North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers
Experienced North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers – Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
James Farrin is the president and CEO of one of the largest personal injury firms in North Carolina. He began his career in 1995 advocating for victims and soon after founded his own firm. He now leads this large, expert team of attorneys devoted to personal injury and car accident cases. The firm has 16 offices located all over the state and one in South Carolina to be easily accessible to victims of accidents.
Experience, dedication, and a large team of experts are just some of the reasons North Carolina residents have to rely on the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin:
- Decades of experience and a team of more than 200 attorneys and support staff
- More than 50,000 clients served
- More than $1 billion recovered for clients
- A track record of results, including $4.5 million for the victim of a commercial trucking accident and $3 million for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle
- Free, no-obligation consultations
- No fees until they win
North Carolina Law Office Headquarters
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin reaches clients at offices from Asheville to Greenville with headquarters in Durham:
280 South Mangum Street
Suite 400
Durham, NC 27701
When Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
You may need a North Carolina car accident lawyer after an accident that leaves you with serious injuries. Minor accidents are usually easy to handle without legal representation. You can make a claim with your own insurer or the policy owned by the person who caused the accident.
When you really need a lawyer is in more serious crashes. Even if the other driver seems willing to work with you or if you believe you can file for a claim, consider hiring a lawyer if you:
- Have serious and potentially lasting injuries, disabilities, or disfigurement from the accident
- Cannot work for a period of time and lost income as a result
- May be unable to work the same job again, or any job at all, due to your injuries
- Have big medical bills and more expected in the future
- Cannot get the insurer to give you a fair compensation amount
- Lost a loved one in the accident
- Suffered significant emotional trauma from the incident
How to Work with Your North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer is just the first step in resolving a car accident. Your lawyer has the expertise and experience to represent you and do most of the work to get compensation, but they need your partnership in the process.
To get the best outcome, be honest with your lawyer. Answer their questions completely, and don’t hold back information you think is incriminating. Be easy to get in touch with and respond to your lawyer’s calls right away.
You will also need to provide your lawyer with as much information and documentation as possible. They may request:
- Police reports from the accident
- Contact information for witnesses, others involved in the accident, and the at-fault driver
- Insurance information from you and the at-fault driver
- Any physical evidence, such as photographs, from the accident or of your injuries
- Your medical records and bills related to the accident
- Information about your job and earnings and how the injuries impact your ability to work
Car Accident Laws to Know in North Carolina
It’s important to understand the laws that may impact your ability to hold an at-fault driver negligent and recover damages. North Carolina has a few laws and procedural rules that will have a bearing on your legal actions after a car accident:[1][2]
Statute of Limitations
All states put a time limit on filing personal injury lawsuits. If you hope to sue the at-fault driver or their insurer, you have just three years in North Carolina to file. It would be best if you talked to a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing this deadline and the opportunity to sue.
While suing the state government or employee negligent while on the job follows different rules, the time limit is the same. You have three years to file a personal injury claim against the North Carolina government.
Modified Comparative Negligence
The amount of damages you may recover is largely determined by individual factors in your case. A rule in North Carolina known as modified comparative negligence also impacts damages. It means that if you are at fault in the accident, a judge will reduce any jury award by a comparable amount, for instance, 30%. The rule applies to trials but can impact settlement negotiations as well.
Damages Caps
Some states cap, or limit, non-economic damages. These are the costs associated with pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other things that cannot be monetized. North Carolina only caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. If an accident caused you serious trauma, you can seek fair compensation for that suffering.
At-Fault Auto Insurance System
North Carolina is an at-fault auto insurance state. This means the system relies on tort and liability. You have a right to take legal action against the negligent driver or their insurer. There are no limitations on suing them for damages.
If you have serious injuries because of someone else’s negligent driving, contact North Carolina car accident lawyers for help. You need their expertise, advice, and representation to get what you deserve and need to put your life back together.
For city-specific information, visit the following pages: