A car accident can change your life in an instant. Working with a car accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, ensures that you can calculate the full value of your damages, document them, and demand repayment from insurers.

After you have been hurt in an accident, securing legal representation increases the chances that you won’t be left on the hook paying for the costs of your injuries, especially when considering long-term costs. You deserve compensation, and your attorney knows how to get it.

At Auger & Auger Accident And Injury Lawyers, the members of our team of Charlotte personal injury lawyers have, on average, 19 years of personal injury experience each.

If you decide to pursue a civil suit, you will have a knowledgeable partner to guide you through the legal process. Your attorneys at Auger & Auger will stand by you when you need us most.

Should You Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?

In most cases, it is best to avoid speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurers often deny claims by insisting that accident victims make a recorded statement.

Once a victim makes a statement, the insurer can use any inconsistencies or contradictions in the accident narrative to dispute the claim’s grounds. The insurer could use your statements to allege that you were partially at fault, making all damages unrecoverable according to North Carolina’s contributory negligence doctrine.

A personal injury attorney can prevent such tactics from being used effectively. Your lawyer acts as your advisor, and we can speak to insurers for you.

How a Charlotte Car Accident Attorney Can Help

If you are wondering when you should hire a car accident lawyer, it is as soon as possible after an accident. Insurance agents aren’t always on your side, and they’ll try to get you to settle for as little money as possible. Before calling your insurance company, contact an experienced car accident attorney in Charlotte, NC. 

Here are some of the ways we can help:

Peace of Mind

When you work with a Charlotte car accident lawyer, peace of mind is the number one benefit. You have a powerful ally in your corner who knows the law and will fight on your behalf. Don’t try to take on the insurance companies alone. 

Legal Advice

When you call our firm for your free consultation, you will speak with an experienced member of our car accident team. We will listen to your case, answer your questions, and give you advice on your rights under North Carolina law.

Investigate Your Case

A car accident attorney in Charlotte can investigate your accident to prove the other party’s liability. We may review police reports and eyewitness testimony and visit the accident scene to understand what happened so we can present a solid case.

Identify Liable Parties

Our investigation will find out who was responsible for the crash. Possible liable parties can include other drivers, the employer of a driver who hit you, and the manufacturer of a vehicle component that failed to protect you, among others.

Calculate Maximum Compensation

Understanding the types of damages available after a car accident in North Carolina is crucial to recovering all of your financial losses. Our attorneys can review the financial and non-financial impacts of your motor vehicle accident to come up with a fair settlement number.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

Attorney Arlene Auger’s work in the insurance industry has given our firm experience in helping clients obtain the compensation they are entitled to. Under her guidance, you will benefit from a personal injury attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies.

Represent You in Court

While we’d prefer to negotiate the settlement you need, we may need to take it a step further. We won‘t let an insurance company determine your worth. If you are willing, we’ll represent you in a civil suit.

Notable Car Accident Settlements and Awards

Auger & Auger has recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for our personal injury clients in North and South Carolina. These include:

• $1,400,000 when a rideshare driver struck a U-Haul truck
• $1,000,000 for a driver in a rear-end collision with a semi-truck
• $500,000 in a car accident case where one driver made an improper turn
• $500,000 in a hit-and-run taxi case
• $400,000 in a car accident case where one driver ran a stop sign

Reach out to us today and find out how we can help after your car accident.

Contributory Negligence Explained

North Carolina’s contributory negligence system is among the most important reasons you’ll need a skilled attorney in your corner. Under the doctrine of contributory negligence, if you are found to be even just 1% at fault for an accident, you will be barred from recovering any damages.

There are a few exceptions, though. For instance, North Carolina law presumes minor children under the age of seven are incapable of contributory negligence.

Additionally, situations involving the last clear chance doctrine and cases where gross negligence is present (such as in cases where a victim is struck by a negligent drunk driver) may trump contributory negligence.

North Carolina is one of four states that still follow this archaic rule. Because of contributory negligence, it can be difficult for victims of car wrecks in Charlotte to claim damages.

Should You Take a Settlement After a Car Accident?

In most cases, it is not wise to accept a settlement from an insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible, so they often offer accident victims low settlement amounts that fail to account for their losses.

Sometimes, insurers attempt to reduce a claim or completely deny it. They may allege that the accident victim received unnecessary medical services or suggest that their policyholder was not at fault.

When you appoint a car accident attorney in Charlotte to represent you, have an ally who knows how to handle insurance companies. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf and advise you in all matters relating to insurers.

How do Auto Accident Settlements Work?

After a typical car accident where someone is injured through the fault of another driver, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will offer a settlement in response to the injury victim’s claim.

Insurance actuaries calculate this settlement value using complex formulas after an adjuster investigates the claim. Insurance companies consider hundreds of variables in these calculations, including the likely cost of a jury verdict in their favor if they decide to deny the claim.

