North Carolina Workers' Compensation News
Raleigh car accident lawyers: What you need to know
If you’ve been in a Raleigh car accident, then you may be feeling overwhelmed
. You’re not alone!
It’s important to make sure that you know as much as possible about what your options are under the personal injury laws in North Carolina and how to protect yourself from insurance adjusters and an unfair settlement.
Here at Dodge Jones Personal Injury Law Firm we want to make sure that our clients have the tools they need to make an informed decision, so we’re going to share with you things you should know.
Do I need a car accident lawyer?
This is an important question for you to ask yourself.
You may be wondering if the insurance company will contact you and offer a settlement. You may think the insurance adjuster wants to do the right thing.
The truth is, insurance companies are not looking out for you or your best interests. If the adjuster can settle your case for pennies on the dollar, that ends up as profit for their employer, the big insurance company.
What does a “Personal Injury Lawyer” do?
Better yet, if they can deny your claim, even if the other person hit you and is at fault, that’s all the better for their bottom dollar.
You should not underestimate how complicated an auto accident can be – especially when it comes to proving fault in an accident caused by another driver.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, motorcycle wreck, or trucking accident in North Carolina, we think it’s a good idea for you to hire a lawyer.
We help people in Raleigh NC who have been injured due to the negligence of someone else.
- Do I have to pay anything up front?
- Do accident attorneys charge hourly or take the case on contingency?
- Who pays for medical bills and time out of work if I don’t win my claim?
- Am I entitled to Pain and Suffering?
- When should I seek medical treatment?
You should always ask yourself these questions before hiring a Raleigh car accident lawyer. You’d be surprised by how many people don’t even know the basics.
Can your accident attorney help you build a strong case?
So maybe you’re convinced that the insurance company is working against your best interests, but what can a lawyer do to help?
A personal injury attorney will be able to explain in detail how they’ll work to build a strong case for compensation. We start by looking into aspects of your life and medical history before the accident happened.
Remember, with accident cases, you’re not just trying to prove that the accident happened and caused serious injuries – there’s a lot more at stake.
For example, if it’s possible for your injury claim to result in future medical costs or lost income from your work as well. You’ll need evidence of those possibilities too!
Understanding Fault in North Carolina Car Accidents: Contributory Negligence
There are two types of fault for an accident: contributory and comparative. North Carolina is a “contrib” state.
As such, contributory negligence is a part of the process of determining legal liability for damages. If you’re found even partially responsible for your injuries, you get nothing.
That means that even if you were rear-ended and your car was totaled, but it’s found that you were maybe just a little at fault, despite how badly you’re injured, you get nothing.
That’s not very fair, is it?
And because of that, accident lawyers look very carefully at who caused the wreck.
Our Raleigh law firm knows exactly what evidence we need in order to build a successful claim and what pitfalls to expect relative to ‘contrib’ – Kevin Jones, Raleigh Injury Attorney
How do I prove liability in a car accident case?
Because of defenses against a personal injury case, liability is important in making an accident
claim in North Carolina. The person injured in the wreck who seeks compensation carries the “Burden of Proof.
As Plaintiff’s lawyers, the people who represent wrongly injured people, we focus on what caused the collision, negligence, and gross negligence when appropriate.
This is why hiring a Raleigh car accident attorney to handle your case is very important. We know what evidence you need, and where to find it!
That often includes getting a copy of the police officer’s report, looking at drawings of the scene, police officer notes, and talking to people who witnessed the wreck.
Nowadays, with cell phones, we also review quite a bit of video footage and pictures of the scene.
A personal injury lawyer will investigate what caused the wreck, employing expert witnesses like engineers or mechanics who can testify about skid marks or impact damage if that becomes necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Even if the other driver admitted to causing the accident, we may need to prove the other driver was negligent and not driving safely.
If the insurance adjuster doesn’t believe what witnesses say, we need to be prepared to show forensic proof that their insured, the person who caused the accident, is legally responsible.
This helps support that you were hit and that the other driver was at fault.
We will also look into your medical history to support any future costs or lost income you might have in the future, due to being injured.
This is different from just proving current injuries because it’s important to show how bad your damages are now, but also what they’ll be down the road.
As we mentioned earlier, in North Carolina contrib is a defense against car accident damages. If you’re found at all negligent (even a little bit), then it’s game over and nothing can help you get compensation.
That means finding an injury lawyer who knows exactly what evidence they need to prove the case and anticipate possible defenses.
