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If you have been hurt in a car crash, you are not alone, contact a Raleigh car injury lawyer today for help.At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we know the hardship that can come after a serious car accident. All of us have seen the damage and injuries that come from a car wreck, and we know the difficulties victims may have to deal with when trying to obtain money for what they have lost. We’re here to help you navigate through these tough times.

For a free case evaluation, call us or fill out our online contact form now. You pay no attorney’s fee unless you collect compensation on your claim. We also speak Spanish, you can learn more about our bilingual car accident attorneys.

The effects of a car accident can be devastating. Long hospital stays and missed time from work can wreak havoc on your family’s finances. Furthermore, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may wrongfully deny your insurance claim or try to get you to settle before you have finished medical treatment.

Hurt in an Auto Collision in Raleigh? Call Now for Help!

Our attorneys and staff stand ready to assist you in putting your life back together. We are prepared to take care of all the legal issues so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the facts surrounding the accident. Every case receives individual attention and every case is important to us.

Do you know how many people have called us late in the game and told us “I wish I had known that earlier”? Too many to count. Don’t be one of those people. It is a free consultation. Educate yourself. Even if you don’t hire us, you will know your rights. You will make better decisions.

So why us? We have the resources, experience, knowledge and courage to take on your case – and win. But don’t just take our word for it. Other lawyers and judges have rated our legal abilities with the highest level of professional excellence. They rated our adherence to professional standards of conduct and ethics, reliability and diligence as very high. (Martindale Hubbell Law Directory). Listen to what are past clients have said about us by watching their testimonials.

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Steps You Should Take After a Car Crash

Are you wondering what you should do in the immediate aftermath of a car accident? Taking the right actions in the hours, days, weeks and months after a crash can improve your odds of recovering full compensation for your losses.

What you should – and shouldn’t – do after a traffic accident:

  • Do not settle your personal injury claim until you are released from the doctor’s care and feeling better. The insurance company may try to convince you to settle within a few days of the accident. Do not do it, even if you do not get an attorney. However, you must always consider the statute of limitations in this regard. An experienced auto accident attorney can explain this to you.
  • If you have health insurance, file all your medical bills with your plan. This helps to keep bill collectors from sending you into collections. The at-fault driver’s insurance company often will not pay your medical bills until you settle.
  • Keep track of the mileage to your doctor, physical therapist or other injury-related appointments. Sometimes you can use this mileage as part of your claim.
  • Keep a copy of your prescription receipts. These are part of incurred medical expenses for which you should be compensated.
  • Keep a list of all doctors and hospitals you have been to. Get a written note from your doctor for any missed days from work. This is very important. It is difficult to claim lost wages for days you missed when you do not have a written doctor’s excuse.
  • It is very important that you keep your appointments with your doctor or therapist. The value of your claim can be affected by your cooperation with your doctor or therapist. Please make every effort to keep your appointments. If you simply cannot make an appointment, call their office and let them know.
  • Make sure your doctor writes down each symptom that is bothering you at each appointment, not just the one that is bothering you the most.
  • Make sure you give a complete history of any past injuries to your doctor. Trying to cover up past problems will usually only hurt your case.
  • Always tell the truth – the whole truth. Never exaggerate your injuries.
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About Car Damage Claims in North Carolina

Sometimes your vehicle damage claim can be the most frustrating aspect of an accident. You may not be able to get to work or to the doctor because your car is not driveable and the at-fault driver’s insurance company is not being helpful. It is important that you understand how insurance companies process these claims so you know what to expect.

The insurance company is not going to take responsibility for your claim until they have completed their investigation into the accident. This means they may want to review the accident report, inspect your car, take a statement from their insured, and interview the police officer and any witnesses. They may also want to take your recorded statement.

If a decision is made to accept the claim, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will then pay to have your car repaired or, if the car is totaled, pay you its fair market value. By North Carolina law, if the repair bill is greater than 75% of the fair market value, then the at-fault driver’s insurance company will total the car. If the insurance company decides to total your car, they will probably pay off any outstanding loans on the car and then pay you the balance, if any. If the car’s fair market value is less than you owe, you are still responsible for paying the loan. The insurer will take possession of the car after you sign over the title. If the bank has the title, the insurance company will have you sign a power of attorney to give it the authority to transfer the title.

