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If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident, you may have the option of filing a personal injury claim against the liable party in Newton. Such a claim can allow you to seek damages, or compensation, for medical bills and other expenses from the accident. A car accident lawyer from our firm can aid you during a car wreck case.
How to Know if You Have a Case After a Car Accident
Do not dismiss the idea of filing a claim if you believe your injuries were minor or you are unsure you can prove the other party’s liability. Our team can review the details in a free consultation to see where your case stands.
An accident can affect more than one area of your life. You may be able to seek compensation for the accident’s full impact.
Steps to Filing a Car Accident Claim in Newton
There are many steps to getting your car wreck case started, many of which are made easier with help from a car accident lawyer.
Visiting the Doctor
Some people choose not to visit the hospital if their injuries were minor, or if they are in shock from the collision and not in any immediate pain.
While it is understandable not to want an unnecessary medical bill, you may wish to visit the doctor before starting your car accident case to seek medical damages. Doing so can create a paper trail of your injuries, proving their severity and connection to the collision.
A lawyer from our team can advise you further on this aspect of your case.
Determining Liability
Liability considers whether the person who caused your car accident breached a duty of care toward you. In your case, you will have to prove that the other driver is liable for your injuries by showing that they acted negligently toward you at the time of the accident. Examples of negligence in a collision include:
- Texting while driving
- Speeding
- Running a red light
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failing to follow other road rules
Our team will work to collect and present evidence that this negligence caused your accident and resulting injuries.
Gathering Evidence
To prove your right to financial recovery, you will need to gather evidence that shows the other driver’s negligence. Such evidence could include documentation like:
- The police report
- Eyewitness accounts from the scene of the accident
- Your medical records from the emergency room visit
Working with a lawyer from our firm can help ensure you obtain all the documentation you need to build your case and prove liability.
What to Know About Car Accident Cases
Each car wreck injury case will differ from the next, but all are affected by certain laws and statutes, including the following:
The Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for a car accident case refers to the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit for compensation. In the state of North Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years, according to GS §1-52.
Contributory Negligence in North Carolina
In North Carolina, you cannot have contributed to causing the car accident in any way, or you will not be able to recover damages.
Proving that you are not even 1% negligent will require a “burden of proof,” according to GS §1-139.
Your car accident lawyer from our team will work hard to demonstrate the burden of proof and adequately show why the other party is liable for your accident injuries in Newton.
Calculating Car Accident Settlements
If you are awarded a car wreck settlement, the amount should take into account all the ways the accident has impacted your life. Our team can use evidence such as your medical bills, pay stubs, receipts, and other documents to estimate case value.
If you lost a loved one and are filing to recover for their wrongful death in the collision, the settlement should also reflect your pain and suffering, loss of support, and other grievances caused by the loss.
Types of Damages You May Recover in a Newton Car Accident Case
Based on your circumstances, you may be able to recover many different damages through a car wreck case. We’ve outlined some of the possibilities below.
Medical Expenses
Medical costs are often cited in injury claims since they tend to be some of the largest expenses associated with car accidents.
You may be able to recover compensation that accounts for your immediate costs, like hospital stays and pain medication costs, as well as future medical bills you expect to incur. For example, you may need surgery in the future or ongoing care to manage your pain.
Pain and Suffering
Many people experience long-term trauma from vehicle accidents, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
These emotional effects can greatly impact your daily life and mental wellbeing. Damages for pain and suffering attempt to atone for the trauma you endured as a result of the accident.
Being injured in a drunk driving accident can lead to a lot of pain and anguish. Our lawyers for DWI victims can help prove the extent of your pain and suffering caused by the crash. We will use all available evidence to strengthen your claim, including medical documents and witness statements.
Lost Wages and Benefits
Recovering from serious injuries often results in time off work—a change that can impact your livelihood. Damages for lost wages can pay for:
- Salary or wages while recovering from your injuries
- Benefits, like PTO and 401k earnings
- Health insurance coverage
- Future lost earning capacity, if the injuries will impact your ability to work
Payments for a Wrongful Death
In addition to payments for loss of support, wrongful death damages from a car accident can cover unexpected costs, such as burial and funeral expenses.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
You can file a car accident claim in Newton on your own, but a lawyer from Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, can offer you many advantages, including the following.
Working to Build Your Case
You do not have to be intimidated by the state’s contributory negligence law. We will work to build a solid foundation for your case before filing your claim.
We work hard and leave no stone unturned when collecting evidence and noting details to support wreck cases.
Keeping You Informed
Along the way, we will ensure you stay up to date about the details of your case, explaining your options, reviewing your legal rights, and helping you understand the goings-on throughout the claims process.
Acting as Your Legal Communicator
In addition, our lawyers will work to communicate with you, the insurance companies, and the defendant’s lawyers. We perform any communication needed to gather evidence and spare you this burden.
Get in Touch with Our Team to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer Today
Time is of the essence with car accident cases, so call today for your free consultation. A car accident lawyer with Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, is ready to help you start your Newton injury case.
Call us today to learn more.
