Getting The Legal Help You Need After A Car Accident
Please consider Burts Law, PLLC a strong advocate on your side in case of an auto, truck or motorcycle accident in North Carolina. We are available to help from the time of the crash until you receive all compensation you are eligible for. We handle cases for people who have suffered injuries and for those who have lost loved ones in traffic accidents. We treat our clients like close friends or family as we use our experience to help injured people and their families get their cases resolved in their favor in a timely manner.
Get Compensation For Medical Expenses, Lost Wages And Pain And Suffering
Traffic accidents are both painful and troublesome. An injured passenger, driver, pedestrian or bicycle rider may face lengthy, costly medical procedures and therapy on the road to recovery. In case of a fatality, families face a sorrowful loss while also incurring many expenses. Having a dedicated personal injury lawyer on board allows the injured person and family members to focus on healing and recovery after a traffic accident.
We often see clients who have suffered from one or more of the following in a collision:
- Back, neck and shoulder injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries (traumatic brain injury or any closed or open head injury)
- Burn injuries
- Fatal injuries
Our team is ready to pull out the stops to make things easier for you after you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence. Whether we represent you or not, we are confident you will take away valuable information when you meet us to talk about your case.
‘But What About Insurance?’
Many people expect to collect compensation through their own insurance or another driver’s insurance. Although insurance is a common safety net, pay-outs do not come automatically. Except in minor cases, we do not normally recommend that private individuals navigate the insurance pathway to recovery on their own. The reason is simple: We know from experience that insurers will do all they can to avoid paying out what an injured person really needs to move forward. They make profits by taking in more than they pay out. Insurers are also notorious for denials, delays and lowball settlement offers.
When stakes are high, you can also expect an insurance company to defend its own policyholder (and the insurance company itself). Claims adjusters may offer a discounted settlement, hoping the injured person will accept out of a sense of urgency. This is one reason we strongly recommend that car accident victims and family members NOT give statements to insurers before getting legal counsel. While we settle many cases out of court, we always make it clear to our clients’ legal opponents that we are ready to take arguments before a judge and jury if necessary.
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Because car accident cases are complicated, it can be very challenging to obtain fair compensation without the help of an experienced car accident attorney. The lawyer will explain your rights to you and advise you about the available legal options, along with answering your questions.
The attorney will also determine the value of your car accident claim so that you do not end up settling for less than you deserve. With skilled legal representation, you are more likely to recover maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Other key services your lawyer will provide include investigating your accident, filing paperwork, seeking out relevant experts, negotiating with insurance companies and building a strong case on your behalf. Having a formidable car accident attorney by your side ensures that insurance companies do not take advantage of you in an effort to avoid paying compensation.
The statute of limitations is the timeframe that a person has in which to file a legal claim for damages suffered in a motor vehicle accident. In North Carolina, you typically have three years from the date of the accident in which to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
There are several exceptions to the rule. When a minor is injured in a car accident, the child has three years from their 18th birthday in which to file a lawsuit.
Since there is a limited amount of time available for filing a claim, it is important to speak to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Failing to take action before the statute of limitations expires could mean you waive your rights to obtain damages for your injuries.
The amount of time it takes to settle a Charlotte car accident claim varies from case to case. Generally, straightforward car accident cases that do not go to court can be resolved in weeks or within six months.
If a case goes to trial, it can take much longer to settle. Complex car accident lawsuits, such as those that involve multiple parties, can take two or more years to resolve.
Several key factors affect the length of your case. These include the type of injury you sustained, whether the opposing insurance company is cooperative, the complexity of the claim and whether a trial is necessary. When complicated insurance issues are involved, it may lead to a lengthy court battle.
Once a settlement is accepted, your case is over. Because you have only one opportunity to obtain damages for your losses, filing a lawsuit or settling your claim too early could cause you to miss out (depending on your injures and the facts of your case) on tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. An insurance company’s first settlement offer is unlikely to cover the full extent of damages you sustained.
There are many factors that determine the amount of time it will take to resolve a car accident claim. While each case is unique, generally it can take anywhere from several months to a few years for a lawsuit to conclude. The timeframe depends on how complex the case is, the seriousness of your injuries, the number of parties involved and fault for the crash.
