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Navigating a car collision claim can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you have never handled this type of thing before. Speaking with insurance companies might feel intimidating if you’re not sure what to say.
Completing the forms could feel like learning a language. Additionally, you might not even know what you could receive in compensation beyond your medical bills and vehicle repair costs.
While you are not required to hire a Gastonia personal injury lawyer to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit, there are many benefits in doing so. If you or a loved one was injured in a vehicle collision in Gastonia, North Carolina, our legal team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, wants to help you build your case.
A Gastonia car accident lawyer from our law firm can represent you, and we can start right after your free case consultation. All you have to do is call today to get started.
How a Gastonia Car Accident Lawyer at Our Firm Can Develop Your Case
Some people hesitate to work with a personal injury attorney because of the legal fees. However, when you work with a Gastonia car accident lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, you do not have to worry about attorney’s fees.
Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect our fees if we win your case. Additionally, we’ll agree to provide you with full legal representation for a pre-approved percentage of your compensation award.
This fee agreement gives our team the incentive to work hard for your case so that we can effectively advocate for your right to financial compensation. Some of the services we may provide to build your car collision case include:
- Investigating your car accident by reviewing a copy of the police report, interviewing witnesses if any are available, and consulting experts who may be able to contribute to your case
- Collecting evidence to support your claims, such as video footage from nearby surveillance or traffic cameras, photographs of the accident scene, and copies of your medical records
- Reviewing your or any other relevant insurance policies if you are filing an auto insurance claim
- Preparing other legal paperwork necessary for your case
- Performing administrative tasks, which may involve scheduling court hearing dates, responding to messages you receive from inquiring parties, and updating you about your case
- Preparing your case for trial, if necessary
- Meeting with the insurance adjusters to negotiate a fair settlement deal if possible
Many accident victims question whether they need a lawyer for their car accident case. Technically, there is no law that requires you to hire an attorney, but they can provide you with many benefits, the least of which is a knowledgeable advocate who can deal with the insurance companies for you.
Personal injury attorneys have the experience to determine your full range of damages, are skilled negotiators, and have access to numerous experts. Best of all, they can provide you with peace of mind, allowing you the time you need to recover from your injuries.
If you have further questions about your case, our legal team will be available to answer you by phone, email, and through our website.
Car Wreck Victims Can Demand Compensation for Their Losses
Whether your car wreck took place on one of North Carolina’s major highways, like US-74, I-85, or US-321, or on one of Gastonia’s local roads, like Long Avenue, it won’t affect your right to pursue compensation.
People who suffer injuries in motor vehicle collisions simply need to prove how the at-fault driver’s or another party’s negligence caused the wreck, thus holding them liable for damages.
As our client, we will go over which damages may entitle you to receive compensation, then determine a value to reflect your losses. We’ll use this figure as a guide when advocating for your case. Our aim is to recover maximum compensation for you.
Economic Damages Claimed in Car Collision Cases
Compensatory damages are split into two main categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include all forms of financial losses you suffered, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Reduced earning potential
- Income loss, including bonuses and benefits from work
- Property damage costs, such as vehicle repair costs or replacing a cell phone
- The actual cash value of your vehicle if it was totaled
- Domestic care costs, such as caretaking services or childcare services if your injuries prevent you from doing these tasks
- Other out-of-pocket expenses, such as costs for prescription medications or rental car fees
- Funeral expenses if your loved one did not survive the car wreck
Our team will collect relevant financial documents to use as evidence. These documents may include receipts, invoices, banking statements, tax documents, and previous paychecks.
Non-Economic Damages Claimed in Car Collision Cases
Non-economic damages generally include physical, emotional, and mental losses. These damages are more subjective and do not have a tangible monetary value, so our team may use court-approved formulas to calculate these figures. Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement
- Psychological trauma
Evidence for these types of damages can vary, from anecdotal evidence to photographs showcasing what you looked like or how you lived before the collision occurred.
Who May Be Responsible for Your Gastonia Car Accident?
In most car accidents, the at-fault party and liable party are often the same person: a negligent driver. However, multiple parties may bear liability for a car accident, so it’s important to conduct a thorough investigation to hold all liable parties accountable.
Our accident attorneys can gather a variety of evidence, such as police reports, records on your medical care, and expert witness testimony, to demonstrate how another party caused or contributed to your collision. Call us today for a free consultation.
Proving the Four Elements of Negligence in Car Accident Cases
When proving negligence in a Gastonia car accident case, you must show the following:
- Duty of care: Another party, such as another motorist, had a legal obligation to safely operate their vehicle while on the road.
- Breach of duty: They violated their obligation, such as by speeding or failing to yield the right of way.
- Causation: This action or inaction led to your injuries in the auto collision.
- Damages: Your collision resulted in physical injuries, financial losses, and possibly emotional trauma.
We will gather the evidence and information that will identify who was at fault, how the accident occurred, and the full range of damages you have suffered.
Potentially Liable Parties in Car Accident Cases
You may not even be aware of the various parties that may have played a role in your car accident. For example, a third-party driver who escaped the impact may have contributed to it if they failed to yield the right of way, causing the other driver to hit you.
Similarly, if a hazardous road design contributed to your motor vehicle accident, such as a side-swipe accident, you can pursue compensation from the government agency that had jurisdiction over the road. Our Gastonia auto accident attorneys can fight for what you deserve from every responsible party.
North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations Affects Car Wreck Cases
If you intend to demand compensation through a car collision lawsuit, then you must submit your case within North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52, you generally have three years from the date of the car wreck to file your case.
If you are filing on behalf of a late loved one, then you generally have two years from the cause of death (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-53) to file your case, as the deadline for wrongful death cases is different. It’s crucial you submit your case within the correct filing window since failure to do so on time could result in a case dismissal. Our team will determine how long you have to file your case.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, Offers the First Consultation for Free When You Call
If you or a loved one was in a car wreck and suffered injuries, you may have an opportunity to file a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver or another liable party.
The Gastonia car accident lawyers from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can serve as your legal representative and guide you throughout the litigation process as they advocate for your right to financial recovery.
Call our law firm today to speak with one of our team members about your case. We offer the first consultation for free so that you can better understand your rights and legal options. Once you agree to work with us, we can start your legal journey to pursue financial compensation right away.
