Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
What is the Car Accident Settlement Process in North Carolina?
In order to file a lawsuit after a traffic accident for a car accident settlement, you will need to take certain steps to protect yourself and your claim. Specifically, you will need to document the crash, get medical treatment, and work with an attorney who can write a demand letter and negotiate a fair settlement amount. Working with the car accident attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, can make the process much easier and smoother.
What is a Car Accident Settlement?
Settlements involve an agreement made between a victim and the party responsible for the negligence or their insurance provider. Through negotiation, the responsible party is asked to provide compensation. Settlements typically save both parties time, money, and effort compared to pursuing a court case.
The process of settling a car accident injury claim is different from obtaining a court verdict. A settlement can be reached before a lawsuit is initiated or even while one is ongoing. Choosing between accepting a personal injury settlement or proceeding to trial can be a challenging decision that relies on the specifics of the case and the victim’s situation. Seeking guidance from a knowledgeable attorney can help clarify this choice.
The Car Accident Settlement Process
Car accident settlements provide victims of car accidents with the compensation they deserve for their property damage, injuries, lost income, and other damages. There is not a single equation to determine what your settlement payout may be, but there are steps for victims of car accidents to form your claim and negotiate a beneficial settlement. Working with an attorney can help you pursue the most compensation possible.
After the Car Accident
After a car accident, stay calm and assess the situation to ensure you and those in the vehicle are safe. If you can, call 911 and ask for an ambulance and a police officer. Seek medical attention quickly if anyone is seriously injured. The police officer at the scene will help document the case with a police report. Make sure you let them know of any injuries you or others may have. Remain at the scene and cooperate with the police officers.
Document what you can on your own. Write down an account of what happened before and after the car accident, especially any important details and damaged property. Important evidence for the settlement process can include medical records from the accident and the police report. You should also gather information that may help you speed up the timeline of your settlement. Make sure you don’t unintentionally apologize or take any responsibility for the accident. If you can, collect the following information:
- The other driver’s insurance information
- The names and phone numbers of those involved, including witnesses
- Vehicle information, including the make, model, and license plate number
- The reference or service number of the police officer and police report
You should also contact your insurance company and report the incident.
The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
Hiring a personal injury attorney is extremely beneficial for victims of car accidents. An experienced attorney will understand the complexities of the legal system and will know how to navigate it effectively on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. An attorney can help you immediately begin gathering all of the necessary documentation and make sure it is filed correctly. Hiring an attorney can help you ensure you don’t miss filing a claim before the statute of limitation expires and within the required timeframes regarding insurance claims.
Personal injury attorneys can also negotiate with the insurance adjuster. Insurance companies may take advantage of you when you are not represented by an attorney. An attorney can advocate for your best interests when dealing with insurance companies, which often aim to minimize payouts.
Working with an attorney can help you maximize your insurance settlement amount. Additionally, having an attorney by your side can alleviate much of the stress associated with the insurance claims process. It can allow you to focus on your recovery and well-being, which is important if you have been seriously injured. Using the expertise of a personal injury attorney significantly increases the likelihood of obtaining fair compensation for all of your injuries and losses.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, have extensive experience representing victims of car accidents in personal injury claims. We know how to negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and have a proven track record of recovering millions of dollars of settlements. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/auto-and-vehicle-insurance/after-accident
https://injury.arnoldsmithlaw.com/
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/accidents-3-1493140
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