Have You Been Injured in a North Carolina Auto Accident?

The most common cause of auto accidents in North Carolina is driver negligence, meaning that a driver fails to behave in a safe and lawful manner on the road, resulting in an accident or collision. Each driver owes a duty of care to all others on the road, including other drivers and their passengers as well as bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Any breach of this duty is defined as negligence. While most accidents are caused by driver negligence, there are also accidents caused by the negligent behavior of passengers, road workers, automobile manufacturers, businesses, and even local governments. Anyone who contributes to dangerous road conditions or unlawful behavior can be held responsible for any injuries that occur due to auto accidents that result from their negligence.

A car accident can drastically change your life within mere moments. You can face serious injuries and expenses in the immediate and long-term future. Depending on the severity of your injuries and losses, you may face time off of work, lost earning potential, costly procedures, lengthy rehabilitation, and substantial property damage. In the worst accidents, lives are lost. Whatever losses you’ve incurred due to the negligent actions of another should be fairly compensated. This is where the legal expertise of Charlotte car accident attorneys can be valuable.

The stress and confusion that follow an auto accident can be further complicated by the process of pursuing an auto accident claim with the negligent party’s insurance company. The attorneys at Brown Moore and Associates are here to help you seek justice and minimize the burden on your shoulders as you focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back on your feet. Following is some advice for anyone who has been injured in an auto accident.

What Should You Do After an Auto Accident?

There are many consequences that you may face after an auto accident, from significant damage to your vehicle to serious and life-threatening injuries to the wrongful death of someone you love. To ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses, there are a few things that you should do after an auto accident occurs.

Contact the Police – Calling the police is important, even if the injuries and damages are minor. In serious and life-threatening situations, you need help as soon as possible. In less serious accidents, you still need a police report to be filed after the accident. Many people make the mistake of exchanging information and leaving the scene. This leaves you without the evidence of a police report and at risk of getting inaccurate information from the at-fault driver.

Exchange Contact and Insurance Information – You should still be sure to exchange contact information and insurance information with the other driver. It will help to have this handy as you proceed with your auto accident claim.

Watch What You Say – It is important to be careful with your words after an accident. You may be confused and frightened, and you may say something that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. Even an apology can be used against you. Check on other drivers and passengers, but do not make any apologies or comments on the cause of the accident.

Make Notes About the Accident – Rather than discussing the cause and circumstances of the accident with other drivers and passengers, you should take notes about the details that you remember while they are still fresh. This can help you out later when trying to recall exactly how and why the accident occurred.

Take Photographs of the Accident Scene and Vehicle Damage – Just as it is important to take notes to record details, it is also valuable to have photographic evidence documenting the scene and circumstances, as well as the damage to the vehicles involved. This may be your only opportunity to get photographs of the damage to the other vehicle. If your case ends up in court, the only photographs that will be produced by the other driver’s insurance company are photographs that minimize the physical damage.

Collect Witness Contact Information – If there are any witnesses of the auto accident, it is wise to collect their contact information, as this may be useful when you attempt to prove that your version of the auto accident is factual and confirmable with others.

Seek a Free Consultation with an Auto Accident Attorney – It is unwise to take any further steps without the assistance of an experienced North Carolina auto accident lawyer. You don’t want to make any mistakes in this process or to discuss the accident with an insurance claims adjuster without first seeking advice from an attorney who has your best interests in mind.

If you’ve been in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact the attorneys at Brown Moore, and Associates for a free consultation today. Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis so that you don’t have to worry about paying for legal fees until a settlement or judgment in your favor is obtained. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better off you will be when seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.