Car Accident Lawyer in Lexington, NC
Car accidents can leave victims facing medical bills, lost income, and pain that affects their daily lives. If you’ve been in an accident, you may wonder if legal action is right for you. For many, a car accident claim is a way to address these losses and secure resources to cover medical treatment, repairs, and other necessary costs. However, we understand that starting this process may feel daunting, especially if you’re unsure about what a claim involves.
Lewis & Keller offers free consultations to answer your questions and help you decide your next steps. If you’re uncertain about your options, let a trusted car accident lawyer in Lexington review your situation. We’re here to offer clarity and explore possible paths forward.
PUT AN AWARD-WINNING FIRM ON YOUR SIDE
Lewis & Keller is a recognized Best Law Firm in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, as well as Personal Injury Litigation-Plainitffs by U.S. News and World Report. The firm has also been given an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Founding partner Mike Lewis has procured the title of one of the Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation and eminent domain, and was also distinguished as a North Carolina Super Lawyer in personal injury. These accolades wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of all of the attorneys at Lewis & Keller and their clients who placed their trust in them.
Available
24/7
Hurt in the middle of the night? Don’t wait to call an attorney. A real person is available 24/7 and will answer your call.
Years of
Experience
Founding partner, Mike Lewis, has been practicing law for 50 years. When you call our attorneys, you’ll have our wealth of experience and knowledge on your side.
No Fees Unless
We Win
Working on a contingency fee basis allows our clients to retain our services without worrying about hourly legal fees. You won’t owe us a penny unless we win.
Table of Contents
Steps You Should Take After an Accident To Protect Your Rights
Knowing what to do after a car accident can help protect your rights and strengthen your case if you choose to file a claim. Here are key actions to take:
Immediately at the Scene
- Document the Scene: If you’re able, take photos or videos of the accident site, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. This documentation can be important in proving the accident’s impact. Collect insurance information from the other driver and the contact information of any witnesses.
- Move to Safety: First, ensure that you and any passengers are safe. Move to the side of the road if possible and away from traffic.
- Call 911: Notify law enforcement and request medical assistance. An official police report is important evidence if you decide to file a claim.
In the Days Following the Accident
- Seek Medical Care: Even if injuries seem minor, visit a doctor to check for any issues that may not show immediate symptoms. Conditions like whiplash or internal injuries often appear later.
- Contact Your Insurance: Report the accident to your insurance company, but stick to the facts. Avoid speculating about fault or details you’re unsure about.
- Consult a Car Accident Lawyer in Lexington, NC: A knowledgeable attorney can offer guidance on preserving evidence, dealing with insurance adjusters, and avoiding common mistakes that could weaken your claim.
Don’t Deal With the Insurance Companies Alone
Insurance companies may seem cooperative, but their goal is often to minimize payouts. Handling insurance claims on your own can lead to frustration and settlements that don’t fully address your needs. Here are some common challenges people face when dealing with insurers:
- Low Initial Offers: Adjusters might offer a quick settlement for far less than the actual cost of medical bills or car repairs.
- Blame-Shifting Tactics: Insurers may try to assign partial or full blame to you to reduce their liability, especially under North Carolina’s contributory negligence law.
- Requests for Recorded Statements: Insurance adjusters often ask for recorded statements, which they can use to challenge or weaken your claim later on.
When working with Lewis & Keller, you can feel confident that an attorney will handle these negotiations on your behalf, aiming to protect your best interests and seek the maximum possible settlement for your case.
our Lexington car accident attorneys
Understanding Liability in North Carolina
Liability, or legal responsibility, is the foundation of any car accident claim. Proving liability in North Carolina can be complex, especially given the state’s strict contributory negligence laws. Establishing that another driver was fully at fault is essential, as even minor fault on your part may bar recovery.
Pure Contributory Negligence Laws
North Carolina follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning if you’re found even 1% at fault, you may be barred from receiving compensation. This strict standard makes it critical to work with an experienced attorney who can thoroughly investigate the accident and gather evidence to prove the other party’s sole responsibility. Your attorney at Lewis & Keller can review police reports, collect witness statements, and work with experts to build a strong case on your behalf.
The Deadline To File a Lawsuit in NC
North Carolina law sets a strict 3-year statute of limitations for car accident injury claims. This means you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline may mean losing your right to pursue compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.
While 3 years might seem like a long time, building a solid case takes considerable preparation. Gathering evidence, medical records, and eyewitness accounts requires time and can be challenging if not addressed promptly. Consulting an attorney from our office early helps ensure critical steps are taken while information is still fresh and evidence readily available.
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Common Compensable Injuries
Car accidents can result in a range of injuries, some of which may not show symptoms immediately. Common injuries for which victims may seek compensation include:
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: These often appear days after an accident but can cause long-term discomfort.
- Head Injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common in car accidents, even in minor collisions.
- Broken Bones: The force of impact can lead to fractures, which often require surgery and extended recovery time.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can lead to lifelong mobility issues, making them among the most severe.