Your Charlotte car accident lawyer will evaluate the details of your case and provide a realistic idea of when to expect a resolution. Here are some aspects of the lawsuit process that will impact the amount of time it takes to settle your car accident lawsuit:
• Injuries: An important part of a car accident claim is knowing the extent of your injuries and the medical treatment they require. A settlement cannot be negotiated until you fully recover from your injuries or have a treatment plan for the future. Depending on the nature and severity of your injuries, this may take a long time. Settling too soon could mean that you do not obtain enough compensation to cover all of your long-term medical costs and other accident-related expenses.
• Investigation: Researching all the facts of a car accident claim takes time, including the cause of the crash, who was responsible, vehicle damage and other relevant information. Your car accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, along with gathering evidence and witness statements.
• Settlement: Many car accident lawsuits are settled out of court. However, if the insurance company denies your claim, the case could take longer to resolve. If your car accident attorney is unable to negotiate a full and fair settlement with the insurance company, the case will go to trial.
• Trial: The length of a car accident trial depends on the amount of evidence each side presents. While there are many factors that can increase the amount of time necessary to resolve a car accident lawsuit, going to trial is likely to be a time-consuming process.
No lawyer can tell you exactly how much you will receive for your car accident injuries, but they can help you estimate the amount you can seek in your lawsuit. The amount of damages awarded to car accident victims may include past and future medical bills, past and future lost wages, car repair costs, and other expenses related to your injuries and property damage. The amount may also include a monetary value for any pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life you experienced.
For personal injury cases like car accidents, you pay no fees upfront to your lawyer. In fact, our No Fee Guarantee ensures you only pay us if we get money for you through your settlement or jury-award through the courts.
You can recover economic damages, non-economic damages and punitive damages to compensate you for your financial losses after a car accident. Here are some types of economic damages that are typically available:
• Medical care costs that arise from hospitalization, treatment, medication and rehabilitation;
• Lost income from missing work due to your injuries; and
• Vehicle damage and repair expenses.
Car accidents can significantly impact your quality of life. Non-economic damages are the intangible losses you suffer because of your injuries, including but not limited to:
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
Depending on the details of the car accident, it may be possible to recover punitive damages in some rare cases. These damages aim to punish the at-fault party for extremely serious misconduct such as drunk driving and deter them from similar reckless behavior in the future. An experienced car accident lawyer will evaluate the value of your car accident claim and determine the damages you may be able to obtain.
There are many types of injuries that commonly result from car accidents. They range from minor bumps and bruises to serious, catastrophic injuries such as paralysis or death. No part of the body is immune from injury in a car accident; accident victims can suffer injuries to the brain and head, including concussion or traumatic brain injury, and to the neck and spine, like whiplash or a disc bulge or herniation. Car accident victims can also suffer from psychological injuries and mental distress, which can be as painful and debilitating as a broken bone.
Our car accident lawyer is dedicated to helping you recover every dollar you’re entitled to, and we use our intimate knowledge of Charlotte courts to help win your case. Call us any time at 1-866-287-8752 for your free, no-obligation consultation with our team today.
In most cases, victims of a serious car accident in Charlotte lack the resources or experience necessary to pursue the total compensation they deserve for their injuries. Without proper legal representation, you could end up paying medical expenses, car repair bills and other crash-related costs out of your own pocket.
Even if you receive a settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, they are likely to avoid paying you more than the bare minimum. The amount may not cover all the losses you incurred in the crash. Hiring a car accident attorney ensures a level playing field when dealing with insurance companies and the other party’s legal team.
A skilled Charlotte car accident lawyer can provide a wide range of services to maximize your compensation after a collision. Investigating the crash, collecting evidence, consulting experts, examining insurance policies and negotiating with insurance adjusters are crucial to building a strong case. The lawyer will also ensure that all your losses are properly calculated.
Initial Consultations Are Free
We do not want financial worries to stand in your way at this stressful time, as you consider contacting a lawyer. If our firm takes your case, we will do so on a contingency basis. This means you will not owe attorneys’ fees until and unless we help you recover a settlement or verdict.
Our Charlotte, North Carolina personal injury lawyer handles other cases related to injuries obtained through accidents which include:
- Distracted driving
- Construction Accidents
- Poorly-maintained property
- Slip and Falls
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Police Brutality
- An unsafe workplace
- Elder abuse
- Dog bites
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Uber Accidents
- Lyft Accidents
- Wrongful Death
Do not hesitate to call us at 866-287-8752 or send an email inquiry right away to get the conversation started about what you need and how we can help. We can visit you at your hospital or home if necessary.