Car Accidents on I-40 near Raleigh, NC

Interstate 40 is the major highway artery linking Raleigh to the rest of the Triangle and North Carolina. The N.C. Department of Transportation says I-40 in Wake County saw an average of 132,000 vehicles a day in 2019, including 83,000 a day on the I-440 beltline around Raleigh. With that volume of traffic, crashes are common.

Car accidents on I-40 and the resulting traffic backups are part of the morning and evening local news from the Triangle almost on a daily basis. I-40 accidents often result in serious injuries because of the speed at which the vehicles are moving. If you have been injured in a crash on I-40 near Raleigh and another driver was at fault, you may be entitled to seek significant compensation for your medical bills and related losses.

The car accident lawyers at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A. help people injured in car accidents in Raleigh and Central North Carolina seek full compensation for the losses they have suffered in crashes caused by other drivers. Serious accidents disrupt lives. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident on I-40 or I-440, our attorneys can handle the legal issues surrounding your insurance claim so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and calculate your present and future losses due to the injuries. We will push the responsible insurance company to pay your claim and be prepared to take the insurer to court if necessary.

Every client is important to us and receives individual attention. Call us or fill out our online contact form now for a free evaluation of your claim. You’ll pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Car Accidents Happen So Often on I-40 Near Raleigh

If you have driven I-40 through Raleigh, it’s likely that you have seen an accident, a near collision, or someone who you feared would soon cause an accident. The volume and speed of traffic on I-40 in the Triangle is a primary contributor to the high number of accidents. The nature of rush-hour traffic also contributes to accidents, with bumper-to-bumper traffic repeatedly spreading out and reaching full speed before suddenly coming to a stop and bunching up again.

How people drive on I-40 is a big cause of accidents, too. Among those who endanger others on I-40 are drivers:

• Speeding and driving too fast for traffic conditions. Traffic can quickly change speed and density
• Aggressively switching lanes in traffic
• Engaging in distracting activities, such as texting or talking on a phone, eating, applying makeup, or programming a navigation system
• Impaired by fatigue or by alcohol or drugs, which slows reactions and clouds thinking
• Not familiar with the area, who suddenly brake or switch lanes to get to an exit

Negligent and reckless driving on congested interstate highways leads to predictable types of accidents:

• Stopping-slowing crashes. These are crashes in which a lead vehicle slows or stops because of congestion and is involved in a rear-end accident.

*A lead vehicle slows or stops and a following vehicle in the same lane does not slow down fast enough to avoid a collision.

*A lead vehicle changes lanes in front of a second vehicle and then immediately slows down

*A vehicle changes lanes and is traveling at speed when it moves behind a vehicle that had already slowed or stopped

• Sideswipe/cutoff crashes. These are accidents in which the collision occurs during the lane change. The lane change may be to avoid slower traffic ahead. The driver changing lanes may be attempting to exit the interstate or maybe inattentive and drift from one lane into another.
• Wrong-way accidents. Drivers who are impaired or confused occasionally enter I-40 headed in the wrong direction and get into head-on crashes. This typically happens at night and sometimes on the interstate’s entrance or exit ramps. This driver error is often attributed to drunk or drugged driving but may also be due to unfamiliarity with the interstate.
• Work zone crashes. Sections of Interstate 40 near Raleigh have been under construction for years. More roadwork projects are scheduled for years to come. Construction zone accidents on I-40 can occur because of how fast vehicles travel through the work zone, because of the construction, or utility work within the work zone, or because of how a poorly designed work zone directs traffic.

What to Do If You Have Been in An Accident on I-40 Near Raleigh

If you are involved in a car accident on Interstate 40 near Raleigh, you must keep in mind that there is still moving traffic near you that is potentially dangerous. If you can, move your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and exit it to stand well off of the roadway.

If anyone has been injured or killed, or damage to the vehicles and/or other property appears to be worth $1,000 or more, North Carolina law requires you to report the accident to police. On I-40 you may dial 911 for emergency response personnel. If anyone is injured, request an ambulance along with the police.

When the police arrive, they will request your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and auto insurance coverage information. They will obtain this information from each driver involved in the crash.

After a car accident, you should do the following:

• Avoid blaming the other driver or accept blame for the crash. Don’t downplay or exaggerate your injuries when speaking to the police or others.
• Get photos of the accident scene, the vehicles, and your injuries. Use your phone camera to photograph anything that may show what happened or why the accident occurred.
• See a doctor. If you do not leave the accident scene in an ambulance, visit a doctor within 24 hours of the crash to ensure you do not have untreated injuries. A doctor’s exam documents your injury in case you have an insurance claim. Follow all doctor’s orders, especially attending follow-up appointments for further treatment.
• Report the accident to your auto insurer. Do not accept blame for the accident or downplay or exaggerate the accident or your injuries. If contacted by the other driver’s insurance company, decline to make a statement and do not sign anything.
• Start saving all receipts, medical bills, records, and records of mileage to doctor appointments, pertaining to your accident. This information may be needed if you have to demonstrate the extent of your injuries, medical costs, and time away from work as part of an insurance claim.
• Contact a car accident lawyer. Having a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer review the details of your accident can help you understand whether you have a valid injury claim. At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we will provide a full review and assessment of a potential car accident claim at no charge. If you have received a settlement offer from an insurance company, we can review it for you at no charge and help you assess whether it will cover your losses.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help

After a serious car accident, a knowledgeable and determined car accident attorney can help you pursue a proper insurance settlement for medical expenses and other losses caused by the accident.

A car accident attorney at Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., can investigate an I-40 accident to identify the driver or drivers at fault and their applicable insurance coverage. We will calculate the full extent of your losses from the accident, including your medical expenses, lost income, and costs to repair or replace your vehicle. North Carolina allows accident victims to seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

If you have suffered a disabling injury, we will determine your anticipated expenses for future medical care and rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, remodeling of your home to make it accessible, and your reduced earning capacity.

With documentation of the full cost of your injuries, we will submit a claim to the liable party’s insurance company and negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement. Most car accident cases can be settled out of court. Our attorneys will discuss any settlement offers we receive with you and give you our guidance as to whether the settlement is reasonable in light of your losses. The final decision to accept or reject any settlement offer is yours.

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, the attorneys at Younce, Vtipil, & Baznik, P.A. will be ready to present a persuasive case on your behalf in court.

Contact A Raleigh Interstate Highway Accident Lawyer Today

At Younce, Vtipil, Baznik & Banks, P.A., we understand how tough it can be to put your life back together after a serious car accident. That is why we are dedicated to providing responsive legal service to each of our clients, with a priority on compassion. We fight to protect the rights of our clients while securing the full and fair compensation they deserve after car accident injuries. We focus on listening, understanding your needs, and striving for results that meet your goals.

To learn more, call our Raleigh office today or fill out our online contact form. Your initial consultation with our office is always free and confidential.