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Were you involved in a car accident in North Carolina? You may have a right to be compensated for your injuries if a negligent driver caused the crash. Contact our experienced Raleigh car accident lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. to review your car accident claim.

We have a dedicated team of North Carolina licensed attorneys who will provide you with the care and personal attention you deserve.

Let us deal with the insurance company and navigate the personal injury claims process so that you can focus on healing from your serious injuries. Contact us for a free consultation with our Raleigh car accident attorney today.

What Can Our Raleigh Car Accident Lawyers Do for You?

Following a car accident, your priority should be treating your injuries so you can get back to work and regular life. The North Carolina car accident lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. can handle the details of your case so that you can focus on healing and making a full recovery.

Our licensed attorneys and staff will take the following steps:

  • Investigate the accident to gather and preserve crucial evidence for your case. These include police accident reports, surveillance or traffic camera footage, accident scene photos, witness statements, and testimony from accident reconstruction experts.
  • Identify the at-fault parties and determine your options for pursuing compensation, such as applicable insurance coverage.
  • Document your injuries and losses to pursue the maximum compensation available under North Carolina law.
  • Submit a car accident claim against the liability insurance of the at-fault driver
  • Negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf to reach a fair settlement.
  • Take your personal injury claim to court, if necessary, to seek financial relief and accountability for the harm you suffered.
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What To Do After a Car Accident in Raleigh, NC?

After a car accident, taking prompt action can protect your legal options for pursuing compensation from liable parties. You should take the following steps:

  • Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations and recovery instructions, and keep follow-up appointments
  • Request copies of records of your medical treatment and rehabilitation
  • Obtain a copy of the police crash report if law enforcement responded to the accident scene
  • Keep copies of all bills, invoices, or receipts of expenses you incur due to the auto accident
  • If your injuries keep you from working normally, get written out of work or light duty notes from your doctor
  • Gather your pay stubs or income statements if you need to take time off work to recover from your injuries or if medical restrictions affect your earning capacity

Contact an experienced Raleigh car accident attorney from Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. to discuss your legal options for seeking compensation for your harms and losses.

Types of Car Accidents Our Attorneys Handle

 At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. our car accident attorneys represent clients who have suffered significant injuries in different types of car crashes such as:

  • Head On Collisions – Head-on car crashes occur when the fronts of two cars collide, usually due to a driver drifting over the center line or median or traveling the wrong way down a one-way street or highway access ramp.
  • Sideswipe Collisions – In a sideswipe collision, one car bumps or scrapes along the side of another car. These car accidents often occur when a driver drifts out of their lane due to distractions, drowsiness, or intoxication or attempts to move into an adjacent lane without signaling or checking mirrors.
  • Rear End Collisions – A rear-end collision involves the front of one car colliding with the back of another vehicle. These often happen due to speeding, which can prevent drivers from stopping in time to avoid a collision, or distracted, tired, or intoxicated driving, which impairs a driver’s ability to notice slowing or stopped traffic.
  • Side-Impact/T-Bone Collisions – Also known as broadside collisions, in this kind of accident, the front of one car hits the side of another, causing the vehicles to form a T-shape. T-bone accidents typically occur at intersections when one driver runs a red light or stop sign.
  • Rollover Accidents – These occur when a vehicle flips onto its side or roof or tumbles across the roadway multiple times. Cars can roll over due to tire blowouts, brake failure, or potholes that cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles or when rolling down a hill or embankment.
  • Single-Vehicle Accidents – A single-vehicle car accident occurs when a car runs off the road or hits an object, such as a guardrail or a post.
  • Tractor-Trailer Collisions – Some of the most dangerous situations are when a tractor-trailer truck collides with a car.
  • Multivehicle/Pile-Up Collisions – These usually refer to car accidents involving three or more vehicles. Pile-ups often occur on highways where motorists traveling at high speeds cannot slow down or stop in time to avoid colliding with other road users, resulting in a chain reaction.
  • Rideshare Accidents – These collisions refer to motor vehicle accidents involving or caused by vehicles operating for rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber. Injured parties may have the right to seek compensation from the rideshare company’s insurance.
  • Hit and Run Accidents – These accidents involve a driver who fails to stop or immediately return to the scene of a collision. When an at-fault driver flees an accident scene, injured crash victims might still be able to recover compensation if they have uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Rental Car Accidents – These could involve multiple insurance coverages, especially when a rental car driver has a personal auto policy and has coverage from a credit card or has purchased insurance coverage from the rental car company.
  • Drunk Driving Accidents – A motorist who operates a vehicle while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol puts themselves and other road users at risk. Drunk drivers may have delayed reaction times, impaired judgment, and blurred vision.
  • Drowsy Driving Accidents – Drowsy or fatigued drivers suffer many of the same impairments as intoxicated drivers, including altered perception, longer reaction times, and impaired judgment or reduced inhibitions.
  • Distracted Driving Car Accidents – Crashes can occur when drivers get distracted by cell phones, the radio, the navigation system, food, drinks, grooming, applying makeup, or reaching for an object.
  • Teenage Driver Car Accidents – Drivers in their teens have less experience behind the wheel, making them more likely to make driving mistakes. Some teens also have a higher risk of engaging in risk-taking behaviors while driving, such as excessive speeding or street racing.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Car Accident Case?