If you’ve suffered these common car accident injuries or others, a car accident lawyer in Lexington, NC, can guide you in pursuing compensation for medical care, therapy, and other accident-related expenses.
Types of Car Accident Cases
At Lewis & Keller, we handle a variety of car accident cases, including:
- Rear-End Collisions
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Sideswipe Accidents
- Hit and Run
- T-Bone Collisions
- Rollover Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Speeding-Related Crashes
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims
Each type of accident brings unique challenges, and having a knowledgeable attorney can help navigate them effectively.
Our Results Speak For themselves
$
7000000
Motorcycle accident resulting in paralysis.
$
3000000
Auto accident resulting in post traumatic stress disorder.
$
1393000
Workplace accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
North Carolina Car Accident FAQs
What is my car accident claim worth?
The value of a car accident claim depends on factors such as medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and any lost income. For serious injuries or cases involving reckless behavior by the other driver, claim values may be higher to account for additional suffering or punitive damages.
Working with an attorney in Lexington, NC, can help ensure all aspects of your damages are documented and valued.
How long does a car accident case take?
The duration of a car accident case varies based on several factors, including the complexity of the accident, the level of cooperation from insurance companies, and whether a settlement is reached out of court. Some cases resolve in a few months, particularly if injuries and fault are clear, while others, especially those with severe injuries or contested liability, may take over a year.
Cases that go to court usually take longer, as they involve multiple phases such as discovery, depositions, and trial preparation. Lewis & Keller strives to resolve cases as efficiently as possible while still pursuing the maximum amount for your claim.
What is The Car Accident Litigation Process?
1. Gathering Information
Typically the litigation process starts after negotiations at the present stage have broken down. Either the insurance company is denying the claim, or the offer is low, etc. When you are ready to commit to the litigation process, your lawyer will do a lot of gathering. The other side is entitled to mountains of information, and it’s best to have it ready so you don’t get sanctions for delaying the litigation process that you and your lawyer started.
2. Starting Litigation
Once you and your lawyer feel like you have as much information as possible, the complaint will be filed, which will start the litigation process. The defendant will then be served with the complaint and given time to answer. This is called the pleadings stage. During this time, it’s a lot of hurry up and wait. Sometimes, it can take a long time to serve the defendant, and your lawyer will keep pressing the defendant until it happens. Once the pleadings are done, we then move into the discovery phase.
3. The Discovery Phase
During discovery, there is both written and oral discovery. The parties can ask each other written questions and do depositions. Depositions are informal conversations between parties, witnesses, experts, and lawyers to get to the bottom of what happened and continue gathering evidence. Once everyone feels like they have the evidence they need, the parties will undergo mediation.
4. Mediation
Mediation is a process in which all the parties come together with a neutral third party to see if they can get the case resolved. The mediator is often a retired judge or someone prominent in the legal community who has seen or taken part in many jury trials. Many cases settle at mediation because the parties are in a better negotiation posture after having done all that evidence-gathering.
5. Taking Your Case to Court
If mediation does not result in a settlement, both parties will get ready to try the case in court. That will be countless hours of preparing for the different parts of the trial, getting pre-trial motions ready, exhibits ready, jury instructions prepared, arguments fine-tuned, and prepping witnesses for testimony.
Ultimately, how long it takes to get to trial has a lot to do with how fast the court system is moving and how quickly you can get a trial date. Start to finish the litigation process can be anywhere from 12 months to several years, depending on the complexity of the case.
Will I have to go to court?
Most car accident cases settle without the need for a trial, as insurance companies often prefer to avoid the expenses and uncertainty of court. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, going to court may be necessary. In such cases, Lewis & Keller prepares each claim thoroughly, gathering strong evidence and preparing expert testimony to support your case in court. We’ll discuss your case’s specifics and guide you on whether a trial might be likely or beneficial.
What is the cost of hiring a lawyer?
At Lewis & Keller, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees upfront. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation we secure for you, and if we don’t win, you owe us nothing. We also offer free consultations to evaluate your case and outline potential costs. Our fee structure is fully transparent, and we’ll explain it clearly before any agreement, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Do I need an attorney?
While North Carolina law doesn’t require an attorney for car accident claims, having one can be highly beneficial—especially given North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence law. A skilled attorney can help gather and preserve evidence, negotiate with insurers, and provide guidance through complex legal processes. Without an attorney, there’s a greater risk of an undervalued settlement or of being unfairly assigned partial fault, which could prevent any recovery. A Lexington car accident lawyer from Lewis & Keller can help protect your rights and pursue a fair outcome.
How can Lewis & Keller help?
Lewis & Keller is committed to guiding clients through each step of the claims process. Here’s how we can support you:
- Local Legal Knowledge
- Connections to Third-Party Experts
- Working on Contingency
- Building Your Case
- Handling Negotiations
Our team understands the complexities of car accident claims and fights to secure what you may be entitled to under the law. We’re here to provide trusted, local legal support for clients in Lexington, NC.