Burke County Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car wreck on Interstate 40, in downtown Morganton, or elsewhere within Burke County, our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can help you pursue damages. The financial recovery you seek could cover your medical care and other collision-related losses.

The legal process presents many challenges, especially for someone who is still recovering from an injury. Our Burke County car accident lawyer can face those challenges on your behalf, making it easier for you to seek justice and compensation after a car accident. The initial consultation for this type of matter is always free.

What Compensation Is Available for Car Wreck Victims?

There are two main types of compensation available to people injured in a car wreck. General examples are discussed below. Our team can provide more details about your specific damages when we review your case.

Seeking Non-Economic Damages

You could qualify for non-economic damages if you suffered any physical or emotional effects from the collision, such as:

• Temporary or permanent disability: Disabilities caused by broken or amputated limbs, nerve damage, brain damage, and other injuries could all entitle you to compensation.
• Scarring or disfigurement: Scar tissue and other marks left by your car accident injuries have altered your physical appearance and/or abilities.
• Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional toll of the wreck has had a noticeable, negative effect on your health and life.
• Reduced quality of life: You can no longer perform necessary tasks (e.g., getting around the house) by yourself. You may have chronic pain or limitations that affect your ability to live as you wish.

Seeking Economic Damages

Economic damages are for covering the losses and expenses you now face, such as:

• Repair bills: Your own vehicle was damaged badly enough that you had to get it fixed or even replaced. You could also seek compensation for the cost of renting a car or using public transportation while your car was unusable.
• Medical bills: Any type of professional treatment, from psychiatric care to emergency surgery, may qualify you for damages.
• Lost income: While recuperating from your injuries, you had to take time off from work. You may be able to recover those missed paychecks from the liable party.
• Lost earning capacity: If you cannot work or earn as much as you did before the wreck, we can calculate how much income you expect to lose over the course of your career and seek that amount in damages.

Who Pays Personal Injury Compensation?

In North Carolina, all drivers must either carry sufficient auto insurance or show proof that they have the financial means to pay compensation themselves if they ever cause a wreck. This is state law, as codified at G.S. § 20-279.21.

What does this mean for your lawsuit? It will be easier for you to collect fair compensation if the liable party has sufficient insurance than if they do not. A personal injury lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can pursue all possible avenues to help you get compensation for your Burke County accident.

For a legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Burke County, call 828.286.3866

Our Attorneys Are Here for Collision Victims

Seeking compensation with our help may be much easier and less stressful on you than doing it alone. With Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, on the job, you do not have to worry about completing any of the following tasks alone.

• Quantifying your injuries: We can run the calculations to determine how much money you should ask the liable party to pay based on your damages.
• Collecting sufficient evidence: Documents or statements from witnesses, the authorities, your doctor, and others may boost your case.
• Filing all necessary paperwork: Even a small clerical error could put your case in jeopardy. Our team can handle all forms for you, reducing the chance of such errors.
• Communicating with the liable party: Speaking with them yourself could only give them fuel for their arguments against you. We can protect your rights by serving as a buffer between you and them.
• Negotiating a settlement: We are not intimidated by their lawyers’ tactics and can fight tirelessly for a fair settlement that meets your needs.
• Taking the fight to court: If the liable party will not pay a fair settlement, we can discuss the possibility of taking your case to trial and seeking a jury award instead.

Need More Support?

At our firm, we believe it is our job to do more than simply perform legal tasks. We want to do everything possible to ensure your comfort during this difficult time, including:

• Providing advice whenever necessary: Having trouble deciding how to handle your case? We encourage clients to ask us for help as often as they need it.
• Keeping you updated: We let you know whenever something big happens with your case. We can also explain the implications of all developments.

Burke County Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866

What Happens After a Car Wreck?

The steps you take after a car wreck in Burke County may impact the outcome of your claim. While each collision is different, there are a number of recommended steps for you to take in the aftermath of the accident.

Contact the Authorities

According to G.S. § 20-4.01(33b), a car wreck must be reported to the proper authorities if:

• At least one person was injured.
• There was a fatality.
• There was $1,000 or more of property damage.

The resulting police report may be used in any legal action you decide to take against the liable party.

Collect the Evidence

Wrecks often leave behind a lot of evidence that gets cleared away relatively quickly. Police officers often prioritize cleaning up the road so that traffic can resume its normal movement rather than preserving the scene of the wreck.

Fortunately, you may be able to gather some evidence right away. Make sure that you take pictures and get contact information.

Seek Medical Help

Your medical records are a critical piece of evidence. For this reason, it is best to see a doctor about your injuries as soon as possible after a wreck. Any substantial gap between the accident and your doctor’s visit may introduce doubt about the true cause of your injuries.

You may require medical treatment for injuries like:

• Broken bones or fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Consider calling an ambulance if you – or anyone else involved in the wreck – sustained an injury.

Get Legal Assistance

It is also a good idea to quickly seek out legal advice. A car wreck attorney from our office can preserve your right to seek damages by presenting all your options and helping you take swift action.

Lawyers provide steadfast attention from the time of your wreck until the resolution of your claim.

Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

Finally, you generally need to report your car wreck to your insurance company. However, the experts recommend that you wait until you speak with your lawyer to talk with insurance agents, either for your company or those representing the other driver.

Insurance agents often try to protect their company’s bottom line. Therefore, they may try to find ways to downplay the severity of your losses, even claiming that you did not sustain any injuries in the accident.

Causes for Burke County Car Wrecks

North Carolina’s liability laws make it important for a lawyer to discern the causes of your wreck. In many cases, these accidents result from:Driver Error

Drivers have a responsibility to follow the rules of the road each time they slide behind the wheel. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore this duty. They may decide to drive while distracted, fatigued, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In any of these situations, drivers may make dangerous choices or operate their vehicles recklessly, leading to a wreck. You can seek professional assistance if another driver caused your collision by:

• Swerving into your lane without using their blinkers
• Refusing to legally yield the right of way
• Tailgating you or following too close for conditions
• Speeding
• Driving the wrong way on the road
• Jumping a sidewalk or driving on the shoulder

These are only examples of actions taken by other drivers that may lead to a wreck in Burke County.

Vehicle Defects

Sometimes, car wrecks in Burke County result from issues with the vehicles themselves. Manufacturers may produce and sell vehicles that have faulty systems, like brakes that fail to engage correctly in certain conditions.

We can also help if your wreck occurred due to poor road conditions or improperly marked sections of the road.

Complete a Case Evaluation form now

Our Firm Can Help You Start Today

Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, would like to assign an attorney to your Burke County car wreck case as soon as possible. Call our office at (828) 286-3866 to begin the process. With our help, you can fight for fair compensation while still having the time and the peace of mind that you need to focus on your recovery.

Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form