entitled to any compensation for accident damages. For example, if a person is determined to be 1% at fault for an accident, and the other party is 99% liable, then the person might not be able to recover damages.

Get The Help Of Our Team

If you would like to discuss your case and the types of benefits you could recover, please call our office at 704-333-3456. We are conveniently located in Charlotte and are pleased to offer free consultations.

You may also reach us by filling out our online contact form. We will respond as soon as possible. The firm of Steven T. Meier, PLLC, can help.