A personal injury case in North Carolina might allow you to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other expenses and losses you incurred from a serious car accident. You could be compensated for the following:what damages can I recover in a car accident case

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, prescription pain medications, and physical or occupational therapy
  • Future medical expenses
  • Long-term care expenses, including home health care or home health aides
  • Loss of income from missed work or reduced earnings while on part-time or light-duty
  • Loss of future earning potential and job benefits if your car accident injuries cause prolonged or permanent disabilities
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment and quality of life because of physical disabilities or permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Costs of car repairs, alternative transportation expenses, or reimbursement for your car’s cash value if totaled in the crash
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Car Damage Claims in North Carolina

Sometimes your vehicle damage claim can be the most frustrating aspect of an accident. You may not be able to get to work or to the doctor because your car is not driveable and the at-fault driver’s insurance company is not being helpful. It is important that you understand how insurance companies process these claims so you know what to expect.

The insurance company is not going to take responsibility for your claim until they have completed their investigation into the accident. This means they may want to review the accident report, inspect your car, take a statement from their insured, and interview the police officer and any witnesses. They may also want to take your recorded statement.

If a decision is made to accept the claim, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will then pay to have your car repaired or, if the car is totaled, pay you its fair market value. By North Carolina law, if the repair bill is greater than 75% of the fair market value, then the at-fault driver’s insurance company will total the car. If the insurance company decides to total your car, they will probably pay off any outstanding loans on the car and then pay you the balance, if any. If the car’s fair market value is less than you owe, you are still responsible for paying the loan. The insurer will take possession of the car after you sign over the title. If the bank has the title, the insurance company will have you sign a power of attorney to give it the authority to transfer the title.

If your car is repairable, then the at-fault insurance company will give you a cost estimate prepared by their appraiser. You then have the freedom to choose the body shop you want to fix your car. You are not required to take it to the insurance company’s approved repair shops, although there may be certain advantages to doing so.

Furthermore, if they accept responsibility, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will usually pay for a rental car. You will normally have to have a credit card to get the car. Generally, they pay between $20 and $26 a day for the rental. In certain circumstances, they will pay for more. If your car is not driveable but is repairable, you will be provided a rental car for a reasonable period of time while your car is repaired. If your car is driveable, you will be provided a rental car when your car goes into the shop and until it is repaired. If your car is totaled, you will be provided a rental car for a reasonable period of time, usually not more than a few days.

Other questions we can answer for you:

  • Can the at-fault driver’s insurance company insist on used parts to repair your car?
  • What is the substitution of collateral and how it can help you get into a new car faster through your current car loan if you don’t have enough equity in your car?
  • What should you do if the insurance company’s investigation is taking too long or they deny the claim?
  • If the at-fault insurance company is delaying the claim, can your own insurance company assist you?
  • How does diminished value work and when are you entitled to it?
  • What is the 25% rule in regard to disclosure to any potential buyers of the wrecked status of your repaired car?