The injury victim can also decide to calculate their total damages with the help of a car accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC. They can then disclose these damages in a demand letter requesting fair compensation for all of their losses.

Negotiating a Settlement

When the insurance company receives the demand letter, it can compare the amount demanded with the amount it was prepared to offer. Negotiations may ensue, and a compromise can be made.

Once someone agrees to receive an insurance settlement, they waive their right to pursue the matter any further, with very few exceptions. This is why it is important to review your damages with the assistance of an experienced Charlotte car accident legal team.

Taking Civil Action

If a reasonable settlement agreement isn’t possible, you and your attorney may decide to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to demand compensation. There is still the possibility that a settlement agreement can be reached.

If the civil suit is successful, a court will award damages. Your attorney can help you decide if it is worth it to sue after your car accident in North Carolina.

Paying for Your Attorney

Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means we take a percentage of the award when we win a settlement or a court case. You don’t need to pay your attorney upfront.

At Auger & Auger, you can take advantage of the A&A Charlotte Zero Fee Guarantee™. We don’t get paid until we win your case, so the risk to you is zero. We are incentivized to get you the compensation you deserve. 

How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Charlotte?

Accident victims must have an accurate estimate of all of their damages, past and future. Many accident victims will accept unfair settlement offers from insurance companies because they do not know that they have additional losses that could be covered.

They may also fail to account for losses they will encounter in the future, such as the diminished resale value of a vehicle that has been repaired after a major crash. A car accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC,  can provide an accurate, full accounting of all possible damages.

Every situation is different, and it isn’t possible to predict your compensation claim without reviewing your case. Here are some of the expenses you might recover:

Past and Future Medical Bills

You should receive all necessary costs relevant to treating your injury, as well as the costs of future treatment. Many physical injuries require long-term follow-up care and rehabilitation. Some accident victims may never fully recover, adding to the costs of future treatments and making future medical interventions likely.

A complete car accident injury claim must account for all these probable expenses.

Past and Future Lost Wages

The income you missed out on while recovering from your injuries counts as a financial loss that is directly attributable to your motor vehicle accident.

Wages are repaid according to the language of the liability insurance policy, so some accident victims may only be able to recover partial lost wages through the insurance system.

Property Damage

Vehicle damage and destruction or damage to personal effects can be accounted for and recovered through a property damage claim. Please note that a property damage claim does not fall under the bodily injury claim.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Your out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed if they are directly related to necessary costs of medical treatment or if they occurred as a direct result of the accident. Prescription costs, medical devices, and even hospital parking deck fees could all be assessed under this category.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering does not include your medical bills. However, the physical pain and discomfort you feel as a result of your injuries can be assigned a dollar value in many cases. You can record how your injuries have affected your life to prove that you have pain and suffering damages.

Mental Anguish

A mental form of pain and suffering, mental anguish refers to the stress, anxiety, emotional distress, sadness, depression, and other negative emotions experienced as a result of a car accident.

Some victims may be traumatized after a severe accident, resulting in extended mental anguish and a possible need for psychological counseling. To prove these damages, the injured person would need to have professional medical care to document and treat such injuries.

Punitive Damages

In North Carolina, you may be awarded punitive damages if your case proceeds to a court. A jury may award these damages in cases of extremely reckless or negligent drivers or if the defendant was engaging in illegal activity.

Your lawyer can help you understand the difference between compensatory and punitive damages.

How Much Will a Car Accident in Charlotte Cost Me?

The total cost of a Charlotte car accident depends on the type of accident, whether any injuries were involved, and how long it takes any injured persons to heal.

If you sustained injuries caused by someone else in a car accident, then their liability insurance is supposed to pay for your injury treatment and repair costs, as well as lost wages and any other damages you have suffered.

There are only a few scenarios where a car accident will cost you money. They include:

• You caused the car accident, and you injured yourself or caused damage to your vehicle, and you don’t have collision insurance/medical insurance/MedPay.
• If another driver hits you, they don’t have liability insurance, they fled, or their insurance information could not be obtained. Therefore, you do not have adequate coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists under your policy.
• You hit someone else, and you do not have the legally required minimum liability insurance.
• If your injury costs exceed the limits of the at-fault driver’s liability policy.
• If another driver’s injury costs exceed your liability policy limits and they decide to pursue you for the remaining damages.

Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer on a Contingency Basis

After you have been hurt in an accident, working with a car accident attorney team ensures that you are able to calculate the full value of your damages, document them, and demand repayment from liability insurers.

This representation increases the chances that you won’t be left on the hook paying for the costs of your own injury, especially when considering long-term costs.

In the event that you are injured and your injuries exceed the liability policy coverage—or no liability coverage is available—you can work with a Charlotte car accident attorney to seek possible claims against other parties involved. 

