The chances of car accidents are high in North Carolina’s capital city, Raleigh. This is particularly true for congested areas like downtown and near major highways such as I-440 and I-40. Motor vehicle accidents cause not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma and financial stress. However, in Raleigh, North Carolina, car accident victims can resort to several legal options for compensation and bring responsible parties to accountability.
Seeking Legal Representation in Raleigh
Exploring legal avenues is essential for financial recovery from a car accident. Hiring Raleigh car crash injury lawyers can help in exploring the options available to victims. These professionals are skilled in personal injury law and familiar with the legal nuances of North Carolina’s legal system. The attorneys will help them through the process of insurance claims as well as the litigation.
Several aspects of the law require minute understanding. One such aspect is that North Carolina law requires the victim to be faultless in the accident. Fault even by 1% may result in barring the victim from recovering compensation.
It is vital that victim be aware of the “contributory negligence” rule. Such intricacies make it even more crucial to have skilled legal representation to counter any claims of fault arising during settlement negotiations or trial.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
A personal injury claim is one of the primary options available to car accident victims. Submitting the claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company is the first step toward compensation recovery. The state of North Carolina uses a “fault-based” system, which states that the person causing the accident is financially responsible for the damages. Victims can resort to litigation if the insurance company refuses a fair settlement.
The injured party can pursue a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation for a variety of losses, some of which are:
- Loss of work resulting in income loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Additionally, evidence gathering is crucial, including police reports, medical records, and witness testimonies, to move forward with a successful claim. It is worthwhile to note that North Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits (three years from the date of the accident).
Compensation for Wrongful Death
In cases where a car accident results in a fatality, the family of the deceased may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Under North Carolina law, wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, lost future earnings, and more. A wrongful death claim should be filed within two years of the victim’s death.
Fatal accidents are a common occurrence in Raleigh due to overspeeding or distracted drivers and are frequently catastrophic, especially on high-traffic volume roads like Glenwood Avenue or Capital Boulevard.
Additionally, for families dealing with the grief of losing loved ones, experienced legal counsel can help them navigate these difficult times easily, as handling complex claims can be difficult and complicated.
Compensation from Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
In some cases, at-fault drivers may not have sufficient insurance coverage for full compensation for damages. However, as per law, it is mandatory for North Carolina drivers to have minimum liability insurance. This may not be enough to cover a medical bill or severe injuries. In such an event, the victims can always claim from their own insurance company for compensation if they have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
UM/UIM can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. They were instituted for victims when the at-fault party did not have adequate insurance. It helps with meeting medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. It can be daunting to deal with one’s own insurance companies, and insurance providers always try their best to minimize payouts as much as possible. Therefore, it is important to have an attorney through the process.
Conclusion
Raleigh car accident victims have multiple legal choices, such as filing personal injury claims, seeking compensation for wrongful death, or dealing with underinsured drivers. Consulting the Raleigh car crash injury lawyers can ease the complex insurance process of the contributory negligence laws of North Carolina. Skilled lawyers can help get fair compensation, negotiate with insurance companies, pursue legal actions, and chase paperwork, making a significant difference in the case outcome.
