Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyer

Car accident victims can experience physical, emotional, and financial harm that persists beyond the day of their crash. Hire a Jacksonville car accident lawyer if you have suffered serious injuries in an auto accident. Your personal injury attorney can help you take legal action against anyone liable for your accident and injuries.

Whitley Law Firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and a long record of success in personal injury cases. Trust a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer from our team to represent you in your auto accident case. Contact us today for more information. 

Common Injuries Reported in Car Accidents

In the moments after your auto accident, receive medical attention. You could be dealing with a severe injury without realizing it—if you choose not to treat this issue, it could affect you long into the future.

Injuries you can suffer in an auto crash include:

• Spinal cord injury 
• Burns 
• Loss of vision or hearing 
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 
• Broken bones 
• Lacerations 
• Scarring 

Whitley Law Firm can put you in touch with a Jacksonville car accident attorney who wants you to receive financial compensation from any parties liable for your collision. We can discuss average car accident settlements and other legal topics with you. Schedule an initial consultation with us. 

How Much Time Do You Have to Submit a Car Accident Claim?

You have the right to submit an auto crash claim in accordance with North Carolina’s General Statutes (G.S.). Based on G.S. 1-52, you have three years to file your claim. After this window closes, you are solely responsible for your collision-related losses. 

A car accident lawyer serving Jacksonville can assist you during the claims process. They can review North Carolina’s auto and vehicle insurance requirements with you and provide your auto insurer with relevant information about your crash. Ideally, your insurer can work with the other party’s insurance carrier and make sure you get fair compensation. 

Unfortunately, your insurance claim can be disputed or denied. Your lawyer knows what your car insurance covers. If a liable party or their insurer chooses not to provide you with compensation for your collision-related losses, your lawyer can help you move forward with a lawsuit.  

Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000

Who Is Liable for an Auto Accident?

The driver of the other vehicle involved in your crash could be responsible for the incident. If this motorist was traveling faster than the posted speed limit or violated other rules, they could be at fault for your crash. Outside of the other driver, third parties that can be held accountable for an auto collision include:

• Automaker
• Car parts manufacturer
• Mechanic
• Government entity

A car accident attorney serving Jacksonville, NC examines the facts of your collision. Your lawyer can share information about how long you have to report your car accident to your insurance company or sue for damages. They can also determine how much your auto collision case is worth.  

Compensation You Can Recover in a Jacksonville Car Accident Case

Every car accident case is different, and the monetary damages you can pursue from an at-fault party are based on the circumstances surrounding your collision. A car accident attorney serving Jacksonville can teach you about damages.

They will encourage you to seek compensation for many reasons, including:

• Medical Expenses: The medical bills you incur to treat your wounds are usually compensable in a personal injury claim. 
• Long-term Care: A catastrophic injury from your car accident can make it difficult for you to live alone. If you need ongoing medical care and assistance, you can request compensation for these. 
• Lost Wages: If you cannot work because of your injuries, you miss paychecks that you rely on to pay for rent, your mortgage, groceries, and other daily expenses. In your auto collision case, you could recover compensation for your current and future lost wages. 
• Property Damage: Your vehicle will need to be repaired or replaced, and your insurance policy may not cover the costs of doing so. An at-fault party can be liable for these costs.
• Pain and Suffering: These issues can impact your ability to live your life the same way you did prior to your accident. Your attorney can account for your pain and suffering in your damages request.
• Other Non-Economic Damages: These can include compensation provided for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disfigurement from scars, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. 
• Punitive Damages: These are rarely awarded, but you could qualify for them if an at-fault party was grossly negligent. 

Just because you request compensation does not automatically mean that you will be awarded damages. Your lawyer can provide insights into what types of damages can be recovered following a car accident. They can prepare an argument designed to prove that you are in no way liable for your collision and should receive maximum compensation from any liable parties. 

Damages You Can Request in a Car Accident Wrongful Death Case

Sadly, a family member can die in an auto accident that occurs due to someone else’s negligence. You and your loved ones could struggle emotionally and financially as you cope with your family member’s death.

A Jacksonville, NC car accident lawyer could help you recover the following types of compensation through a wrongful death claim:

• Funeral and burial costs 
• Medical bills 
• Loss of companionship 
• Loss of household income 
• Pain and suffering

Your lawyer can explain what types of damages are compensable in your wrongful death case. They can calculate your economic and non-economic damages. On top of that, they can handle your legal matters as you and your loved ones mourn the loss of your family member. 

Proving Negligence in an Auto Collision Case

You can say a driver or another party caused your accident to happen. However, the court wants you to prove that a party was negligent before awarding damages. There are four elements of negligence that you must show were present at the time of your accident to prove that you should receive compensation:

Duty of Care

It is reasonable to expect a party to take measures to keep you and others from getting hurt. Yet, a party can violate this duty of care by committing an act of recklessness or carelessness. In this scenario, the party puts you or others in danger. 

Breach of Duty of Care

A duty of care is breached when a party does something to harm you or another person. For instance, a motorist decides to text while driving. This driver is violating their duty of care, as they are choosing to break the law and text while behind the wheel. 

Causation

When it comes to proving negligence in your auto crash case, you must verify that a party’s decision to violate their duty of care caused harm. A Jacksonville, NC car accident attorney can look for ways to validate this point. If they succeed, it will be clear that the other party involved in your collision is 100% responsible.

Damages

You must confirm that a party’s actions against you have left you with quantifiable or subjective losses. With your attorney’s help, you are well-equipped to do just that. Your attorney gathers evidence to highlight how much this party’s decision to act recklessly or carelessly has harmed you. 

In terms of negligence, you could have a strong case to prove that a liable party committed a serious act against you that caused you to get injured and incur losses. Alternatively, this party could try to show you are partly liable for your auto crash. If they succeed, they could capitalize on contributory negligence and keep you from getting the compensation you want. 

How Contributory Negligence Applies to Your Case

A car accident lawyer serving Jacksonville, NC can describe how contributory negligence hurts personal injury claims. With contributory negligence, you cannot receive compensation for an injury if you are partially to blame for it. To understand how this works relative to your auto collision case, consider an example. 

You file a car crash lawsuit, and the court finds you and the defendant share responsibility for the incident. A judge or jury will not award partial damages based on your percentage of fault. Rather, if you are even 1% to blame, you cannot receive compensation and are fully responsible for your crash-related losses. 

The defendant in your case is likely to commit substantial time and resources to disprove your argument against them. Your attorney plans for your litigation. As part of their efforts, they help you collect a wealth of evidence to support your case. 

Proof You Can Use in Your Auto Crash Case

As far as what to do after a car accident, it is beneficial to take videos and photos of the crash scene and your injuries. This gives you evidence to submit to an insurance company or use in a personal injury lawsuit.

Along with this proof, other evidence you can use to strengthen your case for auto crash damages includes:

• Witness statements
• Medical records
• Police report
• Cell phone records
• Surveillance video footage

A car accident attorney serving Jacksonville, NC looks closely at the evidence at your disposal. If you have plenty of proof, it could be tough for a liable party or their insurance company to contest your case. Therefore, your proof could help you receive a fair settlement. 

Tips to Help You With Your Auto Collision Case

Motor vehicle accidents can be costly and time-consuming. Request assistance from a legal team that prioritizes your best interests. Partner with experienced auto accident attorneys, and they can provide tips to help you with your case, including:

File Your Claim Promptly

Personal injury lawyers understand how the statute of limitations can affect your case. Your attorney will let you know if you have grounds for requesting compensation. They can submit your claim in accordance with North Carolina law. 

Receive Medical Treatment

If you forgo medical care, you put your health and well-being at risk. Go to a doctor, let them evaluate and treat your injuries, and follow their care instructions. As you treat your injuries, share your medical bills with your attorney, and your lawyer can use them as proof in your case against an at-fault driver or any other liable parties. 

Collect Evidence From a Wide Range of Sources

Find proof that highlights the severity of your accident injury and losses. Personal injury lawyers search far and wide for evidence. Your attorney can organize your proof and make sure it helps you prove to the court that a liable party should have to pay damages. 

Connect With Witnesses

If you have the contact information of people who saw your accident happen, get in touch with these individuals. Witnesses can provide statements to support your case. These statements could compel the court to award compensation for your medical costs, physical pain, and other accident-related losses.

Do Not Accept Responsibility for Your Accident

A liable party or their insurance company could contact you and try to get you to speak about your case on the record. If this occurs, tell your lawyer.

Your attorney can communicate about your case on your behalf, and you can avoid the possibility of saying something that could hurt your chances of securing compensation. 

Make Your Online Profiles Private

Expect a liable party and their insurer to look online for any photos or evidence for their case against you. It helps to set your online profiles to private.

If you want to keep family members and friends updated about your case and accident recovery, do so through phone and video calls, emails, and texts instead of social media posts. 

Consider a Settlement Proposal Carefully

You do not have to accept a settlement offer from an at-fault party or their insurance provider. If you receive an offer, review the proposal with your attorney. An experienced lawyer can help you weigh the pros and cons of any decision you can make regarding the proposal.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open With Your Lawyer

The process of getting compensation through a claim or lawsuit can be long and arduous. If you have concerns or questions along the way, reach out to an attorney’s office. Your lawyer can guide you through your legal proceedings and help you make informed decisions every step of the way. 

An experienced attorney has helped past clients achieve their desired case results. They can explain your legal options and make sure you are prepared for your litigation. If your case requires a trial, your lawyer helps you get ready for your court appearance. 

What to Expect if Your Case Goes to Trial

If your case goes to trial, you and the defendant argue your respective cases in court. A Jacksonville, NC personal injury attorney explains what the trial process entails. During your court proceedings, your lawyer disputes the defendant’s claims against you and protects your legal rights. 

Your lawyer will explain why you should be compensated for your financial losses. Meanwhile, the defendant’s attorney will argue for their client. They will provide details about why their client should not be held accountable for your collision. 

A judge or jury weighs each party’s argument and evidence to determine whether you will be awarded damages. If your argument resonates with the court, a judge or jury may be inclined to rule in your favor. At this point, you could receive damages. 

Our Jacksonville Car Accident Lawyers Fight to Obtain Compensation for Your Losses

The legal process associated with an auto crash claim or lawsuit can sometimes feel like it is too much to handle. Jacksonville car accident attorneys are available to help you during this process. They can address any legal challenges that come up and put you in a position to secure the damages you deserve.

Whitley Law Firm gives you the Whitley Advantage. We provide wholehearted legal care and support and make sure you are well-equipped to get compensation for your losses. Contact our law office to request an initial consultation.