You won’t pay your attorney upfront. At Auger & Aguer, we work on a contingency basis. We get paid a percentage of your award. That means if you don’t win, we don’t get paid. We are all in this together.

Do You Need a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?

In many cases, it may be worth getting a lawyer for a minor car accident in North Carolina. An experienced car accident lawyer in Charlotte can provide beneficial services even in a minor car accident. Some minor car accidents can result in injuries that are diagnosed later.

Many people also underestimate the long-term costs of treatment. They may underestimate the difference in income they will experience as a consequence of the injury. An attorney can help you avoid these costly mistakes.

Consulting an auto accident lawyer in Charlotte reduces the risk of being required to pay out of pocket for damages that result from an accident you did not cause. It means you’ll have someone in your corner who understands what you need to do. 

How to Recover Compensation from Uninsured Drivers

If you were in an accident caused by an uninsured driver in North Carolina, what should you do? First, you should always report an accident to the police. While it may be unfortunate for the uninsured driver, you are obligated by law to report any accident resulting in injury or property damage.

In lieu of exchanging insurance information, be sure to get the driver’s contact information, including their home address, where they work, and a good daytime phone number to contact them.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance helps protect drivers from exposure to lawsuits. This means that if someone does not have their legally required minimum liability insurance, they can potentially be sued.

However, someone who does not carry liability insurance is likely to be economically disadvantaged, which means they will likely have little in the way of assets to repay the costs of their medical treatment and other losses.

Your best bet for recovering compensation after a car accident involving an uninsured driver is to get in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer. They have the legal experience to help you identify alternative sources of compensation.

Alternative Sources of Compensation

Other sources of compensation may include a claim under any available uninsured/ under-insured motorist (UM/UIM) policy you have. Your lawyer can help you understand UI/UIM car coverage and why you should have it. 

Who Is at Fault in a Hit-and-Run Accident?

After a hit-and-run accident, no one is there to provide a statement or hand you their insurance information. A driver may flee the scene for various reasons, and they may not always be the at-fault party.

It is always illegal to flee the accident scene; however, fleeing does not automatically indicate that the person was at fault. As the injured party, this puts you in a tough position.

Always report a hit–and–run to the police. They will take down a statement, potentially including the make and model of the vehicle and any identifying traits of the driver. They will also note the conditions of the accident scene.

How to Get Compensation After a Hit-and-Run Accident

If you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, it may be able to provide you compensation for your injury treatment costs and vehicle repairs if the other driver was at fault.

While North Carolina has a strict contributory negligence law, the burden of proof for asserting this is on the defense. In other words, if there is no defendant, there is no one to prevent you from claiming UM/UIM and asserting that the driver who fled was at fault.

The only situation where you might accept fault for a hit-and-run is if you do not have a UM/UIM policy that covers your accident and you wish to claim collision coverage instead.

Any collision claim is an admission of fault, at least in the eyes of the insurance company, so it may cause your insurance rates to rise.

Common Injuries After a Serious Car Accident

The tremendous physical impact of car accidents can cause a number of serious injuries. Some injuries may require months for the victim to recover fully, while others can result in permanent effects, such as reduced use of an appendage or even a wrongful death claim.

The following are some of the common personal injury claims that can occur after a car accident in North Carolina:

Back and Chest Injuries

Your back and chest are exposed to major forces during car accidents. Impacts can transfer energy to vehicle seats and cause back injuries, including spinal fractures, herniated discs, and damaged nerves.

Passengers’ chests are exposed to deploying airbags and debris, often resulting in painful broken ribs, cuts, and bruises.

Neck Injuries

Since the average adult human head weighs more than 10 pounds, necks have a large amount of weight supported upon them. In an accident, collision forces can cause the neck to move in a “whiplash” motion, causing soft tissue damage, painful muscle soreness, and symptoms like blurred vision or headaches.

Head and Brain Injuries

The CDC notes that motor vehicle collisions are the second-highest cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI can lead to delayed symptoms and debilitating conditions if left untreated.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to long-term medical issues that may never heal. This could mean losing the ability to walk or dealing with paralysis for the rest of your life. Long-term therapy may be necessary, along with job retraining. 

Broken and Fractured Bones

Small bones in the forearm, wrists, ankles, and chest are all vulnerable during a crash. In older adults or those with compromised bone structures, clavicles, hips, and femurs may also fracture. Major breaks can require extensive hospitalization or surgery, with risks of secondary infection and other complications.

Internal Injuries

Internal bleeding can be common for several reasons after a severe car crash. Debris may puncture or cut into vital organs, requiring emergency surgery. Some organs may also become “perforated,” creating small holes that leak blood and other bodily fluids, creating very serious internal injuries. 

Subtle side effects may not be noticed until the condition progresses, which is why a full medical evaluation is always necessary.

Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises

Seemingly minor accident injuries are not always insignificant. Cuts may require stitches and run the risk of infections or permanent nerve damage. Scrapes can be large abrasions that require skin grafts, similar to a bad burn. Bruises could be caused by external trauma to the skin or internal injuries.

Having all of these injuries evaluated and treated is important to ensure they are not serious and to document their economic cost as car accident damages.

Should You Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident?

You should seek medical attention after a car accident as soon as reasonably possible. Instead of the ER, you can choose to visit your primary care physician or an urgent care clinic in your area if your injuries are not life-threatening.

Regardless of the situation, always report your symptoms in detail to the medical care provider during your appointment.

• Consent to all tests and imaging needed to confirm a complete diagnosis of your condition.
• Review your medical records and documentation before discharge to reduce the risk that you may have left out critical information.
• Save all of your discharge information, billing information, and receipts for out-of-pocket purchases, such as prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines.
• Follow your doctor’s orders to the letter, and attend all necessary follow-ups.

If you are injured and your injuries exceed the liability policy coverage—or no liability coverage is available—you can work with a Charlotte car accident attorney to seek possible claims against other parties involved.

Should You See a Doctor After a Car Crash Even if You Don’t Feel Hurt?

Even if you are feeling fine after a car accident, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not only will it ensure you get the best care for immediate and delayed injuries, but it can also help your case.

Ignoring medical symptoms can only make them worse. Insurers may even allege that you were already hurt before the accident. If you do not get medical care within a reasonable amount of time after your accident, they may also claim that you were injured after the accident.

Failing to perform any of these actions can jeopardize your ability to obtain full compensation for all of your accident damages. If you have any questions about seeking compensation or are worried that insurers are going to attempt to deny your accident claim, contact an experienced car accident lawyer today.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Charlotte

The hours and days after a car accident can be confusing. You are battling injuries, and you might be worried about money. However, the steps you take during this time can make a big difference in your case.

Get Medical Attention

You should always seek medical attention as soon after your collision as possible. This is not only to reduce the risk that you have an untreated injury but also because you need a diagnosis from a medical professional before you can claim the costs of an injury on an insurance claim.

If you have visible injuries, pain, or limited mobility after your car accident in Charlotte, visit the closest emergency room as soon as police investigators arriving at the scene clear you to leave. Request an ambulance when reporting your collision if you or anyone else might be seriously injured.

Do not refuse an ambulance if you think you might be seriously injured or if paramedics suggest you use medical transport. Refusing an ambulance may potentially be used by insurers later on as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim.

Document Your Accident

When and if you are able, begin to gather information and evidence about the scene of the accident, including weather conditions, traffic signals and signs, vehicle damage, bodily injuries, and more.

Take ample photos and videos of the scene and your vehicle, if possible, for visual evidence. If anyone witnessed the accident, gather their statements and contact information to use as additional testimony for your case.

Your attorneys will conduct an investigation, but any information you can provide will be helpful. Your story will help them put together an accurate picture of what happened.

Keep Track of Your Expenses

Save your receipts and documentation for all expenses related to your accident and injury. This could mean emergency room visits, doctor’s visits, physical therapy sessions, medications and prescriptions, and any counseling or therapy you need.

Document and keep records of lost wages, any costs related to your vehicle, expenses concerning your family such as child care, and anything else that stemmed from the crash. Your attorney can tell you how to get reimbursed for lost wages after a car accident in North Carolina.

If you may be able to claim pain and suffering, you’ll also want to keep notes on how the crash has impacted you and your family’s daily lives. Your attorney will tell you if and how they may impact your settlement. 

Common Accident Cases in North and South Carolina

Every case is different, and our representation is tailored to the individual needs of each client, as well as the obstacles presented in each case. While car accident circumstances may differ, some of the most frequent causes of car accidents in Charlotte are caused by:

• Head-On Collisions
• Teen Driver Car Accidents
• Chain Reaction and Tailgating
• Rear-End Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Intersection Collisions
• Bicycles Hit by Cars
• DUI Accidents
• Road Construction Accidents
• Rollover Accidents
• Accidents Involving Pedestrians
• Big Truck/Tractor Trailer Accidents 
• Motorcycle Accidents

If you have been involved in any of the incidents listed above, contact an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer can unravel the complexities of car accident cases and help you choose the best path forward.

Get Help from a Charlotte Auto Accident Attorney

A car accident can cause serious injury and major financial stress. A tough situation may be made worse by the comparative negligence system, which can open the door for an insurance company to deny your claim.

If you are injured in a car accident in North Carolina, you need legal representation from a law firm with a track record of helping victims just like you. Don’t try to take on the insurance companies on your own.

At Auger & Auger, we’ve represented people like you in North and South Carolina since 1995. In that time, our law firm has won over 99.5% of our cases, and we’ve recovered over $100,000,00  in verdicts and settlements.

Contact us today for a free consultation.