Causes of Car Accidents

Many car accidents occur because of negligent, reckless, or careless drivers. Some of the most common causes of car crashes in North Carolina include:

  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Tailgating or following too closely
  • Failure to yield
  • Passing without moving over to an adjacent lane
  • Turning or changing lanes without signaling or checking mirrors
  • Running red lights or stop signs or disregarding traffic controls
  • Distracted driving, especially using a cell phone while driving
  • Drowsy or fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Traveling the wrong way down a one-way highway or access ramp
  • Reckless driving, such as excessive speeding or swerving through traffic
  • Aggressive driving and/or road rage
  • Driver inexperience

Other factors that cause or contribute to car accidents include poor road conditions (such as potholes or black ice), adverse weather, low visibility, inadequate car maintenance, and car or auto part defects.

Common Car Crash Injuries

The North Carolina car accident lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. assist clients as they recover from serious or life-altering car accident injuries, such as:

Car Accidents Claim FAQs

Automobile Accidents

Who pays if I incur an injury due to an auto accident?

If you are to blame for an accident, your liability insurance will pay the other driver for property damage and personal injuries up to your policy’s limits. If you are not at fault, the other driver’s liability insurance pays for your car damage and personal injuries.

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What should I do if I did not feel hurt at the scene of an accident, but experienced pain afterwards?

You should immediately consult your medical provider regarding any pain, discomfort or possible injuries from the accident, even if you think they may be only minor injuries. Even if you did not complain of injuries at the scene of the car accident, if you were injured in the accident from someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to payment of your medical bills, compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, and emotional distress. You should consult an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., to discuss whether you need representation on your claim.

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I received a personal injury as a result of hitting a pothole with my car. Who is responsible?

Damage caused by improper maintenance or repair of roads and highways may be the cause of damage to your vehicle. Generally, responsibility lies with the government agency responsible for this maintenance. If it was a pothole in a city street, the city may be responsible.

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My insurance company is offering me a nice settlement for my car accident. Should I take it?

No. Tell the insurance company that you will get back to them. In the meantime, contact an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., immediately. An insurance company may offer a minimal amount of money in return for your signature stating that you will not sue them. Never take an insurance check without first consulting an attorney.

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What issues will I face in making a claim for my injuries sustained in an automobile accident?

A claim for injuries is usually based upon carelessness or negligence. In worse case scenarios, it is based on an intentional or reckless act. The three categories of issues that typically arise in a tort claim after an automobile accident are:

  • Liability – who is at fault and to what degree.
  • Damages – injuries or losses that were caused by the accident.
  • Insurance Coverage – whether the insurance company provides coverage to the at fault party.

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How will I pay for my medical bills?

If you have been injured, you will likely have medical bills from physicians, hospitals, physical therapists, and other health care providers. Those bills will be in your name and will usually be sent to your address. You are primarily responsible for paying your bills, regardless of the cause of your injuries. The at-fault person’s liability insurance carrier is responsible for paying you reasonable compensation for damages incurred, which includes medical bills, but the insurance carrier is not responsible for paying your doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Sometimes the amount the insurance company is willing to pay is far less than the actual amount you owe. You need an attorney who fill fight for your rights with the insurance companies to ensure that you are fully compensated. Contact Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., today to discuss your course of action.

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Am I at fault if I rear-end another vehicle

Almost always, yes. The law states that you must maintain a safe distance to be able to stop safely if a car stops in front of you.

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Younce Vtipil Baznik & Banks personal injury law team

Contact Our Expert Raleigh Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligent or reckless behavior, you may have the right to seek compensation for your serious injuries and other losses. Our experienced Raleigh car accident attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. can help you pursue financial relief for your medical bills and lost income. We understand your challenges and will provide you with the care and personal attention you deserve. Our law firm has fluent English and Spanish-speaking staff members to ensure your legal matter gets appropriate attention. Contact us today.

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