If your car is repairable, then the at-fault insurance company will give you a cost estimate prepared by their appraiser. You then have the freedom to choose the body shop you want to fix your car. You are not required to take it to the insurance company’s approved repair shops, although there may be certain advantages to doing so.

Furthermore, if they accept responsibility, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will usually pay for a rental car. You will normally have to have a credit card to get the car. Generally, they pay between $20 and $26 a day for the rental. In certain circumstances, they will pay for more. If your car is not driveable but is repairable, you will be provided a rental car for a reasonable period of time while your car is repaired. If your car is driveable, you will be provided a rental car when your car goes into the shop and until it is repaired. If your car is totaled, you will be provided a rental car for a reasonable period of time, usually not more than a few days.

Other questions we can answer for you:

  • Can the at-fault driver’s insurance company insist on used parts to repair your car?
  • What is the substitution of collateral and how it can help you get into a new car faster through your current car loan if you don’t have enough equity in your car?
  • What should you do if the insurance company’s investigation is taking too long or they deny the claim?
  • If the at-fault insurance company is delaying the claim, can your own insurance company assist you?
  • How does diminished value work and when are you entitled to it?
  • What is the 25% rule in regard to disclosure to any potential buyers of the wrecked status of your repaired car?

Car Accidents Claim FAQs

Automobile Accidents

Who pays if I incur an injury due to an auto accident?

If you are to blame for an accident, your liability insurance will pay the other driver for property damage and personal injuries up to your policy’s limits. If you are not at fault, the other driver’s liability insurance pays for your car damage and personal injuries.

What should I do if I did not feel hurt at the scene of an accident, but experienced pain afterwards?

You should immediately consult your medical provider regarding any pain, discomfort or possible injuries from the accident, even if you think they may be only minor injuries. Even if you did not complain of injuries at the scene of the car accident, if you were injured in the accident from someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to payment of your medical bills, compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, and emotional distress. You should consult an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., to discuss whether you need representation on your claim.

I received a personal injury as a result of hitting a pothole with my car. Who is responsible?

Damage caused by improper maintenance or repair of roads and highways may be the cause of damage to your vehicle. Generally, responsibility lies with the government agency responsible for this maintenance. If it was a pothole in a city street, the city may be responsible.

My insurance company is offering me a nice settlement for my car accident. Should I take it?

No. Tell the insurance company that you will get back to them. In the meantime, contact an attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., immediately. An insurance company may offer a minimal amount of money in return for your signature stating that you will not sue them. Never take an insurance check without first consulting an attorney.

What issues will I face in making a claim for my injuries sustained in an automobile accident?

A claim for injuries is usually based upon carelessness or negligence. In worse case scenarios, it is based on an intentional or reckless act. The three categories of issues that typically arise in a tort claim after an automobile accident are:

  • Liability – who is at fault and to what degree.
  • Damages – injuries or losses that were caused by the accident.
  • Insurance Coverage – whether the insurance company provides coverage to the at fault party.

How will I pay for my medical bills?

If you have been injured, you will likely have medical bills from physicians, hospitals, physical therapists, and other health care providers. Those bills will be in your name and will usually be sent to your address. You are primarily responsible for paying your bills, regardless of the cause of your injuries. The at-fault person’s liability insurance carrier is responsible for paying you reasonable compensation for damages incurred, which includes medical bills, but the insurance carrier is not responsible for paying your doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Sometimes the amount the insurance company is willing to pay is far less than the actual amount you owe. You need an attorney who fill fight for your rights with the insurance companies to ensure that you are fully compensated. Contact Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., today to discuss your course of action.

Am I at fault if I rear-end another vehicle

Almost always, yes. The law states that you must maintain a safe distance to be able to stop safely if a car stops in front of you.

Younce Vtipil Baznik & Banks personal injury law team

Let Our Experienced Car Accident Attorneys Help

It costs you nothing to discuss your personal injury case with an experienced legal professional. Let us review the facts of your situation and provide you with free legal advice about your options. You have questions and we have answers. Let us answer your questions at no cost to you and with no strings attached.

At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., our attorneys are ready to talk whenever you are. You can contact us online or by phone any time of day or night, any day of the week. Are you ready to get started now? Just fill out our simple online contact form or give us a call.

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