If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an automobile accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and related losses. Our Rutherfordton car accident lawyers help accident victims of all kinds build personal injury cases and fight for the fair compensation they need and deserve.
If you live in Rutherfordton or a surrounding area in Rutherford County, our Rutherfordton personal injury lawyer team can help you file a personal injury claim.
Call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today to discuss your legal options with a member of our team during a free consultation.
How Our Rutherfordton Car Accident Lawyers Help You With Your Injury Case
Building a successful car accident claim can be complicated, as it requires gathering evidence and tackling complex paperwork. When you’re already dealing with injuries and trauma, this extra work can feel even more frustrating and out of reach. Our Rutherfordton auto accident attorneys can manage your case for you from start to finish:
- Inspect your car accident case:We can review the crash report and conduct a separate investigation into your car accident to identify the liable party or parties, any witnesses who saw the accident, or any evidence that can be used to support your case.
- Represent you in communications and appearances: When you work with a car accident lawyer from our team in Rutherfordton, you gain a legal representative who will advocate for you during all forms of contact. If other parties, such as an adjuster from an insurance company, reach out for a statement, one of our lawyers can speak on your behalf to protect your case information. We will also appear in negotiation meetings and court hearings to present your case.
- Submit paperwork relevant to your case: Our legal team will keep track of the legal paperwork necessary for your case.
- Keep you updated as your case progresses: Throughout the litigation process, we can update you when you receive new information, court notices, messages, and even settlement offers. Our team will provide legal advice to help you understand these developments and make informed decisions.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover in Your Car Accident Case
Car accidents can lead to serious or minor injuries. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported that in 2023, there were 21 motor vehicle accidents in Rutherfordton and 497 across Rutherford County. These injuries can have long-lasting impacts on your life.
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the aftermath of a car accident if your injuries triggered a series of financial, physical, and emotional losses.
Our Rutherfordton auto accident attorneys will listen to your story to understand what your injuries have truly cost you, so we can fight for the fair compensation you deserve.Some damages that you may be eligible to recover include:
Economic Damages in Auto Accident Claims
Economic losses are financial ones incurred because of your injury. The claim for these damages is usually supported by reviewing all receipts, invoices, and bills that are associated with your injury.
Common economic losses that victims of car accidents incur include:
- Medical bills, including those for hospitalizations, surgeries, and other medical expenses
- Costs to tow a vehicle from the accident scene
- Property damage
- Vehicle repair and replacement costs
- Transportation costs to and from medical appointments to treat injuries
- Prescription medications and medical devices necessary due to injuries
- Economic costs can also include lost wages if you are forced to miss work because of your injuries. To prove lost wages, you need to provide pay stubs and proof that you lost income or hours because of your injury-related absence from work.
Non-Economic Damages in Auto Accident Claims
Non-economic damages compensate for the non-financial losses you suffered, which can include loss of affection, mental anguish, and a diminished quality of life. GS §90-21.19 does not cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases involving car wrecks.
The non–economic damages you receive is based on a variety of factors, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Future lost earnings
- Ability to provide for dependents
- Mobility impairments
- Chronic pain from injuries
Your motor vehicle accident lawyer will use the available evidence to build a compelling case and help you recover non-economic damages.
Keep in mind that since these losses are more subjective, you may qualify to receive compensation for other types of damages not listed here. Our law firm can explain this further in a future consultation.
Laws that May Impact Your Rutherfordton Car Accident Claim
Every case is unique. However, they are also all bound by specific state laws which can determine how much compensation you can recover, as well as how your case is built.
Contributory Negligence for Auto Accidents
While North Carolina typically does not limit the amount of damages you can recover following an auto accident, the state practices a contributory negligence rule that prevents you from collecting damages if you are partially responsible.
Unlike comparative negligence rules, which allow you to recover damages even if you are partially at fault, contributory negligence laws bar plaintiffs from collecting damages if they are at least one percent responsible for the action that resulted in their injuries. Our team can fight against allegations of your partial fault.
North Carolina Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits
We will also make sure to file your case within the statute of limitations, dictated by GS §1-52, and any other legal deadlines that apply to your case. Under North Carolina law, you typically have three years in which you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident.
Different Forms of Negligence Can Cause Car Accidents
Many personal injury claims for car wrecks involve negligent and reckless driving behavior. Negligence cases involve injuries that occurred because another person or entity violated their duty of care and acted with poor judgment. Actions are considered negligent if a reasonable person would not have engaged in the behavior.
Motorists have an obligation to follow traffic laws to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers. Some causes of car accidents in North Carolina involve negligent conduct, like:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to stop
- Failure to yield
Among the common types of distracted driving that cause auto accidents is texting behind the wheel. If the negligent driver was texting and caused your wreck, contact a Rutherfordton texting while driving lawyer now.
And if a rideshare driver is responsible for your wreck or if you’re a rideshare driver in an accident caused by another driver, liability claims can be complicated.
Our Rutherfordton Uber and Lyft rideshare accident lawyers can help you handle the legal process and ensure you pursue the compensation you deserve.
You May Be Entitled to Compensation if You Suffered Severe Car Accident Injuries
Serious injuries from a car accident can prevent you from working or participating in activities you once enjoyed. If your injuries have impacted your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to recover lost wages or compensation for diminished earning capacity.
Common severe injuries caused by car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Dislocated joints
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Organ damage
- Trauma
Seeking immediate medical attention after an accident is crucial. Medical records not only support your recovery but also serve as key evidence in your Rutherfordton personal injury case, helping to prove the extent of your injuries and losses. Following a doctor-prescribed treatment plan is also essential to ensure the best possible recovery.
In many cases, serious accidents lead to financial burdens that exceed insurance coverage limits. If this happens, a car accident lawyer from our firm may be able to pursue additional compensation to help cover your economic losses.
Contact the Rutherfordton Car Accident Attorneys at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, Today
When you suffer injuries that impact your daily life, you can have difficulty living independently or providing for yourself. If you were the victim of a car wreck, a car accident lawyer in Rutherfordton from our firm can pursue economic and non-economic damages against the responsible parties.
Our personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee. This means that you will not need to pay any upfront costs and will only pay our fees if we recover compensation for your car accident case.
If you are interested in building a personal injury case with our law firm, call Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, today.