If you are involved in a vehicle accident, it can change the course of your life. From expensive property damage to painful injuries, the aftermath can be difficult. You should not have to face such consequences alone. In North Carolina, the at-fault party is responsible for providing compensation to the innocent, injured party. Consulting with a Whiteville commercial vehicle accident lawyer can help you determine your legal options for pursuing compensation after a crash on the road.
If you were hurt or your property endured damage in a commercial vehicle accident in North Carolina, Christina Rivenbark & Associates is here to support you. Our team has more than three decades of experience protecting those who have been hurt by others’ negligence on the road. We know how difficult the aftermath of an accident can be and can fiercely stand up for you while you heal.
If you were in a commercial vehicle collision, try to stay calm. It is important to breathe and get medical attention as soon as you can. If you feel pain when you try to move, it’s beneficial to stay put and wait for medical professionals to assist you. If you do not do this, you could cause more physical damage. However, if you are minimally injured and can move without serious pain, try to get to a safe space away from danger.
As soon as you are able to, call the police to report the accident. It is necessary for the police to come and write a report about the scene. If you are able, you should also take note of key details about the scene, such as the other driver’s license plate and information. Whether the driver of the other case was driving a commercial vehicle or a non-commercial vehicle, the insurance companies will closely review evidence from the scene to determine fault, so noting small details is useful.
You should also get in touch with a commercial vehicle accident lawyer as soon as you can after the accident. Your lawyer can walk you through filing the accident claims with your insurance company and the implications of a commercial vehicle accident. For instance, employers like trucking companies are usually held liable if their employees are found to be at fault for an accident.
North Carolina is considered an at-fault state, which means that the insurance companies of both drivers will investigate who was at fault, and the individual they identify will be responsible for paying the damages of the innocent party. If the at-fault party’s insurance doesn’t cover all of the damage, the other party can file a personal injury claim against them.
Unfortunately, receiving the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver’s insurance company is not always as straightforward as it should be. Insurance companies are for-profit, and they often try to minimize the payout by pinning a disproportionate amount of blame on you or minimizing the extent of the damage.
If you find yourself in this sort of case, your Whiteville commercial vehicle accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset in negotiating with the insurance company and standing up for your rights throughout the process. Your attorney can draw on their knowledge of the system and fine-tuned negotiation skills to fight for your rights. Not all such cases go to court, but in the event that yours does, your attorney can be there to fight for you and present evidence for your case.
If you are in a commercial vehicle or truck accident that causes any sort of injury or damage of at least $1,000, you must call the police immediately. If you are unsure of the extent of the damage, it is in your interest to call the police. Even if the other driver involved drove away, you should still have a law enforcement officer come and examine what happened. The police report can be useful evidence in determining fault and helping you secure compensation.
In order to determine who is at fault for a vehicle accident, the state of North Carolina uses contributory negligence. This legal doctrine stipulates that if you are found to have contributed to the accident in any way, you might be barred from recovering any damages. If you are facing a situation in which a contributory negligence claim might hurt your chances of receiving compensation, your lawyer can assess your situation and determine your legal options.
There is no set amount of time that it takes to settle a commercial vehicle accident claim in North Carolina. They often take about thirty to ninety days, but if there are lengthy negotiations or other hurdles, you might find that it takes up to a year. If you are encountering delays in your payout or other challenges, consulting your lawyer on how to proceed can help.
A commercial vehicle is any vehicle that is being driven for a commercial purpose, such as delivering goods or providing public transit. For example, buses, delivery trucks, mail trucks, and construction vehicles can all be considered commercial vehicles in North Carolina. If you are involved in an accident on the road with a commercial vehicle, it is important that you contact the police so that the incident can be properly reported.
Colliding with a commercial vehicle can be overwhelming. You should not have to navigate North Carolina’s legal system alone while you are recovering. Instead, put your trust in the capable hands of an experienced attorney to protect your rights after an accident.
Whether you are facing challenges with your claim, facing obstacles with contributory negligence, or need guidance from the start, Christina Rivenbark & Associates can help. Contact us today for guidance tailored to your case.