Raleigh Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Following an accident with a commercial vehicle, you will likely be dealing with severe injuries. Because of the massive size and weight of these vehicles, they have the potential to cause catastrophic damages in the event of a collision. If you were hurt in a crash, a Raleigh commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help get you the money you deserve.
At Whitley Law Firm, we have a long history of helping our clients recover compensation when going up against the big trucking companies. Our team of experienced Raleigh truck accident lawyers will work tirelessly to ensure you get the money you need. Contact us today to set up your free consultation with one of our attorneys.
What a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in Raleigh Will Do to Help Get You the Money You Need
After an accident, hiring an experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyer to help you recover the money you need and deserve can prove critical. There are several steps your attorney will take in your case to ensure you recover fair compensation. One of the first things they will do will be to investigate your accident, with the intent of proving liability and gathering evidence.
Once they have completed their initial inquiry, your attorney will review all the damages you suffered and calculate how much your damages claim is worth. Next, they will fill out and file all the required paperwork for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. After that, your lawyer will begin building your case for a potential trial.
All the while, your attorney will be engaged in settlement negotiations with the opposition, working to secure a favorable deal. While most of these cases are resolved through settlement agreements, your lawyer will still ensure your case is ready for trial. There is always a chance that you will be unable to reach terms for a settlement deal and need to decide things in court.
Available Damages in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case
After a commercial vehicle accident in which you suffer severe injuries, there are many different damages you will likely be able to recover. To ensure you get the full amount to which you are entitled, it is crucial that you determine all of the damages you are eligible to pursue.
An experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney serving Raleigh can help you identify which damages apply to your case so you can maximize the compensation you are able to recover.
Compensatory Damages
Most of the damages you can pursue after a commercial vehicle accident fall into the category of compensatory damages. These damages can be used to replace any losses you incurred as a result of your accident. Compensatory damages cover both the financial losses you incur as well as any damage to your quality of life.
The most frequently recovered damages in commercial vehicle accident cases include:
- Lost wages
- Lessened ability to earn income
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Medical costs
- Projected future medical bills
- Permanent disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rarely available in commercial vehicle accident cases. These damages differ significantly from compensatory damages. Rather than replacing losses incurred by the accident victim, punitive damages focus on punishing the liable party for their actions.
Punitive damages are reserved for the most extreme cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm.
At Whitley Law Firm, our team of experienced Raleigh commercial truck accident lawyers will be able to help you identify all the types of damages that can be recovered for your accident and give you the best chance of recovering the full value of your claim.
Be Mindful of the Statute of Limitations Deadline When Filing a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawsuit
When attempting to recover compensation following a commercial vehicle accident, you need to ensure you file your lawsuit before the deadline set forth by the state’s personal injury statute of limitations. In North Carolina, the cutoff date for filing a lawsuit is typically three years after the accident. Missing the filing deadline will likely negate your compensation claim.
However, you should still reach out to an experienced attorney even if you believe you are out of options for securing compensation. Extenuating circumstances in your case could end up permitting you to file a lawsuit long after the usual three-year deadline has passed.
Alternatively, you could discover that the details of your case place further restrictions on the length of time you have to file. Rather than the typical three years, you may only have a matter of months to submit the paperwork for your lawsuit. Hiring an experienced attorney early is the best way to ensure an unexpected deadline doesn’t derail your compensation claim.
Determining Fault in North Carolina
Unlike the majority of states that allow accident victims to pursue compensation after an accident, even if they were partially to blame, this is not possible in North Carolina. The state employs a contributory negligence rule, which prevents accident victims from recovering compensation if they shared in the fault for an accident at all.
If the court determines that you were partially responsible, you will be unable to file a compensation claim.
Get Help from an Experienced Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Serving Raleigh Today
After an accident with a commercial vehicle in which you suffer damages, the best thing you can do to ensure you recover fair compensation is to secure the services of an experienced lawyer. At Whitley Law Firm, we will work around the clock to help you get the money you need and deserve.
Our team of experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyers serving Raleigh is ready and waiting to take on your case. Contact us by filling out our online contact form, utilizing our chat tool, or giving us a call to set up your free initial consultation with a member of our legal team today.