This will help you get the compensation you may be entitled to for your damages, including future medical costs and lost income from not being able to work while recovering!
The carrier said they were going to deny my claim! What should I do?
You’ve just been involved in a car accident.
You’re not at fault, but the other driver’s insurance carrier is claiming they will deny your claim.
What do you do now?
Why do Insurance Companies deny claims?
Hiring an experienced lawyer for serious injuries is one of the most important things you can do after being in a car crash —or really any personal injury claim, for that matter!
Putting a seasoned Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer on your side can help you through this stressful and confusing time.
We also may be able to help if your claim is denied. Clearly, liability is important in accident cases in North Carolina.
The person injured in the wreck who may be entitled to medical care and compensation carries the “Burden of Proof.”
Personal injury lawyer, Kevin Jones, is a Raleigh NC attorney who helps people obtain a fair settlement from the insurance company.
Our law firm offers a free consultation. There are no legal fees unless we are successful.
If the insurance adjuster doesn’t believe what witnesses say, we need to be prepared to show forensic proof that their insured, the person who caused the accident, is legally responsible – Kevin Jones, Raleigh Personal Injury Attorney
When should I seek medical treatment after a car crash?
If you have been injured in a car crash, the sooner that you seek medical attention for your 
injuries the better off you will be.
You want to start documenting and treating your injuries as soon as possible so that there is no confusion about them later on down the road.
It may seem like a good idea to “wait it out” and see how you feel over the next couple of days, but that is not recommended.
If you wait the carrier may try to deny your insurance claim for things like lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and permanent injuries.
The longer that you wait the harder it can be to prove your case.
You want to make sure that your medical care is documented and properly addressed by insurance companies immediately following an accident, so hiring an auto accident right away may be beneficial for you in this regard.
At the Dodge Jones Personal Injury law firm in Raleigh NC, we offer a free consultation. We help people make car accident claims, negotiate with the insurance adjuster, and help obtain the compensation you deserve.
There are no legal fees unless we are successful. That may include obtaining things like your medical expenses and lost wages due to a wreck.
Fighting for Car Accident Victims in Raleigh NC
Injuries from vehicle accidents can be devastating.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that every year there are nearly 33 million emergency room visits related to vehicle crashes.
Furthermore, it’s estimated that accidents cost us more than $80 billion in direct costs each year, including property damage and medical bills.
The staff at our Raleigh NC law firm know exactly what evidence you need to build an injury claim and prove the other driver was responsible for your injuries.
That’s why hiring a Raleigh car accident lawyer is very important, because we work hard to prove your damages should be covered if another party caused the wreck.
Other types of accidents Our Raleigh car accident lawyer handles
Our law firm is called the Dodge Jones Injury Law Firm. We handle different types of injuries and losses due to negligence. Our practice areas:
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Trucking Accidents
- 18-Wheeler Wrecks
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Wrongful Death Claims
- Workers’ Compensation Claims
- Insurance Coverage
Your Raleigh injury lawyer knows how to build a claim for damages in all these cases. We will work with our clients to seek compensation and ensure that their legal rights are protected under the law. There’s no legal fee unless we win your case! Call today at (877)-622-6671
What can an accident lawyer do for you?
If you have been involved in a car accident, then hiring a Raleigh car accident lawyer can help to make sure that your rights are protected.
With that in mind, here are some of the things an accident lawyer can do for you:
- Help prove fault and liability so that compensation is awarded appropriately
- Make sure all medical bills related to the car accident are paid by the party who is at fault
- Make sure the insurance companies are communicating effectively with each other and you
- Represent your best interests and legal rights in court or negotiate for a settlement out of court if it better suits your needs
When hiring car accident lawyers from Raleigh NC, go to reputable firms that have experience dealing with insurance companies, pain and suffering, and medical care you may be entitled to.
Also, be aware of how much the attorney is going to charge you. Some lawyers are willing to work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid if they win your case.
Our law firm works on a Contingency Fee basis. That means we don’t collect a legal fee unless we’re able to obtain a recovery or judgment for your damages and losses.
It costs nothing to call our Raleigh office now and schedule your complimentary consultation.
You are not required to hire our firm. You will not be pressured. We are more than willing to sit down with you, talk about your accident and your legal options, and help guide you through the process, taking the time to explain your rights.
Common injuries in North Carolina car accidents
Injuries after an accident can range from very minor to very serious.
