What to Do If You Have Been in An Accident on I-40 Near Raleigh
If you are involved in a car accident on Interstate 40 near Raleigh, you must keep in mind that there is still moving traffic near you that is potentially dangerous. If you can, move your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and exit it to stand well off of the roadway.
If anyone has been injured or killed, or damage to the vehicles and/or other property appears to be worth $1,000 or more, North Carolina law requires you to report the accident to the police. On I-40 you may dial 911 for emergency response personnel. If anyone is injured, request an ambulance along with the police.
When the police arrive, they will request your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and auto insurance coverage information. They will obtain this information from each driver involved in the crash.
After a car accident, you should do the following:
- Avoid blaming the other driver or accept blame for the crash. Don’t downplay or exaggerate your injuries when speaking to the police or others.
- Get photos of the accident scene, the vehicles, and your injuries. Use your phone camera to photograph anything that may show what happened or why the accident occurred.
- See a doctor. If you do not leave the accident scene in an ambulance, visit a doctor within 24 hours of the crash to ensure you do not have untreated injuries. A doctor’s exam documents your injury in case you have an insurance claim. Follow all doctor’s orders, especially attending follow-up appointments for further treatment.
- Report the accident to your auto insurer. Do not accept blame for the accident or downplay or exaggerate the accident or your injuries. If contacted by the other driver’s insurance company, decline to make a statement and do not sign anything.
- Start saving all receipts, medical bills, records, and records of mileage to doctor appointments, pertaining to your accident. This information may be needed if you have to demonstrate the extent of your injuries, medical costs, and time away from work as part of an insurance claim.
- Contact a car accident lawyer. Having a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer review the details of your accident can help you understand whether you have a valid injury claim. At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we will provide a full review and assessment of a potential car accident claim at no charge. If you have received a settlement offer from an insurance company, we can review it for you at no charge and help you assess whether it will cover your losses.
How Our Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
After a serious car accident, a knowledgeable and determined car accident attorney can help you pursue a proper insurance settlement for medical expenses and other losses caused by the accident.
A car accident attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., can investigate an I-40 accident to identify the driver or drivers at fault and their applicable insurance coverage. We will calculate the full extent of your losses from the accident, including your medical expenses, lost income, and costs to repair or replace your vehicle. North Carolina allows accident victims to seek compensation for their pain and suffering.
If you have suffered a disabling injury, we will determine your anticipated expenses for future medical care and rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, remodeling of your home to make it accessible, and your reduced earning capacity.
With documentation of the full cost of your injuries, we will submit a car accident claim to the liable party’s insurance company and negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement. Most car accident cases can be settled out of court. Our attorneys will discuss any settlement offers we receive with you and give you our guidance as to whether the settlement is reasonable in light of your losses. The final decision to accept or reject any settlement offer is yours.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, the attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, & Baznik, P.A. will be ready to present a persuasive case on your behalf in court.