To be clear, wrecks can be life-changing. We help people with Traumatic Brain Injuries, permanent disfigurement, scarring, and Wrongful Death claims in Raleigh.
Common injuries from a car accident include things like:
Head injuries
Car accidents often result in serious injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI). A concussion is a form of mild TBI where you lose consciousness for anything from moments to hours after the crash occurs. The risk with these types of head injuries is that they may lead to subsequent mental or emotional problems down the line.
Car and trucking wreck victims can also suffer a more serious TBI, where they lose consciousness for much longer than the usual few minutes after the collision and sometimes even months or years later due to brain damage. These injuries are often accompanied by very debilitating symptoms like headaches, impaired vision, memory loss, disorientation, mood swings, and depression.
Back injuries
In a car cwreckrash, the force of impact can injure or strain your spinal cord and back muscles in your neck, upper back, lower back, and hips. This type of injury is commonly known as whiplash because it often occurs when you’re thrown forward suddenly during an impact then backward again quickly afterwards (i.e., like when you hit your head on the driver’s seat). As well as causing pain and discomfort, these injuries can result in long-term back problems such as herniated discs (which are sometimes called slipped or ruptured disks) that cause nerve damage.
Neck injuries
Similar to a back injury, whiplash often occurs in car accidents. It’s the same type of injury but to your neck instead of your back muscles. Just like with a back injury, whiplash can cause long-term pain and problems such as herniated discs (i.e., slipped or ruptured disks) that lead to nerve damage down the line
Road rash
Also known as skin abrasions, road rash is a type of abrasion that occurs when the skin gets dragged along whatever surface it comes into contact with (e.g., asphalt roads or concrete). Road rash can be very painful and lead to scarring if not treated promptly by medical professionals.
Broken bones
If you are unlucky enough to have your wreck resulting in broken bones, you’ll know about it. These injuries are extremely painful and can take a long time to heal properly depending on the severity of your injury(s).
Broken toes
Also known as toe fractures or toe breaks, these types of fractures are very common with people who walk away from car accidents with the least amount of property damage.
The most common types of toe fractures are metatarsal phalangeal joint fracture and interphalangeal joint fracture.
Fractured legs and ankles
When a car accident happens, people’s lower limbs are more likely to take the brunt of impact because they’re closer to the ground than your upper body is.
As such, fractures to either your leg or ankle bones can be common from an auto collision if there is a substantial front impact.
Car accident attorneys can help make a claim for medical bills as well as get you compensation for lost wages from being out of work.
Possible damages for North Carolina car accident victims
There are different types of damages that may be available after a car accident, they include things like:
Compensatory damages
Also known as actual damages, these types of compensation are the most common and include: medical bills; lost wages (i.e., the money you lose from not being able to work); out of pocket expenses for damage and/or loss to you personal possessions; property damage; total cost of repairs for your vehicle
Punitive damages
When gross negligence causes someone else to suffer injury, the Defendant (the person responsible for the wreck) may have to pay damages for their wrongdoing.
That’s particularly true for wrecks caused by Drunk Drivers and Drunk Driving.
Punitive damages related to drunk driving wrecks are meant to punish the other person and discourage them from acting so negligently in the future, which is why punitive damage awards can be larger than compensatory or “actual” damages.
Some types of car accidents can cause more serious damages than others. Losses that result from a motor vehicle collision may be classified as “soft tissue” or may involve serious, permanent conditions.
Each case and claim for damages is different.
Have you been injured in a Raleigh car accident?
Do you feel like your claim is not being properly handled or that it isn’t being taken seriously by the insurance company/adjuster?
If so, then we may be the right firm to help you through this difficult time.
Our goal is to ensure all of your damages are covered and get you a settlement for the losses you’ve experienced.
We know exactly what evidence you need to build an effective car accident claim and make sure your rights are protected.
The first step is getting a free case review from our firm. Contact us today at (877)-622-6671 at the Dodge Jones Personal Injury Law Firm or visit the official website here: DodgeJones.com
Why choose Dodge Jones Car Accident Law Firm?
Many people don’t know that they can hire an experienced Raleigh car accident lawyer to help with the process of recovering damages after an accident.
You may not realize how important it is to choose someone who has experience in car accidents and understands the complexities involved, such as whether or not you needed medical attention.
Fortunately, at Dodge Jones Car Accident Law Firm we take care of all these issues for you!
We have years of experience helping out North Carolina residents recover compensation from their vehicle accidents, so be sure to get in touch today and talk to an attorney if this sounds like something you need help with.